A well-maintained commercial roof is essential for the continued operation of and avoiding unnecessary downtime for your business. Beyond preventing leaks and structural damage, a healthy roof reduces unexpected business downtime, lowers energy bills, and protects your company’s net income by avoiding costly emergency roof repairs or premature replacements.
This article provides commercial property owners and managers with practical, actionable maintenance strategies and advice - from routine roof inspections and common repairs to safety best practices - so you can extend the life of your roof and keep your business running smoothly.
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Contents
- Why Is Preventive Roof Maintenance Crucial for Businesses?
- What Are the Common Commercial Roof Maintenance Steps?
- What Should Your Commercial Roof Maintenance Checklist Contain?
- Essential Maintenance Checks for Different Commercial Roofing Systems
- What Are the Common Commercial Roof Issues?
- How Often Should Your Commercial Roof Undergo Maintenance?
Why Is Preventive Roof Maintenance Crucial for Businesses?
A proactive roof maintenance program isn’t just good building care - it’s a business strategy that far too many seem to neglect. Below are the key reasons every commercial property owner should prioritise preventive roof maintenance:
Insurance Compliance
Many commercial insurance policies require landlords to carry out routine maintenance and periodic inspections as proof of upkeep. If a loss is traced to negligence, such as ignored maintenance or missing inspection records, an insurer can reduce or deny a claim. Keeping dated inspection reports, photos, and repair invoices is essential to support any future claim.
Cost Savings
Fixing minor membrane tears, resealing flashings, or clearing drains are inexpensive tasks, but leaving those issues can lead to widespread water damage, structural repairs, or a full roof replacement. Regular maintenance improves roof life and turns unwanted capital costs into more manageable operating expenses.
Safety & Liability
Roof failures can have serious legal and operational consequences for commercial properties. Internal leaks, electrical damage, collapsing ceilings, or unsafe access points can render a building unsafe and force closure, disrupting business and breaching health and safety regulations. Preventive inspections help maintain compliance, avoid costly downtime, and protect the property owner from potential legal claims and reputational damage.
Energy Efficiency
A degraded roof can undermine insulation and increase thermal transfer, forcing HVAC systems to work harder (and longer). Maintaining membranes, coatings, and insulation - and addressing gaps in penetrations and seams - helps retain conditioned air and reduce energy consumption. This, in turn, can lower utility bills and contribute to any sustainability targets your business has.
What Are the Common Commercial Roof Maintenance Steps?
Here are the most common commercial roof maintenance steps that we undertake when performing commercial roof maintenance. We strongly advise that all of these steps be left to a professional to ensure safety, legal compliance, and to prevent damage to your roof:
- Regular Inspections: Scheduled inspections are conducted to identify wear, membrane issues, and early signs of failure. Findings are documented and prioritised for repair.
- Clearing Debris: Leaves, branches, ballast, and other debris are removed to prevent surface damage and blockages.
- Checking for Pooling Water: The roof is assessed to identify low spots and drainage problems, and corrective measures are recommended.
- Inspecting Flashings & Seals: The perimeter, penetration flashings, and sealant joints are examined for cracks, gaps, adhesion loss, corrosion, or hardened/failed sealant.
- Repairing Minor Damage: Small membrane tears are patched, seams and penetrations are resealed, worn gaskets or fasteners are replaced, and localised repairs are made.
- Cleaning Drains & Gutters: Gutters and internal drains are cleared of debris, tested for free flow, and any damaged outlets are repaired to ensure reliable drainage.
- Reviewing Roof Access Points: Ladders, hatches, walkways and high-traffic areas are inspected for safety and wear; protective walkway pads are also installed or repaired.
- Maintaining a Roof Maintenance Log: All inspections, findings, photos, and repair actions are recorded in a dated maintenance log, which is used to plan interventions and support warranty or insurance claims.
What Should Your Commercial Roof Maintenance Checklist Contain?
We’ve covered the key checklist items that will apply to most commercial roofs - let’s take a look at what’s involved:
Surface & Membrane
- ✅ Walk through any safe-to-access areas of the roof surface for visible damage.
- ✅ Check the roof membrane for cracks, tears, blisters, punctures, or delamination.
- ✅ Inspect seams and joints for separation, lifting, or adhesive failure.
- ✅ Check roof coatings for wear, chalking, or loss of adhesion.
Water Management
- ✅ Look for signs of pooling water; measure pooling depth and note drainage time.
- ✅ Clear debris from the roof surface that could block flow (e.g. leaves, branches, ballast).
- ✅ Clean and inspect gutters, downpipes, scuppers, and internal drains; ensure free flow.
- ✅ Verify drainage slope and look for low spots that require re-profiling or tapering.
Flashings, Penetrations, & Edges
- ✅ Examine flashings around vents, skylights, parapets, and edges for gaps or corrosion.
- ✅ Check all penetrations (HVAC curbs, pipes, vents, skylights) for watertight seals.
- ✅ Inspect expansion/movement joints, perimeter seals, and copings for integrity.
- ✅ Inspect parapets, coping stones, and fascia for damage or loose fixings.
Roof Equipment & Attachments
- ✅ Inspect rooftop units (HVAC, exhausts, solar panels, antennas) for secure fixings.
- ✅ Confirm mounts and wiring for solar PV or other electrical rooftop systems (if present).
- ✅ Check condensate drains, flexible connections, vibration isolators, and service walkways.
Metal Roof Specifics
- ✅ Assess for rust/corrosion on panels and fasteners; tighten exposed screws and replace gaskets.
- ✅ Check seams, lap joints, and painted finishes for signs of deterioration.
Biological & Environmental
- ✅ Look for mould, algae, moss, or other vegetation growth and remove appropriately.
- ✅ Check for animal nests or pest activity that could damage membranes or block drains.
Interior & Structural Signs
- ✅ Inspect ceilings, loft spaces, and upper walls for water stains, mould, or sagging.
- ✅ Check insulation/vapour barrier condition (where accessible) for signs of moisture.
Safety & Access
- ✅ Review roof access points: ladders, hatches, walkways, and signage.
- ✅ Confirm fall protection anchors and guardrails are present and tested.
- ✅ Ensure safe walk routes and install/repair walkway pads in high-traffic areas.
Repairs, Materials & Records
- ✅ Patch tears, reseal flashings, and replace worn fasteners/gaskets.
- ✅ Note areas requiring larger repairs, and schedule follow-up.
- ✅ Take clear photos of defects and repairs; mark their location on a roof plan.
- ✅ Update the roof maintenance log with dates, findings, actions taken, and next due date.
- ✅ Keep copies of warranties, manufacturer guidance, contractor certificates, and insurance-related inspection records.
Housekeeping & Risk Reduction
- ✅ Remove combustible debris and clear areas around exhausts or heaters.
- ✅ Ensure rooftop storage is minimised and anything stored is secured and compatible with the roofing warranty.
Essential Maintenance Checks for Different Commercial Roofing Systems
Here are some of the main maintenance checks for different types of commercial roofing:
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Type of Commercial Roofing System |
Common Maintenance Tasks |
|---|---|
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Commercial Flat Roofing Systems |
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Commercial Pitched Roofing Systems |
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Commercial Metal Roofing Systems |
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Commercial green Roofing Systems |
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What Are the Common Commercial Roof Issues?
Commercial roofs can experience a range of issues over time, often due to weather exposure, wear and tear, or lack of maintenance. Some of the most common problems include:
How Often Should Your Commercial Roof Undergo Maintenance?
As a general rule of thumb, have your commercial roof inspected and maintained at least twice a year - typically in spring and autumn - to catch damage from extreme weather and to prepare for harsher conditions.
You should arrange an inspection immediately after prolonged or severe weather (storms, heavy rain, snow, high winds). Older flat roofs may also require more regular roof inspections and maintenance, as they’re typically more prone to leaks and other damage-related issues.
For Expert Commercial Roof Maintenance, Contact Empire Roofing
To ensure the proper longevity of your roof, you should contact an experienced and reputable roofing team - this is the only way you can ensure the job is done safely, efficiently, and thoroughly!
At Empire Roofing, our Oxfordshire-based professionals regularly work on commercial properties, providing a service that keeps the roof above your head functioning properly. To learn more about how we can help you, please give us a call on 01993 259226.
