Roof Maintenance Checklist

What can cause premature roof failure?

From the day it’s installed, a roof is exposed to countless hazards

that can potentially shorten the life of your roofing investment

and spell trouble for your facility and its occupants. Fortunately,

being aware of those hazards can help minimize their impact.

In fact, neglecting inspections and maintenance may be the

biggest cause of premature roof failure. Factors to look out for

include:

★ Long-term exposure to the elements such as sun, water and

freeze-thaw or shorter-term exposure to damaging air

pollutants and chemicals

★ Extreme weather such as lightning, high winds, hail, or

terrential rains should be investigated immediately

★ Structural movement, such as building settlement or

expansion/ contraction not accommodated by the roofing

system

★ Biological growth including vegetation in areas of standing

water or algae

★ Procrastination — meaning it’s important to repair small

problems quickly before water finds its way into insulation

layers or the structure itself

★ Change in the use of the building, especially changes that

increase or decrease the interior relative humidity, possibly

causing severe condensation problems within the roofing

system

★ Improperly added equipment or other items, sometimes

added by tenants, are a very common source of roofing

problems

★ “Trade damage” including puncture holes, rough foot traffic,

equipment damage, and other issues caused by trades (like

HVAC installers) other than your roofing contractor

★ Unintended abuse such as vandalism or accidental damage

that can result in large amounts of water getting into the roofing system.

What can you do to protect your roofing system?

Here is a comprehensive list of steps that should be performed periodically to help protect your roofing system.

1. Maintain Records

Keep a file of all roof records, including:

• Manufactures guarantee

• Inspection reports

• Repair and maintenance bills

• Original construction drawings, specifications, and invoices

Useful when:

• Making repairs

• Adding equipment

• Planning a reroof

2. Conduct Routine Inspections

At least once per year (twice per year is optimal, typically in the spring and fall).

Inspection Maintenance Checklist and special considerations are provided in this guide.

3. Inspect After Severe Weather

Inspect the roof for damage after severe weather such as hailstorms, heavy rains, high

winds, etc. The sooner you repair any damage, the smaller the repair cost.

4. Repair Correctly

All roofing repairs must be performed by a credited contractor. Make repairs with quality

materials, following current repair guidelines for the type and quality of roof installed.

5. Keep Roof Clean & Free of Debris

Remove debris from roof to help prevent punctures and enhance safety. Keep gutters,

downspouts, drains, scuppers, and surrounding roof areas clean to ensure proper drainage.

6. Keep Metal in Good Condition

Examine all metal flashings, counterflashings, expansion joints, and pitch pockets for rust,

detachment or damage, and deteriorated sealant. Reattach loose metalwork, replace sealant

as necessary; repair metal as necessary, and prepare and paint any rusted metal.

7. Keep masonry in good condition

Water leaks from masonry are often incorrectly attributed to the roofing system.

Examine masonry walls and copings for:

• Cracks and bad mortar joints

• Deteriorated sealant

• Loose masonry/coping stones

• Indications of water absorption

Repair all such conditions to prevent water infiltration.

8. Maintain rooftop equipment

Examine rooftop equipment for any problems that may allow water infiltration, including:

• Air conditioners, vents, and ductwork

• Satellite dishes and antennas

• Equipment stands or screens

• Solar panels and mounting equipment

• Skylights

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations and check the roof after

any service calls to make sure the roof hasn’t been accidentally damaged.

9. Maintain roof coating if present

Eliminate any spillage of coolant, oils, grease, etc., and repair roof membrane if affected.

Examine protective coatings and recoat any cracked, flaked, blistered, or worn areas with

a compatible roof coating.

10. Minimize rooftop traffic

Minimize rooftop traffic by limiting access to necessary personnel only. Maintain a roof

access log so that you can ascertain who has been on the roof in the event of damage to

the roof from other trades. Make sure walkway pads are installed in high-traffic areas.

SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

Interior Roof Deck

Check for signs of leaks ❑ ❑ ❑

Deterioration ❑ ❑ ❑

Expansion Joints

Excessive movement ❑ ❑ ❑

Check for signs of leaks ❑ ❑ ❑

Deterioration ❑ ❑ ❑

Ceiling

Check for signs of leaks ❑ ❑ ❑

Interior Walls

Check for signs of leaks ❑ ❑ ❑

Exterior Walls

Check for signs of leaks ❑ ❑ ❑

Staining ❑ ❑ ❑

Missing motar ❑ ❑ ❑

Cracks ❑ ❑ ❑

Fascia/Coping/Metalwork

Check attachment ❑ ❑ ❑

Check for signs of leaks ❑ ❑ ❑

Paint any rusted metal ❑ ❑ ❑

Recaulk as necessary ❑ ❑ ❑

Staining ❑ ❑ ❑

Field of Roof

Note damage/deficiencies ❑ ❑ ❑

Substrate firmness ❑ ❑ ❑

Check for loose fasteners ❑ ❑ ❑

Redistribute any ballast across bare spots ❑ ❑ ❑

HVAC Units

Pipes ❑ ❑ ❑

Lines ❑ ❑ ❑

Check all ductwork ❑ ❑ ❑

Doors are securely attached ❑ ❑ ❑

Check top flashing securement/termination and/or counterflashing ❑ ❑ ❑

Gaskets ❑ ❑ ❑

Equipment base/tie-in ❑ ❑ ❑

Drainage System

Scuppers ❑ ❑ ❑

Downspouts ❑ ❑ ❑

Clean out all gutters and drains ❑ ❑ ❑

Check drain bolts ❑ ❑ ❑

Check strainers ❑ ❑ ❑

Make sure drains are working ❑ ❑ ❑

Base Curb Flashing

Check top flashing securement/termination and/or counterflashing ❑ ❑ ❑

Impact of signs movement ❑ ❑ ❑

Roof Edges

Check for deterioration and securement ❑ ❑ ❑

Penetrations

Check and fill all pitch pans as necessary ❑ ❑ ❑

Inspect all penetration flashings ❑ ❑ ❑

Recaulk as necessary ❑ ❑ ❑

Check draw bands ❑ ❑ ❑

Other

Surface contamination ❑ ❑ ❑

Soft areas ❑ ❑ ❑

Vandalism ❑ ❑ ❑

Vegetative roof area ❑ ❑ ❑

Check for oil deposits ❑ ❑ ❑

Solar panel/mounting damage ❑ ❑ ❑

Ponding water ❑ ❑ ❑

Debris ❑ ❑ ❑

Physical damage ❑ ❑ ❑

Roof needs cleaning ❑ ❑ ❑

Traffic patterns/walkway pods needed ❑ ❑ ❑

Photos Taken ❑ Yes ❑ No

roofing system