Did any of the recent rainfall or snow flurries make you realize that there is a leak in your commercial roof? Finding out there is a hole in your roof that is letting water freely into your building is definitely defeating, and no facility manager or property owner wants to be stuck dealing with. As with almost anything in life; the quicker you resolve it, the less hassle it will bring you down the road. We at the Duerson Corporation are here to provide insight of what steps to take when you find a leak in your commercial roof.

Common Causes For Commercial Roof Leaks

No two roofs are the same. However, when roofs leak, there are usually common problems that can be found.

Flat Roof Or Sloped Roof Membrane Damage

The most common reason for leakage from a commercial roof comes from some sort of structural damage to the roofing membrane. This can result from a puncture, split, crack, or blister that causes an opening to appear. It’s important to know that the age of your roof plays a significant role in this as well. If you find surface damage to your membrane, contact us to get commercial roof repair on your building as soon as possible.

Clogged Drainage System

If the water on your roof does not have anywhere to drain properly, there is a good chance that water can start leaking through the exterior walls of your building. Not only that, the heavy amounts of water and snow that pool up on your roof can cause severe strain on your commercial roof. Don’t let ponding water jeopardize the roofing structure of your building, get it repaired!

Parapet Wall Or Exterior Edging Damage

It’s common that the exterior walls or interior parapet walls receive damage where they connect to the roofing membrane. Roofers install flashings that can deteriorate over time, especially if they are not installed properly. Once these give out, leaks are likely to occur down the inside of your exterior walls.

How Do I Spot The Signs Of A Leaky Roof?

Before you can correlate the problems of a leaky roof with any internal damage to your property, you need to know what you are looking for. These are common signs of a leaky commercial roof that can directly affect the inside space.

Stained Ceilings And Walls

This is probably the most obvious sign to spot. No matter what type of ceiling system you have, puddling water will cause discoloration and even sagging of the material if there is enough weight on it. The same can be found on walls if it has started to trickle its way down to the foundation of your building.

Puddles Forming On The Ground

This is a better indicator if you have a metal roof and ceiling, since those will only discolor from rust forming on them. Puddles can be come fall hazards and also put any equipment below it at risk.

What Do I Do After I Have Found A Leak?

Clear Out Space And Equipment

If a leak has truly started to accumulate a decent amount of water, it’s important that you keep your building and everyone in it safe. If water is puddling below, place a bucket that can capture as much fallingwater as you can so nobody slips on water. If your ceiling has started sagging in places, move items below it out of the way incase the ceiling were to break apart or collapse.

Mark The Source Of The Leak

Once you have a control on the leak, find out where it is coming from. On your search, you might find that something other than the roof is actually causing the leak, like a damaged pipe or air duct condensation. If you have found that it is most definitely coming from your flat or sloped roof, mark where the leak is coming from. This will allow a team of expert roofers to come in and know where to look, ultimately saving everyone time. If you can’t find the location of the leak, no worries, that’s what we are here for! Don’t delay calling us if you are having troubles locating a leak.

Looks For More Leak Sources

If you have located a leak source, it doesn’t mean you have found all of them. After you have found one, it would benefit you to search for anymore that might exist on your roof. It’s also a good time to make sure that items such as your piping and air conditioning are not leaking as well.

Contact The Commercial Roof Repair Experts

The Duerson Corporation has been helping commercial businesses with flat roof and sloped roof repairs, replacements, and installations for nearly 30 years. We hire highly qualified roofers with clean background records and the experience to make sure your services are met beyond your expectations. If you are looking for a roof replacement or re-roof, consider getting a Duro-Last roof installed by our team. Get in contact with us today, we look forward to hearing from you!