Thinking about roofing in Simi Valley, at least one aspect should be very evident: the place is known for the fierce winds that can cut through town. In fact, some believe the name of Simi came from a word in the Chumash Indian language, "Shimiji," meaning "Valley of the Winds."

Simi Valley is coming of age, with about two decades’ worth of new tourism and shopping attractions. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library opened there in 1992, and in recent years the library added Air Force One Pavilion, where the president’s own airplane rests permanently. President Reagan was buried at the library in 2004.

Plus there is Simi Valley Town Center, a beautiful outdoor regional shopping center, which opened in 2005 with Mediterranean architecture, and an outdoor fireplace and other attractions.

For roofing in Simi Valley, not so many structures feature tile roofs because wind-blown items can tend to crack tiles. But wood shake shingles are totally out of place, as the strong winds in Simi Valley can mean huge wildfires especially in dry fall months.

Regardless of the roofing system, it is imperative in Simi Valley to have a strong roof inspection and/or roof maintenance program. The winds alone command it - see our factsheet for Simi Valley roof construction.

Demographics and Roofing in Simi Valley

Simi Valley is an affluent community, with many college graduates. The City was incorporated in 1969, and by the 1970s and 1980s a housing boom pushed the population well past 100,000, making the city among the largest in the nation.

While some newer housing tracts exist, such as in Big Sky Ranch, others are 40 years old or older – with a wide variety of roofs and roof conditions. Most of the older neighborhoods are without homeowners associations to force owners to maintain a nice-looking roof, and as such some neighborhoods can tend to look a bit shabby.

In terms of commercial roofing, there are plenty of retail and industrial areas of town, particularly in the Tapo Canyon industrial center between Los Angeles and Royal avenues, and north of the Ronald Reagan Freeway (118) at First Street.

The north area of town is a bit more prone to high winds, particularly Santa Ana winds that come from the Mojave Desert and wind through the Santa Susana Mountains north of Simi Valley.

It is in these areas where roof inspections and roof maintenance programs are most vital. A single windstorm can wreak havoc with a roof system, especially if that roof system is more then 10 or 15 years old.

Simi Valley, Roofing and Suburbia

Simi Valley is mostly the land of suburban housing tracts, totaling about 40,000 residential dwellings. Beyond high winds, homeowners should inspect their roofs and adjacent attic items such as vents often, especially if they are located near the open mountain areas.

Open attic vents are dangerous during wildfires, and besides, leaving them open means pests coming down from the open lands can get inside. Simi Valley is just that, a valley, surrounded by open hills and mountains. Keeping it that way is a voter-approved measure that prevents construction on most hillsides.

Another element for Simi Valley and roofing is hot, often very dry summers. After several years even the best roofing system can get brittle – and hence more prone to damage from winds.

Homeowners might be wise to seek a program that is basically Roof Asset Management, with principles much like infrastructure asset management – planning things like roads, water supplies and flooding for long-term cost-effectiveness.

Remember, a roof is an asset, something of value with an anticipated lifecycle that you want to extend as long as possible. With roofing in Simi Valley, maintenance is vital. It can be too easy to overlook your roof, even though it’s the first line of defense in protecting what is likely your biggest asset of all, your home or business building.

Like much of North Hollywood, the roofing landscape there is changing rapidly. The district in the San Fernando Valley region of the City of Los Angeles is in the midst of a transformation due largely to transportation.

North Hollywood's landscape is transforming into the modern, with older one-story bungalows and small apartment buildings sharing space with new condominium towers.

The community is changing from a mostly lower- to middle-class suburb into a regional center, mainly because of construction of the Metro Orange Line commuter train that connects North Hollywood and Woodland Hills, and the Red Line subway that links with Hollywood, Wilshire and downtown Los Angeles.

The result is creation of North Hollywood as a regional hub for the Valley – and the changes could be significant for roofing, roof inspections and roof maintenance in North Hollywood.

High-density housing and tall buildings can change the climactic setting of a certain area, causing less wind, for example, or even more moisture. Any changes to the climate around your home or commercial building can affect the lifecycle of a roof.

Real Considerations for Roofing in North Hollywood

There also are safety, aesthetic and real property considerations for roofing in North Hollywood, including roof inspections and roof maintenance.

Part of the community’s change can be seen in the NoHo Arts District, where land use planning aims to create an urban village prime for pedestrians to get to and fro on foot. Aging or eroding roofs can mean high winds can shake pieces loose, and who knows where these projectiles will land. You don’t want pedestrians injured from your property.

There’s also the look of your home or commercial building to passersby. Who wants the worst-looking roof in North Hollywood?

Then there is real property value. As new buildings are constructed nearby, your property value should rise – as long as it is maintained. Proper roof maintenance is vital for that first impression of a buyer – often the most important.

As probably your most valuable asset, shouldn’t your home or business building look as good as possible? And, what about the potential for internal damages should there be a failure of your roof in North Hollywood? Damage to the inside from leaks can be so costly, making consistent roof inspections and/or roof maintenance that much better as an investment.

From Lankershim to North Hollywood and Roofing 101

North Hollywood was originally known as Lankershim – and sometimes Toluca, confusing visitors with another community in the region. Ultimately marketing was involved in the demise of the Lankershim name, as the community’s leaders renamed the district to capitalize on the proximity to and glamour of Hollywood itself.

For a long time it was just another identical territory of rows of suburban homes. Now it’s changing thanks to the transportation lines.

Again the changes impact roofing in North Hollywood. More new residential units – planned around the subway station are hundreds of apartments, condos, stores and other developments – comes, well, jobs.

That means commercial buildings, whether new or old. Older commercial buildings often need roofing touch-ups, at least an inspection, before expanding how many people can occupy inside. And you should ask about new roofing technology for commercial buildings, such as a cool roof that can save you money in terms of energy costs.

An inspection by a professional roofing company, at least twice a year, is recommended for any commercial building in the San Fernando Valley due to roof-impacting elements such as high winds and dry, hot sun.

North Hollywood already has its NoHo Arts District, near Valley Village, and its 20 or more professional theaters producing new and classic work. Also around are art galleries, public art and professional dance studios – and the largest concentration of music-recording venues west of the Mississippi.

Times are changing in North Hollywood, for its residents as well as roofing, roofing inspection and roofing maintenance needs.

Porter Ranch, one of the newest enclaves of the San Fernando Valley, was pretty much designed as a commuter community. There are hardly any jobs except for retail north of the Ronald Reagan Freeway (118) in that area.

For roofing and roofing maintenance, the main thing you need to know – and this is a no-brainer if you’ve lived there through just one fall – is written directly in Wikipedia.com: “Porter Ranch is known for its intense winds.”

The encyclopedia website is correct that whenever the Los Angeles region sustains a pattern of high winds, local news stations often conduct reports across the Porter Valley Town Center, the big strip mall visible from the freeway.

Porter Ranch is a large suburban tract of about 5,200 households, and roofing, roofing inspections and roofing maintenance are focused on the residential side, with limited commercial buildings.

Aside from high winds, residents should often inspect their roofs and adjacent attic items such as vents, as the area is right up against the Santa Susana Mountains and is prone to wildfires. Plus, open attic vents invite pests, which also can come from the open mountains.

Knowing Your Environment with Roofing and Porter Ranch

That Porter Ranch has a Wikipedia entry says much about how the area has matured. It is a master-planned district in the northwest portion of the San Fernando Valley region of the City of Los Angeles.

It is bounded by Northridge to the south, Chatsworth on the west and south, and Granada Hills to the east and south. Its main thoroughfares are Rinaldi Street running east-west, and Corbin Ave., Tampa Ave. and Reseda Blvd. going north-south.

In terms of roofing and roofing maintenance, since it is a newer community you will be hard-pressed to find any wood shake shingle in Porter Ranch, considering the winds and fire threat.

You’re mainly dealing with tile, or asphalt shingles. There still can be problems with the wind, and another element not so kind to roofs, the blazing sun.

Hot, dry summers can wreak havoc with a roof over time, and though Porter Ranch homes first started showing up only in the 1980s, the time is fast approaching where some of the community’s roofs will need some TLC.

Modern Route to Roofing in Porter Ranch

Porter Ranch is young and therefore modern, and its mostly upscale, single-family homes are best maintained through a modern roofing program.

Today you have programs that are essentially Roof Asset Management, with principles much like infrastructure asset management – planning things like roads, water supplies and flooding for long-term cost-effectiveness.

Roofs are an asset, something of value with an anticipated lifecycle you want to extend as long as possible. Therefore, in roofing in Porter Ranch, maintenance is crucial. It’s easy to overlook your roof, despite the fact that it’s the first line of defense in protecting what is likely your biggest asset of all, your home or business building.

Roof maintenance can provide a peace of mind, as well as an eventual cost savings. A roof’s expected lifecycle is usually 20 or 30 years, but few reach that age without roof inspections and/or roof maintenance.

Semi-annual roof maintenance is preferred, with a look at your roof in the fall and again in the spring. The semi-annual roof maintenance program works well, because the fall is a good time to correct damage from summer heat and clean up autumn debris fairly common in Porter Ranch.

Spring roof maintenance focuses on cleaning up debris, tightening loose flashing and roof membrane caused by high winds and storms. Again, elements pretty typical for the Porter Ranch area of Los Angeles.

In October 2008, Ventura County Star published an article by columnist Wendy Dager titled, “Customer service must be first in recession.” The column was about the struggles she and her daughter had getting computer store employees to fix a broken key on a laptop keyboard.

The column was not related to roofing, but the summary sure can apply when you might need roof repairs or at least a roof inspection. It concluded, in part, “In any type of economy, but especially during one that is being called a recession, it'd behoove employees to brush up on their communications skills. When consumers have money again, they're going to remember who treated them like imbeciles.”

Actually, strong customer service is imperative for any small business, good times or bad. It’s amazing how many roofing companies, and contractors overall, don’t pay enough attention to it.

Roof repairs or roof inspections often are not one-time ordeals – ultimately that house or commercial building may need more work. The roofing company that fails to satisfy the customer at first impression is going to lose business down the road.

Examples of Exemplary Customer Service

Many companies do understand the recession-busting value of strong customer service. For example, the Los Angeles Times reported in October 2008 about a health maintenance organization that chose against across-the-board cuts that would have decreased customer service.

The company carefully devised a plan to best manage incoming phone calls, and the result was maintaining high customer satisfaction, and the company actually ended up saving millions of dollars annually.

Some small businesses incorporate customer service and satisfaction into their business plan. For instance GreatWay Roofing, which serves Ventura County and the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys in the Greater Los Angeles area, has “Expect a great experience” as its official tag line and underlying business position.

“When that’s what you tell customers, the burden is on us to deliver,” GreatWay founder and CEO Rod Menzel said. “We strive to treat customers and their property the right way – the ‘great way.’ “

Customer Service and Roofing - Not Mutually Exclusive

For GreatWay Roofing, that stance has held firm since the company was started in 1999, regardless of the economic climate. The roofing company has maintained a pledge for customers, to:

• Stay on top of your project from start to finish to ensure your satisfaction.
• Set and achieve solid deadlines.
• Protect and prepare your home before and during all work.
• Clean up daily and leave your property as clean as when we found it.
• Accurately price your job. Your project will be free from hidden costs or shortcuts.
• Avoid surprises by communicating with you all the way through – we spell it out and lay it on the line.

Whether you’re pursuing an inspection, short-term patch, re-roofing job, a maintenance program or even a full, new roof, GreatWay Roofing tells clients in writing what to expect.

It could be as simple as a reminder to cover all items inside the garage, as the roofing work may cause minor debris falls. It may not seem like a big deal, but to the single-family homeowner, the fewer surprises, the better.

Also, little things like having a truck with a built-in toilet for employees goes a long way to show customers that this contractor is prepared (and takes care of its workers). Not every homeowner is inclined to allow contractor crews inside to relieve themselves.

Attention to detail with customers can result in that “great experience.” Doing otherwise is imprudent for a small business in every type of economic climate.

About GreatWay Roofing: GreatWay Roofing provides residential and commercial roofing services to all of Ventura County including the cities of Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura, Camarillo and Moorpark; all of the San Fernando Valley including Granada Hills, Northridge, Chatsworth, Canoga Park, West Hills, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Reseda, Winnetka, North Hills, Sepulveda, North Hollywood and Van Nuys; and all of the Santa Clarita Valley including Valencia, Saugus, Newhall and Canyon Country.

Maintenance to your roof is no less vital than consistent maintenance to your car. It’s almost cliché, but a lot of us remember hearing our father say it over and over: “If you want it to last, you better take care of it.”

A good roofing company can be like your most trusted auto mechanic. Your car runs great and you have a strong peace of mind, and your vehicle purrs like a kitten.

Roof maintenance can provide the same sense. A roof protects what is for most people their most valuable asset, their home or commercial building. Why wouldn’t you do everything possible to protect it?

A roof has an expected lifecycle, usually 20 or 30 years, but few reach that age without inspections and/or maintenance. Semi-annual maintenance is preferred, with a look at your roof in the fall and again in the spring.

The Semi-Annual Roof Maintenance Program

The semi-annual program works well, because the fall is a good time to correct damage from summer heat and clean up autumn debris (remember, many commercial roof leaks are caused by clogged roof drains); and spring maintenance focuses on cleaning up debris, tightening loose flashing and roof membrane caused by high winds and storms.

This also is a great time to touch up with paint and even pressure wash the roof. Many roofing companies, including GreatWay Roofing, have formal maintenance programs with a range of prices.

Roof maintenance is not expensive. For example, for commercial roofs, average costs depending on the amount of roof-top equipment needed and building size can range from $680 to $1,380.

Another variable is the condition of the roof system. A first visit might cost a bit more primarily because of additional material and labor to get the system in position to be maintained.

What to Expect with Roof Maintenance

Roof maintenance is pretty straightforward. Then again, most home- or property owners have never looked into it and might wonder what to expect. Here is the typical scope of work for a commercial roof maintenance program.

• Clean up entire roof of debris, particularly the roof drains.
• Inspect heating and air conditioning units (HVAC) units and other roof-top equipment, and apply appropriate material as needed.
• Inspect pipes and vents and apply appropriate replacement or repair material.
• Inspect loose sheet metal, and secure and seal as needed. This might include coping, z-bar, and HVAC ducting and platforms.
• Inspect parapet walls, and secure and seal as needed.
• Inspect the roof for cracks, holes, splits, blisters and improper adhesion of material. Secure and seal as needed.
• Apply aluminum coating to previously applied mastic.
• Reinforce low spots as needed with caulking, polyester and acrylic.

Ultimately your roofing company might recommend a short-term patch. A patch by definition is not intended to last long, though usually they can last a couple of seasons. GreatWay Roofing has seasoned “leak detectors” as part of its maintenance program to further help identify problem areas.

Roof maintenance is strongly recommended for anyone who wishes to save money in the long term by ensuring their roof reaches its full anticipated lifecycle.

Oxnard is by far the largest city in Ventura County, and as such has the most roofs, including on the sizable number of commercial and industrial buildings in this coastal town.

Roofing in Oxnard is about as challenging as anywhere else in the county, and maybe the region. Its proximity to the ocean, plus periodic rains and strong winds, can wreak havoc with roofing systems. Add to that a large number of sunny days to slowly pound away at your roof.

Moisture from the ocean and typical fog can cause damage to any roof system, particularly asphalt shingle and wood shingle roofs. Roofing in Oxnard means understanding that proximity to the large water body means more rain than non-beach communities in Southern California.

Rain of course rests moisture on roofs, and on flat commercial buildings that can mean pooling of water. If your commercial building has clogged gutters or drainage systems during a big storm, look out. Clogged drains are the most common cause of commercial roof damage.

Oxnard is an old, historic town with many distinct communities holding a diverse population, from residents in wealthy enclaves along the beach to a quaint downtown to brand new suburban tracts on the outskirts. Roofing in Oxnard, a roofer can never know what to expect when called for an inspection.

A Long History as it Relates to Roofing in Oxnard

Oxnard was founded in 1903, today almost 200,000 people call it home. It’s considered a big city by governmental standards – again, something to know regarding roofing in Oxnard.

Almost 60 percent of them are married couples living together. The median income for a household or family in Oxnard is almost $50,000, right around the center for cities in California, where the median income statewide is $54,385.

In terms of roofing in Oxnard, let’s take a look at the commercial side. Oxnard is among the key manufacturing centers in the Greater Los Angeles Area, with the Port of Hueneme, the only deep-harbor commercial port between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Major companies headquartered in Oxnard with significant commercial facilities are Haas Automation, Seminis, Boss Audio, Raypak and Drum Workshop. Large companies that maintain West Coast operations in Oxnard include Sysco and Procter & Gamble.

Other Considerations with Roofing in Oxnard

Roofing in Oxnard, inspections and maintenance are vital considering the external – and even underground – forces that can be damaging.

The city is located in a Mediterranean, or dry subtropical climate zone, meaning warmer-than-normal winters and cooler-than-usual summers. Compared with communities more inland, onshore breezes keep Oxnard communities cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Still, for roofing in Oxnard, consider that it gets about 354 days of sunshine a year, and extended exposure to the sun and heat can deteriorate roofing materials faster than a roof’s expected lifecycle.

Aside from wind and moisture, there’s one more item to consider for roofing in Oxnard, and it’s geologic: earthquakes. Besides its regional proximity to the San Andreas Fault, an active fault line transverses Oxnard.

The Oak Ridge Fault straddles the Santa Clara River Valley westward from the Santa Susana Mountains, crosses the Oxnard Plain through Oxnard, then stretches into the Santa Barbara Channel.

The devastating Northridge Earthquake in 1994 is believed to have occurred in the Santa Clarita extension of the Oak Ridge Fault. It goes without saying what an earthquake, even moderate in size, might do to your roof.

If your want your roof in Oxnard to reach the maximum of its lifecycle potential, it is imperative to have consistent inspections, especially after climate or seismic events. Consistent maintenance also is a good idea. Roofing in Oxnard presents a myriad of challenges, moreso than a typical Southern California community.

Santa Clarita, the incorporated city in north Los Angeles County, presents unique challenges for owners of homes and businesses alike. We’re talking about your roof, and there are a variety of reasons.

Roofing in Santa Clarita can mean dealing with every type of roof system imaginable, from your typical asphalt shingle roofs to wood shingles to tile, which is becoming more and more common.

Santa Ana winds that often howl through canyons and right through the area also poses problems for roofing in Santa Clarita. Aside from loose shingles, wind knocks down tree branches and launches items into the air – and a landing on your roof can be damaging.

And don’t forget the heat. Southern California’s sun not only can hurt your skin, but also your roof. Prolonged exposure can deteriorate roofing materials faster than you think and can shorten the expected lifecycle of a roof.

Overall, roofing in Santa Clarita is a bit different than in surrounding communities – such as the San Fernando Valley, where most homes are older and have asphalt shingles with slight slopes. Newer homes – and there are many in Santa Clarita – often have a steeper pitch, posing a new challenge.

History and Demographics and Impacts to Roofing in Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita is essentially the combination of four old county unincorporated communities: Saugus, Newhall, Valencia and Canyon Country. Saugus and Newhall are the oldest, dating back to an oil boom in the area in the early 1900s.

The city is young, incorporated only in 1987. Since then it has grown tremendously, now with more than 177,000 residents. That means a lot of structures to consider for the topic of roofing in Santa Clarita. Actually, as of the last census it was 50,787 households.

Of the households, 44.4 percent had children – and don’t forget children when taking an overview of roofing in Santa Clarita. Children can be hit by roof system pieces blown off by the wind, if they are naughty a faulty roof can force a bad fall, and, after all, the roof is the first line of protection for the home that guards them.

It is considered an affluent, Republican-leaning community, with an estimated median income for a household at $75,917 by 2006.

Wildcards for Roofing in Santa Clarita

What else might someone want to know about roofing in Santa Clarita? Probably one major item is wildfires.

Basically Santa Clarita, and the surrounding unincorporated and open space areas, are very prone to wildfires. In fact, it’s one of the most active places in the nation for fires.

Just in recent years coming close were the Stables Fire of 2001, Copper and Bouquet fires of 2002, Verdale Fire of 2003, Foothill Fire of 2004, and the Buckweed, Ranch and Magic fires of 2007.

What this means for roofing in Santa Clarita is think about which material you put on your roof, especially if you’re in the outlying areas. Tile can be particularly effective in keeping ambers from penetrating your structure’s defenses.

Today’s high gas and energy costs have property owners thinking carefully when repairing or replacing their roof.

The most cost-effective long-term solutions are desirable; and Energy Star has become a household term.

Commercial building owners have known about the “Cool Roof,” or white roof, for years.  Since 2005, California has required white roofs on flat-topped commercial structures.

What will change by 2009 is new and retrofitted residential and commercial buildings, with both flat and low-slope roofs, will have to install heat-reflective roofing as part of a more energy-efficient building code.

This is not to say you’ll be seeing more white roofs in your neighborhood.  But there is new technology such as radiant barrier roofing that deflects heat from entering your structure.

Energy efficiency means reducing how much electricity or other energy it takes to perform the same function.  In sunny Southern California, a huge factor is to simply prevent heat from getting inside, to prevent additional air conditioning costs.

There are other benefits at play, such as using newer technology for longer-lasting roofs, and even slowing global warming.

GreatWay and Energy Star-Certified Cool Roofs

GreatWay Roofing strives to provide clients with the most cost-effective long-term solutions available.  We specialize in systems that provide cost savings from Energy Star products we install, and which do not disrupt occupants during installation.

For commercial building owners, we are one of the only authorized installers in the region for two Energy Star-certified cool roof systems.

Our Fluid Applied Acrylic is a system designed to incorporate the existing roof system into the new.  This odorless product is strong, seamless and flexible.

The second Energy Star product we install is a Single Ply PVC system that is mechanically fastened with heat welded seams that come with the industry’s best warranty (up to 20 years).

We also offer inspection and maintenance programs as part of a Roof Asset Management plan you could apply to take a proactive approach to ensuring your new roof reaches its full lifecycle – and therefore save money in the long run.

It’s beyond comfort.  These new cool roof systems deflect the harmful effects of the sun, are well insulated, keep indoor temperatures cooler, and reduce air conditioning bills.

Nine out of 10 California rooftops reach summer peak temperatures of 150 degrees to 190 degrees.  That heat is often transmitted into the building or its attic, where air ducts are located, which causes air conditioning equipment to work longer and harder.

A cool roof can reduce those temperatures by as much as 50 degrees, translating to a 20 percent reduction in air conditioning costs annually.

White Roofs and Global Warming

An August 2008 report in the Los Angeles Times reported that scientists believe installing white roofs and changing pavement to more reflective materials could result in massive global cooling.

“Globally, roofs account for 25% of the surface of most cities, and pavement accounts for about 35%,” the article stated.  “If all were switched to reflective material in 100 major urban areas, it would offset 44 metric gigatons of greenhouse gases.”

The impact could be felt locally.  Cooling a city by a few degrees would reduce smog.

The California Energy Commission estimates new requirements for cool roofs will reduce energy use in the state by an estimated 180 megawatts of electricity load – enough electricity to power 180,000 average-sized California homes – and 8.8 million therms of natural gas each year.  Those energy savings are compounded from year to year, as energy costs rise.

Getting a new roof in the Los Angeles area is not difficult.  In fact, with GreatWay Roofing you can expect a great experience.  For a free estimate call (800) 473-2876, or visit www.GreatWayRoofing.com.

It can be easy to overlook your roof – even though it’s the first line of defense in protecting what is likely your biggest asset, your home or business building.

Before you know it, a windstorm can blow off shingles, which can be worrisome come the next rain. Or, you might have concern about the aesthetic looks of your whole building due to some bald spots on top.

Inside, you may notice a stain on your ceiling after a heavy rainfall, and worry where exactly that leak came from. It may be too late for cosmetic roof repairs.

Ultimately you may need a full new roof much sooner than the expected lifecycle of the roof. How might this have been avoided?

Enter Roof Asset Management. The same principles involved with infrastructure asset management – managing things like roads, water supplies and flooding for long-term cost-effectiveness – can be applied to homes and business places.

Case in Point: New Roof in the San Fernando Valley

Take, for example, if you’re ordering a new roof in the San Fernando Valley. The up-front cost is what most people consider, but what about the cost over its entire lifecycle?

That is, the longer it lasts, the less cost annually for that new roof.

What are the invariables? Is it windy where you live? (Yes, often in the San Fernando Valley). Does it rain much? (Not usually). Can the sun or heat there weaken a roof?  (Yes).

When you invest to re-roof, you want it to reach its full standard of service – say, 30 years – or beyond. So ask yourself and your roofing professional questions that apply, such as, “How best can you reach that full standard of service?”

For such assets, government agencies and some businesses apply an asset management plan, taking a systematic approach aimed at delivering the defined standard of service for the longest period possible. Such an approach can be applied to your roof.

Inspection Vital for Roof Asset Management

Using the example above, for the new roof in the San Fernando Valley, think about inspection and maintenance as key components of your roof asset management.

You might be surprised what an inspection can reveal. It is recommended that you have a professional roofer visit and inspect your roof every two years, for several reasons.

First, it is vital to ensure tree limbs, leaves and debris are not clogging roof drainage systems. Clogged roof drains are a major cause of leaks.

Also, if your roof has not been inspected in some time, it may not have been installed using the latest technology. For instance, we now know that wind uplift resistance is the primary cause of wind damage. This is caused by formation of a partial vacuum created by wind blowing over the edge of the roof, causing air to push up on the bottom side of the roof assembly.

Today a good roof inspector can identify problem areas. Additionally, today’s polyurethane foam roofs on commercial buildings are more resistant to wind damage and can be repaired more quickly.

The Roof Maintenance Component of Roof Asset Management

Lastly, Southern California’s sun is golden for sunbathing and growing citrus, but it causes major stress to your roof. The older the roof, the longer the exposure to the heat, the more often your need a roof inspection.

Inspections are an affordable alternative to repairs or re-roofing. GreatWay Roofing usually can provide written inspection reports for real estate closings or other purposes for $135, depending on the roof size and shape. Roofs more than 20 years old should be inspected once a year, to monitor annual problems and perform maintenance such as caulking flashings that are susceptible to heat damage.

Consistent maintenance also is vital, not just for older roofs but newer ones – remember, you want the best standard of service possible. Think about what your father may have said: “If you want it to last, you better take care of it!”

Maintenance visits are beneficial in the fall to correct damage from summer heat and to clean up wind-blown debris; and in the spring to fix up flashings or roof membrane loosened by winter high winds or rains. Loose sheet metal, parapet walls and the entire roof can be secured and sealed as needed.

Again, consistent inspection and maintenance are key components to your roof asset management planning.

The results can be a longer-lasting roof, over its entire expected lifecycle. Besides preventing the need for a fully new roof, think of the peace of mind that your most valuable asset is wholly and effectively protected.