Common Causes of Leaks In Commercial Roofing

Commercial roofing is usually built with higher quality materials and more rigid structures. There are a few things that can cause damage to a commercial building. The elements and other physical objects that may hit your roof can cause an active roof leak. When melting ice, rainwater and irrigation penetrate the roofs, it can cause the commercial roofing to deteriorate faster. Here are the most common uses of commercial roof leaks and precautions that can prevent such issues from happening.

What is a Commercial Roof Leak?

A commercial roof leak is defined as when water and moisture penetrate the roof of your business or commercial roofing. Even with the smallest of access points, water can seep inside your waterproofing membrane and cause additional roof damages and additional issues. Wet insulation, risk of fire, and other irreparable damage can occur with an unattended leaking commercial roof.

Commercial roofs are not common, but when they do, they can cause 70% damage to a commercial property. For this reason, it is essential to determine the top causes of commercial roof leaks and how you can prevent them.

Poor Drainage

Roof drainage is important in collecting water from the roofs and safely draining it off. Commercial roofs are usually flat in nature, thus water ponding has a high probability especially with poor drainage. Clogged or blocked drains are also the main cause of water pooling in roofs. This is enough reason to prematurely damage roofs and may cause water to get inside the building.

Open Penetrations

In a huge property such as a commercial building, chances are, there are penetrations that run up through your roof. The electricity, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing require penetrations and may not be properly waterproofed. Call for commercial roofing contractors to be able to check these penetrations. Ensure that they are properly sealed to avoid the potential of water entering through these areas.

Damages in the Roof Membrane

The roof membrane is the waterproofing layer that keeps the rainwater, snow, and irrigation away from the building. In the event of premature sags and water pooling in your roofs, the roof membrane serves as your initial protection against leaks and water penetration. Property owners should be aware of the damages in the roofing membranes too. Falling debris, heavy winds, and foot traffic during maintenance and cleaning can damage roof membranes that may cause them to function less than expected, creating leaks inside the building.

Old Age

The average lifespan of commercial roofs is between 15 and 20 years. It is common to see damages and leaks in your roofs as their lifespan reaches its end. As a property owner of a commercial building, take note of the roof maintenance records throughout the lifespan of the building to be able to predetermine maintenance and replacement schedules for your roofs. This helps the owner avoid surprise maintenance costs in the future. Take note of workmanship warranties too. A detailed record will make it easier for roofing contractors to fully assess and estimate repair services.

After determining the cause of the leak and inspecting others areas of the commercial building that is affected by the link, it is important to check your insurance policy as you find a commercial roofing contractor to work within repairing your roofing issues. Commercial roofing specialists help you find the leaks and determine whether a repair or a replacement is necessary to bring your commercial roofs in better shape.