A major Winter storm recently swept most of the United States, causing mayhem with icy roads, dangerously cold temperatures, severe travel delays, and back-to-back closures. Many states experienced snowfall totals ranging from a few inches to over 2 feet of snow. 

And with warmer weather, all this snow we’ve accumulated inevitably has to melt, including all that snow that landed on the roof of your commercial or industrial building.

So this is when the leaks start happening, but what about indications of impending leaks? Specifically, what are all those water spots on the ceiling, and what is causing them. These are the likely culprits for those water spots on your ceiling:

1. Leaks

The obvious guess is that your roof is leaking. With the fluctuations in temperature change, roof systems can expand and contract, causing damage and potentially premature deterioration. Exposure to harsh conditions, normal wear and tear, and the roof’s age can damage the membrane and allow leaks to seep through. There are a couple of nuanced causes associated with leaks:

• Issues with Flashing- Flashing is another common culprit for water penetration on commercial buildings. These are the seals (caulk or other materials) used around roof protrusions such as vents, pipes, and skylights. Compared to a residential roof, commercial roofs have several more penetration points, thus making them highly susceptible. Even with proper installation, extreme weather can deteriorate flashing and create entry points for water.
• Drainage Issues- When you have clogged drains, downspouts, or gutters, there is no place for water to go, so it stays on a roof, often causing ponding. Pools of water can eventually break down a roofing system, find their way through weak spots, and overflow onto the ceiling.

2. Condensation

A lesser-known but equally common cause for water spots on your ceiling is condensation. This issue centers around one of two concerns: poor insulation or poor ventilation (or both).

Insulation aims to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Poor insulation allows the cold air to meet with the warm air (which holds more moisture) and condenses onto a cold surface- often the underside of the roof. (This is similar to an ice-cold beverage creating condensation on a hot summer day.) So when the weather warms up, the frozen condensation melts, creating water spots on your ceiling.

This is a false illusion of a leak when closely tied to insulation issues.

Secondly, improper ventilation leads to the very same issue. When natural moisture inside a building rises with warm air, it must be properly vented through the roof. Particularly with the snowfall we received, many of the exhaust vents could be covered, thus preventing moisture from escaping. And if moisture can’t escape, it once again meets with the cold air to form condensation that freezes and thaws upon warmer weather.

3. Plumbing Issues

In some instances, we’ve been called upon by a building owner to inspect their roof only to uncover that their water issues were related to plumbing. The frigid temperatures last week caused several pipes to freeze and burst, leading to water spots on ceilings and/or walls.

 

Identifying the Causes of Water Spots on Your Ceiling

An experienced commercial roofer in Omaha can give you an idea of the cause by piecing together some clues. For instance, if the location of the water spot is near a wall or roof penetration, the likely cause is due to flashing. Or if the water stain is brown or yellow, then it’s most likely a leak, whereas a white or gray water stain is likely thawed condensation.

Additionally, water spots aren’t the only indicators of a moisture issue. Peeling paint, sagging ceiling tiles, or the onset of mold are reasons to call a commercial roofer to inspect your roof.

Our roofing experts are trained to understand the source of your water spot and give you a professional recommendation- whether or not it leads to work. If your commercial or industrial building is experiencing water spots, we would love the opportunity to help you. Please call (402) 289-7869 or email info@ArmourRoofCo.com.