Date
Fri Apr 7Author: Rener Vieira
If you own or manage a commercial property in the Greater Seattle area, you know that having a commercial roof is an expensive, time-consuming investment. While most commercial roofing systems are designed to last anywhere between 20 and 40 years, this type of life expectancy is not exactly 100% guaranteed.
To ensure your commercial roof lasts for as long as possible, you must keep a close eye on it in order to properly maintain its quality. With routine commercial roof inspections from Landmark Roofing and Siding, you can do just that. Our comprehensive roofing inspections can help you identify issues early on before they become costly to resolve – or before it is too late. Here is a look at what you can expect during your commercial roofing inspection and what you can do to maintain the quality of your commercial roof.
01
Interior Ceiling Evaluation
First and foremost, our roofing contractor will check the ceilings inside of your commercial property. Their primary goal during this step will be to look for leaks, water stains, rust, and structural damage. If you have noticed any leaks, be sure to inform the contractor in advance. This will allow them to determine the root cause and solution. If you do not want our contractor to disrupt your operations, you can ask them to focus on your interior ceilings outside of normal business hours.
02
Visual Exterior Examination
Before they get on a ladder and make their way up to your roof, your roofing contractor will quickly examine the exterior of your building. While this stage will be quick, it is important because it will reveal whether your roof has cracks or any other visible damage that might be a sign of a larger structural issue.
03
Comprehensive Roofing Inspection
04
Roof Equipment Check
Chances are your commercial building has HVAC units or related machinery on the roof. If this is the case, you can count on your inspector to quickly examine them and make sure there are no leaks in the seams where they attach to the roof. During this step, our roofing contractor can also tell you whether your machines require prompt repairs and direct you to HVAC pros that may be able to help.
05
Roof Sample Collection
Depending on your situation and the quality of your commercial roof, your roofing inspector might take a few samples of your roof surface. The samples will give them valuable information about your roof’s material, layers, age, and moisture level and provide an estimate of how much life it has left. If you are already aware of all of this, the inspector may skip this step.
06
Findings Report
The inspection process ends with your contractor providing you with a detailed evaluation outlining everything that was found and any repairs or replacements they might recommend. Since the report will take some time to complete, especially if it has photos and drawings, you will likely have to wait a few days or weeks to receive it. You can always ask the inspector to give you a quick summary of their findings during your time with them, so you have an idea of the best next steps.
If our roofing professionals find significant damage to your system, they will provide a proposal and estimate detailing the necessary repair or replacement service.
Preventative Maintenance for Your Commercial Roof
Following your inspection and evaluation, our roofing contractor will suggest actions you can take to help maintain and preserve your roofing system. These includes, but are not limited to the following:
- Cleaning and repairing gutters and downspouts
- Debris removal
- Repairing water entry points
- Caulking
- Moss treatment and removal
- Periodic repairs to flashings and joints
- Pruning or removing nearby trees or vegetation
These simple maintenance steps are key in helping to maintain the quality of your roof and protect it against unnecessary wear and tear.
Benefits of Preventative Roof Maintenance
A commercial roof is one of the most important parts of your property. However, even a minor imperfection can prevent it from performing its job properly. By committing to preventive roof maintenance and roofing inspections, you can catch unexpected problems before they turn into large headaches that cost thousands of dollars to repair. Additionally, if you neglect the quality of your roof and end up with major problems such as water or structural damage, your business operations may come to a halt, and your bottom line could be negatively impacted.
While you can try to maintain your roof on your own, you would be better off leaving the responsibility to the roofing professionals at Landmark Roofing and Siding, who know exactly where to look and how to fix common damages. We can even provide you with repair and replacement services when the time comes.
How Long Does a Commercial Roof Inspection Process Take?
There is no hard and fast answer to this question. Factors like the size of your roof, the type of roofing material, and the inspector you choose will all determine how long a commercial roof inspection takes. Generally speaking, our roofing contractors here at Landmark Roofing and Siding are able to complete it in an hour or so. We are also happy to work with you and perform the inspection at a time that will not disrupt your employees and customers.
How Often Should You Have a Commercial Roof Inspected?
Most commercial properties can benefit from a commercial roof inspection twice per year, ideally in the spring and fall. Since the winter often increases the risk of roof damage due to winter storms, cold weather, and ice, spring is the perfect time to look for them and make any repairs before the summer comes around.
Just like a spring inspection prepares your roof for summer, a fall inspection ensures it is good to go for winter. This inspection focuses on cracking, failed seams, and other common issues that the summer season can cause. It is also a good idea to have your roof inspected after serious weather events, like hail, heavy winds, storms, or extreme temperature changes.