For property and facility managers in Calgary, a commercial roof inspection isn’t just another box to tick—it’s one of the most important tools you have for preventing leaks, protecting tenants, and planning capital projects. A professional inspection turns a “mystery roof” into a known asset with clear risks, timelines, and options.

This guide walks through a practical Calgary commercial roof inspection checklist: what inspectors look for on flat roofs, when you should schedule inspections, and how the findings connect to repairs, coatings, or full replacement.

For a broader view of how inspections fit into your roofing strategy, see our Commercial Roofing Services overview at https://cmproofing.ca/services/ and related articles on the CMP Roofing blog at https://cmproofing.ca/blog/.

When You Need a Commercial Roof Inspection in Calgary

Before we get into the checklist, it helps to know when to call for an inspection.

1. After Leaks or Storm Events

You should schedule an inspection when:

  • You’ve had new or recurring leaks in tenant spaces
  • A major hailstorm or severe wind event has passed through
  • You’ve noticed interior staining, sagging ceilings, or suspicious odours

Pair this with:

2. Before Buying or Selling a Property

A commercial roof is a major part of any property transaction:

  • Buyers want to understand remaining roof life and likely costs
  • Sellers benefit from clear documentation and realistic expectations

A professional inspection and report from CMP Roofing can support negotiations and clarify future obligations.

3. Before Warranty Expiry or Major Renovations

Schedule an inspection when:

  • A manufacturer or contractor warranty is nearing expiry
  • You’re planning solar, HVAC, or major tenant improvements
  • You’re considering a coating or restoration instead of full replacement

See “Commercial Roof Coatings in Calgary: Silicone vs Acrylic vs Polyurethane Compared” on https://cmproofing.ca/blog/ for how inspections help determine coating suitability.

4. As Part of a Maintenance Plan

The most effective approach is proactive:

  • Annual or semi-annual inspections (often spring and fall)
  • Routine documentation of roof condition and minor repairs

This is the foundation of “Commercial Roof Maintenance Plans in Calgary: How to Extend Flat Roof Life by 10+ Years” on https://cmproofing.ca/blog/ and ties directly into our maintenance-related services at https://cmproofing.ca/services/.

Step 1: Pre-Inspection Review – History and Building Use

A good inspection starts before anyone climbs a ladder.

What Inspectors Ask You

  • Leak history: Where, when, how often, and under what weather?
  • Previous repairs: Who did them, and what was done?
  • Age of roof system(s): TPO, SBS, EPDM, BUR, coatings, or metal?
  • Building use: Retail, warehouse, manufacturing, healthcare, data centre, etc.

This background helps prioritize critical areas and interpret what’s found on the roof.

Step 2: Interior Walkthrough – Signs of Roof-Related Issues

Before heading outside, inspectors often do a targeted interior review.

Interior Checklist

  • Stains on ceilings, bulkheads, or walls
  • Rusted ceiling hangers or mechanical supports
  • Damp ceiling tiles or drywall
  • Water around columns, structural elements, or expansion joints
  • Signs of mould or musty odours near roof level

These clues help map potential leak paths and focus the exterior inspection where it matters most.

Step 3: Roof Access and Safety Setup

On the roof, safety comes first:

  • Verify safe ladder access or internal roof hatches
  • Confirm guardrails, tie-off points, or temporary fall protection
  • Mark work zones and keep pathways clear

For ongoing service, CMP Roofing integrates these steps into a standard process across all commercial visits. You can read more about how we handle operations and safety in “Commercial Flat Roof Replacement in Calgary: Costs, Options & Timelines for Property Managers” on https://cmproofing.ca/blog/.

Step 4: Roof System Identification and General Condition

The first thing your inspector will confirm is what roof system(s) you actually have.

System Identification

  • TPO or other single-ply membranes
  • SBS modified bitumen or BUR (tar and gravel)
  • EPDM rubber
  • Metal roof systems
  • Existing coatings (silicone, acrylic, polyurethane, or hybrids)

Each system has unique failure modes and repair options. For a deeper comparison, see “TPO vs SBS vs EPDM in Calgary’s Climate: Choosing the Right Commercial Roofing System” at https://cmproofing.ca/blog/.

General Condition Rating

Inspectors typically rate the system:

  • Good – performing well with minor issues
  • Fair – ageing, with more frequent repairs required
  • Poor – near or at end-of-life; replacement or major restoration likely

This condition rating becomes the backbone of your roof asset plan.

Step 5: Drainage and Ponding Water

Drainage is one of the top priorities on any Calgary flat roof.

Drainage Checklist

  • Condition of internal drains, strainers, and sumps
  • Scuppers and overflow scuppers clear and functional
  • Gutters and downspouts attached, clear, and draining properly
  • Evidence of ponding water:
    • Staining rings on membrane or cap sheet
    • Algae growth
    • Silt lines around low areas

Persistent ponding (water remaining 48+ hours after rain or melt) accelerates membrane breakdown and increases leak risk—especially in freeze–thaw cycles.

For more detail, see “Flat Roof Drainage Problems in Calgary: Ponding, Freeze–Thaw Damage & Permanent Fixes” on https://cmproofing.ca/blog/.

Step 6: Membrane or Surface Condition

Inspectors carefully check the primary waterproofing layer.

On TPO and Other Single-Ply Roofs

  • Surface scuffs, punctures, or cuts
  • Weld quality at seams and laps
  • Wrinkles or buckling that may stress seams
  • Signs of UV damage or premature ageing

For TPO-specific performance and design considerations, see “TPO Roofing Calgary: Best Commercial Flat Roof System for Big-Box & Industrial Buildings” at https://cmproofing.ca/blog/.

On SBS and BUR Roofs

  • Alligatoring and surface cracking
  • Blisters, ridges, and splits
  • Granule loss on cap sheets
  • Exposed felts or reinforcement

Many of these symptoms are common on aging BUR roofs and are a key reason owners consider SBS resurfacing, discussed in “SBS Modified Bitumen Roofing in Calgary: When It’s the Right Solution for Aging BUR Roofs” at https://cmproofing.ca/blog/.

On EPDM Roofs

  • Punctures and cuts
  • Shrinkage at perimeters
  • Seam integrity and adhesion
  • Surface chalking or weathering

For EPDM-focused content, see “EPDM Roofing for Commercial Buildings in Calgary: Pros, Cons & Ideal Use Cases” at https://cmproofing.ca/blog/.

Step 7: Flashings, Penetrations, and Details

Most leaks start at details, not in the middle of the roof.

Detail Checklist

Inspectors focus on:

  • Flashings around HVAC units, curbs, and skylights
  • Pipe boots and penetration flashings
  • Parapet walls and cap flashings
  • Metal edge details and termination bars
  • Expansion joints and transitions between roof sections

They’re looking for:

  • Open seams or fishmouths
  • Cracked or missing sealant
  • Improper terminations or incompatible materials
  • Damage from snow removal, mechanical work, or previous repairs

Detail condition is a major factor in whether your roof needs repairs, a coating, or full replacement. Those options are explored throughout the CMP Roofing blog at https://cmproofing.ca/blog/ and connected to system-specific services at https://cmproofing.ca/services/.

Step 8: Roof Penetrations, Equipment, and Traffic Patterns

Calgary commercial roofs often host significant mechanical equipment:

  • HVAC units and ductwork
  • Plumbing vents and stacks
  • Electrical conduits and cable trays
  • Communication equipment

Inspectors look at:

  • Condition of curbs and supports
  • Areas where past trades have left debris, screws, or sharp tools
  • Walkway pads and high-traffic zones

Any roof with frequent rooftop activity benefits from additional protection and more frequent inspections. This is especially true when considering coating systems or planning replacements.

Step 9: Perimeter, Walls, and Adjacent Structures

A roof doesn’t exist in isolation. The perimeter is a critical zone.

Perimeter Checklist

  • Condition of parapet caps and counter-flashings
  • Transitions between roof and wall systems
  • Areas where adjoining buildings shed snow, ice, or debris onto the roof
  • Evidence of wind-related damage at edges and corners

Inspectors may recommend:

  • Reworking edge metal details
  • Adding or upgrading terminations
  • Addressing areas subject to drifting snow or ice fall

Step 10: Core Samples and Moisture Detection (When Needed)

When there are signs of deeper issues, inspectors may recommend core sampling or other moisture detection methods.

Core samples help determine:

  • Roof assembly makeup (membrane, insulation, deck)
  • Presence and extent of saturated insulation
  • Whether coatings, overlays, or full tear-offs are appropriate

Moisture findings are central to decisions around:

  • Coating vs replacement (see “Commercial Roof Coatings in Calgary: Silicone vs Acrylic vs Polyurethane Compared” on https://cmproofing.ca/blog/)
  • Sectional work vs entire roof replacement
  • Long-term maintenance strategies and budgeting

What You Receive After a Professional Calgary Roof Inspection

A proper commercial roof inspection from CMP Roofing doesn’t end when we leave the site.

Typical Deliverables

  • Written report summarizing roof condition and key findings
  • Photo documentation of defects, high-risk zones, and overall condition
  • Condition ratings by roof section (Good, Fair, Poor)
  • Recommended actions:
    • Immediate repairs
    • Short-term maintenance and improvements
    • Medium- and long-term capital projects (including replacement options)

We’ll also connect findings to specific next steps, such as:

  • Enrolling the building in a maintenance plan
  • Pricing targeted repairs or detail upgrades
  • Evaluating restoration vs replacement options for older roofs

You can see how these pieces connect in articles like “Commercial Roof Maintenance Plans in Calgary: How to Extend Flat Roof Life by 10+ Years” and “Commercial Flat Roof Replacement in Calgary: Costs, Options & Timelines for Property Managers” at https://cmproofing.ca/blog/.

How Often Should Calgary Commercial Roofs Be Inspected?

While every property is different, common patterns include:

  • Twice per year – spring and fall, especially for large or critical buildings
  • After major storms – hail, extreme wind, or unusual weather events
  • Before major projects – solar, HVAC, or tenant fit-outs that affect the roof

Multi-building portfolios often benefit from a structured inspection and maintenance program that standardizes reporting and budgeting across all roofs.

How Roof Inspections Fit into Your Overall Roof Strategy

Think of inspections as the “diagnostics” part of your asset strategy:

  • Leaks and emergencies → immediate inspection and repair
  • Ageing roofs → inspection plus options for repair, coating, or replacement
  • Healthy roofs → inspection plus maintenance to keep them that way

Inspection findings link directly to:

  • Leak response (see “Calgary Commercial Roof Leak Repair: What Facility Managers Should Do in the First 24 Hours”)
  • Maintenance plans (“Commercial Roof Maintenance Plans in Calgary: How to Extend Flat Roof Life by 10+ Years”)
  • System choice (“TPO vs SBS vs EPDM in Calgary’s Climate: Choosing the Right Commercial Roofing System”)
  • Coating vs replacement decisions (“Commercial Roof Coatings in Calgary: Silicone vs Acrylic vs Polyurethane Compared”)

All of these resources live on the CMP Roofing blog at https://cmproofing.ca/blog/ and connect back to our services overview at https://cmproofing.ca/services/.

Next Steps: Book a Commercial Roof Inspection in Calgary

If you haven’t had your roof inspected in the last year—or you’re dealing with leaks, hail history, or an aging system—the best next step is a professional commercial roof inspection.

CMP Roofing can:

  • Inspect TPO, SBS, EPDM, BUR, coated, and metal roofs
  • Provide detailed reports with photos, condition ratings, and recommendations
  • Help you decide between repair, restoration, or replacement
  • Build a maintenance plan to extend roof life and reduce emergency calls

To schedule a commercial roof inspection in Calgary or surrounding areas, visit https://cmproofing.ca/contact-2/. You can confirm service coverage at https://cmproofing.ca/locations/ and explore more system comparisons, maintenance strategies, and planning guides on our blog at https://cmproofing.ca/blog/ and the full Commercial Roofing Services hub at https://cmproofing.ca/services/.

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