Key Takeaways:
Spring is the ideal time for school facilities managers to schedule a roof assessment, with March or April providing the best window to identify winter damage and plan for summer repairs. Summer is the optimal time to perform major roof repairs and replacements at schools because students are on break, weather conditions are favorable and work can be coordinated with other large maintenance projects. Because summer is peak season for commercial roofing, facilities managers should secure a roofing contractor early to ensure availability during the preferred window. Roof replacements require more lead time than repairs and should begin as close to the end of the school year as possible to avoid project delays that extend into the academic year. Emergency repairs should never be deferred to summer — warning signs such as ceiling leaks, water stains, sagging roof areas, ponding water, musty odors and visible membrane damage require prompt professional assessment. Proper planning for school roof repairs should include regular biannual assessments, coordination with school administrators, multiple contractor bids, budget allocation and a detailed project timeline developed in partnership with the roofing contractor.
Your school’s roof plays a critical role in protecting the building and providing a safe learning environment for students. While roof damage should always be addressed in a timely manner, the rhythms of a school year create ideal windows for scheduling any repairs that aren’t considered an emergency. In most instances, summer is the best time to schedule roof repairs or full roof replacements at your school. But in order to ensure everything is completed before school resumes in fall, the planning for these repairs must begin earlier in the year.
Schedule a Roof Assessment in Spring to Plan for Summer Repairs
Most important school roofing decisions occur during the spring. March or April is the ideal time of year to schedule a roof assessment. Harsh winter weather conditions, which often include heavy snow accumulations, high winds, debris buildup and months of temperature fluctuations, can wreak havoc on your school’s roof:
- Flashing, seams and fasteners can become loose due to repeated expansion and contraction during temperature swings throughout winter
- Roofing membranes can become damaged by high winds
- Dirt, leaves and other debris can collect in drains
- Large snow accumulations that remain on the roof for extended periods of time can accelerate roof deterioration and weaken the roof’s structure
While these issues may not result in an immediate leak, they can expose your roof to additional damage if left unaddressed for too long. Scheduling a roof assessment in the spring allows you to identify any winter-related damage in time to arrange for repair projects to begin in early summer once school is out of session. Your school’s spring break is the ideal time to schedule your roof assessment, since the building will be temporarily closed and learning won’t be disrupted.
Benefits of Planning School Roofing Projects During the Summer
There are several reasons why summer is the ideal time to perform major roof repairs and schedule full roof replacements:
- Minimizes Disruption to Academic Activities – Students and teachers are on break for most of the summer, providing roofing contractors with an extended window to perform all work without interfering with classroom activities.
- Favorable Weather Conditions – Summer provides optimal weather conditions to complete roof repairs. Warm temperatures and long days will make it easier for work to be completed quickly and efficiently. You’ll also be much less likely to experience weather-related delays than in winter or spring, when rain and snow can prolong the timeline of your roofing project.
- Ability to Coordinate with Other Maintenance Projects – Many other large maintenance projects, such as repainting classrooms, renovating sections of the building or replacing HVAC equipment, are scheduled for summer break. Planning roof repairs for the summer allows you to perform all your large projects at the same time to further minimize disruptions to teachers and students.
- Easier Access to the Building – While some teachers and administrators may still be in the building during summer break, your school will typically be less occupied than during the academic year. This makes it easier for your roofing company to access the building and surrounding areas, allowing for a more streamlined repair process and more straightforward safety protocols.
Important Considerations to Navigate When Planning Summer Roof Repairs
While summer provides the ideal time to address major roof projects at your school, there are certain considerations you’ll need to keep in mind as you plan these projects. Timing will be critical if you need a full roof replacement. While most roof repairs can be completed within a shorter timeline, roof replacements are longer projects that should begin as close to the end of the school year as possible. Delaying the start of a roof replacement can increase the risk of the project extending into the new school year, potentially causing disruptions to academic activities.
In addition, summer is peak season for commercial roofing projects, and most contractors will book up early. In order to ensure you’re able to secure the services of your preferred roofing company during the ideal window for your projects, you’ll need to plan ahead and get on the roofing company’s schedule before their availability becomes limited. This will allow you to plan roof repairs around any summer programs scheduled at the school to minimize disruptions to these activities and ensure safe conditions for any students in the building during the summer months.
Emergency Roof Repairs Shouldn’t Wait Until Summer
While most non-urgent roof repairs can be delayed until summer, you should always perform emergency roof repairs as quickly as possible. While this might result in academic disruptions, prompt repairs for urgent issues will prevent the development of more major damage that can compromise your building’s roofing system or structural integrity.
The following warning signs may indicate that you may have a roofing issue requiring urgent repairs:
- Water leaks in the ceilings of classrooms on the top floor when it’s raining
- Water stains on ceilings or walls
- Sagging, drooping or uneven roof areas
- Musty or moldy smells in the building
- Blistering on the roofing membrane
- Visible damage to areas of your roof
- Ponding water on your roof
If you notice any of these signs, schedule a professional roof assessment right away to determine the extent of the damage and whether emergency repairs are required.
How to Plan for Your School Roof Repairs
Proper planning is essential to ensure your school roof repairs are completed smoothly, on time and within your budget. The following steps will help you get the planning process right:
- Schedule Regular Roof Assessments – Conducting two roof assessments a year will help you stay on top of any issues that develop and allow you to plan for repairs well in advance. In addition to your spring roof assessment, you should schedule an inspection in the fall to identify any damage that occurred during summer hail season.
- Coordinate with School Administrators – Once you have a clear picture of the repairs that will be required during the upcoming summer break, discuss your plan with your school administrators so that they have time to make any adjustments to the summer schedule that may be necessary to accommodate all roofing work.
- Get Several Bids from Roofing Contractors – Get two or three bids from different roofing contractors. Make sure to carefully vet each contractor to ensure they have extensive experience performing repairs on educational facilities and provide the comprehensive roofing services you need.
- Budget for All Repairs – Once you understand the costs associated with the roofing repairs that will be required, work with your school district to ensure all necessary funds are allotted prior to the start of the project.
- Develop a Detailed Project Timeline – Work with your commercial roofing company to develop a detailed project timeline that outlines all key milestones, deadlines and responsibilities. This will help you assess progress and make sure the project remains on schedule.
HRS Commercial Roofing Can Help
At HRS Commercial Roofing, we provide comprehensive roofing services for schools, and our team can help you navigate every aspect of the process to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible. We understand the unique roofing challenges faced by schools, and we’ll work directly with your facilities team to ensure your needs are met every step of the way. Whenever possible, we’ll coordinate the time of your repairs to ensure they don’t overlap with your academic calendar. In the event that emergency roof repairs are required during the school year, we’ll work hard to minimize the noise and limit disruptions to your classroom activities.
HRS is a subsidiary of Haselden Construction, a family-owned Colorado business with over 50 years of experience performing commercial roofing services. Our affiliation with Haselden ensures all work adheres to their lofty quality standards, giving you peace of mind that all work will be completed correctly. In addition, our ability to keep all work in-house creates a more streamlined process and allows for competitive pricing.
As your dedicated commercial roofing partner, our team will be here to assist with all roofing services you need, including regular inspections to identify damage in its early stages, ongoing roof maintenance services to maximize your roof’s lifespan, comprehensive repair services to address any issue that develops, and roof replacement services if your roof has reached the end of its life. This long-term relationship will allow us to better understand your school’s needs so that you can plan for any roofing projects well in advance.
Contact us today to schedule a roof assessment. HRS Commercial Roofing serves schools and educational facilities in Denver and throughout the Rocky Mountain region.
