I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen a few businesses get caught off guard with that “quick look” method, especially with green or living roofs. Stuff can go sideways under the surface—roots sneaking into seams, drainage layers clogging up, that kind of thing. One place I worked with had a sedum roof and everything looked fine from above, but underneath, water was pooling and the insulation was soaked. They only found out when the ceiling tiles started sagging.
I’m not saying you need to bring in a pro every month, but if you’ve got anything more complex than a basic membrane, it might be worth scheduling a deeper check at least twice a year. Especially if you’re in a spot with heavy rain or wild temperature swings. Sometimes those “weird” issues don’t show up until they’re already expensive to fix... Learned that one the hard way.
Stuff can go sideways under the surface—roots sneaking into seams, drainage layers clogging up, that kind of thing.
Totally agree—those hidden issues are the tricky part. I’ve seen a few green roofs where everything looked healthy on top, but the drainage mats were a mess underneath. Out of curiosity, did you ever try using moisture sensors or thermal imaging for early warning? I’ve found those can sometimes catch problems before they get expensive. Twice a year for deeper inspections sounds about right to me, especially if you’re in a wet climate.
That’s interesting about the sensors—honestly, I’ve always wondered if those are worth the money for a regular homeowner. I get the appeal, but do they really catch stuff early enough to justify the cost? I’ve just stuck with visual checks and poking around after big storms. Twice a year sounds reasonable, but sometimes I feel like it’s overkill unless you’ve had issues before. Still, better safe than sorry, I guess.
