As a property manager, business manager, facilities manager, or Superintendent of Schools, you want to spend your money wisely as you manage your facilities. Naturally, you want to achieve maximum service life, at the least possible cost.

When it comes to commercial roofing portfolios, there is a misconception that if roofs are not leaking, then they don’t need attention. This out-of sight, out-of-mind perspective is one of the root causes for premature roofing failures. Adopting a proactive roof maintenance protocol can ensure you get the maximum life out of your roofing system(s).

Getting the most out of your roofing system

With new construction, it’s wise to immediately schedule a preventative maintenance program beginning 1 year after installation. Technically, if you have a long-term warranty, then you are contractually responsible to perform annual (or semi-annual) roof inspections to satisfy the terms of your warranty. This, in addition to any corrective work, needs to be reported and filed with the company issuing the warranty. There are numerous Roof Management database software programs available that can streamline this process.

Preventative maintenance by the square foot

Roofing industry experts recommend that building owners budget a minimum of $0.05 per square foot per year for preventative maintenance, beginning with the first year after installation. At periodic intervals during the life of the roof, it’s advised to spend as much as $0.25 per square foot for a more extensive remedial situation.

The payback for these expenditures can be significant in helping to reduce the frequency of re-roofing and the large capital expenditures they create. With preventative maintenance, it is possible to extend the life of a 15+ year roofing system to a 25 year (or longer) roofing system. In addition, stopping minor leaks can protect your underlying insulation, which if dry can be reused when re-roofing occurs. This can result in cost savings of THOUSANDS of dollars!

New coating products for ongoing maintenance and restoration

Innovative products—particularly restorative coatings—have taken a prominent role in the restoration of many roofing systems. Built-Up, Single Ply, and Modified Bitumen roofing systems can all implement these coatings to extend their service life.

Keeping track of costs

To gain support (and therefore funds) from your senior administration or management team, track collateral building damage and the incidental costs associated with having a leaky roof. This includes everything from damaged furniture, merchandise, and equipment to the cost of unusable space, the cost of energy lost from having damp roof insulation, and the cost of exposure to air quality issues in the interior environment.

Oftentimes, the cost of the collateral damage from roof leaks far surpasses the cost of implementing a proactive roof maintenance program. The more clearly facility managers understand this, the less resistance they have in collecting the funds to implement a preventative maintenance program.

Really, it’s not a matter of if your company or school district will spend money on your roofing system, it’s a question of when. Since it costs less to be proactive, why not invest in a solution that saves budget money and reduces stress?

To learn more about Moisture Management, our preventative maintenance programs, and our state-of-the-art roofing management database software, contact us today at 317-577-0910.