When it comes to the health of your building, the roof is one of the most important elements to keep an eye on. A commercial roofing contractor in Minnesota like our team at Exteriors Plus can help you with regular roof inspections, but it’s important that you know what to look for during those inspections. In this blog post, we’ll outline four critical questions that you should be asking during a roof inspection.
Is the Roof’s Drainage System Suitable for Expected Weather Conditions?
Before you have your business roof examined, it is highly suggested that you examine the weather in your region. If you reside in a location that receives a lot of rain, knowing the average amount of precipitation in your region may assist with your commercial roof inspection. It’s critical to know what your local average rainfall is, and have your commercial roof expert evaluate whether or not your roof’s drainage system is sufficient for the region. If your business’s roof drainage system isn’t adequate enough, make sure it is fixed as soon as possible so that water can drain properly and avoid your roof from getting damaged due to water damage.
In what Condition is the Roof’s Flashing?
Flashing is an important element of a roof as it helps to seal and protect areas where the roofing system meets walls, chimneys, and other protrusions. Over time, flashing can become old and worn which may cause leaks in your roof. Make sure to ask your commercial roofing inspector about the condition of your roof’s flashing and if it needs to be replaced.
What parts of the roof will you mostly be focusing on?
When your business’s commercial roof is inspected, be sure to inquire about the areas of the roof that will be covered so you can learn about the roof’s vulnerable spots. By doing so, you may obtain a deeper knowledge of your roofing system’s limitations and ensure that your commercial roof inspector is acquainted with it. Furthermore, you can ask your commercial roofing contractor what type of maintenance may be required for those areas in order to avoid any further damage.
Has this Roof been Serviced before?
Another thing to consider while going through your commercial roof inspection is whether or not your business’s roof has been repaired before. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with previous repairs having been performed on your roof, commercial roofing experts tend to agree that if similar types of repairs have been repeatedly performed on your roof, it’s indicative that the roofing system was improperly installed. This might be an indicator that your roof structure is beginning to deteriorate, and as a result, it may need to be replaced sooner rather than later
Don’t forget to ask how information will be documented.
Before the commercial roof inspection begins, make sure your contractor explains how they’ll document it. Most commercial roof inspectors will give you CAD drawings, aerial pictures, or schematics that show the condition of your roof. If your commercial roofer doesn’t provide these kinds of documentation plans, you might want to think carefully before hiring them. These documents are excellent resources for assessing the condition of your business roof and formulating future roofing choices, so if your commercial roofer does not provide them, you might want to reconsider using their services.