BDR – Blogs

Introduction

Let’s get one thing straight: most building owners don’t lose money because their roof fails. They lose money because they never see the failure coming. Most leaks, structural issues, and insurance woes are not surprise attacks from the universe; they are failures of discipline, process, and, most of all, attention.

Just like in any other high-stakes asset management play, the winners are those who develop simple, scalable routines (rituals, really) that catch the small stuff before it becomes big, expensive, and reputation-damaging. In this guide, we’re not diving into entrepreneurship or the mechanics of leverage, but we are focusing on one truth Alex Hormozi hammers home: Consistency trumps heroics every time. If you want to be the building owner who never gets the dreaded "urgent roof repair" call, read on. This isn’t just about stopping leaks; it’s about installing discipline at the top of your property… literally.

Why Roof Inspections are the Keystone Habit of Asset Protection

The single biggest roofing risk? Neglect.
Roof systems aren’t static. They expand, contract, soak, dry, flex, and take abuse from above (hail, snow, UV) and below (equipment installs, traffic, time). Everyone expects "the roof" to just handle it. But expecting reliable performance without a proactive plan is like expecting your car to run forever without changing the oil.

The best owners treat roof inspections not as a cost, but as a wealth action. This is a regular, non-negotiable input that compounds into longer roof life, lower emergency risk, and, when it matters, frictionless warranty claims.

1. How Often? Design a Rhythm, Not a Roulette

Semiannual Inspections:
Twice a year. That’s non-negotiable. You want to catch the roof after it’s survived the harshest winter and again after a punishing summer. This isn’t arbitrary. Spring reveals what snow, ice, and freeze-thaw cycles have unleashed, such as membrane cracks, warping, or blocked drains. Fall, meanwhile, is your prep for winter: clear debris, check for sun-induced brittleness or failed seals, and ensure drains aren’t an afterthought.

Post-Event Inspections:
Hurricane, hail, fire, or even rooftop construction? Inspect immediately. Nature and tradespeople are equally creative at making problems invisible. That is, until it rains, and suddenly you’re searching for buckets.

Annual Professional Inspections:
Have a skilled consultant (ideally a Registered Roof Consultant, RRC) take an unflinching look at your system at least once per year. They’ll use specialized tools such as infrared, core sampling, and drones, which are things you won’t use. Their report is your insurance policy: it spots hidden moisture, documents warranty compliance, and usually pays for itself in averted crises.

Routine Self-Inspection:
Monthly walks, especially in trouble-prone or high-traffic zones, aren’t about perfection. They’re about early detection: standing water, debris piles, new stains. Make these habitual and you'll rarely get blindsided.

2. Master the Art of the Visual: Simple Routines, Serious Defense

No need for a 50-page playbook; focus on repeatable, effective moves:

Exterior Scan: Walk the perimeter and open areas. Look for splits, blisters, holes, wrinkles, detached flashings, loose fasteners, debris, and ponding water. Mark the location, severity, and size.
Component Check: Don’t ignore penetrations, such as HVAC curbs, vents, skylights, drains, gutters, and scuppers. These areas are notorious for sneaky leaks.
Interior Tell-tales: Inside, scan ceilings and upper walls for water stains, bubbling paint, or mold, because these are signs that water’s plotting an inside job.
Use the Tools: Don’t want to scramble to the edge? Binoculars, telescopic lenses, or drones are your extended eyes. Use them, especially on complex or dangerous roofs.
Safety Above All: Never, never, NEVER inspect during rough weather. Wear grippy shoes, use harnesses if needed, and work with a partner if the roof is steep or large. The goal is repeatable safety, not heroics.

3. Documentation: If It’s Not Written, It Didn’t Happen

The best owners are relentless about records. Here’s how you do it, fast:

Checklists at All Times: Use a standardized inspection form every time, whether it is your custom sheet or industry versions like VFI or Polyglass. These keep you from missing the "obvious" and bring uniformity to the process.
Photos as Proof: If you see it, shoot it. Date every image. Snap the defect both wide and close-up. These become your before-and-after photos when negotiating repairs, arguing with insurers, or dealing with warranty providers.
Access Logs: Log every trip to the roof: who went, when, why, and what changed. It is not bureaucracy; it is tracing cause and effect and is often required for warranty claims.
Reports with Backbone: Inspect, photograph, describe, and define next steps. Is it an urgent repair, something to monitor, or should you schedule future work? A robust report sorts the "do now" items from the "watchlist," which is crucial for budget and scheduling.
Digital Beats Paper: Ditch the file cabinet. Use cloud storage, inspection apps, or roofing maintenance software. Choose tech that helps you easily search, retrieve, and share.
One-Stop History: All plans, warranties, vendor notes, repairs, and inspection reports should go into one findable place. This single source of truth is your sword in disputes and your shield in emergencies.

4. Seasonality: Match Your Moves to the Calendar

Spring:
Ice dams, snow load, freeze-thaw… these aren’t just bad days; they’re root causes. Clean out the winter debris, verify the drainage, and hunt for new cracks, sags, or wet spots.

Fall:
Leaves and summer sun are "maintenance’s double punch"; clear out drains/gutters, investigate membrane brittleness, check for dried-out/failed sealants, and verify everything is ready for the next freeze.

After Major Weather:
Inspect immediately. Damage left undiagnosed is damage that grows. Fast action keeps insurance and warranty options open, proving you managed your asset rather than just reacted to it.

Material Matters:
Be honest: If your current roof hates winter, or melts in extreme heat, plan your next replacement with weather-resistance top-of-mind. Longevity starts at install, but is defended by inspections.

5. Professional vs. DIY: Know When to Pass the Baton

Self-Inspection Sweet Spot:
Routine, obvious stuff? Your team can handle it. Monthly checks, debris clearing, and identifying visible damage are prime territory for owner/operators and in-house staff.

Call in the Pros When…

You need detailed diagnostics (thermal imaging, moisture surveys, structural load calculations).
The roof is complex, risky, or hard to access.
Expensive or warranty-laden components are at stake.
There’s suspected storm damage, or you’re preparing a claim.
The stakes are legally or financially significant.

The Rule:
If a mistake or omission could cost five figures (or void your warranty), bring in a pro. If not, build your discipline around a robust self-inspection checklist.

Conclusion: Don’t Manage by Accident, Manage by Ritual

You don’t have to be a roofing expert; you have to be a process expert. Your inspection program should function like a “wealth machine.” This is not for building your net worth, but for defending the value you’ve already invested. Build the habits: inspect predictably, document mercilessly, and call in the right expertise without hesitation. The return? Fewer catastrophes, stronger insurance and warranty leverage, and a roof that delivers peace of mind and long-range value, year after year.

References

National Roofing Contractors Association. (n.d.). Roof maintenance and inspection best practices. NRCA.
U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. (2018). U.S. Postal Service Roofing Preventive Maintenance Program (Report No. SM-AR-18-006).
Firestone Building Products. (2019). Firestone Building Products Roofing System Owner's Manual.
Jurin Roofing Services. (n.d.). Document All Maintenance Activities.
Roofing Consultants Institute. (n.d.). Manual of Roof Inspection, Maintenance, and Emergency Repair for Single-Ply Roofing Systems.
Polyglass. (n.d.). Owner Maintenance Warranty Guidelines.
Aquila Commercial. (2024). How to Extend Your Commercial Roof’s Lifespan.
National Roofing Contractors Association & Single Ply Roofing Institute. (1992). Manual of Roof Inspection, Maintenance, and Emergency Repair for Existing Single-Ply Roofing Systems.
Alberta Government, BOMA Calgary, BOMA Edmonton, The City of Calgary, Work Safe Alberta. (n.d.). Recommended Practices in Health + Safety: Building Envelope Safety Supplement.

The Building Owner’s Guide to Roof Inspections: Build Discipline, Not Disaster