Implementing a Successful Annual Roof Maintenance Inspection

Implementing a successful annual roof maintenance inspection is not only crucial to a roof management program but also key to providing good customer service. You want to make certain that the inspection and verification of completed repairs are handled properly to ensure present and future business.

A successful annual roof maintenance inspection can also save you money on your roofing insurance claims. Identifying needed repairs early during an inspection makes them more likely to be covered under the manufacturers’ warrantees. Furthermore, even if your homeowner files a claim through your general liability insurance, the cost will probably be for less because the damage has been spotted early.

Some simple steps that you can take to assure a favorable result from your maintenance inspection are the following:

Set up a File

Once you’ve completed constructing a roof; set up a file containing roof plans, as-built drawings, systems and materials used and warrantees and guarantees. You will need this information to complete your annual roof maintenance inspection the following year.

Choose Two Inspectors

Two inspectors will maximize the safety of each inspector and provide a higher quality of inspection. Two pairs of eyes are better than one, and team of inspectors will yield a much more thorough result.

Inspection Checklist

Devise and follow an inspection checklist that includes all areas of and concerns about the roof. The checklist should mirror the procedure that the inspectors will used, and all items should be checked off or notated for repairs in a systematic manner.

Roof Plan

Create a roof plan for each separate area of the roof. If you have set up your file properly, roof plans should be available in there. Inspection checklists must be accompanied by roof plans.

Flashing and Penetration Areas

More than 75% of all leaking problems happen in flashing and penetration areas. Flashing refers to the thin pieces of material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from a joint or part of a weather resistant barrier (WRB). Roof penetrations are pathways for pipes, conduits and telecommunications. Flashing and penetration areas because of their vulnerability demand special attention during an annual roof maintenance inspection.

Main Part

It’s suggested that the main part of the roof be inspected in intervals of four feet. This would allow the inspectors to analyze each area closely to detect if there are any trouble-spots. Places in need of repair should be marked with bright yellow paint.

Repairs

Repairs should always be carried out in a timely manner and utilizing industry standards. Before doing the repairs get the homeowner’s input in writing and clarify what costs will be involved, if any; you don’t want to proceed with the work without taking these preliminary steps.

Photos

Pictures should be taken of every repair identified during the inspection. Likewise, as part of the verification of repairs process, photos of all repairs need to be taken for the homeowner. A picture is worth a thousand words. However, written descriptions of the cause of the repair and what you did to remediate it (materials, techniques, procedures, etc.) need to accompany your photographs.

Contractors Insurance

Your annual maintenance inspection protects the roofing system and you against widespread damage, resulting from neglecting to do routine maintenance. The costly repairs of widespread damage, which is all but prevented by annual maintenance inspections, is usually billed by your clients to your general liability insurance. You don’t want your contractors insurance to absorb heavy roofing repair charges, and your annual maintenance inspection helps ensure that your roofing insurance won’t have to.

Dynamic Industry

The roofing industry is one of the most dynamic industries because of its ever-changing composition. It estimated that as many companies leave as enter the roofing industry on a daily basis. Some leave because they may go out of business, and some of the ones that enter may become your competition.

Referral Business

Implementing a successful annual maintenance inspection isn’t just a good roof management plan, it is an excellent business strategy. Maintenance inspections that are done well not only keep current customers happy, but they also pave the way for referral business by putting out the word that your company is one that stands behind its work.