Commercial Roof Inspection Checklist : 5 point checklist

Getting a professional inspector to inspect the roof of your commercial building is vital for every business owner. Although inspections are of many types, we will focus on the services provided by a roof inspection company in Gainesville.

The roof of a building is its crown. However, it is also the structure of a building that has to withstand the harshest weather conditions for prolonged durations. That is why ensuring that your roof is structurally safe and uncompromised is vital to protect the structural integrity of your whole building. A failed roof of a commercial building can easily disrupt your daily business activities, leading to a significant loss of revenue besides the cost of repairing your roof, which is one of the costliest repair jobs for a building.

What to Expect From a Roof Inspection Company in Gainesville?

Although a residential or commercial roof inspection is one of the most vital inspection jobs one requires, many homeowners as well as business owners are oblivious to the details of it. A roof inspection is typically handled by a trained and certified inspector who checks the roof for any current or potential issues that might need repairs or a complete replacement.

The primary reason you must get a roof inspector to check out the health of your roof is that repairing or replacing the roof of a building is one of the most expensive repair jobs. If you can get ahead of the issues while they are still small and insignificant, you can save a substantial amount on potential repair bills that could easily break your bank. Instead, a commercial roof inspection can thoroughly inspect your roof and recommend how to deal with its issues, if any.

A typical commercial roof inspection report contains supporting notes and photographs besides the documentation and detailed observations made by the inspector. However, it would be best if you had insight into what the inspector checks for and how they do it. Inspectors rely on a checklist to ensure that your roof is up to code and safe to protect your property from weather elements. Here is a checklist that includes the inspection of five key areas of your roofing system.

5 (Five) Point Checklist of Commercial Roof Inspection.

• Structure of your roof.

A certified inspector will need access to your roof and walk around it to make brief observations. They will note any areas of concern visible to them, like ponding water, build-up of debris, vegetation growth, and roof discoloration. Besides these common concerns, inspectors will also actively search for any signs of damage like cracks, blisters, punctures, or tears, as these can lead to a potential point of failure in your roof. If you have placed heavy objects on your roof, they will also make a note of that and its effect on the structure of your roof.

Read More: Do We Need Professional Roof Inspection Services?

• Edges of your roof.

One of the most vulnerable parts of your roof is its edge. Therefore, an inspector needs to ensure that the edges of your roof are intact and that they are safely secured to the structure below. Typically, an inspector will actively search for any cracks of splits in the material, which might indicate loose bolts or a compromised roof structure. During a standard roof inspector, the edges are often where tears or damage is first discovered. This damage can lead to leaks or compromise your roof’s structure. Some inspectors may even conduct a ‘flood test’ to check if the roof leaks water into the living or working spaces below. The edges of your roof must be secured tightly and terminated to ensure your roof is not compromised.

• Flashing of your roof.

The flashing of a roof is meant to act as a seal against water in vulnerable areas of a roof such as seams, joints, terminations, and penetrations. Typically made of rust-resistant metals, a flashing directs water away from your roof. Having an expert take a look at your flashing details like stacks, curbs, and walls can reveal cracks or crevices that need your immediate attention. Since these cracks are common around your transition points, getting them repaired before the winter seasons arrive is crucial, as the cracks can widen and lead to leaks.

• Gutters and downspouts of your roof.

Drainage features of your roof, like gutters and downspouts, take water away from your roof and into your drainage. However, these channels can easily get clogged or blocked due to debris falling on your roof. Any blockage will quickly lead to ponding of water or slow-draining lines. This additional water can cause discoloration of your roof around drains if the ponding water has been allowed to sit for prolonged periods of time. If you fail to clear these drainage channels, your roof will inevitably develop water damage, leading to cracks and leaks. Extensive and prolonged water damage can significantly compromise the structural integrity of your roof, leaving you with the sole option of replacing your roof.

• Termination in parapet walls of your roof.

Lastly, if you have parapet walls on your roof, the terminations must be adequately sealed. A roof inspector will visually assess the base of your parapet walls to check for any signs of failure or cracks. Any cracks in this wall can be signs of a looming threat that can lead to significant damage in the near future. These cracks can not only compromise the structural safety of your roof but also lead to substantial water damage and leaks to the structures below. A crack in your parapet wall is not to be trifled with.

Hiring a roof inspection company in Gainesville can help you get ahead of any issues that can be repaired before they turn into a roof replacement. Keeping the conditions of your roof healthy ensures that you can run your business like any other day. On the other hand, if your roof fails and a replacement is in order, not only will you lose a substantial amount of profits due to the closure of business activities, but you will also have to pay hefty prices that can take a significant toll on your financial well-being.