Maximize the life of your roof with proactive maintenance

Don’t let “out of sight, out of mind” shorten the service life of your roof. Regular inspections by a Certified Maintenance Professional® can help you address minor problems before they become expensive issues, fulfill requirements of some enhanced guarantees, and save money long-term. Best of all, you can potentially add years to the life of your valuable roofing asset.

Here are five tips to help protect your building’s roofing system.

1. Work with a pro:

A Certified Maintenance Professional® (CMP) brings the experience and necessary equipment to perform a comprehensive, safe inspection.

2. Schedule timely inspections:

Before and after storm season — it's important to remove debris, check drains, and perform any other necessary maintenance before storm season makes any existing issues worse.

3. Your experienced contractor will look for:

A.Storm debris — branches, rocks, trash, and so on, can cause safety hazards and damage the roof surface.

B.Metal deterioration—including structures and equipment like flashings, air conditioners, vents, duct work, skylights, satellite dishes, and antennas for rust, damage, or deterioration.

C.Worn masonry — cracks, loose stones, or deteriorated sealant can lead to water intrusion.

D.Spills and standing water —coolant, oils, or grease can damage your roof membrane and may be a sign of equipment problems, while standing water may indicate clogged drains, scuppers, roof sagging, or lack of positive slope.

4. Keep detailed records handy:

The guarantee, inspection reports, repair/ maintenance bills, and original construction specs and invoices will make it easier to work with your insurer or roofing contractor should the need arise.

5. Minimize rooftop traffic:

A.Aside from best-practice inspections as described above, excessive foot and equipment traffic can wear out or damage a roof. Make sure walkway pads are installed in areas of high traffic.

B.Maintain a rooftop log documenting who has had access to, or may have done work on, your roof.

A lot of factors contribute to your roof's longevity, and some big ones, like the weather, are outside of your control. One thing you can control is maintenance. Regular inspections, cleanings, and small repairs can help you get the most out of your roof investment.