Roof Repair in Chester, Delaware County

What do rental buildings mean for a roof repair?

On a rental, the owner decides whether and when the roof is fixed, and the tenant is usually the first to see the leak. A roofer's first call should be to the owner, with dated photos of the water and of the roof, so the decision can be made without a site visit.

Ask the owner to say in writing who gives access to the building and how tenants are to be told about the work. Keeping that record avoids disputes if the leak happens again.

What does a waterfront industrial building roof involve?

Older industrial buildings along a waterfront may have large flat roofs with several drains and long parapet runs. Those roofs take the same drain and parapet checks described for flat roofs anywhere, but they cover more area and need more time to walk and survey.

Confirm the scope before a crew is booked. A large commercial roof may need a different contractor than a residential one, and a roofer should say so plainly rather than take on a job outside its work.

What happens when a building has been vacant?

A vacant building is harder to watch, so a leak can run for weeks before anyone sees it. Water inside the building can damage plaster, floors and framing quickly, and the first sign is often a soft ceiling or a damp wall rather than a visible drip.

A roofer can inspect the roof and place temporary cover on any opening. The owner should document the damage and tell the insurer promptly, because the policy may have conditions about vacancy and repairs.

How should an owner plan a roof repair on a vacant or partly occupied building?

A partly occupied building needs a plan that keeps the occupied units safe while the roof is repaired. The roofer should agree the access, the timing and the protection of the interior in advance, and the owner should tell the occupants about any work that could affect ceilings, electrical fixtures or entry to the roof.

A vacant building needs a different kind of care. The roof should be walked, the drains cleared and any opening covered, and the building checked from inside for water that has already reached the framing. The owner should also tell the insurer about the vacancy and the repair, because many policies set conditions for empty buildings.

Safety on the roof and around the building comes first. Loose parapet sections, weak decking and open hatches are real hazards, and a roofer will not start work on a surface that cannot be walked safely.