So, your commercial roof is leaking, but it’s not that simple. You may be able to see where the leak is penetrating your building or where it is staining your ceiling, but you are having trouble locating an entry point on your roof. What you need is a professional commercial roofing contractor.
Sometimes, you’ll be surprised to find that an HVAC unit that appears watertight is holding a significant amount of water in its perimeter.
What if Your Roof Has Multiple Hard-to-Find Leaks?
Even with an infrared inspection, sometimes you may find that there are numerous leaking areas, but it is difficult to pinpoint specific water entry points. This is where a spray polyurethane foam roof comes into play. For instance, let’s say your HVAC unit has a six-foot perimeter of the water. You’ll be wondering if water is entering through one or more microscopic holes, if it’s coming from the north or south of your unit or if it’s leaking around the metal flashing.
Spray foam is the answer to this problem. Spray foam is sprayed in liquid form, and it expands up to 30 times its original size. It creates a smooth roofing system that adheres seamlessly and fully blocks all water entry points on your roof. A spray foam roof is about 1.5 inches thick on average, which is enough to cover a large area with many hard-to-locate water entry points.
Difficulty finding leaks on a newer commercial roof
Is your commercial roof pretty new, but are you still experiencing water leaks? You may need a silicone roof coating system to make the necessary repairs. A roof coating system is quite similar to spraying or rolling extremely thick paint onto your commercial roof. It is crucial to note that regular paint will have no tangible effect on a commercial roof. Unlike simple paint, roof coatings are elastomeric, meaning that they expand and contract with your roof. Also, they are waterproof and boast high tensile and elongation strength.
For an efficient roof coating installation, you’ll need:
- An infrared inspection must be done to identify all the wet areas in your insulation, and core samples will also do.
- Remove all wet insulation and replace it with dry material of the same type.
- Clean your commercial roof.
- Perform adhesion tests.
- Strengthen the seams with coating and mesh.
- Install the roof coating throughout the field of your roof. The seams are bound to have more coating than any other area on your roof.
- Ensure that the thickness of your roof coating is tested and that your roofer issues a warranty.
The next steps to take
Don’t sit with a commercial roof that’s leaking because you think you can figure it out by yourself. Reach out to a professional roofing contractor because chances are, they have dealt with the exact same situation or something similar several times before. Also, they are best suited to be in possession of state-of-the-art technology like infrared inspection to help you locate leaks that you cannot find with the naked eye.
The first step to resolving a leaking commercial roof problem is determining the level of saturation. Your roofer will look at this and other factors to find the perfect solution to your roofing problems. Some of these additional factors include:
- The age of your commercial roof.
- The physical condition of the rest of your roof.
- The long and short-term goals of your business or company.
Signs that Your Commercial Roof is Leaking
- Mold/Odor
If there is a foul smell in your building, you may have mold growing in there somewhere. Mold thrives in moist areas, so you may find widespread mold growth within your facility if you have a constant water leak. Remember, mold is a health hazard that must be removed quickly to prevent illness.
- Water puddles
If there’s water dripping over your head or puddles on the floor, you certainly have a leak in your commercial roof. Leaks can damage your building, your roof structure, and the equipment in your building, so don’t take them lightly.
- Stained walls and ceilings
Saturated water in a section of your wall or ceiling is bound to cause discoloration. So do not hesitate to call your roofing company if you notice brownish stains on your walls or ceilings.
If your commercial roof appears to be leaking, but you have no idea where the leaks are coming from, call a professional roofing contractor. Save yourself the hassle by hiring someone who knows how to fix your roof.