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Common Causes of Commercial Roof Damage | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews
6/17/2022 (Permalink)
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What may seem like a minor leak on the ceiling from the attic or roof, may actually be a much larger problem waiting to sprout up. Water damage can cause rotting and make your roof more susceptible to leaks and damage in the future.
Other signs of roof water damage can include cracking, gutters clogged with insulation, and more. Because of this, it’s important to know how to tell if your building has roof damage and how to find its true extent.
Here in North Carolina, we see all kinds of natural disasters from flooding to hurricanes to the general thunderstorm that can still do hefty amounts of damage. Being closer to sea level also means that we are at a greater risk of flood damage than a lot of Americans.
According to data gathered by FEMA, on any given day, over 14,000 people will be affected by a water damage emergency in the United States. In addition, the cost of flood damage has quadrupled since the year 2000, showing that our risk of damage is greater than ever.
This information will hopefully help you solve and prevent the causes of roof and water damage in your business:
A leaking roof can often lead to water damage in the ceiling, attic or floors below where the water is entering. The first step to preventing serious water damage from leaks is to find where it’s coming from.
If the leak is a singular spot, it’s a good indicator of the location of damage to the roof. However, if the leak is spread out over multiple spots or on a line in the ceiling, the damage could be extensive.
Whether the damage is minor or major, it’s crucial to know how and why your roof is leaking. There are a variety of potential causes that come from both the outside and inside of the building.
Exterior causes can include cracked flashing, broken shingles, clogged gutters or the loss of granulation on your shingles or roofing material due to extended use and degradation.
Interior causes are usually one of four options: improper installation of skylights or roofing material, condensation in the attic, rotting wood around the frame, or water coming in through a ventilation shaft or chimney.
It’s important to be aware of where the damage is coming from. That way you can best figure out how to handle the cleanup, and you’ll know who to call for the restoration.
The best advice for preventing possible water damage due to a roof leak is to simply maintain the quality of your facility roof and surrounding areas. A professional roofing contractor can officially inspect the integrity and fix missing or damaged material while analyzing any future risks of damage.
Aside from hiring a professional, there are simple actions you can take to help prevent damage from happening on your business’ roof, such as avoiding limbs and debris from falling onto the roof by trimming any overhanging trees, and cleaning off any excess debris from the roof regularly.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to routinely inspect both your downspouts and gutters to prevent any clogs and overflow of water onto the roof. Your gutter system is actually one of the most important parts of your building when it comes to preventing roof damage.
Gutters direct literal tons of water off of your building that would otherwise add extra stress to your building’s structural integrity. It is a good idea to have your gutters cleaned at least twice per year, ideally in the spring and fall.
If you do unfortunately experience damage to your business’ roof or any other part of the facility, call the professionals. We offer availability day or night so that we can always be there right when you need us to be.
If you have experienced damage to your business or want to learn more about our commercial damage restoration services, contact us today. We’re here to act fast, 24⁄7.