9 Ways Water Can Enter Your Building NOT Through a Roof Leak
Here are 9 common areas you should check before you call a roofer.
HVAC. Most leaks attributed to HVAC units are from condensate – it can get plugged or the dripping pan could rust, resulting in an overflow situation and water moving into the duct work.
- Drain Pipes and Plumbing. Plugged drains or a malfunctioning sprinkler system are likely culprits of water intrusion, especially if you’re seeing water but you’re not on the top floor of the building.
- Foundation. This waterproofing issue can result in puddles on the floor – water does not move around the building, backs up and gets in where the floor meets the foundation.
- Walls. Cracks and joints in wall are potential trouble spots for water. Conduit can poke through an exterior wall, creating an opening for water. Another example would be new signage being installed above the flashings and not caulked correctly, allowing a water leak into the building.
- Gutters/Downspouts. Downspouts are typically not made to hold water but to allow water to run through them. They can get clogged with debris or may not be wide enough to handle runoff or there may not even be enough downspouts for a building – all resulting in potential water intrusion.
- Condensation. If you’re in a metal building without insulation, differentials in temperature between the outside and inside can create condensation that drips off ceilings.
- Windows. Water can penetrate through window glazing, particularly after heavy winds and hard rains.
- Doors. Sometimes water can leak through a door threshold.
- Spill. Sometimes it’s literally just spilled water on the floor that someone walks by and reports as a roof leak. Yes, that really happens.
Sometimes it’s a simple process of elimination to identify the source of water intrusion and may not be as easy as it seems. Always act quickly to resolve any water issue and keep a list of go-to resources who are responsive and trustworthy, namely a roofer, mechanical contractor and plumber.