Commercial Roof Maintenance: What a Program Includes
The tasks, schedule, records and Ontario rules behind a roof maintenance program that keeps a flat roof dry and its warranty valid.
Call 1-833-775-7663 Oakville head office · Flat roof maintenance, inspections, repairs and replacements for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings across Ontario
Karol Rajkowski
Vice President, OYH Roofing
Published October 12, 2026 · 10 min read
Short answer
A commercial roof maintenance program is a planned routine: inspections every spring and fall and after storms, clear drains, checks of flashings and sealants, prompt minor repairs, controlled roof access and a written record. In Ontario it also keeps the roof within property standards by-laws and the warranty's maintenance terms.
What does a commercial roof maintenance program include?
A roof maintenance program has eight tasks: two inspections a year, extra checks after storms and rooftop work, drain and debris clearing, flashing and sealant checks, prompt minor repairs, snow and ice care, controlled access, and records. Canadian roofing associations and membrane makers describe the same list, and it is what preventive roof maintenance means in practice.
| Task | What it involves | Who recommends it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Spring and fall inspections | Membrane, seams, flashings, penetrations, drains and the ceiling below, checked by a trained roofing contractor | CRCA, RCABC, NRCA, Sika Canada, SOPREMA Canada, Elevate |
| 2. Checks after storms and rooftop work | After heavy rain, high wind or ice storms, and after rooftop equipment is installed or serviced | CRCA, Carlisle, Sika Canada |
| 3. Drains, scuppers and gutters | Leaves and dirt cleared; strainers and clamping rings checked; water gone within 48 hours | Sika Canada, IKO, SOPREMA Canada |
| 4. Debris and vegetation | Branches, leaves, glass and plant growth removed | Sika Canada, IKO, RCABC |
| 5. Flashings, sealants and pitch pans | Cap and base flashings, edge metal and penetrations checked; cracked sealant replaced; pitch pans kept filled | Sika Canada, IKO, Elevate |
| 6. Minor repairs | Blisters, open laps and punctures repaired promptly by an authorized contractor | Sika Canada, IKO |
| 7. Snow and ice care | Plastic shovels only, a thin layer of snow left on the membrane, drains kept open through freeze and thaw | SOPREMA Canada, Elevate, Sika Canada |
| 8. Access control and records | Walkway pads, a roof access log and a file of every report and repair | IKO, Elevate, RCABC |
The list follows where roofs fail. National Research Council Canada (NRC) surveyed about 600 public buildings and logged 14,204 visible roof defects. On built-up roofs, 3,679 of them were at the flashings, and embedded edge metal alone made up 40 per cent of those. Our commercial roof inspection guide explains what the inspector checks at each of those places.
What is a good roof maintenance schedule in Ontario?
Spring and fall visits are the core of a roof maintenance schedule, with extra checks after storms and after any trade has worked on the roof. IKO asks for checks at least every quarter on its TPO roofs, the strictest schedule we found.
| When | What gets done | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| Spring, after the snow melts | The spring roof inspection: damage from ice, ponding and snow clearing; drains and scuppers cleared | Shows what winter did before the spring rains |
| Summer | Repairs that need warm, dry weather; moisture surveys; coatings where they suit the roof | Adhesives, sealants and coatings work best in mild weather |
| Fall, before the snow | Full inspection; leaves cleared from drains; open details closed | The last good window before freeze and thaw |
| Winter | Drains and snow build-up watched from inside and from the ground; snow removed only when needed | Blocked drains and drifting snow add load |
| After a storm or rooftop work | A check for wind damage, debris and punctures near equipment | Damage is cheapest to fix when it is fresh |
Three of our guides cover the seasonal work in detail: how to prepare a flat roof for winter, flat roof snow load and safe snow removal, and when a commercial roof coating makes sense.
Does roof maintenance really extend the life of a commercial roof?
Canadian sources say it does, but we found no study that measures by how much. The figures often quoted online, 21 years with maintenance against 13 without, trace back to an estimate by a U.S. contractor network in the early 2000s, not to research.
The best Canadian figure is a worked example. In a 1996 NRC seminar paper, Kalinger of the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) compared a $100,000 built-up roof that lasts 15 years with no maintenance against the same roof maintained at 2.5 per cent of its installed cost a year and lasting 20 years. The maintained roof came out ahead: a life-cycle cost of $125,000 against $153,000. It is an illustration, not measured data.
CMHC makes the same point with more caution. Preventive maintenance can extend the useful life of building components, it says, but a capital plan will not be accurate if it assumes more maintenance than actually gets done. Commercial roof maintenance pays only when the visits really happen.
Need a roof maintenance program?
We will inspect the roof, clear the drains, photograph what we find and give you a written report with priorities.
Call 1-833-775-7663Request an assessmentWhat does a roof warranty require the owner to do?
Maintain the roof with reasonable care, report leaks quickly and in writing, and get written approval before anyone alters or repairs it. Missing any of the three can void the warranty or sink a claim.
| Warranty | Maintenance | Leak notice | Alterations and repairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sika Canada | Lack of scheduled inspections and maintenance can void the warranty | First business day after discovery, confirmed in writing within one week | Written authorization first; authorized contractor only |
| IKO (Canadian built-up roofing warranty) | Reasonable care in maintaining the membrane | Written notice within 30 days of discovery | Written permission in advance |
| SOPREMA Canada | Owner arranges inspections at least twice a year and pays for the repairs they find | In writing within 30 days of discovery | Pre-approved in writing by SOPREMA |
The CRCA's standard contractor warranty is just as firm: the owner must carry out the maintenance in the manual that comes with it, or the warranty is void. Some makers also reward roof maintenance. Carlisle's Continu-Care program, for example, extends its system warranty by five years when an authorized applicator inspects and maintains the roof every year; it is a U.S. program, so ask whether it applies to your roof. Our commercial roof warranty guide explains the main warranty types and what to keep on file.
What does Ontario law require of building owners?
No Ontario law we found sets how often a commercial roof must be inspected. The duties come from municipal property standards by-laws, workplace safety law and, for condominiums, the reserve fund rules.
| Rule | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto property standards | Every roof must be weather-tight and free from leaks, loose or unsafe objects, and dangerous accumulations of ice and snow | Municipal Code § 629-20 |
| Mississauga | Roofs weather-tight and free of loose objects and excessive ice and snow; eavestroughs and drainpipes in working order | By-law 0654-1998, ss. 10 and 37 |
| Brampton | Roofs kept in good repair and watertight; eavestroughs, coping and flashing in good repair | By-law 165-2022, ss. 19.1 and 20.1 |
| Oakville | Roofs structurally sound and weather tight, and kept clean of waste and debris | By-law 2023-074, ss. 12 and 13 |
| Penalties | Failing to comply with an order: up to $50,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a corporation on a first offence | Building Code Act, 1992, s. 36 |
| Worker safety | Fall protection where a worker could fall more than 3 metres; every skylight is treated as a fall hazard | O. Reg. 213/91, Reg. 851, Ministry of Labour |
| Snow and ice (Toronto) | Dangerous snow or ice on a building near a street must be removed immediately | Municipal Code § 719-4 |
| Condominiums | A reserve fund study within every three years, reviewing warranties and repair and maintenance records | Condominium Act, 1998; O. Reg. 48/01 |
Anyone sent onto the roof is a worker under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, so building staff should not go up to look. The Occupiers' Liability Act expects an owner who hires a contractor to take reasonable steps to choose a competent one, and a WSIB clearance, valid for up to 90 days, shows the contractor's account is in good standing. Our guide on how to choose a commercial roofing contractor lists the checks.
Insurance is the other reason to keep records. The Insurance Bureau of Canada says plainly that wear and tear cannot be insured, so a claim often turns on whether the damage was sudden or the result of neglect. Our roof leak insurance guide explains how insurers draw that line.
How should rooftop traffic and other trades be handled?
Control who goes up, where they walk and what they leave behind. Elevate notes that most roofing warranties exclude damage from roof traffic, so damage from trades is usually the owner's bill, and it is one of the easiest problems to prevent.
- Walkway pads. IKO asks for pads at every roof access point and around serviceable units, and for trades to stay on them.
- An access log. Elevate's log records the name, company, date, time on and off the roof and the reason for the visit.
- A check after every service call. CRCA and Carlisle both ask for an inspection after rooftop equipment is installed or maintained.
- No new holes without the roofer. New curbs, pipes and cables are flashed by a qualified roofer, and the membrane maker is told first when a warranty is in force.
- Locked access. Toronto's property standards require roof access doors and hatches used for maintenance to be kept locked.
What records and budget does a roof maintenance program need?
A roof file and a budget in two parts. The file holds the warranty, the drawings and every inspection and repair report; the budget separates yearly maintenance from the capital plan for replacement.
- The roof file. The RCABC calls it the roof's historical file: as-built drawings and specifications, a roof plan showing penetrations and equipment, the warranties, each inspection report with photos, repair reports and a record of changes.
- The operating budget. CMHC's planning manual puts routine maintenance in the yearly operating budget.
- The capital plan. CMHC advises updating the replacement plan at least every three years, using the roof's condition and remaining life. Inspection reports are the evidence for both.
- Condominiums. Ontario requires a reserve fund study within every three years, and the person preparing it must review the warranties and the repair and maintenance records.
We do not publish program prices, because roof size, height, access and the number of rooftop units change the work. Our commercial flat roof lifespan guide explains how long each system lasts and how to plan for the end of that life.
What can roof maintenance not fix?
It cannot dry out wet insulation or revive a membrane at the end of its life. Roof maintenance slows aging and catches defects early; it does not replace a recover or a new roof when the old one is worn out.
An NRC paper on reroofing warns against large repair bills that buy only short-term relief, and advises reroofing when the membrane has reached the end of its life. When an inspection points that way, these guides cover the next step: membrane roof repair, ponding water on a flat roof and warehouse roof replacement.
What does OYH Roofing's roof maintenance program cover?
Spring and fall inspections, drain clearing, flashing and seam checks, and photo records of the roof from year to year. OYH Roofing maintains commercial, industrial and institutional flat roofs across Ontario, and each visit ends with a written report that lists what we found and what should be done first.
You can see the roofs we install on the completed projects page, including the 53,000 sq ft industrial roof in Mississauga and the City of Mississauga building at 3185 Mavis Rd.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in roof maintenance?
On a commercial flat roof: inspections in spring and fall and after storms, clearing drains, scuppers and debris, checking flashings, sealants and penetrations, making minor repairs promptly, careful snow and ice removal, and keeping a written record with photos. Work on the membrane itself is done by a roofing contractor the manufacturer authorizes, so the warranty stays valid.
How often should your roof be maintained?
At least twice a year, in spring and fall, plus after severe weather and after any trade has worked on the roof. That is the schedule recommended by the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, the RCABC and most membrane makers. IKO asks for at least quarterly checks on its TPO roofs. Drains may need clearing more often on buildings near trees.
What is a good maintenance schedule for commercial buildings?
For the roof, plan a spring inspection after the snow melts, repairs and moisture surveys in summer, a fall inspection with drain clearing before the snow, and watchful checks of drains and snow build-up through winter. Add a check after every storm and every rooftop service call. Other building systems follow the schedules their makers set.
What are examples of preventative maintenance?
On a flat roof, preventative roof maintenance includes clearing leaves from drains before they block, resealing a cracked pipe flashing, refilling a pitch pan, patching a small puncture near a rooftop unit, adding walkway pads where trades walk, and removing a sapling before its roots reach the membrane. Each one costs little and prevents a leak or a larger repair.
What is the typical lifespan of a commercial roof?
About 20 to 30 years for most commercial flat roofs in Ontario, depending on the system and its upkeep. A CMHC survey of multi-unit buildings put conventional modified bitumen roofs at 17 to 27 years, with a median of 22. Regular commercial roof maintenance and timely repairs keep a roof toward the top of its range.
What are the recommended maintenance checklists for commercial buildings?
For the roof, use the checklist in your membrane maker's owner's manual. Sika Canada, SOPREMA Canada, IKO, Elevate and Carlisle all publish a maintenance guide or checklist, and they cover the same ground: drains, debris, flashings, sealants, penetrations, rooftop units, the membrane surface and the ceiling below. Keep each completed checklist, with dated photos, in the roof file.
Put your roof on a schedule
Call to set up spring and fall visits, with a written report and photos after each one.
Call 1-833-775-7663Request an assessment
Karol Rajkowski
Vice President · OYH Roofing
Karol Rajkowski is Vice President of OYH Roofing, an Oakville-based ICI flat-roofing contractor whose projects include the City of Mississauga building at 3185 Mavis Rd and the Marriott Hotel in Vaughan. Learn more about the OYH team.
Sources
- Roofing Preventative Maintenance, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association advisory, June 2014, and Roof Maintenance, CRCA Technical Bulletin, March 1970.
- Roof Maintenance, RCABC Roofing Practices Manual.
- National Research Council Canada: Inspection and Maintenance of Flat Roofs, Canadian Building Digest 179, 1976; Kalinger, Building Better Roofs seminar paper, 1996; Kyle and Vanier, BELCAM roofing survey, 2001; and Reroofing considerations, Smith, 2005.
- Who's got your roof covered?, FacilitiesNet, 2002 (the earliest source we found for the "21 years against 13" estimate).
- Capital Replacement Planning Manual, CMHC, 2003.
- Technical Bulletin 005: Roof Maintenance Guide, Sika Canada, 2020.
- Preventive Maintenance Guide and General Conditions for Roofing Warranties, SOPREMA Canada.
- Innovi TPO Building Owner's Guide and BUR limited labour and material warranty sample, IKO.
- Roof inspection brochure, Elevate Canada, 2024.
- Owner's Manual (2025) and Continu-Care program brochure, Carlisle.
- Property standards by-laws: Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 629; Mississauga By-law 0654-1998; Brampton By-law 165-2022; Oakville By-law 2023-074; and Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 719.
- Ontario e-Laws: Building Code Act, 1992, sections 15.1 and 36; O. Reg. 213/91: Construction Projects; R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851: Industrial Establishments; Occupiers' Liability Act; Condominium Act, 1998 and O. Reg. 48/01.
- Construction projects on flat roofs and Workers falling through skylights, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- How to Buy Business Insurance, Insurance Bureau of Canada, and Clearances, WSIB.
- OYH Roofing project records: Mississauga industrial recover; City of Mississauga, 3185 Mavis Rd (October 2026).
OYH Roofing, 2120 Speers Rd, Oakville, ON L6L 2X8 · 1-833-775-7663 · info@oyhroofing.ca