If you have a roof leak on your industrial building then there may be several factors that caused it. Many people don’t realize that it’s not necessary just a big weather event (ie hail) that can cause leaks, but can sometimes be a variety of issues.

Here are some of the most common reasons an industrial roof leaks:

Age of the Roof

It should come as no surprise that one of the biggest factors affecting a roof leak is simply the age of the roof. Wear and tear over time plus the changes of seasonal weather can start to affect even the toughest of roofs.

The industrial roof surface starts to deteriorate and slowly break down which leads to a greater chance of experiencing a roof leak.

Poor Installation of the Roof

A roof that was not properly installed with the best practice standards could present issues such as gaps, seams, and other weak spots that would inevitably lead to leaks.

Not only that, however, but as building codes and requirements have changed over time the standard for a roof installation (and products available) is simply not the same as it would be by today’s standards. 

Irregular or Poor Maintenance of the Roof

Many commercial or industrial business owners don’t always maintain a roof regularly as it is recommended. Simply because it’s out of sight (and out of mind).

Most of the calls we get come from people who are just noticing leaks on their industrial roof which means it’s a reactive response.

Proactive or regular maintenance can often prevent leaks from ever occurring.

Weather Damage

This may be the most obvious but severe weather such as hail, snow, wind, or torrential rains may break through to even the strongest roofs. Any one of these events or a combination of them all could wear down a roof.

An added caveat to this would be the case of weather damage that was also unaddressed such as ponding water. If there was poor drainage on the roof, ponding water will start to break down the roof’s efficacy and eventually cause a leak.

Unsealed Penetrations

Every commercial or industrial roof has a number of penetrations including vents, skylights, or HVAC systems that could be another source of a roof leak.

If the flashing around a penetration is damaged or the sealants were not maintained, it’s really easy for water to seep through and enter a building.

Summary

While it’s helpful to know the most common causes, it’s essential to hire an industrial roofing company that is knowledgeable and can assess the correct source of your leak. Experienced commercial roofers can quickly identify and remediate the issue before it causes any further damage to your building or equipment inside.