Roofing Blogs
60+ Years Serving Southern California
Welcome to the SBR Roofing Blog—your source for expert commercial roofing insights. With over 60 years of industry experience, we share tips, trends, and best practices to help property owners, managers, and professionals make informed roofing decisions. Stay tuned for expert advice from the SBR team.
Are HVAC inspection reports useful for budgeting capital expenses?
Yes. A documented inspection report with photos gives property managers a record of equipment condition over time, which is useful for forecasting when a unit is approaching the end of its service life and budgeting ahead of an unplanned failure.
What happens if an inspection finds a roof issue caused by HVAC equipment?
When an inspection finds roof damage related to HVAC equipment, such as a worn curb seal or a penetration issue, SBR documents it in the same report and can scope the repair directly, since the same company handles both systems. There is no need to bring in a second contractor
What is the difference between an HVAC inspection and ongoing maintenance?
An inspection is a point in time assessment that documents the current condition of the equipment and the surrounding roof. Maintenance is the ongoing, scheduled work, like filter changes and coil cleaning, that keeps the equipment running properly between inspections. Most buildings benefit from both on a regular cycle.
Can a roofing contractor inspect rooftop HVAC equipment?
Yes, when the contractor has licensed HVAC technicians on staff. SBR Roofing inspects rooftop HVAC units and the surrounding roof system in the same visit, since many HVAC related roof failures start where equipment meets the membrane and are easy to miss when two separate vendors handle each system.
How often should commercial HVAC units be inspected?
Commercial HVAC units should generally be inspected twice a year, in spring and fall, alongside seasonal roof inspections. Buildings with older units or known drainage issues may need quarterly checks. Pairing the inspection with an existing roof inspection schedule reduces cost and catches issues at the equipment to roof interface.
Can SBR handle multiple rooftop units across a property in one visit?
Yes. Multi-tenant and commercial properties often have several rooftop units installed at different times. SBR evaluates and repairs all units on a property in the same visit when possible, which is more efficient than scheduling separate appointments for each piece of equipment, especially on larger roofs.
Does SBR repair rooftop HVAC units it did not originally install?
Yes. SBR repairs rooftop HVAC equipment regardless of who installed it. Our technicians evaluate the unit and the surrounding roof system together, which is useful when the building’s HVAC history or installation records are incomplete or were handled by a previous contractor.
How quickly can SBR respond to a rooftop HVAC repair call?
Response time depends on the scope of the issue and current scheduling, but because SBR already maintains many of the roofs these units sit on, our crews are often familiar with the building and equipment before the call comes in, which shortens the time needed to diagnose and resolve the
What causes most rooftop HVAC unit failures?
Most rooftop HVAC failures trace back to refrigerant leaks, clogged condensate drains, electrical connection issues, or roof damage near the unit’s curb. Because the equipment sits directly on the roof, mechanical problems and roofing problems are often connected, which is why combined inspection and repair catches issues earlier.
Who should I call for a rooftop HVAC repair?
Call a contractor licensed for both roofing and HVAC work if your building uses rooftop units, since many repair issues involve both systems. SBR Roofing repairs HVAC equipment and any related roof damage in the same visit, avoiding the delay of coordinating two separate vendors for one repair.