A commercial roof is a significant investment for any commercial or industrial building owner, and proper maintenance is essential to ensure its longevity and performance.

The great thing is that it really doesn’t take much to stay on top of commercial roof maintenance and consistent, small efforts will save you from potentially ever having to replace the whole thing. Here are 5 easy steps to stay on top of your roof: 

1. Schedule regular inspections: A seasoned, skilled commercial roofer is the best person to inspect your roof. With all of Armour’s clients, we recommend at minimum one inspection at year, but ideally two (and certainly after major weather events). This is the easiest and cheapest way to detect problems before they grow.

2. Keep the roof clean: Debris, leaves, and other materials can accumulate on your roof over time. This debris can cause damage to your roof because it often clogs the drainage systems and creates opportunity for water to stay on the roof. We once inspected a roof that appeared to have rocks purposefully thrown on top. Most likely teenagers getting cheap thrills, but the large rocks could have easily damaged the roof or any of the HVAC units up there.

3. Check for proper drainage: Per the last point, proper drainage is necessary from keeping pooling water forming ponds on your roof top. By doing a quick check of your gutters, downspouts, and scuppers, you’ll prevent water from pooling on your roof and causing damage.

4. Address leaks immediately: If you notice a leak in your commercial roof or even just spotting on your ceiling then it’s best to address it soon. It could be a small fix that could be as simple as patching, however, in our experience a small leak is always an indicator that other areas of the roof may be compromised.

5. Schedule regular maintenance: In addition to regular inspection, regular maintenance aids in roof longevity. Our crew has a thorough checklist that we run through including sealing around penetrations, flashing, and replacing worn out seals. These are all “cheap” fixes and can save you from spending a substantial amount otherwise.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your commercial roof is properly maintained, prolonging its life and preventing costly repairs. It goes without saying that it’s best to pick a roofer who has experience working on commercial roofs, and who has the skills, tools, and foresight in roof maintenance.