Assessing a roof before fluid applied restoration

By Dani Sheehan. 

Learn how to safely inspect a roof with the right tools and testing to help your building owners make an informed decision. 

When you’re assessing an aging roof, the process requires more than just walking around the perimeter and making a quick judgment call. According to Chris Huettig of KARNAK, thoughtful planning, careful observation and the right testing methods are key to determining whether restoration or a full reroof is the best option for your customer. In a recent CoatingsCoffeeShop® Lunch & Learn, Chris shared practical advice every contractor can use to assess a roof safely and effectively. 

Step one: Plan ahead and prioritize safety 

“If you’re going to assess a roof, safety is first,” Chris shared. “Be thoughtful in what you’re doing. Plan for it. Have the right tools, the right safety equipment and gather all the data you need to make an informed decision.” When you are intentional with your planning and have a purpose while walking on the roof, you can better communicate with the building owner so you can complete your inspection efficiently and safely. 

Step two: Walk the roof inside and out 

“One of the first things to do is walk the exterior of the building, look up at the roof. Then walk the interior. Ceiling tiles, paint peeling, wet insulation – all of those tell a story before you even step on the roof,” Chris explained. Once you’re on the roof, pay close attention to the vulnerable areas: 

• Perimeters and edges where terminations meet metal trim 
• Penetrations like skylights, curbs, antennas or HVAC units 
• Traffic paths from roof hatches or ladders to service equipment 
• Signs of ponding or drainage issues that can accelerate roof damage 

Step three: Perform the right tests 

Visual inspections only go so far. To determine if a roof is a candidate for restoration, you’ll need to test for moisture and adhesion. Chris explained, “There are really two major things: the roof has to be dry internally, and it has to be sound. Non-destructive tests like infrared detection help you find moisture, and then you verify with a core cut.” 

Moisture tests may include: 

• Infrared detection 
• Nuclear gauges 
• Capacitance induction 
• Core cuts for verification 

Adhesion tests are just as important, especially when coatings are involved. “You always want to do an adhesion test. Bring a plan B coating, because sometimes plan B is the only plan that ever works,” Chris noted. 

Roof assessments are the first step toward delivering long-lasting results for building owners. Watch the full Lunch & Learn to hear more great insights and determine when restoration is most appropriate.

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