Commercial Roof Preventative Maintenance

Key Points

Flat roofing systems offer business owners a variety of benefits, but they’re still vulnerable to leaks.
Water stains, dripping, and mold are common signs of a roof leak.
If you ignore the signs of a commercial roof leak, you spend more money in the long run.
Identifying common causes of a roof leak helps you fix issues proactively to prevent spending more money on repairs later.
A few common causes of a commercial roof leak include clogged gutters, cracked flashing, a damaged roof membrane, and aged materials.
If you have a roof leak, you should prevent further damage by isolating the area, finding the leak’s location, and contacting a commercial roofing contractor.
Roof coatings are a cost-effective way to add up to 20 years of life to your existing roof—without paying for a costly repair or replacement.

Explaining Commercial Roof Leak Detection

Commercial roof leak detection isn’t difficult—if you know what to look for. A few signs of a commercial roof leak include:

Water stains on walls and ceilings
Mold on exterior walls
Dripping
Visible damage to roof or flashings

If these telltale signs are ignored, what could potentially be a minor roof repair could cost you more money in the long run.

Causes of a Commercial Roof Leak

In some scenarios, by the time you notice a roof leak, the damage has been done, and restoring your roof’s quality of life isn’t possible with a repair. But knowing common causes of a commercial roof leak can help you fix the issue before it costs you more money in the long run.

Consider the following common causes of a roof leak to determine if your commercial building is at risk:

Clogged Gutters

Leaves, sticks, dirt, and other debris make their home in your gutters. They pile up over time, clogging your drainage system and causing leaks. The most common areas where gutter clogs happen are the downspout cage, hangers and spikes, downspout elbows, and seams.

Cracked Flashing

Roof flashing is a material made of copper, aluminum, stainless, or galvanized steel placed underneath shingle roofs to direct water away from openings, valleys, protrusions, and edges to another location. If your roof’s flashing is cracked, water resistance is much lower, which causes leakage.

Damaged Membrane

Another common cause of a commercial roof leak is a damaged roof membrane. The purpose of a commercial roof membrane is to protect spots on your roof susceptible to leaks. Membranes are often damaged due to severe weather, moisture trapped between the membrane and decking, dropped tools, and frequent foot traffic.

Aging Materials

Most commercial roofs should last up to 20 years without any issues, but after that, aged materials are more susceptible to leaking. Ignoring regular roof maintenance can result in costly repairs and business disruptions.

What Should You Do if You Have a Commercial Roof Leak?

If you have a commercial roof leak, immediate action should be taken. Here are the next steps you should take after noticing signs of a leaking roof:

Prevent Further Damage

The first thing you should do after you notice a leak is move any expensive equipment in your building to prevent further damage. Unnoticed leaks near electronics can incur more damage, costing you more money. You should also isolate the leak area to prevent employees from falling.

Identify the Leak Location

Next, it’s crucial to identify the location of your commercial roof leak. That way, you can guide the roofing contractor in the right direction when they come to inspect your leak. To find your leak’s location, find the part of your ceiling directly associated with the issue. For example, a roof leak that’s directly underneath your HVAC equipment is most likely related to your heating and cooling system.

Contact a Commercial Roof Leak Repair Professional

After you’ve taken steps to prevent further damage and identified the location of your leak, contact a commercial roof leak repair professional immediately to solve the problem before it gets worse. A professional can quickly assess the damage to gauge the severity of the issue and offer an effective solution.

What To Do if a Flat Roof Leak Repair Isn’t an Option

Flat roofs are commonly used for commercial buildings because they’re affordable, long-lasting, and durable. Although they offer business owners a variety of benefits, flat roofing systems are still vulnerable to leaks.

So, what should you do if you have a flat roof leak that can’t be repaired but don’t want to invest in a complete replacement? One solution is to add a roof coating. Roof coatings are a cost-effective way to add up to 20 years of life to your existing roof—without paying for a costly repair or replacement. During the leak inspection, your commercial roofing contractor examines the severity of your leak to determine if a coating system is the right solution for you.

A roof coating system may be right for you if you notice:

Water damage caused by leaks
Your roof is near the end of its life
Your utility bills are increasing
Your roof has bare spots, loose seams, or bubbling

Your Commercial Roof Leak Specialists

Elevated Contracting is Northern Virginia’s commercial roof leak specialists, providing a wide range of businesses with high-quality roofing solutions. Our team focuses on delivering an exceptional customer experience from start to finish.

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