​The Benefits of Roof Hatches When Conducting Hospital Roof Inspections

Unlike other establishments, hospitals and many healthcare facilities operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They do not practice routine breaks, and several continuous activities inside the building can eventually decrease the structure’s overall stability - including the roofing system.

Roofing repairs for hospitals may disrupt their daily operations, which can be catastrophic due to the nature of the facility. Both patients and the hospital staff need a quiet place to recover and perform their duties accurately, and the excess noise from unscheduled repairs may be disorienting and distracting.

Hospitals Pose Particular Challenges

Many architects often design hospitals with angled concrete below the roof’s metal deck, making it challenging to repair. The angle of this foundation allows water to drain quickly. However, concrete can also absorb water during the process. When the deck becomes too saturated, water leaks and the roof membrane is entirely damaged.

Patients also expect healthcare facilities to be clean and free of any allergens or mold. Therefore it‘s critical to identify these potential health concerns before they can lead to liabilities for the facility. Stay on top of your roofing system’s condition through regular inspections and never delay any recommended repairs.

Inspection and Maintenance

With the overwhelming demand of patient requirements and frequently overworked medical staff, a proactive roof inspection without an obvious sign of damage may seem unnecessary, but it’s not. Sometimes roof damages often go unnoticed since there are no visible indications. For instance, a simple roof leak could be quietly saturating into the hospital ceiling until mold starts building up to the structural foundation and starts rotting.

You can avoid this from happening with an efficient inspection program that allows roofers to identify minor damages before it turns into something more severe and hazardous. Roof preservation, identifying the problem, and minimizing large cost expenditures on repair and replacement are essential benefits of roof inspections. A thorough inspection routine must be part of every high-performance establishment, especially in the healthcare industry.

Here is a sample checklist to follow for roof inspection services:

• Cracks, punctures, blisters, or ridging of the roof membrane
• Excessive granule buildup on the roof’s surface or in the drains and gutters
• Cracks or gaps in caulking around roof penetrations, such as skylights, vents, HVAC units, and others.
• Loose, damaged or buckled flashing
• Debris on gutter channels and drains
• Water stains on ceilings
• Mold and rot
• Corrosion on structural components
• Elevated areas on the walls below the roof deck
• Tree branches and vegetation above the roof surface

Regular roof inspections and an effective maintenance program can help avoid unnecessary and unplanned expenditures. If you don’t have a reliable roofing contractor yet, you can always check for recommendations from friends, as well as search for the “best roofers near me” online. Experts recommend giving inspections importance and conducting assessments once or twice a year.

Repairs Are Cheaper Than Replacements

Generally, it would be best to replace commercial roofs 30 years and older. Roof replacement is an upscale process; therefore, it would not be ideal for businesses and healthcare facilities to replace their roofs now and then frequently.

The cost of roofing repairs is significantly lower than a replacement job, with the average cost of a new roof climbing up as materials and labor fees increase. While roofers have a standard price list, several factors can affect the actual cost of replacing your roofing system. Some of these include the size of the roof, existing roof condition, access to the ceiling (roofers would prefer if there are roof hatches with safety railings installed), and the warranty conditions.

Here is a sample pricing table for existing roofs:

• Clean and prepare: Costs $0.10 to $0.75 per square foot
• Fasten a recovery board on the existing top: $0.60 to $0.80 per sq. ft.
• Total removal of the existing roof: $1 -$2 per foot

The replacement doesn’t come cheap, which regular inspections prevent. You would still have to set a budget for some repairs, but as long as you understand the significance of investing in regular roof maintenance.

Takeaway

Hospital roof inspections play a crucial role in preserving a valuable capital asset. By applying the right solution, roofers can repair any damage and prolong your roofing system as well. Maintaining and keeping the hospitals’ roofing system is an integral part of successful operations, especially since it envelops a facility with critical interior spaces.

Accessible roof hatches are crucial during inspections to provide convenient access for roofers to the commercial roofing system. At Best Roof Hatches, we have built our outstanding reputation on providing high-quality products from the best brands without sacrificing our focus on safety and customer satisfaction. Visit our website at https://bestroofhatches.com/ or give us a ring at 1-800-431-8651 to learn more!