The rainy season has come once again, and you find out you have a leak coming through the ceiling. As the owner of a commercial building, you understand the importance of addressing the damage quickly, but it’s tricky to know exactly how to go about decreasing your risk of further damage (which will cost you more time and money in the long run). Will the repairs required to fix the damage be a small job, or will you have to take on an entire roof replacement?
It’s not a pleasant situation to find yourself in, but it’s not necessarily a time to panic. You will not know the severity of the problem until you figure out exactly what’s going on.
What are some things you can do once you determine you have a roof leak in your building?
Here are a few things you can do when you find yourself in this situation:
1. Clear the room
Remove any items in the area to keep the water from damaging them. Also, be sure to evacuate all employees to a safe place to prevent injuries or any further damage from occurring. If you can’t move an item, cover it with a plastic material to keep it as dry as possible until you can address the issue.
2. Set up buckets
Place buckets in the room to catch the water, so it doesn’t damage the floor. Keep an eye out to make sure the bucket doesn’t overflow to prevent flooding and cause spoilage to your flooring. Have more containers handy to replace the bucket, as needed, while you handle the situation.
3. Check your roof’s warranty or insurance policy
If the roof isn’t all that old, you may still be under warranty. Check and see what it covers and consult your roofing provider, if you need to, for clarification. You might also want to check your building’s insurance policy to see if it covers a roof repair. Know where you stand so you can determine the best solution to fix your roof leak problem.
4. Mark any other leaks
Go around the building and check to see if there are more leaks elsewhere. Look for dripping water coming from the ceiling, down the wall or puddling on the floor. Mark all the leaks you come across and see if they’re still leaking long after the rain stopped.
5. Call a professional
The most important step is to call in experts to investigate the roof leak. Here, at Kodiak Roofing & Waterproofing Co., we have 30 years of experience in the roofing and waterproofing business. We know exactly what to look for and how to deal with the problem efficiently and professionally. Using the highest quality equipment, we can get your building’s roof back in shape and keep it from causing you problems again for a long time to come.
Why is it important not to wait to deal with roof leaks?
A small leak may seem like it’s no big deal. You may think you can just overlook it and the issue will go away. Problem is, you don’t really know how bad the leak is until you investigate the source of the problem. What you see on the surface may be minor, but what’s going on in the walls or ceilings of your commercial building could lead you down a path of costly repair bills in the future. It’s important not to leave leaks unchecked. Here’s why you’ll need to stay vigilant:
Mold growth – Water that you haven’t dealt with could cause mold to form within the walls or ceiling space of your building. Anyone exposed to these mold spores is at risk for some serious health problems.
Structural damage – Wood will weaken if it’s exposed to water frequently. If that wood is a critical part of the structure, then its stability becomes compromised and your building will no longer be safe.
The next time you come across a roof leak in your building, contact us to make sure it’s not something bigger than it looks. Your commercial building is an investment you don’t want to take for granted, so let us take care of the roof, so you can focus on taking care of your future.
