How to Deal With Commercial Roof Leaks

Maintaining a safe and sound commercial building requires a lot of upkeep and dedicated time from its building managers.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that you won’t run into problems, in fact, it is said that about 40% of building-related problems are due to water intrusion, usually through the roof.

This is because of its exposure to the elements. Wind, rain, ice, snow, extreme weather changes, etc. can all take a toll on roofs and cause leaks or other failures.

Sometimes you might not even know your roof’s damage might be causing problems such as leaks, therefore it is important to know the right steps and questions you should be asking yourself when dealing with commercial roof leaks.

Find the Source of the Leak

It is important for you to first find the direct point of entry for the leakage. If you don’t find the source right away there is a chance that all your efforts to fix things will be in vain.

If the source of the leak isn’t immediately determined you run the risk of having mold and mildew develop.

Common Causes of Commercial Roof Leaks

Issues with your plumbing, heating, or cooling unit
A pest infestation
Clogged gutters
Cracks in the roof membrane
Failures in flashing

Make sure you know how to spot the signs of commercial roof leaks. For example, you might start to notice stains or discoloration on your walls and ceilings.

Clear Affected Areas Inside the Building

Once you pinpoint the source of the leak, try to minimize interior damage as much as possible. Clear the area of expensive equipment and supplies to minimize losses.

Place a bucket underneath the leak to collect water until you can patch the damage. If any people work in that area, have them stay away if possible to prevent any contact with potential mold.

If you can’t clear the area, that’s okay. Instead, cover your equipment and possessions with a plastic tarp to protect your belongings from future damage.

Move anything else that could become vulnerable to water damage in the meantime. For example, you might want to remove furniture, desks, and electronics from the room. Remove any art you have on the walls, too.

Pinpoint Other Issues

Even though you might have the leak entry pointed out, it might not be the only source of the problem. As mentioned before, commercial roofs are extremely vulnerable due to their high exposure to different elements and weather changes.

This means that there might be other issues that will arise soon. Making sure that there is a clear assessment of the issue is important because it saves you time and money in the long run.

Call A Commercial Roofing Contractor

Remember, a commercial roofing professional can assist in all areas when a leak is suspected. You don’t have to go through this process alone!

Addressing roof leaks on your own can become time-consuming and exhausting. Instead, call a roofing professional you can count on.

Fixing a roof leak right away can minimize future damages and losses. Ask your commercial roof contractor if they can spot the source of the leak by having them examine your entire roof system. They should be able to recognize signs that your roof is aging and needs repairs related to or unrelated to the leaks.

Usually, you’ll have three options after your commercial roof springs a leak:

Repair the damaged area
Replace the entire commercial roofing system
Restore the top coating

Take the time to review your options with a professional roofing company. They can help you determine the best course of action based on the severity of the damage.

Make sure to consult your contractor about the best options for your roof.

Elastomeric Roof Coatings

Using coatings such as elastomeric roof coatings can bring an extra layer of protection to any roof.

Elastomeric roof coatings can extend the life of your client’s roof by protecting it from rain, snow, ice, sleet, hail, extreme heat, UV rays, and other harsh conditions that nature will throw at it.

As we mentioned before, elastomeric roof coatings are flexible, meaning they can expand and contract with your customer’s building as temperatures fluctuate between extremes. This reduces the chances of cracks that result in leaks and moisture damage.

When do extreme temperature differences occur? They usually happen during “bridge seasons” like fall or spring, when temperatures are shifting from consistently hot to cold, or consistently arid to humid.

These temperature and humidity differences cause the construction materials of your building to expand and contract, as you can probably notice when you hear “settling noises” during these seasons.

Again, flexibility means protection that holds shape over the long term. Elastomeric roof coatings will keep your customers covered year-round.

Rugged Coatings Helps You Find a Dealer

Stop wasting your time and money on two roofing products, from two different companies, with conflicting warranties, frustrating customer service teams, and no guarantee they’ll work well together.

Rugged Coatings is providing the same reliable coating products you’re used to, with the industry’s best spray polyurethane roof foam products engineered to work together for superior protection.

As a benefit to our customers, we’ve partnered with our sister company, Accufoam®, to bring you the highest-performing roofing system available.

Protect your work with a unified roofing system created to bond with unwavering strength.

Learn more about the benefits of a unified roofing system.

If you don’t have a dealer just yet, Rugged Coatings can help you get in touch with one!

You can contact us directly and we’ll connect you with a Rugged Coatings distributor in your area. We work closely with our Rugged Coatings distributors to provide industry-leading contractor support.

Or second, you can suggest that your distributor carry Rugged Coatings. Just tell us who your distributor is and we’ll contact them to begin the process of supplying you with Rugged Coatings.