As a business owner, you wear many hats. You probably balance the budget, network, manage HR, and much more! Another responsibility that falls on your shoulders is to maintain your building, which includes the roof. Most of the time, business and office buildings in Ohio will have flat-top roofs. They require a different type of care than your home’s typical A-frame. In this blog we cover some common issues along with some easy preventative tips!
Hire a Professional Roofer
By having your “odd-job uncle” take a look at the flat top roof, could cost you double in the long run. We know you trust him, but he might not be the best pick for commercial roofing done right. Look for professionals that have been highly rated in commercial roofing specifically. Ask other commercial building owners who they use. Don’t be afraid to get inspections by two different companies. Chances are the inspections are free and you will get a better feel for who you will work better with.
Qualities to Look For:
- Care for Keeping Your Business Running Smoothly
- A Track Record for Successful Commercial Jobs
- Positive References
- Licensing, Bonded, and insured as required by Your State
- Professionalism
- Use of Higher Quality Materials
Schedule Two Inspections a Year
The biggest factor of all flat roof maintenance issues is knowledge of the problems. Not knowing about pooling water can lead to water leaking from the ceiling, which leads to rot and mold damage. When you are blind to the issues, they have the potential to snowball until they are much more expensive than the initial issue. When you find a commercial flat top roof company you trust, put them on the calendar to inspect the roof at least twice a year.
Inspect the Flat Top Roof Yourself
Even if you don’t have adequate roofing knowledge to work on it, you should be able to spot concerns. On top of getting professional inspections, walk your flat top roof every couple of months, especially in the rain and snow season. Put it on the work calendar! Always check after a severe storm as well. Flat top roofs have a lot of potentials to collect water. Having adequate drainage is crucial.
Here’s a handy list of items to check:
- Pooling Water
- Adequate Drainage
- Mold or Mildew
- Damaged Areas (cracks, blistering, punctures in structure)
- Debris Piling Up
- Seam or Seal Deterioration
Don’t Hold Off On Flat Top Roof Repairs
Even when the budget is tight, get the flat top roof repairs done. Ignoring the problem will just make it grow. Along with the growing damage will come a growing bill. It will be much more expensive to fix in the long run and may decrease the life of the roof. If you take care of repairs quickly and use preventative measures, your flat top roof can live up to 50 years or more depending on materials. Not only will these practices help you save money, but they may also help you make money when you go to sell the property!
Bottom Line
The roof is a far more important asset than we give it credit for. It can be frustrating to deal with, especially if you are not knowledgeable on how to care for it. Avsten is locally owned & operated with offices in Cincinnati Ohio. At Avsten Construction, we value education. Our team works closely with the property owner to be as transparent as possible.
We don’t want anyone feeling like they don’t understand what is going on. Do you own a flat-top roof or know someone that does? Let them know that Avsten Construction provides commercial roof-free inspections to homes and businesses in the greater Cincinnati Ohio area! Avsten is a trusted commercial roofing contractor. We are committed to upholding the industry’s highest safety standards, exceeding OSHA regulations. As a result, business and property owners need not worry about liability, damage to their property, or the safety of contractors working on their homes. We have a track record you can count on! Give Avsten Roofing a call today!
