Key Takeaways:
- As a commercial property owner, you know that roofing is one of the most important parts of the building.
- A solid, well-maintained roof can keep your commercial space comfortable year-round and help you avoid costly energy bills.
- The most common source of commercial roof leaks is roof membrane or substrate damage. This can be caused by heavy foot traffic, machinery, flying debris during a storm, or aging.
- Other causes of commercial roof leaks include drainage system problems or water pooling, damaged flashing, and improper sealing around vents and drains.
As a commercial property owner, you know that roofing is one of the most important parts of the building. Not only does it protect your assets and inventory from the elements, but it also plays a major role in energy efficiency. A solid, well-maintained roof can keep your commercial space comfortable year-round and help you avoid costly energy bills.
However, even the best-maintained roofs will eventually develop leaks. When that happens, it’s important to identify the source of the leak and take steps to fix it as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you could be dealing with serious water damage, mold growth, and other problems. In this blog post, HT Roofing & Construction will discuss five of the most common reasons for commercial roof leaks and what you can do about them.
Signs That Your Roof Is Leaking:
Sign 01: Stained Ceiling/Walls
Whether your facility has ceiling tiles or other types of ceiling systems, prolonged exposure to water will result in a discolored section of your ceiling.
Sign 02: Mold/Odor
A bad odor in your facility might be a sign of hidden mold. Mold grows in damp conditions; mold can grow and spread if water constantly enters your structure.
Sign 03: Puddles Inside or Water Dripping
You have a commercial roof leak when you see water entering your facility, whether as a puddle on the floor or dripping over your head.
5 Reasons Your Commercial Roof Is Leaking:
Reason 01: Roof Membrane or Substrate Damage
This is the most common source of commercial roof leaks. If the membrane or substrate (the foundation surface of your roof) is compromised, water will seep through and cause difficulties.
There are several ways to damage your roof’s membrane, but the most prevalent include heavy foot activity, machinery, or flying debris during a storm.
Solution:
Reduce excessive foot traffic on your roof, engage in a monthly maintenance plan, and deal with the problem as soon as feasible. It might be as simple as a fast patch-up, or it can lead to the entire membrane replacement if not treated appropriately, which may be expensive!
Reason 02: Aging
A roof, especially commercial roofing, is supposed to last for a while. Remember that, even with periodic care, flat roofs can last up to 20 years. If you have a reasonable pitch roof and are not utilizing flat roof materials, the lifespan might be about 30 years. However, frequent exposure to sunshine and heat, as well as storm-related damage, can cause your roof to age prematurely.
Solution:
Roof replacement is the solution. Keep all roof maintenance documents up to date during your term as building management so that you can construct a case for repair or replacement if damage occurs. Where feasible, keep track of installation dates and the expiration dates of product and workmanship warranties.
When you contact a business roof repair firm for an estimate, a complete record will make it simpler for roofing experts to analyze the roof’s status in the issue.
Reason 03: Drainage System or Water Pooling
Water will pool on your commercial roof if the drainage system is not functioning correctly, gradually weakening the roof’s structure. While this can be caused by structural changes or shifting, in most cases, it is simply due to age and natural wear & tear.
Water is adept at finding its way to lower ground and will construct its path if one is not already present. Gutters and downspouts direct rainwater and snowmelt away from your home. When they get blocked with debris, water overflows and begins to leak through flaws in your roof system.
In a cold environment, ice dams and ice buildup are typical difficulties. Snow on your roof melts and freezes, preventing melted water from draining properly. Downspouts can also freeze during sudden temperature dips, causing snowmelt to pool and seep through even the smallest perforations in the structure of your roof.
Reason 04: Damaged Flashing
Flashing is a thin section of metal or another material that is used to seal the connections between various elements of your roof. Water will seep in and cause leaks inside your structure if the flashing becomes damaged or fails. This type of degradation develops naturally as the roof infrastructure ages.
Solution:
You may avoid this sort of leak by having your roof examined regularly by a skilled commercial roofing contractor. They will inspect the flashing for hidden damage and verify that it is in excellent shape. They can then handle any issues as they arise.
Reason 05: Improper Sealing
The seals surrounding your roof’s vents, drains, pipes, gas lines, HVAC units, and electrical conduit may fail, leaving regions exposed to leaks. This might be due to poor sealing, but it is more probable that the open penetrations are the product of harsh weather and time.
When building a commercial roof, be sure that your commercial roofer securely seals the pipes, drains, and vents that might create a leak later on. These places should be thoroughly examined regularly for symptoms of water leaks.
What to Do If Your Commercial Roof Is Leaking?
- Reduce Interior Damage: If you notice water pouring inside your facility, vacate the area of people, equipment, and supplies to minimize damage.
- Mark the Point of Entry: Make a note of where your leak is. Marking apparent leaks is vital for communicating with contractors and insurance agents.
- Look for More Problem Areas: Hopefully, the leak is restricted to a single spot, but there are likely other leaks in your building. Look for other issue spots in your facility.
- Contact a Commercial Roofing Company – After maintaining the situation, you must repair the leak!
Contact local contractors to have them inspect your roof and submit a project price.
Is Your Commercial Roof Leaking?
Contact HT Roofing & Construction, the premier commercial roofing contractor in Overland Park.
We provide the most dependable commercial roofing services to keep your company running smoothly. Our crew is knowledgeable, competent, and efficient, so you can rely on us for your requirements.
Call us today or get a free estimate!
