For a Facilities Manager or Estates Manager, keeping a commercial building in good condition is about more than dealing with problems when they appear.
The roof is one area where planned maintenance can make a real difference. Small issues can develop gradually, and they are not always obvious from inside the building. This is because regular inspections and maintenance give you the opportunity to identify problems early, keep records up to date and plan any necessary work before it becomes urgent.
For businesses, that matters. A roof problem can affect the building, its contents and the people using it.
What should be included in roof maintenance?
A proper maintenance programme should look at the roof as a whole, rather than concentrating only on visible leaks.
For example, checks may include:
- gutters and drainage
- roof coverings
- flashings and joints
- roof edges and associated roofline
- areas around roof penetrations
- skylights and roof lights
- signs of standing water
- debris or unwanted plant growth
- areas where previous work has been carried out
The exact checks of course will depend on the type, construction and condition of the building.
It is also worth keeping records of inspections and any work carried out. This gives the person responsible for the building a clearer picture of its condition over time.
That information can then help with budgeting and future maintenance planning.
Why gutters and drainage deserve attention
Rain needs somewhere to go.
Blocked or poorly maintained drainage can leave water sitting where it should be moving away from the building. Leaves, debris and plant growth can contribute to blockages, particularly around gutters and drainage points. Therefore, keeping drainage routes clear should form part of routine building maintenance.
The same applies to the roof edges and associated roofline. Problems in these areas can allow water to reach parts of the building where it can cause further damage.
Oswestry and Wrexham Roofing Specialists carries out roofline maintenance as part of its wider roofing service, including work involving gutters, fascias and other roofline components.
For a Facilities Manager, the important point is simple: don’t wait for water to find its way inside. Instead check the routes where it should be draining away.
Look for changes, not just obvious damage
Not every roof problem starts with a dramatic leak. Changes in the condition of the roof can provide useful warning signs. Water staining, damaged materials, blocked drainage or deterioration around vulnerable areas may all justify closer inspection.
That does not automatically mean the roof needs major work. In many cases, timely maintenance can deal with a localised problem and help prevent further deterioration.
Oswestry and Wrexham Roofing Specialists’ approach is to look at the condition of the roof and advise on the work that is actually needed.
Don’t overlook roof lights and vulnerable areas
Industrial and commercial buildings can contain roof lights or other areas that need particular care. These should not simply be treated as ordinary areas of the roof. Some roof lights and older roofing materials can be fragile, and accessing them sometimes requires proper planning and suitable equipment.
The Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on working at height explains that work at height must be properly planned, with suitable equipment and precautions used to prevent falls. Consequently, roof maintenance should not mean sending someone onto the roof to have a quick look. Instead, we use a drone so we can see your roof clearly. When access is necessary, the appropriate method is chosen for the building and the task.
Maintenance can help you plan ahead
One of the advantages of planned maintenance is that it gives you better information. Instead of discovering a problem because water has entered the building, regular inspections can help identify areas that may need attention. What does that mean for Facilities or Estates teams? For one thing it means there is less likely to be an out-of-hours call out.
It can also help with budgeting. If work is identified during a planned inspection, there is usually more opportunity to assess the options, obtain quotations and schedule the work appropriately.
Contact us for roof maintenance
Oswestry and Wrexham Roofing Services works with commercial and industrial clients across North Wales and Shropshire, providing maintenance alongside other roofing services.
If you are responsible for a commercial or industrial building and want to discuss the condition of its roof, contact Oswestry and Wrexham Roofing on 07813 016472 or email us at oswestryandwrexhamroofing@gmail.com to arrange an assessment.
A roof does not need to be causing a problem before it deserves some attention.