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Commercial Roof Maintenance Tips| Learn With Zicklin Roofing


Why is Roof Maintenance Important?


Do you want to save money on commercial roof repair? Well, it is possible. It is always great to reduce the additional costs for commercial buildings to have profits. But, it should not happen at the cost of risking lives. Moreover, no one wants to spend thousands of dollars on the replacement of commercial roofs. Undoubtedly, you must have heard, “Prevention is better than cure.” So, commercial roof maintenance is the prevention method for making commercial roofs safe for longer years. 


Moreover, it can save you thousands of dollars. But, what should one do for the maintenance of roofs? Well, here is the guide to help you out with roof maintenance. In this post, you will find tips for the maintenance of commercial roofs and how to overcome the issues. So, let’s get started!


Don’t Forget the Commercial Roof Inspection!


 

Before you start with commercial roof maintenance the first thing is to complete the inspection of the roof. You may have the question, is it necessary? Well, the answer is, one must not miss it. Doing the prior roof inspection helps in the detection of the issues. Moreover, it would specify the points where there is a need for the work. So, the following are the steps one should follow for a commercial roof inspection


1: Keeping the logs of prior and current maintenance

It is very important to keep the maintenance logs whether it is prior or current. With the maintenance log record, you can easily see what has been done earlier, or which issue needs more attention. Moreover, it will let you know the details of the previous roof repairings along with the date and time. So, it will make it easy to keep a record of everything related to the roof maintenance


2: Write Down Everything

While doing the inspection of the roof, don’t forget to record and write down a single thing during the inspection. It is very important not to miss a minute detail. Moreover, you can make a column for the important parts of the roof like vents, flashes, or shingles. Along with the column, you can mention whether they need repair or are in good condition. You can also take pictures in case there is a need to claim insurance.  So, it will not just make your inspection process easy, but will also help you with the maintenance procedure.


3: Make Your Own Toolkit

For the inspection of the roof, there is a need for different tools. Well, you can make your own customized toolkit to help you with the roof inspection process. You can have your own created maintenance log, camera to take photos of required areas,  pencil, marker, flashlight, etc. So, it is on you what you need along during the inspection process. So, it is on you what you need in your own toolkit.


4: Start With The Walls 

After the above-mentioned steps, you can start with the inspection process. So, the first thing is to do the interior inspection. It includes checking the walls as it will let you know the extent of the damage. Moreover, it can give you hint where you need to look first to make the roof in a better state. So, you will look for the paint color like whether it is fading, or is it wet. Are there any cracks in the walls? Is there any presence of mold on the walls? So, these are some points that you need to check during the wall inspection. However, in case, the answer is yes for any of the above-mentioned points, then you must check for leakage and moisture points on the roof.


5: Next Check the Chimneys and Vents

Once, the walls are checked, then go for the chimneys and vents in your commercial building. You will check the dampness around the chimney and vent points. Because of the broken seals, moisture may enter the roof and the building. Moreover, it could reflect the issue of broken flashes and needs repair.


6: Inspect The Attic

During the inspection, you cannot miss the attic. You must check whether there is proper ventilation in the attic. Also, you can check whether there is any damage visible to the naked eye in the attic. You can check for cracks in decking and sheathing. You will also look for the cracks from which the light should not pass. So, they need the repair immediately, otherwise, it may lead to costly replacement.


7: Check For Visible Leakage Points

Apart from walls, attic, and chimneys, look for the other parts for leakage. It is easily identified with mold growth, discoloration of paint, or structural damage. So, in case, you find other visible leakage points, then, take the action as soon as possible. Delaying it will only worsen the situation.


8: Look For Outside Visible Damage Points 

After completing the interior inspection, it is the turn for the exterior inspection. In this step, you need to go on the roof and look for visible damage points. The leakage at a particular point may happen because of the accumulation of debris. The accumulation of debris can block the drainage systems of the roof which leads to leakage. Similarly, you can look for other broken points like gutters, missing shingles, etc. In this way, you will find visible damage points on the roof.


9: Check For Wear And Tear On The Roof

The next step is to look for the wear and tear happening on the roof. It includes checking the flashes, vents, and chimney sealings from the outside, corroded regions, and missing parts on the roof. In this case, you need to call the experts for commercial roof repair. So, choose the experts Zicklin Roofing without any delay.


10: Some Essential Checks For Flat Roof

In case, your commercial roof is flat, then there is a need for the extra check. In this case, you must check for blisters, and any holes or punctures on the roof surface, etc. This also needs experts to tackle the situation and choose the best Zicklin Roofing.

Now, after the inspection, you need to start with the maintenance steps. So, what to do in the roof maintenance, let’s find out in the next section. 


Start With Commercial Roof Maintenance Process!


Once the inspection is completed, you know the areas where the action is needed. However, there are some important points that you should always look for to avoid damage and increase the life of the roof. Following are the points which you should always do in the maintenance process:


 

Don’t Put Extra Load on the Roof

Though the roofs are structurally strong and can bear the extreme pressure of the load. But, it does not mean it won’t destruct your roof. It can provide some damage to the surface of the roof. Keep less movement on the roof as excessive walking can easily erode the surface of the roof. 


Keep the Roof Clean

The other important factor in the maintenance process is cleaning. This factor becomes more important in flat roofs because they are more prone to accumulation. So, you must clean the leaves or debris present on the roof, especially in the corners. Also, it reduces the pressure on the roof as everything extra has its weight and pressure. You may think about what damage leaves can do. But, these leaves sometimes become the main reason for the accumulation of water or blockage of the drainage. Hence, this leads to leakage and moisture issues in the roof. The mold growth is known as the major reason for the leaks in the roof and walls. And, it happens because of the accumulation of debris. So, it is important to keep it clean.


Don’t Let The Snow Stay

There is something needing more attention than the debris. It is snow which is another form of water and moisture. So, don’t wait for the snow to melt on the roof. Once the snow is melted, the moisture will seep into the roof and will do damage. So, it is always advised to clean the snow on the roof before it melts. Moreover, the snow has its own weight which will in turn put extra pressure on the roof. So, keep checking on the snow accumulation in the maintenance process.


Don’t Ignore Seasonal Changes

One must keep a check on seasonal changes. In case, the weather is changing, then one must keep the maintenance in his schedule. As earlier said, “Prevention is better than cure”. Therefore, completing the maintenance with the seasonal change can eliminate lots of problems from happening. Simply, in the cold and rainy seasons, you  can cover all the vulnerable parts with a sheet to avoid contact with moisture. Similarly, in the windy season, keep a check on the accumulation of debris, hence, preventing leak issues. So, in this way, getting ready for the seasonal change can help you a lot in the avoidance of issues.


Take Quick Action For the Repairing Process

During the inspection, you must have found issues that need attention. So, it is better to take the required actions as soon as possible. Like, for the broken seals, follow the replacement procedure. For the accumulation issue of debris, clean the area, and make sure the drainage and gutter system is clean. It is better to do minor maintenance tasks instead of waiting for the time to get worse. Once it gets worse, replacement is the only solution left and it is the expensive one.


 

It’s Better To Use High-Quality Materials

There is no doubt one can do maintenance tasks easily related to the roof. But, for some tasks, there is a need for expertise. So, it is better to call the experts from the Zicklin Roofing. They are recognized for doing their job at best. Moreover, high-quality materials are used making sure the life of the roof should get  longer.


Don’t Forget To Do The Inspections Regularly

Regular inspection is also an important part of the maintenance job. With regular inspection, you will find the problem at the initial stage. So, if noticed earlier, it can be rectified easily, and won’t affect you in long term. Moreover, you can call the professionals to do the inspection as they know better about their jobs and the pain points. So, it is good practice to call the professionals yearly for inspection and keep your roofs like new.


Though, these are the maintenance tips one can perform easily without any extra cost. But, with extra cost, you can also make the roof stronger and more durable in extreme atmospheric conditions. For this, you need to choose the option of the ballasted roof. What is it? Let’s find out all the details about it in the next section.


Know More About Ballasted Roof


You have heard about different types of roofing techniques like metal roofing, TPO roofing, PVC roofing, modified bitumen, built-up roofing membrane, etc. Similarly, ballasted roofing is a different type of roofing. It is a better type of roofing as it is more durable and cost-efficient. Additionally, it can be used with a combination of any above-mentioned roofing technique. Have you ever wondered why ballasted roofing is so famous? Well, find the answer below.


Reasons For Ballasted Roof Popularity


The ballasted roof may seem like a new term to you. But, for the experts in commercial roofing, it is the common term. The belated roofs act as the framework able to take the size and shape of your roof. It not only provides durability but also helps in the stability of the insulation materials. Moreover, this roofing system has more bearing capacity in terms of extra load. Therefore, it means, it can withstand the accumulation of debris and snow for a longer time than other roofing systems. Moreover, it is an all-weather roofing system. 


It means this roofing system can withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures. Apart from all these reasons, there are other reasons as well mentioned below:


When Commercial Roofs Fail, They Can Fail Big!


Usually, a roof is expected to last around ten years on average. But sometimes, untimely commercial roof repairs are required due to over-exposure to harsh elements in industrial settings. There are various reasons why your commercial roof might need immediate attention, low-quality materials used, little or no maintenance, and natural wear and tear are some significant factors.


It becomes necessary that you know when to take action to keep your commercial space secure when it comes to the commercial roof at your workspace or industry. A commercial roof can fail big time, and you may have to incur heavy losses.



So, these are some reasons for making the ballasted roof the first choice for the roofing system. 


How To Install a Ballast Roofing System?


Now, you must have the question in your mind, how to install the ballasted roof in your commercial building. Well, the installation procedure is very easy. There are two ways. First, you can install them on your existing>The second way is for the new buildings. Yes, they are installable on the new roofs as well. You need the ⅝” OSB deck, and you are ready to install the ballast roofing system. But, keep in mind, the roof must be waterproofed completely before the installation of the


The second thing needed is the material being used to hold the ballast mat down. So, generally, this second component is either stones or polymer pellets of plastic or rubber. Once it is done, your ballasted roofing system is installed. As you can see, they are not just environment friendly, but also friendly to your pockets.


Everything About Commercial Roofs!


Conclusively, this guide contains all the information about commercial roofs. Whether you need information about roof maintenance or the ballasted roof, everything is described here. Moreover, the tips for the maintenance of the commercial roof are also described in this guide.

In case you need the details about the roof inspection, maintenance, and the roofing system, just give this guide. For any professional help, you can call the experts from Zicklin Roofing. So, without any second thought, make your commercial roofs more durable and earn more profits!

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