Because water can move both horizontally and vertically, tracing the source of a commercial roof leak can be tricky. And roof leaks don’t always have visible signs. Luckily, new technology helps roofers quickly trace a hidden leak’s path and repair it quickly to minimize damage.
Visible signs of a roof leak
Before moving on to more advanced leak detection methods, you’ll want to check for the following visual signs of a roof leak:
Interior
- Stained ceilings or walls
- Dripping water
- Peeling paint
- Wet or discolored insulation in the attic
- Musty/moldy smell
Exterior
- Failed membrane seams
- Damaged flashings around penetrations and HVAC equipment
- Tears or punctures in the roof membrane
- Blisters
- Standing water
If you haven’t identified the leak source after checking for these visible signs, there are more advanced methods you can use.
How to identify hidden roof leaks
To trace the source of a hidden roof leak, several technological tools can help.
Drones
Drones can be used to access and inspect the roof without setting foot on the surface. In certain situations, this may be required, especially if structural damage to the roof is suspected. Equipped with cameras, drones can capture still images and video, enabling experts to quickly assess damage and identify the source of a leak without leaving the ground.
Infrared imaging
When moisture gets under a roof and makes the insulation below wet, the wet materials absorb more heat during the day and release it more slowly at night. Infrared imaging detects moisture beneath the roof by identifying temperature differences in the materials beneath the roof deck.
Thermal images are usually taken in the evening, when daytime heat has cooled. The wet areas will be slightly warmer than the surrounding materials, making detection easier. Roofers then use these images to trace the moisture path from the roof to the interior. This gives them a complete picture of the leak’s effects and can indicate where it began.
Electric field vector mapping
Using an electric current, roofers can pinpoint breaches in most membrane roofing systems. A wire loop is placed around the suspected leak area, with one lead connected to a pulse generator and the other to the roof deck. When the roof is wet, and there’s a breach in the membrane, the electric current flows across the surface, through the breach, and connects to the ground on the deck, completing the circuit. Using two probes and a receiver, the roofer can trace the current flow direction, leading them to the exact leak location.
Vector mapping offers precise leak location, is reliable, and can detect even the smallest membrane defects. It works with most membrane roofing types, except metal-coated and carbon-black EPDM.
What to do when you find a commercial roof leak
After you contact a roofer, you’ll want to take these steps to help with leak detection and protect your valuables and property.
- If possible, while the leak is active, mark the affected area. Place a mark on the floor, ceiling, or other part of the structure where water is dripping or where you think the leak is coming from. This helps the roofer identify the affected area even if the leak dries up.
- Minimize further damage by clearing the area of valuables or property, or cover it with plastic or a tarp if moving property isn’t feasible.
- Rule out other sources of moisture, such as leaking pipes. When searching for the source of the leak, note any wet piping, ductwork, or conduits, and mark them accordingly.
No matter where your commercial roof leak originates, the experts at New Roofs can efficiently identify its source and perform the necessary repairs. To get started with a roof inspection today, contact our team.