Finding a roof leak at your commercial building may set your teeth on edge. Whether there is a subtle discolored stain on your ceiling, a burst pipe in the ceiling or ceiling dripping water when it rains, you need to solve the problem as soon as possible to minimize damage. But is the leak an emergency?
Every roof leak is considered urgent, but some cases are more urgent than others. Here’s how to know if your leak is an emergency for both business owners and homeowners.
Disruption of Business Operations or Daily Life
For businesses, a roof leak is considered an emergency when it affects the daily functioning of the work going on inside the building. If there’s a slow, small leak, but you can still conduct your business like normal without interruptions, it would not be considered a roofing emergency. The leak may call for immediately making a repair appointment with a roofer, but it may not call for a same-day response like true emergencies require.
Conversely, a severe roof leak could force a building owner or tenants to shut down operations for several hours or days. Water actively dripping down from the ceiling and leaving puddles on the floor is a roofing emergency and one of the clearest signs you need immediate roof leak repair services.
Until the roof is repaired, the affected areas should be secured and/or evacuated to prevent slip and fall accidents. Disruptive leaks that lead to business downtime and losses should be addressed right away.
For homeowners, the equivalent disruption is when a leak prevents you from living safely and comfortably in your home. If you need to move furniture, use buckets to collect water, or avoid parts of your house, it’s more than a nuisance — it’s an emergency.
Damaged Products or Belongings
In commercial spaces, water doesn’t mix well with many things. A leak over big equipment would be considered a major emergency. Whether it’s a small or large leak, water has the potential to:
- Ruin equipment
- Damage inventory
- Cause an electrical fire
- Cause serious injuries
If you’re running a warehouse, retail shop, or self-storage business, a roof leak can damage your inventory. As such, a roof leak becomes an emergency if there’s a risk of products and materials being damaged.
For residential properties, the stakes are just as high but more personal. Leaks can damage family heirlooms, furniture, appliances, and flooring. A small leak over a bedroom may not be an emergency at first, but water soaking into mattresses, carpeting, or electronics can quickly escalate the problem.
Electrical Shock and Fire Hazard
Your electrical system is highly vulnerable to water, whether in a business or a home. The connection areas might not be as well-protected as coated wire running the length of your building. Junction boxes, for instance, contain uncovered wires that can become electrically charged if they come in contact with moisture from a leaking roof. Wet wires may:
- Short out
- Throw sparks
- Cause a fire
- Damage the rest of the electrical system
Action: a roof leak near electrical systems is an immediate emergency. Shut off power at the main panel and call both an electrician and a roofing contractor.
Worsening Structural Water Damage
Water may travel through the decking, framing, insulation, and other materials on its way inside. Structural damage is one of the most obvious signs of a serious and long-standing roof leak. It shows in the form of:
- Damaged ceiling joists
- Rafters
- Decking
- Wall framing
- Trim
- Fascia
- Soffit
Leaky roofs never get better on their own or fix themselves. Even if the leak isn’t bad yet, it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible. It may not be an immediate emergency, but it will grow larger day by day.
A small leak can silently cause considerable roof and interior damage. This damage will get worse each day and would be considered an emergency.
A general rule of thumb for determining the severity of a leak is to check the speed at which droplets fall.
- Are they fast and big? Contact a reliable roofing contractor for emergency leak repair.
- Are they small and slow? While not an emergency, you should have the problem addressed quickly.
Steps to Take for Commercial & Residential Roof Leaks
A preventative roof maintenance program with a semi-annual roof inspection and repairs should be considered. The program can:
- Help avoid water damage and operational disruption
- Prevent small issues from worsening
- Extend the roof’s lifespan
- Safeguard the building’s integrity
- Avert the need for emergency roof repairs
- Save money while keeping your roof waterproof
Depending on the severity of the damage, dealing with a leaking roof can involve:
- Repairing the immediate area
- Replacing the damaged roofing material
- Restoring the top coating
- Replacing the entire roofing system
Trust in Midwest Roofing for your commercial roofing needs. We provide emergency roofing services as well as preventative maintenance options to fit almost every budget. We will stop those leaks to make sure your commercial building is protected for the long haul. Contact us today to get a free project estimate. We serve commercial building owners and managers from Columbia to Springfield.
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