If you have a leak in the roof of your commercial property, it's important to get it looked at before it's too late. It's easy to put roof repairs off. They slip to the back of your mind, especially when your property is large enough that it doesn't cause any immediate problems to your work or employees. If it's not directly leaking on your products or employees, what's the problem?
It's not that simple. Leaving a roof leak alone can lead to serious consequences. It's important to get a professional to repair or prevent the damage before you end up having a more costly (and dangerous) problem.
Don't believe us? Read on to learn the dangers of a commercial roof leak.
Mould and Mildew When your roof leaks, you're going to end up with mould and mildew problems. When you're not paying attention to the leak and water begins to pool, the damp atmosphere creates mould and mildew growth. Mould starts as an aesthetic problem. It leaves dark marks on the ceiling or walls where the growth is happening. If it manages to make its way into your HVAC system, however, it can spread around. It's best to call a professional before it reaches that point.
Health and Safety Concerns As a business owner, it's important to ensure the health of your employees and customers. There are several ways that a leaky roof can hurt anyone inside your building (including yourself). When the mould travels through the HVAC system and spreads through the air, it can trigger respiratory problems. This is especially damaging during flu season when people already have illnesses that can be exacerbated or for asthmatic people. Leaks can also cause slip and fall accidents. Not only will this hurt the person who fell, but it can also create liability concerns for your business.
Structural Damage When water is allowed to seep into your building, the roof decking and structure will become weaker over time. In time these materials can corrode and rot. You may experience cave-ins or areas where the wood buckles. Even drywall will begin to fall apart with water damage. These structural problems are more expensive than roof repair or maintenance, and you'll be facing many extra costs to repair the problems.
Electrical Shorts Water and electricity are a bad combination. While many wires and electronics are reinforced to be "water-safe", this is only true within reason. They're safe against an accidental spray or some dampness. If water frequently interacts with your electronics, they may short out. Worst case scenario, they spark up, and you run the risk of a fire and subsequent fire damage.
Equipment or Product Damage A leak that goes unnoticed can drip onto your products or equipment before you have time to catch it. If you're not one to check your storage rooms often, you may find yourself with a mouldy and damaged collection of products that you can no longer sell. This is a massive hit to profits. Worse still, if you use expensive equipment in your building, you can find yourself facing losses due to water damage. Damaged equipment can be hard to replace and will set your workflow back.
Don't Put Off Roof Repairs
When you have a leak, it's crucial to hire a professional for your roof repairs. Don't let the leaks slip to the bottom of your to-do list, or you can face some dire consequences.
If you're worried about leaks in your commercial building, contact a professional roofing company serving Windsor and Southwestern Ontario. Quinn Roofing Solutions can conduct a free roof inspection, handle any emergency repairs and set up a maintenance plan so you can keep your building safe.