Common Commercial Roof Defects and Leak Sources
What Causes roof leaks at your facility?
Roof leak causes are diverse, but commercial roof leaks typically stem from four common factors:
- Membrane Issues – Membrane issues like splits, tears, cracks, or exposed laps can cause roof leaks. Open laps often signify workmanship problems during installation, while membrane cracks typically result from aging or material defects. Regardless of the membrane issue or its origin, swift attention is essential to prevent more severe problems.
- Drain and Gutter Issues – Issues with drains, gutters, scuppers, and flashing around drains can also cause roof leaks. We address these concerns by tightening, securing loose components, and applying coatings and seals to open joints.
- Ponding Water – Ponding water is standing water on a roof’s surface for more than 48 hours, it can signal problems with the roof’s drainage system. Ponding water accelerates roof deterioration and is a common roof leak cause. We diagnose the root of this issue and provide recommendations for resolution.
- Flashing and Details – Flashing components and details are crucial to the integrity of your roof system and can sometimes be the source of roof leaks when they become loose or the seals are compromised. Regularly checking the integrity of caulk and seals on flashings should be part of routine preventative maintenance for commercial roofs.
If you’re experiencing a roof leak, it’s important to find the cause or the source of the leak. Simon Roofing’s team of trained technicians can diagnose the roof leak cause and fix it on the spot, saving you the hassle of follow-up service calls.