Maintenance of physical structures always has been a significant challenge for education institutions, but today's economic climate, which has cut budgets to the bone, has raised the stakes. Funding, staffing and resources for proper maintenance are becoming harder to find, and the need for upkeep and maintenance remains constant. Nowhere is this more true than in the area of roof maintenance--perhaps the most critical element of a building's physical envelope. Deferring or cutting back on maintenance in this key area can have serious consequences, including leaks, structural damage, or even roof failure. Even when roof maintenance is addressed, the need to do more with less can cause headaches. Budgetary constraints can cause education institutions to put off repairs and improvements until funding can be obtained. But roofing problems may not wait, and facilities managers must function in "crisis mode" and respond to sudden developments. The result in too many cases: an emergency (and costly) roof replacement, often well before the end of a roof's service life. This is avoidable if roof asset management is made a priority and planned for properly. Keep in mind that small investments in time, effort and money can save money and disruption in the long term. Calling on a roof asset management specialist makes the approach even smarter by helping to identify exactly when, where and how extensively an investment in roof assets should be made.