What’s Wrong With My Roof?
Today we have a guest post by Chris Mummert. Chris is one of the experts on our staff who goes out to evaluate the conditions of an existing roof to help the owner determine what is best for them. Chris has many years of experience including several working with the crews on the roof before becoming an estimator with J.V. Heidler.
You know that brown round stain on your ceiling tile that seems to have come out of nowhere and is constantly providing you with the soothing sound of “drip…drip…”? Well, chances are that is a roof leak and it may be a good time to call in a professional roofing contractor. This is where I come in and take a look at things to try and see if I can solve the problem.
There are many different situations that could be occurring on the roof that have caused this leak, ranging from a hole on the roof to an open seam. Whichever the case, it is my job to find out the problem(s) and come up with a solution for the owner. Sometimes it’s a simple repair; other times there is no other choice but to replace the roof. What I find on the roof is critical for the owner in making a decision on what to do with one of their biggest assets.
The first thing I look for when I get on the roof is how the roof drains. Is there proper drainage? Is there anything prohibiting the roof from draining correctly? Is there adequate slope in the roof for the water to drain? Once all of these questions are answered I begin to look at one of the biggest culprits of leaks – penetrations and flashings. A lot of older single ply roofs will have “bridging” or open corner flashings (“fish mouths”) and they are the most common problems with curb and wall flashings.
“Bridging” has pulled this membrane completely away from the termination bar and wall.
Here, “bridging” has ripped the membrane.
The next thing I’m looking at is the seams of the roof. Older rubber roofs were installed using only adhesive and the seams have a tendency over time to separate as the rubber membrane shrinks.
This is a common issue among older rubber roofs; however, it is repairable without having to go to a costly roof replacement.
One of the last things I will look at is the condition of the membrane. As EPDM, PVC, and TPO age, the membrane itself will begin to deteriorate and may even become hard and brittle. Once this has occurred there is really no other option but to replace the roof.
This is a PVC membrane that has become so brittle the roof has actually split open.
There are some other conditions that I’m looking for while on the roof and the conditions above are just the main contributors to roof leaks for single ply roofs. While most leaks can be repaired and ceiling tiles can be replaced it is important to understand that negligence of these leaks will most likely lead to a roof replacement. It is important to give your roofing contractor a call when a leak occurs. What may look like a small stain on a ceiling tile may be a huge problem on your roof. Having the issue resolved quickly can give you some peace of mind, maybe keep some money in your pocket, and keep you from wondering “what’s wrong with my roof?”
You can reach Chris at mummert@heidler.com or in the office at 717-291-4405.
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