A roof is an integral part of your commercial building’s structure, protecting everything beneath it from the elements. Identifying when it needs immediate repair can be challenging, as some warning signs are subtle and easily overlooked, while others are more obvious. To help you stay proactive and avoid expensive repairs, we’ve outlined key signs that signal your commercial roof requires immediate attention.
Obvious Warning Signs
1. Active Leaks
One of the most obvious signs of roof damage is an active leak. If you notice water dripping from the ceiling or pooling on the floor, it’s a clear indication that your roof has been compromised.
2. Wet Ceiling Tiles
Wet, discolored, or sagging ceiling tiles are a common sign of roof leaks. These spots often indicate that water has penetrated your roof and is seeping into the building.
3. Dripping Noise
Hearing a dripping noise from above is a subtle warning sign that should not be ignored. Try to identify the source of the drip and find out if there’s more than one leak, then promptly call a roofing professional to assess and fix it.
Subtle Warning Signs
The following are some early warning signs of roof damage that are commonly overlooked by property owners and managers:
1. Grease and Chemical Contaminants
For buildings with rooftop equipment, grease and other chemical contaminants can pose problems. These substances can damage the roofing material over time, leading to leaks and other issues. Regular inspections can help identify and mitigate this type of damage before it becomes a major problem.
2. Damage from Weather Events
Strong storms and severe weather events that bring high winds, heavy rain, snow, ice, or hail can cause significant damage to your roof. It’s important to conduct a thorough inspection, even if the damage isn’t immediately visible. This will ensure that your roof remains watertight and identify any repairs that may be needed.
3. Unnoticed Damage from Contractors
Sometimes, other contractors working on rooftop equipment can accidentally damage the roof without realizing it. Regular inspections can help identify any unintentional damage caused by third parties.
Conducting regular visual inspections of your roof can help identify areas that look problematic. Look for signs of external damage, such as cracks, openings, or damaged skylights. These issues can allow water to penetrate the roof and lead to leaks.
If you see a leak, it’s important to act quickly. Delaying can cost you even more time and energy in the long run.
Risks of Delaying Roof Repairs
A roof system protects the interior of a building by being waterproof. If water infiltrates the system, that’s an indicator that a repair is needed as soon as possible. When leaks are ignored or overlooked, even more water can infiltrate the system. If water gets trapped in the roofing system, it has to be physically removed. What could’ve been a minimal repair turns into the replacement of a large roof section or the replacement of the entire roof, depending on the level of water damage.
If a roof is neglected for long enough, it can also make the roof replacement more costly. For example, perhaps there’s currently one roof system on the building. In typical conditions, a roof overlay may be possible, but not if the existing roof system is waterlogged. Or, if the roof system has been waterlogged for so long that it damages and rusts the metal deck, a total roof replacement plus a deck replacement is required.
Emergency Repairs
If the leak is occurring over electrical systems or valuable property, it calls for emergency service. At Maxwell Roofing, we provide our customers access to qualified roofing technicians every day at any hour. If necessary, we’re prepared to send out a team to respond to your emergency right away, whether it’s a weekend storm or a nighttime emergency.
Preventative Maintenance is Key
We’ve said it for nearly 70 years: preventative maintenance is essential to protecting your investment and avoiding costly repairs. A roof management program like Maxwell’s MAXCare® is the simplest way to track the care and condition of a commercial roof.
For more information on how Maxwell Roofing can help you maintain your commercial roof, contact us today. Our expert team is here to provide comprehensive roofing solutions tailored to your specific needs.