Preparing Commercial Roofs for Fall Weather: A Building Owner’s Checklist
Fall is one of the best times for commercial building owners and property managers to evaluate their roofing systems. Cooler temperatures, falling leaves, increased moisture, and the approach of winter can expose problems that may have gone unnoticed during summer.
A little preventive commercial roof maintenance in the fall can help reduce the risk of leaks, emergency repairs, and unexpected expenses once winter weather arrives.
Here are six areas building owners and property managers should address when preparing a commercial roof for fall and winter.
1. Schedule a Professional Commercial Roof Inspection
Start with a thorough roof inspection before colder weather arrives.
A commercial roofing contractor should evaluate the roof membrane, seams, flashing, penetrations, drains, rooftop equipment, and other vulnerable areas. On TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, and other low-slope roofing systems, small punctures or deteriorated seams can allow moisture into the roofing assembly.
Finding these problems during mild fall weather generally makes repairs easier than discovering them during a winter storm.
2. Clear Roof Drains, Gutters and Scuppers
Proper drainage is critical on a commercial roof.
Leaves, branches, dirt, and other debris can collect around drains and scuppers during fall. If water cannot properly leave the roof, ponding water may develop.
Before winter, remove debris and verify that drains, gutters, downspouts, and scuppers are flowing properly. This becomes especially important as temperatures drop and standing water begins going through freeze-and-thaw cycles.
3. Inspect Flashing and Roof Penetrations
Many commercial roof leaks don’t begin in the middle of the roof. They develop around transitions and penetrations.
HVAC equipment, pipes, vents, curbs, walls, skylights, and other penetrations should all be inspected for deteriorated flashing, sealants, or membrane conditions.
These areas deserve extra attention before Colorado and Utah’s colder weather arrives.
4. Look for Damage From Summer Weather
Summer can be tough on commercial roofing systems.
Hail, high winds, UV exposure, heat, and maintenance traffic can all cause damage. A puncture from an HVAC service visit, for example, may be difficult to notice until rain or melting snow allows water into the building.
Fall is an excellent time to document the roof’s condition and address damage before winter makes the problem worse.
5. Check Rooftop Equipment and Remove Unnecessary Debris
Commercial roofs frequently become storage areas without anyone intending them to.
Loose materials, abandoned equipment, branches, screws, construction debris, and other objects can damage the roof membrane or obstruct drainage.
Building owners should also make sure rooftop equipment is properly secured and that contractors servicing HVAC or other equipment understand where designated roof walkways are located.
6. Create a Plan for Winter Roof Maintenance
Don’t wait until the first major snowstorm to determine how your building will handle winter.
Know who to contact if you experience a leak, establish procedures for rooftop snow removal when necessary, and keep records of inspections and repairs.
Most importantly, avoid allowing inexperienced personnel to shovel or remove snow from a commercial roof. Improper snow removal can damage membranes, flashing, penetrations, and other roofing components.
Preventive Maintenance Can Help Extend Commercial Roof Life
The goal of commercial roof maintenance isn’t simply to fix leaks. It’s to find and correct small problems before they become expensive ones.
A fall inspection can identify deteriorating materials, drainage problems, damaged flashing, punctures, and other issues while there’s still time to address them before winter.
At The Roofing Center, we work with commercial building owners and property managers throughout Colorado and Utah to inspect, maintain, repair, and replace commercial roofing systems.
Don’t wait for the first snowstorm to find out your commercial roof has a problem. Fall is the time to prepare.
