Roof Repair
Why Roofing Maintenance?
There’s an old saying heard often in the roofing industry:
“A roof accounts for only 10% of the total cost of constructing a building, but 90% of its problems down the road.”
What “wears out” a roof?
Exposure…
Either long-term exposure to the elements (sun, water, freeze-thaw) or shorter-term exposure to damaging air pollutants and chemicals
What can cause immediate problems?
Extreme Weather…
Lightning, high winds, hail, drenching rains that overflow the flashing heights
Structural Movement…
Such as building settlement or expansion/contraction not accommodated by the roofing system
Equipment Additions…
Improperly added equipment or other items improperly added on the roof (items added by tenants are a very common source of roofing problems)
Biological Growth…
Such as vegetation in areas of standing water or algae
Equipment Additions…
Improperly added equipment or other items improperly added on the roof (items added by tenants are a very common source of roofing problems)
Not Fixing Problems Promptly…
These can add up to a much shorter roof life – e.g., if a small problem is not repaired, then a large amount of insulation can be damaged
Trade Damage…
Punctures, holes, etc. caused by trades other than your roofing contractor
Forgetting About Maintenance…
This is perhaps the single biggest cause of premature roof failure
Unintended Abuse…
Vandalism or accidental damage…even a small hole can let in a large amount of water into the roofing system
Change in the Use of the Building…
e.g., an increase in the interior relative humidity of a building can cause severe condensation problems within the roofing system
Costs of NOT performing routine maintenance?
Costs of damage to building interiors (furnishings & fixtures)
Costs of damage to merchandise and inventory
Costs of damage to equipment (computers, electrical, HVAC, etc.)
Costs from lost use of space
Costs and exposure to issues of air quality and work environment
Costs of legal claims (“slip & fall” accidents)
Costs of water damage clean-up
Costs of energy loss through wet and damp roof insulation in both the heating and cooling seasons
Costs of business interruption
Costs associated with higher insurance premiums due to more frequent claims arising from water damage
Costs of premature roof replacement
