A leaky roof is never fun, but when it affects your commercial property, a leaky roof can be a serious problem for both the landlord and any building occupants. Though it is often best to report leaks to a roofing professional, commercial property owners can often make minor repairs that are not only cost effective but also provide temporary relief from further damage.
When to Call A Professional
Before you get started, you should determine whether your roof is covered under an existing warranty. Many commercial roofing companies provide long-term warranties that cover the cost of maintaining and repairing a roof. For example, each Duerson-installed Durolast roof comes with a 15-year no-dollar-limit warranty. In many cases, completing repair work yourself may void your warranty. Always check with the installation company before starting work.
If, after determining your roof’s warranty status and deciding to complete repairs yourself, you will need to assess your roof for indications of severe damage that will require professional attention. Some common indicators include:
- Missing or severely damaged portions—if any of your roof has been damaged or torn away due to severe weather be sure to obtain professional help.
- Sagging or bulging portions of the roof—this type of damage may indicate structural damage that should be repaired by a professional.
- Blistering or cracking membrane—this is an indication of damage due to extreme temperatures. The membrane will likely need to be replaced by a professional.
- Standing or pooling water—this is an indication that your roof’s drainage system is not working properly. You should call a professional to help you assess the best way to correct the problem.
- Mold or mildew—if your roof smells foul or you see signs of mold, you should call a roofing professional right away. Mold can be a health hazard and may require extensive work to expose the areas that need to be remediated.
You can avoid unnecessary time delays and extra expense by properly assessing the extent of the damage to your roof. Some problems require professional assistance. However, if you do not see any of the above indications, feel confident in your ability to repair your roof, and there is no warranty that covers repairs, please follow the process outlined below for best results.
Safety
Since you will be working on the roof of your building, it is vitally important to take precautions for your safety. Follow these guidelines to ensure proper safety:
- Always work with another person. If either of you gets injured, the other will be available to call for help and lend emergency care.
- If you need to use a ladder to access the roof, make sure that it is both sturdy and stable.
- Always respect heights and use extreme caution.
- Wear appropriate personal protective safety equipment (goggles, gloves, etc.)
- Never drop anything over the edge of the roof. Instead, place tools and waste materials in a container to be lowered down by rope.
By following these safety precautions, you can ensure the safety of not only yourself but also those you are working with as well as bystanders.
Step 1: Locate the Leak
The first step to repairing your roof is to locate the source of the leak. This step can be particularly tricky because water will often travel along cable runs, pipes, trusses, or ventilation before becoming noticeable.
From Inside
Begin your search for the leak on the inside of the building. If possible, remove any false ceiling tiles or damaged drywall and attempt to track the course that the water takes within the building. Take measurements from the leak to nearby exterior walls. This will help you better orient yourself from the exterior.
From the Outside
The next step is to inspect the exterior of your roof. Look for pools of water, cracks, missing flashing, exposed seams, bubbles, lifted or missing nails and screws, and damage. Start at the location of the leak and move outward in a circular pattern looking for any indications of a leaky roof. Discoloration is often an indication of pooling water. Use your hand to feel for areas that are damp when the rest of the roof is dry.
Take note of any issues you may find—they may not be the cause of your leak but you will want to repair them while you have the opportunity. Pay extra special attention to vent pipe boots, vents, flashing, and other related structures that protrude or pass through your roof. If the damage is severe or the plywood underneath the roof membrane has become rotten, you will likely want to contact a roofing professional to ensure that the roof is repaired correctly. At Duerson, our team provides free inspection.
Step 2: Clear Debris
Be sure to remove any debris such as leaves, tree branches, nails, or screws that you find on your roof. These items will collect and prevent drainage or hold moisture. Clearing these items will allow your roof to shed water properly and dry out as quickly as possible after a heavy rain.
Step 3: Prepare the Surface
Carefully consider proceeding with this step. Completing roof repairs on your own may invalidate an existing roof warranty.
Once you have identified any trouble areas, you need to prepare the area to be repaired. This step is necessary to ensure that your repair will hold up under extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions your roof will be exposed to.
The most important part of preparing the site is getting it thoroughly dry. If not completely dry, you will be trapping moisture into your roof which can lead to rot, mold growth, or reduced insulation efficiency. You should remove any soggy insulation, drywall, or ceiling tiles. Drying can be accelerated through the use of a combination of fans on both the interior and exterior directed at the site as well as dehumidifiers at the interior location.
Next, you will need to cut away any areas that have been damaged beyond repair. These are areas that rusted, rotten, or torn. Anything you remove will need to be replaced with high quality materials to ensure that your repair doesn’t leak.
Finally, you will roughen up any areas where you will be applying roofing cement. Use a wire brush or sandpaper to create a surface to adhere to.
Step 4: Patch the Leak
Carefully consider proceeding with this step. Completing roof repairs on your own may invalidate an existing roof warranty.
You will need an ample supply of rubber membrane, mesh or webbing, roofing cement, nails or screws, and flashing to complete this step. These materials can often be obtained at your local home improvement store.
Start by peeling back any loose or cut membrane and spreading a thin layer of rough cement to the exposed rough beneath. Next, press the membrane firmly into place before nailing or screwing it down. Use a similar process to replace rubber membrane over any areas where the original had to be removed due to damage. Replacement membranes should overlap existing membranes by three feet to ensure adequate coverage. All seams and nail/screw holes should receive a thin layer of roofing cement followed by webbing and another layer of roofing cement.
If you have any questions or concerns about repairing your roof, the Duerson team of friendly professionals is always available to assess your roofing needs and provide you with an estimate for repair free of charge. Contact us today!