RoofViews

Commercial Roofing

Professional Roof Maintenance Protects Your Building and Your Business

By Don Kilcoyne

June 18, 2021

Roof inspection in progress

Your roof is the great unsung hero of both your building envelope and your bottom line. Although it's rarely seen, it's constantly under assault from the elements, including rain, wind, extreme cold and heat, UV rays, contaminants, and more. And it forms the first line of defense against unexpected and unwanted expenses.

Like tossing a stone into a still river, postponing roof maintenance can drive financial ripples throughout your entire business, from shortening the longevity of the roof itself to disrupting business, employees, and tenants.

On the other hand, making sure your roof receives professional roof maintenance can pay off in ways you may never have expected. Perhaps the greatest benefit of a regular maintenance program is the chance to catch issues early and while they are still repairable. This can help extend the time between re-roofs and maximize the value of your investment. But that's just the start.

Let's start at the top. Regular, professional commercial roof maintenance can help protect your roof investment by giving you a chance to:

  • Identify small problems, like loose flashings, clogged drains, standing water, and so on, before they become expensive issues
  • Prevent accumulation of chemical contaminants that may harm the roof membrane
  • Remove wind-blown debris that can damage, or even puncture, the roof
  • Keep reflective surfaces clean so they can provide maximum reflectivity
  • Remove organic debris that can provide a food source for destructive algae, plants, birds, and four-legged pests
  • Meet the owner maintenance requirements in GAF guarantees
  • Potentially qualify your roof for the GAF WellRoof Guarantee Extension, which extends the duration of GAF Diamond Pledge™ NDL Roof Guarantees by up to 25% for eligible roofs (additional requirements and restrictions apply)

Below the roof, professional maintenance can help prevent lost revenue from:

  • Damage to building contents
  • Dissatisfied tenants
  • Premises liability exposure
  • Reduced space as leaks put rooms or floors out of service
  • Equipment downtime
  • Potential energy loss caused by wet/deteriorated insulation

It's important to keep in mind that one storm can alter the condition of your roof in a matter of hours. Having a professional inspect right away for debris, water, clogged drains, loosened flashings, and wind uplift can often mean the difference between a simple clean-up and an expensive repair.

If you'd like to set up a preventative maintenance program, please visit us.gaf.com/TalkToGAF.

About the Author

Don Kilcoyne, a writer and editor for GAF, crafts marketing campaigns and language that communicate the company brand, initiatives, products, and priorities in video, print, and social media, as well as GAF Roof Views. He joined the GAF team in late 2016, bringing a background as a creative director and author.

Related Articles

GAF Community Matters team members repair a storm-damaged roof on a home in Puerto Rico
In Your Community

GAF Supports Puerto Rico Hurricane Recovery

As part of its mission to build resilient communities, GAF Community Matters has supported Puerto Rico hurricane recovery efforts through roofing material donations, roof installation trainings, and team members' hard work. This has had a multifaceted impact on the island and the people who call it home.

By Authors Annie Crawford

August 07, 2024

A Puerto Rico resident outside of his home being repaired by GAF and Team Rubicon
In Your Community

How GAF Contributed to Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Efforts

Several years after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017 and caused around $90 billion in damage, residents were still working to repair their homes and rebuild their communities. Subsequent storms further damaged unfixed properties and the power grid continued to suffer frequent blackouts. As a result, many families were living in unsafe conditions.

By Authors GAF Roof Views

July 26, 2024

Don't miss another GAF RoofViews post!

Subscribe now