In general, commercial roofs have greater maintenance needs than residential roofs. That’s because water tends to pond on flat roof surfaces, increasing the risk of leaks. To prevent leaks or fix them before they affect other parts of your building, your roof should undergo routine inspections. As a rule, a commercial roofing system should be inspected at least twice a year.
In addition to scheduling routine inspections, it’s also important that building owners have a basic understanding of the warning signs that a commercial roof needs immediate repair. Here’s an overview of the usual warning signs of commercial roofing damage:
- Ceiling and Wall Stains
Brown water stains on your wall and ceiling are a sign water has already infiltrated your roof and interior. Keep in mind that the stains don’t usually indicate the location of the leak. Remember: Water follows the path of least resistance, so the leak’s exact location is likely farther than you think.
- Mold or Musty Smells
Leaks create a damp environment that’s the perfect breeding ground for mold. The black and green patches of mold inside the building not only pose a health risk (their spores can cause allergy flare-ups and aggravate respiratory conditions) but can also damage your building’s structure (mold eats away at wood and other organic materials). Mold needs to be removed as soon as possible. Otherwise, it might affect other parts of the building. But before mold remediation starts, the leak needs to be fixed by a roof repair contractor.
- Bubbling Membranes
Moisture that managed to make its way to the underlayers of a single-ply roofing or BUR roofing system may cause some bubbling or warping in the roofing membrane.
- Gaps in the Seams
Seams are the weak point of a conventional roofing system. If the seal on them weakens or deteriorates, water will be able to infiltrate your roof.
Sully-Jones Roofing offers a wide range of professional roofing services, including commercial roofing and residential roof replacement services. To get a free inspection, call us at (619) 444-0150 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in La Mesa as well as the surrounding CA communities.