Church Roof Leak

Are the walls of your church becoming discolored? Do you have leaks that constantly need to be monitored when it rains? If so, it may be time to consider a roof repair or replacement.

Getting a new roof (or repairing an existing one) can be costly and time-consuming, not to mention the fact that it may disrupt services to your congregation! However, the process doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as it seems. 

Read on to learn more about church roof repair and maintenance so that you can keep your congregation safe and avoid stretching your budget too far with a commercial roofing contractor

Knowing the Roof Replacement Warning Signs

It’s important to know the warning signs when it’s time to have your roof completely replaced. If you continue putting off roof replacement, you may notice a slow rise in your utility bills. 

Storm damage or water damage can start causing rot and mold, which can in turn harm the structure of your building. Not only that, but it can irritate people with allergies, as well. (Not to mention the increased chance of roofing system collapse in certain sections from water buildup). 

1. Be Mindful of the Church’s Roof Age

You’ll first need to keep track of how old your church roof is. The majority of experts agree that the average lifespan of a roof is between 20 to 25 years. If you know your roof was installed more than 20 years ago, it may be time to start considering the need for replacement.

2. Keep an Eye on the Church’s Roof Wear

If the original church roof installation occurred less than 20 years ago, it’s recommended to conduct a roof inspection at least once a year to determine the state of the roofing material on the building. 

If you see any missing shingles, or ones that are curled or buckling, it’s an indication that your roof is beginning to fail. For flat roofing systems, the same preventative maintenance roofing inspections should be completed regularly.

3. Shingle Granules Falling Off

When you’re having the gutters cleaned, ask your service provider if they noticed shingle granules in the gutters. As a roof nears the end of its life, it will shed more granules than before. 

4. Moisture on the Roof Deck

If there’s a bounce to the roof while a roofer (or anyone) is walking on it, it’s a good indication that there’s moisture present and the decking is weakened. If your church has an attic, make sure to check inside and look for wet spots on the interior of the roofing system.

5. Discoloration on Church Ceiling or Walls

You’ll also want to pay attention to the interior of your church. If you see streaks or discolored portions of walls, it may be an indication that your gutters are clogged or your roof is leaking. Clogged gutters lead to a buildup of water, and water leads to rot and mold.

Church Roofing Repair: Cooperative Purchasing

If you’ve determined that your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, the upfront costs may seem overwhelming. And while you want to keep your congregation safe and healthy, you also don’t want to stretch your budget too far.

That’s why you should consider cooperative purchasing in order to receive the repairs you need at a competitive price!

What is Cooperative Purchasing? 

If your organization is a local government entity or nonprofit, then you can enjoy the perks that coincide with cooperative purchasing. Cooperative purchasing helps you save money and time, but it also enables you to find qualified and experienced vendors quickly—which is important if your roof is in immediate need of repair. 

Buying cooperatives are basically a third-party agency that contracts with local businesses and vendors. The agency vets these businesses to ensure that they’re experienced and qualified and does market research in advance, cutting down on the research churches need to do when they’re looking for a vendor. 

Some cooperatives are free to join if you meet their qualifications, while others will require organizations to pay a small fee. In exchange for the fee, you can enjoy a number of benefits. 

Cooperative Purchasing Benefits

The major benefit that comes from cooperative purchasing is the reduction in administrative tasks. You won’t need to conduct market research, look for local vendors, or study their licenses and reviews—the cooperative does all that for you. 

Besides gaining valuable time, there are several other benefits that churches enjoy from joining cooperative purchasing organizations: 

1. No Request for Proposals (RFPs)

Requests for proposals on roofing projects are time-consuming (and also confusing) to write, especially if you’ve never created one before. RFPs are what organizations often send out to vendors in order to receive accurate quotes. They typically include: 

  • Organization history
  • Project description
  • Specific requirements
  • Budget
  • Project deadline
  • Proposal submission guidelines

You won’t have to write or submit RFPs if you use cooperative purchasing.

2. More Commercial Roofing Options

It takes time to look for qualified roofing contractors on your own. You’ll need to make sure that they have experience in the industry, are licensed and insured, and have a number of positive reviews. When you’re done with your search, if you’re lucky, you may have a handful of vendors to reach out to for roofing services

On the other hand, a cooperative purchasing organization enables you to have access to a wider pool of vendors that have already been vetted. You can be assured that all of them provide high-quality work for your commercial roofing needs.  

3. Savings on Roof Repair

Last but not least, cooperative purchasing means you’ll be saving money. This is because vendors associated with cooperative purchasing organizations are able to give volume discount pricing, because the cooperative enables them to reach a wider number of buyers.

Church Roof Repair for Less

Church roof replacement or repair service doesn’t have to be an overwhelming, time-consuming and costly process. By knowing the warning signs, you’ll be able to address issues before they become dangerous (and even more costly). 

Moreover, cooperative purchasing enables nonprofit organizations to save both time and money through volume discounts and the vetting of qualified, experienced church roofing contractors

Work with a commercial roofing company that has years of experience (decades, in fact) for your roof repair. Contact us today for a free consultation!