Maintaining Clean Gutters and Drains in the Fall

In the last few weeks, we’ve talked a lot about the importance of inspecting your facility roof, performing periodic maintenance and making vital repairs before cold weather sets in. Today, we’re going to focus on just how damaging natural debris can be. All those beautiful autumn leaves can wreak havoc on a facility roof.

Debris Buildup and Unintended Consequences

All it takes is a little moisture and those feather-light leaves biodegrade into a soggy, heavy mass that clogs drains, blocks scuppers and invites mold, fungi and mildew. If not promptly removed, leaves and debris can lead to backed-up water, which increases the live load on the roof deck. Standing water, just 1-inch deep, adds five pounds per-square-foot of live load on the roof assembly. Over time, standing water can leach the pliable properties out of some single-ply membranes, reducing flexibility and the life of the roof.

In the winter, ponding becomes critical when pooling water freezes and expands, forcing its way into tiny cracks or under flashings. Additional ice weight can cause structural damage and expensive repairs, or – in extreme cases – even roof collapse.

Vigilance Reduces Risk

Maintenance crews should be trained to look for leaves and other debris around drains and scuppers. During the fall, frequent checks and prompt debris-removal are necessary to prevent buildup and blockage. Areas of standing water could indicate blocked drains. Partially blocked drains allow water flow, albeit sluggishly, so even if you don’t see standing water that doesn’t mean you don’t have a drainage problem. Staining of the roof’s surface could indicate previous ponding, which is also a red flag. Not every problem caused by leaves and other debris is apparent to the untrained eye so it’s vital to have a qualified roofing professional take a look.

Drains and gutters should be cleared now — before frigid temperatures can turn soggy leaf debris into frozen blockages.

Professional Inspection

In addition to disposing of leaves and debris, a qualified roofing specialist will water-test both internal and external drains and inspect gutters and downspouts. While he’s at it – he’ll check the little things that can escape the notice of a maintenance crew, such as examining strainers to ensure that they are in place and that the bolts holding them are secure. It takes a trained eye to recognize early problems with sealants, flashings, mortar, seams and penetrations. Gutters and downspouts should be checked for sagging, loose connections and broken or missing fasteners.

Semi-annual inspections and regular maintenance is the key to long roof life. At Diamond Roofing, we take pride in helping our customers get the most for their roofing dollar. For the peace of mind that comes with knowing your roof is in the best possible shape going into winter –  give us a call today at 785-537-8008 or 620-225-2622.

Preventative Maintenance: Why Do It?

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1. Facility managers should prioritize preventative maintenance in order to preserve any manufacturer or company warranties covering their roofs.

2. Emergency repairs simply cost more, by some estimates as much as 50% more, than maintenance bills.

3. The longevity and durability of the roof in question is increased substantially when basic maintenance and proper care occur regularly.

As building owners gear up for another wild autumn, it is important to recognize that when rain and variable temperatures follow sustained high temperatures, small holes and cracks do often form in roofing material. Little remarked, “The ice stores from last winter combined with the sweltering heat from this summer is going to cause a real mess this fall on those roofs that haven’t been maintained. Cleaning drains and removing debris that could possibly block scuppers and overflow drains are high priority service items during a preventative maintenance call. The weight of standing water destroys the integrity of a roof’s structure. Even just an inch of water standing in a puddle 10 feet by 10 feet weighs roughly a quarter of a ton.”

Tackling these problems while they are still small in scope yields repair bills that are also minor and an assurance that, come what may, the roofing system will stand up to the hail and high winds Mother Nature hurtles at it. Alternately, waiting for the roofing material to degrade to the point water actually leaks into the building yields heftier repairs, billed at a premium since rush jobs always cost more. Owners and managers must accept maintenance costs as a healthy and necessary aspect of property caretaking.

To learn more about Diamond’s Roof Max preventative maintenance program, give us a call today to speak to one our roofing experts 785-537-8008 or 620-225-2622.