Your roof is your commercial building’s first defense against the elements. Here in Minnesota, we have to contend with hail, wind, extreme temperatures, snow, and other weather events that wreak havoc on your building. A compromised roof can spell disaster for your business, resulting in costly repairs and unsafe conditions for staff or tenants.
While the weather is beyond your control, you can still take action to prevent leaks and other damage that shorten the lifespan of your roof. Let’s explore how to avoid commercial building roof leaks and examine what happens when leaks are left unattended.
Dealing with a leaking commercial roof? Call All Elements at 763-314-0234 and let us make a watertight patch right away. This prevents further damage until we can make permanent repairs. Our team is here to help with commercial roof leak detection and repairs that keep your building in top condition.
What Happens When You Delay Commercial Roof Leak Repairs?
There's nothing worse than that sinking feeling you get when you realize your roof has sprung a leak. You may be tempted to procrastinate, telling yourself that it's a slow leak and a well-placed bucket will take care of the problem.
However, addressing a leaky roof immediately is the best way to prevent a small problem from becoming a huge headache. The quicker you repair a leaking roof, the less likely you are to confront these problems:
- Mold, Mildew, and Health Hazards: Once moisture enters inaccessible areas, mold and mildew are inevitable. Mold and mildew spread easily through ductwork and vents, triggering allergies and respiratory issues.
- Fire Hazards: It might seem counterintuitive that water can cause a fire hazard, but a leaky roof can damage electrical systems and increase the risk of fires.
- Slipping Hazards: Whether you manage a warehouse, apartment building, or retail store, a wet, slippery floor can be dangerous. A bad fall can cause injuries and potentially lead to legal actions as well.
- Permanent Structural Damage: Water can damage rafters, ceiling joists, framing, sheetrock, exterior trim, and more. The longer building materials are exposed to moisture, the greater the likelihood of permanent and expensive damage.
Commercial Roof Leak Detection: Signs Your Roof is Leaking
Responding quickly to a roof leak is important, but it’s not always easy to identify leaks right away. Because the signs are sometimes subtle, you might not notice dripping water until a leak has escalated into a serious issue. For that reason, it’s important to look out for the early warning signs of a commercial building roof leak.
Blisters and Cracks
Many types of commercial roofs are sealed with a protective membrane. Over time, this material can blister, crack, or separate due to extreme temperatures. The seams can also shrink and create gaps as the material ages. This makes it easier for water to seep through the roof and cause damage. Blisters and cracks are a warning sign that water is getting through, even if you don’t notice anything dripping yet.
Damaged Flashing
Flashing is your roof’s seal. When it becomes damaged, moisture can easily penetrate the roof and lead to leaks and mold. While dented or bent flashing might not mean you have an active leak yet, it’s often one of the first signs that you will in the future.
Ponding Water
If water pools on your roof after rainstorms, it can be a sign that your roof isn’t draining properly or that there is damage to the structure of your roof. Pooling water isn’t just unsightly—it can cause your seams and flashing to fail, resulting in leaks.
Water Spots, Mold, and Mildew
Sometimes, one of the first indicators of a leaking roof is the presence of brown spots on the ceiling, mold growing on drywall or insulation, or mildew on interior ceilings and walls. Keep an eye out for any signs of water damage that can’t be explained by plumbing issues.
Musty Odors
You can sometimes smell the signs of water damage before you can see it. If you begin noticing a damp or musty smell, it can indicate there is water damage in the insulation, the ceiling, or behind walls where you can’t immediately see it.
Higher Energy Bills
In Minnesota, it’s a fact of life that you’ll deal with high air conditioning bills in the summer and heating bills in the winter. But if you notice an unexpected spike in your bills that doesn’t correspond with the temperature outside, you might have a leak in your roof. Even a small leak can cause temperature-controlled air to escape, causing your HVAC system to run more than it should.
Flat Roof Maintenance: Commercial Building Checklist
Knowing how to detect leaks is just part of the equation. Commercial roof maintenance is crucial for preventing leaks in the first place. You may not be able to avoid hailstorms or strong winds, but you can take several steps to make your roof less susceptible to damage.
Check Roof Penetrations
Commercial buildings have numerous areas where HVAC, drains, and pipes extend up through the roof’s surface. While these openings are sealed to prevent water intrusion, the materials can break down over time, eventually leading to water damage.
Remove Debris from the Roof
Leaves, sticks, branches, acorns, and animal nests can easily clog drains, scuppers, and gutters. When your flat commercial roof can’t drain properly, it leads to pooling water that can put strain on the membrane, eventually causing leaks.
Trim Overhanging Trees
Shade from overhanging trees can be great for keeping your building cooler. However, trees can put your roofing membrane at risk. Storms may cause branches to break and fall onto your roof, which can puncture the membrane or damage components like flashing and drains. Trimming back trees will lead to less debris accumulating on your roof as well.
Sign Up for a Commercial Roof Maintenance Plan
If you manage a commercial property, it’s a good idea to check the roof periodically throughout the year. However, you can benefit the most from having professional roof inspections twice a year.
At All Elements, we can perform a thorough inspection of your roof, identifying the early warning signs of leaks and repairing small issues before they become big problems.
Our Commercial Roof Maintenance Roof Care Advantage Program (RCAP) includes annual inspections, seasonal maintenance, and preventative repairs to extend the life of your commercial roof. With RCAP, you can focus on running your business while we take care of your roof throughout the year. Contact us to sign up today!
If you have questions or just want our crew to come out and assess the situation, give us a call at 763-314-0234 today so we can ensure your roof is keeping you and your tenants protected!
