All building owners and property managers want their properties’ roofs to stay strong and provide protection for years to come. However, not everyone knows that the best way to take care of a commercial roof is by doing something you might be skipping out on: scheduling routine commercial roof inspections. Commercial roofing contractors and other industry professionals recommend that your commercial building’s roof be inspected at least once a year — more often if you have concerns about leaking, pest infestation, or storm damage.
Wondering what happens during a commercial roof inspection? You’re in the right place! Read on to learn about what a typical commercial roof inspection involves and what commercial roofing specialists in New Castle, DE, and the surrounding areas are looking for.
Interior Inspection
You might not assume that a commercial roof inspection will involve the inside of your building, but it’s actually the first place that contractors look for any roof problems. Roof inspectors will look at your…
Ceilings
One of the first signs of trouble with a roof is a leaky ceiling. During a commercial roof inspection, technicians will be looking for water stains, holes, cracks, visible beams of light coming through from outside, and other problems with your ceiling.
Support beams
The beams and pillars inside the attics or upstairs areas in buildings are the bones that all roofing systems rely on to stay upright. Your support beams will be assessed for any damage, looseness, weakened spots, and other potential issues.
Insulation
Insulation in your commercial building is essential because it doesn’t just enhance the efficiency of your HVAC units. It also ensures your roof does its job. If your insulation is wet, there isn’t enough of it to adequately protect your building, or your building has other insulation needs, this will be something noted during the commercial roof inspection.
Exterior Inspection
Of course, a visual inspection of the roof itself is a key part of any commercial roof inspection. During this part of the commercial roof inspection, roofing companies will walk across your roof and examine these (and more!) areas as needed:
Building exterior
Did you know that sagging or bowing walls can indicate a collapsing roof? To ensure your roof isn’t weighing down your walls or affecting the rest of the building, contractors will look around the outside of your building for any red flags.
Shingles/tiles
No matter which roofing material your commercial building relies on, whether it’s traditional shingles, one of the asphalt-based roofing materials used for flat roofs, or even another material like metal, contractors will be looking for any missing, crumbling, or rotting spots.
Flashing/seams
Your roof’s flashing, or seams, connect the roof with the building, so a checkup on this part of your roof is essential to any commercial roof inspection. Professionals will examine the seal on the flashing or seams and check for any signs things are coming loose or allowing water or critters into your home.
Entire roof surface
Throughout the whole process of commercial roof inspection, your entire roof surface will be assessed for problems such as standing water, holes and cracks, poor drainage, and more.
Damage Assessment
If your roof has recently suffered damage or has experienced problems in the past related to any of the following events, make sure to let your commercial roof inspection team know:
- Storm damage
- Animal activity
- Impact from tree branches, telephone poles, etc.
- “Ice damming” or other gutter problems
- Mold, mildew, or algae
- Fire
All parts of all roofs will be assessed for damage during a standard commercial roof inspection. Still, providing this additional information saves contractors time determining what kind of roof repair might be necessary.
Structural Assessment
Every commercial roof inspection will involve a structural assessment. Roofing inspectors may take a “core sample” of your roof, which will be carefully examined for potential problems. Then, technicians use all of the information they have gained throughout the commercial roof inspection process to determine your roof’s structural condition.
Inspection Report
Once the commercial roof inspection is complete, you will be provided with a roof inspection report. This detailed report will provide professional insight into the overall health of your roof and suggest any recommended repairs or replacements. It’s best to take any steps recommended sooner rather than later so that you can keep your building’s roof intact throughout its entire service lifespan and beyond.
Don’t Hit the Roof; Contact Lane Roofing & Exteriors!
Whether your commercial building’s roof is in dire need of repair or you’re looking to finally schedule that commercial roof inspection, our roofers are standing by to provide high-quality, professional services for all types of commercial roofing in New Castle, DE, and the surrounding areas. Get in touch with us today, and let us take care of your building like it’s our very own!