Commercial Roof Maintenance: Your Year-Round Guide for Calgary Buildings

In Calgary’s challenging climate, your commercial roof faces everything from heavy snowfall to intense summer heat and damaging hailstorms. A solid maintenance plan is essential for protecting your investment and avoiding costly emergency repairs. At Silverback Torch On Systems, we’ve developed this seasonal guide to help you keep your roof in top condition all year round.

Why Preventative Maintenance Matters in Calgary

Before diving into seasonal recommendations, it’s important to understand why regular maintenance is particularly critical in our region:

• Extreme temperature fluctuations cause materials to expand and contract, stressing seams and flashings
• Heavy snow loads test structural integrity and create pooling water during melt cycles
• Intense UV exposure at our elevation accelerates material degradation
• Freeze-thaw cycles can turn minor issues into major failures almost overnight
• Hailstorms can cause damage that isn’t immediately apparent but leads to leaks months later

According to industry studies, a well-maintained commercial roof typically lasts 25-40% longer than one that only receives attention when problems arise. For Calgary buildings, this translates to 5-8 additional years of service from your roofing investment when proper maintenance is performed.

Spring Maintenance (March-May)

Spring in Calgary means melting snow and potential water issues. Focus on:

1. Post-Winter Inspection

✓ What to do: Schedule a professional inspection with qualified flat roof contractors in Calgary.

✓ Why it matters: Winter can cause membrane shrinkage, flashing damage, and seam separation.

✓ Professional inspection should include:

• Detailed examination of all membrane seams
• Inspection of flashing at all roof penetrations and perimeters
• Evaluation of drainage systems as snow melts
• Assessment of any areas where ice damming occurred
• Documentation of all findings with photographs
• Immediate repairs of weather-related damage

2. Drainage System Clearing

✓ What to do: Clear all drains, gutters, scuppers, and downspouts of debris.

✓ Why it matters: Spring runoff needs clear paths to prevent ponding water.

✓ Maintenance tasks include:

• Removing accumulated debris from drain covers and baskets
• Checking internal drain pipes for blockages
• Ensuring downspouts direct water away from the building foundation
• Confirming scuppers are clear and functioning
• Testing drainage flow with water testing when possible
• Installing drain guards if recurring blockage is an issue

3. Repair Winter Damage

✓ What to do: Address any issues found during inspection promptly.

✓ Why it matters: Small problems from winter can become major leaks during spring rains.

✓ Common spring repairs include:

• Sealing membrane punctures from ice or snow removal
• Repairing flashing damage from freeze-thaw cycles
• Addressing membrane shrinkage that occurred during cold weather
• Reinforcing seams that show signs of separation
• Replacing damaged caulking around roof penetrations
• Correcting areas of ponding water with appropriate solutions

Summer Maintenance (June-August)

Summer brings UV exposure and potential storm damage:

1. UV Protection Assessment

✓ What to do: Have industrial roofing contractors check the condition of your roof’s UV protective layer.

✓ Why it matters: UV degradation can shorten your roof’s lifespan significantly.

✓ Protection measures include:

• Evaluating protective granules on modified bitumen roofs
• Assessing reflective coatings on white membrane roofs
• Checking for surface cracking or crazing from UV exposure
• Applying appropriate protective coatings if needed
• Documenting areas of excessive wear for future monitoring
• Recommending remedial measures for severely degraded areas

2. Post-Storm Checks

✓ What to do: After any severe weather, conduct a visual inspection for damage.

✓ Why it matters: Calgary’s summer storms can cause immediate damage that worsens if left unaddressed.

✓ Storm inspection should focus on:

• Punctures from hail or wind-driven debris
• Displaced ballast or protective layers
• Damage to roof-mounted equipment or curbs
• Wind uplift along perimeters and corners
• Clogged drainage from storm debris
• Damage from falling branches or adjacent structures

3. Penetration Inspection

✓ What to do: Check all roof penetrations (HVAC units, vents, etc.) for seal integrity.

✓ Why it matters: Heat can cause materials to expand and contract, compromising seals around penetrations.

✓ Detailed inspection includes:

• Examining sealants around all penetrations
• Checking pipe boots for cracking or separation
• Inspecting HVAC curbs and mounting points
• Verifying flashings at all roof transitions
• Ensuring vent stacks and other penetrations remain properly sealed
• Resealing any compromised areas immediately

Fall Maintenance (September-November)

Prepare for winter with these critical steps:

1. Comprehensive Cleaning

✓ What to do: Remove all debris, leaves, and dirt from the roof surface and drainage systems.

✓ Why it matters: Clogged drains will cause major problems once snow starts melting.

✓ Fall cleaning should include:

• Complete removal of organic debris (leaves, branches, etc.)
• Cleaning of all drainage components and testing flow
• Removal of any construction materials or abandoned equipment
• Clearing debris from expansion joints and other collection points
• Washing areas where chemical deposits or pollutants have accumulated
• Cleaning roof access points and walkways

2. Pre-Winter Inspection

✓ What to do: Have one of the best commercial roofing companies in Calgary perform a detailed inspection.

✓ Why it matters: Finding and fixing issues before winter can prevent costly emergency repairs in freezing conditions.

✓ Comprehensive inspection includes:

• Thermal scanning to detect trapped moisture
• Detailed membrane examination for potential failure points
• Assessment of insulation effectiveness
• Evaluation of roof-to-wall transitions
• Inspection of all mechanical connections and supports
• Documentation of any areas requiring monitoring through winter

3. Flashing and Seam Review

✓ What to do: Carefully inspect all flashings and seams for potential failure points.

✓ Why it matters: These areas are most vulnerable to winter damage and leaks.

✓ Critical inspection points:

• Perimeter edge details and terminations
• Wall flashings and counter-flashings
• Expansion joint covers and seals
• Membrane seam integrity throughout the roof
• Equipment curbs and penetration flashings
• Areas of previous repairs for potential failure

Winter Maintenance (December-February)

Even in winter, your roof needs attention:

1. Snow Load Management

✓ What to do: Monitor snow accumulation and have excessive snow safely removed.

✓ Why it matters: Heavy snow can exceed your roof’s weight capacity and cause structural damage.

✓ Safe snow management includes:

• Knowing your roof’s snow load capacity
• Professional removal that prevents membrane damage
• Maintaining clear paths to drains and scuppers
• Leaving a thin layer of snow to protect the membrane
• Creating drainage paths during thaw periods
• Documenting snow accumulation patterns for future reference

2. Ice Dam Prevention

✓ What to do: Ensure proper insulation and ventilation in the roof system.

✓ Why it matters: Ice dams can force water under roofing materials, causing leaks.

✓ Prevention measures include:

• Identifying potential problem areas before winter
• Maintaining consistent roof temperature
• Ensuring adequate insulation at perimeters
• Addressing heat loss from interior spaces
• Maintaining clear drainage paths
• Installing heat trace cables in problematic areas

3. Emergency Response Planning

✓ What to do: Have a relationship with Calgary flat roofing companies that offer emergency winter services.

✓ Why it matters: Knowing who to call before an emergency saves crucial time.

✓ Emergency preparation includes:

• Keeping contact information for roofing professionals accessible
• Understanding temporary measures to minimize damage
• Knowing the location of interior shut-offs if leaks occur
• Having a documented action plan for facility managers
• Maintaining access to roof areas during winter months
• Identifying critical areas that would cause significant disruption if damaged

The Value of Professional Commercial Roof Maintenance

While some visual inspections can be performed by building maintenance staff, professional service from qualified commercial roof maintenance specialists offers:

• Trained eyes that catch early warning signs
• Proper safety equipment and procedures
• Documentation for warranty purposes
• Expert repairs that address root causes, not just symptoms
• Consistent monitoring that tracks changes over time
• Compliance with manufacturer warranty requirements

Regular professional maintenance typically costs between $0.10-$0.25 per square foot annually but can save $2-$4 per square foot in premature replacement costs. This represents an ROI of 400-800% over the life of your roofing system.

Documenting Your Roof’s History

Maintaining detailed records of all inspections, repairs, and maintenance activities provides multiple benefits:

• Support for warranty claims if needed
• Historical perspective on problem areas
• Documentation for insurance purposes
• Valuable information for future roof replacement planning
• Evidence of proper care for potential building buyers
• Tracking of maintenance costs for budgeting purposes

Protect Your Commercial Roofing Investment

At Silverback Torch On Systems, we offer comprehensive maintenance programs tailored to your specific roof type and building needs. Our proactive approach helps Calgary businesses avoid the disruption and expense of premature roof failure.

Our maintenance programs include:

• Scheduled inspections based on your roof’s specific needs
• Detailed reporting with photographs
• Preventative repairs to extend roof life
• Emergency response when needed
• Budget planning for future roof needs
• Warranty compliance documentation

Contact us today to schedule a roof assessment and learn how our maintenance programs can extend your roof’s life while reducing your total ownership costs.