Spring: review the path rain takes
From safe locations, note gutters that overflow, water running behind a downspout, staining beneath a roof-wall intersection, and soil erosion near discharge points. Give a contractor the location and the rain conditions when the problem appeared.
Have qualified personnel inspect roof drainage and difficult-to-reach areas. Gutters and downspouts are part of the water-management path, so a roof review should extend to where discharge reaches the site.
Summer: separate appearance from a developing defect
Compare current photographs with earlier ones. Record peeling finishes, newly opened exterior joints, loose trim and repeated wet areas around equipment condensate discharge. Ask whether the visible symptom needs surface maintenance or investigation behind the finish.
Plan access before booking work: occupied entrances, landscaped areas and tenant hours may affect lifts, scaffolding and product application. Let the specified product’s weather limits determine when repair work can proceed.
Fall and winter: clear responsibilities before weather arrives
Arrange debris removal where trees feed roof drains or gutters, and confirm the contact for an active leak during a closure or holiday. Review any unfinished sealant, flashing or coating repairs while there is still time to schedule them.
- Keep the building name, exact location, photograph date and assigned person together for each item.
- After a significant storm, create a new event record instead of overwriting the seasonal inspection.
- Escalate loose overhead materials, sagging surfaces or water near electrical equipment; keep people clear of the affected area.
Make the checklist specific to the property
A shaded courtyard, a restaurant exhaust area and a simple residential gable need different checks. Retire items that do not apply and add recurring trouble spots, such as an overflow at one entrance or a joint repaired more than once. The next visit should confirm whether the previous action worked.