Inspecting a Built-up Roof

What Olsson Roofing Company looks for during the inspection of a Built-up Roof:

1.    Check flashings at all walls, pipes, ventilators and other penetrations. Look for open joints, sagging flashing, missing counter-flashings, punctures, tearing due to building movement, pitch pockets that require refilling due to shrinkage, missing or protruding fasteners.

2.    Check gravel stops for open joints causing splitting of stripping materials.

3.    Check copings for open joints.

4.    Look for missing ventilator hoods, gutters or downspouts.

5.    Walk entire surface of roof. Look for soft spots, blisters, splits, ridging, bare spots on aggregate-surfaced roofs.

6.    Look for indications of ponded water or other signs of poor drainage. Pools of water should dissipate 48 hours after the last rainfall.

7.    On aggregate-surfaced roofs look for "traffic patterns" that indicate necessity for installation of walkways.

8.    Watch for accumulation of debris that can clog drains or that can be blown about during a storm, causing roof damage.

9.    Look for unflashed roof penetrations such as pipes, HVAC curbs, new antennas, guy wires, etc.

10.    Pay particular attention to areas adjacent to expansion joints. Look for splitting in the joint covers or tearing due to differential movement.