It’s a huge responsibility to own and maintain a commercial roof. When your pipe bursts and you have no clue why or how it happened, it may be aggravating and worrisome. Many of us have dealt with roof leaks in our homes and workplaces. The implications of a leak in your commercial property may be expensive. Hence it’s important to get your commercial roof inspected at regular intervals by certified roof maintenance contractors.

Causes of Roof Leaks

The first step in getting a leaky roof fixed is to figure out what’s causing it. The possible causes of roof leaks could be the following:

Poor Design

The poor design causes standing water on many flat commercial roofs. A one-inch deep pool of water weighs more than 5 pounds per square foot of surface area, thus puddled water can add needless weight to your roof. When you consider the size of your industrial roof, it’s easy to see how puddled water may cause significant damage. This higher pressure might cause your roof to leak due to the increased pressure.

Drainage Insufficiency

Another reason for gathering water on the roof is inadequate drainage. Standing water will seep into any cracks or fissures under the surface. Make sure your roof’s drains, gutters, and downspouts are clear and functioning correctly to prevent leaks caused by inadequate drainage.

Loss of Material

The membrane, which serves as the roof’s cover, and the flashing, which seals the perimeter of the roof, are both essential components of a flat, commercial roof. Leaks can occur if one or both of these components are damaged.

Damage to Membranes

The membrane on your roof can fracture, break, and shrink with time. The membrane may leak as a result of these alterations in its integrity. Falling trees or hail might potentially harm the membrane. Because the membrane is such a vital component of your commercial roof, it’s crucial to examine it on a regular basis and fix any damage you discover.

Damaged Flashing

The membrane’s edges are shielded by flashing. Flashing is prone to expanding and contracting in response to temperature fluctuations, resulting in gaping and leaking. During storms, flashing can become loose, making it less effective in keeping water out. A leak can be avoided by repairing the flashing on your roof.

Sealing Inaccurate

Because different outlets on your roof might leak, they must be properly sealed. The following are some examples of possible water penetration spots in your roof’s membrane:

• Drains
• Pipes
• HVAC units
• Hot stacks
• Vents
• Gas lines

To keep your roof from leaking, each of these holes in the membrane must be fixed and tracked. This is most likely the source of the problem if the outlets haven’t been securely sealed.

Old Roof

Your roof, like many other parts of a structure, will need to be replaced at some time. Flat roofs generally endure 15–20 years before deteriorating beyond repair.

Weather Extreme

Extreme weather is a major source of roof damage. When a roof leaks in severe weather, you may usually assume that high winds and rainfall are to blame. Aside from the rain, keep an eye out for wind and hail damage.

Dealing With A Leak Roof

Consider the following points, when you see a leak in your commercial property roof:

All Leaks Must Be Taken Very Seriously

A roof leak should always be taken seriously and fixed as soon as possible. What looks to be a little water issue might cause major damage to your property. A leaking roof might be a simple, low-cost fix or a serious issue that demands a complete roof replacement.

Prepare for the Future

Because roofs don’t endure indefinitely, you’ll eventually run into this issue. Keep a cool head when you’re doing it. Your roof should be repairable if you take prompt action. However, the longer you wait, the more moisture will be exposed to your roofing and construction materials. The harm will be reduced if you act quickly.

Protection of the Space

When you first discover a leak, move everything that might get damaged by water, such as furniture, workstations, electronics, and wall hangings, out of the way. Then, to protect the floor, throw down buckets and a tarp or plastic sheeting. If water is dripping down the walls, you may need to tape plastic along with them as well. Remove any ceiling tiles from the area so that the water does not spread from tile to tile. The water will be able to flow directly from the roof leak to the bucket as a result of this. Make sure that everyone is aware of the issue and that the area is marked off so that no one slips and falls.

Identify the Source

When you take down the ceiling tiles, you might be able to find the source of the leak. If you don’t have one, go outside when the weather is nice and take measures when going onto the roof. Check for clogged or backed-up gutters, downspouts, and drains.

Get in Touch With A Professional

The majority of commercial roof leaks should be addressed by a roofing expert. Do all you can to limit the damage, and then get a Naples Roofing professional to manage the repairs so that they’re done correctly and don’t cause more damage to your roof. After the repairs are finished, get your commercial roof examined by roof maintenance contractors twice a year to maintain it in good shape.