The roof above your head doesn’t just keep you dry. It also keeps you in business. How? Imagine that you’re chatting with a customer and closing in on a sale when a drop of water lands on their head. They’re confused, you’re flustered, and suddenly, the day has taken a turn. Don’t let this happen to you. Get regular commercial roof assessments and inspections to help prevent you from missing out on that next big sale.
Roofing contractors can provide their experienced eyes and do close assessments of your commercial roof. Going through their commercial roof inspection checklist, they will be able to identify problems long before they interrupt your day. Don’t be caught off guard by roof leaks. Reach out to a professional roofing contractor who can keep your roof system at its best.
Commercial Roof Assessments Proactively Identify Problems
Commercial buildings can be unique and require a lot of work to maintain. Thorough and regular roof inspections will head off potential damage from long-term and short-term stressors, such as standing water and storm damage. Commercial roof inspectors will have a better understanding of issues facing commercial roofs, which have unique needs, compared to a regular general contractor or residential roofing specialist.
Identifying and resolving problem areas on your roof’s surface will help you minimize damage and feel confident in the health of your commercial building. Staying proactive and looking ahead is exactly what a professional inspector can do for you during their thorough inspection.
How to Prepare for a Commercial Roof Assessment
Preparing for a commercial roof inspection can feel a bit like tidying up before a cleaner comes, but making sure the contractor or inspector has a clear roof surface to inspect can make the assessment smoother and more successful.
Going through a standard roof maintenance checklist is an excellent way to prepare for a roof assessment: clean the gutters and drains, clear debris like leaves and trash, and do your own inspections. Make notes of problem areas or concerns you might have. This preparation will ensure you get the most out of your commercial roof assessment.
Types of Commercial Roof Assessments
A standard commercial roof assessment can broadly cover damage, workmanship quality, and structural integrity. Regular inspections will catch early signs of damage, help prevent further expensive repairs, and keep you up-to-date with your roofing system. However, other forms of roof assessment can be done for specific reasons.
1. Warranty Checks
When your commercial roofing is under warranty, you will be required to schedule inspections regularly to stay covered. Warranty assessments will be more tailored toward the specific manufacturer requirements. Additionally, contractors who have performed a warranty inspection should suggest repairs and maintenance that will keep you under warranty even longer.
2. Storm Damage Assessments
Every storm can bring damage, so post-storm inspections should be a part of every commercial roof inspection checklist. Visible signs of damage will be checked for, but a roof inspector will know how to see smaller issues such as water penetration, ponding water stains, and debris accumulation.
These inspections are necessary if you want to receive insurance claims. A roofing contractor might act as a go-between for you and your insurance company to ensure both you and he can be compensated.
3. Condition Inspection
A roof condition or age inspection might be done when you are trying to decide between roof replacement and roof repair. Sometimes, you might not be sure how out of date your roofing system is, and a contractor can give you a complete report on the condition of your roof, as well as research maintenance records and manufacturer recommendations.
4. Pre-Installation Assessment
When installing large equipment such as an HVAC unit, solar panels, routers, or ventilation, a pre-inspection must be done. This assessment will focus on the structural integrity and compatibility of the new equipment.
Some roof surfaces will require extra support before anything weighty is installed on the roof. If your roof is under warranty, a contractor can advise you on if the installation would void the warranty.
What Happens if an Issue Is Discovered During a Commercial Roof Inspection?
Typically, a detailed roof assessment will result in a detailed roof inspection report. This report will include photos and cover problem areas, including leaks, ponding water stains, and other damage. Every assessment should result in a recommendation of what to do next: repair, replace, or restore.
- Repair: If your roof surface is minimally damaged and has a long life expectancy, localized repairs are the most likely suggestion
- Replace: If your assessment shows more than a quarter of the surface is leaking, a full-roof replacement is the most likely suggestion for cost efficiency.
- Restore: If less than a quarter of your roof surfaces are leaking, but your roof is reaching the end of its lifetime, a restoration is a cheaper alternative to replacement.
Common Issues Found During a Commercial Roof Inspection
Unlike sloped roofs, flat roof surfaces have a roof field that can lead to standing water and ice dams much more easily. An inspection should be tailored to the building type and roofing material, and be more aware of the issues that commonly arise with them. Metal roof surfaces might show signs of rust, or a TPO roofing surface might need to be properly sealed.
Inspections and assessments should always look closely at the roof surfaces for cracks, take core samples of the roof, and assess small and early signs of roof problems. If you aren’t doing regular maintenance, debris and clogged drains are common issues that can lead to damage.
Avoid Future Problems with a Commercial Roof Assessment Today!
Commercial roof assessments are a critical part of maintenance and upkeep on your commercial property. Industrial roof surfaces often last a long time but don’t show roofing problems until dramatic issues arise. Cracks can leak, gutters can fall, or worse, can happen without regular maintenance. An inspector can perform knowledgeable assessments with an experienced eye so that you avoid expensive repairs.
If you’ve looked at your commercial roof inspection checklist and felt overwhelmed, it can be well worth it to have a professional roofing contractor inspect your roof. Don’t wait until the next bout of severe weather. The best time to be prepared is now! Call us today for a commercial roof inspection that will save you time, money, and stress in the long run.