How Are You Currently Managing Your Roof?

By Western Colloid. 

Questions about management styles that commercial roof owners should be asking themselves. 

As a building owner, your roof is an asset that needs a long-term care plan as it is your building’s biggest expense. All statistics show that roof maintenance saves you money, in both the short- and long-run. But what you may not know is that your style of building management can also contribute to the overall cost and health of your building’s roof. 

Here are some questions to ask yourself about your management style and how you can improve upon it: 

Are you reactive or proactive with your roof? 

When it comes to the state of your roof, do you wait until a problem presents itself or do you inspect and make repairs along the way? Commercial roofs need regular maintenance and repairs, but the owners and managers of commercial buildings generally fall into one of two categories: proactive managers and reactive managers. 

The proactive group of owners and managers conducts roof maintenance regularly, sticks to a schedule and carries out maintenance tasks at predefined intervals even when the roof does not show a visible problem. The proactive manager will try to anticipate and prevent roofing issues before they even occur.  

The reactive group of owners and managers waits until they start seeing roof damage and conducts maintenance only afterwards. This approach focuses on the elimination of already existing issues and mitigating damage that has occurred, but over time this can reduce the roof’s longevity.   

Another significant difference between the two approaches is the financial cost. Proactive maintenance might seem more expensive because it entails inspection and roof cleaning costs even when the roof is solid and healthy. However, in the long run, it is the cheaper solution of the two, as you can usually do a roof reconditioning or restoration to add 10 to 15 years to the life of your roof. 

Reactive maintenance is usually lengthier and more complex. The issues detected using this style of management can be more severe and making repairs can be more expensive. If you also add the costs of having to replace the roof before the end of its forecasted lifespan, in addition to the disruptions caused by roof faults, the reactive approach is definitely the costlier one. It’s the type of attitude that leads to more roofing issues, more frequent disruptions in the company’s daily operations and ultimately more stress.  

What are major concerns you currently have with your roof? 

Most owners and managers do not think about their roof unless there is a problem. In some cases, there are budget constraints or no resources available to you to be able to safely perform an inspection. You should be aware of the age of your roof, any leaks or potential spots for leaks and the budget you are working with. 

Whether you are reactive or proactive, you still need the knowledge and awareness that a qualified roof inspection can give you. Having this knowledge will help you to be able to address your own concerns and help get you the answers you need. 

What are the goals for your roof? 

Are you trying to develop a maintenance plan? Are you making repairs when necessary? Or do you want to recondition your roof and extend its life? Whatever your goal, it’s important to know what condition your roof is in to help evaluate when a replacement is necessary. Now is the time to begin budgeting for roof replacement or restoration when the time comes.  

Do you have a roof maintenance plan in place? 

Predictive roof management programs anticipate when repairs are needed. It also allows contractors to proactively fix your roof so you have a better understanding of what to expect and can plan for future repairs. Look for a roof management program that includes a budgeting plan so you know how much maintenance recommendations will cost and can schedule repairs for what your budget allows. When you have money put aside specifically for roofing care you’ll be ready for any surprise repairs that are needed.  

It’s important you know that you have options. Knowing whether you have a reactive, preventative or proactive management style is a necessary part of being a building manager. When you have a proactive or preventative style of management, you can actually save money and get more life out of your roof with bi-annual roof inspections and roof restoration plans. By performing regular roof inspections, you can detect problems early, allowing you to minimize repairs and prevent premature failure. 

Western Colloid is an excellent resource for every property manager and building owner. We don’t just offer products; we offer an experienced staff who can provide a number of solutions. We can help you with a consultation, repair recommendations, specification and budget assistance, approved applicator referrals and warrantied roof systems. 

We realize the importance of your building’s roof and why it’s one of your building’s most valuable assets. We offer products that can be installed with little or no disruption to your tenants. With almost 50 years in roofing and waterproofing systems we know the best ways to meet your needs. 

Have questions about your roof? Contact Western Colloid today to learn more. 

Have a question? AskARoofer. 

Find your local roofing contractor in the RoofersCoffeeShop® Contractor Directory.