Winter and spring storms in Wisconsin bring high winds, hail, rain, snow, and ice. Together, they can cause significant damage to your commercial building and roof:
- Wind can lift shingles and membrane roofing materials and damage flashings around equipment and vents.
- Hail can puncture or damage your roof, leaving dents or cracks that can lead to roof leaks.
- Rain can pool on a flat roof, causing structural damage due to its weight.
- Snow and ice can accumulate on your roof, putting extra strain on your building’s structural system.
Once a storm has passed, and it’s safe to do so, you should inspect your building, including the roof, and the surrounding property for damage. When inspecting your roof, ensure you do so safely and have the proper fall protection equipment. If not, call a professional.
Signs of Storm Damage on a Commercial Roof
Here are a few things to look for when inspecting your commercial roof after a storm:
- Punctures or tears in the membrane – Tears, holes, or punctures in the roof membrane may be caused by wind, hail, or flying debris.
- Bubbles or blisters – Bubbles or blisters in your roof membrane may indicate that moisture is trapped underneath.
- Missing or damaged flashings – Metal flashings around HVAC equipment, vents, and other roof penetrations can be lifted, bent, or even removed completely by high winds or debris.
- Standing water – If you’ve got standing water on your flat roof 48 hours after a storm, you probably have clogged rain drains or your roof deck is sagging, which is a sign of structural damage.
- Dents in metal components – Hail can cause denting in metal roof panels, HVAC equipment, and vent pipes.
- Granule loss – If you have an asphalt or modified bitumen roof, lost granules can indicate protective layer damage. Granules can be found in gutters or drains as well as on the ground.
- Broken seams – Wind can break the welded or adhesive bond at the seams between membrane sheets, peeling it back and exposing the roof deck or insulation.
- Lifted membrane – The membrane may lift up during high winds if the adhesive bond holding it to the deck fails.
- Gutter damage – If your building has gutters, they can be damaged by hail, winds, flying debris, or snow.
Here are some interior and structural signs of storm damage:
- Staining – Dark staining of walls, ceilings, or paint may indicate water intrusion from a roof leak.
- Dripping – Obvious water drips through the ceiling to the floor below.
- Bubbling or peeling paint or wallpaper – Bubbling may be a sign that moisture is trapped underneath.
- Sagging ceiling tiles – Warped or sagging ceiling tiles may be an indication of a roof leak.
- Wet insulation – When water leaks through the roof assembly, it can create wet insulation in the attic or on top of the roof deck.
- Musty or moldy odors – Trapped moisture can lead to mold or mildew growth, which is also evidenced by black or dark stains on walls and ceilings.
- Sagging roof deck – A sagging deck can be a sign of structural damage caused by water breaking down wooden structural components.
If you notice any of these signs of commercial roof damage after a storm, call a professional roofer as soon as possible for a comprehensive roof inspection. They’re trained to look for damage and can help you determine if repairs can be made or if your roof needs to be replaced. Waiting can cause further damage and may lead to structural weakening and roof collapse.
The experts at New Roofs are here to help, whether it’s before or after a storm. Contact our experienced team for more information.