A proactive approach to commercial roof maintenance

If you are a building owner or facility manager, roofing costs have always been among your major concerns.

Where to begin?
Owners and facility managers who react to problems as they occur pay an average of 25¢ per square foot annually for maintenance. Those who inspect and repair routinely (proactively, before problems happen) spend an average of only 14¢ per square foot annually. Proactively maintained roofs also last an average of 21 years compared to an average lifespan of 13 years for reactive maintenance. The longer you can extend your roof’s life before replacement, the more your overall savings increase and your life cycle costs decrease.

Dollars versus value
While it may seem counter-intuitive, per job pricing should not be the primary consideration when choosing between contractors and material manufacturers. Focus instead on the lowest roof life cycle cost. Fixating on the lowest one-time bid ignores the long-term roofing costs and typically results in a higher overall expense.

Repair or replace?
A roof undergoes serious wear and tear throughout its lifetime, with factors such as weathering and degeneration taking their toll. Through scientific testing and analysis, a roofing contractor can outline the current condition of your roof and to help you decide if roof repair or restoration is an option or whether roof replacement is necessary. The building should dictate the roofing system, so the roofing contractor must be familiar with building codes, energy solutions and roof systems to help you make the best decision for your building.

Choosing a roofing contractor that offers repair and restoration options (not just replacements) improves the likelihood of an accurate analysis and a successful plan for your roof and your budget. A good rule of thumb is to consider repairing your roof if it will survive its original service life expectancy without exceeding the cost of a new roof.

Experience matters
Surprisingly, weather is not the most common threat to a roof’s durability. Approximately 40% of all roof problems occur because of human error due to workers going on your roof for window washing, HVAC repair, faulty maintenance, or poor installation in the first place. Therefore, proper training, experience and consistent performance are all essential when choosing a roofing contractor.

Manufactured products
Advantages to choosing a roofing contractor closely associated with the manufacturer include: 

• Increased knowledge about which products are best suited for your job.
• They will have the right repair materials in their truck — materials that should be stronger than the original products used.
• If there is an issue with a product, the manufacturer will know right away because their contractors are the ones installing it.
• Because feedback is instant, they can also create cost-efficient application techniques and products that are easier to install with less chance of human error.

Understanding roofing costs can be difficult, but when you know what to look for and are armed with the right questions, it is much easier to make the right choice for your needs to save you time and money in the end.

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ROOFING CONTRACTORS NEEDED IN MULTIPLE STATES!

Patton Services | (309) 303-3128 | rpatton55@comcast.net | http://www.whiteroofingsystems.com