Maintenance costs for commercial building owners typically range from 15% to 40% of total production costs. Although building maintenance can be expensive, it can save you money in the long run and can help you avoid unnecessary repairs or replacements.
For example, maintaining your rubber roof membrane will extend your roof\’s lifespan by several years and can help you avoid leaks and other issues with your roof. Do you want to learn more about rubber roof maintenance and what you need to do to care for your new roof?
Keep reading this guide for everything you need to know about maintaining these roofing options.
Routinely Clean the Roof
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your roof membrane is to routinely clean your roof. Having a regular cleaning schedule will not only make it easier to prevent damage, but it can also help you identify problem areas on your roof.
Most rubber roofs are made from white material. This helps to keep your roof cooler by reflecting the sun and will help you lower the energy bills in your building.
However, as this white material gets dirty, it will not have the same cooling properties. Cleaning your roof will help you improve the energy efficiency of your building and can prevent debris from damaging the surface of your roof.
Before cleaning, make sure you cover any areas of your roof where water could enter your building. Then, you can use water and a soft bristle broom to clean dirt and other debris off your roof.
Inspect for Damage
Another vital step for rubber roof maintenance is having regular inspections. Getting up on your roof at least once a year can help you find areas that may be weathered or that may have sustained other types of damage from debris or usual wear and tear.
For example, you may find that things like tree branches can fall on your roof and result in punctures in your rubber membrane. This will require a patch to prevent leaks and other issues with your roof.
You may also notice that your rubber roof has issues with ponding. This happens when water builds up on the surface of your roof due to poor drainage or issues with the roof design. Because the water isn\’t able to drain, it can lead to a sagging roof, more frequent leaks, damage to your roof coating and membrane seams, and more.
Inspecting for these common types of damage can help you determine whether you need a professional roof repair company to help with your roof maintenance.
Repair Split Seams
While you are inspecting your rubber roof, you may also notice that there are issues with the seams of your roof membrane. Because rubber roof membranes come in rolls of material, the installation process will result in seams on your roof.
These seams are typically bonded together with heat or some type of adhesive to prevent water from getting under the material.
However, the bond on these seams can wear out over time. If you notice that some of the material has started to peel off your roof, you can easily repair this by applying more adhesive to the material and sticking it back together.
Repairing the split seams on your roof can help you prevent more damage to your commercial building.
Trim Nearby Trees and Foliage
As was mentioned before, trees are something that can easily damage your rubber roof membrane.
If you have tree branches that reach over your roof, these may break in a harsh storm and can lead to punctures and other types of damage to your rubber roof membrane. If the leaves from your trees are left on your roof, the organic matter can also trap water against your roof membrane and can lead to more damage.
Trees that hang over your roof may also result in clogged gutters from leaves and other debris. This could lead to drainage problems, like ponding.
Lastly, trees can make it easy for pests to gain access to your building. Trimming trees to keep them away from your roof can prevent each of these problems and will help you simplify your rubber roof maintenance.
Consider Roof Coatings
Finally, you may want to consider investing in a roof coating for your commercial roof. These coatings are applied to your roof to protect them from damage and to increase the lifespan of your commercial roof. They can even improve the reflectivity of your roof to help you keep your building cool and to lower your energy costs.
A few of the most common roof coating materials are acrylic, polyurethane, and silicone coatings.
Some of the best roofing companies offer roof coatings for commercial buildings as one of their services. You can reach out to your local roofing company to learn more about the roof coating options and to see if it would be a good investment for your building.
Need Help Maintaining Your Rubber Roof Membrane?
If you have a rubber roof membrane, learning how to maintain it can help you avoid unnecessary repairs and can extend the lifespan of your roof by several years. Following each of these tips can help you keep your roof membrane in pristine condition!
If you need help installing or maintaining the best roof in Wisconsin, Yutzy Roofing Services can help. We specialize in commercial roof repair, restoration, and replacement and can help you maintain your commercial building.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and to get a free quote!
