12‑Month Commercial Roof Care Plan — Prevent Big Bills
12‑Month Commercial Roof Care Plan — Prevent Big Bills
Don’t let your commercial roof care plan start when something goes wrong — a drip over a production line, a stained ceiling in the lobby, a wet electrical panel. By that point, a small, inexpensive repair has often turned into a big, disruptive bill.
A simple 12-month roof care plan changes that.
Industry groups like the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommend inspecting commercial roofs at least twice a year — in spring and fall — and after major storms. Studies also show that regular inspections, a basic maintenance plan and timely repairs extend service life and reduce overall lifecycle cost.
This blog breaks your year into manageable steps you can hand to your facilities team and refine with Commonwealth Roofing Corp. (CRC). The goal is simple — small steps that prevent big bills.
Why a 12-Month Roof Care Plan Pays Off
A commercial roof is a major asset. Whether it is TPO, PVC, EPDM or metal, its lifespan is driven by four things: material, installation quality, climate and maintenance. You cannot change the weather, but you can control how often the roof is checked, cleaned and repaired.
A basic care plan helps you:
- Catch problems early. Find splits, loose edges and slow drains before they leak.
- Protect people, property and production. Keep water away from inventory, equipment and safe walkways.
- Reduce surprise costs. Spend small amounts on maintenance instead of large amounts on emergency work and premature replacement.
- Support warranties and insurance. Many manufacturers and insurers expect documented inspections and timely repairs.
You do not need a huge program. You just need a consistent one.
January–February
Survive Winter and Watch for Warning Signs
Winter is tough on commercial roofs. Heavy snow, ice and freeze-thaw cycles can open seams, damage flashings and overload drainage.
Owner / facility checks
When it is safe to do so:
- Walk the interior. Look for new stains, bowed ceiling tiles, bubbling paint or musty smells after a thaw.
- Note “repeat offender” areas. Anywhere that has leaked before deserves extra attention.
- From the ground or a safe vantage point, look for:
- Snow drifts piled against parapets or around rooftop units.
- Icicles or ice ridges at gutters and downspouts.
- Snow drifts piled against parapets or around rooftop units.
If you have trained staff with proper fall protection and safe access, you can also:
- Confirm that roof drains and strainers are at least partially clear of debris and ice.
- Look for obvious wind damage at edges, coping and rooftop units.
When to call CRC
- Water inside the building, even if it “only drips after a thaw.”
- Ponding areas that freeze solid.
- Visible damage near parapets, drains or equipment.
CRC can perform a winter triage visit — tracing the source of leaks (often far from the stain) and making right-sized repairs that carry you safely into spring.
March–April
Spring Reset and Professional Inspection
As temperatures warm, it is time for a deeper look. NRCA and other experts recommend a thorough roof inspection in the spring, once snow and ice are gone.
Schedule a professional inspection with CRC
A spring inspection should cover:
- Membrane seams and laps (for TPO, PVC, EPDM and similar systems).
- Flashings at walls, parapets and equipment curbs.
- All penetrations — pipes, conduits, supports and pitch pans.
- Edge metals and copings.
- Drains, gutters, downspouts and scuppers.
- Walkway pads and heavy traffic areas.
- Signs of ponding, sagging or damaged insulation.
You should receive:
- Clear photos and roof plan markups.
- Simple explanations of what is happening and why.
- A prioritized list: what to fix now, what to schedule later, what to monitor.
April: Tackle the “quick wins”
Use April to knock out the highest-priority items from that list, especially anything related to active or likely leaks:
- Open seams or small splits.
- Loose flashing or edge metal.
- Cracked sealant at penetrations or curbs.
- Debris or partial blockages at drains.
These are often lower-cost repairs that protect insulation and the roof deck — preventing the kind of hidden moisture that makes future projects more expensive.
May–June
Coordinate with Other Trades and Prepare for Storms
A surprising number of roof problems start when other trades go on the roof — HVAC, electrical, plumbing or IT.
May: Set ground rules for rooftop work
- Mark safe access points and preferred service paths.
- Add or adjust walkway pads in high-traffic areas.
- Remind vendors not to drag heavy equipment or leave fasteners and scraps on the roof.
- Ask CRC to reinforce details around frequently serviced units.
These small steps reduce accidental punctures and damage at penetrations.
June: Storm readiness
Severe summer storms bring wind-driven rain and debris. A good maintenance plan includes:
- Removing loose objects, pallets or stored materials from the roof.
- Confirming metal copings and edge details are properly attached.
- Double-checking drains, gutters and downspouts for new debris.
- Making sure your team knows:
- Who to call first (CRC, security, facilities).
- How to safely protect interiors if a leak appears.
- Where to store photos and notes after a storm.
- Who to call first (CRC, security, facilities).
Documented, repeatable steps make leak response faster and safer.
July–August
Mid-Year Health Check and Project Planning
Summer is a good time to step back and look at the bigger picture.
July: Review performance
Ask a few simple questions:
- Are leak calls going up, down or staying steady?
- Have energy bills climbed in a way that suggests wet insulation or heat-aged materials?
- Are certain zones or roof sections constant trouble spots?
A short mid-year check with CRC can confirm whether your spring repairs are holding and whether any new issues are emerging.
August: Plan bigger work the smart way
If your inspection showed larger needs — such as restoration with coatings, a recover (overlay), metal retrofit or full replacement — August is planning time.
Work with CRC to:
- Compare options side by side, including disruption and long-term value.
- Decide what must be done this year and what can be staged.
- Lock in schedules to avoid your busiest production periods.
If coatings or restoration are on the table, this is when moisture surveys and adhesion tests matter. Industry guidelines are clear — coatings should only be applied to compatible, dry, properly draining roofs.
September–October
Fall Inspection and Pre-Winter Repairs
NRCA recommends at least one fall inspection to prepare for winter. By now, summer storms and traffic have had their chance to stress the roof.
September: Fall inspection
A fall inspection — again, ideally by a professional like CRC — should check:
- All repairs made in the spring and summer.
- New punctures, splits or open seams.
- Debris in drains, gutters and on the roof field.
- Condition of sealants, flashings and expansion joints.
- Areas where ponding has been noted.
October: Finish critical repairs before the freeze
Cold weather makes roofing slower and more difficult. Use October to complete:
- All known leaks, even “small” ones.
- Detail repairs at edges, curbs and penetrations.
- Adjustments to improve drainage in problem areas.
- Walkway pad repairs or additions on service routes.
Finishing this work now is one of the best ways to avoid winter emergencies. Winter maintenance articles consistently highlight that freeze-thaw cycles can turn minor defects into significant leaks if left untreated.
November–December
Winterize and Review the Year
As temperatures drop, the goal is to winterize your roof and learn from the past year.
November: Winterization checklist
- Confirm drains, scuppers and overflows are clear and flowing.
- Remove any remaining debris, loose materials or trash.
- Check that access ladders, hatches and guardrails are secure and safe.
- Identify any areas where snow drifts are likely to form (near parapets, higher roof sections and large units).
- Review your winter leak response plan with your team.
If you anticipate heavy snow, talk with CRC in advance about when snow or ice removal might be needed. Industry safety guidance is clear — owners should not chip ice or use sharp tools on the membrane because of the high risk of damage.
December: Year-end review and budgeting
Take an hour to look at the entire year:
- How many leak events did you have, and how severe were they?
- Which repairs delivered the biggest improvement?
- Which roof sections are nearing the end of their useful life?
- What are your priorities for the coming year — stabilize, extend life or plan for major work?
Use this review to build a clear, documented plan with CRC for the next 12 months. That plan becomes your roadmap for protecting people, property and production — and for keeping your long-term spending under control.
How Commonwealth Roofing Corp. (CRC) Fits Into Your 12-Month Plan
You can do a lot with simple in-house routines. But the most effective roof care plans pair those checks with a professional partner who:
- Knows how to find root causes, not just patch symptoms.
- Understands your safety and operational requirements.
- Provides clear, photo-based documentation you can share with leadership, insurers and manufacturers.
Commonwealth Roofing Corp. (CRC) brings:
- KRCA crews focused on safety, ethics and ongoing training.
- Disciplined inspections that follow industry best practices and NRCA-style checklists.
- Right-sized solutions — from targeted repairs and maintenance to restoration, recovery, metal retrofit and full replacement when it is truly needed.
- Work planned around your operations so your team stays productive and safe.
- Regional strength serving Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio today, with a growing regional footprint.
The 12-Month Commercial Roof Care Plan is not about doing more for the sake of it. It is about doing the right small things at the right time — so you avoid big surprises overhead. If you would like help tailoring this plan to your facilities, CRC can walk your roofs, set baselines and build a simple schedule your team can follow, season after season.
Safety, Service, & Quality — every day since 1981.
Louisville: (502) 459-2216
Hebron: (859) 943-0012
Service: (888) 818-4842
