Wednesday, July 22, 2020

What To Do When You Notice Your Commercial Roof Leaking


Anyone that manages a facility knows how unsettling a roof leak can be. This is an all-too-common experience for those in the Mid-Atlantic area; the humid climate and frequent rainstorms are not friends of commercial roofs! It is important to know how to respond when you notice a leak, and not to fear or stress out. The right response can mean the difference between a quick fix or thousands of dollars in repairs.

Noticing the Leak
The first step in fixing any problem is knowing that it exists in the first place. While one may feel that noticing a leak is a no-brainer, not every commercial roof leak looks the same. For example, you may not notice water drops or puddles, however stains in the ceiling may appear. Water creates areas of discoloration in ceilings during leaks, so be sure to watch out for these signs of damage. Another sign of a leak may be through smell. An unpleasant smell may be signs of hidden mold; mold thrives in moist environments, so you roof may have a leak if you start to notice the odor.

Quickly Respond
Once you notice a leak in your facility, you must respond quickly in order to minimize damage. First, remove any people, equipment, and inventory from the affected area. If there are objects that cannot be moved, cover them in plastic to prevent water damage. Once the area is cleared and/or the equipment is protected, place buckets or any other type of receptacle under the droplets to prevent puddles from forming.

Place a Marker
One thing that will be very helpful when you speak with your roofing contractor and insurance agents is to mark the point of entry for the leak. While it may be a no-brainer while the leak is actively occurring, it is likely that the leaking will cease after the storm has passed or time has gone on. Simply take a piece of tape and stick it to the area of the ceiling where the water entered your building.

Scan for More Damage
While we certainly hope your commercial roof only has one area of water damage, you should still check for more in case the problem is spreading. The best time would be when the rain is still pouring outside, as leaks are tough to find when the affected areas dry.

Call a Professional
Now that you have covered all your bases, it is time to call a roofing expert! While they can certainly handle the above tasks on their own, you will be well-suited to minimize damage at your facility if you can provide a professional with all the details as soon as possible. A roofing contractor will be able to assess the damage, determine how to fix the leak, and give you any tips about how future leaks can be prevented.

To learn more about commercial roof leaks, call Matrix Roofing Systems, Inc.!