Before a major storm reaches Florida, property owners should document the condition of their commercial roof and building exterior. Clear, date-stamped photographs and records can establish the property’s pre-storm condition, make post-storm inspections easier, and provide useful evidence if damage occurs. For commercial properties, this documentation is especially valuable because roofs can be large, complex, and expensive to repair.
Photograph the Entire Roof System
Before the storm, photograph accessible areas of the roof from multiple angles. Capture the overall condition of the roof membrane, seams, flashings, penetrations, drains, curbs, edges, and rooftop equipment.
Pay particular attention to existing defects. Photograph cracks, blisters, open seams, exposed fasteners, previous patches, deteriorated flashing, ponding areas, and other conditions that existed before the storm. The purpose is not simply to create attractive roof photographs; it is to establish a clear baseline.
If possible, take both wide-angle photographs showing the location of a condition and close-up photographs showing the detail.
Document Roof Edges and Flashings
Roof edges are particularly important during high winds. Photograph perimeter metal, coping, edge systems, parapet walls, termination bars, and flashing details.
Document any existing loose, bent, corroded, or damaged components before the storm. These photographs can help distinguish pre-existing conditions from damage that occurs during the storm.
For safety reasons, do not climb onto a roof solely to take photographs if severe weather is approaching. Documentation should be completed while conditions are safe.
Photograph Rooftop Equipment and Penetrations
Commercial roofs often contain HVAC units, vents, pipes, skylights, exhaust fans, satellite equipment, solar components, and other penetrations. Photograph these areas before the storm.
Take pictures of equipment supports, curbs, attachment points, surrounding flashing, and sealants. These details can become important when determining whether a leak or physical damage occurred during the storm.
Document Drainage Conditions
Photograph roof drains, scuppers, gutters, downspouts, and other drainage components. If the roof has known ponding areas, document them as well.
It is also useful to record whether drains and drainage paths are clear before the storm. Blocked drainage can contribute to water accumulation and may complicate a later investigation of storm-related damage.
Record the Building Exterior
Do not limit documentation to the roof. Photograph exterior walls, windows, doors, storefronts, loading areas, rooftop screens, parapets, signs, and other vulnerable building components.
For commercial properties, photograph equipment and exterior assets that could be damaged by wind or flying debris. Establishing their pre-storm condition creates a useful visual record.
Preserve Maintenance and Repair Records
Photographs are only one part of pre-storm documentation. Keep copies of recent roof inspections, maintenance reports, repair invoices, warranties, roof plans, previous photographs, and contractor reports.
If a roof has recently been repaired or replaced, document the completed work and retain the relevant project records. Organized documentation can make the post-storm evaluation substantially more efficient.
Store Photos Securely
Take photographs in good lighting and, when possible, preserve the original files with their metadata. Organize them by building, roof section, date, and location. Cloud storage or another secure backup can help ensure the records remain available if the property itself suffers damage.
After the storm, avoid altering or repairing suspected storm damage before it has been properly documented and inspected, except when immediate action is necessary to protect people or prevent additional damage.
Bottom Line
Before a Florida storm, photograph the roof membrane, seams, flashings, edges, drains, penetrations, rooftop equipment, parapets, and exterior building components. Document existing defects and preserve maintenance and repair records. A thorough pre-storm record gives property owners a reliable baseline for comparing conditions after the storm.
For commercial property owners who need a professional roof condition assessment or storm-readiness inspection, Shieldline Roofing can help document the existing roof condition before severe weather arrives.
Related Questions
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