Common Problems Caused by Leaking Commercial Roofs

The quality of your roof is one of the most important aspects of the property management business and its success, however issues and leaks with a roof are ignored or put off over and over again. This is due to the fact that roof issues are difficult to fix yourself, and often require professional assistance which can be expensive. However it is key to keep in mind that the longer you let a leak spread, the worse and more expensive the repairs will get. In this blog we will be going over all the things a leaky roof can cause , which should give you some motivation to go and get your own roof looked at. 

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Mould & Mildew Growth

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Leaks create the perfect environment for mould and mildew to take over your roof's inner structure. Mould loves damp environments and a leaky roof can become a haven for mould to take root. Mould and mildew can cause air quality issues which can lead to sickness for anyone in the building, so getting on top of any mould issues quickly is very important in order to ensure the safety of your employees. Mould can spread quickly through things like carpet and drywall, turning a small fix into a big issue fast. If left long enough, mould can also lead to structural issues with your roof and building in general, since it creates an environment that is harmful to wood and can cause it to rot. 

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Wood Rot

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Water can cause mould growth, and this mould growth plus the water can begin to break down the wood in your roof and cause it to get spongy. If you are looking for the source of a leak or mould growth, look for areas where the wood is at its worst, as this is most likely where it originated from. Once the wood begins to rot, it becomes weaker and weaker. This compromises the strength of the wood and thus the structural integrity of your entire roof system, which means it is at risk for a partial or full collapse. If the leak is ignored for long enough and the rot is too severe or extensive to fix, the entire roof may need to be ripped off and replaced which can put a big dent in your bottom line. 

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Fire Hazards

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Leaks can sometimes find their way in the electrical systems of your building, which can become a fire hazard. If you have any exposed wiring in your building, that combined with some water is all a fire needs to get started in your building. This is also a reason to make sure your electrical systems are in good working condition and do not have any exposed wiring that could lead to a fire, however if you leak is bad enough and left for long enough, even unexposed wiring can be eroded away until it is exposed and ready to start a fire. 

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Slipping Hazards

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Leaks often make their way to the floor of your building by dripping through your ceiling. This creates puddles on the floor which can lead to you or your employees to slip and hurt themselves. This not only is a danger to the health and safety of your employees, but also to your bottom line as well in the case an injured employee decides to take legal action against you for any injuries sustained due to a slip. This can hurt your bottom line in more ways than one since if an employee is injured, you will most likely need to replace them until they are ready for work again, costing you more money during the recruitment, selection and training process. 

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Energy Inefficiency

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Water can damage the insulation in your building, causing it to be less effective at reducing the transfer of heat from inside your building to the outside world. The hole itself that is causing the leak also allows hot air to escape and cold air to be let in, making your heating system work much harder than it needs to to keep the place warm. This can become an expensive problem since your energy bill can go through the roof if your heating system is working very hard to keep your building at a comfortable temperature. This also creates more pollution, since the emissions your heating system puts out increase sharply based on how hard it is running. 

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How VendorPM Can Help

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Once you notice you have a leak in your roof, the first thing you should be thinking of is bringing in someone to access and fix the issue before it gets out of hand. You want to make sure you get the right vendor for the job who will get the job done right the first time for a good price. The last thing you need is a vendor who does not do a good job and leaves you vulnerable for further leaks in the future, setting you back even further. VendorPM allows you to pick from thousands of peer review vendors so that you can make a confident and informed decision when picking the right vendor for the job. 

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Transcona Roofing

Winnipeg, MB

Established in 1959, we are a full service roofing and waterproofing contractor dedicated to building long term relationships with our customers through the installation, repair, & maintenance of industrial, commercial & institutional buildings. Our focus is on combining creative problem solving and unmatched customer service to exceed your expectations and creating a higher standard in the commercial roofing industry. For a hassle-free roofing installation, inspection, and maintenance experience unlike any other, we are your commercial roofing partner. As a full-service roofing contractor we have completed over $500 million of roofing/waterproofing construction in the Manitoba marketplace including high profile contracts such as the ones highlighted in our project portfolio. We have grown from 2 employees and 1 asphalt kettle to more than 100 dedicated employees during peak season with more than 500 roofs under our RoofCare+TM roof management program. Our philosophy is simple we want to provide ongoing value by helping to extend the life of your roof through annual maintenance which allows us to catch small items before they turn into bigger issues.

Destiny Roofing Corp

Brampton, ON

Destiny Roofing is an ICI roofing contractor working closely with property managers, roofing consultants, engineers, and various clients to provide top-notch roofing services in both the private and public sectors of construction. From new construction projects built from the ground up, expansion projects, or re-roofing projects, Destiny Roofing Corp is the right roofing contractor that will make all of the difference in the world for your commercial or residential property. Destiny Roofing is keen to build its reputation and earn repeat business by: -working collaboratively with clients -welcoming difficult projects -identifying customers needs -being honest and respectful Destiny Roofing is available to consult, quote, and work on your commercial roofing projects all year round. Raise your commercial roofing expectations.

Masi Group Inc

Woodbridge, ON

Masi Group Inc. Specializes in the following: Roof repair, Roof replacement, Emergency roof repairs, General Maintenance, Skylight repairs, Sheet Metal and Sheet Metal Siding.

Delta Roofing Inc.

Etobicoke, ON

Delta Roofing is a full service ICI roofing company offering maintenance, repair, and replacement of commercial flat roofing systems. We also offer our services for full roof inspection and reports for investment opportunities, cost budgeting, and general proactive maintenance planning.

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