Green roofs don’t maintain themselves.
Hiring a professional is the only way to keep your green roof cost effective and at peak performance. Keeping on top of maintenance is a preventive measure. Your green roof should be inspected twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. This ensures that problems are caught before they become expensive to manage. Our crews are trained to look for signs of damage, such as cracked or broken tiles, evidence of water pooling or leaks, and damage to plants.
Good drainage keeps your costs down. Water can build up on any roof that doesn’t have adequate drainage. This can lead to leaks and mold. Ensuring the functionality and clearing blockages immediately keeps everything in working order and prolongs the roof lifespan.
Proper irrigation is essential. Water needs depend on multiple factors, including the type of green roof system, the plants, the climate and the amount of sunlight the roof receives daily. Regular watering is important but too much water can lead to problems like mold and fungus growth. Two problems that are easy to prevent but expensive to fix.
Weeds need to go, or they grow. They can quickly take over a green roof, killing off the varieties of plants. If unmaintained, unruly weeds and saplings can threaten your roof’s waterproofing membrane. We always use appropriate weeding methods as some chemicals can damage the plants, making things worse.
A dynamic, diagnostic maintenance plan ensures that these potential issues are prevented or quickly resolved. Handling things right the first time keeps time and money costs down.
You’ll see the difference maintenance makes.
Here are a few things to consider.
- Our crews will need access to enter premises, we work with property or site management to schedule visits during the times that work best for them.
- It takes approximately two years for newly installed green roofs to take root and reach a level of maturity. Upfront visits are key to preservation and generally take place monthly from May to November, or seven times annually.
- Access points such as stairwells and elevators will be required to safely transport supplies to the site.
- With new construction it’s important to factor in what stage the project is at, as trades may unintentionally do damage to the green installations.
- Addresses unwanted growth in the early stages so they don’t take over.
- Creates a safe and consistent habitat for biodiversity.
- Ensures that vegetative coverage is achieved, and the building receives all grants it is entitled to.
- Limits costly repairs due to maintenance neglect.
Do green roofs need maintenance?
Absolutely. Once the roots are established, they can be low maintenance, but there is no such thing as a maintenance free roof. Even conventional roofs require periodic check-ups to assess any damage that can lead to large repair costs down the road.
Ongoing maintenance guarantees that the plants are healthy, and the green roof is functioning according to manufacturer guidelines and warranties. Without regular maintenance we subject the roof to invasive species, overgrowth into vegetation free zones, erosion from wind exposure and nutrient deficiencies.
A maintenance program during the first few years after a roof is installed means upfront costs will result in lower maintenance down the road and a healthy green roof for decades.
Maintenance neglect during this period typically results in costly future vegetation replacement and other avoidable repairs.
What services does GINKGO offer for routine maintenance?
We are your one stop solution. Our services cover fertilization, dispersal of soil and mulch to combat erosion, weeding, irrigation, the clearing of root-free zones, and trimming as required. We will provide you with an automated report per visit to reflect the work done.
During routine visits, our team looks for any issues on the roof itself and is proactive with what needs to be done. Issues can run from pooling water, broken skylights or damaged siding. Our reports show our findings.
Every green roof is different. GINKGO does soil testing annually to assess and address nutrient levels with a fertilizer tailored to the roof. We specialize in large and small vegetation repairs to ensure full coverage and regenerative growth.
How often should my green roof receive maintenance?
We begin with a site assessment. This determines the health of the vegetation and roof system that was installed. The next step is a maintenance proposal outlining our recommendations based on the specific needs of the roof. Our packages can range from a bi-weekly maintenance visit to one every few months. Generally, we suggest a visit monthly from May to November. When a green roof is fully established site visits are typically four times a season.
How much should I budget for green roof maintenance?
The cost is always customized based on the roofs’ needs and is informed by multiple factors. There is rarely a “one size fits all” pricing as an estimate is based on design, site conditions, square meters covered, and the history of maintenance or the lack thereof.
As a starting point annual budget allocations range from $600 to $1,500 for small private residential projects, $2,000 to $6,000 for commercial green roofs and most multi-use residential buildings, and upwards of $15,000 to $30,000 for large and multiple green roofs on complexes like shopping malls and institutional buildings.
An upfront site assessment will best determine what needs to be done and how it can be achieved within your budget.
