Commercial Roof Maintenance (7 Expert Tips)

Commercial roof maintenance is one of the most critical responsibilities for property managers and business owners looking to protect their buildings and control long-term costs. Your commercial roof doesn’t just shield your facility from the elements—it protects equipment, employees, customers, and your bottom line. Ignoring regular upkeep can lead to expensive damage, liability concerns, and disruptive repairs down the road.

In this guide, we’ll share:

• Why regular maintenance matters for commercial roofs
• 7 expert tips to extend the lifespan of your roofing system
• What to include in your annual roof maintenance plan

If you oversee the care of a commercial property, this blog is for you.

Why Commercial Roof Maintenance Matters

Unlike residential roofs, commercial roofing systems cover larger surface areas and often support HVAC units, solar panels, or drainage systems. A proactive maintenance plan is essential for minimizing costly surprises.

Key Reasons to Prioritize Maintenance

• Protect valuable assets: From inventory and machinery to technology and staff.
• Avoid unexpected downtime: Leaks or structural failures can shut down operations.
• Extend roof lifespan: Proper care adds years to your investment.
• Stay compliant: Well-maintained roofs meet insurance and safety inspection standards.
• Reduce liability: Prevents water damage, slip hazards, and emergency repairs.

7 Expert Commercial Roof Maintenance Tips

These professional strategies can help you stay ahead of damage, leaks, and costly repair bills.

1. Schedule Biannual Inspections: Spring and fall are ideal times to inspect the roof for seasonal damage. Check after severe weather events as well.
2. Clean Debris From the Surface: Remove leaves, trash, or branches that can clog drainage systems or trap moisture on flat roofing systems.
3. Inspect and Clear Drains & Gutters: Standing water is one of the leading causes of roof membrane damage and leaks. Ensure scuppers, gutters, and internal drains are flowing properly.
4. Check Flashing and Seals Around Penetrations: HVAC units, vents, skylights, and satellite equipment are common leak points. Reseal cracked flashing as needed.
5. Monitor for Ponding Water: Flat or low-slope roofs often hold water after rain. Any puddles that remain 48+ hours should be addressed with improved drainage or added slope.
6. Repair Minor Damage Promptly: Addressing small punctures, seam separations, or membrane blisters early prevents them from spreading into costly problems.
7. Keep a Maintenance Log: Record inspections, photos, and repair dates. Documentation helps with insurance claims, warranty validations, and budgeting.

What Happens If You Skip Maintenance?

While delaying inspections might save time in the short term, it often leads to expensive and preventable issues later.

Common Consequences

• Water intrusion: Small tears or open seams can lead to roof leaks and mold inside your building.
• Membrane failure: UV exposure and pooled water degrade flat roof membranes like TPO or EPDM.
• Increased repair costs: What starts as a $500 patch job can quickly become a $10,000 replacement.
• Warranty voids: Most manufacturer warranties require documented maintenance to remain valid.
• Business disruptions: Emergency repairs may require temporary closures or limit access to parts of the building.

Different Roof Types = Different Needs

Not all commercial roofs are built the same. Maintenance approaches should be tailored to your roofing system.

Flat Roofing (TPO, EPDM, Modified Bitumen)

Common on low-slope facilities, these roofs require maintenance heavily focused on water resistance. Inspections of EPDM, Modified Bitumen, and TPO roofs must be critical of heat-welded seams and surrounding rooftop equipment to prevent water from pooling around HVAC units.

• Focus areas: Seams, flashing, ponding areas, membrane punctures
• Common issues: UV degradation, foot traffic damage, HVAC condensation runoff

Metal Roofing

Since metal panels expand and contract significantly with temperature swings, maintenance checks must prioritize the critical mechanical connection points. Metal roof maintenance should be focused on the fasteners and sealants, as these are the most vulnerable spots for water intrusion and wind damage on a commercial building.

• Focus areas: Panel seams, fasteners, rust spots, and sealants
• Common issues: Loose screws, expanding/contracting panels, and wind-driven rain leaks

Built-Up Roofing (BUR)

As an older, traditional commercial system, BUR requires maintenance that concentrates on the surface layer. Inspections are essential to check for material integrity, proper drainage, and ensuring the protective gravel or coating remains intact to prevent membrane exposure and leaks.

• Focus areas: Blisters, gravel displacement, and membrane exposure
• Common issues: Water absorption and weakening due to pooled debris or age

Roofing Maintenance Checklist for Property Managers

Here’s a helpful breakdown of tasks to include in your commercial roof maintenance program.

Visual Walkthrough

• Scan for debris, tears, or discolored areas
• Check skylights and penetrations for cracks
• Inspect flashing around HVAC equipment and parapet walls

Interior Review

• Look for ceiling stains or moisture signs in top-floor offices
• Check insulation near roof access points
• Confirm no odors or signs of mold in attic/ceiling spaces

Documentation

• Take photos of current conditions
• Log all minor issues and repair recommendations
• Schedule the next routine inspection date

Should You DIY or Call the Pros?

While your internal maintenance team may be able to spot obvious issues, commercial roofing requires professional roofing experience for accurate diagnostics and long-lasting repairs.

DIY Is Fine For:

• Debris removal from flat roof surfaces
• Visual checks around drains or equipment
• Reporting potential issues to your roofing contractor

Call the Pros For:

• Annual inspections with detailed reports
• Flashing, seam, or membrane repairs
• Leak detection testing using infrared or water tracing
• Warranty work to avoid voiding manufacturer coverage

A professional roofing partner will also help you anticipate when your roof may need restoration or replacement—before emergencies hit.

Budgeting for Commercial Roof Maintenance

Smart property managers plan for maintenance costs as part of their annual operational budgets.

What to Include

• Inspection fees: Typically charged semi-annually or annually
• Preventive repairs: Sealing, patching, and clearing drainage
• Emergency fund: Budget for unexpected leaks or damage after storms
• Roof asset management: Some contractors offer long-term planning tools to forecast costs over 10–20 years

Partnering with a roofing contractor who provides detailed reporting can help you justify and plan for capital expenditures long before roof failure occurs.

Protect Your Investment With Buckeye State Roofing

Commercial roof maintenance is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for protecting your property, tenants, and business operations. Whether you oversee a single facility or multiple commercial locations, staying ahead of small issues prevents budget blowouts and structural damage in the long run.

At Buckeye State Roofing, we help business owners and property managers across Ohio stay proactive with customized maintenance programs, thorough inspections, and honest repair recommendations.

Contact us today for a free commercial roof inspection and start protecting your investment the smart way.