Protect Your Roof and Your Business
Discover everything you need to know about the SHIELD certified maintenance program for commercial roofing systems in the Kansas City area. From what’s covered in the plan to exploring service costs, this guide equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and keep your roof in top condition.
Like any other aspect of your business or organization, your roof is a sizable and tangible asset that needs to be managed. Moreover, its health impacts everything underneath it, including your building’s structure, your equipment and inventory, interior fixtures and finishes, even your tenants and their businesses.
If you’ve ever replaced a roof, you know it’s one of the most significant investments you can make to your property. Like changing the oil in your car, your roof needs regular professional maintenance.
How Your Maintenance Style Affects Costs
There are two types of property owners: reactive and proactive. What type are you?
Scrambles Last-Minute
Reactive owners delay maintenance, waiting until a major problem occurs before making an attempt to fix it.
Eventually, minor issues with a roof’s membrane, flashing, drainage, and other components can jeopardize structural integrity and escalate into major and expensive repairs, and require the roof to be replaced prematurely. While reactive maintenance offers short-term savings, there are definitely costly long-term consequences, not to mention a whole lot of stress.
Plans Ahead
Proactive owners stay ahead of potential roof issues with routine maintenance, saving money over time.
Regular inspections, cleanings, and repairs performed by a professional minimize the risk of long-term damage and expensive repairs or replacement in the future. Proactive maintenance keeps you in the driver’s seat ensuring you’re able to plan ahead and make decisions that fit your organization’s long-term goals. Even better, you’ll have fewer worries and less stress.
Why is it worth paying for?
A commercial roof maintenance plan is a structured schedule of preventive measures aimed at prolonging your roof’s lifespan, improving its performance, and catching minor issues before they turn into costly problems.
Preventative maintenance involves a yearly inspection of your entire roofing system, including its components such as gutters, vents, flashing, and drains. It also entails periodic cleanings to remove debris, which can lead to damage and attract pests. Caring for your roof with a commercial maintenance plan is one of the most effective tools you have to maximize your roof system’s reliability and lifespan.
Advantages of a Preventative Maintenance Program
- The regular inspections and proactive maintenance provided by a commercial roof maintenance plan can:
- Extend the service life of your roof by 30% to 100%*.
- Save you 25% to 50% on lifetime maintenance costs.*
- Reduce your insurance premium. Ask your provider.
- Reduce premises liability exposure.
- Reduce the need for larger repairs caused by delaying.
- Reduce the likelihood of having to replace your roof prematurely.
- Protect your building’s structure, systems, and contents from water damage.
*According to studies conducted by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and the American Institute of Plant Engineers Association for Facilities Engineers (AIPE/AFE)
Don’t Risk Losing Coverage
In the fine print, you’ll see your roofing system’s warranty requires that preventative maintenance be performed. If you have a Total Systems Warranty, No Dollar Limit (NDL) guarantee, or other type of special guarantee on your roof system, carefully follow the required maintenance to safeguard your roof and its warranty. In most cases, your warranty may be voided if you don’t.
Some roofing manufacturers provide an incentive to keep up good maintenance habits. For example, GAF will extend its roof guarantee by up to 25% if you meet its criteria.
Key Advice to Save You Money
Follow these recommendations to keep your roof in tip-top shape and maximize its lifespan and performance:
1. Schedule Timely Inspections
Inspections allow you to identify issues early while they’re still repairable. After severe weather with heavy rain, hail, and high winds, inspect your roof for damage, standing water, and clogged vents and drains. Use this checklist to keep on top of issues.
2. Make Repairs Now
Perform maintenance and minor repairs immediately. Waiting could lead to damage to other surfaces and structures and dramatically increase costs.
3. Minimize Rooftop Traffic
Make the most of time spent on the roof. Perform inspections, remove debris, and make repairs in as few trips as possible. Excessive foot and equipment traffic can cause wear and tear. Use walkway pads in high traffic areas. To reduce the likelihood of damage, have roofing professionals perform inspections and repairs.
4. Keep it Clean
Remove debris and foreign objects. Even small ones can cause damage later. Accumulated leaf litter can lead to mold and mildew and attract pests and birds. Regularly clean out gutters, scuppers, and downspouts.
5. Seal It Up
Water always finds a way in. Make sure your vents, seams, skylights, and HVAC systems are properly sealed.
6. Opt for a Maintenance Plan
A roofing maintenance professional will regularly inspect your roof to identify potential issues before they lead to big, costly repairs.
Prevention, Communication, Flexibility
A good maintenance plan should include basic preventative measures such as regular inspections as well as periodic cleanings to remove debris that could affect the integrity and function of your roof system.
After every inspection you should receive a detailed report and photos documenting the roof’s condition, issues, and any recommendations. A good maintenance plan may also include the flexibility to request an inspection after a hail storm or other severe inclement weather.
The agreement should clearly outline what, if any, repairs are included under the plan and who makes the repairs, under what conditions, and when.
Most importantly, the plan should be clear about costs and be backed by a trusted source such as roof manufacturer or roofing company.
7 Tips to Ensure it Fits Your Needs
Commercial Roof Maintenance Plans come in a variety of configurations, tailored to suit the different types of commercial properties and roofing systems. When choosing a plan, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure the plan meets your needs and expectations.
- Choose a maintenance plan tailored to your type of roof.
- Make sure it applies to your roof’s age and the potential issues that may arise.
- Find out what’s covered by the plan and for how long.
- Understand the full scope of services, from inspections and cleanings to minor repairs.
- Look for a plan that takes in account your area’s inclement weather.
- Consider opting for a plan that can extend your current warranty.
- Make sure it’s backed by the manufacturer or a trusted organization.
Safeguard Your Investment
At Christian Brothers Roofing, we have over 15 years of experience with roofing systems. We’re proud to offer SHIELD, a Commercial Roof Maintenance Plan that protects your roof and your business. With SHIELD, you get the most out of your roofing system and your budget.
- Choose from three different plans, depending on your needs
- One annual inspections by our certified maintenance team identify damage and potential issues before they escalate
- Includes comprehensive maintenance report with photos and recommendations
- Periodic cleanings ensure your roof and its components such as vents, drains, scuppers, and downspouts are clear of debris
- Earn additional coverage that extends your qualified warranty by up to 25%
- Pay just one annual fee
With SHIELD, you can get ahead of repairs, optimize your budget, and make strategic capital investment decisions on your terms. If an issue does arise, we’ll work with you to find the best solution for your needs.
Learn how SHIELD helps safeguard your investment.
