Professional Commercial Roof Inspections

Know the True Condition of Your Commercial Roof

Your commercial roof is constantly exposed to the elements. Sun, wind, rain, hail, snow, and temperature extremes work continuously to degrade roofing materials and compromise system integrity. Many of the most damaging conditions develop gradually and are invisible from the ground or even during a casual rooftop walk. Moisture trapped beneath the membrane, insulation that has lost its thermal value, flashing details that have begun to separate, and membrane seams that are slowly failing can all go undetected without a professional inspection.

Windward Roofing & Construction provides thorough, technology-enhanced commercial roof inspections that give building owners, facility managers, and property investors a clear and accurate picture of roof condition. Our inspection services draw on more than 40 years of commercial roofing expertise and employ multiple diagnostic methods to ensure that no problem goes unidentified.

Types of Commercial Roof Inspections

Visual Inspection

The visual inspection is the foundation of every roof assessment. During a visual inspection, a trained Windward technician walks the entire roof surface, systematically examining every component of the roofing system. This includes the membrane or surface material for signs of blistering, cracking, punctures, or wear. Seams and overlaps are checked for adhesion integrity and signs of separation. All flashings are inspected, including base flashings at walls and curbs, counterflashings, pipe and conduit boots, pitch pans, and equipment curb flashings. Drains, scuppers, and gutters are evaluated for proper function and blockages. Edge metal, copings, and gravel stops are checked for secure attachment and sealant condition. Rooftop equipment supports, walkway pads, and safety anchors are also assessed. The visual inspection identifies obvious damage and wear patterns that indicate where the system is most vulnerable.

Infrared Thermal Imaging

Infrared roof inspections use thermal imaging cameras to detect moisture that is hidden beneath the roof membrane. When water enters a roofing system through a breach in the membrane, it saturates the underlying insulation. This wet insulation retains heat from the sun much longer than dry insulation, creating measurable temperature differentials on the roof surface after sunset. An infrared camera captures these thermal variations, producing a detailed heat map that reveals the precise location and extent of subsurface moisture.

Infrared inspections are non-destructive and can survey large roof areas efficiently. They are particularly valuable for identifying moisture problems that have no visible surface indicators, mapping the full extent of water damage that may have spread far from the original entry point, planning surgical repairs that target only the damaged sections rather than replacing large areas unnecessarily, and establishing baseline moisture conditions for ongoing monitoring. Windward Roofing performs infrared inspections during optimal conditions, typically on clear evenings following a warm, sunny day, to ensure the most accurate results.

Core Sample Analysis

Core samples provide direct physical evidence of roof system condition. During a core sample inspection, small cylindrical plugs are cut through the full depth of the roofing assembly, from the membrane through the insulation to the deck. These samples reveal the actual condition of each layer, including whether the insulation is wet, compressed, or deteriorated, whether the membrane has maintained its thickness and flexibility, and whether the adhesion between layers remains intact. Core sample locations are selected strategically based on visual findings, infrared results, and knowledge of where problems are most likely to develop. Each core location is carefully repaired after extraction using compatible materials and methods.

Drone-Assisted Inspection

For large commercial and industrial facilities, roofs with limited access, or situations where minimizing foot traffic on a fragile roof surface is important, Windward Roofing offers drone-assisted inspections. Our inspection drones are equipped with high-resolution visual cameras and thermal imaging sensors that capture detailed imagery of the entire roof surface from above. Drone inspections are especially useful for warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants with extensive roof areas that would require significant time to walk completely. They are also valuable for documenting overall roof condition, identifying large-scale drainage patterns, and creating photographic records for comparison over time.

When to Schedule a Roof Inspection

While routine inspections should be part of every building's maintenance calendar, there are specific situations that call for an immediate professional roof assessment.

• Semi-annual schedule: Spring and fall inspections catch seasonal damage and prepare for upcoming weather challenges.
• After severe weather: Any storm producing high winds, hail, heavy rain, or significant snowfall warrants a post-storm inspection to identify damage that may not be visible from the ground.
• When leaks appear: Interior water stains, dripping, or musty odors indicate a breach in the roofing system that requires prompt investigation.
• Before and after rooftop work: HVAC installations, satellite dish mounting, and other rooftop work by non-roofing contractors can damage the membrane. Inspections before and after this work document any impacts.
• Before property transactions: Pre-purchase inspections provide buyers with critical information about roof condition and remaining useful life.
• When planning capital budgets: Accurate condition assessments help facility managers plan and budget for roof repairs or eventual replacement.
• Warranty documentation: Regular inspections demonstrate the proactive maintenance that many manufacturer warranties require.

What Our Inspection Report Includes

Every Windward Roofing inspection produces a comprehensive written report designed to give you clear, actionable information. The report includes an overall condition rating for the roofing system, a summary of findings organized by priority and severity, detailed photographs with annotations identifying specific conditions, a roof plan diagram marking the location of all identified deficiencies, infrared imagery and moisture mapping when thermal scanning is performed, recommendations for immediate repairs, short-term maintenance, and long-term planning, estimated remaining service life based on current condition, and budget-level cost estimates for recommended work. Our reports are designed to serve multiple audiences. Building owners receive the strategic overview they need for capital planning. Facility managers get the specific, prioritized action items they need for day-to-day decision making. And financial stakeholders receive the documentation they need for due diligence and asset valuation.

Post-Storm Inspections

After a significant weather event, time is critical. Storm damage that is documented promptly has a much higher likelihood of successful insurance claim resolution than damage that is discovered weeks or months later. Windward Roofing offers priority scheduling for post-storm inspections and provides the detailed, professional documentation that insurance carriers require. Our technicians understand the difference between storm-related damage and pre-existing wear, ensuring that your claim accurately reflects the event's impact.

Pre-Purchase Inspections

If you are acquiring a commercial property, the condition of the roof should be a critical factor in your due diligence. A roof in poor condition or nearing the end of its service life represents a significant capital expenditure that should be factored into the purchase price. Windward Roofing's pre-purchase inspection provides an objective, expert assessment of current roof condition, estimated remaining useful life, projected costs for repairs or replacement, and identification of any code compliance issues. This information gives you the leverage and knowledge you need to negotiate a fair purchase price or request seller-funded repairs as a condition of the sale.

Schedule Your Roof Inspection

Understanding the condition of your commercial roof is the first step toward protecting your investment. Contact Windward Roofing & Construction at (844) 880-8844 to schedule a professional inspection. Whether you need a routine assessment, a post-storm evaluation, or a pre-purchase analysis, our team has the expertise and technology to deliver the answers you need.