As a commercial building owner, it is within your responsibility to take good care of all parts of the building. However, you may unintentionally place more focus on the interior of the building rather than its exterior, especially your roof. Though only making up for 10% of the initial construction cost, if not maintained properly, your commercial roof may cause many costly issues in the future. As one of the top metal building accessories suppliers, we highly recommend you to have a maintenance checklist for your commercial rooftop and consistently keep up with it.
Why You Need a Rooftop Maintenance Checklist
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is to inspect and maintain your roof at least twice a year. Performing routine inspection and maintenance of your rooftop, preferably with a checklist, has many great benefits:
- Extends the longevity of your commercial roof
- Detects underlying issues from early on
- Protects the building interior
- Prevents the manufacturer’s warranty from being voided (for not keeping up with your roof)
- Enhances the safety and well-being of people working inside the building
Commercial Roof Maintenance Checklist
Check Inside the Building First
Before performing your inspection on the roof, make sure to check for roof issues inside the building first. Molds, water stains, and leaks – these are some red flags that you need to pay extra attention to as they strongly indicate that there are some problems with your commercial roof. Note down the issues and discuss with your maintenance staff on how to address them immediately.
Cleaning Up
To make sure that any underlying issues will be tended to, it is important to clean up the dirt and debris collected on your rooftop over time. Branches, leaves, trash, and unnecessary objects – they all can create unwanted roofing dams and cause problems in the future. If you see any vegetation that will potentially penetrate the roofing materials, leave it to the professionals and let them properly remove it.
Check the Roof Surface
Depends on the types of roofs, the visible damages may vary. Below are some common signs to look for when inspecting your commercial rooftop:
- Flat roofs: Ponding water, punctures and blisters, flashing separated from the roof, cracked roof coating, large rips and tears
- Sloped roofs: Bending of roofing materials, large blisters and ridges, punctures
- Metal roofs: Rust, improper flexibility, crimped or bent panels, corrosion
Check the Flashing
Flashings play an important role in keeping the water away from certain areas on your rooftop where it can cause damages. If there are HVAC units and skylights installed on your rooftop, chances are you have flashings and it is necessary that you check for cracks and crevices to prevent leaks and mold. If you see that your flashings either pulling away or creating gaps, you need to address the issue immediately.
Clear Your Drains
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of having clear drains throughout a commercial building. Watch out for backed-up water, moss, and/or mold as these are the number one signs of clogged drains. This is especially important before winter with its inclement weather and cold temperatures.
Walkways and Catwalks
While inspecting and maintaining your rooftop, make sure to also check on your walkway system to ensure your employees’ safety and prevent costly repair fees in the future. Does the walkway seem structurally sound? Are there any major signs of rust or chipped paint that need your attention? As a top provider of the Rooftop METAWALK ® System and Handrails, we strongly believe that a good product would only last if it is kept up with consistently.
Stairs and Railings
Handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems – these are elements that also require your attention during your commercial rooftop maintenance. Having been in the business for years, we know that even some slight damaged paint on stairs and railings can lead to rust and other serious issues in the future. Therefore, make sure that checking for surface deterioration, loose parts, and structural issues are on your maintenance checklist.
Design Components – One of the Top Metal Building Accessories Suppliers
We hope that the checklist above will prove to be helpful the next time you inspect and maintain your commercial rooftop. Throughout the maintenance process, if you notice that there are some items that need replacement, such as your skylights, walkway system, ladder cages, curbs, and hatches, rest assured that you can count on us! We have what it takes to enhance the quality and safety of your commercial building.
To speak with an expert ready to help you, give us a call today at (800) 868-9910 or by requesting a quote on our website. Learn more by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
