Page 16 - College Planning & Management, April/May 2019
P. 16

Facilities CAMPUS SPACES
PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTERN SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS
A Prescription for Healthy Roofs
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to roof maintenance.
Inspections Are Recommended
A thorough roof inspection by an expe- rienced roofing professional at least twice
a year is recommended, preferably in the spring and fall, and throughout the year by in-house maintenance staff. It is also impor- tant to inspect the roof after severe weather, such as hail, heavy rains, or high winds, to check for any roof damage. Snow cover may limit the inspection window in northern climates, while roof inspections in southern states should be avoided during the hot summers in order to protect workers.
A great way to begin a roof preventative maintenance program is to create a file of all records related to that roof, which may in- clude warranties, repairs, and maintenance; past inspections; and original drawings and specifications for the building.
Keep in mind that the ultimate goal of the preventative maintenance program is to get the maximum service life out of the roof, for the least possible cost. Keeping ac- curate records of each roof’s history is vital to its overall health and longevity. In addi- tion to proper maintenance, the longevity of a roof also depends on the type of system used and its warranty.
Be sure to receive the manufacturer’s warranty and operations and maintenance manual from the roofing contractor, along with the roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty at the end of the project. Let the roofing contractor educate maintenance techs on proper roofing maintenance after a new roof is installed in order to maintain its warranty after the contractor work- manship warranty has expired. It is also important to know if there are any details excluded by the warranty, and what actions (or lack of action) could cause the warranty to be voided.
Basic Measures for a Healthy Roof
There are several basic preventative measures that facility managers/owners can perform throughout the year to extend the life of a roof and deter water infiltra- tion, including:
BY KEEGAN TUNE
MAINTAINING THE
roof on a building or facility can be an arduous task for
any building owner or property manager. The roof, often the first line of defense against the elements, is an important structure that must be carefully monitored and maintained to protect the overall integrity of the building. Leaks in roofs are often difficult to track down and can lead to damage to interior finishes, unhappy occupants, and costly repairs.
Roofing materials such as TPO, EPDM, PVC, and BUR modified bitumen are all vulnerable to damage in any geographical
location from such environmental stressors as organic debris, vegetation growth, pond- ing water, freeze and thaw, winds, rain, ice, and sun. Other contributors to premature roof failure can include poor craftsman- ship, improper flashing, clogged or leaking downspouts, damage by other contractors, manufacturer defects, and a range of other circumstances.
When roofs are not maintained properly, open seams, splits, blistering, wrinkling, and cracking can result, which can lead to expensive damage to a build- ing’s interior and exterior, if not identified and repaired promptly.
16 COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / APRIL/MAY 2019
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