In nearly every article, we discuss the importance of routinely inspecting your roof to identify any issues and perform any necessary maintenance promptly. Regular roof inspection can save your business significant amounts of time and money. In order to understand the scope and importance of scheduling a commercial roof inspection, this article will offer nine vital components of the process.

The inspector will conduct a thorough visual inspection of the entire roof and will be looking for several things.

Debris: The inspector will look for any debris, such as leaves, branches, twigs or trash that should be removed from the roof. Debris may cause damage to the roof in several ways, but most often clogs drains and prevents proper drainage, which can result in leaks and ponding.
Ponding Water: A professional roofing inspector will also look for any visible evidence of ponding, typically by taking note of slow-draining lines and blocked drains. If water has been present for a while, the area may have color changes or stains. This assessment should also reveal any underlying damage caused by standing water.
Damaged Flashing: Flashing details such as stacks, walls, and curbs will be examined for cracks or crevices, most commonly found around transition points. This is especially prevalent in areas where the flashing transitions from flat to vertical.
Cracked or Torn Field: We mentioned above that debris can cause damage to the roof field. Any cuts or tears in the roofing system can result in structural damage and, therefore, should be repaired promptly. The roof inspector may perform a flood test to track down the area of damage if it is not readily visible.
Parapet Walls: A parapet is an upward extension of a wall at the edge of a roof. All terminations will be inspected to ensure they are adequately sealed, and parapets will be examined
for any signs of failure or cracking.
Edge Details: An essential part of a commercial roof inspection is assessing edge materials to ensure they are properly secured and terminated. If they aren’t, gaps are vulnerable to allowing elements inside the structure.
Roof Surfaces: While all edges of a commercial roof need inspection, an inspector will pay particular attention to windward edges. These areas are the most likely to take the brunt of severe weather, during which the materials or structure may lift or shift due to wind damage.
Gutters: Gutters and drains can become clogged, damaged, or backed up and will result in ponding water and leaks. Ponding on asphalt roofing poses a far greater risk of ponding causing roof failure. Ponding water on roof membranes or coated roofs will not void your warranty and will help prevent most water damage.
Downspouts: Finally, the inspector will investigate and evaluate all downspouts and downspout terminations at the ground level. These areas can be damaged or crushed by lawnmowers or other maintenance tools, passing vehicles, or even vandalism. If these components become damaged or broken, a replacement will be required in order to avert additional problems from developing down the road.

Unicoat Industrial Roofing Professionals

Unicoat Industrial Roofing specializes in applying roof coatings that protect and extend the life of your roof. However, we also partner with commercial property owners to set up maintenance plans or conduct needed inspections. If you are responsible for the maintenance and protection of a commercial property, call our dedicated team of experts today. We can come out to your property, evaluate your roof’s condition, make recommendations about needed repairs, and provide information regarding the benefits of roof coatings. Don’t trust your roof to anyone but the experts – Unicoat Industrial Roofing.