Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Signs of a Roof Leak

Roof leaks happen when you least expect them and at the worst possible time. If you look for signs early on, you can potentially minimize damage and save money with a cost-effective, quality repair.

A few signs of a roof leak are:

Water stains on walls and ceilings
Mold on exterior walls
Dripping
Visible damage to roof or flashings

10 Common Causes of Roof Leaks

In some cases, by the time you notice the signs of a roof leak, the damage has been done, and restoring your roof’s integrity isn’t possible with a repair—but there’s hope if you know common causes of roof leaks. Knowing the cause of a roof leak can help you resolve the issue before it’s too late.

Consider the following 10 common causes of roof leaks to determine if your commercial building is at risk of leaking before the telltale signs occur:

Aged Roofs

The older the roof, the more susceptible it is to damage. Roofs with asphalt shingles can last around 15 to 25 years, but over time, the petrochemical oils in the asphalt that once allowed the shingles to expand and contract during harsh weather begin to dry out, crack, or curl. This can cause a roof leak if left unnoticed or ignored. If your commercial roof is more than 25 years old, consider replacing your shingles to avoid a leak in the future.

Damaged Membrane

The purpose of a commercial roof membrane is to protect spots on your roof susceptible to leaks. Membranes are often damaged due to severe weather or moisture trapped between the membrane and decking. Check for any cracks, bubbles, or blisters on the surface of your roof to ensure your membrane is in quality condition.

Broken or Missing Commercial Shingles

Pipe boots are synthetic rubber boots installed around your roof penetrations to prevent leaks. If your pipe boot is torn, cracked, or rotted, water can make its way down the outside of the pipe and onto your roof, causing a leak. Cracked pipe boots are one of the most common causes of a roof leak seen by contractors, so to ensure your pipe boot is in quality condition, schedule a commercial roof inspection.

Clogged Gutters

Leaves, sticks, dirt, and other debris make their home in your gutters, piling up over time, clogging your drainage system, and causing a roof leak. The downspout cage, hangers and spikes, downspout elbows, and seams are the most common areas where gutter clogs can happen. To avoid a roof leak caused by a clogged gutter, clean your gutters regularly, checking for debris buildup in those areas.

Damaged Pipe Boots

Pipe boots are synthetic rubber boots installed around your roof penetrations to prevent leaks. If your pipe boot is torn, cracked, or rotted, water can make its way down the outside of the pipe and onto your roof, causing a leak. Cracked pipe boots are one of the most common causes of a roof leak seen by contractors, so to ensure your pipe boot is in quality condition, schedule a commercial roof inspection.

Damaged Roof Vents

Roof vents are vital for allowing heat and moisture to escape from your attic to keep it dry. To determine if your roof vent is damaged or in poor condition before a leak occurs, look for cracked shingles or saggy decking on your roof.

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Holes

The harsh weather conditions in Florida, like strong winds and tropical storms, can create holes in your roof that cause a leak. After a severe storm, it’s a good idea to schedule an inspection with a roofing contractor to ensure your roof is hole-free.

Improperly Sealed Valleys

Another common cause of roof leaks is improperly sealed valleys. A roof valley is where two sloped roofs meet, designed to help water flow off your roof. If you recently had a new valley installed, it’s crucial to ensure it’s sealed correctly to prevent a leak in the future.

Cracked Flashing

Roof flashing is a material made of copper, aluminum, stainless, or galvanized steel that’s placed underneath shingle roofs to direct water away from openings, valleys, protrusions, and edges to another location to prevent leaks. Be sure to have your roofing contractor check for cracked flashing during routine inspections to decrease the chance of a leak.

Improperly Installed Skylights

Skylights are an excellent way to let natural light into your commercial building, but an improperly installed skylight can cause a roof leak. It will likely be difficult to tell if your skylight was correctly installed, so it’s a good idea to hire a professional to determine if your building’s skylight is properly installed and sealed.

Commercial Roof Leak Detection Specialists

The untrained eye can’t always spot commercial roof damage that results in a leak. As commercial roof leak detection specialists, the Floridian Roofing team has more than 20 years of experience identifying common causes of roof leaks and resolving them efficiently at an affordable price. We offer complete roof inspections where one of our experts visits your business, inspects your roof thoroughly, reports our findings, and provides you with the next steps for either a repair or replacement. Our team checks for standing water, HVAC penetration gaps, and interior water damage to ensure your commercial building remains in good condition and your roof is leak-free. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection from your Jacksonville commercial roof leak detection specialists.

Common Causes of Roof Leaks

What You’ll Learn About

Signs of a Roof Leak

10 Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Aged Roofs

Damaged Membrane

Broken or Missing Commercial Shingles

Clogged Gutters

Damaged Pipe Boots

Damaged Roof Vents

Holes

Improperly Sealed Valleys

Cracked Flashing

Improperly Installed Skylights

Commercial Roof Leak Detection Specialists

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