Proper maintenance is essential to ensure that your commercial roof is in top condition regardless of the type or how stable the materials are. It doesn’t matter whether you have recently replaced or repaired your roof, as there are various ways to prolong its lifespan and durability.
But why is roof maintenance necessary? Many building owners make the crucial mistake of assuming that their roofing system is in good condition with no visible damages or leaks. Due to the neglect, the only time that owners will conduct maintenance is when the minor damage has dangerously progressed into something that would be more difficult and expensive to fix.
As a general rule, you need to accomplish proper roof maintenance at least once a year – with some exceptions including:
- After a heavy storm or snowfall.
- When the tree branches are growing over the roof and vines are crawling into the gutters.
- Your commercial roof is more than ten years old.
It is utterly essential to systematically examine roof conditions and repair minor damages before it leads to a more severe problem. For instance, water leaks can be sneaky and hard to locate. You will only see visible signs after successfully integrating into the ceiling or, worse, into the building’s foundation. Not correctly addressing the damage can quickly turn into an expensive disaster.
If you wish to DIY roof repairs and maintenance, you must carefully identify which roofing tasks you can tackle by yourself and which ones to leave to the experts. Statistics indicate that roofing jobs are precarious and hazardous, especially when you lack the proper safety knowledge and fall protection equipment.
However, DIY roof maintenance is by far more cost-efficient than hiring a professional, and you can immediately repair a leak or damage on the spot instead of waiting for a contractor. Here are some essential roofing maintenance tips that most DIY-ers find useful when inspecting their commercial roofs.
You don’t always have to call a roofer when inspecting your roof. You can easily manage some of the tasks independently as long as you know what damage indications to observe and how to locate them. Most roofing problems are not externally visible as the signs are often inside, especially when there are leaks and mold.
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1. Clear Your Gutters
Cleaning the gutters is a roof maintenance task that most people can easily DIY since it’s the most straightforward obstacle to resolve. Fallen leaves and other debris can easily clog the gutters and cause rainwater to pool, eventually leading to corrosion and decay.
Usually, the things that can clog a gutter are natural commodities such as fallen leaves, branches, and sticks, as well as debris from deteriorating shingles and other external rubble. There are also instances when birds build nests on gutters causing further clogging.
When cleaning the gutter channels, always prioritize safety and use the proper gear as much as possible. Equip yourself with a long-sleeved shirt and rubber gloves to avoid cutting yourself, and always use a reinforced sturdy ladder with a stabilizer. Scoop out dirt and debris by utilizing any scooper like an old spatula from the gutter. Once removed, run water through it using a hose to flush out any remaining residue. Thoroughly check the structure of your drain if there are any sagging portions and anchor them as needed.
2. Trim Vegetation and Trees Around Your Roof
Trees play a vital role in any habitat, but when their branches and leaves grow over your commercial roof, they can extensively cause damage to the shingles and clog your gutters. These branches can also break and fall into the roof during heavy storms with strong gusts of winds.
You can confidently do this task by yourself if you have the proper trimming tools as long as the branches are not too high and within reach. However, unknowingly clipping the branches on the wrong season or wrong part can kill a tree, so if you’re not confident, you can hire professional trimmers to prevent this from happening.
Tree branches aren’t exclusively the problem as vines and other vegetation can crawl upward on the downpipes and through the gutter. Check for growing vines and remove them immediately to hinder insects from living on your gutter channels.
3. Address Broken Shingles and Water Leaks
You can easily accomplish some roof maintenance tasks. Still, you may have to call a professional to undertake the issue and deal with it adequately when it comes to damaged shingles and water leakage. However, there are still ways to alleviate the damage on your own before help arrives.
Leaks: When water starts leaking inside, the first thing you need to do is to clear the area and place a bucket underneath to prevent the leak from damaging the flooring system. Call your contractor or repairman to examine and repair the leak immediately.
Shingles: The most common problems you encounter with shingles are curling, cracking, peeling, stains, and blistering. Not every damaged shingle needs replacement, especially if it only has a minor crack or tear, easily fixed with a thick roofing sealant. The only time that you need professional assistance is when some shingles are missing or have water damage.
You may address these issues by adequately inspecting the damage, even if you hire a roofer to repair it. Water leaks and shingle repairs can cause extensive problems when done wrong, so don’t be pressured to do a DIY all the way.
4. Prevent Moss and Algae from Growing on Your Roof
Weather changes are constant, and the varied temperatures allow algae, mold, and lichens to flourish on shingles and other roofing materials. These harmful elements may cause a slew of damage across your roofing system aside from causing an unsightly appearance. You can commonly find these persistent growths on shaded parts of the roof during warmer seasons.
Dealing with the problem is similarly as straightforward as scrubbing your floors — the only difference is you’re doing it up on the roof. Gear yourself up with effective cleaning agents and a brush with thick bristles before climbing through your roof hatch and into the rooftop. Scrub and scrape the affected area and apply preventative products rich in copper and zinc to prohibit regrowth.
Cleaning the gutters and removing tree branches are straightforward tasks that you can easily DIY, but you need to hire a professional roofer when roofing repair and replacement is concerned. They have years of experience in diagnosing the damages and repairing them, not to mention the right tools and safety equipment. However, it would be beneficial to make yourself aware of how vital roof maintenance is and how it can effectively save you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement.