National Coatings Blog

Roof maintenance is an essential step to protecting your assets. It's necessary to develop a good habit of preventative roof maintenance every six months starting the year your AcryShield roof system was installed. In doing so, you are maximizing the life span of the roof and ensuring a greater return on investment with lower maintenance costs.

• Clear all debris off the roof (dirt, rocks, branches, leaves, etc…)
• Clean out drains and gutters to ensure proper drainage can occur, preventing ponded water
• Remove any overhanging tree branches or anything else that could penetrate the roof surface
• Install walk pads in high traffic areas - especially around roof hatches and equipment systems
• Inspect and insure all equipment is properly flashed and watertight
• Inspect all areas for leaks and deterioration – pay attention to stains and discoloration of the roof edges and surrounding walls as they are possible indications of a leak
• Take note of any trouble areas that could cause leaks, damage or deterioration and call your National Coating representative 800-423-9557 for further guidance.

Spending a small amount of time maintaining your roof every six months will help prevent costly repairs. These steps will ensure your roof a longer lifespan with less maintenance costs. Unfortunately, it is very easy to ignore preventative roof maintenance until it is too late. Small problems are easier and less expensive to solve but when left unnoticed, these small issues can lead to some of the most costly repairs your building will experience. Avoid costly roof repairs by using the checklist above every 6 months and immediately after large storms, high winds, hail and after other damage causing conditions.

The rooftop is often unseen, making it easy to forget or avoid. However, if you conduct a roof inspection before the wet months arrive and before the hot summer months each year, you can prevent many issues that lead to roof failure. **If your roof system is under a manufacturer’s warranty at present, these bi-annual inspections are required as part of the obligation between the parties named on the face of the warranty document and must be documented in writing with verifiable dates, times and photographic confirmation of damage and repairs of same. The repairs must be made by the manufacturer’s approved contractor in good standing with the manufacturer. Otherwise you risk voiding the entire warranty. Unfortunately this is known as a “walkaway clause” in the roofing industry. **

Below is a list of 6 common roofing issues that could occur to your rooftop this year. When these issues are handled and dealt with, major repair is typically not necessary. On the other hand, when they are avoided and overlooked, a costly and timely roof repair project could be waiting for you when that first rainstorm passes through.

1. Ponded Water: This roof has a large area of ponded water, which can cause the surface to delaminate, blister, peel, and compromise adhesion of the roofing system to the building’s substrate.  You will need to address this issue if it has begun to occur, and fix it immediately. The AcryShield SPF Roofing System can eliminate drainage issues by adding custom slope to your roof in areas where ponded water typically occurs.

2. Impacted or Clogged Drainage: At this point, a plumber is recommended to unclog the drain and the ponded water area needs to be inspected to make sure no further damage has occurred. (See Ponded Water above more information.)

3. Large Blister: Blisters can occur because of several reasons, including: adhesion issues, ponded water, aging membrane and more. They need to be fixed immediately as water penetration is very likely. Contact one of our Roofing Professionals with zero obligation to determine your next steps to restoring your current roof.

4. Debris from Overhanging Trees: This is a simple, yet common oversight that needs to be addressed.  Branches can cause abrasion to the surface of the roof and should be trimmed away.  Ensure the rooftop is clean and free from any leaves, broken branches etc… which if ignored can create clogged drains and ponding water.

5. Mastic Cracking at Pipe Jack: Water penetration is likely to occur when seals are failing and not functioning as designed. All areas on the roof around joints and flashings need to be inspected to ensure seals are properly working – have good flexibility (not brittle), adhesion, and water resistance.

6. Plant Growth: Weeds, trees, and plants can grow out of the smallest cracks in the sidewalk and along roads. Your roof is no different. You want to remove any form of plant growth immediately as this can cause many different issues (improper drainage, damage from roots, inadequate adhesion, ponded water, etc…) to your roofing membrane that would require a flat roof repair project to be crucial.
**DO NOT SIMPLY PULL plant growth from the roof surface as the roots usually have penetrated the surface of the assembly and by removing incorrectly can cause severe damage that can increase the otherwise inexpensive repair. Have a roofing professional do this removal. **

Contact National Coatings if your roof is experiencing any or all of these situations. We can provide you with a cost savings solution that will allow you to restore and maintain your current roof, avoiding a costly and timely roof tear-off. For more information, download our Free Systems Brochure.

National Coatings recommends doing a proper roof inspection twice a year – once in Spring, after the rainy season has ended, and again before Winter begins. Springtime is a great time to begin fixing any issues your roof may have been experiencing in order to prolong the roof life of your existing building, allowing you to avoid a costly roof replacement.

It is very important to do a thorough roof inspection in order to properly maintain your roof, keeping it free from any major issues. Although the roof is often unseen and easily forgotten about, it provides the entire building and assets inside with protection from water penetration. During wintertime several issues can occur, causing abuse and problems to your roofing membrane that a roof inspection can catch, allowing you to maintain a properly functioning building.

We recommend completing the list below during your roof inspection to insure a proper and adequate roof assessment. 

Once this inspection is complete, you will have a good idea of the current state your roof is in. If you feel you need to contact a roofing professional, we recommend not waiting as issues can spread and get worse, limiting your options for a roof restoration system. For more information on preserving or restoring your current roof, download our FREE Full Line Brochure!