The roof of a commercial building is important because it protects everything inside that building from things like storms. No business wants their dry inventory covered in water, right?
What are some common causes behind water leaks in commercial roofing systems? Here are some factors…
#1 The Age Of The Roofing System
This is one of the most common causes of leaks for commercial roofing systems. The average service life of a commercial roof is about 50 to 60 years. Most of the time the owners or trustees of commercial complexes are not even aware of the age of their commercial roofing system and may neglect repairs or replacement. When commercial roofs are reaching the final stage of their service life, they tend to deteriorate in quality; They start sagging and the underlayment becomes weak. Due to these reasons, water starts leaking into the building from the damaged regions or cracks in the underlayment.
#2 Improper Installation Of The Commercial Roof
Another common reason that leads to water leaks is the improper installation of commercial roofs. Perhaps the work was not performed with proper skill and expertise. Due to this, gaps remain on the edges of the roof and in the entire roofing system. This is not known until major problems start becoming a hindrance for the roof as well as the building. So, if the installation work process is not done properly, it will not just lead to major water leak issues but also the need for early roof replacement.
#3 Poor Design Or Structure Of The Commercial Roof
Commercial roofs are different from residential roofs. They are designed in a unique way to withstand storms, high winds, consistent UV rays, and sunlight. Thus, if you are getting a new commercial roof for your building or replacing an old commercial roof with a new one, you should get the design inspected by professional roofing contractors. They will let you know whether the roof would be suitable and durable for your building or not.
#4 Irregularity In Inspection and Maintenance Of The Commercial Roof
This is a common cause of water leaks not only for commercial roofs but also for residential roofs. You need to get commercial roofs inspected to know about minor damages and get them fixed. If the minor damages are not fixed, they will aggravate and lead to the need for major roof damage repair. Along with inspections, you need to make sure that your commercial roof is well-maintained. Proper and regular maintenance is better than not knowing how the roof is doing and neglecting it for years!
#5 Damaged Flashing Or Gutters/Drainage System
Flashing keeps the roof’s edges and chimney region strong so that cracks or damage do not occur. When the flashing of a commercial roof is damaged, it leads to water leak issues. Besides flashing, leaks may also occur due to damages to the gutter/drainage system.
Summary
Commercial roofing systems benefit from regular inspections and maintenance work. Otherwise, if neglected, they can have water leak issues that damage the contents of items stored inside. Commercial roof work can be done by Arko Exteriors of Blaine, MN. Please call Arko at 763-434-2756 with your questions or concerns.