7 Benefits of Regular Roof Inspections
Regular roof inspections enables issues to be addressed. We look at the benefits of including roof inspections in your maintenance programme.
As a rooftop is continually exposed to the elements, there are various problems that can occur throughout the year. No matter what type of material a roof is made from, regular roof inspections enables issues to be addressed in a timely manner. Followed by a robust maintenance programme, this can help to preserve the longevity of the roof. We look at the benefits of including regular roof inspections within your overall building maintenance programme.
1. Early Detection of Problems
A regular maintenance programme enables you to spot minor issues before they become major problems. When a roof has not been inspected for a long while, this increases the risk of water leaks not being spotted. When there’s any level of water ingress, this can cause metal roof frames to corrode and timber roof frames to rot. If you have a roof that contains asbestos cement, it’s important to check for any friable areas, as this shows that the substrate is crumbling. Asbestos is highly hazardous, and a serious health and safety issue.
2. Safety Concerns
There are various safety benefits associated with regular inspections. By maintaining the roof’s structural integrity, this provides safety for the building occupants. Structural issues can be identified and repaired, preventing the risk of water leaks. Sodden timber roof frames can rot, and metal frames can be affected by corrosion. Water damaged roof structures can weaken the roof integrity. Water ingress can affect electric wiring, causing a danger to life.
3. Compliance and Insurance
Nowadays, regular inspections are often required to validate the roof manufacturer’s warranty. Typically, building envelope materials including the roof substrate have warranty periods of 10, 15 and 25 years. In many cases, an inspection must be carried out by a competent person on an annual basis. If these inspections don’t happen, and there is a subsequent issue with the roof, this could invalidate building insurance policies.
4. Cost Savings
Regular roof inspections can save building owners a substantial amount of money in the long run by preventing costly repairs and replacements. As minor repairs can be addressed before they become major issues, this helps to prevent costly forms of deterioration. On commercial buildings, profiled metal roofing can be affected by corrosion at the cut edges of the sheet. Without the appropriate treatment, this type of corrosion can spread across a roof.
5. Longevity of the Roof
A regular maintenance and inspection programme helps you extend the lifespan of a roof. Frequent checks allow you to spot issues before they occur, so you can carry out small repairs. By inspecting the roof surface, you can check if any areas are damaged and for more potentially serious problems such as cut edge corrosion. Fallen debris, excessive layers of dirt and organic matter can all affect the integrity of the roof surface.
6. Preserving Property Value
A well-maintained roof contributes to the overall property value, making it more attractive to potential buyers and, in some cases, even increasing the resale value. By carrying out regular inspections and any associated maintenance, you can ensure the roof stays structurally sound and visually pleasing. As well as preventing any water ingress and potential building damage, you can maintain the roof’s efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
7. Environmental Importance
Regular roof inspections and repairs can help to reduce unnecessary and potentially hazardous landfill waste. There are various regulations around the disposal of roofing materials, such as roof tiles containing asbestos and the new roof timber waste rules. By prolonging the life of roofing materials, this also minimises the need for premature replacements, which also helps to support any sustainability targets.
How Often Should You Inspect Your Roof?
Whether it’s a commercial or residential property, it is recommended to inspect most types of roofs on an annual basis. However, when it comes to extreme weather events, an inspection should be carried out as soon as possible. Snow, ice, storms, heavy rain, and high temperatures can all take their toll on a roof substrate. Therefore, the frequency of inspections should increase depending on the season and associated weather conditions.
Conclusion
By implementing regular roof inspections, you will be bolstering your building’s maintenance programme. Roof inspections help you stay one step ahead of potential problems, minimising the cost of repairs and avoiding costly roof replacements. By preserving the longevity of the roof structure and the surface aesthetic, you can maintain the property value.
Giromax ® roof coatings offer various forms of weather and UV protection for different roof substrates. Giromax ® Edgecoat treats cut-edge corrosion. Giromax ® Roofcoat is available in two different formulas, offering protection for metal profiled roof sheets and asbestos cement roof sheets. Giromax ® Guttercoat is a flexible coating for protecting guttering systems.
Designed to protect the substrate’s surface, our coating formulas have been designed for durability and to be user friendly in terms of application. By including a high-quality roof coating in your maintenance programme, you can extend the lifespan of your roof.
For more information about professional roof inspections and how we can help, call 01455 558969 or email: sales.orders@giromax.co.uk
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