Tag: roof leaks

Have a Leak in Your Commercial Roof? Here’s What to Do First.

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

A leak is a worst-case scenario for a commercial or industrial building owner. Everyone knows leak repairs are expensive, and it can be tempting to try to cope with the leak and avoid fixing it. But like many other roofing problems, leaks can cause more damage the longer they are left alone. The key to saving money on an industrial roof leak repair is to take action as soon as you discover a leak. Here are the steps to take when you have a leak in your commercial roof:

Be able to recognize leaks.

Not every roof leak leads to a dramatic waterfall in the building. Most leaks are much less obvious. Discoloration or mildew on the ceiling or walls of a building are usually signs of a leak. Dampness or even a musty smell can indicate a leak as well.

Find the source of the leak. 

Once you’ve found signs of a leak, the first step is to find out where the leak is coming from. Leaks aren’t always caused by roofing problems. Plumbing or other equipment can also cause water damage. If there is no other possible source of damage, determine what part of the roof may be leaking. Penetrations, rooftop equipment, flashing, and gutters are all common sources of leaks to check.

Protect the building’s interior.

One of the biggest risks a leaking roof presents is damage to the interior of the building. Leaks can damage ceilings, drywall, floors, and even expensive equipment. As best you can, figure out where the leak damage extends to and then take measures to protect those rooms. Remove equipment and put down waterproof covers to protect as much of the interior as possible.

Call a trusted roofing partner.

The sooner a roofer can get to the scene of a leak, the sooner it can get fixed and stop damaging other parts of the building. In the case of a roof leak, time is money. The longer a leak festers, the more likely it is to cause some kind of costly damage. Get in touch with an emergency roofing technician as soon as possible for a commercial roof leak repair. 

If you need help with your roof leak, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team is ready for your call and eager to help.

A Property Manager’s Guide to Roof Leaks

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

A leaking roof is every property manager’s worst nightmare. Roof leaks can compromise building safety, damage a property’s value and even cause further damage to the building. In order to prevent the worst outcomes from a roof leak, property managers need to know how to recognize a leak and what to do if they find one.

Signs Your Roof is Leaking

Storm damage can cause obvious holes in a roof, but not all leaks are this easy to spot. Small leaks can show up in a variety of small ways throughout a building. Property managers should always remain vigilant and check for signs of small leaks. Failing to address minor leaks can lead to a much bigger problem down the line.

Some signs that your roof may be leaking include:

  • Stained interior or exterior walls
  • Strange odors
  • Pooling water inside the building
  • Stained ceiling tiles

Immediate Actions After a Leak

Once a leak has been identified, property managers should take some immediate steps to prevent further damage and to protect the building’s occupants. First, close off the area affected by the leak and clean up any water that may be on the floors or interior walls. Keep the area well ventilated and use dryers or fans to dry it off and prevent mildew. Get in touch with both the building’s insurance company and a trusted roofing company to schedule a fix as soon as possible.

Finding a Roofing Partner 

Property managers should always have a roofer they trust on call. But if a leak occurs when you’re between roofers, it’s important to find a trusted partner as soon as possible. Don’t make the mistake of choosing the cheapest, first available roofer. Do your research to find a reputable company that will be able to produce quality work beyond this individual leak.

Preventing Future Leaks

The best way to deal with a roof leak is to prevent it from occurring! Preventative maintenance is the most effective way to keep commercial roofs leak-free. For property managers with multiple assets, a roof management program like Maxwell’s MAXCare® is the simplest way to track the care and condition of each building’s roof.

If you’re ready to learn more about leak repair and prevention, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team is ready to help.

4 Common Causes for Commercial Roof Leaks

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Commercial roof leaks can cause significant damage to your building if left untreated. But, how do they happen in the first place? The wear and tear on your roof over time creates numerous opportunities for water to seep in. And even minor damages can create extensive vulnerabilities. 

Your first step in preventing leaks is to be aware of what causes them most often. When your commercial roof is damaged or worn, and leaks occur, it’s usually because of one of these four factors. 

Material Damage

Damage to your roof’s materials, primarily the membrane or flashing, can cause leaks if they are not identified and fixed promptly. To give you insight into why these elements are so important: the membrane is the outer covering that protects your roof, and the flashing protects the membrane’s edges. Because these are two of the primary components that protect your roof from the elements, any damage to their integrity can lead to leaks. Without proactive roof maintenance, these materials can crack, expand, or shrink, allowing for water to find its way in.  

Open Penetrations

Anything that penetrates a roof’s membrane (HVAC units, vents, drains, pipes, etc.) can make your roof vulnerable to damage when they are not correctly installed or sealed. Penetrations should be inspected and sealed to prevent structural damage to your building. 

Age of the Roof

Your roof’s lifespan is a significant factor in leaks. Commercial roofs generally last for around 15 to 20 years, but as your roof ages, it becomes more susceptible to damage. In addition, damages that may have gone unnoticed will become worse as the roof ages, creating leaks in the future. Preventative maintenance can help you stay ahead of minor damages and repairs as they come up, which can extend the roof’s lifespan considerably. 

Clogged Drainage Points

Clogged roof drains, gutters, downspouts, and other drainage points can cause water build-up on the roof system. When these points are clogged, the water will eventually find a way to enter the building, resulting in a leak. By keeping the drainage points clear of debris, you can help to promote a water-tight roof system and prevent leaks and other costly damages.

How to Prevent Leaks

The best way to prevent leaks in your commercial roofing system is to schedule consistent appointments with a commercial roofing company. Proactive inspections and maintenance go a long way in finding and repairing minor damages before they become more severe and expensive. 

Before you notice a leak in your building’s roof, ensure that you know your roofing company’s process. Is there an emergency hotline you can call? How quickly can they repair a leak? These questions are crucial because once you notice a leak, time is of the essence. The sooner you can take care of the issue, the less potential there is for damage to your building.  

Contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today to learn how our MAXCare® program helps you prevent leaks by staying up-to-date on your commercial roof’s preventative maintenance.

5 Tips for Commercial Roof Leak Prevention

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Roof leaks can pose serious problems for commercial buildings, causing structural damage that extends far beyond the leak. Facility managers should have someone on call who knows how to fix a leaking roof, but the best protection against leaks is to prevent them in the first place.

Tips on How to Prevent a Roof Leak

Perform regular inspections:

Storms and fallen trees aren’t the only things that can cause leaks. Damage can occur slowly over time and go unnoticed without regular inspections. Facility managers should walk their roofs regularly to examine for leaks and call in a professional roofer at least several times a year to perform more thorough inspections.

Call in a professional:

A lot of facility managers may have someone on staff who knows how to patch a roof leak in an emergency, but only a professional roofer has the know-how to prevent further damage and leaks. Just because water has stopped coming into the building doesn’t mean that a leak is fixed. A professional roofer will have special equipment to detect hidden leaks and know how to identify damage that isn’t obvious.

Create a maintenance schedule:

The best roofers don’t just know how to fix a roof leak, they are partners throughout the entire life of a roof. Every new roof should come with a maintenance plan and a forecast assessment. When it comes to leaks, a good offense is the best defense.

Trim trees and clear debris:

A building’s surroundings determine the longevity of a roof almost as much as the quality of the roof does. Surrounding trees can fall in a storm, posing serious threats to a roof. Trimming nearby trees and clearing debris from a roof after a storm can protect roofs from developing leaks.

Be aware of problem areas:

Leaks can happen anywhere on a roof, but there are a few common hotspots that tend to attract leaks. Roof penetrations, like skylights and vents, are vulnerable to wear and tear that may develop into a leak. High traffic where workers regularly stand, like areas near HVAC units or other equipment, spring leaks often. Facility managers should give these areas regular attention and monitor them for leaks.

For a quote on a management program for your commercial roof, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today.