Winter is just around the corner and as a commercial building owner, you may wonder what you can do to best prepare your commercial roof for the season. Ice, snow, and strong winds – they all pose serious threats to your roof Without proper preparation, you may have to pay extra for the damages that occur to your rooftop during winter months or even worse, creating a threat to the safety of your staff as well as your clients in the building. As experts on aluminum roof walkway systems, there are a few things we would like to suggest to help you prep your roof for winter.
Tips for Preparing Your Commerical Roofing System for Winter
Clean Your Roof
Leaves, twigs, and debris can often cover your rooftop fast, especially in summer and fall. By removing them, you are making sure that you are not clogging the gutter and causing damage to the shingles. Also, a clean rooftop allows for detailed inspection as it helps your maintenance staff to have a chance to inspect every part of the roof. During the cleaning process, do not forget to clear out your gutter thoroughly to prevent ice dams and poor drainage when winter comes.
Inspect Your Roof
Leaks and roof collapse are some potential issues that may occur in winter if your commercial roof is not inspected thoroughly before the cold season. Is there any visible cracking? Are there loose roofing materials that need your attention? During the inspection process, make sure that all the items below are covered:
- Drainage pipes
- Surface membrane
- Valleys
- Shingles
- Gutters
A commercial roof inspection should take place at least twice a year. To ensure the safety of your maintenance staff or the professionals that you hire who will carry out the roof inspection, consider installing a walkway system. A rooftop METALWALK® system provides safe access to the rooftop without direct foot traffic that causes roof damage. It also keeps your employees safe and helps your company avoid significant liability, which is common during winter months due to the inclement weather.
Repair Your Roof
Once you are done with the inspection process, it is important that your maintenance tend to all the issues and have them fixed before winter comes. Even though it is not impossible to repair a leak during the winter months, winter repairs are most inconvenient and even dangerous. Plus, you may be charged extra in the winter months for any repairs due to the hassles that come with them. Therefore, do not delay or ignore things that need to be repaired on your roof before winter arrives.
Plan for Ice and Snow Removal
As dreamy as a snow-covered roof may look, in reality, more than 2 feet of snow may be too much for your commercial roof to handle. Therefore, if you live in northern states where snow is common throughout winter, make sure that you have a plan for ice and snow removal. Do not wait until there are layers of ice are developed on your roof. Be proactive and check periodically on your roof and gutters to ensure that the melting snow and ice drain properly. Reach out to your maintenance team or your local snow removal service in the fall to plan ahead. Though it may seem like a lot of work, you are doing what necessary to prevent your roof from collapsing in the winter.
Design Components – Your Trusted Aluminum Roof Walkway Systems Manufacturer
Although preparation for your commercial for the winter months is a lot of work, a reliable aluminum rooftop walkway system will make the rooftop inspection process so much safer and easier. There are also many rooftop walkway products that are useful for your maintenance work, including ladders, stairs, and hatches. With 40 years of experience as a metal building accessories supplier, we have what it takes to create an excellent rooftop walkway system that will meet your needs.
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.
