Commercial and Flat Roof Inspection Calgary
Know what your roof needs before it leaks.
Commercial and flat roof inspections in Calgary, starting with a free roof assessment. We walk the whole roof and send you a photo report and a priority action list, so you know what to address, plan for or monitor. Then we can keep checking it for you.
What building owners say about us
Word for word from public Google reviews.
That is 4.8 stars across 187 Google reviews.
- Commercial, condo and multi-family flat roofs
- Findings in writing, with photos
- Torch-on (SBS), TPO and EPDM
- Maintenance plans
When to get a commercial or flat roof inspected
Property managers call us for one of two reasons: a leak, or a roof they are worried about. An inspection answers the second one.
- The roof is getting old and nobody knows what shape it is in.
- A hailstorm or a big wind went through.
- The board wants to know if replacement is next year or ten years out.
- Water sits on the roof for days after rain or melt.
- A patch keeps failing, or a stain keeps coming back.
After hail, see hail damage roof repair. Water coming in right now? See flat roof leak repair or call 403-608-9933.
What we check on a flat roof
Mark Dawson, our owner, gave us this list. We walk the whole roof and check every item, every time. We also review the parapets, copings, curbs and terminations, the drains, strainers and scuppers, and the roofing around pipes, vents, skylights and rooftop equipment.
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Blisters, ridges and cracks
Early signs the membrane is breaking down. Water gets in at the cracks.
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Granule loss
The top surface of a torch-on roof wearing through to the sheet underneath.
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Curling and cupping
Edges lifting off the roof, where wind and water get under.
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Ponding water
Water that sits works at every seam it covers, and adds weight.
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Impact damage
Hail and dropped tools bruise or puncture a flat roof without leaving an obvious hole.
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Open or unsealed laps
The seams where one sheet overlaps the next. A common place for a flat roof to leak.
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Worn sealant
Sealant at drains, vents, rooftop units and walls dries out and cracks.
What you get after the inspection
A photo report of what we saw and a priority action list of what to address, plan for or monitor. It comes to one of three answers, and we say which one plainly. A few problems in one area usually mean a repair. Most of them across the roof usually mean a new one.
It is sound
Nothing needs doing. If the membrane is in decent condition, that is what the report says.
It needs a repair
The problems are in one area, and the rest of the roof is good. Most commercial leak repairs we do run $600 to $2,800, priced in writing before work starts.
Plan for a new roof
The membrane is failing across the roof, so it is time for a flat roof replacement. Replacements usually run $10 to $20 a square foot, with a 10-year workmanship warranty. See commercial roof replacement in Calgary. Our recent Northwest Tank Lines roof came in at $175,000.
Commercial roof maintenance plans
Scheduled inspections and documented maintenance give you a clear view of the roof and what to repair first. We clear the drains and debris, make sure every penetration is still sealed and keep the records, so you can separate urgent concerns from planned repairs and items to monitor. Trevor, our Commercial Operations Manager, will agree the exact scope with you before the work begins.
Ask any roofer what you will get in writing before they go on your roof.
Three plans, matched to your property
It starts with a free roof assessment. Each plan is then priced for your property, with the exact scope agreed before the work begins.
Preferred
For roofs up to 15 years old, at $0.18 to $0.27 a square foot. One visit a year, in spring or fall. We inspect the membrane, flashings, drains and penetrations, clear debris from the drains and roof surface, and touch up sealant at penetrations and pipe boots. You get a photo report with findings and recommendations, and expedited service response.
Premier
For roofs 5 to 20 years old, at $0.29 to $0.36 a square foot. Two visits a year, spring and fall. A full inspection that adds the perimeter edge, all drains, gutters and downspouts cleared, and minor repairs included: caulking, small patches and fastener reseating. You get priority scheduling for leak calls between visits, and a photo report with budget notes and a reserve fund section.
Portfolio
For owners and managers with several roofs. Three visits a year, spring, summer and fall, with timing customized for up to four. Everything in Premier, plus a repair allowance, a budget priority matrix and one post-storm priority inspection per term. Priced on portfolio size, roof conditions, service requirements and maintenance frequency, with priority routing and portfolio coordination.
A roof check before winter
Mark Dawson, our owner, tells property managers to get the roof checked before the snow. A maintenance check covers:
- Drains and scuppers cleared, so melt water has somewhere to go.
- Debris taken off the roof.
- Every penetration checked to make sure it is sealed: vents, pipes, rooftop units and anything else through the membrane.
- Seams, flashing and the sealant at walls checked against our list.
Water that sits in a blocked drain or gets under an open seam freezes, expands and opens it further. Already leaking? See flat roof repair.
How a commercial or flat roof inspection works
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Call or send the form
Call 403-608-9933 or send the form. Tell us the building, the address, roughly how big the roof is and what prompted the call.
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Book a time
We set a time with you or the building manager and sort out roof access.
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On the roof
We walk the whole roof and go through the checklist above, taking photos as we go.
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Findings in writing
You get a photo report of what we found and a priority action list, and it starts your roof condition record.
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You decide
Nothing, a repair, a maintenance plan or a budget for replacement. Any work is quoted line by line before it starts.
Why property managers call us
City Roofing & Exteriors has roofed in Calgary since 2011, and Mark Dawson owns and runs it. We take on 200 to 300 projects a year. Recent commercial roofs include Ice River Springs, Northwest Tank Lines and Pit Stop Portables.
We install torch-on (SBS), TPO and EPDM, and our flat roof membranes are IKO. So we know what each system looks like when it starts to go. See how torch-on, TPO and EPDM compare in Calgary.
Commercial and flat roof inspections across Calgary and nearby towns
We inspect commercial, condo and multi-family roofs in every quadrant of Calgary, plus Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere and Okotoks. The office is at 3935 3A St NE Unit 3, open Monday to Saturday, 8 to 7, and we speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
- Calgary
- Airdrie
- Cochrane
- Chestermere
- Okotoks
Commercial and flat roof inspection questions
What do you check on a commercial roof inspection?
Blisters, ridges and cracks in the membrane, granule loss, curling and cupping, ponding water, impact damage, open or unsealed laps and worn sealant, plus the drains, flashing and everything that goes through the roof.
Will you just tell me I need a new roof?
No. If the membrane is in decent condition, the report says so. If it needs a repair, you get a repair price, not a replacement quote. One roof we looked at had leaked for two years and the owner planned to replace it. A repair fixed it.
How do I know when a commercial roof needs replacing?
When the problems on the checklist show up across most of the roof instead of in one area, a new roof is usually cheaper than chasing leaks. How long a roof lasts depends on the system; see torch-on vs TPO vs EPDM.
Do you offer maintenance plans?
Yes, three of them. Preferred is one visit a year, Premier is two and Portfolio is three, each with a photo report. Each plan is priced for your property, with the exact scope agreed before the work begins. Ask Trevor, our Commercial Operations Manager, which one fits your building. Call 403-608-9933.
How much does a commercial or flat roof inspection cost?
A roof assessment is free, and you get a photo report and a priority action list of what to address, plan for or monitor. If water is coming in now, a leak detection inspection usually runs $500 to $750.
How much does a commercial roof maintenance plan cost?
Preferred runs $0.18 to $0.27 a square foot and Premier runs $0.29 to $0.36. Portfolio is priced on the size of the portfolio, roof conditions, service requirements and maintenance frequency. Your signed agreement sets the timing, tasks, allowance caps, pricing and leak-call terms.
Is a commercial roof maintenance plan worth it?
For most flat roofs under 20 years old, yes. On a 10,000 square foot roof, Preferred costs about the same per square foot as one emergency leak callout, and it catches the blocked drains and open seams behind most winter leaks. Read more on whether a maintenance plan is worth it.
What does a maintenance plan not cover?
Inspections cover safely accessible, visible areas. Repairs beyond any allowance, testing, internal plumbing, engineering, anchor certification, snow and ice removal, and mechanical or electrical work need separate authorization. Maintenance does not guarantee a leak-free roof or reveal every concealed condition.
When should we book a roof maintenance check?
Before winter. Blocked drains and open penetrations do the most damage once water starts freezing and thawing on the roof. If water already sits on the roof for days after rain, book sooner. On a plan, visits are set for spring, fall or both.
Can you be the roofing vendor for all our buildings?
Yes. Property management companies can set us up as their Calgary roofing contractor for inspections, maintenance and leak calls across their buildings. Tell us how many buildings there are and who signs off.
Do you inspect flat roofs on houses?
Yes. We look at flat roofs on houses, garages and additions too. If yours is leaking, start with flat roof repair.
Do you inspect condo and multi-family roofs?
Yes. Tell us how many units and who signs off, and we will work with the board or property manager.
Not leaking yet? Get it checked.
Book a free roof assessment or ask about a maintenance plan: call 403-608-9933, Monday to Saturday, 8 to 7, or send the form. Tell us the building, roughly how big the roof is and what prompted the call.