Commercial roofs are a big investment. Business owners who are about to spend big money on a new roof are probably wondering, What is the life expectancy of a roof?
Brand new roofs should last long enough to make the building owner’s investment worth it, but that isn’t always the case. So, what is the life of a roof? It depends on how you treat it. There are many factors in determining the life expectancy of a roof. Here are some tips for making that new roof last as long as possible:
1. Schedule regular inspections.
Professional roofing inspections help catch roof problems early on and repair them before they can affect the long-term health of the roof. Facility managers should perform regular self-inspections for obvious roof damage, and a professional should come by a few times a year for a forecast assessment. Roofing forecasts can help predict future maintenance needs and help facility managers plan for upcoming costs.
2. Create a maintenance plan.
Maintenance is the single most important thing that a building owner can do to extend the life of a roof. Using information from professional forecast assessments, building managers should be able to create a detailed schedule for minor repairs and roof part replacements. Programs like our own MAXCare® create no-hassle roof management plans for property owners. MAXCare® automatically schedules maintenance and inspections so property managers never miss an important roof check up.
3. Plan for emergencies.
Even the best maintenance plan can’t control the weather. Storms, falling trees, and other emergencies are always a risk. To be sure that an uncontrollable calamity doesn’t affect the life of your roof, you should have an emergency plan. Responding quickly in an emergency can prevent the need for a major repair or roof replacement, this is why MAXCare® includes 24/7 emergency response.
4. Choose more durable materials if buying a new roof.
The typical life of a commercial roof made with conventional materials is anywhere between 10 to 30 years, depending on installation and how it is treated, but what is the life of a metal roof? Metal roofs can last up to 70 years depending on the materials used. If you’re buying a new roof or are in need of a roof replacement, consider a long-lasting material like metal.
To learn more about how to extend the life of your commercial roof, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today.