Whether you are a business owner or a homeowner, your property is extremely important to you. It is how you make your money, or where you relax and enjoy time with your loved ones, so wouldn’t you want to ensure that it is maintained to the best standard?
Many people remember basic maintenance activities, such as checking the plumbing and gardening, but many overlook the importance of regular roof inspections. Your roof is exposed to the elements 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, and as such is vulnerable to damage. As a roof is not easily visible on a day to day basis, it is easy to overlook problems, and this can be very costly if issues are not picked up early.
Roof inspections/surveys are essential for ensuring the longevity and quality of your roof. If you are wondering what this involves, then keep reading!
Why should I have a roof inspection?
As mentioned above, roofs are constantly exposed to the elements, and this can lead to numerous problems including:
- Loose and missing tiles/slates
- Excessive Weathering
- Cracks and gaps
- Ponding water
- Storm damage
- Membrane tears and rips
- And more…
If not identified and addressed early, these simple problems can lead to leaks and even roof failure, which can be expensive and disruptive to your home or business. Performing regular roof inspections is the best way to catch issues early and can save you money.
Who can inspect my roof?
A roofing contractor can carry out your roof inspection, by combining this with the cost of repairing any issues identified.
A roofing consultant can also carry out your roof inspection. These are independent experts; however they will only advise you on what needs fixing, they do not generally undertake the works themselves as this maintains their independence.
What is involved in a roof inspection?
The main types of roof inspection are:
- Exterior inspection– This involves a consultant or contractor accessing the roof and inspecting the tiles, fascias, soffits and guttering, and checking for any structural damage such as sagging of the roof structure where this can be seen.
- Interior inspection– This involves accessing your loft, checking for any leaks and/or signs of mould, and inspecting the ventilation and insulation.
Some of these issues can be hard to identify if you are not trained to do so, so it’s important that you hire an expert to do your roof inspection for you.
How will the inspector access my roof?
There are many ways that consultants or contractors can inspect your roof. Some of these include:
- Visual roof survey– using mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP) or scaffolding to access the roof and inspect it safely. This is a standard way of inspecting a roof, however it can be quite timely and expensive.
- Extended camera survey– for buildings above a certain height or with unsafe roof paths, a mounted roof camera can be used to perform an assessment.
- Drone survey– for buildings of excessive height, a drone can be used to capture footage of the roof and carry out an assessment. This method is becoming particularly popular due to its ease of use and less invasive nature. Although this tends to be used for commercial properties, drones are becoming more and more popular for inspecting personal properties, as they are a much safer and quicker method.
- Mobile Elevated Platform– again, for buildings above a certain height, a mobile elevated platform or “cherry picker” can be used to observe the roof and carry out an assessment.
Other technical forms of roof inspection include thermal imaging, core sampling and electronic leak inspections.
How often should I get my roof inspected?
Industry recommendations is that a roof should be inspected once a year as minimum. This may sound like a lot, but it is well worth the money in the long run. The best time would be prior to winter to catch any problems that could lead to water ingress before the poor winter weather arrives. MKA Consultants provide annual roof audits to give you peace of mind that your roof is in good condition.
And of course if at any time of the year you notice a problem, it is very much advised that you get an expert in to assess the full extent of the issue.
MKA consultants have over 20 years of experience in inspecting and surveying a wide variety of roofs. Our impartial and independent advice and extensive level of technical expertise make us the perfect choice for inspecting your roof. Get in touch today on 01494 723365, or email us at guy@mkaconsultants.co.uk.
