Roofing and Building Center

Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Commercial Roofing

Posted on December 13, 2009 by Samuel Cheeseman ----- Advertisement

If you currently own or manage a commercial or industrial building then a considerable amount of time should be allocated to ensuring that the property is maintained to a high standard and constantly in a good state of repair. The current state of the roof on the property is one of the most important things for you to consider. Using commercial roofing companies to perform repairs and replacement can be very expensive. Their costs can take up a large part of your budget if you do not keep up the necessary periodic maintenance of any commercial roofing systems you are responsible for.

As a facilities manager or a commercial roofing contractor it is important to know when minor repairs are the best option and will prevent the need for major repairs in the future. It is also necessary to understand when it would be more economical in the long term to replace the whole roof. Commercial roof repair can be expensive and will sometimes only be a temporary solution to a larger problem with your roof. It is important to measure the cost of repairs against the cost of new commercial roofs while also keeping in mind any future expenses these two options may be responsible for.

All commercial roofing will have a life expectancy and will sooner or later need to be replaced. The lifetime of the roofing materials can however be increased with regular maintenance and inspections. Commercial roofing contractors can be employed to carry out these tasks as well as roof replacements and repairs. Comprehensive maintenance will always be a good long term investment if it ensures that any potential problems with or damage to roofing materials are addressed promptly and dealt with. The National Roofing Contractors Association has gone as far as saying that effective methods of preventative maintenance can in some cases double the life of commercial roofing materials. Although the effects are not usually this profound, maintenance will always increase the life expectancy of your roof by a substantial number of years.

Minimizing Future Problems

Preventative maintenance will involve periodic inspections that identify any small problems which could escalate if no action is taken to remedy them. It is important to carry regular inspections of the entire commercial roofing system including the roof surface, guttering, flashings, drains and masonry. These inspections should be documented and supported by photographic records which show the condition of the roof. Occasional infrared scans of the roof should be carried out where possible to identify any areas where heat may be escaping or where moisture is present. It is important to ensure that your roofing system is effectively retaining the necessary amounts of heat inside the building as this will ensure that energy consumption and costs are kept to a minimum. The infrared surveys and physical inspections of the roof will help identify any potential heat loss.

Your choice of roofing materials will have a considerable effect on what kind of maintenance or repair work the roof will need. Commercial metal roofing materials are a popular choice for use in many properties due to their lightweight design, strength and durability. Corrugated roofing is particularly durable and is often treated to withstand many kinds of corrosion ensuring it will have a long life expectancy. A commercial roofing specialist will be able to advise which specific materials will suit your property but corrugated metal roofs are generally a good choice for most kinds of industrial buildings. These will usually be pitched although sometimes a commercial flat roof will be more suitable.

Periodic inspections and preventative maintenance carried out by a professional commercial roofing company are the keys to getting the most out of your roof. With set procedures in place you should be able to maximize the life expectancy and performance of the roof while minimizing expenditure on major repairs or premature roof replacements.