Whether you’re planning to make changes to your existing commercial roof or you want to restore or install a new one, the following tips will help you take better care of your system and avoid any unnecessary expenses:
1. Identify if you simply need repairs, restoration or if a full replacement is necessary.
A roofing system undergoes major wear and tear throughout its lifetime, with factors like weathering and degeneration taking their toll. Metal roofs expand and retract with different weather temperatures. Metal roofs, unlike flat roofs, very seldom need replacements and a quality 6-7 step restoration service can provide you with a warranty as well as a watertight roofing system that’s better than new metal. Through in-depth inspection and analysis by a professional roofing contractor, you can determine the actual condition of your roof and make an educated decision as to which option is the best for a long term watertight problem free roof. Choosing a roofer that provides both roof repairs and replacements, not just one of these options, increases the likelihood of accurate analysis and a successful plan for your roof upgrade.
2. Invest in regular roof inspections.
You can never visually inspect the condition of your commercial roof enough. Hiring a professional to get up there and assess your system may be a hassle, but it is less of a hassle to spend money and effort today to have your roof last for another decade or so rather than having to continuously suffer from leaks and other extensive issues.
When inspecting your roof, the roofer should look for particular warning signs, such as blocked drains, pooling water, wet insulation or moisture underneath the surface, missing or buckling shingles and water stains. On metal roofs things like popped open vertical seams, rust and gaps in horizontal seams are often the reason for leaks. We often find actual holes in metal roofs where previous patching rusted the metal through. As the leading provider of commercial roofing services in the area, we recommend having a roof inspection at least twice a year. Preventive maintenance is the key to extending the lifespan of your commercial roofing system.
3. Work with an experienced and reputable roofer.
Have a leak? Who should you call to fix it? How long do you expect them to respond? These are some of the questions you might actually have when the time comes when you need to hire a roofing contractor. Without a healthy, functional roof, your commercial structure would be useless and unprofitable.
When you need someone to work on your building’s roof, be sure to hire only an experienced and reputable roofer. Check their credentials – it’s important that they are certified with manufacturers, are licensed with your state, have insurance coverage such as workers comp and general liability as well as provide you with manufacturer warranty to ensure a successful job. Before hiring a contractor, ask them the following questions:
What is the response time for a leak call?
Do you do this type of work full time?
Do you have in house crews or are you subcontracting my work out?
Do you have experience working with my type of roof?
Will you file my warranty with the manufacturer? A warranty not filed with the manufacturer is a non-existent warranty and does not protect you or your financial interests.
What warranties do you provide?
Can you provide references of clients you have worked with for the past years?
When tackling repairs, it can be easy to say you can do it with the help of some friends. This is not the case when you’re working on something as valuable as a commercial roof. A professional will make sure your roof will receive the highest quality of work for both your building and your tenants.
4. Choose the right roofing material.
Are repairs not enough to fix your roofing issues? It’s probably time to invest in a restoration or if you have a saturated flat roof a full replacement, especially if your system is 15 years old or older. Since commercial roofs are much larger than residential roofs, there isn’t much room for mistakes. To put it simply, if you opt for cheap material or the cheapest roofer for your system, you might end up paying for it down the line. Before making a decision, you have to know all your options and explore their pros and cons. There are plenty of quality restoration materials available today that do not include tearing off your complete roofing system that includes utilizing your current dry insulation and saves you thousands and doesn’t waste perfectly good roofing material. When thinking long term, it’s smart to choose durability and weather performance over price in any equation.
5. Always listen to your roofing contractor.
A roofing contractor is someone who is professionally trained and who specializes in various solutions to keep your roof healthy and reliable for years to come. That said, make sure you take their advice to heart, and take action if something needs to get fixed.
6. Know your roof warranty.
Before starting the job, get every detail of it in writing, and be sure you understand completely what the warranty covers when you have a new roof installed. Just as you would with your car, keep a detailed record of all your inspections and any repairs made over time – you’ll be glad you did.
A commercial roof for your building is one of the biggest investments you will make. Implementing these handy commercial roofing tips will help make sure you get the most out of your roofing system. Working with a reputable contractor can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and help prolong the service life of your commercial system.
