As the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) points out, many parts of Florida buildings are more prone to premature failure than those in buildings elsewhere. The key reasons for this shortened lifespan are the state’s unique and harsh weather conditions.
Saltwater, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, heat, tornadoes, and hurricanes: You name it, Florida has it. All contribute to early building deterioration, especially in commercial roof systems.
The good news is that following the correct commercial roof preventative maintenance checklist can extend the lifespan of this integral part of your building.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right page. Join us at Innovative Roofing as we discuss which checkboxes you need to tick for proper commercial roof maintenance in the Sunshine State.
Routine Professional Roof Inspections
The first item on your roof maintenance checklist should be to book professional commercial roof inspections twice yearly. Ideally, you’d want one in the spring and another during the fall.
Why Spring?
Spring inspections allow licensed roofers to catch and fix potential issues before they worsen in the summer sun’s intense heat and UV rays. They also help licensed roofing contractors to work under safer conditions, as intense heat and UV can be dangerous.
Remember: During summer, Florida’s temperatures and UV indices can skyrocket. For instance, in Southern Florida, temperatures can spike to 90 degrees, humidity levels can rise to 85%, and UV indices can reach 9, as the Pinellas Park government site explains.
Why Fall?
Fall inspections help prepare your roof for winter. Although winter is milder in Florida than in other states, it can still be bad news for your building, as it encourages a higher risk of pest infestations. For instance, rodents seeking warmer living environments can climb your roof and, from there, damage it, enter the building, and make their winter nests indoors.
What to Expect During Professional Roof Inspections
During professional inspections, expect the licensed roof expert to look for signs of damage, such as:
- Bald areas on the roof
- Missing asphalt shingles or tiles
- Torn shingles
- Deteriorated or dented sections in a metal roof
- Vegetation
- Ponding water
- Debris
- Cracked or damaged tiles
- Exposed roofing nails
- Loose or damaged roof flashing
After the inspection, the experts will discuss their findings to help you better understand your commercial roof’s current state. They’ll then provide expert, educated advice, such as the most appropriate roof repair services or if applying commercial roof coatings makes sense in your case.
Regular Roof and Gutter Cleaning
Commercial roof and gutter cleaning is crucial in Florida because its climate encourages the growth of algae, moss, and sometimes even weeds. Vegetation on your roof or gutters can:
- Significantly shorten your roof’s lifespan
- Increase energy bills by absorbing sunlight
- Negatively impact the appearance of your commercial building
- Trap moisture that can result in potential water damage and structural issues
Cleaning gutters is also crucial to prevent them from clogging and filling up with standing water. You don’t want standing water, as it can promote even more problems; for example, it can attract pests like mosquitoes, which, as the University of Florida points out, can cause infectious diseases. It can also cause unnecessary stress on gutters, such as making them collapse due to the heavy weight of the water.
As with professional inspections, you should ideally get your roof and gutters cleaned once in spring (before heavy rains) and another in fall (after the leaves have fallen).
Checking Roof Flashings and Seals
Roof flashings are materials installed on areas of your commercial roof with joints or where vertical surfaces meet the roof plane. Examples include:
- Vents
- Skylights
- Attic outlets
- Pipes
- Valleys
Usually made of metal, roof flashings help direct water away from your roof’s critical areas, preventing it from entering gaps between joints or where two surfaces meet. However, to do their job, they require sealants, which help eliminate gaps or cracks. Sealants create watertight seals, particularly at the seams and where flashings meet other building materials or surfaces.
Unfortunately, Florida’s unique climate and environmental conditions can damage flashings, causing them to rust or corrode. They can also speed up or contribute to premature sealant failure.
For those reasons, ensure you include flashing and sealant inspections in your commercial roof maintenance checklist. If they’ve sustained damage or failed, it’s best to schedule your roof for professional repairs.
After-Storm Inspections
Storms and hurricanes can damage your commercial roof and even blow away parts of it. So, aside from the routine twice-yearly schedules, consider investing in these professional roof inspections after a severe storm or hurricane. According to the Florida Climate Center, the Atlantic hurricane season brings the threat of hurricanes to Florida for six months, from June 1 to November 30.
Tree Trimming
Tree trimming is a critical part of roof maintenance as it can help prevent roof damage that may occur due to:
- Overhanging branches that may scrape against or fall on the roof
- Fallen foliage that could block gutters and cause ponding water
- Mold, rot, corrosion, and other moisture-induced damage caused by fallen leaves, twigs, and branches
- Pest infiltration, such as rodents climbing up and jumping from trees to the roof
To prevent trees from causing roof damage, building maintenance or professional tree services should regularly trim branches growing too close to or hanging over the roof. They should also remove diseased or dead tree limbs, as these parts can fall onto the roof.
Follow This Commercial Roof Preventative Maintenance Checklist
Your commercial roof preventative maintenance checklist must include scheduling professional inspections twice yearly (and after severe weather events) and regularly cleaning your roof and gutters. You should also check flashings and seals and trim trees. All these steps can help keep your roof in good condition, lower the risk of damage, and prevent existing problems from worsening.
Innovative Roofing is a premier provider of high-quality roof installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair services in Florida. We’re a state-licensed, certified roofing contractor with over 40 years of combined experience. We’re also proud of our status as a Master Elite and Master Select contractor for GAF, the world’s largest roofing manufacturer.
Reach out today to schedule your service or request your free, fast quote!
