Conducting Roof Repair Protects Your Tenants and Your Rental Property

1. September 14, 2017 Conducting Roof Repair Protects Your Tenants and Your Rental Property When you own a rental property, whether it's a commercial or residential property, you constantly weigh expenses, such as property maintenance and repair, against your bottom line and any increase in net profits that may accrue from maintaining your property and making repairs. Page | 1

2. It may seem, at times, that the cost incurred from some expense, such as a contract for twice yearly roof inspections, doesn't offer a sufficient ROI (return on investment) to make it worthwhile. You may think that your maintenance staff of your property management company can perform an adequate visual inspection of the roof. Experienced roofing professionals, however, have the training and equipment to find not only visible signs showing the need for roof repair, but also to spot more subtle signs of developing issues. Seeking Signs of Moisture Ceiling stains, mold, an odor, such as a musty smell, may indicate that water has penetrated through a hole or crack in the roof. Up on the roof, bubbles may be a sign that moisture has become trapped inside the roof cover. However, bubbles can also occur when gases released from insulation become trapped under the roof cover. During an inspection, a roofing company will perform a survey for moisture to determine the cause of any bubbles in the roof cover. Looking for Water on the Roof Water can also enter the roof through tears in the roof cover or gaps in the strips of flashing that seal joins between two sections of roof, the roof and a wall, or the roof and chimneys, vents, air conditioning units, and other roof top equipment installed in commercial buildings. Skylights should be checked to make sure they are securely sealed, and domed plastic panels should be checked for cracks. Lightning protection systems should be checked, especially after high winds, to make sure that the antennas and cables have not been loosened or disconnected as these can tear or poke holes in the roof cover. Undetected leaks rot wood roof decks and rust steel decks. Water that enters through a leak dissolve concrete and gypsum insulating decks into a thick paste. Water that ponds on the deck for a prolonged period not only prematurely ages the roof cover and causes it to deteriorate but also adds excess weight to the roof which can cause it to fail. Page | 2

3. Your Legal Responsibility As the property owner, it’s your legal responsibility to maintain the safety and security of the structural components of the building. If your tenants’ property is damaged due to lack of proper repairs, you could be liable. In addition to having the roof of your property inspected twice a year, you should also have it inspected after each high wind storm or hail storm. Previous repairs should be checked to make sure that they have held, and your inspector should present a plan for any new repairs that are needed. It could mean the difference between a roof repair and a roof replacement. With the severe storms that Tulsa can experience, it’s important to schedule these roof inspections and repairs to help you save money in the long run. About RTurley Roofing: At RTurley Roofing, we use only the best roofing materials, and we stay up to date with advances in roofing materials and technology and changes to residential and commercial building codes. If you need a new roof, our teams of mostly military veterans can install a new one designed to withstand season after season of Oklahoma's storms. Sources: Protection from the Top: The Importance of Commercial Roof Cover Maintenance and Repair, disastersafety.org Maintenance and Repairs During Your Commercial Tenancy, nolo.com Page | 3