Roof Cleaning
In most commercial and industrial property leases, there is usually a specific clause for the tenant to clean and maintain the roof on a regular basis and at the end of the lease.
Many tenants fail to carry our the cleaning and maintenance and consequently, the dilapidations claim will include for bringing the roof into an acceptable repair, or in some cases, to completely replace the roof.
Cleaning older roofs, especially if they are asbestos cement or metal profile, can be expensive if they are particularly dirty, but once they are cleaned, it is not that expensive to keep them in reasonable condition.
However, not all roofs are suitable for cleaning. For example, asbestos cement roofs often deteriorate with age and become weakened when certain types of cleaning is attempted. Similarly, metal profile roofs can be damaged by certain types of roof cleaning, particulary power washing older metal roofs.
Asbestos Roof Cleaning
Asbestos cement roofs in the UK are all now more than 40 years old and will often be covered in moss and lichen. Though the life expectancy of an asbestos roof is only 40-50 years, many have lasted far longer with proper maintenance.
The problem with cleaning an asbestos roof is that it involves specialist cleaning equipment and skilled personnel – and sadly, there are very few companies willing or able to conduct this kind of work. The insurance requirements and costs prevent many smaller companies and individuals from entering this market at all.
The HSE recommends using specialist pressure washers with sophisticated filtration to ensure that contaminated waste water recovered from the roof, does not find its way back into the water course.
This kind of equipment is rare and expensive, meaning that roof cleaning is costly – usually in the region of £15-£20 per square metre for a professional company, but even these costs can escalate depending on the height, access and complexity fo the roof.
Once cleaned, the roof should be coated with a proprietary sealer or coating to ensure that the asbestos roof panels remain watertight and to help prevent a further build up of moss and lichen, which can grow back rapidly on a cleaned but untreated roof.
A regular maintenance plan that is implemented thereafter should prevent further deterioration and result in a roof that last way beyond its predicted lifespan.
Warning: No asbestos cement roof should be cleaned without first being surveyed to determine suitability because some roofs are so badly deteriorated that cleaning them could cause more damage, destroy the roof completely or, in severe cases, cause considerable asbestos contamination of the building.
Metal Roof Cleaning
Metal roofs on larger industrial and commercial units present similar problems to asbestos cement roofs because they have a limited lifespan – usually around 25 years depending on orientation and location.
Again, many tenants ignore the maintenance clauses in their leases and fail to clean moss and algae off their roofs and also leave metal gutters to fill with debris.
This results in cut-edge corrosion, pin-holing and blocked gutters and rainwater pipes.
Metal roofs can be cleaned with the same equipment as an asbestos cement roof and the waste water can be filtered to prevent any contaminants reaching the water course. In fact, the better roof cleaning companies recycle the waste water and reuse it for cleaning, making it extremel,y environmentally friendly.
Again, care needs to be taken when cleaning a metal roof because in some cases, cleaning might cause more problems than it solves and the roof might need coating with a suitable sealant.
A survey is therefore recommended prior to commencing any roof cleaning project, particularly on larger buildings, to reduce the probability of further problems being created.
Cost of a Roof Survey
A roof survey costs from of £750 depending on size and location, but can save you a great deal of money, as it will provide you with a budget-costed menu of options based on your own circumstances.
To arrange a roof survey, please call David Carter on 0121 711 7110 between 8:30am and 5:30pm Monday to Friday.