Roof Program—5

 

Don’t wait to make repairs. When leaks occur or problems are uncovered by a roof inspection, it is important to take corrective action. Roof repairs should be performed in a timely manner to prevent a minor problem or nuisance leak from developing into a major problem. A leak may start out small, but left unchecked, it will damage the underlying insulation and potentially the roof deck, not to mention the interior of the building.

 

Make repairs that last. Finding the cause of roof problems can be tricky, and when they occur, it’s easy to deal with the symptoms – patching leaks. Unless you get to the real cause of the problem, you may be getting only a temporary solution. This band-aid approach is not a viable long-term solution. It’s more efficient to locate the root cause of the problem and correct it while still in the early stages. The cost to repair a leak properly is considerably less than replacing the damaged roof membrane, insulation and roof deck.

Ongoing leaks do not always mean that the roof must be replaced. Depending on the condition of the roof, many roofs can simply be repaired or renovated and enjoy further years of useful life. A number of different options are available to extend the life of a roof, including spot replacement of damaged areas and roof maintenance coating. In most cases, the entire roof does not need to be replaced, only certain worn or damaged areas. Undamaged areas can then be budgeted for restoration or replacement.

 

Coatings are now available for virtually every type of roof and can often be a very affordable way to extend the life of a structurally sound roof. With many roofing systems, a roof coating system can serve as a way to extend roof life. While this option may not be applicable in all cases, it is an increasingly popular choice.

 

Know your roof! A roof system is more than just the roof membrane and flashings. It also includes the roof deck, sheet metal flashings, masonry parapet copings, gutters, drains, traffic walkways, roof mounted equipment and any other component that waterproofs or supports the waterproofing systems. As such a comprehensive roof maintenance program should address all these system components, as they all play an important role in the waterproofing function.

 

Don’t neglect your roof. We always recommend continuing roof care, whether we install the existing roof or not. Waiting for your roof to leak before taking corrective measures is a mistake, and frequently leads to expensive repair costs and/or major facility

disruptions. When planning for your facility’s other maintenance needs, don’t neglect your roof. Long-term planning and budgeting for roof care is the only responsible course of action, for you and your facility.