Roofing Blog

Let’s be honest: running a business in Salt Lake City means dealing with some pretty wild weather. We get everything from those brutal winter storms that dump feet of snow to summer heat that could practically fry an egg on your roof. And if you’re like most business owners we know, your roof is probably the last thing on your mind… until the day you walk into your office and find water dripping from the ceiling.

Here’s the thing we’ve learned after years of working with Utah businesses: most roof emergencies aren’t actually emergencies at all. They’re just small problems that got ignored for too long. The good news? A little proactive care can literally double your roof’s lifespan. We’re talking about the difference between a roof that protects your business for 30 years versus one that starts giving you headaches after just 15.

The Bottom Line: Regular commercial roof maintenance in Salt Lake City significantly reduces annual roofing costs compared to reactive approaches. Skipping maintenance consistently leads to higher repair costs and premature replacement needs.

Key Maintenance Schedule: Professional inspections twice yearly (spring and fall), monthly owner walk-arounds, and immediate post-storm assessments. Utah’s extreme weather makes this frequency essential.

Utah-Specific Challenges: Temperature swings from -22°F to 107°F (a 129-degree range), significant snow loads, and intense UV at high elevation stress commercial roofing materials more than moderate climates.

Cost Reality: A typical commercial building benefits significantly from proactive maintenance to avoid expensive emergency repairs and extend roof life substantially, providing long-term cost advantages over reactive approaches.

You know how crazy our weather gets here — one day it’s -22°F and your heating bill is through the roof, the next day it’s blazing hot at 107°F and you’re cranking the AC. That’s a 129-degree swing that makes your roof expand and contract like crazy. Add in the fact that we sometimes get 25 pounds of snow per square foot on our roofs, plus that intense mountain sun beating down at over 4,000 feet elevation, and you’ve got a recipe for roof stress.

Industry research shows a clear pattern that we see confirmed every day: well-maintained commercial roofs cost significantly less to operate than neglected ones. The National Roofing Contractors Association confirms that regular maintenance can extend roof life by up to 30%, while reactive maintenance approaches consistently cost more due to emergency repairs and premature replacement needs.

Here’s a real example: Last winter, we worked with a warehouse owner in Murray who was facing a steep emergency roof replacement. Instead, we caught the problem early with a comprehensive maintenance program. Those small cracks we found during the fall inspection? If we’d waited until spring, they would have turned into major leaks that could have shut down his operation.

Taking care of your commercial roof doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With Utah’s challenging weather, a few smart habits can mean the difference between a roof that serves you well for decades and one that becomes a constant headache. Here’s your practical game plan:

Professional inspections are your best defense against Utah’s weather extremes, but there’s plenty you can do between visits to keep tabs on your roof’s health.

Spring Cleaning (After We Finally Dig Out from Winter): Look, we all know Utah winters can be rough. Once things warm up, it’s time to see what damage Old Man Winter left behind:

Check for ice damage around the edges — it’s sneaky but common

Look for little cracks from all that freezing and thawing we get

Make sure your drains aren’t packed with leaves and winter crud

See if all that snow weight left any surprises

Fall Prep (Getting Ready for Round Two): Before the snow starts flying again, here’s what needs attention:

Check all the caulking around your vents and HVAC units

Make sure your insulation is still doing its job

Know your roof’s snow limits (most can handle about 25 pounds per square foot)

Have a plan for winter emergencies

You don’t need to be a roofing expert to spot potential problems early. A quick monthly walk-around can catch issues before they become expensive emergencies.

Look Up When You’re Inside: Just take a quick walk around your building once a month and glance at the ceilings. You’re looking for any new water stains (the classic red flag), rooms feeling more humid than usual, energy bills creeping up for no reason, or weird musty smells you haven’t noticed before. These interior signs often appear before exterior damage becomes obvious.

Walk Around Outside (Stay on the Ground!): You don’t need to climb anything, just look up from the parking lot. Water sitting on the roof two days after rain is not good, as it indicates drainage problems. Look for any loose-looking materials flapping in the breeze, plants growing where they definitely shouldn’t be, or HVAC equipment that looks like it’s shaking itself loose from vibration.

Utah weather can change from beautiful to brutal in minutes. When storms hit, quick action can save you thousands in damage that develops over time.

Got Hit by Hail?: Grab your phone and take photos within 48 hours. Utah hailstorms can be brutal, and damage doesn’t always show up as leaks right away. But your insurance company needs that documentation ASAP.

Wind Wreaked Havoc?: Look for anything that got lifted, moved, or damaged. We wrote about this in our summer roof problems guide — wind damage just gets worse if you ignore it.

Buried Under Snow?: Most commercial roofs around here can handle about 25 pounds per square foot. But wet, heavy snow? That adds up scary-fast. When in doubt, get professionals to remove it.

Utah’s four distinct seasons each bring their own challenges for commercial roofs. Having a seasonal plan helps you stay ahead of problems instead of always playing catch-up.

Know your roof’s snow limits and have a removal plan ready

Make sure your building is properly insulated to prevent ice dams

Set up safe ways to check your roof in winter (hint: binoculars work great)

Look for cracks from all that expanding and contracting

Clear out drains and gutters — spring runoff can be intense

Fix winter damage before summer heat makes materials harder to work with

Check that your roof coatings are still reflecting heat properly

Watch for thermal movement at expansion joints

Get ready for those surprise thunderstorms that dump inches in minutes

Clear all the leaves and debris from drains

Touch up any sealants while the weather’s still good

Do your final inspection and stock emergency supplies

Walking around and spotting obvious problems

Taking pictures for your records

Clearing light debris from areas you can safely reach

Keeping a simple log of issues you notice

Getting on the roof (seriously, we see too many accidents)

Any repairs involving heat, chemicals, or specialized tools

Structural stuff — we have the training and equipment

Warranty work that needs to meet manufacturer specs

Time to Speed-Dial MAD Roofing: Multiple small problems popping up? Same spot giving you trouble over and over? Anything that makes you go “hmm, that doesn’t look right”? Give us a shout. Trust us, it’s way cheaper to fix little things before they turn into big, expensive disasters.

Here’s the Deal with Maintenance: A solid maintenance program requires regular investment, but the financial benefits become clear when you compare proactive care to reactive repairs. Industry research consistently shows that well-maintained commercial roofs cost significantly less to operate over their lifetime compared to roofs that only receive attention when problems become unavoidable. When you factor in that emergency repairs often cost substantially more due to rushed timelines and weather complications, plus the reality that neglected roofs typically need replacement years earlier than properly maintained ones, the investment in regular maintenance delivers clear long-term cost advantages for any commercial building.

The Math That Actually Makes Sense: Here’s how we break it down: invest in regular professional maintenance, and you’ll substantially extend your roof’s service life while avoiding expensive emergency repairs. Industry research shows this approach consistently delivers significant cost savings compared to reactive maintenance strategies.

Programs That Work for Real Businesses: We don’t do one-size-fits-all maintenance plans. A simple office building needs different care than a big industrial facility with equipment all over the roof. The key is regular attention from people who actually know what to look for — and what those little signs mean before they become big problems.

Your roof is literally protecting everything you’ve worked to build. A little regular TLC keeps it doing that job reliably for decades. Ignore it, and you’re basically playing Russian roulette with your business.

We’ve been taking care of Utah businesses for years, and we’ve seen what works and what definitely doesn’t. Our maintenance programs are built specifically for the crazy weather challenges our beautiful mountains throw at commercial buildings. Learn more about our metal roofing services for commercial applications.

Ready to stop lying awake at night worrying about your roof? Book your free inspection and we’ll give you the straight scoop on what you’re working with. No pressure, no sales pitch — just honest talk about how to protect what you’ve built.

We’ll even throw in our Commercial Roof Maintenance Checklist so you know exactly what to keep an eye on between our visits. Because honestly, the best roof problems are the ones that never happen at all.

We recommend twice a year from a professional (spring and fall), plus you doing a quick walk-around monthly. Utah weather is just tough enough that you really need this frequency to catch problems before they catch you.

Look, we could make way more money fixing emergencies and disasters, but that’s not the kind of business we want to run. Industry research consistently shows maintained roofs cost significantly less annually than ignored ones. We’d rather have customers who trust us for the long haul than stressed-out people calling us in a panic.

Absolutely it can. The Department of Energy research shows that proper maintenance and cool roofing systems can double or triple roof lifespan compared to conventional approaches. In climates like ours with extreme temperature swings, maintenance becomes even more critical.

Three main troublemakers: damage from our extreme temperature swings (we’re talking 129-degree differences between record highs and lows!), ice problems around buildings that aren’t insulated right, and UV damage on roofs without proper protection. The good news? All of these are totally preventable with regular care.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and should not replace professional roofing assessment. Every commercial roof is unique, and maintenance needs vary based on roof type, age, and local conditions. For specific recommendations regarding your commercial roof, please consult with MAD Roofing’s licensed professionals who can evaluate your individual situation and provide appropriate guidance.

About the author: MAD Roofing has been protecting Utah businesses with honest, no-nonsense service since we started. We’re licensed, insured, and totally committed to helping you get every possible year out of your roofing investment — without any of the typical contractor headaches.