A commercial roof inspection should be a regular part of your building maintenance plan. Regular roof inspections help identify issues early, protecting your investment in the building and its contents.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing a roof inspection on a commercial roof, whether it’s flat or sloped.
How Often Should Your Commercial Roof Be Inspected?
It’s recommended that you inspect your commercial roof twice yearly, in the fall and spring. This helps ensure your roof is ready for harsh winters and hot summers. You’ll also need to inspect it after storms or roof construction, or if you see any signs of potential damage.
At the very least, you should have your roof looked at once a year.
The Commercial Roof Inspection Process
Generally, a commercial roof inspection starts inside the building and then moves to the roof. If damage is found or you suspect you have a leak, advanced methods such as infrared imaging and core sampling can be used to detect hidden conditions or damage.
Here’s what’s inspected:
Documentation and interior
The first step in a roof inspection is to gather all building documentation, including as-built plans, previous inspection checklists, photos, warranty documents, and installation records. Review the findings of the last inspection to identify what to look for when assessing whether problems are worsening.
The actual inspection begins on the inside of the building, where you’ll be on the lookout for signs of water damage or moisture intrusion, including cracking paint or ceilings, water stains, and mold or mildew growth (evidenced by black stains). Check both the attic space and the finished areas of the building. From the attic, you may be able to spot signs of moisture intrusion just under the roof deck.
Exterior roof
Next, you’ll perform an inspection of the roof surface. You’ll need to follow all protocols and use proper equipment to safely access the roof, including harnesses and other fall-protection gear. Also, stay on footpaths when available, as this will minimize potential damage from foot traffic.
Once on the roof, inspect and note the condition of the roofing system. Inspect the roofing material, flashings and edges, seams, drainage, and roof penetrations. Note any damage and document it with photos and a description of the damage and the location.
Signs of damage to the roofing material may include:
- Blistering
- Cracking
- Punctures
- Tears
- Loose or missing shingles
Flashings surround roof penetrations and protect the interior from water intrusion in vulnerable areas. Edge metal on a sloped roof helps keep moisture away from the roofing system. Signs of damage to either of these components include:
- Material deterioration
- Gaps
- Separation from surrounding components
- Rust or corrosion
- Missing material
On a membrane roof, inspect the seams to ensure they are secure and properly sealed.
Clear debris from the roof drainage system, including gutters, downspouts, roof drains, and scuppers. If there’s standing water present after more than 48 hours since the last rain, you may have a drainage issue. Staining can also indicate ponding water.
Penetrations are locations where equipment, piping, or other roof accessories extend through the roof. Check the flashings surrounding them to ensure they are secure and are properly sealed.
Advanced inspection issues
If you find signs of roof damage, water leaks, or moisture intrusion (on either the interior or exterior of the building), you may need to perform some additional inspections to determine the source of the problem. Infrared imaging and core sampling are two techniques used to diagnose roofing problems.
Thermal cameras can be used to find hidden water damage in both the interior and exterior of your building. Infrared imaging detects temperature differences, including those caused by water leaks.
Core samples are often taken from commercial roofs to determine the number of roofing layers, the condition of each layer, and to identify underlying issues such as wet insulation.
Documentation
Organize your roof inspection findings into a cohesive report, including photo documentation where possible. Based on your roof’s condition, you can then determine whether repairs are necessary or if it’s time to replace the roof due to the extent of the damage.
Commercial Roof Inspection Checklist
- Review past inspection documentation
- Check interior and attic space for signs of damage or water intrusion
- Inspect roofing system components:
- Roofing material
- Flashings
- Edge metal
- Seams
- Drainage system
- Penetrations
- If necessary, perform additional inspections:
- Infrared camera
- Core samples
- Document findings, including photos and descriptions
- Recommend roof repairs or replacement as necessary
It pays to call a professional to perform your roof inspection. They’ve got years of experience and training behind them and know exactly what to look for. Contact the New Roofs Inc. team for more information.