Commercial Roof Leaks: Frequent Causes And Possible Repairs
When you have a leak in your commercial roof, you need to contact a professional to perform a full assessment of the damage and determine the best course of action. The best way to keep the issue from getting worse so that you can protect the building is to know what caused the leak in the first place. Ultimately, you should know what some of the most common reasons are for commercial leaks and what steps you can take to address or prevent these issues.
Pooled Water
It is likely for water to pool on your commercial property's roof if it has a low slope. The pooled water will result in additional weight as well as stress on the commercial roof, which can lead to roof damage and leaks. To prevent water pooling on the roof, you will want to ensure that the roof is designed properly. In addition, it is important that there is a sufficient draining system in place with clean gutters, downspouts, and drains.
Improper Sealing
When roof penetrations like HVAC units, vents, pipes, and gas lines are not properly sealed, leaks can occur. When these areas are not provided special attention when installed, the outlets will eventually be holes in the membrane of the roof. A commercial roofing service will make sure that these openings are sealed properly to remedy the issue. Routine roofing inspections and maintenance can help to prevent roof leaks and costly repairs.
Damaged Membrane
The membrane is a watertight layer that seals the interior of your property and essentially keeps water from seeping through. However, there are various factors that could potentially compromise the membrane's structural integrity. Some of these factors include harsh weather, foot traffic, mechanical damage, and general wear and tear. Routine maintenance, inspections, and repairs can help make certain that the roof membrane stays in good condition. In the event that there is a major leak, the membrane must undergo replacement.
Old Age
Even with routine and proper maintenance, your commercial roof is going to get weaker with age. The structure of your roof will become damaged with constant exposure to the various elements, which increases the risk of roof leaks. Usually, flat commercial roofs last somewhere between 10 and 20 years. If your roof is reaching this age, it is a good idea to simply have it replaced completely if you are having issues with it.
For more information on problems you may have with your commercial roof, get in touch with a commercial roofing service close to you.
Can you imagine hammering away at shingles from dawn until dusk? If this sounds like fun, then you may have a future in the roofing industry. If this does not sound fun at all, then you're going to be someone who calls a roofing company and leave the work to the professionals. There's nothing wrong with that. Roofing is hard and dangerous; it's definitely not for everyone. In fact, we don't climb up on the roof ourselves. We do, however, write about roofing on this blog. We consider that to be a small service we can do for homeowners who are interested in roofing and want to know more.