As the winter weather fades away, it’s time for building owners and property managers to take a look at their spring commercial roof checklist. Spring cleaning is a crucial part of any commercial roof maintenance plan, and this checklist will help managers prioritize the needs of their roof as the outdoor conditions shift.
This is part of the checklist that Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal professionals use with the building owners and facility managers we partner with during our spring maintenance visits:
1. Perform a basic clean and roof walk.
Before calling in a professional, facility managers should safely walk the roof and inspect it themselves, looking out for any obvious damage or other problems. During this time, employees should also clear the roof of any debris to prepare the roof for a full inspection.
2. Check penetrations, seams, flashings, drains, and patches.
After the basic roof survey, facility managers should take a look at the most common problem areas on their roof. Check around any roof penetrations, like skylights or vents, to make sure there are no cracks or leaks. Ensure that drains and gutters are not clogged. Look at any old repairs or patches to ensure they are holding up, and, finally, examine all the seams and flashing to ensure nothing is damaged.
3. Clean drains, scuppers, and gutters.
It’s absolutely crucial that building owners and facility managers keep standing water off of their rooftops. While every commercial roof system is different, most have some combination of drains, scuppers, and gutters to divert water off of the roof and away from the building. Often during the winter, debris, and dirt will gather around these openings or clog them. It’s important to clear out debris and wipe away dirt as part of any spring cleaning program.
4. Clean thermoplastic roofing membranes.
Thermoplastic roof cleaning is often specific to TPO, PVC, and KEE roofing membranes. After the water and large debris have been cleared away, the dirt and grime can still remain on the roof. Dirt can hide roofing problems like leaks and even accelerate UV damage to the roofing membrane. Dark spots on a roof will absorb more UV rays and over time will cause those areas to deteriorate faster than the lighter sections of the roof.
5. Update and perform tasks based on your maintenance plan.
All commercial roof maintenance should adhere to a plan. Keeping a schedule and sticking with it allows companies to plan their budgets for the maintenance necessary to extend the life of their roof. Companies on a maintenance plan should update it based on their inspection. Companies without a maintenance plan should use the beginning of the year to find a trusted roofing partner to help create a plan.
If you’re ready to get started with your spring commercial roof checklist, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team is eager to help ensure your roof isn’t damaged and prepare for the upcoming hot and humid summer months.