Commercial Roofing Inspection and Maintenance Checklist

Performing regular roof inspections, maintenance, and cleaning can dramatically reduce your facility’s overall costs, minimize the need for costly emergency repairs, and extend the life of your commercial roof. Did you know that most commercial roofs need to be inspected at least twice a year? If your area has been subjected to high winds, tornadoes, hail storms, or hurricanes, you’d be wise to schedule an inspection right away.

Here’s what to look for while you’re on the roof, in the attic, or in the ground, so share this checklist with your commercial roofing contractor and leave the inspection to the professionals, if you want to have the best inspection on your roof.

• Visible damage
• Debris and dirt
• Color fades or chalks
• Chimneys, vents, skylights, fascia, drip edges and covers
• Interior ceiling components such as roof joists and trusses should be inspected for signs of mold, mildew and rot.
• Expansion joints must be checked for excessive movements.
• Interior walls should be inspected for signs of water damage.
• The roof should be inspected for signs of moisture
• Exterior walls should be inspected for signs of leakage
• Roof edges should be checked for deterioration
• Discoloration in the lap joints
• The firmness of the substrate must be evaluated
• Penetrations should be filled and patched as necessary
• Gutters and drainage systems must be cleared
• Roof-mounted HVAC systems should be checked
• The surface should be inspected for deposits, pools, growth, vandalism, and wear.

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 blistering. If you have a membrane roof, carefully inspect the overall condition of the membrane.

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

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A COMMERCIAL LOW ROOF

Typically pitched roofs are made of asphalt shingles, slate, or metal. Make sure shingles are in good condition, free of granular loss, curling, or cupping. If your roofing material loses grain or buckles, it may be nearing the end of its useful life. Call the professionals for a second opinion.

If you are building a shingle or slate roof, make sure they are smooth and free of chips or cracks. We highly recommend leaving this to the professionals, as sloped ceilings can be incredibly dangerous. If the damage is detected early enough, only the damaged materials will need to be replaced.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A METAL ROOF

Metal roofs should be checked for corrosion, popped screw heads, and loose, bent, or damaged panels. Joints must be checked for evenness and tightness. Exposed fasteners should be checked individually to ensure that the washer seals securely around the point of penetration.

Performing routine roof inspections, maintenance, and cleaning can significantly reduce the overall costs of your facility, minimize the need for expensive emergency repairs, and prolong the life of your commercial roof. It’s recommended that most commercial roofs be inspected at least twice a year. If your area has experienced high winds, tornadoes, hail storms, or hurricanes, it’s a good idea to schedule an inspection immediately.

When inspecting your roof, make sure to check for:

• Visible damage
• Debris and dirt
• Color fades or chalks
• Chimneys, vents, skylights, fascia, drip edges and covers
• Interior ceiling components for signs of mold, mildew, and rot
• Expansion joints for excessive movements
• Interior walls for signs of water damage
• Moisture on the roof
• Leakage on exterior walls
• Deterioration at roof edges
• Discoloration in the lap joints
• The firmness of the substrate
• Necessary filling and patching of penetrations
• Cleared gutters and drainage systems
• Checked roof-mounted HVAC systems
• Deposits, pools, growth, vandalism, and wear on the surface

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A FLAT COMMERCIAL ROOF:

If your building has a flat roof, it’s susceptible to degradation from weathering and standing water. Check for:

• Granular loss, stretching, ponding, holes, punctures, or blistering
• Overall condition of the membrane, if it’s a membrane roof
• Debris blocking drains
• Damage, wear, and tear on the flashing and seams of the membrane
• Fungus growth on the ceiling, which can contribute to leaks

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A COMMERCIAL LOW ROOF:

Typically, pitched roofs are made of asphalt shingles, shingles, slate, or metal. Ensure:

• Good condition of shingles, free of granular loss, curling, or cupping
• Smooth and chip/crack-free shingle or slate roofing material
• Early detection of damage for replacement of only damaged materials

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A METAL ROOF:

Make sure to inspect a metal roof for:

• Corrosion
• Popped screw heads
• Loose, bent, or damaged panels
• Evenness and tightness of joints
• Secure washer seals around fastener penetrations