WHAT IS THE REAL PROBLEM WITH FLAT ROOF LEAKS?
There are actually two major concerns with flat roof leaks, and unfortunately neither of them are generally concerns of building owners. Most building owners see a leak and they’re concerned with what it could do to the inside of their building. What can it damage, or will it make the floor slick? Yes, those are concerns that should be addressed, but they’re not the heart of the problem, the real problem with a roof leak. Let’s check out the true impact of roof leaks on your building.
Flat Roof Leaks Damage Your Roofing System
When there is a leak in your roof, the water starts at the top, works through each layer of the roofing system, and then you find it in your office, warehouse, plant, or wherever. You only see the small leak entering the building, but that water could be any number of places inside your roof. It’s in the insulation, it’s on the deck, it’s under the fasteners, that water is probably everywhere. Just slowly damaging each part of your roof and racking up expenses that will be incurred to fix it.
Flat Roof Leaks Are Often Bigger Than They Seem
Another major issue with flat roof leaks is that they tend to be bigger than what you can see from the inside. If you see a pinhole leak coming through your ceiling, or see minor staining in the drywall, you have no clue how big that leak is until you get on or in the roof and check it out. That could be a very large leak that is leading to water being trapped in the layers of your roof. That water adds weight, and may one day break through.
Conclusion
Based on the two paragraphs above, it is very important to investigate any flat roof leaks you find as soon as possible. That way, you can make any repairs as necessary, and you’ll know the severity of the leak, rather than staying inside and hoping that it’s small.
