Causes of Commercial Roof Leaks

We get it—no one likes even thinking about commercial roof leaks! They can be expensive to fix, inconvenient and can impact business operations. But knowing what causes them may help you avoid an unwelcome Monday morning surprise or a Friday pre-weekend disaster.

Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Age

Even with the most meticulous care, roof systems typically need major work after 20 – 30 years. Knowing the exact age of your roof system will help you anticipate when it’s time to get a new roof installed!

Improper Sealing

One of the most common ways water gets into a roof is through improper sealing at penetrations. When installing a new roof, or during roof maintenance, pay special attention to where pipes, drains, gas lines and HVAC units intersect with your roof, to ensure they are properly and securely sealed.

Damaged Roofing Materials

Storms and wind may damage your roof.  If addressed promptly, damages can generally be limited in scope, extending the service life of the roof system.  When damages are left, or remain undetected, the areas surrounding the damage tend to be affected, resulting in additional restoration costs.

If any part of your roof is damaged, fixing it quickly will help extend your roof’s longevity.

Pooling Water

With insufficient slope, water may pool on the roof.  This can affect roof materials, resulting in compression-related sagging, together with damage to structural components.  Over time, you could end up with a leaky roof. Pooling water will weaken your seals and damage the membrane of your roof. If gutters, downspouts and drains aren’t cleaned periodically, they may get blocked and retain water, which can lead to trouble.

Telltale signs of a Commercial Roof Leak

Water dripping from your ceiling is a telltale sign that something isn’t quite right. Besides putting a bucket under the drip, you’ll want to find the source of the leak, so that it can be remedied before it spreads.

Notice an unusual smell in your commercial building? That can spell bad news, as it’s often a sign of moisture retention and mold growth, which is often caused by a leak in the roof.

Staining or noticeable discoloration on your ceiling or walls also points to a roof leak. Staining means there’s water damage, and typically water is getting in through a damaged roof.

Contact SUNVEK

Commercial roof leaks can be stressful, but at SUNVEK, we’re here to help—no matter how big, complicated, or messy the roof leak is.

Contact us if you have questions about roof leaks (or need immediate assistance to help fix a leaking roof). We’ve got you covered, so you can focus on running your business!