This year alone, roofs have collapsed at a store in Georgia, a manufacturing plant in Ohio, a warehouse in Maryland, a firehouse in Ocala, an arena in Texas and a church in Tampa. And with severe weather an ongoing problem in Florida, it’s smart for you to think about ways to keep your buildings off that list.
Avoiding that fate isn’t difficult, but it does require taking some time to set up an ongoing roof maintenance program and post storm inspections.
Of course, before taking these steps, you want to know that the roof has been properly installed. David Hawn, a registered roof consultant advises, “You want a good installation and a good slope for draining.” For most buildings, that means a fall of at least a quarter inch per foot of roof area, sloping toward the drain. A RAMCON inspection can ensure you meet this criteria.
It also makes sense to become familiar with the ANSI/SPRI ES1 standard, which applies to the design, specification and installation of edge materials used with low-slope roofs. The standard focuses mainly on design for wind resistance, and any roofing or re-roofing project has to meet it. RAMCON maintains one of only a few ES-1 certified metal fabrication machines, which run off the latest Windows® software.
Inspection Checklist
Assuming the roof has been properly installed, it pays to complete a visual inspection at least once a year. Routine inspections can help catch small problems before they become disasters. It’s wise to make repairs before severe weather is ready to hit. If you only look at the roof the day of the storm, you don’t have time to react. Both low- and steep-slope roofs can be vulnerable to water damage if the drains and gutters aren’t kept clear. That’s particularly the case when the roof is surrounded by a parapet (a low wall) along its edge. If the water isn’t able to move freely into the roof drain, it will pond, get behind flashings and enter the facility.
Also part of preparing the roof for a severe storm is taking care of the rest of the structure. If the windows or doors break during the storm, air pressure inside the building can build and contribute to roof failure. So, when you board up windows before severe weather, you’re also helping to reduce the likelihood of roof failure. Studies have shown that the increased pressure inside, combined with uplift from outside, are a major cause of roof failure. Large warehouses are particularly susceptible to this, given the sizes of both the buildings themselves, and the openings, such as larger doors near loading docks.
A well-crafted inspection and maintenance plan is a crucial factor to your roofing system. RAMCON’s Star Program has 3 plan levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) tailored to your specific building to address these needs. It’s simple, cost effective and will save you thousands of dollars and yes…headaches.
Don’t be one of those managers whose roof requires replacement before reaching its design life, or for whom emergency repairs are needed at the worst time. In short, don’t neglect good roofs and doom them to early failure. Periodic inspection and maintenance of roofing assets are the most important elements of a successful roof-management program. 