Atlanta Flat Roof Leak? Here Are 2 Possible Causes

4/28/2021 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO for flat roof leak mitigation!

A small flat roof leak can lead to further issues.

Flat roofs are an element of most commercial buildings. They are specifically designed to place HVAC components conveniently. Flat roofs are installed to make commercial roof maintenance a lot easier. However, flat roofs, like all roofing types, are prone to issues as they age. Flat roof leaks are one of the most frequent and inconvenient issues to occur.

There are some advantages of having a flat roof. However, there is one distinct disadvantage to flat roofs: water pooling. It is a known fact that flat roofs do not drain water as much as pitched roofs. 

If you own a commercial building with a flat roof and want to learn how to prevent water from pooling on your flat roof or need help with a flat roof leak, keep reading.

A flat roof leak can cause severe commercial water damage.

Pooling is probably the single most serious hazard to a flat roof. Flat roof pooling is any water that stays on the roof for more than 48 hours after it has rained. Pooling water does not pose an imminent danger, but if it is allowed to stand over time, it may cause the roofing membrane to deteriorate. When the flat roofs start to deteriorate, it will likely result in leakage, creating significant commercial water damage issues for the rest of the building's structure.

Prolonged flat roof leaks cause structural damage and wood rot. A damaged roof framing can lead to severe issues down the road that will require the help of a flat roof repair professional. 

Signs that a flat roof is leaking 

• Interior signs of water damage include discolored stains on the ceiling. These water stains are a sign of water damage that is hard to ignore.
• Water dripping from the roof and seeping into the wall causes bubbling is another example of a flat roof leak.
• Unexplained mold growth in your commercial building, particularly in the attic, is a sign that you're dealing with water damage. 

2 Common causes for a flat roof leak

1) Damaged membrane

As time passes, membranes become more vulnerable to damage and pooling. Punctures, splits, blisters, and cracks are all common issues that occur often. When a membrane is breached, water can reach the vulnerable insulation under the membrane. Insidious types of leakage will occur as this insulation gets increasingly waterlogged.

2) Roof penetrating structures can lead to leaks

One common thing between sloped shingle roofs and flat roofs is that they are incredibly vulnerable to leaks anywhere that plumbing pipes, gas lines, or vents rise through a roof's surface. A variety of techniques are used to shield these features from leaks. Installation of pipe boots, rain collars, field wraps, and flashing are a few examples. Despite this, water may still find its way through these barriers and causes flat roof leaks. 

How to stop a flat roof from pooling?

Commercial flat roofs aren't necessarily totally flat, although they're named that. Slight slopes in the roof's surface may occur due to faulty construction processes, weak points in the roof, or a concentrated area of debris or precipitation.

Trained Atlanta roofing contractors know how to slope a flat roof for proper drainage. These slopes are designed to help with runoff so that water does not collect on the roof.

• Add more drainage lines to your commercial building.
• Installation of roof crickets.
• Compress insulation.
• Replace the membrane.
• Flush the existing drains.

Check your flat roof for holes

Examine all seams on the flat roof for holes, particularly any places where materials overlap. Keep an eye out for any low spots, especially those that are surrounded by dirt. To quickly find a hole, take a hose up to your roof and spray the place you think is the cause of the water leakage before going inside to see if water trickles from inside the spot where you had first noticed there was a problem.

SERVPRO offers commercial water damage clean up

When a disaster strikes, one can only do just a little without the proper knowledge. It is always wise to have our number readily available to receive help as soon as possible. The faster you get expert assistance, the quicker you'll get rid of the problem. 

SERVPRO of Downtown Atlanta is a well-known and reputable restoration company that has been serving customers since 1967. If you want your commercial property to be in a pre-water disaster state within no time, then you should contact SERVPRO. 

Contact us today!