Spring cleaning essentials for roof maintenance

By Mule-Hide Products. 

Regular roof maintenance is crucial for ensuring the longevity and performance of a commercial roof. 

Spring is a time for baseball, trees and flowers blooming and the return of warmer weather. It’s also a time for spring cleaning, which for building owners involves roof maintenance. At Mule-Hide, we strongly recommend building owners invest in an annual maintenance program to assess their roof. Help your customers maintain their roof by regularly performing walk throughs and provide valuable insights on what they should be looking for to ensure the building stays free from unwanted leaks or other damage.  

Check drains, gutters and downspouts and remove leaves, garbage and other debris that could cause a clog or back-up. If water can’t flow freely through the drainage system to where you want it to go, it will go where you don’t want it to go – inside the building. Good roofing practice suggests that water not be allowed to remain on the roof for more than 48 hours after a rain. 

Give the entire roof a once-over for visible damage, such as cuts or punctures caused by snow removal, falling ice or tree limbs; missing drain strainers; loose flashings and sheet metal; open seams; loose or missing roof edges; and general membrane deterioration. Assess any areas of concern and complete any necessary repairs. 

Chemicals, petroleum products and animal fats will degrade roof surfaces. If the roof is exposed to these substances – for example, the roofs of restaurants, food processing facilities and machine shops – it may be time to schedule a deeper cleaning. Mule-Hide Products recommends that these roofs be power-washed every 6 to 12 months. 

A little TLC will help ensure the roofing system continues delivering watertight, hassle-free performance. For more information, check out this Care and Maintenance Overview. 

Original article source: Mule-Hide Products