Roof Leaks:  How they are caused

TIP: Once you have watched the video, or read below, download the inspection sheets from the download section and watch the video, or read the information which will show you proper roof preparation and reinforcement.

 

Roof leaks are caused by several factors. Usually, it is not one of these things alone that causes leakage but a number of these combining to break down the protective covering over the building.

 

These factors, or conditions, are as follows:

 

1. Poor Roof Construction: This has become a serious problem in the past 15 years or so. Due to constant changes in the economy, the bidding on new structures (which includes virtually every kind of building including schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, shopping centers and industrial buildings) has become so fierce that to get jobs, the contractors must cut corners.

 

Roofing Contractors must fight the weather to meet completion deadlines. Oftentimes installation continues during unfavorable weather conditions. Moisture is trapped in roofing system and contributes to early failure.

 

The results are cropping up in the form of inadequate insulation, poor roof decks, and the use of 2-ply instead of 3 and 4-ply paper in building the new roofs. Because of corner-cutting, it is not uncommon for a new roof to leak shortly after it is laid.

 

2. Normal Aging and Weathering: A roof begins to deteriorate the day it constructed. Its chief enemy is the weather. The roof takes a pounding from the sun, rain, snow, and sleet; it is buffeted by high winds and scorched by intense summer heat.

 

The sun dries out the roofing paper; causes tar to run and sag, weakening the roof mat. As the oxidation soaks the oils out of the paper, it becomes brittle and subject to cracking and splitting. When the weather suddenly changes, the extreme expansion and contraction brings the ultimate disaster... A ROOF LEAK.

 

3. Settling of the building: All buildings settle; It is their nature, but some settle much more than others. When a building settles at an abnormal rate, this puts great stress on the roof. This unusual movement can, and will, create enough strain to cause a roof leak, which if left ignored will result in a general roof breakdown.

 

4. Vibrations: Some of these result from natural phenomena such as earth tremors, severe storms such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Even buildings located many miles from such an act of nature can get enough impact to put strain on the building, which in turn carried to the roof can contribute to a ROOF LEAK.

 

Other vibrations from machines, equipment, air conditioners, railroads and truck traffic cause early failure.

 

5. Mechanical Damage: Much more prevalent than you might think. In today's technology, it has become standard procedure to put many pieces of equipment on the roofs, such as air conditioning units, phone and TV antennas, sign supports, elevator housings, etc., which present a serious problem for two reasons.

 

A. They put extra weight and stress on the roof.

 

B. They require servicing, and every time a serviceman          goes on a roof there is some danger damage can be done. Even carelessly using a small ladder on a roof can make a small break in a flashing, which unknown to the building owner can result in leakage and damage.

 

Roof Preparation: