Wear and tear from everyday exposure to the sun and rain, along with air conditioning repair traffic, ages the roof membrane until its service life ends. Every extra year you can get out of your roof is that much more money you can spend on other things. So how do you get your roof to last as long as possible and save money over the long term? With regular checkups in the form of inspections, maintenance and prompt repairs.
Studies show that when roofs aren’t maintained, they only last around half of their expected service life. “That’s why I have a warranty,” you say. Unfortunately, a warranty doesn’t always help, especially when nearly all manufacturers of roofing materials specifically state that the warranty is void if the roof is not properly maintained.
Think this is nonsense and scare tactics? Let’s do some math. If the cost to install a 50,000 square-foot roof with a 10-year design life costs $10 per square foot to install, the total installation cost is $500,000 and the cost per year of the roof is $50,000. But, if the roof is not maintained, and it only lasts half of its design life, then the yearly cost jumps to $100,000, and in 5 years you’ll need another $500,000 to replace it.
On average, it costs 2% of the roof installation per year to maintain a roof. Using the same example as in the previous paragraph, that amounts to $10,000 per year. Over 10 years, that’s $100,000. So even though you’ll spend $100,000 over your roof’s service life, you’ll save $400,000 by doing the maintenance necessary and avoid replacing your roof prematurely.
Bade Roofing takes a proactive approach to assisting you in establishing a 10-Year Budget Forecast when it comes to roofing and maintenance needs. We provide customers with added value of roof asset management along with cost effective inspections, maintenance and repair programs that provide roof surveys, budgeting and planning tools. Our program helps you more effectively manage your roof, maximize its value, and spend less time addressing problems so you can save money over the long term.
With tax season upon us, it’s also important to remember that maintenance isn’t the only way to get the most out of your roof. Money you spend on its maintenance can be deducted from your taxes.
Bade Roofing Company. Founded in 1954, Bade Roofing Company, Inc. is one of St. Louis, Missouri's premier family-owned and operated commercial and industrial roofing specialists. Bade Roofing installs roofing systems on major retail centers, grocery stores, hospitals, schools, warehouses and office buildings. www.baderoofing.com
