If you own a commercial property, maintaining it regularly and ensuring your property is safe for employees is essential. Not only to keep employees safe, but also to ensure your building stays intact over the years. Roof maintenance is a good preventative measure to take to stop more serious problems from developing over the course of time. Keep reading to find out why you should look into proper roof maintenance and how roofing specialists can help your commercial property!
Why Do I Need Roof Maintenance?
Roof maintenance should be a regular, annual visit from your roofing specialist to ensure that everything is running properly and safely. Roof maintenance consists of thorough checks with all areas of your roof to make sure everything is all in check.
These are some of the most important reasons why regular roof maintenance can be beneficial to your commercial property:
Life Expectancy
The lifespan of a commercial roof can range from anywhere between 10 to 40 years, however there are many factors that can change this. Extreme weather conditions, debris and general wear and tear can cause your roof to start deteriorating faster than it should.
Regular roof maintenance can help you to combat this massively, helping you to even extend the life expectancy of your roof. Having regular inspections carried out will mean you are promptly made aware of any damage or debris that can then be sorted out. If repairs need to be made, then your inspection will make you aware of them before they worsen, leading to even more damage.
Things like seals and drainage, which can often be ignored, are also important parts of your roof that need to be looked after. A roofing replacement or repair is likely to be an expense that you’re trying to avoid, as it can have an adverse effect on your business. So, removing debris and keeping on top of potential problems will not only keep your roof in tip top condition, but give you peace of mind that nothing is wrong with your roof either!
Leaks & Safety
A leaky roof can be many property owner’s worst nightmare. A leak in your roof is not a good sign, as it indicates serious damage to your roof that will likely need roof restoration. Leaks are especially bad in commercial properties because the leak can cause a slip hazard for employees or create unsafe working conditions.
Maintenance is important in stopping and preventing leaks from occurring in the first place. There are a few things you can look out for that might indicate that you have a leak such as:
● Spots on the ceiling
● Staining on the roof
● Dripping
● Mould
● Bubbling or dark spots on the interior ceiling
If you spot any of these signs and suspect you have a leak, it’s important to call a professional as soon as you can. Minor problems such as leaks or drips can worsen in short spaces of time, and become drastically worse over months.
When it comes to safety, a leak is a potential hazard for your employees that will need to be repaired as soon as possible. Other ways that a leak or roofing problem can lead to unsafe working conditions are:
● Leaks - Slipping hazards for all employees
● Debris - Any fallen debris or debris from the roof can cause a fire hazard to employees
● Mould & Mildew - If left to continue growing, they can damage the air quality, thriving in damn conditions and causing potential health hazards to employees
● Loose Tiles - Loose roof tiles or even a hole in the roof can make for unsafe and dangerous working conditions
It’s important to remember that if any of your employees are injured due to a roofing related issue, including leaks or debris, then you are liable as the business or property owner because the working conditions have been unsafe.
Helps Save Energy
Despite what you may think, having a well-maintained roof can actually help you save money on your energy bills! If your roof insulation and ventilation are both working efficiently and as they should be, then your building will be able to regulate a comfortable temperature more effectively.
Insulation works best when it’s in good condition and installed correctly, helping you to trap heat inside your commercial building during the winter, and keeping everything cool during the warmer months. Because your building’s temperature will be more stable, and you aren’t losing so much heat, your energy bills should go down significantly, helping you to save money.
Damage to your roof, like holes or poor sealing will allow heat to escape and so your insulation won’t be able to do its job properly. If your roof doesn’t have any insulation, it could be worth looking into. While it may be a slight upfront investment, the money you save on your energy bills in the long run will help you make your money back.
Aesthetic Value
A first impression is crucial. And your business’s building is one of the first impressions people will see, which is important for your brand image.
If your roof is looking under the weather or is covered in stains and debris, this can give a bad impression to people coming to your building, and can be not a particularly nice environment for employees either.
Regular roof maintenance will help you keep on top of your aesthetic, by getting rid of clutter and dirt. This gives the impression that you are maintaining your appearance and want to give your company building the care it deserves.
Reduces The Risk Of Emergencies
Your roof may be an out of sight out of mind kind of thought, however, commercial properties need to be safe for employees so that they are not at risk of emergencies or accidents within the building. While accidents and emergencies can be unpredictable, there are measures you can take as a business owner to massively reduce the chance of these emergencies from occurring.
Regular roof maintenance is an effective way of reducing risks and ensuring that your building is in a suitable condition. Especially for the safety reasons mentioned previously, roof maintenance is a smart and reliable way to make sure everything is operating properly, and not putting your employees at risk.
Also, from a business perspective, repairs and damages, potential liability for workplace injuries or unsafe working conditions are all things that will end up costing your business money. While keeping employees safe is extremely important, secondary concerns are reducing the likelihood of accidents that will put the company in a bad financial position.
What Does Regular Roof Maintenance Entail?
Regular maintenance on your roof should be carried out by your roofing specialist about once a year, but if your roof is more susceptible to problems then you may want to consider having it maintained more regularly. Maintenance tasks could be things such as:
● Examining the roof - looking for staining or any obvious damage
● Inspecting pipes for cracks or damage
● Checking for pests or other animals
● Clearing the roof and gutter of debris
● Ensure ventilation is working properly
● Checking for leaks
Having regular maintenance carried out on your commercial property will help you avoid a costly repair down the line or putting your employees health at risk, so don’t shy away from hiring a roofing specialist to carry out a check.
B&D Roofing
If it’s been a while since your last roof inspection, contact the team here at B&D roofing to book in for your next roof inspection or commercial roofing solutions. Our team of specialist roofing contractors are here to help you, offering a range of services. From commercial and industrial roofing solutions to building and chimney services, we have years of experience behind us to make sure you get the highest standard of service.
For further enquiries, feel free to get in touch. Or alternatively, you can visit our website to browse our services!
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