Roofs take a beating from the elements. Regular assessments, planning, and preventive maintenance can keep your roof in top shape and save you money in the long run. Follow these guidelines to help protect your investment and maximize your roof’s service life.
Start with a roof assessment
A licensed roofing professional can assess your roof’s condition, flag urgent issues, and estimate its remaining service life. These assessments help you:
- Create a multi-year maintenance and replacement plan
- Prioritize repairs and upgrades
- Estimate costs for future work
Pro tip: Plan at least five years ahead to budget for major projects.
Plan for repairs and replacement
Work with a roofing expert to build a schedule and budget for maintenance, repairs, and eventual replacement to help smooth out costs and manage expenses. Consider what’s under the roof, too—over a sensitive area like a data center might require additional monitoring and more frequent replacement compared to storage areas.
A schematic and table, as shown below, are great for documenting roof conditions. They can be easily shared with vendors and employees to keep your roof program on track.
| Roof section | Year of install | Estimated replacement year | Warranty duration (years) | Roof type | Square footage | Condition | Current | +1yr | +2yr | +3yr | +4yr | +5yr | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008 | 2028 | 20 | EDPM, 45 mil, Ballasted | 17,200 | Good | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $240,000 | PM $300 | PM $300 | |
| 2 | 1995 | 2045 | N/A | Metal | 7,800 | Repair | PM $5,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Seal around fasteners and penetrations |
| 3 | 2002 | 2027 | 15 | TPO, 90 mil | 18,100 | Good | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 | |
| 4 | 2010 | 2030 | 15 | PVC, 60 mil | 3,600 | Good | PM $200 | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 | |
| 5 | 1990 | 2024 | 20 | Modified Bitumen | 18,000 | Replace | R $200,000 | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 | PM $300 |
Stick to a maintenance schedule
Preventive care can keep small problems from becoming big ones. Schedule regular roof inspections to:
- Check for damage or wear
- Clear drains and remove debris
- Catch potential leaks early
Document every five-year inspection with photos to track your roof’s condition over time. Always address leaks or damage as soon as they’re discovered.
Here’s some general guidance on recurring roof inspections, but it is best to follow guidance from a licensed roofing professional for your specific needs.
| Recommended frequency | Activity |
|---|---|
| Every five years | Roofing consultant or contractor assesses the roof condition and updates the estimated replacement and preventative maintenance schedule |
| Annually | Roofing consultant or contractor inspects the roof for damage or potential issues |
| Semi-annually |
|
| After a severe weather event | Inspect for damage and debris |
| Winter months | Monitor for snow accumulation and ice dams and remove as necessary |
Keep accurate records
An organized roof management program ensures nothing slips through the cracks. Maintain these records:
- Warranties and contractor information, including certificates of insurance
- Inspection schedules and maintenance logs
- Assessments including photos
- Details of completed work
- Maps or spreadsheets tracking each roof section
By staying proactive, you’ll extend your roof’s service life and avoid costly surprises down the road.