How often should I inspect the roof?

peter12 · 12-06-2015, 10:02 AM

Hi all, I have a commercial flat roof installed on my building. The roofing was done by industrial roofing contractors of Empire Roofing Corporation and it still going well and good. Recently my friend told me that the roof has to be inspected, but don’t know how often to do? Can someone suggest how often should I inspect the roof? Thanks.

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**Markus Keller** · 12-09-2015, 04:11 PM

How often the roof needs to be inspected obviously depends on the roofing material, weather and how well the job was done.
Roof inspection, unless its a known older roof, isn't so much about inspecting the roofing field material rather its more about inspecting the terminations that are common leak points. i.e. flashings around vent stacks, chimneys, PVC pipes, skylights, caulk joints, etc.
Based on our weather I typically tell clients every 3 years at the least.

**Roy Lewis** · 12-09-2015, 05:55 PM

Annually. Along with other component of the structure.

Originally Posted by peter12

Hi all, I have a commercial flat roof installed on my building. The roofing was done by industrial roofing contractors of Empire Roofing Corporation and it still going well and good. Recently my friend told me that the roof has to be inspected, but don’t know how often to do? Can someone suggest how often should I inspect the roof? Thanks.

**Scott Patterson** · 12-09-2015, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by peter12

Hi all, I have a commercial flat roof installed on my building. The roofing was done by industrial roofing contractors of Empire Roofing Corporation and it still going well and good. Recently my friend told me that the roof has to be inspected, but don’t know how often to do? Can someone suggest how often should I inspect the roof? Thanks.

I would say every few years or whenever you have somebody up on it. I see little need in doing it every year. If it leaks you will know you have a problem!

**Jerry Peck** · 12-09-2015, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Markus Keller

How often the roof needs to be inspected obviously depends on the roofing material, weather and how well the job was done.
Roof inspection, unless its a known older roof, isn't so much about inspecting the roofing field material rather its more about inspecting the terminations that are common leak points. i.e. flashings around vent stacks, chimneys, PVC pipes, skylights, caulk joints, etc.
Based on our weather I typically tell clients every 3 years at the least.

Also depends on the size of the roof, and the details of the roof, and how long ago the roof was replaced.

Additionally, depends on how far you are willing to allow a leak to go before you find it.

At first, maybe even 2-3 years as Markus says, up to about 5 years old, then annually as Roy said after that.

If you have a good thermal imaging person up there, they can do an good moisture location inspection with a quality infrared camera if they are trained and knowledgeable on imaging roofs. I did a few roofs with a thermal imaging contractor back when I was doing inspections, the good ones can find a lot of things with their camera. That was back before I bought my infrared camera, so that would probably put it back around 1999-2002.

**Raymond Wand** · 12-10-2015, 09:18 AM

Check the roof after every major weather event, and fall and spring time. Clean scuppers or roof drains of leaves and twigs and check flashings. Why wait for a leak?

Your insurer will not cover leaks should the roof be found to be in need of repairs that were ignored.

**ROBERT YOUNG** · 12-12-2015, 07:52 PM

Professional roofing installers & Roofing associations recommend that asphalt roofing systems, sloped or flat, be evaluated by a licensed certified professional and maintained on an annual basis, this includes roof tune-ups when required.
The life of your roof is directly related to how often it is inspected and how quickly small problems are identified and repaired.
Maintaining your roof annually helps improve the longevity of the roofing system.

Jeffrey Hunn · 02-19-2016, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Raymond Wand

Your insurer will not cover leaks should the roof be found to be in need of repairs that were ignored.

That is an important detail. Warranties from roof manufacturers can even be voided if proper maintenance is not performed. Flawed repairs and flawed installation can also void coverage.

Below are two supporting quotes that I published (with the sources linked) in an article here:

http://www.hometeamaz.net/How-often-...in-Phoenix.php

"How often should a [commercial] roof be inspected? Facility managers and building owners need to make roofing maintenance a priority. It is recommended to have your roof inspected twice per year."

trapped moisture on flat roof.jpg

"[Even a flat roof that is well-designed and well-maintained still] should be inspected... after major weather events such as high wind and severe thunderstorms."