Cost Analysis: Why Have a Preventive Roof Maintenance Program
A low-sloped roof system begins aging as soon as it has been installed. Performing proper roof maintenance and anticipating potential roof problems will increase the life of any roof system. The following example illustrates how to calculate the life-cycle cost of a roof system with and without a preventive maintenance program in place. It is based on a 100,000 square foot roof installed for $8.00 per square foot.
With Preventive Maintenance
The assumption is that this roof will have an expected life of 20 years because that is the length of the warranty. Based on the initial installation, the cost for this roof would then be $40,000 per year for the life of the roof system manufacturer’s warranty. All warranties require regular inspections and that repairs be completed when the roof is damaged. The typical cost of regular inspections and scheduled maintenance is approximately 1% of the original roof cost if inspections begin in year one. In this example, $8,000 per year should be set aside for inspections and maintenance, bringing the total cost per year for this roof to $48,000.
Without Preventive Maintenance
Not having a preventive roof maintenance program can reduce the expected life of a roof by 25% or more. Many building owners never think about the roof until there is a leak. When a roof leaks so badly that it’s causing interior damage, costs for repairs can range from 3% or higher of the original roof cost.
Leaving the roof unattended would give it a life of approximately 15 years, making the cost of the roof $58,133 per year. If major repairs were made to the roof system during the last three years of its life at 3% per year, that cost would be $72,000 – over $10,000 more per year than the roof with the preventive maintenance program.
Contact D. C. Taylor Co. to schedule routine general preventive maintenance at 319.731.4118 or [email protected].
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