Having worked with hundreds of business owners throughout Western NC and the Upstate SC regions, our roof technicians continually see common avoidable situations that without attention lead to costly repairs and even complete roof system replacement. Aside from potential leaking and deterioration, even neglect on newer commercial roofs can potentially void the manufacturer’s warranty..
For these reasons, more and more businesses are realizing the value of investing in a commercial roof maintenance plan as part of their budgeted annual maintenance expenses.
What is a Roof Maintenance Plan?
A commercial roof maintenance plan is an agreement with a professional commercial roofing contractor that includes an agreed upon visitation schedule where roof technicians perform the necessary cleaning, maintenance and overall roof inspections required to extend the life of your roof.
These annual, bi-annual or quarterly agreements are an easy way to provide business owners peace of mind that their roof is free of leaks while avoiding costly expenses and keep manufacturer’s warranty requirements satisfied.
In short, a Roof Maintenance Plan allows you to plan for annual maintenance expenses and avoid larger repair costs that can otherwise occur.
What Should Be Included with a Maintenance Plan.
Your maintenance plan should include a minimum of two annual inspections. This would involve a professional roof technician going onto your roof for a complete examination of any issues that may have been caused as a result from other industrial repairs, normal wear and tear and the changing seasonal weather patterns.
Proper Drainage
During these inspections your roof’s drainage should be evaluated for efficient water removal. This would include a thorough cleaning of roof drains, gutters, grates and scuppers drains.
Clogged drains are one of the common issues that leads to commercial roof leaks. When standing water evaporates, silt and dirt that remains create dark spots on your roof’s membrane. These dark spots will absorb heat and cook the sections of your roof’s membrane with temperatures up to 160 degrees. Over time, the membrane will deteriorate causing patching or replacement.
Roof Debris
If you haven’t been up on your roof in some time, you could be surprised at what you may find. From branches and leaves to even vegetation all needs to be cleaned off. Additionally, the membrane is inspected for damage that may have been caused by falling objects.
It’s important to consider the landscape surrounding your building and the impact the area’s trees, shade and limited circulation can impact your roof.
A roof penetration is any location where mechanical or ventilation comes through the roofing structure. Membrane welds and flashings used in these area have a tendency to wear with time. Your roof technicians should examine each penetration thoroughly.
Mechanical repairs that involve roof access such as HVAC units, ventilation systems, etc., can also result in roof damage caused by human interaction. Any time work is done on or around your roof, the area should be inspected for possible issues.
How Much Should a Maintenance Plan Cost
Following your scheduled technician visit, your maintenance plan should include a summary document that includes before and after photos, and outlines a list of work performed and any potential repair recommendations.
The main goal of a maintenance agreement is to allow you to plan for your expenses and minimize unforeseen roofing repairs. However, many times, depending on the roofing contractor you choose a plan’s cost be structured differently. Some contractors may use a calculation made up of a variety factors including roof size, slope, accessibility, condition of the roof, and even travel distances to and from your location. You should know what the cost will be at the time of commitment.
At WNC Roofing, we have found that a flat rate maintenance plan based on the frequency of visits throughout the year allow for our clients to more accurately budget for their maintenance costs and plan around for when makes the best sense for their business.
WNC Roofing’s Offers three options as part of our Preventative Maintenance Plans
Annual Program:
Bi-Annual Program:
Quarterly Program:
Our Preventative Maintenance Plan includes scheduled visits by two roof technician on either an Annual, Bi-Annual or Quarterly basis. Any of the required materials for standard maintenance repairs are included in your maintenance plan. Our Preventative Maintenance Plan is billed at the scheduled visit.
If you would like to learn more about our Preventative Maintenance Plan, click here or give our service department a call at 800-704-7765.
