Water leaks on a commercial property can disrupt its normal functioning. Excess water, if not addressed quickly, can cause extensive damage and can lead to further concerns including mold growth.

Common leaks detected in commercial building are:

• Toilet leaks: Toilet leaks usually occur due to wear and tear from excess use. Toilet leaks are normally easy to fix.
• Faucet leaks: Faucet leaks are often overlooked but easy to fix. Wearing off of the rubber washers is the main trigger of a dripping faucet. This is easy to fix and raises hefty bills if not addressed straight away.
• Roof leaks: One of the major headaches of commercial property owners. Roof leaks are not easy to fix and usually require professional assistance. Roof leaks can be from multiple sources including clogged gutters to surface hairline cracks.
• Basement leaks: poor waterproofing and inferior concrete quality is a couple of reasons that can lead to basement leaks. Such failure lets the water from clogged drains or broken pipe to seep through. Unaddressed basement leaks can damage the structural integrity of the commercial property.
• Plumbing leaks: poorly set up plumbing system or deteriorated water supply lines often trigger this issue. These are easy to fix but requires detailed inspection.

Roof leaks in commercial properties remain a major headache among commercial property owners and pose a serious threat to the building’s structural integrity. Six in Ten water damage requests that we receive around different counties in Florida are roof leak service.

Following are some professional tips to prevent roof leaks in your commercial property.

Routine inspections:

“How often should I inspect my roof for leaks or potential damages?” a question that we get from the majority of our clients. We recommend inspecting your roof and related structures/fixtures (vents, gutters, etc) at least once every six months.

Scheduling an inspection after a hurricane or hailstorm is the smartest move that any commercial property owner can make and we highly recommend this.

You can consider inspecting the roof as part of your facility maintenance routine. We advise seeking the assistance of a water damage specialist as the process itself can be complex and time-consuming.

A commercial property roof leak inspection checklist of a specialist water damage specialist should include the following:

• Supporting structures
• Roof edging
• Expansion joint covers
• Roof valleys
• Lightning protection systems

Repairs & upgrades

Water fixtures supporting roofs including roof valleys and edgings, being exposed to a harsh and changing climate can wear off quickly. We recommend repairing and upgrading these structures at least once every six months.

While performing our roof damage inspections we keep an eye out for any signs of irreparable damage or concerns with any roof supporting structures. Issues like corrosion, cracks, and mold growth are always on the chart and addressed immediately.

Professional maintenance

Professional maintenance is the secret to ensuring that your property remains devoid of leaks. If you do not know the technical know-how, we think that you should hand it over to professionals.

For example, “ponding” or standing water on the roof surfaces is a common issue that leads to hairline cracks in the long run. You don’t need to have the expertise to understand that drying out the roof surface and applying a waterproof sealant is a potential fix to this. However, you might need to choose a sealant type with respect to the climatic condition and the location.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Can I differentiate between a Bitumen Sealant and a Silicone Sealant?
• Are there any special tips that I should consider when applying the sealant during cold weather?

Dealing with a commercial property ceiling leak can be tedious. Prepare yourself for the worst or emergency situations, especially when you have hurricanes and hailstorms around the corner. A checklist to follow includes:

Preparing an action plan, backing up all your data, and earmarking designated waterproof spaces for all your paper works. It is also smart to determine an off-site work location.