Iowans and people all throughout the Midwest can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel for spring weather. With the snow melting and highs dipping into the 60s by the end of this week, it feels like spring might be here to stay. Of course, you never really know in the Midwest. Either way, it’s time to de-winterize your commercial roof and get it ready for the change in weather. Your friendly experts at The Duerson Corporation have some tips on how to help you get the most out of spring cleaning.
Why Spring Commercial Roof Maintenance Is Important
Anyone who lived in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, or any of the other Midwestern states recall how brutal of a winter we just experienced. With record lows for temperature and record highs for snowfall, your commercial or industrial building took a beating over the past couple of months. Putting off the time to address any damages or cleaning off debris that may have occurred during the winter can have serious consequences in the spring. As warm weather and rainfalls start to come our way, roof leaks can lead to mold growth, rust, and structural damage.
How To Clean A Commercial Roof
Simply removing sticks from your commercial flat roof after a winter full of ups and downs is not going cut it. To increase your roof’s longevity while keeping your roof in the best shape possible, you will need a checklist of things to accomplish.
- Remove all debris from roof membrane. This will be something that will need to be done throughout the spring and summer months. A one-time debris clean will not guarantee the safety of your roof, especially after large and powerful storms.
- Clean gutters, fascias, downspouts, and vents. Make sure that water has a place to go to avoid it pooling up on your roof. One cubic foot of rain water adds about 60 lbs. of weight to your roof. On top of that, make sure that your building can properly ventilate by checking the condition of the vents.
- Cut down overhanging branches. Trees are great for absorbing sunlight and helping reduce the energy costs for your building. However, overhanging branches pose as a serious threat for your roof. Storms can cause large branches to snap off and the leaves and twigs that fall will accumulate in your building’s gutters.
- Inspect the ceilings. It’s easy to forget to check your ceilings after spending time on your roofs.
Perform A Visual Inspection
Now that the majority of the snow is melted, take some time to go to your building’s flat roof and give it a thorough visual inspection. As you are walking around your roof, pay close attention to potential punctures in your roof’s membrane, places of wear and tear on flashing and sealants, and areas of where warping or imbalances might be appearing. If you are unsure of what to look for, don’t hesitate to contact us and set up a free roof inspection! Our contractors will give you honest feedback with precise detail of anything found on your roof.
Contact The Duerson Corporation
If you are in need of roof maintenance, roof repair, or are looking for a roof replacement with our incredible Duro-Last products, get in touch with us! We have been helping clients throughout Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, and other surrounding states since we opened our doors in 1986. We look forward to hearing from you!