TOP 10 STEPS TO KEEP YOUR ROOF IN TOP SHAPE

PRESENTED BY: JUSTIN BIRRELL

MANUFACTURER’S REPRESENTATIVE

RIO GRANDE ROOFING REPS

BASIC COMMERCIALROOF FUNCTIONS

Maintains structural integrity of the building

Protects building contents

Directs flow of water

Controls heat and cooling loss

Protects from externally sourced fire

Restricts spread of internal fire

Contributes to aesthetics

Mitigates external noise

Restricts moisture vapor

Another area for public

Platform for equipment

TYPICAL LOW-SLOPE ROOF SYSTEMS

Built Up Roof Membranes

Modified Bitumen Membranes

Single Ply Membranes

Spray Polyurethane Foam

Fluid Applied Membranes

Protected Membrane Roof

(PMR) Assemblies

STEP 1 –KEEP ACCURATE MAINTENANCE RECORDS

Keep a file of all the

records for the roof –

warranties, contracts,

repair and maintenance

bills, original construction

documents, etc.

These records can be very

helpful if you need to

have repairs made or have

additional equipment

added to the roof.

Also helpful when it is

time to re-roof – since

you know what’s up on

the roof and what has

been done

STEP 2 –CONDUCT ROUTINE INSPECTIONS

Biannual Inspections

are recommended –

once in the fall and

once in the spring

In the spring, you want

to check for any

maintenance items

that can be scheduled

for the roofing system.

In the fall, you’re

checking for to make

sure the roof is ready

to go through the

winter months.

You will also want to

inspect after any work

has taken place on the

roof

STEP 3 – INSPECT AFTER SEVERE WEATHER

Always inspect the roof for damage after severe weather such

as Hail-Storms, Heavy Rains, and High Winds.

Just because water is not coming in, doesn’t mean that the roof

hasn’t been damaged

The sooner you have the damage repaired, the smaller the

repair cost will be

WIND AND HAIL DAMAGE

STEP 4 –REPAIR CORRECTLY

Remember, improper repairs are a common cause of roof problems… and are easy to avoid!

If your roof is under warranty –you want to make sure that the original installer (if available) performs the repair work – with materials from the manufacturer…

Improper repair example: petroleum-based products on single ply roof – BIG NO NO!

IMPROPER REPAIRS VS. PROPER REPAIR

STEP 5 –KEEP ROOF CLEAN & FREE OF DEBRIS

What is considered debris? Leaves, branches, dirt, rocks,

bottles, trash from other trades, etc.

Keep gutters, downspouts, drains, scuppers, and the

surrounding roof areas clean to ensure proper drainage

Trash and debris can cause not only harm (such as punctures)

to the roofing system but can also be a safety hazard; this can

range from simple “trip” hazards to potentially over-loading the

structure with extensive ponding water from clogged drains.

TRASH & DEBRIS ON ROOFCLOGGED DRAINS

STEP 6 –KEEP METAL IN GOOD CONDITION

Examine all metal flashings, counter

flashings, expansion joints, and pitch

pockets for: Rust, Detachment or

Damage, and Deteriorated Sealant.

Have loose metalwork reattached,

replace sealant as necessary, repair

metal as necessary, and prepare and

paint and rusted metal.

Metal components on a roof are a

common point of water entry

It doesn’t matter how good your

roofing system is if the adjacent metal

is letting water into the building

LOOSE METAL, DRIP EDGE SEPARATING, PITCH PAN SEPARATING, & CAULKING DETERIORATION

STEP 7 –KEEP MASONRY IN GOOD CONDITION

Examine masonry walls and copings for: cracks and bad mortar joints,

deteriorated sealant, loose masonry stones, indication of water

absorption

Repair all such conditions to prevent water infiltration

Water leaks from masonry is often incorrectly attributed to the roofing

system… so keeping any walls, copings, etc. watertight also goes a long

way to keeping the building leak free

COPING INCOMPLETE, STUCCO CRACKS, & WALL TIE-INS

STEP 8 –MAINTAIN ROOFTOP EQUIPMENT

Examine rooftop equipment for any problems that may allow

water infiltration including: air conditioners, vents, and duct

work, equipment stands or screens, skylights, satellite dishes,

antennas, etc.

Just as the roof needs maintenance, so does the equipment

that is on the roof

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations provided

and always check the roof after any service calls to make sure

the roof hasn’t been accidentally damaged

NO SLIP SHEETS, ROOF DAMAGE, DUCT NOT SEALED, SKYLIGHT NOT REINSTALLED

STEP 9 –MAINTAIN ROOF COATING (IF PRESENT)

Eliminate any spillage of coolant, oils, grease, etc. and repair

roof membrane if affected.

Examine protective coatings and recoat any cracked, flaked,

blistered or worn areas with a compatible roof coating – ie –

silicone with silicone, silicone over acrylic (acrylic cannot be put

over silicone)

Roof coatings protect the membrane from long term exposure

to the elements… and if reflective, also provide great cooling

benefits for the building. Recoating of these materials protects

the membrane and allows it to keep doing its job.

BUBBLING, FLAKING, & PEELING

STEP 10- MINIMIZE ROOFTOP TRAFFIC

Minimize rooftop traffic by limiting access to

necessary personnel only

Maintain a roof access log so that you can ascertain

who has been on the roof in the event of damage to

the roof from other trades.

Roofs are meant to keep water out… and, if properly

designed, can even act as another roof area. But

most roofs are not designed for this, and repeated,

long-term traffic can wear a roof out

The easiest way to prevent this type of damage is to

keep people off the roof who don’t belong there!

MINIMIZE THE BLAME GAME!

RIO GRANDE ROOFING REPS CAN ASSIST YOU ON A ROOF INSPECTION!

THANK YOU!

Questions?