It all starts with a small leak or stain on the roof. These are always a problem, because you never want to let them go and escalate in size. If nothing is done about the water leak, it can lead to structural damage and costly repairs. In the world of commercial property, it’s common for an owner to be concerned by some form of leaking. These could be caused by a variety of things like plumbing issues or faulty windows, air-conditioning units and as such they may not necessarily come from the roof itself.
These are the most common places that leaks occur that aren’t being caused by the roof.
HVAC Units
Air conditioning units can cause a lot of leaks. You could have a condensate line blockage; the unit is mounted poorly or any number of things. It’s important to be mindful and to inspect the room before you go up on the roof. Finding the leaking area on the inside and seeing if it correlates to an item on the roof is a great first step in determining if your HVAC unit is the cause of leaks. To prevent water damage to your home, check the units at where water may get in. Look for holes or missing screws that allow rainwater to enter and become a part of the building. Check for leaking pipes and inspect for Mold.
Condensation and Moisture
When you walk into an excessively cold building, the extreme temperature difference can cause condensation. This moisture often drips and causes messes on floors and other surfaces. Most of this comes down to the design of a building’s air conditioning system, which can be done through installing pipes, ducts, or vents on the roof. However, identifying what it is usually isn’t too difficult. When it’s raining outside, it can be hard to distinguish between rain or condensation on your windows. But if there’s always water leaking into the ceiling, then it’s possible that the pipes & ducts could be causing this. If it turns out to be the case, a professional air conditioning mechanic might have some serious problems to address in the air-cooling system in a building.
Plumbing from Roof Drains
It’s important to look out for plumbing from roof drains. Often, as houses and buildings age, the seals and pipes may be damaged over time. This can lead to potential maintenance issues that are best avoided by being proactive about inspection. A leak that is coming from the roof can be an indicator of plumbing issues. Plumbing negligence can lead to many consequences such as contamination, flooding, and leakages. It’s best to consult a roofing contractor and a plumbing contractor to make sure you know where the leak is coming from. Leaks can happen on the roof too, but fear not! A professional will know how to deal with this issue so that you can get back to running the business. If it’s the roof drain that’s causing the leak, consider fixing it with a metal retrofit roof drain or to suit your roofing purpose.
Cracks in Walls and Joints
If water is coming out of the exterior building walls, this could be a sign that the insulation around the cracks is compromised. Leaks in a structure will usually occur at faulty joints. These are often more vulnerable to leaking over time because the sealant will have deteriorated. Check on the exterior walls on a regular basis to ensure there aren’t any cracks or voids. If they start showing more than they used to, have a specialist come and check them out.
A leak in the walls is common in commercial buildings.