If you own a commercial building in the Cleveland area, you know that our harsh weather extremes can wreak havoc on your structure. A commercial building’s roof is one of the most important parts since it protects the building and its contents.
Regular inspections can help identify problems before they develop into major expensive repairs or vulnerabilities that require emergency assistance. Here’s what to expect when you get a free inspection of your commercial building’s roof from Roberts Roofing.
How Long a Roof Inspection Takes
While most buildings have an average inspection time of about 30 minutes, the length of time an inspection takes depends on both the size of the building and the condition of the roof. If the roof has multiple problem areas, your roofing professionals may want to take multiple samples and spend more time inside looking for damage. Bigger buildings or structures with flaws in the roofing system can take several hours to inspect.
What a Roof Inspection Includes
Measurement: The roof will be precisely measured to determine its total square feet. Roof size is an important component of work quotes.
Membrane inspection: Inspectors will look at the entire roof membrane to check for areas of weakness such as cracks, rips, blisters or punctures. Seams are a notoriously vulnerable area so every seam will be carefully inspected for integrity.
Core sample: A small section of the roof will be removed with a special tool to understand and examine the roofing system’s layers, and to check their condition. The sample area is properly sealed after it is taken.
Interior inspection: Ceilings can tell a story not visible from the roof. The interior inspection looks for signs of water damage, leaks and other issues.
Roof penetrations and flashing: Pipes, vents, plumbing stacks, skylights, chimneys, wall intersections and exhaust vents are just a few areas that water loves to find its way into, creating damage you may not initially be able to detect. These areas will all be carefully inspected.
Slope: Properly diverting water to designated areas for runoff is one of the most important jobs of your commercial roof. Inspectors will examine slope and any hindrances to runoff that may cause water to pool.
Quotes for Repairs
After the inspection, your roofing expert will provide you with a quote that includes suggested improvements or repairs to the roofing membrane itself, along with suggested changes to make to the roof such as removal of skylights or old, inoperable HVAC units that can contribute to weakening the membrane and leakage. We can work with you on making repairs in phases or stages to make the cost manageable, depending on the severity and urgency of the necessary work. We will always be honest about what needs to be repaired immediately versus things that should be done but could wait a bit.
Planning for the Future
Our estimates can also include a general idea of how much life your roof has left. Planning for the future means the potential for major roofing repairs, roof system restoration or total roof replacement when the roofing system has reached the end of its life and is failing. Protecting your building is important to us.
Experience Matters
In a race to the bottom on rates, you finish last. Roof work can be expensive, but selecting a company with the right experience can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Your roof isn’t just going to cover the building today; the roofing system should function properly for many years to come. When you choose an experienced roofing professional, their goal is to help minimize your expenses in the long term, not charge you through the nose for a single job and then disappear. Investing in a relationship with experienced roofing professionals is an investment in the longevity of your building’s roof.
Northeast Ohio’s Commercial Building Roof Experts
Roberts Roofing is proud to be the trusted commercial roofing provider to dozens of businesses across Greater Cleveland. For more than 40 years, our team of roofing professionals has been dedicated to providing honest, straightforward advice and the cost transparency you deserve.
We are always available when you need us, including emergencies. Contact Roberts Roofing online or call us at 440-946-2233 to schedule an appointment for a free initial inspection.