The Three R’s of Commercial Roofing

One of the most common—and costliest—mistakes commercial property owners make is resorting to roof replacement when there are other options available. Commercial roofing contractor American Roofing & Construction, LLC takes a look at the three R’s of commercial roofing, and why you should follow them in order.

Repair, Restore, Replace

According to the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), as many as 85% of commercial roof replacements were unnecessary. These replacements were prompted by inexperienced contractors or property managers who erroneously decided on a roof replacement when more cost-effective options were available.

Following the three R’s—repair, restore, replace—in order can help you get the most from your commercial property. A common assumption about commercial roofing is that commercial roofing has to be replaced if it underwent multiple repairs. A knowledgeable roofing contractor would assess the roof’s condition and determine if it’s suitable for roof restoration. Replacement should only be considered when restoration is not a viable option.

Repairs and Restoration: What’s the Difference?

To the layman, repairs and restoration may sound similar, and in most aspects, they are. The main difference between the two is that where repairs are done as needed, restoration is conducted on the entire roof. For example, you might call your roofing contractor to address a puncture, or a missing piece of flashing. Repairs are usually completed in an hour or two.

On the other hand, you call your roof contractor for restoration when you need all of the problems on your roof addressed in a single appointment, instead of a single problem. This means the roofing contractor will conduct a full inspection, actively seek out problems, and fix them.

Restoration allows your roofing contractor to find problems that you may not have been aware of, and fix them before they get worse.  At the end of restoration, your roof would be virtually as good as new. Restoration is the option taken when addressing storm damage. Following the three R’s can help you avoid unnecessary replacement costs, helping you get the most out of your existing commercial roof.

American Roofing & Construction, LLC is your leading provider of commercial roofing services. Give us a call at (251) 206-0048 (Mobile) and (205) 203-9883 (Birmingham) or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment and roof estimate.