Commercial Flat Roof Repair

Commercial Roof Repair: Understanding Common Problems and Their Solutions

Commercial roof repair keeps your building in top shape. Without proper installation and maintenance, your roof will not perform correctly. Instead, improper installation or lack of restoration can lead to structural and building damage.

Flat Roof Problems

Before determining if you need flat roof repair, understand the issues that can arise.

One of the most common issues flat roof’s face is due to exposure to the elements. Overexposure to the sun, wind and hail can cause damage. Water can pond and leave the roof sagging for roofs without proper drainage.

Other issues include:

  • Punctures
  • Tears
  • Debris

Buildings naturally expand and contract. Thermal movement occurs because of the outside temperature. When buildings expand and contract, the roof membranes crack and split around the flashing, seams and penetrations.

Emergency Roof Repair

A damaged roof could require emergency roof repair. For example, a leak can cause water to pool or drain into the insulation, decking and roofing materials. When emergency contractors show up at your building, they can perform the following:

  • Leak detection
  • Rubber roof repair
  • Roof flashing repair

Emergency contractors arrive as quickly as possible for a roofing emergency.

Your commercial roof is one of the most critical structural elements of your building. For commercial roof repair, contact Adriatic Restoration. We provide restoration services for New Jersey office, landmark, commercial and apartment buildings.

3 Signs You Require Flat Roof Repair

Many U.S. businesses have flat roofs. Given your roof is one of the most important components of your building, you want it to last as long as possible. To best care for your flat roof, you need to know how to read the signs you may need flat roof repair.

Mold Growth
Mold can grow anywhere. The one substance mold needs to thrive is moisture. If you have a leak in your flat roof, then mold or mildew might be one of your first signs something is wrong. Essentially, spores travel on the air current and then the moisture allows for the spores to grow. If you see any signs of mold inside your business, it could be a problem with your roof.

Water Spots
Another interior sign you have flat roof damage is discoloration on your ceiling. If you see dark spots on your ceiling, then you probably have water damage. When you have these spots on the top floor of your building, the odds are the water is leaking through the roof.

Low Areas
Commercial roof repair should be a priority if you ever see a low area on your flat roof. Sometimes, you won’t see a lot of evidence that you have a leak. However, if you see a low spot and a dirt ring surrounding the spot, this might be an early sign you have roof damage. You may also have tears in your roof’s rubber membrane.

If there is any damage to your roof, then a flat roof repair is a must. Not only can a weakened or damaged roof cause problems with your business’s structural integrity, but it can become a health and safety hazard.

Why Is Flat Roof Repair Crucial?

Flat roofs are common on commercial buildings and while durable they can still be susceptible to leaks. Flat roof repair aids in water damage prevention. Roof coatings, roof painting and roof repair are a few ways to protect your roof.

What Causes Flat Roofs to Leak?
Older roofs are more likely to leak, particularly if there are areas of deterioration. Often, leaks occur around plumbing stacks, vents and at the edge of the roof. If there is ponding water on the roof, it can also lead to damage. Certain roof coatings and paints can help eliminate ponding, leaking and even decay.

If you have pipes, gas lines, plumbing or any other structures that exit the roof’s surface, the roof may be more vulnerable to leaks.

How Can You Repair a Flat Roof?
Commercial flat roof repair involves an inspection of the roof to determine the problem. As long as action is taken quickly to repair the roof, the building is less likely to suffer from serious structural damage caused by water damage. The repair methods depend on the type of roof and membrane.

Commercial buildings often have flat roofs. If your roof is leaking, the quicker that you take care of the problem, the better. Adriatic provides roof repair for landmark buildings, office buildings, hi-rises, apartments and commercial buildings.

Commercial Flat Roof Repair

Keeping Your Commercial Roof in Good Repair

A roof is as important to a building as the foundation, serving to protect the structure from the elements and aid in heating and cooling the building.

Improperly Installed Flashing and Pitch Pans

A major cause of roof leaks is failed flashing, which is installed around pipes, vents, chimneys and other objects on the roof to deflect water before it can seep into seams and joints. Flashing fails due to damage from expansion and contraction in hot and cold weather, which causes it to tear. Pitch pans seal the area around any pipes that rise from the roof. If not properly maintained or sealing elements did not take, water can run down the pipe into the roof.

Standing Water

A bad roof design or installation is the main culprit in causing standing water, although it can also be caused by a clogged drain. Standing water can cause the roof to deteriorate and leak, creating a need for commercial roof repair. Design of a level roof should include a slope with diminishing insulation or crickets. If your roof has been waterproofed and is still collecting standing water, consider whether application of the waterproofing material is too thin or if water could be leaking from an HVAC system.

Punctures and Problems Following Installation

Caution is needed when additional work or traffic is done on the roof. Heavy equipment, tools and even foot traffic can puncture and damage the waterproofing membranes. Like a crack in concrete, even small cuts and scrapes can be the start of a leaky roof.

Every roof is different and presents unique challenges for commercial roof repair. It’s a good idea for landlords and property managers of high-rise apartment and condominium complexes or commercial buildings to perform routine inspections and contact a professional restoration company for any repairs.