COMMERCIAL ROOF INSPECTION

It is estimated that up to 40 percent of all commercial roofs will develop leaks within the first year of service. The average life span of these roofs is seven to ten years, but they can last as long as twenty years if they are correctly installed and property maintained.

Commercial roof maintenance is a vital part of keeping your property investment performing for you. Far too often, the cause of a roof failure is the absence of proper maintenance and inspection.

Big Block uses a reliable, multi-step process to detect failures or potential issues with commercial roof systems. It includes:

a) Estimating the size of the roof.

b) Sketching out roof showing all major openings, HVAC units, chimneys, parapets.

c) Identifying the roof type, checking out plans and the roof installer (if available) for age and exact method of installation.

d) Checking the whole roof surface by walking the whole surface where possible, and depending on type of roof, checking for wind scouring, blisters, low areas resulting in poor drainage, check for repairs, flashings, checking around well traveled areas such as where equipment repairs are performed.

e) Checking roof equipment mounting systems, especially post original installations of equipment penetrating the original roof membrane.

f) Inspecting the interior of the roof decking for leakage, corrosion, insulation type and approx. “R” value.

g) Checking for proper installation of and maintenance of grease trays at the outlets of roof top kitchen exhaust fans. (if applicable)

h) Checking pitch pans if used for irregular roof penetrations.

i) Checking for proper type glazing and installation methods when used on roof.

j) Checking all roofing membrane expansion joints.

k) Checking roof jacks for insulation in regard to condensation in interior.

l) As a last resort, an invasive cut test is conducted in order to analyze the actual interior of the roofing material.

A WORD ABOUT THERMAL IMAGING AND INFRARED INSPECTION :

When required or requested, BigBlock Inspections will conduct Infrared roof inspections.

Although many commercial inspection companies offer this type of inspection, the onus is on you, the client, to make sure that the “results” of your thermal image/infrared inspection are interpreted by a properly certified infrared Thermographer.

That way, you are protected should legal issues arrive later on that bring into question the level of certification possessed by the Thermographer.

If the Thermographer who interpreted the results was under-certified, your interests may not be protected.

Big Block Inspections provides a written report C/W digital photos of each “anomaly” or major deficiency found during our visit.

In addition, we will mark each suspect anomaly on the roof so it can be easily assessed and/or repaired by a licensed roofing company.

Don’t forget to ask about our annual roof inspection maintenance program.

Testimonials

“David presents information in a very professional and informative way. My clients feel great about their purchase when they know exactly how it works and what they need to do to maintain it. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for an honest, detailed and enjoyable inspection.” Rachel O’Hearn, Realtor, The Leslie Benczik Team