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Commercial Roof Maintenance And Inspection Checklist

Performing regular roof inspections, maintenance, and cleaning can dramatically lower your overall facility costs, minimize the need for costly emergency roofing repairs, and prolong the life of your commercial roof. Did you know that most commercial roofs should be inspected at least twice a year? If your area has been subject to high winds, tornadoes, hail storms, or hurricanes, you would be wise to schedule an inspection immediately!

Roof Inspection Checklist

Here’s what to look for while you’re up on the roof, in the attic, or on the ground. Or, better yet, share this checklist with your commercial roofer and leave the inspection to the pros!

  • Visible Damage
  • Debris and Dirt
  • Color fade or chalking
  • Chimneys, vents, skylights, fascia, drip edges, and decking
  • Interior roofing components, such as rafters and roof trusses, should be inspected for signs of mold, mildew, and rot
  • Expansion joints should be checked for excessive movement
  • Interior walls should be inspected for signs of water damage
  • The ceiling should be inspected for signs of moisture
  • Exterior walls should be inspected for signs of leakage
  • Roof edges should be checked for deterioration
  • Discoloration at lap joints
  • Substrate firmness should be evaluated
  • Penetrations should be filled and patches as required
  • Gutters and drainage systems should be cleared
  • Roof-mounted HVAC systems should be checked
  • The surface should be inspected for deposits, ponding, growths, vandalism, and wear and tear

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A FLAT COMMERCIAL ROOF

If your building has a flat roof, you may have already discovered that the surface is vulnerable to degradation due to weathering and standing water. Take a close look at your roof and check for granular loss, stretching ponding, holes, punctures, or blisters. If you have a membrane roof, carefully inspect the overall condition of the membrane.

It may be wise to take a look after a gusty or rainy day. While you’re up there, check the drains for debris that may be blocking them and inspect flashings and membrane seams for obvious signs of damage, wear, and tear. If your roof suffers from a fungus problem, it’s time to get it professionally cleaned as fungal growth can contribute to leaks.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A COMMERCIAL SLOPED ROOF

Typically sloped roofs are made from asphalt shingles, tiles, slate, or metal. Make sure the shingles are in good shape, free from granular loss, curling, or cupping. If your roofing material is losing grain or bending, it may be nearing the end of its functional life. Call in the professionals for a second opinion.

If you’re building features a tile or slate roof, make sure they’re smooth and free from chips or cracks. We strongly recommend leaving this to the pros as tiled sloped roofs can be incredibly dangerous! If the damage is caught early enough, only the damaged materials will need to be replaced.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A COMMERCIAL METAL ROOF

Metal roofs should be checked for corrosion, oil canning, popped screw heads, loose, bent, or damaged panels. Seams should be checked for uniformity and water tightness. Exposed fasteners should be individually checked to ensure the washer seals securely around the point of penetration.

JBK offers affordable commercial roof preventative maintenance services. Contact JBK Roofing to learn more about our services.