As a business owner, it can be extremely frustrating to discover commercial roof leaks. If you have ongoing commercial roof leaks in Marshfield, WI, it may be time to find a new contractor who can help to pinpoint what is going on and why. They can also make the necessary repairs to ensure your roof continues to protect your business for years to come.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to hear about problems with roofs due to failed mistakes by other contractors. A previous contractor may have told you that roof leaks on commercial buildings are to be expected. That is just not the case. At Yutzy Roofing Service LLC, we offer comprehensive roofing repair services designed to keep commercial buildings dry and safe. Our team can help you better understand the cause of your commercial roof leaks and help eliminate them.
Causes of Roof Leaks You Should Not Ignore
Roof leaks on your commercial structure often mean something is not working right. The roof should never have any type of leak penetrating into the building. Those leaks create a big problem. They allow mold and mildew to grow, which can then spread through other areas of the property and create a serious health hazard for anyone inside.
The following are some of the most common causes of roofing leaks in commercial buildings. Any of these causes must be addressed immediately to minimize their impact on your property’s value and safety.
#1: You Have Roof Penetrations
Roof penetrations are one of the most common causes of commercial roof leaks. If you have not done so before, take a look at the roof of the building. You will notice a number of openings and structures jutting out from it. Every one of those areas is a potential hotspot for a leak to develop. We call these roof penetrations.
They include everything from the vent pipe to the gas line. Commercial buildings tend to have a lot of them because of all of the interior functions and the setup of the interior building. If any one of these penetrations has a leak develop around them, they can cause damage to your commercial roof.
It is a misconception, though, that you cannot treat or prevent these commercial roof leaks from occurring. The right team can find the problem and fix it. That may mean treating them all.
#2: Damage to the Roof Flashing
Another common factor contributing to commercial roof leaks is damage to the flashing. The roof flashing is the area around the edge of the roof itself. The job of the flashing is to help hold down and seal the roof around areas like the chimney or vents to prevent water penetration. The flashing is durable, but it can be vulnerable in various situations. For example, changes in temperature and weather can cause the flashing to expand and contract over time. As that happens, it slowly becomes looser and looser.
Every time a flashing is loose or no longer adhering to the surface properly, it creates a spot for water to get in. The water can get in and flow under the membrane. Eventually, it can lead to other areas. You end up with a roof in your office space or other commercial structure.
#3: Membrane Damage
Damage to the membrane can also lead to commercial roof leaks. Think of this critical roofing component as a large sheet of material that is stretched over the surface of the roof to create a watertight seal. That means water cannot and should not get through it. When you have commercial roof leaks, in some way, water gets into this area, and it shouldn’t.
There are various reasons why the membrane can develop commercial roof leaks. In some cases, the heat from the sun can cause damage to the membrane over time. There are other instances in which the water can cause damage to the structure of the membrane.
When this happens, lots of changes occur to that structure. That includes blistering, shrinking, and even cracks. Holes can develop as well. All of this leads to exposure to the roof’s insulation. When that happens, water gets in, and your roof suffers the damage.
If you have water that is coming into the commercial building, and you cannot find a specific location it is coming from, it could be the membrane. The only way to fix this problem is to fix the actual membrane. That involves removing the surface of the roof, removing the old membrane, and placing a new one.
#4: Aging Roofs
Most commercial roofs can last decades. Poor installation and maintenance will impact its lifespan. Unfortunately, if you were working with another roofing contractor and they did not install the roof properly, this could be your problem.
If your commercial roof is over 20 years old, you have to consider the age carefully. It could last longer, but if there is already damage occurring, that’s likely to only worsen over time. No matter how much you fix an old roof, it is still going to need to be replaced at some point. Doing it sooner could mean you don’t have to pay for repairs as often.
If you are unsure if the roof itself is in good condition or is too old, have a roofing contractor inspect it. Choose a company that has not seen the roof before. Let them examine the condition and look for areas of wear and tear. That’s going to give you a good idea of if you really do need a new roof or not.
Can You Just Add Another Coating to the Roof?
A lot of commercial roofs have a protective coating over them. That depends on the type of roof and its structure, of course. However, there is only so much you can add on top of the roof structure. Too many layers of coating add too much weight to the roof. Over time, that leads to a high risk of failure.
Before you add more material to the top, have the roof inspected by our team at Yutzy Roofing Service. Consider the short-term fixes that could stop the leak. Then, think about the long-term solution.
When You May Need More Extensive Repairs
Patching a roof is not going to solve every roofing problem. There are many situations where you may need more extensive repair. However, replacement is not always the answer either.
If you have visible damage to the roof or to the flashing, do not wait to have these inspected and repaired. This includes any blistering or cracking of the membrane. You also want to make sure there’s no standing water. If there is, that could be due to poor drainage and design. This is also something you should not let continue.
You may need more extensive repairs if your roof has a significant amount of mold buildup as well. If your roof has had water damage for some time, chances are good there is ample mold growing within it. Disturbing that mold is not safe to do. However, having a mold remediation company come in to contain and remove it is necessary to preserve the overall health of the building and your employees.
Finally, look for any type of staining inside the building. Staining from previous water damage shouldn’t be left in place. Instead, you should seek out repairs to the ceiling to remove these areas of damage. Stains can be an indication of mold growth, too. As a result, you’ll want them removed, cleaned, and patched. This can also help you spot new concerns if they do happen again.
Schedule an Inspection and Service Call from a Trusted Professional
If you have discovered commercial roof leaks on your property, you must address them as soon as possible. Reaching out to our team at Yutzy Roofing Service LLC can help to ensure your roof continues to provide protection for years to come. We have extensive experience when it comes to maintaining and installing commercial roofs, and we will do everything possible to ensure your project is handled properly and professionally. Contact our Marshfield, WI, roofing experts today at 715-897-5017 to schedule a free estimate to get started.
