FAQ

Visual inspections of each asset are best. On average, it is ideal to have your roof visually inspected by a professional twice a year.

First, maintenance should be handled by a professional. While some items, including removal of leaves, trash, and debris may be handled by a maintenance staff, a professional can proactively determine failures in seams, flashings, terminations, etc.

Every inspection should include photographic documentation. Photos provide documentation for future warranty claims and proof of annual inspections and maintenance of the roof, which is required by manufacturers.

Second, it allows for proactive maintenance of the roof. Visual inspections should note existing deficiencies. Acting on those needs will prevent potential leaks and add life to the roof system.

Third, you are documenting existing conditions. By having recent photos of the roof’s state and conditions, you have evidence in any future storm or damage claim of the current (and insurable) condition of the roof.

There is no one-size-fits-all scope of work for commercial roofs. The best course of action depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

• Building construction
• Building use
• Existing roof system age
• Existing roof system condition
• Useful life
• Lease responsibilities
• Asset hold
• Budgets

Partner with a trusted roof vendor and review all the above factors to develop the best maintenance plan. While your roofing partner may be a roofing expert, they do not know budget, site relationships, lease responsibilities, and other factors, so be sure to discuss this too.

It is important that your roof partner offers unbiased assessments. Assure they can look at the existing roof system with the ability to consider what is best for the situation and are not limited in solutions by experience, liabilities, or personal preferences.

Your roof partner should perform the assessment and review discoveries with you. They should promote discussions on findings, exterior factors, and potential solutions. The solution should be a partnership to achieve the best results.

Vet your partner to understand their ability to install multiple roof systems and offer creative solutions. Guarantee they are not limited in their insurances and liabilities, looking to decrease their exposure and constrict their solutions to only quote total roof replacement. Discover if they are tied to Manufacturer rebates or incentives, limiting their proposals to specific products or solutions.

Quite simply, can they put you first and make sure they are providing the right solution for the problem?

In this time of inflation, rising material costs, and a shrinking skilled-labor pool, value has become more important than ever. A roof project is not done when the technician steps off the roof. It is important that there is a long-term plan in place for routine inspections.

Every reroof or roof service project requires a return. Proactive inspections are necessary to assure the new system or repair is performing — before water intrusion or a catastrophic event happens.

While getting a great price is important, attaining a detailed scope of work, confirming quality workmanship, and vetting a partner’s financial stability and reputation is the key to long-term success.

Information and communication are key! Step 1 is understanding the complete portfolio and determining conditions.

Step 2 is documenting those assessments in a clear way that is simple to understand and easily accessible. Does your partner share a portal that allows you to access assessments by state, site, or section?

Finally, your partner should lead in helping you budget for those sites in need of major repair or replacement while also offering stop-gap solutions if feasible in certain situations. True roof portfolio management includes assisting in assessing, sharing, solving, planning, and execution.