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It’s cold outside, so it’s time for your commercial roof to be ready. If you don’t prepare for snow and ice, it can cause serious damage to your property.
This checklist contains the things that a professional inspector would look for when evaluating a commercial roof.
If you are a building owner, you can avoid costly repairs due to seasonal changes and temperature fluctuations by doing your own routine inspections and light maintenance. You also have the option of hiring a commercial roofing contractor to do this work.
Rooftop Problems
There are many possible things that could happen to your commercial roofing system throughout the year.
The coldest months of the year are the most dangerous. Roof leaks, frozen gutter drains and snow accumulation are all possible. It is better to prevent these problems in the beginning than to repair them later.
Extreme weather conditions could cause your roof’s collapse. Temperature fluctuations can cause your roof’s to expand or contract, causing cracks. These seasonal changes can even cause thermal shock or roofing failure.
Water freezing in roof cracks can also be a problem. As the weather warms, the ice melts, and the crack expands. The crack widens further when water freezes.
10-Point Roof Inspection Champaign County Checklist For Commercial Buildings, inspections should be thorough and include ice damming around drains as well as roof leaks.
These costly roof repairs and damages can be prevented by having a reliable winter roofing inspection.
1. Perform a thorough roof inspection
Your roofing contractor must inspect your commercial roof to make sure it is in top condition.
Only by knowing that a problem exists, can you fix it. These are some of the areas that professional inspections can help you identify:
Decking (any rot, staining or spotted)
Surface membranes
Roof vents
Flashing
Field tears
Gutters
Drainage pipes
Regular commercial roof inspections can help you spot potential problems before they become major issues. Tiny cracks can be caused by summer winds, and can grow during winter.
Problems such as these wind-related cracks and clogged gutters are easily identified during an inspection. This is before potential damage becomes costly.
Make sure you contact a trusted commercial roofing expert to identify any potential problems. Your inspector should go through the checklist for commercial roofing and look out for any obstructions.
Before winter arrives, they will be checking for defective flashing, buckles and split seams.
2. Get rid of all the junk
This is where your inspector will inspect your roof for debris. To allow water to drain off your roof, debris such as leaves, branches, and other rubbish from drains and roof corners must be removed.
3. Check for Ponding Water
The inspector will also look for signs of ponding, such as slow draining lines or blocked areas. If water has sat on the roof for a long time, there may be color changes and stains.
The professional evaluation will determine if there is any damage that has been caused by standing water.
4. Take a look at the flashing
Next, let an expert inspect flashing details such as stacks, walls and curbs. They will look for cracks and crevices so that they can be fixed before winter arrives.
Around transition points cracks and other failures are more frequent. These are more common in areas where flashing changes from vertical to flat because they place greater stress on these parts of the building. It is important to repair flashing problems before the weather cools down.
5. For cracks or tears, check the field
Also, a thorough commercial inspection of your roof field is required. Any debris found will require that any cuts or tears in the roofing system be repaired before any structural damage is caused.
A “flood test”, which can be used to determine if there is any damage, is available if the inspector suspects that there is a leak in the field.
6. Examine Terminations on Parapet Walls
Next, you need to inspect the terminations on your parapet walls. These terminations must be sealed properly.
An expert inspector will inspect the wall’s base to determine if cracking or failure is present. These issues should be addressed immediately to avoid further damage.
7. The Edge Detail
The roofing inspection will also include a review of the edges. These edge materials must be securely secured and terminated. Professionals will need to secure any loose edges to close any gaps that might allow elements in.
8. Examine Roof Surfaces
An expert will inspect your roof’s edge. This is particularly important for areas near the windward edges, as these are most susceptible to be lifted or moved in a storm.
They should inspect the area to determine if any items have been lifted or blown away by wind damage.
9. The Gutters are here
Check your drains and gutters for signs of ponding water.
Water will pool more easily on roofs if gutters are blocked. Although ponding water on PVC roof membranes won’t void your warranty nor cause any damage, it is not advised.
This ponding can lead to roof failure on other roof types, particularly asphalt-based roofs, especially in winter.
This will prevent it from happening.
10. Take a look at your downspouts
The inspector will inspect your downspouts at ground-level and terminated downspouts.
These sections can be damaged or crushed by things like lawn care and passing cars. They will need to replaced if they become damaged to avoid any further problems.
Scheduled inspections of your commercial roof will reveal any potential damage before they cause expensive repairs or interior damages.
Our team of roofing specialists can assist you in preparing your business for the cold temperatures of winter.
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