Extending the Life-Span of Your Commercial Roof
Selecting a roof for your commercial project is a huge investment that can affect the overall health of the entire building. Because it’s such a major investment, you want to make sure that it lasts as long as possible. Developing a good relationship with your roofing contractor can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining the structural integrity of your business’ roof. Follow these tips to extend the life-span of your commercial roof:
Maintenance is a Must
Extending the lifespan of your commercial roof starts with maintenance. Just as you keep up with regular maintenance on your car, you need to keep up with proper maintenance for your commercial roof.
Schedule regular roof inspections to identify any weak areas or damaged shingles and flashing. Take care of repairs as soon as possible to ensure that the damage doesn’t worsen. If properly maintained, your commercial roof can last well beyond the specified warranty period.
Communicate
Develop a relationship with your contractor and establish open lines of communication on both ends. Contact your contractor immediately to take care of repairs and let them know exactly what you need and when you need it done by. Good roofing contractors should let you know exactly what to expect, including the project timeline and budget. Transparency is key here.
Ask Questions
Your roof is one of if not the most important element of your commercial building, therefore it’s important to get very familiar with your roof and develop trust with your contractor. Be sure to ask as many questions as possible until you feel comfortable with the direction of your contractor’s plan.
Understand Your Warranty
Get your manufacturer’s warranty in writing and be sure you understand what the warranty covers when your new roof is installed. Roof warranties can cover anything from the materials themselves to workmanship so speak with your contractor and the roof manufacturer to understand exactly what your warranty covers so there are no surprises down the road. You should also keep a detailed record of all inspections and repairs.
Know When to Repair or Replace
Deciding whether you should repair or replace your roof after structural damage is a huge decision. There are many factors to take into consideration when deciding whether to repair or replace including the extent of the damage, how it affects the entire building and how long you plan on owning the building.
Roof restoration is also a viable option following commercial roof damage. Restoration allows you to extend the lifespan and increase the value of your existing roof when it is in fairly good shape. An added benefit of restoration is that you may be able to reap tax benefits and other cost savings.
Speak with your contractor when making this decision to develop a customized plan that suits your commercial building.
Work with the Pros
Choosing the right contractor for your roof is integral to the life expectancy of your roof. Your commercial roofer should:
- Have written documentation stating that they are approved contractors to install the manufacturer’s roofing system
- Be in good standing with the top commercial roofing manufacturers
- Be someone you can trust and develop a relationship with over a long period of time
For free no obligation inspection of your commercial roof give our experts a call