Preventative Maintenance Tips

The best preventative maintenance that anyone can do is to perform Semi-Annual Maintenance Inspections to identify and resolve problems as they occur. Roofing Systems get more abuse from the elements and traffic and any other part of a building. Preventative Maintenance is a KEY element to saving money on your roof by proving a longer service life. This section will provide some general guidelines to help you keep your roof in good working condition for as long as possible, but BEFORE you must confirm whether or not you have a Current, Manufacturer's Guarantee. Failing to follow this first step could result in voiding your Manufacturer Guarantee and ultimately making you responsible for any manufacturer defects on your roofing system.

If you are unsure as to whether or not your roofing system has a Guarantee, please contact your local Roofing Contractor to do an initial inspection of your roofing system, so that they may be able to deduce what type of roofing manufacturer's products are on your rooftop.

You may seek Professional advice by contacting our Service & Maintenance Department for assistance or completion of your Semi-Annual Roofing Maintenance Program. We tailor-fit our Maintenance Programs to fit your building/financial needs, but have provided an example here:  Click to Download

Please use our Internet Email Reporting System by CLICKING HERE.

Asphalt Shingle Roofs

• Clean all debris from the surface of the roof. This includes debris that has gathered behind/under HVAC units, pipes, pitch pans, and any other roofing penetrations. Debris has a tendecy to hold water - expediting the roof deterioration process.
  
• If you roof is starting to collect moss or algae, install some Zinc or Lead Control Strips according to instructions (Along Hips & Ridges).
  
• Check all flashings and make sure that they are not deteriorated or there are no holes in them.
  
• Dab some roof cement under any loose shingle tabs (best completed during hottest portion of day). One dab - about the size of a Nickle should be good.
  
• Replace any damaged shingles
  
• Keep all gutters free of debris - making sure that the downspouts are draining properly (Water Test).
  
• Trim back and overhanging tree branches.
  
• Check open valley metal for rust. Wire brush any rust, prime, and then paint the metal. If rust is prevalent, it can be removed by using any Rust/Corrosion Remover (check Manufacturer Specs of Roofing System FIRST).
  
• Check all caulking and sealants. Scape and remove any caulking that is cracked, damaged or missing. Clean area thoroughly, using a wire brush if necessary, and then reapply a polurethane caulking - such as Vulkem, NP-1, or equivalent (see Manufacturer Specs for details).
  
• Check the mortar and control joints of all chimneys and parapet walls - both between and on top. If it is damaged or deteriorated - contact a professional for assistance.

Built-Up and/or Modified Bitumen Roofs

• Clean all debris from the surface of the roof. This includes debris that has gathered behind/under HVAC units, pipes, pitch pans, and any other roofing penetrations. Debris has a tendecy to hold water - expediting the roof deterioration process.
  
• If your roof has a gravel/granule surface and there are some bare spots present - clean the bare spots thoroughly using a brrom and a wire brush (if necessary) -being sure to remove all loose dirt generated from brushing and sweeping. Blow the area off if necessay, and then spread a thin layer of asphaltic roof cement (mastic) over the bare area - about 1/8-inch thick. Spread some gravel/granules over the area and embed it into the roof cement to ensure full adhesion.
  
• Check all flashings and make sure that they are not deteriorated or there are no holes in them.
  
• Check all edge metal - making sure that it is not seperating at the seams. If there is seperation then contact a Roofing Professional immediately to avoid water infiltration.
  
• Check for Blisters on the Roof, being careful NOT TO STEP ON OR PUNCTURE THEM. Contact a Roofing Professional for immediate repairs.
  
• Clean out and re-fill any pitch pockets/curbs where the filler is cracked and/or shrinking.
  
• Keep all gutters free of debris - making sure that the downspouts are draining properly (Water Test).
  
• Water Test any drains at least twice a year. Once in the summer and once in the winter. If they are not draining properly contact a plumber. If they are leaking around the flashing - contact a Roofing Professional. Drains will often leak if they are holding water and are not draining.
  
• Trim back and overhanging tree branches.
  
• Check all caulking and sealants. Scape and remove any caulking that is cracked, damaged or missing. Clean area thoroughly, using a wire brush if necessary, and then reapply a polurethane caulking - such as Vulkem, NP-1, or equivalent (see Manufacturer Specs for details).
  
• Check the mortar and control joints of all chimneys and parapet walls - both between and on top. If it is damaged or deteriorated - contact a professional for assistance.

Single-Ply Roofs

• Remove all debris from the roof surface. This includes vegetation, dirt, loose nails/screws, unused equipment/material, etc. With a Single-Ply Roof, you have only one (Single) layer of protection, so if a nail/screw gets stepped on and penetrates that layer - you may end up with a leak.
  
• Check the seams with a probe. If they are coming apart they will need to be patched as soon as possible, which will require a Roofing Professional.
  
• Check all flashings and make sure that they are not deteriorated and there are no holes in them.
  
• Check all edge metal - making sure that it is not seperating at the seams. If there is seperation then contact a Roofing Professional immediately to avoid water infiltration.
  
• Check for Blisters on the Roof, being careful NOT TO STEP ON OR PUNCTURE THEM. Contact a Roofing Professional for immediate repairs.
  
• Clean out and re-fill any pitch pockets/curbs where the filler is cracked and/or shrinking.
  
• Keep all gutters free of debris - making sure that the downspouts are draining properly (Water Test).
  
• Water Test any drains at least twice a year. Once in the summer and once in the winter. If they are not draining properly contact a plumber. If they are leaking around the flashing - contact a Roofing Professional. Drains will often leak if they are holding water and are not draining.
  
• Trim back and overhanging tree branches.
  
• Check all caulking and sealants. Scape and remove any caulking that is cracked, damaged or missing. Clean area thoroughly, using a wire brush if necessary, and then reapply a polurethane caulking - such as Vulkem, NP-1, or equivalent (see Manufacturer Specs for details).
  
• Check the mortar and control joints of all chimneys and parapet walls - both between and on top. If it is damaged or deteriorated - contact a professional for assistance.

Sprayed Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

• Clean all debris from the surface of the roof. This includes debris that has gathered behind/under HVAC units, pipes, pitch pans, and any other roofing penetrations. Debris has a tendecy to hold water - expediting the roof deterioration process.
  
• Keep an eye on any blisters you see. If they get large enough that they split open, you will need to contact a foam contractor to repair them buy they should not leak.
  
• Any Yellow exposed foam should be covered with polyurethane caulking.
  
• Any splits, punctures, or other forms of damage to the roof should be repaired using polyurethane caulking.
  
• Traim back overhanging tree branches.
  
• Clea-out all drains and water-test to ensure that they are draining properly.
  
• Check all caulking and sealants. Scape and remove any caulking that is cracked, damaged or missing. Clean area thoroughly, using a wire brush if necessary, and then reapply a polurethane caulking - such as Vulkem, NP-1, or equivalent (see Manufacturer Specs for details).
  
• Check the mortar and control joints of all chimneys and parapet walls - both between and on top. If it is damaged or deteriorated - contact a professional for assistance.