How To Identify Roof Membrane Damage Before It Becomes a Major Leak

Membrane roofs are very durable, lasting upwards of 30 years. To get to that upper tier they need to be installed correctly and looked after. Proper installation is best achieved by hiring a professional membrane roofing company with the skills and experience to do it right. Pro-active maintenance should be performed regularly, with repairs carried out as soon as problems are spotted. When checking your roof, problems can be identified by the following tell-tale signs.

Blistering on BUR & torch-on roofs

If you see blisters on a membrane roof, it indicates trapped moisture underneath. Trapped moisture heats up under the sun and stretches the membrane. This reaction ends up ballooning into a larger space that collects more moisture. Blisters continue to grow until they split open the membrane and compromise the ability of your roof to keep your building dry.

Since we live in such a wet climate, blistering can be a common problem for flat roof systems like BUR and torch-on roofing in Vancouver. It’s critical to hire a reputable membrane roofing company for the initial installation as well as follow-up maintenance thereafter.

Cracking, shrinkage, seam failure on EPDM, TPO and PVC roofs

Single-ply membrane roofing systems like EPDM, TPO and PVC all suffer from some common problems like shrinkage, punctures, cracking, and seam failure.

Shrinkage is caused by weathering and aging material. The edges of the membrane start to pull back, causing issues at seams, and anywhere flashing, vents and HVAC systems join the roof.

Punctures are caused by foot traffic, dropped tools while repairing other rooftop systems, and blown debris. It’s important to repair even the smallest tear in a membrane roof to prevent bigger leaks and more damage.

Cracking is also caused by weathering and aging roof material. A UV coating can help extend the lifespan of a membrane roof and provide energy-saving benefits as well.

Seam failure is usually the result from a shoddy installation job. When you have an investment as big as a commercial roof, choose a professional membrane roofing company to save yourself a ton of money and stress in the long run.

If you see any of these problems on your roof, have them fixed immediately. It’s highly recommended that flat roofs receive twice-yearly inspections, as well as after severe weather events, to keep on top of potential issues.

Laurentian Roofing offers high quality, cost-minded installations and repairs for commercial roofs in Vancouver. We stand by our work, using the best roofing products and the latest technologies to protect your business from the elements. Reach us at 604-345-7663.