Most roofs are meant to withstand the elements for a period of 20 years; to achieve this goal, however, school officials must believe in a dedicated maintenance program and sell it to their superiors and school boards. Establishment of a school district roof maintenance program is explained. Job qualifications and training methods for an inhouse technician are outlined. The next steps involve mapping the roof and developing an inspection report--an ongoing task that must be done at least once, preferably twice, a year. An important part of a roof maintenance program is a historical record that points out specifications that worked or didn't work. The history sheet should include names of the architect, the general contractor, and the roofing contractor; completion date of the construction; and where the original plans and specifications are located. Three different nondestructive types of moisture detection scans--infrared, nuclear, and capacitant--are described. A table illustrates comparison of these scans for conventional build-up roof systems and single-ply systems. A summary of roof problems categorized as environmental stresses and physical plant stresses is followed by solutions to roofing problems. Different types of roof membranes and construction materials are defined and their advantages and disadvantages discussed. The final item in the paper is a 10-point checklist for writing roofing specifications. (MLF)