No matter how large your building’s roof surface is, the last thing you want is roof leaks.
How many times do you think about your roof during the year?
Probably not even once.
Do you know how much a roof leak cost?
If you are responsible for a manufacturing plant, imagine that your building has a roof leak at the finished goods warehouse.
This can cause you thousands and even millions of dollars in loss.
The roof maintenance program has been a must since day one.
You can prevent many roof leaks by doing it correctly.
Remember that forgetting about your roof could lead to critical damage, which will cost you your time and money.
If you do not want to run for a drip bucket when the rainy season starts, please be aware of the following common causes of roof leaks mentioned below:
1. Surface Penetrations
When installing a new roof or restoring an old one, it is essential to ensure sealing all the top roof penetrations.
Intersections where the pipes, drains, HVAC units, and gas lines meet each other are the primary target.
Your roofing contractor needs to include the flashing areas of the building’s foundation that fit the roof.
When the seals break, these areas will suffer large cracks causing roof leaks.
With our “Neoprene Liquid Rubber,” you can waterproof these areas.
Seal Roof Penetrations
2. Aging Roof
As a property manager, it’s essential to know the roofing materials that the roofing contractor used to build your building’s structure.
Every commercial roofing system should have different warranty programs and reports. Some can last up to 30 or 40 years.
There will be some more vulnerability with aging.
That is why knowing your roofing system and its age helps you to choose a roof restoration system to avoid any roof leaks on time.
Instacoat Premium Products Roof Restoration Systems will increase the lifespan of your roof for up to 25 years or more.
3. Rooftop Traffic
Always remember:
- The roof is not for having foot traffic
- Is not another floor in the building
- You can’t use it as a warehouse
- The roof is not a meeting conference room
By walking too much on a roof, the roofing surface could move and expand, leading to roofing damages that can cost you extra money in the future.
The only scenarios that allow foot traffic are roofing inspections, maintenance, or restoration procedures.
Be sure that everyone in the building follows the roofing access guidelines to avoid misunderstandings with the tenants.
4. Improper Drainage
Ponding water is the worst enemy of every commercial roof.
An ideal drainage system will not allow water to pond on the roof, making the structure safe during the rainy season.
With that being said, if the water is not rolling down into the drainage system, you will face significant damages and issues.
It can cause structural and isolation damages that will lead to roof leaks.
As you can see, it is crucial to have the roof’s drainage system working ok.
5. Cracks in Walls
Like the rooftop units, flashing penetrations at walls are a common issue for roof leaks.
Due to thermal contraction, the roof can expand its surface.
The wall joints can suffer exposure and back out the foam from the coating system, drying and cracking those areas.
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6. Extreme Temperatures
If you live in an area where the winter has below zero temperatures, the snow will build an ice dam over the roof’s surface.
When the snow melts on the roof surface, it will create an ice blockage effect when the summer comes in, and temperatures rise again.
For those areas that face extreme hot weather, the UV rays of sun exposure can delaminate the roof surface or the system, causing roof leaks in the future.
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Neoprene Liquid Rubber
Conclusion
Roof leaks are not easy to track down.
Water will always find its way inside the roofing structure over the years.
You need to be aware of these common issues and including them in the roofing inspection report.
Having a regular maintenance program and preventing the causes of roof leaks will keep your building dry and safe.
We are experts in preventing roofing leaks with our Silicone and Neoprene Liquid Rubber Roof Restoration Systems.
Contact Instacoat Premium Products today!