A Guide to Commercial Roof Inspections
Everything you need to know about commercial roof inspections, from independent roof surveying experts.
Scheduling regular roof inspections is a crucial part of maintaining any commercial property - after all, a well-maintained roof not only protects your building from the British weather but also safeguards your investment by preventing structural damage, energy inefficiencies, and potential safety risks. Over time, even the smallest of leaks, cracks, or drainage problems can escalate quickly into costly repairs.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand the importance of commercial roof inspections, so you can navigate the process with greater confidence. From identifying common issues to knowing when to contact a professional, this article will be packed with practical insights to ensure your business’s roof remains in top condition for years to come!
Why Are Commercial Roof Inspections Important?
One of the most important reasons to regularly inspect your roof (or use an independent roof survey) is to catch minor issues early before they become something much more costly for your business.
For example, if you have a cracked roof tile and it’s exposed to heavy rain, that small crack could quickly become damp and a major structural issue.
However, there are several other reasons for a commercial roof inspection, such as to:
- Extend the lifespan of the roof.
- Maintain the value of the property.
- Ensure safety for occupants and staff.
- Spot insulation problems and energy inefficiencies.
- Comply with insurance and warranty requirements.
- Prevent business disruption and operational downtime.
How Often Should You Inspect a Commercial Roof?
As a general rule, you should have your commercial roof surveyed at least once a year, although your roof should be inspected more frequently following any extreme weather, such as heavy rain, wind, or snow.
You should also be mindful of the material that your roof is made from. Commercial roofs made from materials such as metal roof sheets or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) are particularly resistant to strong weather and may require less maintenance and monitoring compared to roofs made from weaker materials such as corrugated bitumen sheets.
If your roof is older, naturally, you should inspect it more regularly compared to a new, properly installed one. Likewise, a roof with a history of issues should be monitored closely.
What Is Assessed During a Commercial Roof Inspection?
For a commercial roof, you should leave the task to a certified and insured professional for roof surveys, who has all the necessary safety equipment to complete the inspection safely.
To make each assessment safer and more efficient, many surveyors now make use of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) rather than physically climbing onto the roof. These drones fly above the property to capture high-quality images and videos of a commercial property’s exterior, showing various angles that a human might not be able to reach.
Using the data collected from the drone, the surveyor can create several different outputs which help you visualise where certain issues have arisen. For example, a 3D model of your large warehouse could be created that pinpoint areas of structural damage. Inspection findings will be presented to you in an easy-to-read report, just like this one.
Common Issues Found With a Commercial Roof Inspection
Here are some of the things that should be assessed during a commercial roof inspection:
- Cracks, blisters, or punctures on the material surface.
- Pooling water or drainage issues.
- Blocked gutters and downspouts.
- Signs of internal or external mould, rot, or rust.
- Structural issues or sagging.
The Step-by-Step Process of a Roof Inspection
Although a DIY inspection can help spot obvious issues, for insurance claims, warranty protection, and health & safety compliance, a certified professional commercial roof inspection is required. Here’s a 5-step guide to give you an idea of what the process involves:
1. Preparing for the Inspection
Before starting, you’ll need to review your building plans and roof maintenance history to identify known problem areas. If you’re opting for a physical inspection, a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) will be necessary, which will increase the time your inspection takes to complete and the overall cost. However, commercial drone surveys require less upfront planning, since they don’t require access equipment, ladders, and safety harnesses.
2. Inspecting the Interior
The inspection will often start with an internal assessment of ceilings and walls for water stains, mould, or signs of dampness - common indicators of roof leaks. While these signs might seem straightforward, professionals can often identify subtle issues that untrained eyes might miss!
3. Examining the Roof’s Exterior
Accessing the roof is one of the riskiest parts of the process, especially for large industrial buildings - this is why drones are often viewed as the best option. The roof surface will be checked for damage such as blisters or cracks, and flashing around vents and skylights will be inspected for gaps or corrosion. Gutters, downspouts, and internal drains also need to be cleared and checked.
4. Detecting Hidden Issues
Since many issues aren’t visible to the naked eye - such as areas of heat loss - infrared cameras can be used; either through a handheld thermal camera, or a thermal imaging camera attached to a drone. Some surveys may also use a moisture meter to detect hidden water damage.
5. Documenting and Planning Repairs
A thorough inspection includes detailed notes, photographs, and a record of all findings, which are essential if you plan to make an insurance claim or need warranty coverage. A professional’s detailed report ensures nothing is overlooked, so you have a clear understanding of what needs repairing or addressing next.
What Are the Benefits of Drones for a Commercial Roof Inspection?
Here’s how drones have revolutionised the way that commercial roof inspections are conducted:
- Access to Hard-to-Reach Areas: Easily navigate around obstacles like skylights, HVAC systems, and steep or fragile sections of the roof.
- Reduced Risk of Falls: Drones eliminate the need for surveyors to physically climb onto the roof.
- Faster Inspections: Drones can cover large roofs in a fraction of the time it takes for a manual inspection.
- Minimise Disruption: Inspections can be conducted with low interference to day-to-day business operations, as there’s no need for scaffolding or heavy equipment.
- High-Resolution Imagery: Drones capture detailed photos and videos that reveal issues like cracks, blisters, or pooling water.
- Comprehensive Aerial Views: Drones provide a bird’s-eye view of the entire roof, making it easier to spot patterns of damage or areas prone to recurring issues.
- Lower Labour Costs: Since drones reduce the need for multiple workers and specialised equipment, inspection costs are generally lower.
- 3D Mapping and Modelling: Advanced drones can create detailed 3D models of the roof, offering deeper insights into structural integrity and areas of concern.
What Are the Benefits of a Traditional Roof Inspection?
- Physical Interaction With the Roof: Drone surveys can eliminate the need to access a roof. However, with a traditional roof inspection, the surveyors can physically touch any potential issues to better judge the problem.
- Thorough Inspection of Roof Components: A traditional inspection offers the opportunity to inspect all components of the roof up close, including the roof sheets, flashing detail, gutters, and vents.
How Much Does a Commercial Roof Inspection Cost?
The cost of a commercial roof inspection majorly depends on the size and complexity of your property, as well as the type of survey you choose. Traditional surveys for a small commercial property often start from £800+, but this can quickly mount up for larger warehouses or buildings with a complex roof. These prices may also not include the cost of scaffolding, which can be a significant factor.
Drone surveys, on the other hand, are usually cheaper - starting at roughly £700 for a typical commercial property. Understandably, this price will rise if the structure is larger or more intricate, but drones are more capable of scaling these with ease and therefore don’t require higher labour or set-up costs.
What to Do After a Roof Inspection
After completing a self-survey or receiving a professional report, it's essential to understand and address any identified issues. The most urgent of repairs should be dealt with as soon as possible, as these pose the highest risk to the structure’s integrity and staff within the property. For less serious issues identified, schedule routine maintenance to patch these up.
You should consult certified roofing specialists before proceeding with any repairs - your roof surveyor may even be able to recommend some to you! It’s important to maintain thorough records of all inspections, repairs, and communications to ensure compliance with warranties and insurance - keep these documents safely stored, as you may need them later on.
Here at Full View, our team has experience in roofing and will be able to not only identify potential issues but also give you recommendations on their severity and the urgency at which they need to be dealt with.
How Can You Maintain Your Commercial Roof?
You can safely monitor your roof between professional inspections by regularly checking for visible signs of damage from the ground, such as leaks, water stains, or the build-up of fallen debris, such as branches. If your commercial property has a flat roof and you can safely access this, take a closer look for any new issues that have arisen.
However, you should never attempt to climb on your roof yourself or allow unqualified staff to do so, as this poses significant safety concerns. If you’re concerned about your roof’s condition, contact a professional to handle the task for you.
Who Should You Contact for a Commercial Roof Inspection?
If you’ve decided that a roof inspection is in order, it’s important to find a reputable surveyor who is experienced with all different kinds of commercial structures. You should gain multiple quotes to find a price that fits within your budget, and ask questions about what to expect, so you have a clear idea of where your money is going.
One of the biggest issues people find is that some surveyors offer roofing repairs, which can lead to them finding issues that don’t really exist. At Full View, we’re independent roof surveyors, so we offer an impartial survey that’s honest about real problems on your roof.
Our experienced Oxfordshire-based team have travelled to all kinds of commercial properties across the UK, completing high-quality drone-based roof surveys and providing accurate, easy-to-read reports. We offer a FREE no-obligation consultation, so feel free to ask us about the use of thermography, 3D digital twins, or anything else that we offer during our inspections!
