Pipe And Equipment Supports
One of the most important things on your roof maintenance checklist should be your pipe and equipment supports. Check to be sure that pipes are not sagging, there are no cracks in the base of the support, deflected hangers, or supports digging into the roof membrane. These are all signs that your supports have signs of failing and will need be replaced/repaired soon.
When Should You Get A Commercial Roof Inspection
Since a commercial roof inspection provides essential information and allows you to prevent serious roofing damage, we recommend having it done at strategic times.
Firstly, if you have never had anyone perform roof work or a commercial roof inspection has never been done in the whole lifetime of the roof, it is imperative you do it now. Until you do you wont know the condition of your roof good or bad.
Another crucial time to schedule a commercial roof inspection is when you first notice minor leaks. Having the leaks fixed soon prevents the damage from getting worse and it prevents leaking water from damaging the sub roof. Having an inspection done along with the repair can determine if this leak was an isolated incident or a sign of things to come.
Finally, we also recommend having an inspection done near the middle of your roofs lifespan. This can help determine the condition of your roof and set you up for preventative maintenance services to keep your roof strong as it ages.
Learn more about the lifespan of your roof right here.
A Preventative Maintenance Program Includes:
1. An inspection – Our experienced CentiMark service crew will come out to inspect your roof. We follow a detailed checklist and thorough inspection process to ensure that nothing is overlooked. This checklist has over 50 items and documents:
- Areas of defects
- Points of deterioration
- Compromised roof accessories and assemblies
2. Recommendations – Based on the inspection and your individual needs, our associates will develop a customized plan with recommendations to help keep your roof in great shape. These include:
- General housekeeping
- Adding safety accessories
- Updates to remain OSHA compliant
3. Implementation – Based on our recommendations, we will work with you to develop a schedule and course of action for routine care and maintenance to your roof. We will come out to complete the scheduled and provide you with a report once our work has been completed.
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Quality Of The Installation
A lot of the issues in our list can be attributed to a low-quality installation of the roof. A general rule of thumb is that a well-installed roof made up of high-grade materials should last around 20-30 years. However, that is not always the case, especially if there has been a faulty installation.
The inspector will check for poor quality workmanship during the installation, including the shingles, flashings, vents, gutters, downspouts, and the overall structure of the roof. Incorrect shingle placement and poor flashing installments allow water to enter the building via the roof, causing damage.
The inspector may look for low-quality nail patterns, incorrect level of overhang, poor shingle positioning, the quality of roof underlayments, and the integrity of the roofing structure.
Most installation problems occur in valleys where shingles are not properly interlaced or where improperly flashed. Valleys are where two roof lines converge. Often large amounts of water flow towards the roof valleys and even minor flaws can become a major roof leak over time.
Poor workmanship can also lead to wind damage. Wind can cause shingles that are not properly fastened to become loose or break. If the shingles are wind damaged, roof leaks can start around nail holes and along seams.
Types Of Maintenance Plans And Why They Are Important
The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends maintenance and repair be performed at least twice a year. More importantly before and after severe weather seasons such as a winter in the Northern United States.
These inspections are to clean the roof system of natural debris, clear all gutters and waterways, and assess vulnerable points in the roof system to ensure that no degradation can leak in the future.
In addition to scheduled maintenance twice a year, its important to have a contractor inspect and perform needed repairs after severe weather such as high winds, hail, and severe storms. These inspections are to clear the roof of any debris such as metal from HVAC units or other penetrations and ensure that there is no damage to the roof system, flashings, copings, and other units.
A maintenance contract is an easy way for building owners and managers to ensure their commercial roof remains under warranty and in good condition while staying in their budget.
There are three main types of maintenance contract options:
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How Pacific Nw Roofs Should Be Cleaned
First things first: Any roof expert will recommend that you dont climb up on the roof yourself. Weve seen too many serious injuries to people who were being cautious but simply didnt have the expertise to navigate the roof safely.
Its especially dangerous in the Northwest too moss, fungi, and moisture make your roof extra slippery.
At Northwest Roof Maintenance we know how to get the job done right so that your roof will need to be cleaned much less often than if you tried to clean it yourself. Heres how:
Now lets figure out how often you should have someone clean your roof.
When Should You Inspect Your Roof
Ideally, commercial roofs should be inspected both before and after severe weather seasons. Severe weather includes both the winter cold of northern locations and the extreme heat and direct sunlight experienced during Southern and Western summers. Both extremes can weather and damage roofs, so it is a good idea to prepare for them, and to inspect for damage after extreme weather occurs. Roofs should also be inspected in the wake of a severe weather event such as a hurricane, tornado, hailstorm, or damaging straight winds in the vicinity.
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The Basics Of Roof Maintenance
A roof system is arguably the most vulnerable part of a building’s exterior. Ultraviolet radiation, wind, rain, hail, snow, and sleet all affect a roof system’s performance.
Performance is based on good design, quality materials, proper installation, and a preventive-maintenance program. Roof maintenance is critical to preventing roof problems and keeping the roof in watertight condition. Early identification and repair of roof problems will help provide a long-lasting roof system.
Building PersonnelInitiating a formal, in-house roof maintenance program is the first step in an overall roof maintenance program. Some aspects of roof maintenance do not need to be performed by roofing professionals, but can be done by the building’s maintenance personnel.
The building’s personnel can help with some of the most basic maintenance items, such as keeping the roof free of debris. Debris can block the flow of water to the roof drains and cause localized ponding, which can prematurely damage a roof system. Debris may also block the drain lines in extreme cases, ponding water can lead to roof collapse.
Keeping roof traffic to a minimum should also be a priority for building personnel. Where foot traffic is expected, membrane protection should be provided. Walkway pads or roof pavers will protect the roof’s surface . Building personnel should, at a minimum, walk the roof in the spring and fall, and then provide a written report with observations and/or recommendations to management.
What Does Preventative Roof Maintenance Include
Any additional problems that occur during the period of the maintenance agreement which are necessitated due to the existing roof system having any leaks will be addressed in a preferential and timely manner, i.e., all repairs will receive top priority.
At the end of each inspection, we will re-evaluate the condition of the roof system and supply you with recommendations and budget numbers so you can organize and budget for the future. Whether designing a new roof system, restoring, re-roofing or maintaining your present roof, The Fania Roofing Company can help.
The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.- John F. Kennedy
We proudly service the following areas:
We also service the Bucks County and Greater Lehigh Valley, PA, area.
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Do Condo Association Fees Cover Roofs
As a condominium owner, you might wonder if the roof over your head is covered if something goes wrong. The financial responsibility for a roof is not as straightforward for condo owners as it is for traditional, detached-home owners. You share ownership of many building features, including the roof, with your fellow owners, but responsibility for roof repairs may fall on different parties. Depending on condo association rules, your dues may not cover your roof problems.
Is Your Roof Due For A Cleaning
If you think your roof needs to be cleaned, or if youre not sure, Northwest Roof Maintenance can help! Our friendly and professional consultants will take a look at your roof and recommend only the services we know will benefit you and your roof. We never suggest unnecessary repairs or maintenance.
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Start Protecting Your Roof Today
Would you let your HVAC system run for years without scheduling a tune-up? What about your electrical or plumbing equipment? The truth is that every essential component of your home requires periodic checking and cleaning, and your roofing system is no different.
Thats why at Professional Roofing Services, we provide Las Vegas roof maintenance for a range of properties. If you have lived in your home for a long period of time and never called for roof maintenance, you should consider contacting our skilled roofing contractors sooner rather than later. Not only does regular maintenance help your roof look better, it ensures that your property is structurally sound, and safe for your entire family. And because we are committed to strengthening the greater Las Vegas community, we also provide commercial roofing maintenance for everything from hotels and casinos to factories and warehouses. Call now to learn more about how roofing maintenance can improve your commercial or residential property, and let PRS give your roof the care it needs.
If you suspect your roof could use some maintenance, give us a call today at.
Issues With The Roof Flashings
The roof flashing is one of the most important aspects of the roof when it comes to keeping water out of the house. If the flashing is installed properly and still functions as it should, rainwater will be directed away from the vulnerable areas of the roof and into the drainage system.
If the flashings become damaged, the likelihood of a leak drastically increases. Home inspectors will pay close attention to problem areas of the roof such as valleys, chimneys, skylights, and dormers. If the flashings are inadequate in any of these locations the home inspector will note this on their report.
Step Flashing
For rooflines that but up against brick masonry walls, we commonly see problems with step flashing. Step flashing is the practice interlocking pieces of metal flashing folded into the mortar joints in the brick masonry. Often the step flashing doesnt extend up the wall high enough and doesnt overlap enough to shed water properly.
Kick-out Flashing
For rooflines that but up again siding, the flashing should have a piece of kick-out flashing along the wall. This kick-out flashing is used to shed water away from the siding. This flashing is often not present particularly on older houses. Oddly, even in roof replacements on older houses, roofers fail to install it with the new installation.
Drip Edge Flashing
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F Coordinating Staff Capabilities And Training With Equipment And System Sophistication Levels
O& M organizations must address the skill level of their staff in light of the O& M systems and components within their facilities. This extends beyond the in-house staff to any contracted services as well. If the skills required to support installed systems and equipment are scarce, either training must be provided or less sophisticated equipment systems utilized to provide an economical working arrangement.
With the natural industry progression of incorporating technology advances into renovations, major capital repairs and new building construction, high-tech building systems are being placed into service that current O& M staff are not familiar enough with to properly correct problems when they arise, or to keep operating efficiently. An example of this is building automation systems . Often untrained personnel will override programmed settings with manual settings that address specific hot/cold call issues, but over time these cumulative overrides result in un-balanced system-wide operations.
Regardless of their equipment sophistication levels, every organization should develop training programs and track staff qualifications to ensure they are adequate for existing and planned building systems. This will allow organizations to make improvements to training as needed on an ongoing basis. A recurring training program should consider both the type of skills required and the available labor pool skills in the geographic area. Topics for consideration include the following:
What Are Common Area Maintenance Charges In A Commercial Lease
Most commercial retail leases are triple net leases. The triple stands for taxes insurance and maintenance.
- Taxes: This is pretty straightforward, as the landlord will simply pass on to the tenant the real estate taxes proportionately based on the size of the overall property and the size of the tenants location.
- Insurance: This is calculated in a similar manner based on the landlords insurance cost for the overall property, not the tenants specific insurance.
- Maintenance: This is the big variable and is also called CAM or common area maintenance.
Basically, under a triple net lease, the landlord will pass through all of the expenses to maintain the property including landscaping, cleanup, snow removal and minor repairs to each tenant on a pro-rata basis. The CAM charges in a commercial lease are typically added on to base rent as additional rent . This is an area fraught with danger for the unwary tenant. A landlord typically will try to pass through as much of their expenses as possible through CAM charges, and if not negotiated upfront, these expenses can grow and grow over the life of the lease.
CAM charges to be wary of are:
- Administrative & Maintenance Fees
- Electrical Wiring
- HVAC
Many of these charges should be considered capital expenses or general overhead of the landlord and should be excluded from CAM.
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How Often Should You Clean Your Roof
You may love to experience the four seasons each year in the Pacific Northwest, but your roof doesnt. Rain, fog, ice, and even shade from large trees can create the perfect environment for moss and fungi to grow.
Moss, mildew, algae, and lichen grow into your shingles and wear away the material. They can even lift shingles. This creates space for water to pool and eventually leak into your home.
People in Portland and Vancouver often ask us: How often should I clean my roof?
Its a good question, but unfortunately, theres no easy answer. How often you should clean your roof really depends on several factors that affect the condition of your roof. Ill go over those today so you can decide whether your roof needs cleaning. First, well talk about how to safely and effectively clean a roof.
Lets dive in!
Does The Townhouse Have A Hoa
Townhouses may be governed by a homeowners association or a co-operative just like condominiums. HOA collect fees from the owners of the townhomes and are typically responsible for outdoor maintenance tasks including landscaping, snow removal, and roofing. However, not all HOA take responsibility for all aspects of property maintenance. You will need to look at your specific agreement to determine if the HOA should be paying for roof repairs.
Sometimes, even when HOAs are responsible for roof repairs the organization is reluctant to begin the repairs. Thankfully, there are many legal avenues you can pursue in order to force the HOA to fulfill its obligation. Sometimes you can charge HOAs for repairs you had to do yourself. However, you should not begin a repair yourself until youve spoken to an attorney, so youre sure you can recoup your costs.
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Negotiate Your Lease With Our Help
This post is meant to be a general guideline for prospective tenants related to the terminology and jargon of commercial leases and is not intended to provide legal advice for any particular situation. We would be happy to have a more detailed conversation with you if you have some questions on CAM charges or other clauses in your lease or prospective lease. Please call Spadea Lignana Franchise Attorneys at or contact us from our website to speak with an attorney about your situation.
