I take quick pics of anything that looks off—puddles, torn membrane, even just piles of sticks.
Definitely agree that “maintenance-free” is a myth. I’ve had to deal with a couple of insurance headaches because someone skipped a post-storm check. My checklist is almost the same as yours—
- quick walk after storms
- snap pics of anything weird
- clear the drains
One thing I’d add: I always check the seams and edges, especially after freeze-thaw cycles. Learned the hard way that’s where leaks sneak in. Midwest roofs take a beating, but honestly, I’ve seen just as many issues down south with sun damage.
One thing I’d add: I always check the seams and edges, especially after freeze-thaw cycles. Learned the hard way that’s where leaks sneak in.
That’s spot on—seams and edges are always the first thing I look at after a cold snap. Midwest winters are brutal, but honestly, even in places with mild winters, you get those weird temp swings that mess with the membrane.
- I do a walk after every big storm, but also after any wild temp change (like 60° one day, 20° the next).
- For flat roofs, I poke around for soft spots—sometimes you can feel a bubble before you see it.
- Drains are key, but I’d add: check the downspouts too. Had one get clogged with ice last year and it backed water up under the flashing... total mess.
Sun damage down south is real, but I still think freeze-thaw is sneakier. At least with sun, you can usually see the cracking start. With ice, leaks just show up out of nowhere.
Curious if anyone’s tried those infrared scans? I’ve heard mixed things—some say they catch hidden moisture, others say it’s overkill unless you already suspect a problem.
Infrared scans can be a mixed bag, honestly. They’re great for spotting hidden moisture if you’ve got a big, complicated roof or you’re chasing a mystery leak, but for most regular checks, I find a thorough visual inspection does the trick. I’ve seen folks spend a chunk of change on scans and still miss stuff that was obvious once you got up there and poked around. Curious if anyone’s actually caught a problem early with IR that they wouldn’t have found otherwise...
- Totally get where you’re coming from.
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“I’ve seen folks spend a chunk of change on scans and still miss stuff that was obvious once you got up there and poked around.”
- Had a similar experience—paid for IR on a flat membrane roof, but the biggest issue was a cracked drain collar I spotted just by looking.
- Still, I guess IR’s handy for those weird leaks that don’t show up until it’s too late.
- Visual checks + a little poking around seem to catch most stuff for me too.
- Not saying IR’s useless, just maybe not worth it every time unless you’ve got a real puzzle.
“paid for IR on a flat membrane roof, but the biggest issue was a cracked drain collar I spotted just by looking.”
That hits home. I’ve lost count of how many times a flashlight and a screwdriver found more than any fancy scan. IR’s cool tech, but honestly, nothing beats getting your hands dirty and poking around, especially on older roofs. Still, I get the appeal for those mystery leaks that just don’t show up until you’re knee-deep in water.
