How often do you think about the roof over your head? Damage can be caused by loose items placed or stored on rooftops. Roofs should always be inspected prior to and after inclement weather warnings to decrease the impact of flying projectiles, blocked drains (especially during the fall season if there are a lot of trees around a building), or to protect valuable machinery prior to heavy winds or hail. A quick walk through should be done after the storm to ensure there is no known damage which could increase the cost of the loss if not attended to quickly. Draining pipes on roof tops when not cleared of debris can cause back up of water and could result in roof damage or collapse from the weight of the water.
Suggestions for the frequency of your agency roof top inspections:
- Inspect each roof at least once per year.
- Increase frequency consideration for roofs that create a greater-than-typical exposure (age, leaf exposure, roof mounted equipment, etc.).
- Identify the best time of year best for the inspection(s) (hurricane preparedness, fall leaves, history of past inspection conditions, etc.).
- Identify the format of the inspection & documentation.
- Improve training the individuals that perform the inspection.
This checklist is a great tool provided by the Hartford Steam Boiler which you are welcome to use during your roof top inspections.