What Is a Commercial Flat Roof Inspection?
How Often Should a Flat Roof Be Inspected?
In addition to biannual inspections, you should also inspect your roof after extreme weather events like excessive rain or icy conditions, heavy snowfall, hail, high winds, or if you have trees close to the roof surface.
We recommend you provide the inspector with your roof warranty and repair history information at the time of the inspection.
Why Inspections Shouldn’t Be Postponed
Routinely scheduled flat roof maintenance and inspections let you proactively address issues before they become full-blown problems. They keep your roof clean of dirt and debris and expose wear and tear, small leaks, moisture, and structural issues. They put you, the building owner and/or property manager, back in charge.
Routinely scheduled flat roof maintenance and inspections let you proactively address issues before they become full-blown problems. They keep your roof clean of dirt and debris and expose wear and tear, small leaks, moisture, and structural issues. They put you, the building owner and/or property manager, in charge.
Does a Flat Roof Need To Be Inspected If It’s New?
The answer is yes. Even a new flat roof should be inspected after installation. The inspection ensures the roof was installed according to manufacturer and industry guidelines and identifies any issues that may have occurred during the installation.
Who Does a Flat Roof Inspection?
What Is Involved In a Roof Inspection?
These are the things that will be looked at and noted during the inspection:
- The overall condition of the roof. This is a visual inspection done by the inspector as he or she walks the roof.
- A detailed inspection of the metal flashings. Flashings are usually fabricated metal pieces installed at the perimeter and transition points and are meant to keep water from infiltrating the building. They should be properly positioned, sealed, in good condition, and devoid of bends, warps, cracks, and rust. Any damage or misalignment can compromise the flashing’s ability to divert water effectively.
- A review of the number of roof layers and the insulation and substrate installed below the membrane. This is done by taking a core sample of the roof and inspecting it for moisture, failure, and deficiencies.
- Confirmation of whether a proper slope has been built into roof drains in the field of the roof or scupper drains at the perimeter. Drains are checked for proper caulking and sealing.
- An inspection of all roof penetrations for proper flashing details. This includes venting stacks, HVAC curbs, satellite dish cables, skylights, and any other items that might penetrate the roof, as they all have specific ways of being sealed and flashed. The inspector is looking to make sure manufacturers’ recommendations have been followed, and there has been no compromise over time.
- Lastly, the inspector may want to access the interior of the building to view the underside of the deck. By looking inside, he or she can determine if there have been any leaks in the past or if there are any current active leaks that need to be addressed.
How Long Does a Flat Roof Inspection Take?
How Much Does a Commercial Flat Roof Inspection Cost?
cost around $0.05 / square foot (2024). While that might sound disconcerting at first, it should be considered an investment rather than a cost because of the protection and peace of mind a thoroughly and accurately executed inspection affords. Done correctly, it is well worth the price paid.
What Are the Deliverables of a Flat Roof Inspection?
After a flat roof inspection, you should be provided with a written report detailing:
- inspection details and manufacturer specifications;
- visually observed overall roof conditions.
- roof field condition with pictures and comments;
- roof flashing conditions with images and comments;
- gutter and roof drainage details and observations, including any ponding water issues or compromised gutter issues;
- core sample explanation with pictures and comments alerting the property owner to any moisture or compromised decking; and
- recommendations.
Recommendations can range from a few repair items to a restoration or a replacement. The roof warranty provided before the inspection should be considered when making observations and recommendations.
Final Thoughts
A flat roof inspection is just another tool that a property owner/manager can use to evaluate the condition of their roof and plan for the future. When done correctly, the inspection can provide valuable information for replacement planning, budgeting, and repair.
The best time to inspect is twice yearly—before the property has an issue and not after a crisis.
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