Roof leak repairs from The Roof Whisperer of Toronto
Flat Roof Repairs Starting at $499
Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.Confucius |
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Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.Confucius |
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If you are a commercial building owner or a facility manager and your structure has a flat roof, at some point you will probably encounter leaks. Instead of a complete roof replacement, simply repairing the roof is a good solution.
Flat roof repair, sometimes called low slope roof repair, can range from a simple fix to a complete reconstruction. First steps include locating the source of the leak or other problems, pulling the paperwork to see the age of the roof and any insurance coverage that may apply.
Finding the leak is usually easier with a flat roof because you can walk around relatively easily. Realize that the source may not be the area where the water is infiltrating the ceiling or walls. Water that penetrates the membrane can move across until I finds a seam. This seam can be on the roof deck, around the HVAC equipment, around a skylight or solar panel, or around an electrical installation.
Commercial Flat Roof Repair Services
You also need to check for more severe damage like a dip in the surface where water will accumulate and eventually break through. If there are underlying problems, repairs may not be feasible and it will be necessary to go down to the bare bones to fix the structural issues causing the leak.
It is always a good idea to inspect the roof after hail storms, heavy snow periods, electrical storms, high winds or other severe weather. Spotting the damage early can mean preventing the water from penetrating the ceilings or walls and thus curbing costs from other repairs that will be necessary to the interior. If these interior repairs are untreated, you can be facing the prospect of dealing with mold or mildew. As this is a commercial building, it could affect the health of the employees, which could mean a slow–down, stoppage, or workers’ compensation claims.
If you do have an inside leak, measure the distance from the leak to the two nearest walls. Using those measurements you can walk on the roof and locate the leak. Even though it is a “flat” roof, there will be a slight slope so that the water can run down and off, so take this into consideration. Look for rips, tears, punctures, worn areas, screws that are not securely fastened and at seams and flashings. If you can’t find the spot, call a professional.
The most common types of materials for a flat roof are:
If you are deciding whether to repair your roof or replace it, there are some things to consider:
There are benefits to repairing a roof:
As a building owner it is inherent that you maintain a safe and code-compliant space for your employees to work or for your tenants to lease. If you see or have reported leaks of any kind, contact a reputable roofing company. Many will offer a free inspection. After assembling several estimates, you can make the best decision about whether to repair your flat roof or have it completely replaced by a roofing team in Toronto.