Whether you’re a building owner or a property manager, checking your multi-family roof after the monsoon season is a must. Problems including cracked shingles, hairline cracks in flashing, and minor leaks can all become much more problematic if not addressed quickly.
Given that your roof will have to contend with dangerous weather conditions such as hailstones and powerful microbursts in between intense baking heat, there’s a high likelihood that your roof will have at least some damage. While the storm’s severity will determine the damage’s extent, the only way you’re going to know for sure is by checking.
Here’s how to approach this vital annual task and ensure you don’t miss anything crucial before next summer’s storm season approaches.
While it might be obvious, it’s worth stating the best place to start is with a visual inspection from the ground. Just a quick walk around your multi-family property can reveal potential problems.
In terms of what you’re looking for, there’s a whole host of issues that can be spotted from ground level, including but not limited to:
Most of these issues should be easy to spot from ground level and, depending on their severity, could warrant a call to a reputable multi-family roofing contractor such as Icon Roofing. On the other hand, you or your property maintenance team can handle smaller tasks, such as removing debris.
Gutters and downspouts are often worse for wear after heavy rain and intense wind. Firstly, they frequently get clogged up with debris, including leaves, twigs, and detached roofing materials. However, downspouts can also shift in the winds (especially if they extend several meters vertically) and become partially detached from the gutters that feed them with water run-off from the roofing system.
So, depending on the height of the building and overall feasibility, it’s wise to take a ladder and get eyes on your gutters and downspouts to ensure there’s been no lasting damage and that they’re clear of obstructions. Test them, too, to ensure that water drains away from the roof as it should.
While inspecting roof flashing and seals is an essential job for any roof after the monsoon season, it takes on increased importance for a multi-family roof, where there tend to be several more joins, more utility penetrations, and more in the way of equipment such as HVAC units.
If you can access the roof easily, or your building has a predominately flat roof, it’s an excellent idea to walk around and check all of these points where the roofing material meets a protruding object, such as a chimney, skylight, or vent. Look for any loosening of sealants and any perishing of flashing.
While you might be able to spot major issues with flashing from the ground, getting up close is the only real way to spot warning signs before they swell into much bigger problems.
Even with a thorough walkaround, you might only be able to spot signs of water ingress after inspecting the inside and looking for signs of small leaks or water damage. Start by examining interior hallways, ceilings, and walls. Look for any telltale signs, such as bubbling paint or discoloration.
With permission from the tenant(s), access the top-floor units and look at their ceilings in particular. You’re looking for any signs of moisture buildup, including mold and mildew growth. Check the attic space if there is one in your building.
Lastly, use your tenants as your eyes and ears and ask them to report anything they see that might look like a leak. Musty odors are another sign that moisture might penetrate the roof, so add that to the list of things for tenants to look out for.
Trees are the leading cause of damage caused by debris. In the high winds of monsoon storms, branches can easily detach and strike roof tiles or shingles, damaging them enough to cause leaks.
Thus, it’s wise to walk around the perimeter of your building and assess the state of any nearby trees. If there are any overhanging branches, you should proactively trim them to prevent them from becoming potential projectiles during next year’s storms.
Another task is to check that your ground-level drains aren’t covered by foliage or downed branches. Blocked ground-level drains will leave the run-off from your roof with nowhere to go and can cause all kinds of other issues for your building.
During your checks, documenting any damage you find is a good idea. Take photos and make as detailed notes as you can. That will help you with any storm-damage-related insurance claims you need to make, and it will also help you receive more accurate quotes for your multi-family roof repairs.
If repairs are needed, inform your tenants of any remedial work that will take place and reiterate the importance of reporting any leaks or issues they’ve noticed with the roof.
While you may be able to spot an array of problems yourself, there’s really no substitute for having trained and experienced eyes looking over your building’s roof. That’s why it makes sense to schedule a multi-family roof inspection.
With a professional contractor such as ourselves examining your roof you can have peace of mind that your roof is in great shape after monsoon season and address any minor problems should they be uncovered.
Only reputable roofing contractors are going to be able to decipher whether something is a minor problem that requires an immediate fix or is actually in relatively good condition despite appearances. The only way you’re going to know, unless you’re a roofing expert, is by hiring a professional for a roof inspection.
At Icon Roofing, we believe in honesty and transparency. We will never recommend works to be carried out unless they’re essential and we provide photos and videos in our reports to evidence any problems discovered during our investigations.
If you want peace of mind that everything is as it should be regarding your multi-family building’s roof, then please don’t hesitate to contact the Icon Roofing team. We are specialists in serving multi-family complexes in Metro Phoenix. Our thorough roof inspection services will either spot issues that may have arisen after the heavy monsoon season or will give you the reassurance that your roof is in great shape.
Likewise, if you’ve spotted anything from your own inspections that you think necessitates a roof repair, contact us to schedule a visit and quotation. Call us at (480) 427-7600 today or send an email through to the office at office@iconaz.com and we’ll respond as soon as we can.
Icon Roofing is a residential roofing company located in Mesa, AZ. We are licensed, bonded and insured Phoenix roofing contractors that can handle all of your roofing needs. We care about our clients, which means we care about your roof. We install new roofs with the best roofing materials for your home, and back our work with a satisfaction gurantee.
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