Tag: spring

A Spring Cleaning Checklist for Your Commercial Roof

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

As the winter weather fades away, it’s time for building owners and property managers to take a look at their spring commercial roof checklist. Spring cleaning is a crucial part of any commercial roof maintenance plan, and this checklist will help managers prioritize the needs of their roof as the outdoor conditions shift.

This is part of the checklist that Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal professionals use with the building owners and facility managers we partner with during our spring maintenance visits:

1. Perform a basic clean and roof walk.
Before calling in a professional, facility managers should safely walk the roof and inspect it themselves, looking out for any obvious damage or other problems. During this time, employees should also clear the roof of any debris to prepare the roof for a full inspection.

2. Check penetrations, seams, flashings, drains, and patches.
After the basic roof survey, facility managers should take a look at the most common problem areas on their roof. Check around any roof penetrations, like skylights or vents, to make sure there are no cracks or leaks. Ensure that drains and gutters are not clogged. Look at any old repairs or patches to ensure they are holding up, and, finally, examine all the seams and flashing to ensure nothing is damaged.

3. Clean drains, scuppers, and gutters.
It’s absolutely crucial that building owners and facility managers keep standing water off of their rooftops. While every commercial roof system is different, most have some combination of drains, scuppers, and gutters to divert water off of the roof and away from the building. Often during the winter, debris, and dirt will gather around these openings or clog them. It’s important to clear out debris and wipe away dirt as part of any spring cleaning program.

4. Clean thermoplastic roofing membranes.
Thermoplastic roof cleaning is often specific to TPO, PVC, and KEE roofing membranes. After the water and large debris have been cleared away, the dirt and grime can still remain on the roof. Dirt can hide roofing problems like leaks and even accelerate UV damage to the roofing membrane. Dark spots on a roof will absorb more UV rays and over time will cause those areas to deteriorate faster than the lighter sections of the roof.

5. Update and perform tasks based on your maintenance plan.
All commercial roof maintenance should adhere to a plan. Keeping a schedule and sticking with it allows companies to plan their budgets for the maintenance necessary to extend the life of their roof. Companies on a maintenance plan should update it based on their inspection. Companies without a maintenance plan should use the beginning of the year to find a trusted roofing partner to help create a plan.

If you’re ready to get started with your spring commercial roof checklist, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team is eager to help ensure your roof isn’t damaged and prepare for the upcoming hot and humid summer months.

Commercial Roofing FAQs: How Should You Prep Your Roof for Spring Weather?

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

With winter on its way out, it’s time to make a plan for prepping your commercial roof for spring. Here are some common questions building owners and property managers have about their roof’s seasonal changes.

Q: What winter damage should I look out for on my roof?

A: Snow and ice can damage your commercial roof in several different ways. Ice can block a roof’s drainage systems causing water to dam creating leaks when it thaws. As the weather warms, commercial building owners should be on the lookout for signs of moisture. They should also have their building inspected to see if the roof sustained any damage over the winter months.

With extreme weather conditions, buildings expand and contract naturally. This movement can cause leaks, especially around penetrations, flashing laps, etc.

Q: What challenges could the spring season bring for my roof?

A: With the end of winter comes spring rain showers that can expose winter damage. Debris from nearby trees or winter storms can clog drains and gutters or damage the roof membrane, causing leaks. A lot of rain in a short period of time can also cause moisture to build up on the roof.

Q: What can I do to make sure my roof is in good condition this season?

A: Building owners or facility managers should walk their roofs regularly between periods of inclement weather. Keeping the roof clear of debris can help prevent water from pooling on the roof. Take note of any leaks or strange smells inside the building.

If properly maintained, commercial roofs are designed to handle the natural wear and tear of seasonal changes. We recommend seasonal roof inspections and proactive management to identify small problems and make any repairs before they become large issues.

Q: What professional help do I need to prepare my roof for spring?

A: It’s best to get a professional roof inspection several times a year. The changing of the seasons is a great time to schedule these inspections. A professional commercial roofer can find damage on your roof that may otherwise be undetectable by special equipment like infrared cameras and even drones. A commercial roofing company will also be able to advise you about any repairs or maintenance your roof may need. The inspection report may also warn you about potential hazards that may pose a threat to your roof during springtime storms.

If you’re ready to prepare your roof for spring weather, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team is on hand to help with all of your commercial roofing needs.

A Seasonal Guide to Commercial Roofing Maintenance

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

If you’re familiar with Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., you’ll know that we make preventative maintenance and repairs a priority for our commercial roofing customers. We support our customers with tools, such as MAXCare® and provide a comprehensive set of solutions that help them to get the maximum lifespan out of their roofing investment. In addition, it’s important to us that we help educate our customers, so that they feel well-equipped and confident to keep their commercial roofs lasting longer. So, no matter the time of year, here’s what you should know about preventative maintenance during every season.

Winter

Your commercial roof will be vulnerable after ice and snow storms during the winter months, with a chance of hail damage at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Though it may seem as though your roof was not damaged during a storm, it is essential that you have it inspected. The roof may have sustained damage that you cannot see at first glance. For instance, with hail damage, although the hail did not penetrate the roof, it can cause spider cracking and lead to further damage down the line. Proactive repairs can prevent this issue.

Resources to check out: 

Spring 

Hail could still present issues in the spring months, but your biggest concerns will be heavy rains and high winds. In Nashville, Tennessee, we saw both a tornado and a derecho in 2020. Though these instances can be rare, it’s always a good idea to have someone do a visual inspection to ensure that no storm damage has occurred. As the rains are typically heavy during these months, you should also consider that your drains should be free of debris so that any water can make its way off the roof easily.

Resources to check out: 

Summer

Though you can expect some thunderstorms that may cause damage, summer is often the time that businesses take advantage of the calm weather to start new projects. It is hot and humid; however, the summer is when you have the most time to make the proper repairs without major interruptions—such as it being too cold in the winter or too rainy in spring. This time is especially important, considering that some roofing products must be a certain temperature before they are effective, eliminating the possibility for some projects in the winter. This is also a great time to make sure that your building is well-insulated and that the reflective quality and roof are clean to optimize energy-savings. 

Resources to check out: 

Fall

In the fall, you’ll want to be vigilant about cleaning your gutters and drains, so that they are free of fallen leaves and other debris. This maintenance step keeps your drainage flowing and can prevent pooling water and leaks. You will also need to be aware of any repairs that need to be made, preparing your roof to be water-tight before you head into winter.

Resources to check out: 

Is Your Commercial Roof on a Maintenance Schedule?

Our team is experienced and ready to help. We offer a comprehensive set of roofing services, as well as MAXCare® to help you stay on top of maintenance and Maxwell Monitors to help you monitor the state of your roof if you don’t have the capacity. The more damage we can prevent, the longer your roof lasts, and you can keep your building and its people safe. If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today!