Commercial roof maintenance and repair solutions

Building owners and facility managers who inspect and repair their roofs routinely are often able to identify potential issues before they become expensive problems. Best practices, then, include implementing a proactive maintenance program rather than gamble with a reactive one.

Reactive maintenance includes unscheduled work performed upon discovery of critical issues that may present an immediate threat of water intrusion into the building interior.

Proactive maintenance involves managing the roof as you would manage an asset like a computer network or a machine shop — with periodic inspections and scheduled repairs.

The goal of a proactive maintenance program is to anticipate problems that might prevent the roofing system from doing its job, and avoid downtime in the use of the building.

Even the slightest delay in roof repairs can expose the building to damages. In addition, emergency repairs can cost anywhere from approximately three to nine times as much as scheduled preventive repairs.

Download the GAF Commercial Scheduled Maintenance Checklist at www.gaf.com/maintenance-checklist

Depending upon the roofing material, a wide array of tools and products are available to a roof maintenance professional. In general, cleaners, primers and adhesives (available in convenient aerosols from GAF) may be indicated on virtually any type of roof.

Single-ply roofs may also call for portable hand-welders, and either weldable or self-adhered TPO or PVC joints and patches.

And every roof maintenance professional should travel with an assortment of silicone sealant and mastic, as well as SEBS sealant.