If you’ve been involved in managing a commercial building for any major period of time, you know how vital commercial roofing is. No one thinks about a roof much until there are problems, but in a large-scale business scenario, preventing these kinds of problems is a larger concern that requires appropriate building and maintenance practices.

At Collins Roofing, we’re an industry leader in these practices. We’ve seen everything there is to see as far as commercial roof issues, and we’re here to assist with yours. For starters, what are some of the most common issues that crop up with commercial roofing? Let’s take a look.

Leak Causes

Roof leaks are the most common issue for commercial products, and in over 90 percent of cases, these are caused by one issue: Faulty flashing installation. Flashing is installed on walls, curbs and around protruding objects, and many manufacturers fail to account for expected expansion and contraction due to the elements.

If it’s not a flashing issue causing the leak, it’s a fair bet pitch pan issues are the culprit. Pitch pans are used as sealants around a pipe coming through a roof, and they may not be adequately sealed.

Wind Issues

Wind can cause multiple issues for roofing products that aren’t properly installed or maintained. Flashing can again be an issue here – pressure from wind can combine with internal air pressure from improperly-installed flashing, and can cause what’s called wind uplift. Wind uplift can damage the seams and membrane of the roof if they aren’t addressed in time. Additionally, high winds can blow off chimney caps and vents, which can allow water in.

Punctures and Penetration

Especially during maintenance, it’s possible for new penetrations to be made in the roof. These scrapes and cuts can cause leaks, and can also lead to voiding of maintenance guarantees in some cases. Penetrations need to be effectively sealed with expansion and contraction in mind.

Standing Water

Mostly due to clogged drains or poor design, standing water on the roof can cause materials to deteriorate and will eventually cause leaks. Sometimes standing water is a result of a manufacturer failing to consider slope, or other times it’s just a clogged HVAC unit.

At Collins Roofing, we’re here to assist you with these and any other roof repair issues you may have. Our service specialists are standing by to assist you today.