Trading conditions are tough for many businesses across the country right now. A recent report highlighted that 32% of business owners are concerned about inflation. As a result, everyone is looking to cut costs wherever possible to stay afloat.
It can be tempting to cut back on regular inspections and maintenance to reduce your outgoings. But commercial roof inspections are an essential operating expense, not a luxury.
Read on to find out how commercial roof inspections save businesses money in the long run.
Is a Roof Inspection Necessary?
Illinois is a great place to live, but no one could say it has a boring climate. Throughout the year, we get just about every type of weather imaginable. As a result, your roof is exposed to temperatures ranging from 3°F to 93°F, and surface temperatures can get much higher!
Add to that the rain, hail, snow, and ice that bombard it, and it’s little wonder it needs a little TLC from time to time. Regular roof inspections are essential for spotting small problems before they become big ones.
Avoid Catastrophic Roof Failures
No business wants a huge, unexpected expense that holds up production. But that’s exactly what you’ll get if you don’t invest in a periodic roof evaluation.
Roof problems are so catastrophic because they often bring work to a halt at your premises. If water is gushing in, it can cause serious damage to electronics and machinery. Even worse, it could endanger the health of your employees.
You’ll have to halt production or more operations elsewhere while you source and fix your roofing issue. The financial ramifications don’t even bear thinking about.
However, apart from when a freak weather event happens, roofing problems always start small and gradually get worse. A roof inspector knows how to identify small issues that could become big ones. Then, they will give you an estimate for a repair or roof replacement that you can schedule at your convenience.
Keep Your Workforce Healthy
Not all leaks are obvious at first. Water can gradually enter the building and saturate the insulation, wood framing, and drywall beneath. This leads to another problem – mold.
Molds affect people in different ways. Some do not seem to be affected, while others suffer allergic reactions, sometimes severe ones. The CDC reports that these can include:
- Rashes
- Blocked sinuses
- Wheezing
- Itchy eyes
Mold may also exacerbate the symptoms of existing conditions, such as asthma. If you allow mold to develop in your workplace, you may inadvertently expose your employees to hazardous conditions. Not only could this affect their health, but in the worst-case scenario, it could lead to litigation.
So rather than taking shortcuts, call a roof inspector in regularly to check your roof for leaks. Sometimes a small repair is all that is needed to keep your roof safe and dry for another few years.
Explore a Range of Options
When you’re not a professional roofing contractor, it’s tough to know the best way to tackle a roofing repair. The benefit of hiring a roof inspector is that they know the latest and best ways to prolong the life of your roof.
For example, a roof inspector may advise that you can restore, rather than replace, a leaking roof. This could save you big time and extend the life of your commercial roof for many years. Carrying out repairs while work continues as normal below may be possible.
On the other hand, the roof evaluation may reveal that the roof is too badly damaged to repair. The roof inspector can talk you through different roofing materials in this scenario. This can help you make the best choice based on your budget or other requirements.
Roofing material options include:
- Metal
- PVC
- Spray foam
- Thermoset EPDM
All of these options have different advantages. But whichever you choose, with regular maintenance, you can look forward to years of worry-free roofing.
Maintain Your Commercial Roof Warranty
Commercial roofs come with a warranty, typically lasting for ten years. However, that doesn’t mean that you can forget about maintaining your roof and call on the warranty if things go wrong.
Read the small print of the warranty carefully. You will no doubt find that you are required to have regular roof inspections to keep it valid. So make sure you schedule them in accordance with the warranty. Also, keep good records of the inspections and any repairs carried out.
How to Inspect a Roof
A thorough roof inspection involves a good knowledge of roofing systems and how they work. Unfortunately, while you may be able to safely access the roof of your business premises, most of us are not trained to spot the telltale signs that your roof needs repair. That’s why it pays to call in a qualified roof inspector.
They will check out:
- Decking
- Gutters
- Downpipes
- Flashing
- Vents
They can spot tiny cracks during the summer, which could expand in the winter. Crucially, they are also qualified to accurately quote for repairs.
Who Can Repair a Commercial Roof?
In Illinois, only licensed contractors can make legal roofing repairs. So you are going to have to call in a professional roofing company to handle your repair anyway. Therefore, getting them to conduct a roof evaluation first makes sense.
If your roof needs extensive repairs, you may need to apply for a permit. This ensures that the work is carried out to code and keeps your insurance valid.
How Much Does It Cost to Evaluate a Roof?
A roof inspection typically costs between $75 and $200. That’s money well spent when you consider the thousands of dollars worth of damage that could result if you neglect this step.
Don’t Delay in Scheduling Commercial Roof Inspections
Commercial roof inspections can give business owners peace of mind. But if you take a chance and don’t have them, you’ll always have a nagging concern that your roof may be about to cause major headaches.
So keep your roof in great shape by calling Williams Roofing & Construction Inc. today. Our experienced roof inspectors will highlight any problems and help you explore your options. Call us at 1-217-636-8071 or contact us online with your query right now!
