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Commercial Roof Surveys: How Inspections Work in Atlanta

Written by Zach Reece | Nov 15, 2024 7:50:00 PM

Regular roof checks can keep your Atlanta building safe and strong - this saves you serious money in the long run! Atlanta's weather can beat up your commercial roof - from those scorching summers to the sudden thunderstorms we're all famous for. You'll want someone to check it out before the small problems turn into wallet-draining disasters.

Look, nobody wants to manage a leaky roof or structural damage. You probably remember the last time you had to manage an emergency repair (what a headache). Professional roof surveys can catch those sneaky problems way before they become serious problems.

An expert Atlanta roof inspection covers everything. Your inspector will take a look at the drainage systems and find any weak areas in your roofing material. Your inspector will search the entire roof, looking for trouble areas, and document it all with photos. They'll give you a clear picture of what's actually happening with your roof.

Let's talk about it!

Purpose of a Commercial Roof Survey

Your commercial roof needs regular checkups to catch any problems early and save you money down the road! You'll want an expert to look at every part of your roof - from the top layer all of the way down to the structure underneath. They'll spot those cracks, bubbles, or holes that could turn into bigger problems later!

Think about those places where your roof meets pipes, vents or skylights. These are prime places for leaks - you'll want an expert to make sure they're sealed up tight. They'll take some samples from your roof to check what's going on underneath - you might have wet places you can't even see yet.

When checking what's happening inside your building, look up at your ceiling tiles - do you see any water stains? That's your roof telling you something's not right up there. Make sure the water's flowing where it should be, not pooling up on your roof. Good ventilation helps, too - you might need more vents to keep everything dry and working right.

Regular roof checkups help your roof last way longer than if you just leave it alone. Think of it like going to the doctor - catching problems early means easier fixes. Those complete infrared scans can spot hidden water before it turns into a massive leak that ruins your whole day.

Weather in Atlanta can be harsh on your roof. After a big storm rolls through, you'll want someone up there making sure everything's still protected. Same goes for any time you've had work done on your roof - better safe than sorry!

A reliable roof keeps everyone protected underneath it. You don't want to mess around with sagging areas or loose seals that could cause bigger problems. Your employees and customers count on you to keep that roof over their heads in good shape.

Remember your warranty, too - most businesses won't honor it unless you get those regular checkups. You've put good money into your roof, so protect that investment! Just ask around - building owners have dodged serious disasters because they caught problems during scheduled inspections.

Key Inspection Techniques Used

Modern technology makes roof inspections safer and more complete than ever before. You can achieve precise results when you combine a few different inspection methods - each one looking at your roof in a specific way.

Drone inspections have completely changed the game! You can now see every inch of your roof in crystal-clear detail without climbing up there yourself. The inspector will fly the drone around and take pictures and videos of areas you'd never see from the ground. You can watch the recorded footage later to find out what's happening with your roof (especially in those tricky areas behind vents or AC units).

Think of infrared cameras as x-ray vision for your roof. They show exactly where heat is escaping or water is sneaking in - problems you'd never spot with your naked eye. When you look at an infrared image, you can see the hot or cold areas that point to wet insulation or sections where your heating and cooling are literally going through the roof!

You should check out moisture meters too. These useful tools tell you right away if there's water damage hiding in the roof materials. The inspector will use them along with thermal imaging to track down sneaky leaks - this helps determine just how extreme the damage is.

Satellite views show you the complete picture - especially for bigger buildings. You'll see patterns of wear and potential problem areas from way up high - this helps when some parts of your roof are tough to reach. This bird's-eye view spots problems like loose materials or uneven wear that might spell trouble down the road.

AI technology has revolutionized the entire inspection process! Programs like Pointivo scan your whole roof and create complete 3D models measuring everything automatically. You can receive very accurate results without someone spending hours up on your roof with a tape measure.

These high-tech tools keep inspectors safer and work faster than old-school methods. What used to take half a day now takes less than an hour - saving you time and money while giving you way more complete information about your roof's condition.

Common Roof Problems Identified

A commercial roof sends warning signs - you just need to know the right places to look! Professional roof inspections can catch all sorts of problems that could cause serious problems down the road.

You'll see the leaks right away when you check for water stains on ceiling tiles or dark patches under the roof. Don't wait around on fixing those leaks, though - you're asking for mold, rot, and expensive repairs later!

The sun beats down on your roof each day. That UV damage shows up as cracks and blisters in the roofing material. You should watch for any tears or holes that might let water sneak in. Water pooling on the roof is another red flag. Clogged gutters and drains mean that rain has nowhere to go except down into your building. Those drainage systems have to stay clear and flow freely.

Those areas where objects poke through your roof - like vents and skylights - need attention. The metal flashing around them can get loose or damaged (creating perfect entry points for water). Your roof needs to breathe, too. Poor ventilation traps moisture inside - it'll rot wooden supports from the inside out.

Time isn't kind to roofs. Even the finest materials wear down eventually when water seeps in and heat escapes. Regular inspections help you spot age-related problems early. Poor installation work shows up as pulling seams and poorly fitted flashing. You'll end up paying for those shortcuts sooner instead of later.

The structure of your roof - the decking and support beams - deserve a complete inspection too. When they start to sag or rot you have serious trouble brewing! Putting off repairs just makes everything worse and more expensive. What starts as a small leak can turn into a moldy mess or even a dangerous roof collapse.

Just last month, a business owner in Atlanta learned this lesson the hard way. A few small leaks turned into a full-blown disaster with mold everywhere and structural damage that cost a fortune to fix.

Roof Survey Process Overview

A successful roof inspection begins with collecting the right information. You'll need to check the public records and talk to the building manager about any past roof problems or modifications they have made. Getting your hands on the building's floor plan will help you to show exactly how the roof is laid out. It'll show where potential trouble places might pop up!

Start your work inside the building - it's the smartest way to start. You'll spot water stains, rusty places, and areas where the structure looks weak or damaged. Walking through the interior helps you to track down any leaks before you even step foot on the roof! Move on to check the building's exterior walls, doors, and panels for any visible damage.

Look for any damp places and structural problems that need attention.

The real work happens up on the roof itself. Take a complete look around at everything you can see - damaged materials, cracks running through the surface, bubbles in the roofing, and puddles that won't drain away. Focus extra attention on the metal strips where different sections of the roof meet up. These locations like to leak first.

Make sure these sections are tight and keep the water out!

Now check how well water flows off your roof. Clear out any leaves and debris from the gutters and make sure the downspouts aren't clogged up. For roofs with a rubber-like covering, take a look at where the sheets join together and watch for vulnerable places. When you add items that stick out of the roof, such as air vents, AC units, and skylights, these areas cause problems.

When you can safely reach it, take a careful look at the wooden structure under the roofing material. Keep an eye out for deteriorated places and water damage. Think about a camera that shows hot and cold places - it helps to find hidden moisture. Walk around the perimeter, too, check for standing water, and make sure the metal trim is attached.

Once you're done looking at everything, write up what you found. Take lots of pictures of areas that are concerning and spell out what needs fixing. List out how much you estimate repairs might cost.

A Qualified Roof Inspector

Your search for a reliable roof inspector starts with checking qualifications. You can spot the true experts by looking at their certifications from top organizations like GAF or CertainTeed. A GAF Master-Elite Roofer or CertainTeed ShingleMaster title (like us!) shows you have someone who knows their work.

You'll want to find someone who's been around the block a few times. The businesses that have stuck around for decades - like us at Colony Roofers - have likely seen every roofing problem imaginable. That kind of experience tells you what to expect from their results!

Jump online and check out what other people are saying about them. HomeAdvisor and TrustDALE reviews can give you the real scoop on who's doing quality work. TrustDALE's 7-point Investigative Standard helps separate the pros from the amateurs.

Modern tech has changed roof inspections. Make sure your inspector comes equipped with up-to-date tools to detect everything from loose shingles to hidden leaks. A complete inspection now saves you from headaches down the road!

Pick up the phone and ask some tough questions. Get the facts on their certifications and who issued them. Find out how many roofs they have looked at over the years. Ask them to walk you through their inspection process step by step. Remember to ask about warranties and what happens after the inspection.

Double-check everything they tell you. Give those certifying organizations a quick call to verify credentials - it's worth the time. Dig into online reviews and talk with past clients. While Georgia doesn't need roofing licenses, look for businesses that go the extra mile. These extra measures show you have pros who stand behind their work.

Post-Inspection Maintenance Actions

Start checking your roof right away to keep it in great shape and make it last longer. You'll need to fix any problems you find during the inspection. When you spot leaks or water damage - repair them immediately! Fix any cracks you see in the roof boards - put in new metal edges where needed and make sure your gutters work the way they should.

Regular maintenance prevents costly repairs and bigger headaches down the road.

Your next move should start with preventing future problems before they start. You want good airflow in your attic so moisture doesn't build up and create mold. Look at the air vents in your attic plus the ones coming from your kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your roof can breathe the right way. Keep an eye on any equipment sitting on your roof (like AC units) and check the seals and drains so they don't spring a leak.

You should plan ahead for future roof checks, too. Look at your roof after heavy storms or when seasons change. For business buildings, you'll want to check everything out at least twice every year - maybe more if the weather gets extreme where you're at. Spotting issues early saves time and money in the long run.

Keep complete records of everything you find! Take lots of pictures and videos of your roof's condition. Write down any problems you spot, what needs to be fixed, and how much it might cost. These notes will come in handy when planning repairs and budgeting.

Teaming up with an experienced roofer makes sense. Show them what you've found and ask what they think should happen next. They know their stuff and can keep your roof in prime shape.

Remember to walk around your roof's edges and across the middle. These areas usually get leaky first. Look for puddles of water, awkward angles that don't work well and check all your gutters and metal edges. Make sure everything fits together snugly.

Think about drones for parts of your roof that are hard to get to - especially on large or tricky buildings. Drones can snap very clear pictures of your roof's condition while keeping everyone safe on the ground.

Protect The Roof Over Your Head

Your Atlanta roof needs extra attention because of the weather conditions you might worry about. Heat and humidity can team up with sudden storms to put a serious strain on all your roofing materials. You'll want to catch problems early - before a small leak turns into a massive repair bill.

Most Atlanta homes and buildings follow specific construction patterns that need inspection methods. Your roof must meet the local building codes. These codes can be strict about items like hurricane resistance and ventilation. The good news? Modern tech helps spot issues faster than ever before.

You can now get a complete look at your roof's condition thanks to drones and infrared cameras. These tools show you exactly what's going on up there and even problems you can't see with your naked eye. Remember those old-school inspections where someone had to crawl around on your roof? Those days are mostly behind us.

Colony Roofers knows exactly what your Atlanta roof needs because we live and work here as well. We have teams and will help you in Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Want to know what's actually going on with your roof? Give us a call, and we'll check it out for free! You deserve a roofer who knows their work and won't give you the runaround. Let's get your roof finished out the right way.

Your roof protects everything you own, so don't let problems snowball. Regular checkups help prevent costly damage and keep your home safe. Fixing issues early saves you time and money in the long run.