In Wisconsin, apartment roof inspections are a common but crucial aspect of building maintenance. inspections ensure the longevity of the roof as well as the overall these multifamily properties. Inspections are especially crucial for property managers and HOA boards as these help them detect issues/damages early on, saving them from a lot of future repair costs. Ideally, inspection of the flat roofing systems is done as a preventive measure to avoid costs rather than to reduce them thoroughly through early detection
What Is an Apartment Roof Inspection?
Roof inspections, or apartment roof inspections to be exact, are the step-by-step processes followed to evaluate communal roof structures. Different from the single-family home inspections, apartment roof inspections consider the entire scale of the apartment building, access to the roof may be much more difficult due to massiveness or the complexity of the structure and unlike residential homes, apartment units hav e a shared liabilit as the rate of the roof affects all the residents while the property managers or the HOA boards are responsible for the repairs needed
Common Roof Types Used in Apartment Buildings
- Built-Up Roofing (BUR) is made from layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabric wrapped around in a protective coating. This enables them to handle a lot of foot traffic.
- Modified bitumen roofing is made using polymer-modified bitumen sheets. This makes them flexible and heat-resistant.
- Single-ply membrane Roofing is made by single-ply membranes like TPO and EPDM. These are easy to install and are waterproof.
- Green Roofs are made by planting plants on a waterproof membrane. Green roofs help with insulation and aesthetic appeal.
Apartment Roof Inspection Checklist
Maintaining the resale value of a house depends on its structural integrity, and what happens during an apartment inspection is particularly important for this reason. The step of the roof inspection guides the property managers and the homeowners on what areas of the roof to focus on.
Membrane Integrity (Cracks, Punctures)
Proper inspections include checking the membranes for visible damage. Roof membrane is particularly important in apartment buildings as it acts as a barrier. If not properly maintained, the membrane can crack or puncture over time through deterioration or weather damage.
Drainage System Functionality
Ensure that the drainage system is unclogged and that the downspouts are securely attached. This is one of the main steps of apartment roof inspection. Clogged drains pool water on the roof, resulting in water leaks and structural damage.
Flashing at Parapets, HVAC Curbs, and Penetrations
The flashings should be checked for signs of rust, cracks, and deterioration. Flashing ensures that the conjoined areas of the different roofing components are sealed watertight. Any damage to the flashing will result in a water leak.
Rooftop Units (HVAC, Solar Panels, Antennas)
The inspector should ensure the roofing units have been properly installed and maintained. The roofing units can cause extra damage to the roof when not set up and secured properly
Roof Access Points and Ladder Safety
Inspect whether the roof access point, particularly for maintenance staff or emergency personnel, is secure. Safety regulations must be kept in check during inspection.
Signs of Pooling or Ponding Water
The inspector should look for areas of stagnant water. Stagnant water harms the structure of the building and can be an indicator that the drainage issue is inefficient or that there might even be a problem with the slope of the roof.
Perimeter Wall Seals and Coping Caps
The parameter wall seals should be intact, and the Coping Caps should be securely fastened to keep water leaks from happening
Tenant Impact Zones (Top-Floor Units)
The top floor units are critical for the apartment roof inspection as these units are directly affected by roof issues, such as water leaks, much more than lower floors
Roofing Insulation and Moisture Barrier
Insulation must be checked for deterioration. Rooifing insulation ensures that the energy is being used efficiently, while the moisture barrier prevents excess moisture entry, which would lead to mold growth.
Maintenance Record Availability
Keeping maintenance records of previous inspections is crucial. This helps in identifying the common issues and guides the next inspections.
Who Is Responsible for Apartment Roof Inspections?
Apartment roof inspections are the responsibility of the building owner. Property managers are tasked with conducting the daily tasks, maintenance, and scheduling the next inspection. Lastly, the HOA or homeowner’s association takes responsibility for ensuring inspections of the shared roofing spaces. The maintenance operations of the HOA are funded by the homeowners’ fees.
When Should Apartment Roofs Be Inspected?
Apartment roofs should be inspected no less than two times a year, during spring and fall, to assess the current state of the roof and the damage after an extreme season for seasonal maintenance. Roofs also need to be inspected after strong storm damage, such as snow storms, hail storms, and such, to see the extent of the damage. Early detection and risk mitigation are the primary goals of apartment roof inspection.
| Proper time for inspection | Why |
| During spring | Check for leaks in the roof, freeze-thaw cycle damage to the shingles |
| During fall | Signs of deterioration or damage that may worsen, such as the drainage system, downspouts, etc |
| After extreme weather/storms | Cracked or missing shingles, water leaks, etc |
| Before starting a major repair | Rechecking the repairs needed, creating a maintenance plan |
| Before selling/reselling the property | Ensuring the roof is in accordance with all the codes and regulations |
Risks of Neglecting Roof Inspections in Apartment Buildings – short bullet points
- Legal liabilities: Failing to uphold the building code reinforcement laws may lead to fines or even shutdowns. The owner is also subject to being sued for damages under tenants’ rights.
- Insurance Claim Denials: Neglecting inspections opens up the owner to negligence on their side, as the insurers may use that to deny claims.
- High Cost of Delayed Repairs: issues such as punctured membranes or cracks in flashings can grow to become 2-3 times the cost compared to the initial cost
- Mold and Health Hazards: Mold is one of the most common issues caused by weather damage. Mold damage causes direct expenses from remediation and indirect expenses through lawsuits and tenant turnover as a result of respiratory illnesses
- Tenant Displacement & Reputation Damage: Excessive damage caused by delaying or neglecting inspections can increase the turnover rate of the tenants, decreasing the profitability of the apartment building
- Code Violations & Municipal Action:
Repeated issues due to neglecting inspections can result in the city-mandated inspections or fines
Professional vs. In-House Roof Inspections
| Aspect | Professional (Roofing Contractors) | In-House |
| Expertise | Professions with certification | Maintenance staff |
| Tools Used | Drones, moisture meters | Ladders, flashlights |
| Inspection Depth | Full system check | Surface-level check |
| Cost | Higher per visit | Low |
| Documentation | Formal, useful for insurance | Informal logs may lack detail |
| Risk Detection | Detects hidden issues early | May miss deeper problems |
| Compliance | Ensures compliance | Higher risk of oversight |
| Best Use | Annual checks | Frequent basic checks |
Is it normal for landlords to do inspections?
It’s common for landlords to inspect the apartment building. It makes it easier for them to detect problems early on and save up on future costs. However, excessive and unscheduled inspections will increase tenant annoyance and turnover instead.
Cost of Apartment Roof Inspections
| Building Size | Inspection Method | Scope & Details | Expected Cost Range |
| Small (2–4 units) | Physical Walkthrough | Visual inspection along with basic reporting | $150 – $300 |
| Medium (5–12 units) | Physical Walkthrough along with a drone | Aerial images, physical check, and moderate reporting | $300 – $500 |
| Large (13+ units or multi-story) | Drone + Infrared Scan | Moisture detection, structure scan, and full reporting | $500 – $1,200+ |
Learn More about Roof Inspection
Commercial Roof Inspection Cost
Do you think you still need a roofer’s help to inspect the roof? Contact Northern Generation, the best local roofing contractor, for your roof inspection. We have been in the industry for 30 years, and we do every inspection to identify whether you need roof repair or replacement.
