4 Signs Your Flat Commercial Roofing Needs To Be Repaired Or You Need A New Roof Installed

Posted on: 12 May 2021

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Your commercial roof needs to be inspected regularly for signs of damage. If damage is found, you need to decide if repairs are possible or if it's time to get a new roof installed. Here are some signs of damage to look for on your commercial flat roof.

1. Water Ponding After It Rains

Some types of commercial roofing tolerate ponding water better than others. Even so, it's good to correct the slope of the roof when possible rather than let water sit on the roof. Even though the roof on your building is flat, it should still have a slight slope that allows rain to roll toward a roof drain.

When you notice puddles stay on your roof after it rains, let your roofer know so repairs can be done if needed. Puddles could be a sign the roof is sagging due to problems under the membrane, and a sagging roof might collapse if not replaced in time.

2. Holes In The Roof Membrane

Punctures are a potential problem with roof membranes. If your roof doesn't have mats around the HVAC equipment and other areas workers need to access, you may want them installed to protect against punctures.

Punctures can often be repaired by patching the membrane, but if your roof has a lot of punctures and repaired areas, it might be time to have a new membrane installed to reduce the risk of a roof leak.

3. Leaky Flashing

The area around vents and other things that penetrate the roof membrane or foam has to be sealed tightly so rain doesn't roll down a vent pipe and leak in your building.

Commercial roofing has different types of flashing, but they should all be checked regularly for punctures, rips, cracks, or rust so the flashing can be repaired or replaced to prevent a roof leak.

4. Loose Membrane

Flat roof damage isn't always easy to spot, but when a membrane comes loose and moves in the wind, that's easy to see when you're on the roof. A membrane should be attached to the roof with fasteners, adhesive, or rocks.

If part of the membrane lifts in the wind, rain can get underneath and lead to rotting of the roof over time. Your roofer may need to replace fasteners to fix the problem or repair water damage to the roof.

Having regular inspections by a commercial roofer is an important aspect of maintaining your roof. Damage that's caught early on a flat roof is easier to repair. Plus, you'll always know the status of your roof so you can plan ahead for a new roof installation when it's time.

For more information, contact a commercial roofer near you.