Your Fall Roof Maintenance Checklist – Are You Ready For Winter?
As the weather starts to cool down and the leaves begin to change color, means winter is just around the corner. Performing precautionary maintenance before the ice and snow arrives is a great way to prolong the lifespan of your commercial roof and to ensure you are prepared for the winter months. At Wayne’s Roofing, we can’t stress enough how important it is to have your roof examined and touched up before winter hits. Here is our list of items to look for while performing roof maintenance this fall.
Things to Look for During Inspection
Performing safe and regular inspections of your commercial roof is a good way to assess any damage before winter arrives. Doing this seasonally will help prevent future damage and is good practice when owning a commercial business. When you are safely on the roof, look for any visible tears, leaks, debris, or bubbling that may have formed, and don’t forget to check the gutters. If you find anything during the inspection, contact us right away. If issues go unresolved throughout the winter, your building will be exposed to unwanted moisture that can lead to costly repairs down the line. Additionally, damage to your roof may expand during the winter months when exposed to excessive rain, wind, ice and snow. Fixing any issues you find now will save you time and money in the future.
Remove Any Debris
Excess debris on your roof can result in moisture build-up that can cause major problems in the future. Debris can clog drains, cause mold, and add excess weight to your roof if left unchecked. Remove any leaves, branches or other debris before it gets buried under any snow or ice. If there are larger pieces of debris you and your group cannot safely remove on your own, give us a call and we’ll safely remove any debris for you.
Check for Any Membrane Separation or Trapped Moisture
Membrane separation is commonly found on flat roofs. When performing an inspection, be sure to look for spots where the membrane has peeled back or eroded. If you find spots, they should be addressed as soon as possible because they could cause leaks in the ceiling which can result in mold. Keep an eye out for other forms of trapped moisture that can accumulate on your roof such as bubbling and rippling. Remember it’s always best to have a professional commercial roofing expert, such as Wayne’s Roofing, Inc., inspect for swelling or bubbling of the roofing membrane.
Clean Your Gutters
Make sure your gutters are doing their job properly. Check for loose fittings, early signs of corrosion and anything that might cause separation from the roof. If you find rust or other signs of corrosion, the gutters will need to be replaced to lower the chances of further damage. During the winter additional debris, ice or snow can fill the gutters and freeze. By cleaning your gutters in the fall, you can ensure they are ready for the winter. Finding problems now will save the stress of worrying about damages in below freezing temperatures.
Trim Any Overhanging Branches or Trees
Trimming any nearby branches or trees will result in less debris from forming on your roof, which can cause excess weight. While a branch here and there can seem harmless, if left unchecked these branches can start stripping away at the foundation of the roof and cause structural damage that can be costly. Trimming nearby trees is a simple but effective way to clean and maintain your commercial flat roof during the fall.
Set Up Your Roof Maintenance Today! Wayne’s Roofing Is Here to Help!
Maintaining a relationship with a professional roofing contractor is the best way to protect your roof. A roofing contractor’s hands-on experience and knowledge of different types of roofing systems make them the ideal candidate for repairing and/or maintaining/managing your roof system.
As an essential business, we are available to assist with you roof repair issues. In some cases, we even act as the eyes and ears on the ground – or on the roof in our case – for facility managers who may have to work remotely or are unable to access roofs in a timely manner.
For more information about our maintenance and repair services, contact us HERE.
And to learn more about our Professional Roof Inspection Maintenance Evaluation (PRIME) Program, click HERE.