Water intrusion through the roof accounts for about 40% of most building-related issues. Unlike residential roofs, most commercial roofs lack a slope that allows smooth water runoff. Consequently, water pools on your roof and seeps through the roof's imperfections. Leaks can ruin your roof significantly and set you back a ton of money in roof restoration.
Read on to discover the best tips to prevent commercial roof leaks.
Get Rid of Debris
Due to their flat nature, commercial roofs capture too much debris like leaves, loose gravel, and twigs. Initially, debris seems harmless until it builds up and wreaks havoc on your roof's drainage system. Debris buildup blocks your drains and causes water to pool on your roof.
This situation exposes your roof to water damage and issues like mold and algae growth. This isn't a good thing because the airborne pathogens from the mold can adversely affect employees with respiratory ailments and allergies.
Worse still, the moisture causes the organic materials to rot. If left unchecked, the rotting material can strip the protective bitumen of your roof. To ensure your roof's health, always clear all debris from your roof.
Repair Damaged Flashing and Check for Water Stains
Roof flashing comprises thin metal materials that protect vulnerable areas on your roof from damage and debris. Although roof flashing is tough, wind or hail storms, acid rain, temperature fluctuation, and heavy snow can damage it.
With damaged flashing, water easily infiltrates your roof and begins to leak from the inside. One of the most evident signs of a leaky roof is water stains on your building's walls and ceilings. So, urge the occupants to always report any water stains or discoloration on walls and ceilings. Ceiling and wall blisters also signify leaks, so ensure that you replace old flashing immediately.
Install a Spray Foam Roof
Spray foam roofing provides superior insulation to your commercial property, which ultimately enhances its energy efficiency. Installation of spray foam roofing involves spraying foam on your commercial roof, which then expands and creates a solid layer on your roof.
This layer is durable and waterproof, so your roof can't easily resist water damage. Furthermore, the foam layer creates an air-tight seal that prevents water penetration. Better still, this technique reroutes rainwater from the roof, which enhances your roof's drainage.
Regular maintenance is vital to catch roof issues early before they trigger unexpected leaks. If, however, leaks exist on your roof, a commercial roofing contractor can repair your roof and restore its functionality.
To learn more, reach out to a commercial roofer.
When you have something you like inside a jar, you probably put a lid on it — right? In a way, you can think of your house in the same manner. You like and value the items inside, along with the inside of the house itself. So, it only makes sense that you would protect the interior of your home with a lid. That lid is your roof.
Keep that perspective in mind as you read this blog. Learning more about roofing will feel more interesting if you remember what a roof does: it protects the inside of the home and the people who live in it.