If you think that home maintenance is a big undertaking, consider a commercial building. Image is important in the business world and staying on top of the little things can add up to a big difference when it comes to commercial roofing.

One way that you can stay in control of your building maintenance costs is to set up an annual roof inspection program to find and address minor problems before they become much bigger headaches. Here’s how a commercial roof inspection can help your business save a lot of money in the long run.


Commercial Roofing Inspections Uncover Small Problems with Easy Fixes Before They Become Much Bigger Problems

Any commercial roofing contractor will tell you that it’s always better to take a proactive approach when it comes to roof maintenance. Small problems like a dented panel or missing shingle are simple fixes. But if these little things are left unattended, they’ll likely lead to moisture problems and much more extensive repairs down the road. An annual roof inspection can help find these little problems so that you can stay on top of your commercial roof maintenance and avoid untimely replacements.


Routine Cleaning is an Essential Part of Good Maintenance

The biggest threat to your commercial roof is environmental factors. While roofing products are intended to hold up to the demands of daily UV exposure, temperature extremes, and a variety of weather conditions—that’s not all you’ll find in nature. Dirt, debris, mold, moss, and other forms of vegetation seem to find their way onto the roof fairly regularly. Good housekeeping practices can keep things in good shape and help you stave off a costly commercial roof replacement. Plus, with a clean roof, you’ll easily be able to spot those smaller problems we talked about.


Well-Documented Maintenance Helps with Insurance Claims

Another great reason to include annual roof inspections in your building maintenance plan is to keep diligent records of your building maintenance activities. If there is an insurable event down the road, you’ll spend less time going back and forth with the insurance company if you can provide the condition and value of the roof in question. Good documentation with annual roof inspections can provide just that.


What is a Roof Inspection, Exactly?

While the roofing manufacturer can make educated claims based on the reasonable lifespan of a roof, reality always comes down to individual circumstances. A roof inspection is a thorough assessment of the current integrity and anticipated longevity of your roof. Licensed, professional roofers can easily identify potential problems and bring them to your attention so that you can manage your roof. Many roofers use a number of different technologies to aid in completing thorough inspections, like infrared technology that can find hot spots or even drone-assisted photography for those difficult to access parts of a commercial roof.


How Much Does it Cost to Inspect a Commercial Roof?

Roof inspections can cost as little as $250 or as much as $1000+ depending on the size of the building, slope of the roof, and the material. While some roofing companies may offer a free roof inspection to drum up business and make their company more attractive, we’re not talking about a one-off inspection. Your commercial building needs an annual roof inspection and that’s something that you should expect to pay a fair price for.

We recommend having your roof inspected annually, plus immediately following any major storms or weather events in the area. A roof inspection can uncover a multitude of things like missing shingles, bare spots, a compromised roof membrane, bubbling, blistering, leaks, and hot spots.


The Bottom Line on Commercial Roof Inspections

Your commercial building maintenance is important and in nearly all cases a proactive approach is the best way to save money. That means that an annual roof inspection can be a great way to stay in control of your maintenance costs and save money by avoiding costly repairs or an untimely commercial roof replacement.

West Michigan Roofing is your go-to commercial roofing expert with more than 100 years of industry experience. Our award-winning team offers quality workmanship and great service. Call to learn more about our professional roof inspections for your Michigan business.