Common Problems Found During Roof Inspections
It’s hard to avoid commercial roofing issues. You will have a problem at some point in your roof’s lifespan. Whether leaves collect and clog your drains or a strong wind picks up or blows off your roofing material, roof damage is inevitable.
Ignoring these issues can lead to more extensive damage and, therefore, more extensive repairs. Below we’ve put together a list of some of the most common commercial roof problems we encounter when inspecting a roof.
Poor Installation Issues
You increase your risk of roofing problems without proper and professional commercial roof installation. Additionally, an improperly installed commercial roof can also reduce its lifespan. This is why choosing a licensed, bonded, and experienced commercial roofing contractor is essential to complete the roof installation. Using an experienced team like ACR1 helps to ensure that you have a reliable and durable roofing system you can count on.
Poor Maintenance Practices
One of the most common issues with commercial roofing systems is the lack of maintenance. Even when nothing major happens, if you have something fall onto your roof and puncture it, you need to have the roof inspected by a professional. If the inspection uncovers roofing issues, have them repaired immediately. Ignoring roof repairs only worsens the damage, costing you money in the long run.
Damage to Pitch Pans and Flashing
These items are used to deflect water from seams and joints. They are installed on curbs, walls, and around any object protruding from the roof. Most roof leaks occur due to improperly installed or damaged flashings. To avoid these leaks, we recommend our Advantage Systems Roofing System , installed as one complete piece with no seams and no worries about flashings causing leaks.
Standing Water
If you have a flat commercial roof, standing water is a common issue typically caused by leaves blowing onto the roof and clogging the drains. Birds may also build nests on the top of your roof, blocking the drains.
If you don’t have a flat roof but are struggling with standing water, it is typically caused by poor roof design or poor installation. In some casses, the pitch or angle of the roof isn’t steep enough for the water to flow into the drains. In this case, the standing water can cause the roof’s surface to deteriorate, leading to leaks.
Material Shrinkage
It’s essential to keep in mind that roofing materials like metal will expand and contract with the heat and the cold. Metal flashing and drip edge sizes can change significantly from season to season. This constant expansion and contracting can break joints, develop holes, and create a space for leaks.
Roof Punctures
In single-ply roofing systems, foot traffic is the number one cause of punctures in the roofing material. As people walk across the roof surface, their aggressive soles can tear through the roofing membrane. Additionally, walking on a ballasted roof can lead to punctures. If the roof is secured by metal screws that come loose , the roof becomes at risk for further damage and leaks.
Commercial Roof Inspection and Repair
At ACR1 Commercial Roofing, we can provide you with a seamless, durable roofing system that will work to eliminate many of these common roofing issues. You should have your commercial roofing system regularly inspected and maintained. Contact us today to learn more.
Author:
Floyd Mason
Born and raised in farming in Iowa
Worked in and around construction since 1977
BS in Corporate Finance and Financial & Estate Planning from Brigham Young University. Involved in Boy Scouts of America for more than 35 years, Scoutmaster 15 years Estimator, Project Manager, Sales Representative, Crew Leader, Laborer, Territory Manager, District Manager, Regional Manager, National Sales Manager,
ACR1.COM Sales & Marketing Manager since 2013.
