When to have it inspected
Two times of year are worth a visit.
- In spring, once the snow has melted. We see what winter left behind, such as seams stressed by frost, flashing moved by ice, and debris.
- In fall, after the leaves drop. We clear the drain before the freeze.
Ask for an extra visit after a windstorm or after a worker has been on the roof. Someone installing an antenna or an air conditioner can pierce or scrape an elastomeric membrane without noticing.
Do not go up yourself. The risk of falling is real.
What we check
The seams. Along the membrane strips, we look for lifting edges, curling corners and small mouth-shaped openings. A seam open over a few centimetres lets water in, and the water then travels between the two layers. An open seam is a simple repair when it is caught early.
The granules. They protect the bitumen from the sun. Without them, the membrane dries out and cracks. Smooth black patches show the granules are gone and the bitumen is bare.
The drain. We remove leaves, branches and plastic bags around the strainer, which stays in place. A puddle that remains around the drain more than a day or two after rain means the drain is partly blocked or sits too high.
Upturns and flashing. At the base of parapets and around vents, three defects keep coming back.
- a membrane pulling away from the wall or wrinkling
- dry, cracked sealant around a pipe or along a flashing
- loose or bent metal flashing, or a missing screw
Ask us for photos and a short report. From one year to the next, the photos and the report show what is changing.
What you can watch without going up
- the ceilings and upper walls of the top floor, for a stain or blistering paint
- the roof seen from a higher window, for a puddle that stays or a displaced flashing
- the foot of the downspouts and the outside walls, for water running where it should not
What not to do
- Break ice with a metal shovel, a pick or an axe.
- Fill a crack with tar in a can from the hardware store. These products harden, crack and complicate the real repair.
- Pressure-wash the membrane. The jet strips off granules and can open seams.
Frequently asked questions
Can I inspect my roof myself?
No. A flat roof looks easy to reach, but the risk of falling is real, especially near the edges and on a wet or icy surface. Leave the inspection to us. On your side, watch the top-floor ceilings.
Does the membrane need cleaning?
Removing debris is enough, and we do it during the visit. No washing is needed.
Should snow be cleared from a flat roof?
Snow is not cleared from a flat roof as a routine. If the build-up worries you, or if you see new cracks in the ceilings or doors that stick, have an engineer assess the situation. If snow removal is needed, write to us. Do not go up to do it.