Stephen Scheck • January 14, 2022
Why Leaks Occur on Flat Roofs and What To Do About Them
Because of their inherent design, most flat roofs will eventually experience a leak. The best thing to do is address the leak when it happens to stop any further damage from taking place. Leaks can occur for several reasons, however the most common failure points are:
- Penetrations - Holes that need to be cut in the roof for installing HVAC systems, vent pipes, drains, skylights, roof hatches, etc., are areas that are vulnerable to leaks. Attention needs to be paid in these areas to ensure proper sealing and maintenance. Accidental penetrations might also occur from people (like HVAC contractors) walking on the roof or even dropping tools.
- Seams - Where the sheets of roofing material come together, the seam, is another vulnerable place on a roof. Because of normal wear and tear or harsh weather, the seams themselves can separate over time allowing moisture to penetrate.
- Ponding water- When water collects on a roof and fails to drain within 48 hours, ponding exists. This could indicate an issue with the roof’s drainage system.
- Membrane failure - There are several issues that may lead to membrane failure, including environmental factors such as changes in temperature, ultraviolet rays, excessive water, and wind. These elements may lead to cracks, splits and tears in the membrane itself.
Identifying the Source of the Leak
When a leak is discovered, the first thing to do is find where the leak is coming from. However, it can sometimes be difficult to discover the real source of the leak. It’s possible that the source of water damage on your ceiling may NOT be directly above it on the roof membrane. Water that seeps in through the exterior membrane can travel for several feel until finding a weak spot in the sheathing and penetrating that area causing inside leaks.
Tips for Finding the Source of the Leak
1. Look for obvious points of water penetration. Examine the roof for any holes, punctures, popping screws, rips or tears, visibly worn-out areas, raised or separated seams, etc. If identified, you will know that is where you will need to patch the membrane.
2. If no obvious damage is identified on the membrane itself, look at flashings and caulking around your vents and other exterior roof structures. Often, leaks are located in these areas from inadequate caulking.
3. If you can’t locate the source of the leak on the roof itself, but have water spots on your ceiling, measure the distance from this spot to the nearest walls. Go back to the roof and use those measurements to narrow your search area.
4. If your roof is leaking and you can’t find the source, contact a roofer to do an inspection and repair the roof.
Repairing the Roof
Once the area where the leak is occurring has been identified, it’s time to patch it. Small holes are the easiest and fastest to fix up. A rubber sealing is directly applied to the puncture. Another option is to use a peel and stick flashing patch to the area. Blisters are more challenging to repair. A utility knife is used to cut through the blister. Next, towels (or a propane torch) are used to dry the wet area under it. Once completely dry, a peel and stick patch is applied.
If your roofing membrane has big rips or tears, these can be repaired using a peel and stick patch. However, this will require a lot more experience and skill, so it's best to contact a professional. Some types of flat roofs, such as modified bitumen, tar and gravel, PVC and TPO are challenging to repair, and require special tools and expert knowledge.
Repair Versus Replacement
Because flat roof replacement is costly and time consuming, it should really be your last resort. As we have seen, flat roofs can be repaired. However, there are some warning signs to look out for that may warrant a roof replacement. If, during a visual inspection of the roof, you see any irreparable damage of the roof, or too many cracks, bubbles, or blisters on the roof membrane, you may need a new roof. If ponding water does not effectively drain, that may be another indication. A replacement may be the only way to go when a roof is extremely damaged.
While roof replacement is a expensive option, there are several benefits. A new roof can give a new appearance for your clients and tenants, add more years to the lifespan of the building, can improve building strength and resilience, and can increase the safety of the building.
Roof moisture and leaks can wreak havoc on a roof system. Unfortunately, these issues often go unnoticed until the problem requires immediate action. The longer these issues go unnoticed, the more damage occurs. That’s why regular roof inspections and maintenance are so important for the health and longevity of your roof. Insulation Damage Insulation layers absorb moisture entering a roof system first, and then will show up as an interior leak. Once this occurs, the moisture collection breaks down the roof’s insulation, so it no longer offers the same R-value to the building. That is why it is important to use moisture resistant insulation. Other insulating materials such as Expanded Polystyrene (EPS or Bead Board) can absorb water. Roof Blistering Roof blistering occurs when moisture gets trapped inside a roof system. As the water heats up under a hot roof, it turns to vapor, causing expansion. Roof blistering results, as the pressure of the vapor finds a weak point to expand. A blister that breaks under the pressure allows another location for water to enter the roof. Roof Deck / Structural Damage Water that seeps onto a roof can cause damage to a roof deck. Damage can be seen as rot, if the roof is made of wood, or corrosion if the deck is metal, galvanized or painted steel. While galvanized steel offers protection, it is not 100% corrosion proof, especially at fastening and weld points. If this condition is allowed to continue it can deteriorate to the point of deck failure, especially if stressed by another factor such as a heavy snow load. If water from the roof makes it into walls, it can cause hidden damage such as rotting wood or mold growth. These scenarios are both expensive and hazardous to correct. Moisture from the Inside While much of the moisture we think about comes from exterior source such as rainwater or snow, it can also come from the inside. As warm, moist air rises, it can form condensation as the air contacts the colder underside of a roof deck. It can also find its way through seams and become trapped between the insulation layer and the roof membrane causing the same type of damage as described above. Excessive moisture output caused by normal operating conditions, such as from swimming pools or laundry facilities, requires moisture alleviation techniques. Some actions that can be taken include incorporating humidity gauges to read interior moisture accumulations and installing dehumidifiers. Roof Inspections and Maintenance Implementing a regular roof maintenance plan can help identify areas of concern before they are a problem and prevent damage from trapped roof moisture. Watershed Roofing and Restoration can conduct infrared scans of the roof to identify areas of trapped moisture that need to be addressed. Give us a call today!
This time of year in Colorado is lovingly referred to as “mud season”. But warming temperatures and snow melt not only brings mud, it can also bring roof leaks. That’s why springtime roof inspections are so critical. When you have typical Colorado weather, with massive swings in temperature throughout the winter, you have cycles of freezing and thawing. This, along with heavy snow loads and ice, can wreak havoc on your roof system. Make sure you have your roof inspected so you don’t go into the next storm season unprepared! At Watershed Roofing and Restoration, we can: Clear your rooftop of any debris Clear blockages from downspouts and gutters Look for evidence of “ponding water,” or water that remains for 48 hours after a rainfall in conditions that would otherwise be conducive to drying. Ponding water is often indicative of a long-term issue. Look for tears, splits, or punctures in your roof membrane. Repair as needed. Check metal flashings around chimneys, vents, and skylights. Damaged flashings could lead to leaks in these areas. Regular roof inspections and maintenance is crucial to save you money and extend the life of your roof. Give us a call today, we’d love to help!
This article discusses the low slope roofing material, TPO: the advantages and disadvantages of this roofing membrane, installation, and how to care for and maintain TPO to get the most life out of it.
If you have questions about low-slope roofs, the next few blog topics are for you! Today we will explore EPDM: what exactly it is, the pros and cons of this very popular roofing material, and how to care for and maintain EPDM to get the most life out of it. So let’s start with the basics. What exactly is EPDM? According to the EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) EPDM is “an extremely durable synthetic roofing membrane (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) which is widely used in low-slope buildings in the United States and worldwide.” Sold in both black and white, EPDM comes in two thicknesses: 45 and 60 mils. This material has been a popular choice for the commercial roofing industry for over 40 years. Installed either fully adhered, or mechanically attached or ballasted, the seams are sealed with liquid adhesives or specially formulated tape. What are the benefits of choosing EPDM as a low slope roofing material? EPDM has several advantages. Not only is it one of the least expensive low slope roofing materials, it has been shown to be the longest performing roofing material of any kind. There are several reasons for this. EPDM is: Fatigue and hail resistant Resistant to ozone, weathering, and ultraviolet radiation Highly resistant to heat and fire Very flexible at low temperatures Highly resistant to wind damage What are the cons of using EPDM? While EPDM is one of the most widely used roofing membrane for low-slope buildings, the material does have its disadvantages: Susceptible to punctures from foot traffic or sharp objects because of the thinness of the material Adhesives used on seams and flashing may be degraded by UV rays Repairs to the seams are often needed, long before the warranty expires The all-black membrane option will absorb ultraviolet light, and may decrease life expectancy by causing shrinkage and brittleness Increased temperature from the absorption of heat may also heat the structure below leading to increased energy costs How do you maintain and repair EPDM? Although there are disadvantages to using EPDM, you can increase the life of your roof with proper care and maintenance. Maintaining the integrity and functionality of your rubber roof membrane involves regular inspections, sweeping off of debris, and cleaning/scrubbing. If an EPDM roofing membrane does become damaged or punctured, repairs are easily made with a few simple steps. First, the area is cleaned with soapy water to remove any sediment. After drying thoroughly, a weathered membrane cleaner is used. Next, EPDM splice primer is applied and allowed to dry. A splice adhesive is administered with a brush, using extra adhesive at any cross seams. Then a patch is placed over the prepared membrane area and a handheld seam roller is used to apply pressure to the patch. Finally, the patch is sealed with lap sealant using a standard caulking gun. Proper care and maintenance of your EPDM roof is necessary, but may be time consuming and does require specialized tools and equipment. With our 3-year, no leak, no dollar limit warranty program, Watershed Roofing and Restoration takes care of all of this by providing: cleaning scrubbing membrane inspections and repairs So, you can rest assured you are taking care of your EPDM roof and increasing its life expectancy and functionality. I hope you gained a better understanding of EPDM roofing membrane! Be sure to check back with us next time as we discuss another low-slope roof material, TPO.
Address flat roof needs to maintain the health of your roof, from proper roof repairs and cleaning, to waterproofing. Consider signing up for Watershed Roofing and Restoration's 3 year no leak, no dollar limit warranty program which includes essential roofing maintenance for all the roofs in your portfolio.
As you’re busy getting ready for the holidays, it’s important not to neglect prepping your roof for the inevitable wet and snowy season. To keep you from getting caught off guard, here are 5 winter roofing tips to assure your roof is winterized. 1. Inspect Your Roof, Repair as Needed Roofs can develop weak spots that occur over time. It’s important to pay attention to the maintenance of your roof and look for signs of weak spots, as these tend to worsen in winter due to harsh weather conditions. Repair damaged or loose shingles and replace any missing ones. Also, replace flashing and caulking to prevent your roof from leaking when the snow begins to melt. 2. Clean Your Gutters Make sure to remove any leaves or other debris from your gutters before the snow arrives! If gutters are clogged, the water from the melting snow will have nowhere to go. Ice dams may form, which are not only dangerous (think icicles), but they may also lead to extensive (and expensive) damage from water seeping through your roof. 3. Cut Overhanging Tree Limbs Are those branches starting to creep over your roof? Cut them down. A heavy snow can put weight on the branches causing them to break and fall on your roof. This simple maintenance tip can save you from an emergency repair and protect your home from water damage. 4. Check Your Insulation Insulation not only helps your house stay warm, it also prevents damage to your roof when the snow melts and then refreezes. Check to ensure your insulation is in good shape and remove any damp or moldy insulation. Add insulation when required to save energy, add warmth, and protect your roofing system. 5. Get Regular Professional Roof Inspections The best way to prepare your roof for winter is to schedule a professional roof inspection. After all, climbing on your roof making repairs can be dangerous. Call Watershed Roofing and Restoration at 720-643-5033. We’d love to come out for a free inspection. These are your winterizing tips to keep your roof safe from damage the entire winter! Need help? Give us a call today!
