A roof survey can show that a roof is leaking.
It can identify visible cracks, open laps, ponding water, damaged flashings or failed details.
But the most important question is often not
“Where is the defect?”
The real question is
“Why is the defect happening?”
Because visible roof problems are often only symptoms.
A leak may not be caused by the area where water appears internally.
Ponding water may be a drainage or falls issue, not just a waterproofing issue.
A cracked membrane may be a sign of movement, poor substrate condition or ageing of the system.
Repeated patch repairs may hide a deeper problem within the roof build-up.
A good roof assessment should look beyond the surface.
It should consider
- moisture within the roof build-up
- condition of the insulation
- substrate stability
- drainage and falls
- previous repairs
- compatibility of existing and proposed systems
- detailing around outlets, upstands, rooflights and penetrations
- whether the roof is still suitable for refurbishment or needs replacement
This is where many decisions go wrong.
If the survey only describes the visible defect, the solution may only repair the symptom.
But if the assessment identifies the root cause, the specification can address the real problem.
That is the difference between a short-term repair and a long-term roofing solution.
A roof survey should identify the cause, not just describe the symptoms.
Inspect → Assess → Specify → Perform
A survey should explain why the defect is happening.