As a property owner, you know it’s important to keep your apartment building in good repair. Part of this is taking care of your Friendswood roofing systems. While many apartment building owners and managers try to keep up on roof maintenance and repair, there are some common mistakes that may cause negative outcomes. Therefore, work with your Friendswood roofing company to ensure the best conditions for your roof. Your roofing contractor can help you determine the best way to keep your apartment roofing functioning optimally. Additionally, know the signs and how to handle a Friendswood roof replacement the time comes.
How to Handle Friendswood Roofing Maintenance
One of the main ways to help keep your apartment building’s roof in good repair is to perform regular maintenance. Most apartment complexes have in-house maintenance technicians who can perform some of these tasks. However, other times you will need your Friendswood roofing contractor to maintain and repair your roof. Unfortunately, many apartment complexes aren’t aware of which repairs require special training to perform and often shorten the lifespan of their roof by having their own technicians perform these services. Here are some guidelines for which roofing maintenance your technician can perform and which ones you should leave to your Friendswood roofing contractor.
In-House Maintenance
Oftentimes, it’s easier for property managers to have their in-house maintenance technician maintain their roofs. If you are an apartment building owner, be sure to add some of these roof maintenance tasks to your technician’s schedule. First, you can have your technician regularly remove dirt, debris, and organic matter from your roof. Generally, you should do this at least twice a year, whether through your Friendswood roofing contractor or your maintenance person. This can help ensure that your roof maintains proper drainage and prevents water ponding which can cause serious damage to your apartment building.
Additionally, as part of caring for your roof, be sure to trim trees surrounding your roof. Trees often cause Friendswood roofing damage, so this is an important step that multi-family owners often forget. Tree limbs can easily fall and damage your apartment roof. Additionally, leaves can clog your gutters and affect your roof’s drainage, which can cause water to seep into your building. Finally, tree limbs that are close to or touch your roof allow easy access for tree-climbing critters like squirrels who can easily damage your roof. So, keep trees pruned to protect your apartment complex’s roof.
Your maintenance technician can also temporarily seal various areas of your roof to prevent water damage. Seal pipe boots are a common source of leaks in apartment roofing systems. Over time, the rubber ring that provides a water-tight seal can deteriorate or the metal flashing can rust. For a short-term fix, your technician can use UV-stable caulking to seal vulnerable areas in your seal pipe boots. They can also use caulk to seal small weakened areas in your metal edge sealing near the intersection points. However, more extensive metal edge sealing repair or replacement should be handled by your Friendswood roofing contractor.
Maintenance from Your Friendswood Roofing Contractors
By contrast, there are some repairs that require the skill of a qualified commercial roofing contractor. Contact your Friendswood roofing company for flashing repairs, decking repair, and other extensive repairs and replacements.
Your flashing is made of thin, malleable material like sheet metal to protect vulnerable areas in your roof from water. To repair or replace these important components, your roofing contractor received extensive training to provide a watertight seal that will prevent water from seeping into your roof and help protect your apartment building from water damage and moisture.
Additionally, your Friendswood roofing contractor should also handle any decking projects. Your roof decking is the innermost layer of your roof and protects your apartment from the outdoors. Decking and other roofing material work together to provide adequate protection for your building. There are also many industry standards that require detailed knowledge of roofing systems to meet. So, you should also be sure to talk to your roofing contractor any time you think your apartment’s roof decking might be compromised. In some cases, your decking just needs repair, but other times you’ll need a Friendswood roof replacement to protect your building and its residents.
Signs It’s Time for a Friendswood Roof Replacement
Every roof has an expected lifespan and will start to show signs of wear. How long your roof lasts depends on the roofing materials and how well you maintain it over the course of its life. Once your apartment complex’s roof starts to show signs of extensive wear or damage, you should opt for a Friendswood roof replacement.
Aging Roof
As your roof ages, it becomes more vulnerable to damage and deterioration. Therefore, consider the age of your roof and talk to your Friendswood roofing contractor about how long you can expect to keep your current roof before you need a replacement. Additionally, your contractor can give you tips on how to properly maintain your roof to increase its lifespan without risking potential roofing failures.
Frequent Friendswood Roofing Repairs
When you start to need roofing repairs frequently, it may be time for a Friendswood roof replacement. Of course, your apartment roofing will likely need repairs from time to time. However, once you’re starting to need them often, it’s likely because your roof is beginning to deteriorate. You don’t want to have to limp along from repair to repair and potentially risk more serious damages. Additionally, a replacement roof for your apartment building may save you money in the long run, as frequent repairs often add up to be more costly than the expense of a new roof.
Visible Damage and Wear
Finally, any time you see visible damage and wear, you should call your Friendswood roofing company as soon as possible. In some cases, your roof may just need repairs. However, there are some unmistakable indications that you need a roof replacement. Consider a Friendswood roof replacement if you notice any of the following:
- Rips in your roof’s EPDM (rubber) roofing: If the EPDM membrane starts to tear, this can lead to leaks in your apartment building. Oftentimes you’ll need a roof replacement to adequately protect your apartment building from the elements if you have torn roofing.
- Ponding water: After a rainstorm, it might be a good idea to inspect your roof for water puddles. Additionally, if you notice algae or mold growth, this could also be a sign that water is ponding on your roof. If you notice ponding on your commercial flat roof, this means that your roof’s drainage system is failing. This often requires a Friendswood roof replacement to resolve.
- Loose EPDM membrane: On a windy day, consider checking up on your roof. If you notice that your roof’s membrane is catching in the wind, then it’s not properly protecting your apartment building. Contact your Friendswood roofing contractor about loose or unattached rubber roofing.
- Bumpy rubber roofing: If your EPDM looks lumpy or warped, this could be a sign of loose fasteners. You’ll need the help of an experienced roofing contractor to rectify loose fasteners on your commercial flat roof.
Therefore, be on the lookout for these common signs of damage and contact a fully insured and quality roofing company for your Friendswood roofing replacement.
How to Manage Your Apartment Roofing Projects
After you and your roofing contractor have determined the best course of action for your apartment building’s roof, you’ll need to manage the project properly to keep your tenants happy. Once you’ve scheduled services with your Friendswood roofing contractor, be sure to communicate with your building’s residents.
Notify Your Residents
One of the first things you should do before your Friendswood roofing project is set expectations with your tenants. Be sure that you notify your residents in a way that they will definitely see. For example, send an email, put a flyer in their mailbox, or knock on their door to let them know that you’ve scheduled roofing services. In addition, inform them of the dates and times that your roofers will be there. Also, warn them that there may be some noise and the potential for roofing materials near the building. This will help your tenants fully prepare for your roofing project.
Use Signs
Additionally, consider and talk to your roofing contractor about any special access they may need to perform your roof repair or replacement. For example, they may need you to block off certain parts of the parking lot or certain entrances to properly do their job. Once you’ve identified these areas, put up signs to let your tenants know what is going on. This will help your roofing project go smoothly for your roofing contractor, your building, and your residents.
At Paramount Roofing Inc., we specialize in providing services for large scale roofing. Our teams have successfully handled many multi-family roofing projects over the last 25 years, which makes us the best choice for your Friendswood roofing project. From repairs to replacement, our highly trained professionals can provide you with the practical and cost-effective services you need for your apartment building. In addition, we also provide 24 hour leak services for when emergency leaks strike unexpectedly. So, for the best multifamily roofer in our area, choose our team at Paramount Roofing. Call us today at (713) 748-4000 for a free estimate or to request emergency leak repairs. We are here to serve you and help you protect your building and tenants!