Having a new roof installed on your commercial building should give you lots of peace of mind. New roofs are less prone to leaks and other issues than older roofs. However, if you want your new commercial roof to keep serving you well, you'll need to take good care of it. That comes down to three over-arching commercial roof maintenance steps.
1. Snow Removal
If you live in an area where there is significant snowfall in the winter, make sure you contract with a commercial roofing company for seasonal snow removal. They'll come out every time it snows and use specialized equipment to essentially push the snow off your roof. This is safer than trying to clear the roof yourself; the snow could fall on you.
Snow is hard on commercial roofs because it tends to melt, seep under little areas, freeze, and cause damage as it expands during freezing. The simple weight of the snow can also cause damage to the roof structure over time. So, being proactive with snow removal will extend the life of your roof and reduce your need for future repairs.
2. Drain Clearing
Most commercial roofs don't have gutters. They have drains. These drains help ensure any water gets properly directed off the roof, rather than being allowed to pool on the roof. If water does pool on the roof, it can cause the roofing materials to deteriorate prematurely. They may then start peeling, and leaks become more likely.
You can prevent such issues with regular drain cleaning. Many roof repair companies do offer drain cleaning services and will come out on a regular schedule to do this work. They'll often clean and sweep the whole roof in the process as that keeps more debris from running into your drains.
3. Roof Inspections
It's also a good idea to have a commercial roofer inspect your roof annually. They may find small problems like rips in the roofing membrane, loose fasteners, and rusting vents. When these minor issues are discovered early, they are typically cheap and easy to repair. On the other hand, if you skip inspections, roof problems often get really bad before you notice them — and then you need extensive repairs.
Maintaining a commercial roof does take some work, but it really comes down to the big three: snow removal, drain cleaning, and inspections. With a good roofer on your side, you can have all that covered.
For more information, contact commercial roofers near you.