Commercial Roofing Maintenance: Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes

5 Common Commercial Roofing Maintenance Mistakes.

Many commercial roofing maintenance mistakes are not all that difficult to avoid. With some basic knowledge and understanding, you can keep your business free from costly repairs and downtime. There are many simple things that you can do to ensure your commercial roof’s longevity, keeping it healthy and strong for years to come.

Here is a list of five mistakes every commercial building owner should avoid! 

Mistake #1: Ignoring Damage

The first step in avoiding damage to the interior of your building is identifying any signs or symptoms of trouble before they become an issue.

If water leaks into your building after a storm but goes away on its own without causing significant damage, you may be tempted to assume that everything is ok. But often, these more minor leaks are an indication that there is a bigger problem brewing.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary, you should call your commercial roofing contractor to have them inspect it. Waiting could cause further damage that requires more costly repairs in addition to the ones you are already dealing with.

Mistake #2: Focusing on the Wrong Thing

Another common mistake is spending too much time on one area of the roof when other areas also need attention. This can lead to problems in those neglected areas later down the road, which will then require more repairs that could have been prevented if you had taken care of them sooner!

You should have your commercial roof inspected at least annually. Inspections should not only focus on the drainage system but also on the integrity of the roof membrane and seals at perimeter flashings. Roof-mounted equipment bolted into the roof structure can be a hidden source of roof perforations and a potential leak point.

Mistake #3: Using Inferior Materials

A third mistake people often make is not using quality roofing materials and sealants at all seams and joints where two different surfaces meet on your roof or skylight. The last thing you want is water seeping in through a part of your roof that isn’t well-sealed. 

Inferior materials account for a significant number of commercial roof leaks. While they may save you some money, history has proven that they will cost you more in repair costs over time.

An experienced commercial roofing contractor will use only the highest quality materials when installing or repairing your roof. 

Mistake #4: Using Inexperienced Commercial Roofing Contractors

This mistake is perhaps the most common. It doesn’t help to use high-quality materials if they are not applied or installed correctly. Experienced professional commercial roofing contractors know what materials to use in each unique situation and how to apply them for maximum effectiveness and life expectancy.

Often, the person responsible for building maintenance in your organization doesn’t have any commercial roofing experience. In that case, they must do their research first and know what questions to ask, and be entirely confident in their abilities before they start work on your building! While it’s certainly possible, the learning curve would literally take years.

Mistake #5: Not Having a Maintenance Contract for Your Roof

The final mistake people make is not having a maintenance contract for their commercial building’s roof.

Routinely monitoring your roof for signs of wear or damage is an important preventive measure against more extensive repair work in the future. A preventative maintenance program provides peace of mind by having your roof regularly inspected and maintained, avoiding untimely leaks that turn into expensive repairs.

At Mint Roofing, we offer the TopSite Preventative Maintenance program to keep your roof in tip-top condition year after year. 

All roofs will eventually leak. A preventative maintenance contract takes the burden off of you, avoids surprise expenses, and spreads your roof maintenance costs out over time.

Commercial Roofing Maintenance: What next?

There are many things that can go wrong with roofs, but these mistakes are some of the most common we see. If you avoid them, then your roof (and your bank account) will thank you!

If you want to give your commercial roof the protection it needs, we hope you’ll consider Mint Roofing as your commercial roof partner. We have been providing premium commercial roofing services for over 70 years and can help with any of your roofing maintenance needs!

Contact our team today at 952-473-8080 if you want a quote, a roof inspection, or more information on how we work. You’ll be glad you did – we’re pretty awesome!