Flat Roof Surveys
In AET's experience, water infiltration into and through a roofing system is the leading cause of water damage and resulting mold growth in residential and commercial buildings. Entrapped moisture causes the roof membrane and insulation to rot and can lead to structural deterioration and safety concerns. In the interim, moisture intrusion will decrease the thermal efficiency of the roof insulation and increase the heating and cooling costs of the building. Further, stagnant moisture leads to bacterial growth and odors.
Roof leaks are common, whether the roof is old or new, and frequently occur in the seams and penetrations where vents, AC lines, or access hatches are installed. Other problem areas include drains that are plugged, missing insulation or insulation that is improperly installed, excessive roofing layers, and/or substandard repairs. Many times, roof warranties do not cover defects from the installation process and most will not cover modifications or repairs not inspected by the manufacturer's representative.
Regular roof surveys and maintenance is the best method to resolve small roofing repairs and make informed decisions to prioritize repairs for timing and budgetary constraints. Remember that in time, all roofs will fail; the key is to extend the life of the roof to minimize unbudgeted costs.
Reasons to inspect your roof include:
- Proactive: Establish baseline roof conditions when purchasing real estate, on an annual basis to identify potential repair areas, when purchasing a new roof, when re-roofing an existing system, and prior to final payment of a roof repair or new/re-roof.
- Response: Whenever leaks or water damage is present or when there is a dispute or litigation regarding roof systems or their repairs.
AET's approach
- Interview the customer to determine the past and present history of roof leaks, repairs or other service issues. Identify the age, composition and manufacturer of the roof. Determination if a warranty is still in-place and applicable.
- Visual inspection and photographic documentation of the building structure, roof drainage and roof surface conditions to locate obvious defects such as ponding water, open joints in the flashing, missing flashing, punctures, bare spots on aggregate-covered roofs and cracks in adjacent masonry walls.
- Infrared thermography to identify concealed moisture conditions including damaged roofing and damp roof insulation. Infrared thermography measures surface temperature and can identify temperature variations of the roof. This technology provides color digital images of wet/dry areas to direct repair responses. Infrared roof surveys are performed most effectively, after sunset when the roof gives off its heat energy accumulated during the day. Wet areas will maintain heat energy longer than dry areas which are detected by the infrared camera.
Flat roof surveys are part of AET's multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary approach to building operations and maintenance. AET's staff professionals frequently evaluate roofing systems in conjunction with renovation projects to determine asbestos content for both roof repairs and installation of new roofs.
