DIY Roof Inspection for Your Flat Home Roof

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “Prevention is better than cure.” Right? Well, though this phrase is mostly used in the health aspect, the logic is pretty much the same as far as roof inspection is concerned. Roof repair and replacement costs can cause a huge dent on your finances. But carrying out an inspection regularly – preferably twice a year – can save you a lot on these costs and, better still, extend the life of your roof.  Below is a DIY checklist you can use to carry out a flat roof inspection at your home.

1. Roof Leakage

Flat roofs are prone to ponding, especially during the rainy seasons. These water ponds tend to exert constant pressure on the roof material to cause penetration that eventually results in leakage. When inspecting your roof, check for the presence of large pools of water and signs of penetration and rust (for metallic material).  

2. Drain Blockage

An effective drainage system is essential for flat roofs. However, the drainage system can, with time, be filled with leaves, bodies of small animals, and roof material debris. These materials can affect the functionality of the system and introduce ponding during rainstorms. Ensure to check for these signs and clean the system.

3. Seals

During construction, special roofing cement and waterproofing membranes are used to provide air and watertight seals to prevent water from the reglets and base flashing. Check for signs of deterioration, cracking, or drying on the corners of your coping joints, plumbing collars, and penetrative vents. 

4. Surface Degradation

Over time, adverse weather, heavy rooftop equipment, and foot traffic can cause the occurrence of punctures, holes, blisters, and granular loss of roofing membranes. Conduct an in-depth check for the presence of dirt, debris, structural deformations, rotting, and rusts and arrange to patch the affected areas, if any.

5. Roof Age

Nothing lasts forever. Your roofing materials will age sooner or later, and this will make them more vulnerable. Contractors will usually estimate the durability and lifespan of the roof, which helps determine the possible timeline of repairs or replacement. You can also check for brittles, granular damages, and bristling.

6. Structural Damage

Roofing structural damage can either be interior or exterior. Interior damage usually appear as damaged joists resulting from roofing material weight, weakening sealants on reglets, and mildew and molds on steel and wooden joists. Exterior damage on the other hand, is usually evidenced by brittles, blisters, tears, punctures, and cracking. If you notice any sign of these damages, do not assume any of them, however small they may look.

Flat roofs tend to face huge adversities like ponding. There are quite a number of items that you can include in your checklist during your flat roof inspection. These are just some of the common items. When you notice a problem during your check, ensure to address it as quickly as possible as the problems can become more prominent, along with the consequences.

Your safety is very important when conducting this inspection. You will need a safe access solution when inspecting a roof.  D-marc offers quality flat roof demarcation barriers and roof walkways that you can be used to enhance your safety when carrying out inspections. Consult with us today, and we will help you get the right fall protection system(s) for your flat roof within the shortest time possible.