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Commercial Roof Leak Detection
Roof leaks cost businesses millions of pounds every year
Leaks are sometimes due to installation errors, such as loose roofing fasteners and faulty sealing washers, and even incorrect roofing systems.
They can also be caused by storm damage, wear and tear, poor maintenance routines and insufficient drainage. Many businesses fail to detect water leaks before they’ve become a costly problem.
Water damage can cause significant damage to commercial properties, including severe structural problems and mould, all of which is very costly to repair. Detecting roof leaks early, however, helps to mitigate hefty, unexpected costs.
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commercial buildings in the UKsuffer roof leaks every year -
annual cost to businesses indamage and disruption
How to detect roof leaks on a commercial building
Unfortunately, commercial roof leaks are commonly detected too late, when the damage has already been done and unexpected costs are incurred.
Here are some of the main signs of roof leaks.
- Internal damage. This is easy to spot and normally means the leak has already done serious damage. This can include excess moisture and mould on walls and ceilings, odours, drips, and even standing pools of water on the floor.
- Flashing damage. Storms can cause a lot of damage to flashing, creating water leaks. It’s therefore important to check your flashing after spells of heavy rain, hail or wind.
- Bubbling. Bubbles on ceilings, however minor, can indicate severe water damage on the roof.
- Seam Failure. The seams of roofing membranes are normally sealed down with adhesive, but heavy wind can pull them off the roof. This can cause membrane gaps, allowing water to get in.
Rather than reacting to these symptoms of water damage, our RoofCare System is different; it allows us to proactively monitor and analyse roofs in real-time. This helps to eliminate unexpected costs and reduce risks for your business.
Flat roof leak detection
Flat roofs are typically cost-effective, energy-efficient and easy to repair compared with pitched roofs. However, they are also prone to shorter lifespans and a higher risk of leaks. Moreover, water leaks on flat roofs are difficult to identify visually as the holes tend to be very small. These holes can, however, allow enough water through to cause significant damage to your property. Common causes of flat roof leaks include:
- Ponding water - any water that remains on the roof for over 48 hours can be problematic and lead to leaks
- Membrane issues - simple-ply membranes can eventually develop issues after prolonged exposure to the elements, such as cracking, allowing water in
- Cracks - flat roofs typically have a lot of pressure exerted on them, which over time can lead to cracks
- Flashing issues - variable and extreme weather conditions can damage roof flashing, allowing water to get in
Our RoofCare system can help protect your flat roof from these causes by making a swift diagnosis before minor issues turn into costly problems.
Pitched roof leak detection
Pitched roofs are a popular choice for commercial buildings. They offer a range of benefits, such as lower maintenance and a longer lifespan than flat roofs. Plus they tend to be more aesthetically pleasing. However, they are typically more expensive and are considered ‘water-shedding’ rather than water-proof. From a maintenance perspective, access can also be a problem for certain roofs.
Commons causes of water leaks include:
- Loose or damaged guttering
- Broken or slipped slates or tiles
- Blocked valleys and/or cracked lead
- Missing mortar
Our RoofCare system eliminates these issues and offers remote monitoring technology which reduces the need for physical access to pitched roofs.
How to prevent commercial roof leaks
Prevention ultimately begins with choosing and designing the right roof for your premises, the use of robust materials, and employing a skilled, experienced roofer. The roofer needs to have intricate knowledge of the materials they’re using, be able to make the roof watertight, apply flashing effectively, and install proper drainage.
To deal with the many issues faced by commercial roofs, however, perhaps the most vital stage after installation is the implementation of a comprehensive maintenance plan to identify potential issues many months or years before they become a problem for your business.
Whether you have a pitched or flat roof, our system offers proactive, pre-planned maintenance that offers real-time diagnosis, ensuring you'll never have to worry about expensive roof costs again.
Introducing RoofCare…
Here at RoofCare we believe there is a better way. With our eyes on your roofs you can reduce avoidable costs, manage risk and extend the life of your roofs.
Our revolutionary RoofCare System combines remote monitoring technology with drainage management software and roofing expertise from the UK’s leading roof maintenance providers.
