It’s no secret that inspections are an important part of active commercial roof maintenance.
In attempts to save on costs, some commercial property owners take it upon themselves to inspect their own roofs or perform minor maintenance. While this solution is acceptable for catching any obvious damages or flaws, this cost-cutting measure can end up costing significantly more in the long run.
Here are 4 reasons why you shouldn’t perform self-inspections or minor maintenance on your commercial roofing systems:
You might miss small issues that can quickly become larger issues
Without the proper experience and know-how, it’s easy to overlook small problems or write them off as inconsequential when inspecting your commercial roof. However, problems such as small cracks or panel separation can lead to much larger issues down the road, especially during the winter months. A trained professional can spot issues that have the potential to escalate and recommend the proper course of action.
There are several potential safety hazards involved
There’s a good reason why the rooftops of commercial properties tend to be mostly inaccessible. Whether it’s debris, faulty surfaces, electrical equipment, or low or no parapet walls, a commercial roof can be a dangerous place for someone without proper safety training. Commercial roofers are trained to navigate these conditions, making it significantly safer to handle inspections.
You might void your warranty
All commercial roof warranties are different, but many of them do specify who is allowed on the roof and who can perform maintenance on it. It isn’t uncommon for warranties to specify that only a professional can perform roof maintenance. If you do not carefully follow these parameters, you may accidentally void your warranty, which can result in a huge spike in costs down the line should anything need repair.
It isn’t as cost-effective as you think
Despite seeming simple in nature, roof repairs are often more technical than they appear. Self-managed roof repairs often tend to be patches, or temporary fixes, that will have to be re-done in the near future. The continuous purchase of necessary materials to perform this maintenance can add up pretty quickly. Professional roofing companies tend to buy their material in bulk at a cheaper rate than singular materials, and these savings get passed on to you. Hiring a professional to handle even a minor repair ensures that the job will get done correctly the first time, and thusly will only be a one-time expense.
We all like to save money, however, sometimes saving money in the short-term ends up being expensive in the long run. While inspections and minor maintenance may seem simple, there are often several nuances that only a professional can catch. Catching these minor things before they become major repairs leads to significantly lower long-term costs.
Looking for a roofing professional to handle your routine inspections and maintenance? Contact A-Line Contractors today.