Free interactive tool

Post-Storm Commercial Roof Inspection Checklist

Walk your roof like a pro. Check off each item as you go — your progress saves automatically in this browser. Aligned with NRCA guidance: inspect at least twice a year and after every severe weather event. This checklist aids your own inspection; it does not replace a professional roof survey.

1. Before you go up — safety first

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Most commercial roof injuries happen before the inspection starts. If conditions aren't safe, don't go up.

Check the weather — dry membrane, no lightning within 10 miles, winds below 40 mph.Wet single-ply and metal are extremely slippery.Go in pairs and tell building staff you're on the roof.Someone should know where you are in case of an accident.Verify fall protection and safe roof access (hatch/ladder) are available.OSHA requires fall protection near unprotected edges and openings.Wear soft-soled shoes to avoid scuffing the membrane.Hard soles can cut or puncture single-ply membranes.Bring: camera/phone, tape measure, chalk or marker, flashlight, this checklist.Document everything as you go — memory fades fast.

2. Perimeter, edges & flashing

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Wind uplift starts at edges. Most storm leaks trace back to the perimeter.

Check coping caps and edge metal for loose, lifted, or missing sections.Inspect counter-flashing and base flashing at parapets for tears or pull-away.Look for cracked or missing sealant at flashing terminations.Sealant failure is the most common entry point for wind-driven rain.Check fascia and gravel stops for dents, bends, or displacement.Note any debris piles at the perimeter — they trap moisture against flashing.

3. Field membrane

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Walk the field in a grid pattern so nothing is missed.

Look for punctures, tears, or cuts — mark each with chalk.Marking keeps small defects from being lost between inspection and repair.Check seams for openings, fishmouths, or lifted edges (single-ply and mod-bit).Seam failure is the #1 membrane failure mode after wind events.Note blisters, ridging, or tenting — especially near insulation joints.On modified bitumen: check for granule loss, bare spots, and cracked cap sheets.On metal: check for dented panels, loose fasteners, and failed seam sealant.Look for new hail bruises — circular soft spots that may not show damage yet.Bruising often becomes a leak weeks or months after the storm.

4. Penetrations, curbs & rooftop equipment

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Every hole in the roof is a potential leak. Storms test them all at once.

Check pipe boots and pitch pans for cracking, shrinkage, or pull-away.Inspect HVAC and exhaust curbs — flashing should be tight on all four sides.Check skylights and smoke hatches for cracked domes, broken latches, and seal failure.Look at vents, stacks, and conduit for dents, displacement, or missing caps.Inspect rooftop unit housings and panels for hail denting.Check satellite dishes, antennas, and solar mounts for loose hardware.Loose mounts can tear the membrane in the next wind event.

5. Drainage — drains, scuppers & ponding

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Ponding water adds enormous weight and accelerates membrane aging.

Clear debris from all roof drains, strainers, and overflow scuppers.Check gutters and downspouts for dents, detachment, and blockages.Note any standing water — flag areas that hold water more than 48 hours after rain.NRCA guidance: ponding beyond 48 hours indicates a drainage or slope problem.Look for water stains or sediment lines showing where water sits.Staining maps ponding areas even when the roof is dry.

6. Interior — confirm from below

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The ceiling tells the truth the roof hides.

Walk the top floor / attic and check for active drips, stains, or musty odors.Check walls below the roof edge for moisture or efflorescence.Edge and flashing leaks often show up on walls first.If safe, inspect the underside of the deck for new staining or daylight.

7. Wrap up & next steps

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An inspection without documentation is just a walk.

Review and label all photos with location and date.Count and log every defect found — location, type, and severity.Schedule repairs for anything that could leak before the next storm.Small defects become big claims after the next event.If hail was quarter-size or larger, arrange a professional inspection.NRCA recommends professional inspections at least twice a year and after severe weather.File this checklist with your roof's maintenance history.

This checklist is a self-inspection aid for building owners and facilities teams. It does not replace a professional roof survey, and Storm Fix Now never confirms roof damage without an on-site inspection.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a commercial roof be inspected?

NRCA recommends inspecting commercial roofs at least twice a year — typically spring and fall — plus after any severe weather event such as hail, high winds, or heavy snow.

Can I do this inspection myself instead of hiring a pro?

This checklist helps you or your facilities team spot obvious issues, but it doesn't replace a professional inspection. Pros catch membrane bruising, seam fatigue, and flashing problems that untrained eyes miss, and their reports carry weight with insurers.

What qualifies as 'severe weather' for a post-storm inspection?

Hail at or above quarter-size (1 inch, the NWS severe threshold), winds strong enough to move unsecured items, or any storm that damaged nearby buildings. When in doubt, inspect.

Will my progress on this checklist be saved?

Yes — your checked items are saved in this browser automatically, so you can close the page and pick up where you left off.

Found something? Get a pro on the roof.

Storm Fix Now connects you with a vetted local pro for a free, no-obligation inspection — documented, clear next steps, and zero pressure. Call +1 (407) 553-9550 or request online.

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