For commercial property owners and managers in Katy, Texas, maintaining the roofing systems is essential. The roof serves as the first line of defense for your investment and your employees and clients. Whether it’s regular maintenance or planning for a new Roof Installation Katy, Texas, attention to detail is crucial. Leaks, on the other hand, can turn out to be a very troubling and problematic issue. Understanding the primary drivers of these leaks will help nip the problem and mitigate extreme damages. In this report, we will highlight the five primary causes alongside preventive measures for getting commercial roofing leaks.
Improper Roof Installation
Here is the issue: even the best materials won’t help if your roof isn’t installed right. Leaks as a result of roof penetrations tend to be issues that go unnoticed and tend to be prominent in commercial constructions. Lots of roof installations are insignificant and don’t pay attention to the required sealing. These weak spots can emerge due to a substitution of a roof, overdue flashings, as well as vent and heating systems. The flashings, which are metal portions that are installed to seal edges and joints of the roof, also add to this issue.
There are specific mild gaps formed due to improper seams at the edge and junction, due to carelessness while placing the roof, and meeting the building codes. In such scenarios, the experienced roofers help a lot, considering the building codes and local weather, like the Katy, Texas, roofers. Talk to your contractor and find out how much experience they have with commercial roofs, ensuring they complete every step correctly. Getting a commercial roof inspection after installation can identify issues early on.
Poor drainage and ponding water are other issues.
Like most commercial roofs, flat or gently sloped roofs are pretty standard. Unlike steep roofs, water does not run off efficiently. Also, if your roof drainage system isn’t functioning properly, maybe due to the drains, gutters, or downspouts being blocked or poorly positioned, water will pool. Standing water or ponding water is quite heavy and can break down roof materials.
So what this really means is that ponding water can result in structural damage, impacting the roof’s supporting structure, besides posing a risk. In order to mitigate that, make certain that the installation not only uses the right materials but also properly designs the drainage system and gets the roof inspected often. Have the professionals look for evidence of ponding water so they can recommend measures such as improved drainage or additional drains to be installed, and improving the slope during commercial roof inspection.
Failing or Damaged Roof Flashing
Flashing is often not given much thought, but it is very critical. Flashing is the metal strips that seal the cuts made to the roof, joins, vents, chimneys, and skylights. Water sneaking in is possible if flashing portions are damaged or poorly installed.
Flashing can fail for several reasons:
- Loss of seal near the borders of the roof.
- Overexposure to the wind and storms that are characteristic of the Texas region.
- Wind and storms are prevalent in the Texas region.
- While the roof is being installed, that issue can stem from foot traffic, maintenance, and care of the roof.
While the damage to flashing may seem minor, the cumulative impact can result in significant damage over extended periods. For commercial properties, roof inspections should be done regularly. You should be asking your inspector to be extra vigilant and pay extra care to the flashing detail. Taking care of issues early often helps in saving time and effort later.
Damaged Roof Membrane or Surface
Waterproofing membranes installed on commercial roofs are TPO, EPDM rubber, and modified bitumen. These membranes are intended to protect the structure from moisture ingress. However, membranes are also sensitive to the following damages:
- Hail and rain
- Ventilation and AC installations for foot traffic
- Tools and equipment for working on the roof
- General aging, sunlight exposure, and shrinking
If the membrane is punctured or torn, water ingress is guarantee. Technically, such scenarios will arise from much less than membrane tears. In essence, you will face a leaking roof, which will need costly repairs. Surface damage to a membrane or a minor superficial damage must be handled promptly before it leads to irreversible damage.
Regular commercial roof inspections can be beneficial. An experienced roof specialist will be able to identify the worn areas or damage before they become problematic.
Open or Improperly Sealed Roof Penetrations
HVAC, vents, pipes, and electrical conduits allow users to communicate with their commercial buildings. Each of these roof penetrations creates a hole that can be a possible sealing fault. If these seals are worn or were not appropriately applied, the roof is at risk of water ingress.
Water stains inside a building indicate that flooding in those areas is problematic. In essence, flooding indicates that weak points called penetrations require maintenance and routine checks. During a commercial roof inspection, all seals and penetrations should be checked. Roof Professionals are able to flash and reseal worn flashing and sealants to ensure there is no water leakage.
Maintaining your Katy, Texas commercial roof.
Controlling Katy, Texas’s roof weather is impossible. However, the intensity of your roof’s weather resistance and durability is entirely up to your commercial building.
- Skilled Katy Contractors: A skilled roofer always ensures that the roof is correctly installed in order to avoid leaks and further damage. A commercial roof specialist contractor who is knowledgeable about Katy, Texas, is a reliable choice.
- Inspections: With no prior leaks, proactive approaches in maintaining a peak condition roof are only possible with the proactive approaches that commercial roof inspections provide.
- Water maintenance: Ensure your roof does not hold excess water by unclogging gutters, drains, and downspouts.
- Seals and flash maintenance: A maintenance routine that regularly covers the inspection of flashing and sealants around roof penetrations and joints is a necessity.
- Foot traffic and roof access: Limit access to your roof and only provide maintenance access through pads and walkways. Roof membrane damage is a detriment to your building and should be avoided at all costs.
What to Do if You Spot a Leak
Addressing a leak as soon as you find it is essential. Whatever type of leaking, it is not something to be taken lightly. Small leaks can swiftly escalate to larger headaches like mold growth, extensive water damage, or impact the structural integrity of the building. Here’s the sequence of actions you should take:
- Get a commercial roof inspection right away: Engaging the services of an expert can pinpoint all damage sources and how to fix them.
- Document the damage: Collect relevant material for insurance or repair documentation, including photographs and written descriptions.
- Schedule repairs with trusted roofers: Different roofs come with different challenges. Make sure to select professionals who understand the type of roof you have, as well as the weather challenges of Katy.
- Check your insurance: In some cases, roof leaks and damage directly caused by storms may be covered by the insurance policy.
Why Proper Roof Installation in Katy, Texas Matters
A well-done roof installation protects your building for years. Leads to incessant repairs, leaks, and an early roof replacement. A sure sign that something wasn’t appropriately executed during the build is if your roof leaks shortly after installation.
When investing in a new roof for your business, engage a contractor who uses quality materials and adheres to installation guidelines. Thereafter, engage a contractor for regular commercial roof inspections to ensure your roof is in a safely, durable condition.
Commercial Roof Leaks: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When Should I Get a Commercial Roof Inspection?
A: After a severe storm and at least once within a year.
Q2: Can I DIY Commercial Roof Leaks Repair?
A: Small stop-gap fixes might be permissible, but it’s best to engage certified roofing experts for comprehensive repairs.
Q3: What Signs Indicate a Roof Leak?
A: Roof water damage, internal water stains, mold, and musty odors.
Q4: Commercial Roof Should Last For How Long?
A: Usually, it is seen that with consistent maintenance and relevant materials, its lifespan could be between 15 to 20 years.
Q5: Does Insurance cover Roof Leaks?
A: Most of the time, yes, provided the leak occurred due to insurable perils such as storms. Always consult the policy and coordinate between the insurer and the roofer.