AAA Roofing by Gene, Inc.

The Commercial Roofing Experts

Trying to stop roof leaks without spending a fortune?

In today’s stressful economy most commercial, industrial property owners and facility managers are looking for ways to extend the life of their flat roofs without busting their budgets

Here are 7 of the most common places flat roofs leak:

Plumbing Vent Flashings: Over time plumbing vent jacks begin to separate and lift. As the roofing membrane deteriorates of time the metal flashing base may start to lift and allow moisture to enter. The actual plumbing pipe may start to gap or separate from the metal jack creating an opening where moisture may enter.

Scuppers or Drains: One of the most common areas of leaks on a flat roof is the scuppers and drains. Scuppers are actual holes or opening in the walls with a manufactured metal “skin” that allows water to drain form the roof. As with in roof drains the roofing membrane begins to deteriorate and separate allowing moisture penetration into the roofing assembly and eventually into the building. Clogged roof drains and scuppers cause a vast majority of roof leaks allowing water to back track.

HVAC units: These types of leaks can cause stress to the building owner as well as most roofers. Leaks can penetrate at the metal flashings and where the air conditioning duct work meets the roof. Deteriorating roofing membranes may allow the flashing bases to lift and gap and on asphalt and gravel roofs may be difficult to see, let alone diagnosis.

Seams: Most flat roofs (other then monolithic systems like SPF-sprayed polyurethane foam roofs) have seams and over time these seams can lift creating opportunity for moisture to enter. In areas where a roof holds water this can be especially dangerous allowing water to seep into the roofing layers and eventually into the building.

Other Roof Penetrations: Any other roof opening can, over time, also be the cause of a roof leak. Some examples are satellite or cable, exhaust fans and roof ventilators. All these items can crack, expand and contract thus allowing

Walls: This type of leak issue can be from several sources. It could be from a poorly constructed wall where a moisture barrier was not installed below the stucco. It can be a wall counter flashing that is either installed wrong, missing or damaged. Through-wall scuppers can also be a source of damaging leaks.

Sky Lights: Sky lights are usually mounted on curbs. Many times the curb flashing are deteriorated or may have been improperly constructed in the first place. It can also be as simple as a crack sky light lens.