Roofing professionals generally agree that a good roof requires proper design, quality materials, and quality application in order to perform successfully. Yet once the roof is installed, nothing is more critical to its long-term performance than establishing a program of regular inspections and proper maintenance.
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) believes that the best way for a building owner to ensure satisfactory post-installation roof performance is to have a formal, long-term maintenance agreement with a professional roofing contractor.
The Advantages of a Roofing Maintenance Program
- A maintenance program is proactive rather than reactive. It can help to identify problems at their early stages, while they can be corrected and before they become catastrophes.
- Regular maintenance can reveal and address sources and causes of leaks before they occur. Too many owners have their roofs examined only after a roof leak occurs.
- A maintenance program allows for a planned, organized approach to management of a roof asset – and allows for responsible, timely preparation of long-term capital expenditures.
- Response time to address leakage problems is greatly improved. Warranty repairs, on the other hand, can take time to be processed – while the problem remains unresolved.
Make sure to look for a roofing contractor who:
- Is registered and/or licensed as a commercial roofing contractor in the state in which the work is to be performed.
- Understands local building practices and codes.
- Understands different roof systems, and can make professional recommendations concerning which type of system is best for a particular building.
- Has a trained and experienced workforce.
- Can respond quickly should a problem arise.
