As a business owner, it is critical to be vigilant in watching for signs of water damage. Undetected water leaks can result in expensive repairs, structural damage, mold growth, and health concerns for your tenants and clients. Proactively working to avoid water damage through regular maintenance can help property owners and managers protect their buildings and minimize financial losses associated with water-related incidents.

What Causes Water Damage to Commercial Buildings?

Weather-related events and structural problems, such as deteriorating pipes or cracked sealant, are the most common causes of property water damage.

Weather-Related Incidents

Natural disasters, such as the Gulf Coast’s annual hurricanes, cause significant property damage – and water damage represents a large part of that devastation. Whether from storm surges, flooding, leaky roof systems or damaged pipes, water is a serious problem for property managers across the United States.

Floods take place when bursts of torrential rainfall cause water to spread into normally dry areas. Storm surges caused by wind and tide, as well as overflowing rivers and lakes, also can cause an area to flood. In the last 40 years, flooding has cost U.S. property owners more than $850 billion. Not only do floods result in extensive water damage to structures, possessions, and infrastructure, but the water can contain contaminants, debris, and pathogens that present significant health risks.

Hurricanes and tropical storms bring intense rainfall, high winds, and dangerous storm surges, often resulting in regional flooding and widespread water damage. Wind-driven rain is also known to penetrate vulnerabilities in roofing structures, damaging the roof and allowing water intrusion. But a storm does not have to be named to wreak havoc—sudden thunderstorms, squalls, and even tornados can cause significant water damage to roofs and building infrastructure.

Structural Issues

A building’s structural issues can also lead to water damage if the integrity of the building is compromised. Damaged, leaking pipes are a frequent cause of water damage, especially in older buildings with aging infrastructure. Leaking or burst pipes affected by deterioration, corrosion, or incorrect installation can damage walls, ceilings, floors, and fixtures.

When hoses and pipes connected to aging rooftop HVAC units begin to deteriorate, they can cause puddles, ponding, and water backups in gutters and drainage systems.

Prevent Against Water Damage

While no one can completely avoid water damage forever, regular maintenance and proactive measures can significantly reduce and mitigate damage, as well as lead to more efficient restoration when needed.

For commercial rooftops, routine maintenance, visual inspections, and professional assessments will help eliminate the potential for a catastrophic leak. A small leak may not be visible to the naked eye, but telltale signs such as peeling paint, wall cracks, mold or mildew, or stains on the ceiling may all indicate an undiscovered leak.

Roof Leak Prevention

There are several ways to reduce the potential for roof leaks.

Keep gutters and downspouts clear of leaves, twigs, and sediment. This will help to ensure adequate drainage during heavy rainfalls. Gutter guards or screens can help to avoid clogging and allow water to be directed away from the structure.
Perform routine inspections to look for dips on the flat roof or areas of ponding. Standing water can increase the chances of water intrusion and
Check flashing, seals, and penetrations to ensure that no damage has occurred. These are potential points of failure and should be fortified and replaced if necessary.

Protect Your Roof with Roof Coatings

One of the best ways to ensure that your roof has professional protection against leaks and water damage is to inquire about roof coatings.

Roof coatings can be applied to any structurally sound roof, even if it is aging or portions have sustained minor damage. The coating will seal cracks and breaches, preserve roofing materials, and reflect UV rays – extending the life of your roof by a decade or more.

Before hurricane season arrives, call Unicoat Roofing for an inspection and assessment. Is a roof coating the right solution for you? Let’s find out.