When you're responsible for a commercial building, you need to have inspections of all the systems done on a regular basis. This includes the roof. You might have your own crew check the roof every month or two, but you'll still want a commercial roofer to inspect your roof routinely and perform maintenance and repairs as needed. Here are four issues with flat roofs that a commercial roofer might look for when checking the roof membrane.

1. Damage To The Membrane 

Rubber and PVC roofing membranes are durable, but all membrane roofing can be punctured under the right circumstances. Punctures need to be identified and sealed so rain doesn't leak in the roof. The area around doors, drains, and HVAC equipment needs to be checked closely since these areas get the most foot traffic or debris movement that could harm the membrane.

2. Gaps In The Membrane

Gaps are another problem a roofer needs to look for when checking the roof of your building. Gaps might form around vents, along seams, or anywhere the roofing membranes join each other or a surface. Gaps should be sealed quickly since rain can get inside them and harm the insulation boards under the membrane.

3. Drainage Issues

Drainage is important for a flat roof. If rain doesn't flow to a roof drain, it sits in a big puddle on the roof. While membrane roofing is waterproof, water puddles can still cause roof damage. The puddle adds weight to the roof. Plus, water sitting on the roof could eventually lead to a roof leak that escalates quickly since water accumulates every time it rains.

If there's a drainage problem on the roof, the roofer can identify the issue and repair it even if it means the slope of the roof has to be adjusted so water drains properly.

4. Water Damage To Insulation Boards

It's difficult to see water damage to your roof since the insulation boards are covered by a rubber or plastic membrane. While the membrane may not have signs of water damage, the roofer might want to check the insulation boards if the membrane has been leaking.

The roofer might be able to use an infrared camera to check the boards without having to take the membrane off. If not, they might cut out core samples to look for moisture in the roof and determine the extent of the damage.

Hopefully, your commercial roofer won't find many signs of damage during an inspection. If they do, you'll probably want to have repairs done right away to eliminate the risks of a roof leak.