Keeping the roof adequately maintained is important as it is one of the most important components of a building’s exterior. It is the part that is always left exposed to the elements. Since it is protecting you, you need to make sure that it is in the best condition to do so. With a well-maintained roof system, not only will your roof be kept in good condition, but its performance will also be improved. Unsure of what you should do to maintain a roof? Here is what you need to know:
Assign Building Personnel to Maintain the Roof
There is no need to call a professional roofing contractor for every roof-related problem you have. Instead, you can assign building personnel to be responsible for roof maintenance. They can handle the task of cleaning dirt and debris off and ensuring low traffic on the roof. If debris is left unattended, a massive pile of water may form as the water will not be able to pass down the drain. If this problem grows in severity and is left unaddressed for a long time, there is a possibility of roof collapse.
Moreover, building personnel should control roof traffic. In fact, the only person who should be allowed to walk on the roof is the building personnel. If it is unavoidable, there should be walkway pads or roof pavers to protect the roof surface from damage. During spring and fall, building personnel shouldn’t walk on the roof too often. They can observe and write a report to a management team. If you think you still lack roof system knowledge, consider attending a seminar about roofing systems and how you can take care of them. You will be educated on how to properly maintain your roof and learn when to replace your existing system.
Update a Roof System Historical File
It’s important for everyone responsible for the building to be aware of the conditions and problems regarding the roof system. Therefore, updating a roof system historical file is essential. Every time that there are changes to the roof, whether they’re installations or repairs, the maintenance personnel should file all of the details in the historical file. Details about the warranty, specifications, and roofing plans also should be put in the file. All of the information will be a big advantage when the building is sold and purchased.
Hire a Roofing Contractor
When roofing problems are far too much for the building personnel to handle, you will need to hire a professional roofing contractor. They will know how to fix the problem in the best way while also inspecting for any other things that will need to be repaired. If you let the building personnel or an unauthorized contractor work on big roof problems, you will not be able to claim the warranty in case the problems become worse.
Get Roof Inspections on a Bi-Annual Basis
It’s important to have roofing professionals visit to do a roof inspection two times per year, preferably in the spring and fall seasons. This is because when roofing problems are noticed in their early stages, they can be repaired before they become worse and cost you more money. If you have just experienced harsh weather conditions, however, you should get a roof inspection as soon as possible. Some of the roof features are prone to damage, and you should specify these to the roof inspectors. Those features include flashings and field. If flashings are damaged, it can cause water seepage and leakage through the roof. It’s important to make sure that the professionals check all of the items and repair them correctly.