Maintaining a green roof: do it yourself or outsource to a specialist?
A green roof needs maintenance – but should you do it yourself or outsource it? This is a question many green roof owners ask themselves. The good news is: maintaining a green roof is usually not a full-time job, and with a little skill, you can go a long way yourself. Weeding, spreading manure every now and then and keeping the drains clean are things that you, as a homeowner, can often do quite well yourself.
Tips if you maintain your green roof yourself
Ensure safety
Use a stable ladder or stairs to get on the roof and on higher roofs always use fall protection (for example, a harness attached to a sturdy point). Preferably do not go on the roof by yourself; preferably have someone on standby below. Safety first!
Use the right tools
A few basic things are handy: gloves, a bucket or trash bag for weeds and debris, a hand shovel for weeding, and possibly pruning shears for trimming excess plant growth. A soft broom or leaf blower on gentle setting can help collect leaves without damaging the sedum plants.
Follow a schedule
Make a note in your calendar or phone calendar to inspect your green roof in the spring and fall. It’s easy to forget, so a reminder helps. In between, you can take an extra look after a storm or in the fall, especially to remove leaves. Consistency is key with maintenance.
Get to know your green roof
Know what plant species are on your roof (usually sedums, sometimes herbs or grasses). Knowing a little about what a healthy sedum looks like will also help you recognize more quickly when something isn’t going right. Also learn how your green roof is constructed, where the drains are and how the layers are constructed. That knowledge will help you work with confidence and not accidentally do things wrong.
Be careful with the roofing
Do not walk unnecessarily in areas where there is no pressure distribution (rather walk on the tiles or support slabs if there are any, or on the gravel edge). Use your tools carefully so you don’t damage the waterproof layer underneath. Sticking a shovel deep into the substrate, for example, is not necessary when weeding – pull out weeds mainly by hand or with superficial movements.
In short, outsourcing means complete unburdening. You invest money in a maintenance contract, but in return you get reliability and convenience. Many customers who initially hesitated to pay for annual maintenance now find that their roof looks much better and that they are happy with their choice. Interested in outsourcing maintenance? Check out our maintenance contracts or contact us directly for personal advice.
The benefits of professional maintenance
Doing it yourself is satisfying, but engaging professional maintenance has distinct advantages that you should weigh in on:
A professional has years of experience with dozens if not hundreds of roofs. Where you might doubt whether something is weed or sedum, the expert knows immediately. They also recognize incipient problems (such as moss formation or insect damage) immediately.
You don’t have to go up on the roof yourself, so no chance of falling or hurting yourself. A specialist has all the safety measures in place. That’s one less thing to worry about, especially if you’re not used to working at heights.
Perhaps the biggest advantage: you save time and effort. You don’t have to spend your Saturday afternoon on the roof if you’d rather not. Everything is done for you while you can do something else. Ideal for people with busy schedules (or who just want their weekend rest).
Professional maintenance ensures that your green roof is always looking its best. The sedum plants receive the right nutrition at the right time, weeds are thoroughly removed and drainage is not forgotten. This keeps your roof healthier and more beautiful than if you do something yourself sporadically.
Many green roof companies (including us) offer some form of warranty or aftercare on their maintenance. In the unlikely event that something does go wrong with your roof, you have a point of contact and often a solution at no extra cost. Plus, you have the peace of mind that someone knowledgeable is always keeping an eye on things.
“At first I always did the maintenance of my green roof myself to save costs. But since I have a maintenance contract, my roof looks much better and I no longer have to worry about it myself. Best decision ever!” ~ Do it Yourself Customer of Green Roof Specialist
Maintaining yourself versus having it done: a comparison
Let’s compare the two options directly. Maintaining it yourself has the advantage that you pay no labor costs. You are flexible to do it at your convenience and you keep control. Some people also just find it fun and soothing to deal with their greenery – turning the roof into their own little garden. But remember: not everyone has the time, inclination or physical ability to do it consistently. It takes a bit of knowledge and you have to think about it every year. Plus, sometimes you have to invest in a good harness or ladder for safety.
Havingprofessional maintenance done costs money, yes, but what do you get in return? A piece of security and convenience. You know your roof is in good hands. An experienced team comes at regular intervals and does jobs you might not know about (like checking the roof structure or professional fertilization). Even if something is unexpected – suppose a lot of moss suddenly grows after all, or some of the sedum isn’t doing well – the specialist has a solution ready. You don’t have to figure out what’s wrong or go to the store for stuff yourself; it’s taken care of.
It is also a matter of value of your own time. Suppose you spend 4 hours per year on maintenance (2 2-hour turns). If you would rather spend those 4 hours on your family, hobby or work, and have the maintenance done, what is that worth to you? Many people realize that they can be taken care of for a relatively low amount per month. Then the choice is quickly made.
What does doing it yourself versus outsourcing cost?
Also interesting is the cost comparison. Self-maintaining basically costs you little money: maybe €20-€50 a year in fertilizer and some tools one-time purchase. The real cost is your time. Professional maintenance costs money, usually you pay a flat fee per maintenance service or a fixed annual fee for a contract. Depending on the size of your roof and what’s included (fertilizer included, etc.), that can be several hundred dollars a year. It may seem like a lot compared to doing it yourself “almost for free,” but consider that it keeps your roof in top condition. Compare it to maintaining your central heating boiler or your car – spend something preventively to avoid larger costs and ensure safety.
For example, a poorly maintained green roof may leak, leaving you with sudden repair costs. Then you’ll spend much more than in years of maintenance. In that sense, outsourcing can pay off. Moreover, a green roof is an investment in your home; its value and appearance remain higher if the roof is properly maintained.
Frequently asked questions about maintaining yourself or outsourcing
In general, maintenance is not very difficult. Basic tasks such as weed removal, spreading manure and checking drains are easy and do not require special skills. In principle, anyone who can maintain a garden can also maintain a sedum roof. The difference is in the circumstances: you are on a roof (so height/safety) and you have limited thickness of soil so you have to work a little more carefully. So it is not difficult, but you have to pay attention and know what you are doing. If you are unsure of your knowledge or not comfortable on a ladder, then it quickly becomes “difficult” in practice and it is better to ask a specialist.
Of course, that depends on the size of your roof and how much unwanted growth is on it. For an average sedum roof of say 20-30 m², you usually spend 1 to 2 hours per maintenance job. With two such jobs per year, you’re talking about 2 to 4 hours per year in total. If you have a larger roof or a more intensely planted roof, it may take longer. Also, if you haven’t done anything for a while and the roof has been neglected, you’ll probably spend a little longer the first time to get everything cleaned up. In general, though, it can be done well in an afternoon.
If you accidentally spread too much fertilizer, knock out a sedum plant or step in the wrong place – don’t panic, usually the plants recover or you can correct small mistakes. Sedum is resilient. Major mistakes can include damaging the roofing (with a sharp tool, for example), or a drain you forget to clean causing a blockage. That can lead to leaks. You could also inadvertently remove desired herbs if you don’t know what everything is. In the worst case, you then have to install new plants. In general, the risks are limited if you proceed carefully and thoughtfully. However, if you don’t feel confident, it is better to have professionals do the work – they have insurance and expertise, should anything go wrong.
To be sure. Many people start by themselves and later decide to get a maintenance contract anyway. For example, because it was disappointing in terms of time, or because they still want higher quality results. At Groendakpecialist you can get in at any time with a maintenance contract. We’ll first check out the condition of your roof and, if necessary, restore it “from scratch”, and from there we’ll take it over periodically. So yes, you can absolutely do your own maintenance first and if you find it’s not for you, still switch over. We are always open to helping new maintenance customers, regardless of the roof’s previous history.
Yes, in addition to our contracts, we also offer one-time maintenance services. Say you usually have everything under control yourself, but one year you can’t do it (e.g. due to circumstances), then you can hire us for a one-time service. Or if you’ve just bought a house with a neglected green roof, we can do a major refurbishment so you can get on with it yourself afterwards. We are very flexible: from one-time help to long-term relief, anything is possible. Feel free to contact us and we’ll discuss what you need. Sometimes one professional service a year with the rest done by yourself is a nice middle ground – that too can be agreed upon.
Do you have other questions about maintaining your sedum or green roof? Then feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help you – whether it’s advice on how to get started, or to take care of all the maintenance for you. That way you can keep your roof beautifully green and healthy year after year.
