Flat roofs on care home buildings should be inspected twice yearly spring and autumn to identify winter damage and prepare for summer UV exposure. Insurance requirements frequently specify annual inspection, which sets a floor rather than a ceiling.
Why this matters
Flat roof failure is one of the most common and most expensive maintenance problems in older care home stock. An uninspected roof that fails mid-winter during a CQC inspection creates both a physical risk and a regulatory exposure simultaneously.
What to do
- 1Schedule bi-annual flat roof inspections spring (post-winter) and autumn (pre-winter) and log each with date, inspector and findings.
- 2Common failure points to check: membrane upstands, flashings at parapets, drainage outlets, any penetrations for plant or services.
- 3If a defect is identified that you cannot clearly categorise as minor, commission a specialist roofing survey before the next weather season.
Primary source
RICS Guidance on Flat Roof Maintenance
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