If you have noticed a puddle of water, or a suspicious looking stain on your ceiling, you may be under threat from a leaky roof! For commercial properties, looking after your leaky roof is vital to ensuring that the inside of your building is protected from any weather related damage. It’s likely that your building has expensive equipment and valuable belongings, so keeping them safe is of the utmost importance. Keep reading to find our complete guide on what to do if you find a leak in your commercial roof!
Signs Of A Leak
There are multiple things that could help you to identify a leak. A leak is never a good sign, so spotting it early can help you nip it in the bus, before more extensive damage occurs. If you spot one or more of the following signs, it might be time to check your roof for any damage.
Mould
Mould grows in areas where there is moisture and heat, so keep an eye out for spots of mould in your ceiling, as it can eventually lead to more severe issues like rot. Insulation reacts badly to moisture, causing the growth of mould and fungi. It prevents the insulation from doing its job and reduces the thermal efficiency of your building.
A Bad Odour
A strange smell that you cannot seem to identify or get rid of, then this could point to mould growth or rot that is the result of a leak. If you suspect you are suffering from a leaky roof, keep a lookout for odours and smells.
Stains
If you see discoloured patches on your walls and ceilings, you probably have a leak. If you leave this untreated, it can lead to more extensive water damage, so be sure to get this looked at immediately.
Dripping Water / Puddles
This is a pretty obvious sign that you have a leak and that it has worsened. If you do spot water dripping from a ceiling somewhere, then this will mean that your leak is quite large, so getting this checked out is of the utmost importance!
Check for any sagging around areas that are dripping or stained, as sagging in your ceiling can be a huge telltale sign that there is a pretty bad leak somewhere.
Causes Of Leaks
There are multiple reasons why your roof might be leaking, and to get the most effective repair, identifying the cause of the problem is key. These are some common and potential causes of leaks in your commercial roof that you should be aware of.
Poor Roof Maintenance
Your commercial roof needs to be properly looked after in order to keep and extend your roof’s lifespan. Poor maintenance will inevitably lead to leaks, especially during winter months where the weather conditions are harsher. Keeping tabs on your drainage systems, guard and waterproof materials is a good way to keep track of how your roof is doing.
Having a roof maintenance plan in place is a good way to combat this, which your roofing contractors can help you to figure out and give you tips.
Poor Installation
A roof that has been badly designed or installed is always going to cause problems. A leak could be a sign that rainwater is not draining properly. Other signs that your roof has been poorly designed and installed could be if you spot dips and sags in your roof. These are important signs that should not be ignored, sagging and leaks are detrimental to your roof’s lifespan and may cause it to eventually collapse under rainwater in the future.
Improper seals are a common reason for roofing leaks. A roof should be as waterproof as possible, so, if the sealing on your roof is improper, there will be gaps for air and moisture to seep in. This will lead to leaks, mould and potentially rot. So, choosing a reliable and secure roofing contractor is in your best interest.
Ageing
The general lifespan of a roof is up to about 20 years, but this will differ depending on a variety of factors. If you notice leaks in your roof and cannot identify an obvious cause, it may simply be that your roof is ageing. With constant exposure to harsh weather conditions, sun and heat, your roofing materials will age.
Poor maintenance will also enhance the rate at which your roof is ageing, so making sure you keep your roof in good condition is in your best interest.
Punctures & Damage
The areas surrounding your drainage systems and pipes need to be secure and airtight to prevent damage to your roof. These necessary features must be installed with complete seals and no gaps, or leaking will start becoming a problem in your roof.
The membrane of your roof is used to create a watertight cover and protect the interior of the building. If your roofing membrane becomes punctured or damaged at any point, you should look to get this repaired quickly. If the insulation underneath the membrane is damaged in any way, it can lead to more expensive repairs.
Water Build-Up
Water build up is a seriously bad sign for your roof. If you see pools of water sitting on your roof, this can add to sagging by increasing the weight that your roof is withstanding. It can lead to the growth of moss and cause your roof to deteriorate generally faster than it normally would.
Sitting water will almost certainly cause leaks, or sagging and structural damage to your roof. Be sure to check and maintain your roof thoroughly to avoid this.
What Can You Do
If you spot a leak or signs of a leak, these are our top tips on what to do!
Mark The Source - Mark the source of the leak, with a mark on the floor, or in a clear way that indicates where the leak is. When you call a repair company or roofing contractor, this will be massively helpful in locating and fixing the leak.
Maintenance - Practising proper roof maintenance is vital to keeping your roof healthy and in tip top shape. Clearing away debris, removing moss and looking after the exterior of your roof is a good preventative measure to take. There are lots of ways you can maintain your roof, by looking after your guttering, drain systems and carrying out regular inspections.
Minimise Damage - Grab something to help contain the water, like a bucket or container and place this underneath the leak. Clear any expensive equipment from the area, as you do not want to damage this. Lay down a tarp or sheet, and cover any furniture that might be at risk too.
Roofing Contractors - Calling a repair service or roofing contractor is the best way to resolve your leak problems. Do your research, and make sure you choose a dependable service provider who will do a thorough job in repairing your roof. The last thing you want is to have faulty repairs made, and continue suffering with leak issues. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find the right professional service for you.
B & D Roofing & Building
We understand that a leak in your roof isn’t just an inconvenience to your business, it can cause severe damage and structural deterioration of your building. So, we know that, even in your nightmare scenario, you want your leak to be addressed and sorted in the quickest, most efficient way possible.
Our experienced team is here to help you resolve your leak problems with your commercial roofing. We are dedicated to resolving your problems efficiently, safely and effectively with our friendly and knowledgeable team. Our services are professional, and focused on giving you a high quality roof installation or commercial roofing repair.
For any further enquiries about our services or how we can help, feel free to contact us today and find out more about what we do here at B & D Roofing & Building. Our wonderful team will be happy to speak to you and answer any questions you may have.
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