19
Apr
2021

Primary causes of commercial roof leaks

April 19th, 2021 in General Roof Info
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The damage from a leaking commercial roof can amount to thousands and thousands of dollars. Fortunately you can avoid these kinds of expenses by keeping your roof in good repair and well-maintained. While there are any number of issues that can cause a leaking roof, most cases can be traced back to a few primary causes:

  • Poor installation

  • Neglect

  • Weather 

Poor installation

This is a cause of a lot of leaks. Flat roofs are not entirely flat. A slight grade needs to be part of the design, otherwise there’s a risk of standing water, or ponding. Ponding leads to roof sag and premature aging of the roofing membrane. Incorrect installation is a common problem with inexperienced or shady contractors. Be sure to hire experienced professionals.

Neglect

All too often roofs get ignored. The problem with this is small issues grow into big, expensive issues. This includes major repairs, health problems due to mould, loss of stock, business closure while repairs are done, and complete roof replacement. These end up costing far more in the long run. Investing in regularly scheduled maintenance and commercial roof repair as soon problems appear will save you thousands of dollars and extend the life of your roof.

Weather

Commercial roofs are subject to all weather conditions year ‘round. Sun causes UV damage to roofing membranes. Snow creates excess weight that can adversely affect older and weaker areas of the roof. Wind can cause extensive damage. And windstorms are a common occurrence here on the west coast. Have your roof inspected by a professional immediately after a severe weather event. Have them make any flat roof repairs necessary to keep your roof--and your investments--safe and secure.