Rare is the organization in which roofing funds flow like water. Most maintenance managers face the quandary of too many problem roofs for the money available. While the lack of money might be one problem, more often the problem is the lack of a coherent roof-management plan.
In theory, most managers of commercial and institutional facilities agree that regular inspections are an essential for successful roof management. They also recognize and agree with the basic roof-management tenet that regular inspections and routine maintenance reduce ownership costs, reduce leak frequency and severity, extend roof life, and reduce management inefficiencies.
By the time many organizations consider implementing a roof-management plan, they actually need a roof-replacement program. The obligation to fund and implement roof replacements has trumped any opportunities to maintain and repair roofs.
If a manager can extend the life of each roof by one year, the organization can break even on the cost of a roof-management plan. If a manager can extend each roof’s life by two or three years, the plan can reduce roof expenditures by a multiple of its costs.
So why don’t most organizations have a viable inspection and maintenance plan? Is it inertia, or a “We’ve never done it that way before” mentality, or a fear of the unknown? It’s hard to fathom. What is certain, though, is that most plans never get started. What also is certain is that even a minimal plan is better than no plan.
Once a manager commits to a program, the first step toward implementation is getting organized, which includes laying out a plan and assigning someone to be in charge of the program. Annual inspections and maintenance are the key components in preventing major expenditures for premature roof replacement.
The temptation in beginning a roof-management program is to start filling pitch pans. This step would be a definite improvement over no effort. But the best first step is to take an inventory of all roofs. This process begins with developing a historical file for each roof that includes:
With the roof information in place, the next step is to get up on the roofs and perform a condition assessment. No roof can be managed appropriately without knowing its history and understanding its condition, information that comes from conducting a roof inspection.
Workers can conduct two types of inspections: visual and non-destructive.
Visual inspections should occur semi-annually or annually, depending on the roof’s condition, the amount of rooftop traffic, and the sensitivity of occupants.
Non-destructive inspections can complement — but should never replace — visual inspections. Non-destructive measures include infrared, nuclear, and capacitance tests. These inspections can confirm the presence of moisture, establish a baseline for roof management, locate hard-to-find leaks, and authenticate the need for full or partial re-roofing projects.
The person performing visual roof surveys should be very familiar with the design, installation, repair, and types of failure specific to the roof system being surveyed. Whether surveys are done by in-house staff or contracted to a consultant depends on the technical competence and availability of in-house resources. In-house personnel trained in roof inspection, diagnosis and repair can perform limited overview surveys.
A visual survey should include:
Survey documentation should consist of a written report or checklist, photographs and notes on a roof plan indicating the conditions observed. The roof plan should supply enough data to enable the performance of the required repairs.
By noting the perimeters of all roof sections, as well as the location of all major rooftop equipment, an accurate and detailed roof plan becomes an important piece of the management puzzle. In the event repairs require the presence of a roofing professional, this plan can serve as the basis of a punchlist for the contractor.
The frequency of tasks associated with roof PM depends on the roof’s age and condition, environmental conditions, rooftop traffic, occupancy sensitivity, size, and roof accessibility. Managers can use the following guidelines when determining frequency:
The information gathered on a roof’s condition does no good if it sits on a shelf gathering dust. The data needs to be recorded and studied in order to help managers identify the opportunities to make repairs, conduct maintenance or plan for re-roofing. The plan also will help managers communicate better with upper management, the roofing contractor and maintenance staff.
Despite the funds, staff hours and dedication required to set up a roof-management program, the benefits of the effort far outweigh the costs. If managers create and manage the program effectively, roofs will last longer, perform better and leak less.
More importantly, if managers commit their departments to performing annual roof PM rather than waiting for a leak to occur before responding, facility operations also will suffer fewer interruptions.
Managers who develop a detailed and well-organized plan will have a better idea about where problematic areas exist and will be able to work toward budget approval for repairs more effectively. Obviously, a plan does not necessarily guarantee that top management will automatically approve all roofing budget requests. But at least the manager will be well equipped with the tools necessary to justify the large expense.
Jeff Evans, RRC, is a senior consultant and vice president at Benchmark Inc. — (319) 393-9100 — a professional roof and pavement consulting company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Benchmark has been developing roof and pavement management programs for more than 23 years.
Focus on ‘Green’ Roofs
With green roofs — those featuring vegetation — springing up more often across the country, maintenance managers need to consider the best way to inspect and maintain these systems. Their efforts, however, depend on the kind of green roof installed and the way the owner intends to use it.
— Jeff Evans |
Inspection Strategy: The Worst Shall Be First
Don’t be one of those managers whose roof requires replacement before their reaching its design life, or for whom emergency repairs are needed at the worst time. In short, don’t neglect good roofs and doom them to early failure. Periodic inspection and maintenance of roofing assets are the most important elements of a successful roof-management program. |
