With a leaky roof, when the rain starts pouring outside, you see the dripping inside. Chances are you know just about where it’s going to fall — and you even have a designated bucket or two. While those buckets on the ground protect your floor, the roof insulation and the roof decking are being destroyed. So even if you only see your roof leak during heavy rain, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a factor at other times as well.

Learn more about the most important signs of flat roof leaks.

The main way that you as a business owner or maintenance manager can stop a leak during a rainstorm is by locating the leak on the surface of your roof and applying a temporary patch. Made with an asphalt base and roof sealant, these temporary patches are available at most hardware stores.

To apply the patch, first you’ll want to locate the approximate area on the roof where the leak is coming through from the inside. Then you’ll want to safely climb on top of your roof and locate the approximate spot you found inside. From there, you’ll walk uphill on the roof looking for possible leak spots, including pipes, seams, flashings, and general punctures. Once you locate the leaky area, apply the asphalt patch while it is still raining. This should slow the leak for that particular rainstorm and for a few additional days.

Remember, only do this if you feel comfortable walking and working on your roof safely. Whether you were able to temporarily stem the tide, you’ll want to contact a roofing company to provide you information on the damage as well as a long-term roof waterproofing solution.

Learn more about the 5 most common roof repair repairs.

The damage caused by a persistent roof leak has a far greater impact than you’d think. The frequent water infiltration damages the roof surface and more. This problem only gets worse — and more expensive — the longer it’s allowed to continue.

You’ll know when the roof surface has become damaged by water when it feels soft to walk on, almost like carpet. When the roof feels soft or you see sagging when you walk on it, these are signs that a replacement is needed.

The roofing insulation between the ceiling and the roof itself often takes damage from regular roof leaks as well. Water becomes trapped in the layer of insulation and is slow to evaporate, causing widespread mold growth.

Finally, the metal or wooden decking that supports the roof can also be undermined by frequent water leaks. If your building has open decking, you can actually inspect it directly on a ladder. Wooden roof decking begins to rot and grow mold after long term water leaks, while metal roof decking tends to rust.

The more extensive the damage is, the more expensive it will be to fix. That’s why we always recommend preventative maintenance — and not waiting around for commercial roof leak repair. While all three of these signs suggest that a full roof replacement is necessary, many roofs are eligible for the signature roof restoration and waterproofing solutions from J. Smucker Contracting.

See the average costs for flat roof replacement.

Roof Waterproofing Solutions from J. Smucker Contracting