Author: Sarah Hacker
Important Roof Maintenance Tips For Spring
“You’re going to need a new roof.” Those dreaded words are something no property owner wants to hear. Not only is replacement costly, but a damaged roof also risks the safety of the people inside the building.
Don’t be caught off guard by a huge surprise expense that could have been avoided. Read on for some crucial roofing maintenance tips that can save money and even lives.
Top Roof Maintenance Tips To Follow This Spring
Always follow the advice of your roofing contractor
Before you take matters into your own hands, it’s important to double-check the recommendations of the professionals who installed your roof. They can best advise you based on weight capacities, what building materials were used and any other considerations that may be specific to your building.
Limit the load on your roof
An empty roof is a safe roof, and an integral part of its maintenance. Your roof should not be used as a storage area. Do not keep any unnecessary items up there. Additional weight can cause breaks, cracks or other damage that could threaten the structural integrity of the building.
Try to limit who has access to the roof and keep the number of people walking there to a minimum. It might even be a good idea to install special walkways that are designed to take direct pressure off the roof itself.
If you do have to be on your roof, always follow the recommended safety protocols.
Keep your roof clean and clear
Regularly check your roof for any buildup or debris that could lead to damage. Objects like leaves, branches and litter can easily accumulate and quickly cause mold, mildew and rot.
Remove any obvious detritus. Be sure to carefully inspect around equipment like air conditioners, chimneys or vents, as those are particularly vulnerable areas.
Look for any depressions on the surface of the roof where water may be pooling. Prolonged puddles are magnets for algae and mildew and are likely to become sources of deterioration.
Unclog your gutters. Your roof will be exposed to precipitation. It’s essential that water has an escape route away from the building.
It’s especially important to do a visual inspection after a storm or period of high winds.
Consider the surrounding area
Look at the airspace above and around your building. Are there overgrown trees with dead branches hanging over the roof? Is the roof exposed to enough sunlight to help dry things quickly after a rainfall?
If there is anything in the surrounding area that could comprise your roof – and your building’s safety – take care of the issue right away.
Have a system for snow removal
If you live in a region where snow falls in the winter, have a plan in place ahead of time to have it removed from your roof.
Snow is heavy. Letting it build up can add a huge amount of weight and pressure to your roof. Leaving a snow cover on top of the building can also hide ice blockages that can lead to leaks as the temperature fluctuates above and below freezing over the course of the season.
We recommend hiring a professional snow removal team to clear your roof in order to avoid damage and accidents. However, if you are doing the snow removal yourself, follow these guidelines:
-Use cones to mark off the area around the building on the ground. You don’t want anyone beneath you as you hurl snow from above.
-Shovel the snow off the roof, being careful not to dig into the roof itself. This could damage any protective lining on the surface. Follow up with a broom to sweep away anything the shovel missed.
-Carefully check for ice build-up around equipment, vents and gutters. If necessary, use a de-icing spray recommended by your roofing contractor. You want to make sure water has a clear path off the roof when the temperature rises.
Get leaks fixed immediately
Even if you have taken the other precautions listed above, leakage is still possible. It is essential that you contact a professional contractor to identify the source of the leak and stop it. Delayed action will only allow more moisture to infiltrate and lead to more extensive damage. So have leaks repaired immediately and consult with an emergency roofing service too.
Once the leak is taken care of, have the scope of damage to the building assessed and make the necessary repairs.
Get professional inspections twice a year
Have your roof inspected by a professional every six months. Hiring a roofing company to do a thorough check is the best way to ensure you catch any minor damage or issues before they become bigger problems.
Conclusion: Roof Maintenance Tips For Spring
As a property owner, you don’t want unnecessary expenses. Following these roof maintenance tips will extend the life of your roof and minimize the need for repairs.
But problems do arise, and R. Stevens Commercial Roofing Inc is here for you! We are the leading commercial roof installation company in New Jersey and offer a variety of services, including roof repair, replacement, installation and more to help keep your business running smoothly. Our team has been installing roofs since 1978 and we are confident that our work will last for many years to come.
For NJ commercial roof installation services, R Stevens Commercial Roofing Inc. is truly #1.
