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A flat roof survey is a systematic examination and assessment of a flat roofing system. This is normally conducted by a professional roofing contractor or surveyor to evaluate the condition of the roof, identify any existing issues, and determine maintenance or repair needs. A flat roof survey involves a thorough inspection of all parts of the roofing system. This includes; the roofing membrane, insulation, drainage systems, flashings, and structural elements. Specialised tools, equipment, and the surveyors expertise is used to assess the roof. This includes; the detection of leaks, identifying areas of deterioration, damage and potential vulnerabilities. The results of a flat roof survey provide valuable insights into the roof's overall health. This allows property owners or facility managers to make informed decisions about necessary repairs, maintenance schedules, and budget planning. The main objective of a flat roof survey is to help extend the roof's lifespan and prevent costly future damage.
We are one of the UK's leading flat roof inspection companies. We provide a complete inspection service for flat roofs. This includes a range of roofing systems on both residential and commercial buildings. Our highly-experienced team covers all of London, the South of England and the whole of the UK for larger roofs. RJ Evans are fully accredited flat roofing specialists. If you would like a quotation or any information on flat roofing please get in touch with us or call us now on 01277 375 511.
A flat roof survey is an in-depth assessment conducted to evaluate the overall condition of a flat roof, helping to identify existing or potential issues that may compromise its functionality. The inspection typically involves a visual check of the roof surface, looking for signs of wear, such as cracks, splits, blistering, or pooling water, which can indicate poor drainage. The surveyor will also examine key components such as the flashing, seals around vents, and skylights to ensure there are no gaps or areas vulnerable to water penetration. In addition, the drainage system is inspected to confirm it is working effectively to prevent water from collecting on the roof, which could lead to structural damage over time.
More advanced techniques may be used during the survey, including thermal imaging and moisture detection tools, which can reveal hidden issues, such as trapped moisture within the roof's insulation or water ingress beneath the membrane. These tools are especially useful for spotting problems that are not visible to the naked eye but could lead to significant damage if left unchecked. The survey also assesses the condition of the waterproofing membranes and insulation, both essential for maintaining the roof’s water resistance and energy efficiency.
After the survey, a detailed report is provided, outlining the roof’s current condition, any areas of concern, and recommended repairs or maintenance. According to the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), regular surveys can extend the lifespan of a flat roof by identifying issues early, reducing the need for costly repairs or even premature replacement. A flat roof survey is particularly valuable for property owners, as it helps maintain the building’s structural integrity and prevents expensive damage. These inspections are often required for insurance purposes, to comply with warranties, or before starting roof refurbishment projects, ensuring the roof remains functional and safe for years to come.
Yes, there is a difference between a flat roof survey and a flat roof inspection. A flat roof inspection is typically a more general assessment of the roof’s condition, focusing on identifying visible issues such as leaks, cracks, or damage. It is often part of routine maintenance and involves a basic check to ensure the roof is functioning properly. On the other hand, a flat roof survey is a more comprehensive and detailed examination. It may involve specialised tools like thermal imaging and moisture detection to uncover hidden problems beneath the surface, and the results are compiled into a thorough report. A survey is usually conducted for larger projects, insurance requirements, or when preparing for major repairs or refurbishment.
A flat roof inspection is a routine evaluation carried out to assess the roof’s current state, looking for visible damage or potential problems. The process typically involves examining the roof for common issues such as cracks, blistering, or standing water, which can lead to more serious structural damage if not addressed. During a flat roof inspection the inspector will also check drainage systems to ensure water is effectively removed from the roof, preventing pooling and leaks. Key areas like the flashing, seals around vents, joints, and skylights are inspected to detect any gaps or weaknesses that could allow water infiltration.
Inspections are vital for identifying minor issues early, reducing the likelihood of expensive repairs or premature roof failure. A regular flat roof inspection helps property owners maintain the functionality of their roof by addressing problems promptly. This preventative approach is important for prolonging the life of the roof and ensuring it continues to protect the building effectively.
We offer an assessment to determine the condition of: the roof covering, any soffits or fascias, its gutters and tiles, the pipes and downpipes, as well as the parapet walls and any lead flashing. The report is multi-functional. It will give you a detailed and independent assessment of your roofs current condition. In the event of a defective flat roof, it can support any claims against your insurance or roofing contractor should you feel your roof hasn’t been installed correctly.
Initially, we will have a consultation with you about the condition of your flat roof, when was the roof inspected last and any concerns you have. For example, if you have noticed you have a leaking flat roof.
Then, we will ask you questions about the style of roof you have, for example the roof’s size and the material it is made from. We will also check the property owners and whether the property has recently changed hands. Next, we will move on to discuss the details of the installation, wanting to know who installed it, the date of installation and whether it came with a guarantee or warranty. If it did come with a guarantee we will ask how long the flat roof was guaranteed for.
After this, we move onto the condition of the roof, discussing whether there are any leaks, what your concerns are and what you are looking to achieve with your roof.
Lastly, we will ask if an insurance claim has been made and the response from the insurance company, for example if they have requested a survey be held on your roof. Then we will go up onto your roof and carry out the flat roof inspection.
Flat roof surveys involve a member of our team will visit the property, meet with you and then go up onto the roof to carry out the inspection. They will ascertain the general condition on your roof will be assessed, problematic areas identified and an estimation of your roof’s life span given.
The areas we home in on are the condition and reliability of the flat roofing membrane, the guttering, pipes and down pipes, any tiles, fascia’s, soffits, walls and lead flashing. If a particular area has been flagged as being a concern we will also pay special attention to this. As part of the survey pictures and sometimes videos are taken. This will show points in the roofing system which are failing or close to failing. This will help you identify things such as areas where water ingress is likely. Acting quickly on this information can help you avoid cost repairs by preventing things such as a leaking roof happening. All of the information gathered on the inspection will attached to the report for your reference.
A flat roof survey provides a detailed, independent assessment on the condition of your flat roof. It is able to be used as a form of evidence should you be making a support claim against the original installation company of the roof. Or it might be your insurance company require you to have one undertaken before your insurance is given or renewed.
Insurance companies often require a flat roof inspection in order to determine the cover they will provide. Naturally, newer roofs and roofs which are in good condition will receive better insurance coverage. This makes it crucial for you to keep all documentation about your roof, including any previous flat roof inspections for insurance purposes. As well as details of any work carried out upon it. This should be stored in either a physical folder or electronically.
In addition to this we recommend a survey and flat roof maintenance to be carried out annually. This routine will help ensure your roof remains in the best possible condition, whilst also creating consistent documentation to prove the good condition of your roof.
If you have a leak in your flat roof and feel your building’s insurance policy will cover your claim but aren’t wanting to go ahead with your repair immediately then an inspection from a professional roofing company can help you by providing an estimate of costing.
You should contact a professional roofing contractor and ask them to provide you with a report detailing the damage and including evidence of the leak, this can then be used to support your claim. The detailed report will provide images of the leak from the roof, the damage the leak has caused and any other information which supports your claim. Some roofing contractors are also able to provide a thermal image report which makes your claim even stronger in the eyes of the insurance company.
If you would like a quotation or any information about a flat roof survey on a residential or commercial property please get in touch with us or call us now on 01277 375 511. One of our friendly team of flat roofing experts will be happy to help you.
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