From indoor and outdoor lighting to on-site servers and well-equipped workstations, companies need lots of power to function. The energy costs associated with commercial building use are often staggering. For many companies, indoor climate control accounts for nearly half of all energy consumption. Fortunately, you can curb your energy bills with regular roof maintenance.

Shore Up Air Leaks

Routine maintenance allows roofers to find and fix air leaks. They look for missing flashing around vents, chimneys, skylights, and other roof penetrations. Commercial roofs are also prone to developing air leaks at or around their:

• Seams
• Curbs
• Integrated plumbing stacks
• Vents

Given the significant height of most commercial roofs, these and other air leaks are rarely visible when viewed from the ground. By spotting and repairing problems in leak-prone elements, roofers limit demand on heating and cooling systems. With less heated and cooled air escaping from these spaces, HVAC systems have less work to do year-round.

Eliminate Debris in Rooftop Drainage

Optimizing rooftop drainage during preventive maintenance limits stress on roof seams, curbs, and other elements. Roofers thoroughly inspect and clean the siphonic or gravity drainage on commercial roofs so that runoff never stagnates. They address all gutters, scuppers, and overflow drains. High-functioning drainage keeps roofs both watertight and airtight. Thus, not only does maintenance address existing air leaks, but it also staves off future air loss.

Identify and Address Insulation Issues

Roof maintenance is also an opportunity for roofers to spot wet and insufficient insulation. All insulating materials lose a considerable portion of their insulating capacity when wet. Some insulation can lose more than 50% of its insulating capacity after taking moisture in.

When saturated, insulation can also become compressed. This creates gaps and widens existing gaps in insulation’s coverage. In confined spaces, it can take a long time for wet insulation to dry out and decompress. Some insulating materials never fully decompress.

During your next maintenance appointment, your roofer can identify insulation in need of replacement. You can also get recommendations for upgraded insulation with higher R-values and greater moisture resistance.

Protect Other Building Materials

From siding to insulation in other areas, commercial roof maintenance protects other building materials. Maintaining clean, high-functioning gutters and well-protected roof seams and curbs staves off air leaks in exterior walls, near foundations, and more. The result is lower energy bills and less HVAC system wear.

Identify the Need for Replacement or Updates

To protect your commercial property, you should schedule professional roof maintenance at least twice each year. During these visits, your roofer can give you an estimate of your roof’s remaining lifespan. They can also suggest protective upgrades and replacements for select features or materials to enhance your roof’s thermal capacity.

Professional maintenance doesn’t just protect roofs. It also protects and enhances building efficiency. For expert commercial roofing service in Portland, OR, get in touch with Bliss Roofing today!