Roof water damage can cause problems throughout your building if it isn’t addressed immediately. Although roofing troubles can be overwhelming, it’s important to get trusted contractors involved before things get out of hand.
What Causes Roof Water Damage?
Several factors can lead to roof water damage. Hail storms crack roofing materials, leaving openings in the surface that allow water to seep into the underlayment. High winds are powerful enough to lift materials from the roof deck, exposing the underlying materials. Poor drainage systems can lead to ponding water on the roof.
Roof water damage can also be caused by something as simple as old age. Year after year, your system endures the wear and tear of inclement weather. Additionally, thermal shock occurs as temperature fluctuations make your roof expand and contract, which is also detrimental to roofing materials.
No matter what causes roof leaks, it’s never a good idea to let the problems linger. Whether you’re the property owner or the facility manager, you need to make sure building occupants are safe and secure. Major roofing problems are hazardous and unsightly. If your commercial property is showing signs of roof water damage, schedule roof leak repair right away.
What Are the Signs of Roof Water Damage?
Roof water damage can manifest in many ways. Some problems are completely undetectable unless you’re a roofing professional trained to pinpoint issues on the surface, around HVAC and electrical systems, and under the roofing materials. Because of this, it’s best to hire legitimate contractors to climb on top of your building and get a closer look at your system.
Professional roofers have the skill and knowledge to repair and prevent extensive damage, making your building safer. Technicians look for the following red flags that indicate roof water damage:
Wrinkling or Blistering Material
Roof blistering indicates water trapped underneath the roofing materials. Some of the most common commercial flat roofing systems are TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer).
Although these roofing systems are a top choice for their durability and longevity, they require expert installation and annual maintenance to prevent roof water damage. Inspectors check for TPO roofing wrinkles or EPDM roof bubbles. If they notice either of these imperfections, your system has roof water damage that needs to be fixed immediately.
Roof Leaks
The most obvious sign of damage is roof leaks. Water leaking into your building is dangerous and bad for your company’s image. A puddle on your hard floor is a slip and fall accident waiting to happen. What’s much worse is if water drips into an electrical socket and sparks a flame.
Roof leaks are common for all kinds of systems and buildings, and you should take the matter seriously. Repairs become more costly and disruptive when you neglect ongoing issues. If you have a leaky roof, professionals have the tools and experience to address the problem so your business can stay productive in a safe and dry environment.
Foul Odor
Water trapped in your roof’s underlayment or accumulated in dark, hidden spaces causes mold growth. Mold creates a stench that’s bothersome to building occupants. You don’t want foul odors to drive away visitors and customers, but that’s another byproduct of unaddressed roof water damage.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), what makes matters worse is that mold not only smells bad, but it can be harmful to inhale for long periods. If your staff develops symptoms like a runny nose, coughing, or wheezing over time, your business may have a mold issue that could stem from roof water damage.
Water Stains
Walls and ceilings covered in water stains is another clear sign of roof water damage. When underlying roofing materials become saturated, excess water overflows into the wall panels and beneath the roof deck, forming unsightly stains.
What Should You Do If You Discover a Roof Leak?
If roof water damage leads to a roof leak, you need to address the issue quickly. Although it may seem easy to locate the source, it’s best to leave roof leak detection to professionals. Water may be dripping from a light fixture in the ceiling, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the damage is right above the puddle of water. Roof leaks can be deceptive, so hiring roofing experts to locate the leak and develop a plan of action is the better choice. Otherwise, you could waste a lot of time and frustration trying to handle the problem on your own.
New Image Roofing Atlanta Will Rescue Your Roof
Don’t spend too much time wondering, “Why is my roof leaking?” Instead, contact New Image Roofing Atlanta to fix your roof water damage. Whether you have a rubber membrane or a flat metal roof, our extensive knowledge of every material on the market makes us more than qualified to take care of it. After performing a thorough roof inspection at no cost to you, we confirm what’s best for your building: repair, replacement, or restoration.
Reach out to our dedicated team of professionals today. We’re eager to help you with your next roofing project.
