6 Important Roof Care and Maintenance Tips for Landlords and Property Managers
RH Business Marketing Solutions
Roofs are probably some of the biggest investments in the field of commercial properties. This shouldn't be that big of a surprise since their sheer size and scope make the first line of defense against all elements and lend tremendous structural protection to a building.
Still, this unique position exposes a roof to a great deal of attrition, and if owners and landlords don't invest enough time into maintenance, they can face very substantial repair costs. Let us take a look then at a couple of tips that should help you to avoid these costs and keep the roof of your rental property in top-tier shape.
Make sure the roof is draining properly
Clogged draining systems are one of the major causes of expensive roof repairs. Numerous rental properties are surrounded by trees and similar greenery that raise the price of the said property. The problem with them is that debris can easily build up and prevent drainage from performing its duty which can cause anything from leaks to serious structural damage if the problem persists. So, as step one, be sure to regularly inspect and clean all the gutters, pipes, and skylights that may prevent water from effectively draining from the roof.
Perform regular roof inspections
As every landlord knows, dealing with rental property maintenance in a fast and efficient manner. But, in order to be able to do so, you need to identify the problem as early as possible. That is why you should perform thorough roof inspections at least once or twice per year to make sure everything is safe, preferably during spring and fall before the extreme weather conditions kick in. But, if you want to be 100% sure, you might want to take a closer look at the roof after every serious storm. Other things you want to pay attention to are pests like birds, rats, termites, squirrels.
Be thorough and apply all safety measures
This is especially important if you are running multistory commercial buildings where sloppy work can cause severe subsequent costs and workers are in constant threat of injury. These problems can be easily avoided if you hire the experienced labor to assess the situation and do the remodeling works. Also, be sure that everyone is safe while they are on the task. Renting professional construction equipment and hiring someone to perform anchor point installation will ensure that all construction activities run smooth, fast, and without any life-threatening obstacles.
Take care of landscaping
As we mentioned in one of the previous passages, we mentioned that trees, shrubs, and greenery could cause extensive damage to the roof. This is the reason why you should take some time to arrange the yard around the property in a way to prevent these sorts of problems. Therefore, make sure that all loose branches are trimmed on time, bushes pruned properly, and all these trees and plants are at a safe distance from the building. If possible, trees around the yard should not be taller than the highest point of the roof since they can prove to be the most hazardous during a heavy storm.
Understand the impact of the local climate
Different climates have a different impact on roof construction and, as a result, cause a whole different set of problems. For instance, houses that are built-in colder climates are much more susceptible to snow and ice, so you need to make efforts to prepare a roofing system for the winter. On the other hand, warmer climates, extreme temperatures, and harsh sun can cause shingles to crack and sealants to fail prematurely. Windy areas will require that you anchor the shingles with some stronger material.
Take into consideration the resident turnover
Roofs are the structures that see a lot of upgrades, refits, and similar interventions that are closely related to the resident turnover. We are talking about satellite dish antennas, HVAC systems, ADSL infrastructure that usually goes through the attic, as well as smaller interior design projects that nevertheless require the penetration of the roof construction. No matter how insignificant these interventions may seem, they can severely compromise the integrity of the roof construction, so you should ask tenants to perform them under supervision and inspect the building at each turnover.
In conclusion
These few tips are far from a complete story, but they should give you some general idea about the ways you should take care of the roofs of your rental properties and avoid major repairs in the future. Roof systems are, by far, one of the most important parts of any building, regardless of whether we are talking about weather protection or structural integrity. That is why you should put extra effort into keeping them in good shape, even if you need to make some upfront investments.
About the author: Mike Johnston is an experienced blogger and editor with a background in creative writing and digital media. He’s a regular contributor to numerous online publications where he writes primarily about real estate, construction, home improvement, and interior design.