Roofs are generally out-of-sight and out-of-mind until a leak occurs.

As a business owner, it obviously pays to stay ahead of the curve and take care of the roof system to prevent this from happening. Once leaks occur, water gets into the building structure and deterioration starts to occur – including dreaded mold issues! Leaks also produce collateral damage by destroying inventory, décor and possibly equipment.

Therefore, regular inspection and cleaning are essential to keep your company’s most vital asset – the roof- in sound condition. This inspect and clean process needs to be performed on every type of roofing system in the commercial marketplace, especially those considered to be “low slope.”

What exactly does this process entail?

The inspection process consists of a visual examination by roofing professionals of the roofing system to determine its condition and obvious deficiencies. Associated with this inspection is a cleaning procedure which includes removing debris such as leaves, abandoned air conditioning fan belts and motors.

Removal of debris, even small pieces of plastic and styrofoam cups is critical to your building’s health. For example, if a plastic bag gets into the drain and seals it off, or even restricts flow, water can back up rapidly in a storm resulting in roof collapse. The inspector will need to know from your staff if any leaks were noted in the most recent rains and where they occur inside the building.

It should be noted that frequently the position of the leak inside does not coincide with the actual point of water entry. Once water gets into a roof system it invariably travels to the lowest point. Finding the source of water entry is based on experience taking into consideration the roof structure, the number of roofing layers, the shape and design of the roof deck and its supports. It is not an exact science.

How will you know the results of the procedure?

Subsequent to the inspection, you should receive a report detailing the condition of the existing roofing system, recommendations for repairs if any, and a forecast of its potential remaining service life.

When Should these inspections take place?

At a minimum of once a year – preferably before the rainy season. Currently, BEST Contracting is offering a “Summer Special Clean and Inspect” at a deeply discounted cost.