Facilities Manager’s Guide to Springtime Roof Inspections

While the winter months are hopefully behind us, the weather they bring to many parts of the country can have lasting negative effects on a facility’s roofing system. If roofs are not properly monitored and maintained, problems caused by winter conditions can lead to unforeseen issues such as interior leaks, roof material damage, and even structural collapse in extreme cases. Facility managers should be prepared and have a roof management plan in place for springtime that incorporates proactive inspections and maintenance procedures that take effect before any significant damage occurs due to harsh winter weather.

Winter weather conditions such as cold temperatures, precipitation, and high winds are often direct causes of roof damage. Varying temperatures contribute to expansion and contraction of roof materials. Since roof assemblies are a system of materials, the component parts tend to expand and contract independently and often at different rates during the freeze and thaw process. Under these conditions, serious roof system deficiencies, such as membrane detachment and seam failures, often develop.

In addition to the cold temperatures, winter weather often also brings strong gusting winds. Any loose object or detached materials are prone to becoming displaced under these windy conditions and can even cause impact damage to the membrane, creating entry points for moisture to intrude into the building envelope. The best practice recommendation is to conduct a thorough roof inspection annually to catch issues early on and prevent any catastrophic damage. However, small or subtle deficiencies are often invisible to the naked eye and may be completely missed in a walking visual inspection.

Fortunately, EagleHawk’s drone-enabled thermal inspection services have helped many organizations identify the presence and location of roof issues so that they can be repaired in a quick, affordable and effective manner. As part of EagleHawk’s services, facility managers receive a comprehensive interactive report of inspected facility assets, providing the insights needed to effectively prioritize funds and plan repairs.