ABSTRACT
This chapter presents guidelines and procedures on the maintenance of building roofs to promote energy conservation. The information presented in the chapter may be applied to the types of roofs typically found on commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities. Maintenance activities, testing procedures, and inspection items are identified for a variety of roof types. These activities may be used in establishing a preventive maintenance program for those roofs to enhance their performance and to reduce heat losses and gains through the roof. There are four general types of physical damage to roofs: foot traffic; ponding; wind; and movement. Roofs are under constant attack from weathering forces, thermal stresses, and chemical action. In most cases, maintenance managers have found that they have nearly doubled the average life of a roof by simply performing maintenance in a timely manner. Additional dividends are paid through lower maintenance costs, avoided interruption of services, and reduced energy costs.
