Your roof is a capital investment, just like any other investment your business might make, and it needs to be cared for and maintained. But a roof is an easy thing to overlook. We usually only see it from afar, and we don’t often notice when there’s damage until it’s extreme enough to cause internal problems within the building. This is exactly why a commercial roofing inspection is an important part of property management and maintenance.
A roof inspection can catch minor damage before it becomes major.
Roofs are exposed to the elements all day long, every day of the year. Over time the breakdown of the materials, weather damage occurs, and foot traffic from tradesmen creates further deterioration. Having someone knowledgeable assess your roof for these sorts of damages can allow you to fix them before they lead to more extreme problems.
A roof inspection can also give you valuable information about periodical maintenance needs that your roof might have. Even a healthy roof needs to be maintained to avoid minor damages. Drains and waterways need to be cleaned out. Debris and foliage need to be removed. New roof coatings may need to be applied. Without a roof inspection, it’s easy to forget about these things or be completely unaware if they are needed or not.
You can think of a roof inspection a bit like checking the oil in your car. Sure, you could keep driving without doing this kind of maintenance, but it’ll increase the risk of damaging your engine and needing to replace it more quickly.
A roof is an even bigger investment than a car. Regular maintenance can ensure that you get the most out of your roof investment. A yearly roof inspection by a commercial roofing contractor can give you the information you need to know what kind of maintenance is required for your commercial roof.
Having regularly scheduled roof inspection phoenix can also help you plan for future expenditures. No one wants to be surprised to find out that they urgently need a new roof. A regular inspection can give you the heads up you need to plan accordingly. When you know that your roof will likely need to be replaced in the next five years, you can start planning for that capital expenditure now, rather than being blindsided by it later.
So, how often should you have your roof inspected?
The answer varies, but here are a few questions that can help you know what your commercial building might need:
How old is your roof?
A roof that is five years old or less, could be fine with an inspection after the first 2 years. But a yearly inspection should the bare minimum for a roof that is older than 10 years, and roofs with many interruptions (such as equipment and HVAC) may need more frequent attention.
What type of roof do you have?
Built-Up Roof (BUR)
Foam Roof (SPF)
Single Ply (EPDM, TPO, PVC, etc.)
Metal
Other
How much foliage is there growing around your building?
If your building is in an area with a lot of trees and foliage, you may want to have it inspected or schedule roof cleaning more often. This will ensure that your roof isn’t being damaged by any accumulated debris from nearby trees.
Have you had any past service issues with your roof?
If your roof has had leaks and other issues in the past that you have repaired, without replacing the whole roof, then it would be a good idea to have a roof inspection more often – at least twice a year.
Have you had a lot of storms recently?
This is a concern in Arizona during monsoon season. When there’s been a lot of rain or bad weather of any kind, it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected more often to ensure the weather has not caused any damage.
Now that you know how to determine how often you should consider roofing inspection, what can you expect from the inspection itself?
During a commercial roof inspection, the commercial roofer will thoroughly evaluate and analyze the quality of your roof, checking for damage, deterioration, and general condition. They will give you important information about the integrity of your roof and be able to advise if your roof requires any basic repairs or services and a recommended maintenance schedule. A good commercial roofing contractor will also be able to provide a timeline of when you can anticipate needing your roof replaced so that you can plan and budget accordingly.
This information and following these recommendations can keep your roof working for your business and protect your investment well into the future.
If you’re interested in having RENCO Roofing do your commercial roof inspections, call us at 602-867-9386 or contact us here to schedule your inspection.
