What Causes Flat Roofs to Leak?

Just because a roof is flat doesn’t mean it will never leak. In fact, a flat roof will leak just as much as any other roof since the determining factors are mostly the same. Small leaks can cause big problems in the short-term and long-term for many businesses. That’s why most business owners pay for infrared testing to avoid costly shutdowns. Infrared technology can confirm where leaks happen. Here are a few causes you need to be aware of.

Poor Drainage

Flat roofs require some type of drainage system in place. Water sitting on a roof for an extended amount of time can do some major damage to the roof’s structure. Eventually, the pressure from the water could cause the roof to structurally fail, or at the least, start leaking. By conducting a simple infrared roof moisture survey, you can see where your roof is vulnerable and take action to fix it.

Harsh Environments

If your business is located in an area with harsh weather, you need to take proactive steps to ensure your roof is protected. Even something as simple as high winds could cause your roof to start leaking. However, an infrared roof moisture survey can display weak spots in your roof. These weak spots could become faulty during harsh weather so you can then take steps to have those spots repaired.

Faulty Seals Around Roof Penetrations

Air vents and other penetrations may come through a flat roof for ventilation. Sometimes the seals around those penetrations need to be repaired or replaced. The worst thing that can happen is having moisture leak through those areas since electrical equipment could be nearby. In this case, you definitely don’t want to experience what happens with an electric systems failure.

Age of the Roof

An aged flat roof can easily leak, thanks to time, the sun and other elements beating down on its surface. That’s why it’s important to conduct infrared testing to avoid costly shutdowns. By performing these tests and routine maintenance, business owners will be able to determine when it’s time to repair or replace a roof.

At Infrared Consulting Services, we’ve seen it all when it comes to roof leaks. If you think you have a roof leak or just want to have an infrared thermography test conducted, contact us.