Common Commercial Roof Problems

Most tenants or employees take the roof above their head for granted — until something goes wrong, that is. A problem with your building’s roof can create a snowball effect of other problems in your building. Here are the 8 most common commercial roof problems facility managers are likely to experience at some point in their career.

Leaks

The most obvious commercial roof problem is a leaky roof. This can happen due a wide variety of issues, and most of the rest of the problems on this list can lead to leaks. A leaky roof can cause a wide variety of problems, ranging from structural issues to health-related problems of employee

Tenting

Tenting is a concern for single layer roofing systems, commonly called thermoplastic roof membranes. When the roof layer, whether made of Polyvinyl Chloride or Thermoplastic Polyolefin, is improperly adhered to the wood layer below, it can create a tent (or a billow), which can then lead to a blow off or minor seal issues that lead to — you guessed it — leaks.

Improper installation

Not all roofing contractors are equal. Improper installation by a less-than-qualified company is almost guaranteed to lead to commercial roof problems later. While cheaper on the front end, it’ll cost you more in the long run to work with unskilled contractors.

Using the wrong materials

It sounds simple at first, but you’d be surprised at how many contractors use the wrong materials. Restaurant roofs, for example, should always use grease resistant materials (such as ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) instead of using single layer PVC or TPO.

Standing water

If your roof has standing water, it’s indicative of a larger issue ranging from warped or rotted plywood below to deeper structural issues. Standing water should never be allowed to pool and should always be dealt with as soon as possible.

Blows offs

Blow offs are common with all types of commercial roofing, but perhaps most common with flat roofs. Blow offs are a result of updrafts that create a suction and eventually can lead to the entire pulling up of your flat roof.

Punctures

Another common commercial roof problem are punctures. Anywhere with excessive foot traffic will be prone to punctures, but especially with single ply roofing systems.

Debris or a lack of maintenance

Finally, if debris is allowed to accumulate on your roof (especially if it’s a flat roof) or you don’t inspect it at least annually or after a heavy storm, you can expect to develop any number of situations ranging from leaks to blow offs to standing water and more. Be sure to properly maintain your roof or work with a contractor who can inspect it for you on an annual schedule to prevent future issues.

The solution mitigating common commercial roof problems is a proactive maintenance program through an Integrated Facility Maintenance company.

Don’t let problems with your commercial roof lead to other situations in your building, such as water damage, increased HVAC costs, and lost productivity. When you partner with an IFM company, they’ll get your facility on a regular inspection schedule and handle any maintenance tickets from start to finish. With over 30 years of experience, we’d love to partner with you to ease your roofing concerns. CONTACT US today to schedule your free consultation.