A FEW SIMPLE TIPS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR ROOF
So you just installed a new roof on your building and now you want to know how to make it last as long as possible. Good idea, we’re with you on that notion. We hope you installed a foam roof, but we know you may not have. The following tips for extending your roof life apply to all roof systems: foam, metal, single-ply, built-up; any roof system you installed will live a longer useful life if you adhere to these tips.
Perform Regular Inspections
Your roof should be inspected no less than twice per year. You should inspect it once in the fall and once in the spring to make sure nothing goes wrong with your roof. The fall inspection will get you ready for the winter weather, making any last minute repairs, and the spring inspection will allow you to find any damage done during the winter and fix it immediately.
You can perform your roof inspections yourself or contact us to perform regular maintenance. We’ll walk your roof on a regular basis as determined by you, and make repairs up to a certain dollar amount for you.
Minimized Foot Traffic = Longer Life
Once your roof is complete, if you’re not inspecting it or making repairs, stay off of it! If at all possible, don’t walk on your roof unless your inspecting or repairing it. Most roofing systems are designed to withstand wear and tear from foot traffic, but the more you walk on it, the more likely something can go wrong.
Make Repairs When Needed
If during one of your annual inspections you notice an issue on your roof, don’t put off making repairs! Either get up there and fix it yourself, or contact a local contractor to have it repaired professionally. If you ignore a problem for too long, it will become a big problem. So when you find an issue on your roof, just take care of it then. For this reason, make sure you perform your fall inspection far enough in advance of winter that you can repair it before the cold season comes and ends your roofing season.
Conclusion
No matter what type of roof system you have on your building, these three tips will extend the life of your roof as compared to a system that isn’t inspected, is subject to frequent foot traffic, and has repairs postponed or ignored. Keep these tips in mind and your roof will last a long, long time.
