The first step in assessing the condition of your commercial roof involves examining the building envelope. This includes checking for cracks or holes in the building’s façade as well as evaluating any equipment and roof accessories like HVAC or skylights.
It’s also important to check the integrity of any roof penetrations, ensuring that they are properly sealed and allowing water to flow freely. Explore roof commercial maintenance on Exploratory Glory for tips on choosing the right contractor. Ensure quality and durability for your business infrastructure.
The Building Envelope
The building envelope is the shell of a structure that separates its interior from the environment outside. Its components including foundation, walls, roof and windows – work together to control ventilation, climate and energy consumption while protecting occupants and the structures’ contents from moisture, wind and other environmental elements.
The envelope’s primary function is to keep conditioned air inside and outside air and heat (or cold) out. It must meet a wide variety of quality requirements, from durability to air leakage control to preventing the accumulation of water and humidity within wall gaps.
In order to do its job well, the envelope must be durable, long-lasting, easy to maintain and cost-effective. That’s why it is important to include a comprehensive building envelope inspection in the overall maintenance plan of your commercial roof. This will help you identify problems and plan ahead for future maintenance costs and replacements. It will also help prevent costly damage to inventory, structural integrity and potential safety hazards.
The Roof Perimeter
During commercial roof assessments, it’s essential to take note of the condition of the surrounding areas. This includes the areas surrounding HVAC components and other necessary equipment for the building. These parts of a roof tend to wear faster than the rest of the roof and are more susceptible to leaks.
It’s also a good idea to inspect the area around skylights and roof hatches. Make sure the hardware is secure and that the flashing is in good condition. If the roof has a metal conductor cable, look for a closed loop connector to ensure that it can’t be dragged or slammed against the roof membrane and cause damage.
It’s important to examine the gutters, downspouts and drains on the commercial roof. These must be free of blockages to ensure that rainwater can flow freely. A clogged gutter can lead to the formation of ponding on a flat roof, which can create color changes and stains.
The Roof Field
Once the inspector has surveyed the perimeter and roof access points, they move to a closer look at the actual roof materials. This involves examining the surface, looking for signs of damage such as cracks and blisters, checking for loose or damaged shingles, evaluating the condition of flashing around rooftop equipment (like skylights or HVAC units), and ensuring the integrity of the roof’s seams and sealants.
Inspectors also evaluate the condition of the roof’s insulation and underlying layers like the roof deck. They may take core samples to determine the moisture content of the underlying materials, which will help them to locate leaks and areas that need immediate attention.
Inspectors should also evaluate the condition of gutters and drains, as well as any ponding water that could degrade the roof’s membrane over time. A commercial roof inspection should include a detailed report with recommended solutions to the problems discovered, including cost estimates and quotes for repairs or maintenance.
The Roof’s Materials
After checking the obvious signs of damage, a qualified commercial roofing inspector will look closely at the field of the roof. They will check for rips, cracks, and punctures in the surface of the roof and in the insulation. They will also evaluate the condition of the roof’s materials, noting any rust or corrosion, and looking for any vegetation such as moss or mildew that may be growing on the surface.
They will also inspect the gutters, ensuring that they are not clogged and allowing debris to build up on the roof. They will also evaluate the condition of parapet walls, and check that the flashings on roof penetrations are not cracked or leaking.
If the inspector finds any problems with the roof, they will write up an inspection report and recommend repairs. This will help the property owner develop a long-term maintenance plan that will extend the life of their roof. The inspector will also let the owner know if their roof is beyond repair and needs to be replaced.