Flat roofs are an excellent choice for commercial building owners. But remember, preventative maintenance will keep them in pristine condition for years to come.
What Makes Flat Roofing Great for Commercial Properties?
Countless companies choose a flat roofing system for their commercial buildings. Flat roofs are a viable option due to their fast and convenient installation, affordability, and low maintenance. Unlike sloped roofs, flat roofing is more accessible for inspection. Since they’re flat, they’re more stable, helping roofing contractors spot red flags quickly.
Saving time and money sounds great to most people—especially those who run a business. However, it’s crucial to know how to take care of a flat roof if you want it to last as long as possible. Flat roof preventative maintenance can:
Increase Your Flat Roof’s Service Life
With routine maintenance, some flat roofs have a life expectancy of 40 to 50 years. Not only do routine checkups minimize the effects of natural wear and tear, but they reveal minor problems to professionals early on. Therefore, roofers can fix issues before they become significant and more costly.
Allowing damage to linger wreaks havoc on your roof’s surface. Neglecting preventative maintenance when underlying conditions are beyond repair only makes matters worse. In fact, ignoring damage often results in a total roof replacement for the safety of the building’s occupants.
Protect Your Interior and Exterior
Weather extremes from hail storms to high winds negatively affect the condition of your roof. Rainwater, UV rays, freezing temperatures, and fallen objects are detrimental to your flat roofing system. Regular preventative maintenance means that professionals look at your flat roof more often, closely monitoring its condition. Taking precautionary steps wards off irreversible damage that can ruin not only your roof’s surface and its underlayment, but your walls and ceilings could suffer too. High heat, gusty winds, and excessive rain damage materials, leaving them cracked and exposed to the elements. Eventually, when the problems have gone on too long, you’ll notice indoor issues.
Damaged materials are an open invitation for pests, leaks, and, in severe cases, mold. When excess moisture creates mold build-up, it causes an unpleasant odor that’s harmful to inhale. This moldy smell can reflect negatively on your business.
Prevent Scupper and Drain Clogging
A scupper is a drainage system that guides accumulated water off your flat roof through a wall or raised roof edge. Scuppers allow water to enter through the roof deck, where it flows to a piping system below. During routine flat roof maintenance, professional roofers clear water and debris from scuppers and drains, helping them function properly.
Clogged scuppers and drains cause water and debris back-ups. After a while, the water begins to pool on your flat roof deck, causing rust, leaks, and other expensive issues. Protect your property from damage with routine flat roof drain cleanings.
Minimize Repair Costs
Taking proactive steps to maintain the condition of your flat roof significantly reduces expenses over its lifespan. You could sink money into expensive roof repairs or a mandatory replacement. On the other hand, you could save money and spend it on other building enhancement projects to modernize your property. The choice is yours. To avoid budget blunders in the future, do yourself a favor now, and invest in a preventative maintenance plan for your flat roofing system.
Flat roofing systems are as economical as it gets for commercial buildings. The key to long-term protection and durability is adequate maintenance. Most roofing companies offer a preventative care contract you can invest in. The contract covers most if not all the costs of repairs, roofing materials, regular inspections, 24/7 emergency maintenance, and more. It’s beneficial to have these terms and agreements on standby when you need them.
Warning Signs Your Flat Roof’s Sustained Damage
As a property owner or key decision-maker of a business, it’s your responsibility to keep an eye on your building’s condition from the inside out. That includes getting your roof checked and keeping track of any differences you notice. Call a professional roofing company right away if you see things like:
- Sagging roof lines
- Water stains on the ceilings and walls
- The smell of mold or mildew
- Moss or plant growth on the roof
- Dark streaks on the roof
- Increased energy bills
It’s wise to get roofing contractors involved immediately once you spot any signs of damage. They’ll conduct a thorough inspection, including a visual scan of the building, and discuss the most appropriate plan of action based on their findings.
Call Kirberg for Superior Flat Roof Preventative Care
At Kirberg, we’re passionate about what we do. We’ve been in the roofing industry for over 100 years; our craftsmanship and quality services prove our high level of professionalism. We’re multifaceted when it comes to roofing, and this includes flat roofing solutions. We use the most trusted materials in the business. Plus, our crew of technicians is experienced and diligent.
No matter what flat roofing system you’re interested in, whether it’s TPO or EPDM, we’re more than confident in our capabilities. Kirberg’s customers are happy customers, and you can become one of them. Our roofing specialists can speak with you about your needs, from flat roof maintenance to a new installation. Don’t delay—call us today to start your roof’s transformation.
