Tips To Maintaining Green Roofs

Over recent years more and more property owners have come to recognize the benefits of green roofs and opted to install them. These kinds of roofs not only add to the beauty of the building, they also aid in providing insulation and reducing utility costs. The natural release of water from the plants helps to keep the interior and surroundings of the building cooler. The plants and soil also work well in noisy environments by absorbing the sounds and allowing for a more peaceful atmosphere within the building. These and many other benefits have made it lucrative to introduce these roofs to more urbane structures. It is however necessary to be careful in their maintenance if you are going to be able to continue deriving these benefits in the long term. 

 

• Choosing plants – when you have vegetation on the roof, you are essentially exposing these plants to harsh conditions. They are completely exposed to whatever climatic conditions that affect the area and in some cases are place at fairly high altitudes. It is important to pick plants that can better withstand such adverse conditions. Because of high winds and the direct exposure to sunlight, it is also advisable to pick plants that do not require much moisture to survive.  The plants should also have short roots that will not interfere with the roof’s waterproof application. 

• No additions – when you have found the optimal mix of plants to grow ion your ICB green roof, you need to ensure that no invasive species comes in. Regular checks will nip any unintended implantation. This kind of monitoring and control is vital because some species can be particularly bothersome and have deep roots that can damage the structure. It is advisable to ensure all the occupants of the building know not to introduce new plants to the roof without prior consent. 

• Gardening upkeep – it is important to ensure that the roof garden is well cared for, especially in the first few months when some vegetation will survive while the rest die away. It is vital to get rid of dead plants and collect fallen leaves. This kind of debris can interfere with draining. Your ICB roofing specialist should visit at least twice a year to audit the species of plants that are thriving in your roof garden, and also during periods of adverse weather conditions such as drought. This will not only help to ensure no aggressive species have taken root, but also determine a schedule for fertilization for the current crop to encourage flowering. Remember that the fertilizers used in green roofs are not exactly the same as those used in ground level gardens or farms. 

 

While the cost of maintenance of green roofs is relatively low, it is still a necessity. Much of the work will focus on settling the variety of plants that will grow on the roof, and encouraging their survival. Because the installation of green roofs already calls for strong building structures, waterproofing and root protection, it is advisable to ensure your choice of installer makes use of high quality ICB products to safeguard your investment.