How Your Roof Can Fail If There Is Too Much Foot Traffic
It’s a roof! It’s not inventory space, it’s not a meeting room, and it’s not another floor in your building. All of these probably wouldn’t be a big deal if they were stationary on a roof, but people are walking around, and items are being moved. This can lead to roof damage.
It’s necessary to walk on your roof because there is usually something you need to do or have done up there. (Like a routine roof inspection). Did you know when you are walking up there, you might damage the roof? As you walk, inspect, repair, or do something else to maintain, it’s essential to be careful and make sure you are not causing more damage while trying to assess or fix the issue.
Many people don’t’ think they can do a lot of damage by taking a few steps on the roof. They probably aren’t hurting it by doing that. It’s when you consider that few steps, repeatedly, for 5 to 10 years of walking around that can wear down the roof surface and lead to repairs.
One of the best ways you can get more life out of your commercial roof is by protecting your roof surface. Reducing foot traffic as much as possible goes a long way in sustaining the roof.
There are many ways to take care of your roof and keep workers away from areas that are more likely to incur penetration damage from dropped tools or membrane damage from heavy foot traffic.
Be sure to:
- Limit access to the roof to approved personal
- Keep a log of everyone who goes on the roof and what their purpose is
- Maintain walkways to your rooftop equipment that would require regular service
- Monitor the tools and equipment that will be used on the roof
- Take caution with weather conditions, primarily when typical walkways can’t be used
Tecta America trains its employees with an extensive safety training program that helps our commercial building owners prolong the life of their roofs.
Check out our website to see all of our locations – www.tectaamerica.com