Although they are one of the most necessary parts of our properties, we often ignore our roofs when we think about maintenance. If you continue to neglect your roof, then you should not be surprised when you start to notice leaks after heavy rainfall. The main rule of thumb in commercial roofing is that your roof should be inspected twice a year by a contractor you trust. This article lets you know How Often Should Commercial Roofs Be Reinspected.

Inspecting Twice a Year

We often recommend inspection twice a year as it gives enough time for the crack or leak to be noticed without any severe damage happening to the interior of your building. Generally, inspections should be carried out in the spring and the fall. This allows your contractor time to prepare your roof for the extreme temperatures that may occur in the winter and summer. How Often Should Commercial Roofs Be Reinspected?

Inspection of Flat Roofs

As flat roofs are more likely to undergo damage in the winter season, you must have your roof inspected in the fall. Your inspector should ensure that your property is not only watertight but windtight as well. This will help prepare your building and your roof for the cold and wet weather during the winter.

Although several people view the inspection in the spring as being less crucial, you should still make sure that you contact your roofing contractor before the summer to carry out an inspection on your flat roof. Spring checks are essential as your inspector can note down how your roof has performed over the winter; this will allow them to make all the necessary repairs and strengthen your roof for the summer season.

Inspection of Pitched Roofs

Pitched roof repairs are generally more expensive than other roof types, so if you have installed this in your building, you may want to ensure that you carry out constant re-inspections two times a year. Failure to perform checks on this roof type can lead to you paying a much heftier fee in the future because it is far more difficult for workers to carry out their repairs.

Inspection of Low-Sloped Roofs

Much like the other roof types, low-sloped roofs must also be inspected twice a year. If you live in a colder climate and snow regularly builds on the surface of your roof, your inspector will have to ensure that your building is prepared for the winter period. However, you may also need to hire somebody who has experience removing snow from low-sloped roofs, as allowing snow to build on the surface of the roof can lead to severe damage.

Benefits of Roof Inspections

The importance of checking your roof for damages cannot be overstated. A detailed inspection report can produce several benefits such as:

1. You can find problem areas and repair them before the damage escalates, saving you heaps of money.
2. Inspections help in increasing the lifespan of your roof.
3. Inspections protect sensitive equipment in your building from the water damage that could occur from leaks.
4. Regular checks promote a healthier and safer workplace for all your staff and customers.

What Will My Roof Contractor Check?

Inspecting commercial roofs is an entirely different process from examining that of a residential building, and there will be specific things that your inspector will be watchful of:

1. Debris Check :

Your inspector will likely be on the look-out for any debris on the surface of your roof. This check will be necessary during the autumn season as leaves may have gathered on the roof. These will need to be cleared to allow for easy drainage of water.

2. Standing Water :

Standing water can especially be noted in flat roofs. When water has ponded for a while, this will lead to discoloration of the roof and cause blocked areas that will make it harder for water to drain. If there is standing water on your roof, your inspector will have to check for any underlying damage.

3. Cracks :

Many things can lead to cracking. In hotter climates, if the material used is not strong enough, then it could crack due to the constant heat of the sun. Meanwhile, cracking can also be caused by additional weight, such as snowfall on the roof for elongated periods. If cracking is not addressed, it could lead to more severe leaks in the future. In some cases, when a crack is noticed, your inspector might carry out a flood test to check for further damages to your building. How Often Should Commercial Roofs Be Reinspected?

There are several other issues that your inspector may check, such as:

1. Terminations on the parapet walls
2. Change in edge details
3. Gutter checks

Works Cited

Direct line. (2021, March 29). A Guide to Flat Roof Maintenace | Direct Line . Retrieved from Direct Line: https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/landlord-insurance/knowledge-centre/running-your-property/how-to-maintain-different-flat-roof-types#:~:text=You%20should%20inspect%20the%20roof,flat%20roof%20construction%20type%20is.

Raulie, & Ralph. (2021, February 20). 5 Tips for Low Roof Maintenance . Retrieved from Fiberlite: https://www.fibertite.com/blog/5-tips-for-low-roof-maintenance

Sentry Roofing, Inc. . (2021, February 18). Commercial Roof Inspection Checklist: 10-Point List | Sentry Roofing . Retrieved from Sentry Roofing: https://www.sentryroofing.com/blog/commercial-roof-inspection-checklist/

Sentry Roofing, Inc. (2021, March 29). Commercial Roof Inspection in Indiana & Illinois | Sentry Roofing . Retrieved from Sentry Roofing: https://www.sentryroofing.com/roofing-services/commercial-roof-inspection/