The Roof Survey Found a Costly Surprise—But it Came Too Late

Buying Blind: A Problem Hidden in Plain Sight

After purchasing a commercial property, the new owners began noticing ongoing roof leaks. Sales documents indicated that a full roof replacement had been completed before closing. But water intrusion continued. The owner faced a serious problem: find out what was really going on or risk throwing more money at a failing roof. To understand the true condition of the roof, the owner requested a roof moisture survey.

Uncovering the Truth: Not What Was Promised

The roof survey revealed a significant discrepancy between the contract and the work performed. Instead of a full roof replacement, a re-cover had been installed directly over the existing roof assembly. Core sampling for roof moisture confirmed that a substantial amount of moisture was present in the recently installed recover and original roof assemblies.

Several areas showed heavily saturated lightweight concrete and visible corrosion on the metal deck. These conditions combined with a borderline pass/fail fastener pull test leaves the current owner with a roof requiring a costly full deck replacement.

Financial and Operational Impact

This situation placed the new owner in a difficult position. The roof they believed was new was, in fact, compromised from the start. Whether due to seller misrepresentation or other reasons, the roof project failed to meet the standards outlined in the original contract.

The cost to replace the roof—now including deck placement—exceeds the ownership’s original budget. The situation could have been avoided with a more thorough pre-purchase process.

To help buyers avoid this kind of outcome, Structura View offers a free Commercial Roof Due Diligence Checklist. It outlines key steps for evaluating a roof’s condition before closing. A roof moisture scan can be part of that process when there’s any uncertainty about what’s under the surface.

Taking Control: A Path Out of the Problem

The client was advised to pursue full roof replacement to include the deck in applicable sections. Ownership is now pursuing legal recourse for the misrepresented conditions observed.

Don’t Guess—Use this Checklist Before You Close

For building owners, it’s tough to know what’s hidden beneath the roof surface—especially when relying on paperwork alone. That’s why we created the Commercial Roof Due Diligence Checklist. It’s a free, simple tool to help you ask the right questions and avoid costly surprises during a purchase.

Download it before your next deal. It might be the simplest step you take to avoid a costly one.

Related: Thermal Imaging and Roof Surveys