Some things, like wine or cheese, improve with time. However, a leak in your roof is definitely NOT one of them. Leaks never repair themselves; they only worsen.
As a busy business owner, you have a lot on your plate. Addressing every single little leak could be something you simply forget or don’t have time for. This is not an omission you can afford.
Consequences of Unaddressed Leaks
It is just a little leak, so you decide to put it off until later. That decision could have catastrophic long-term consequences.
Wood Rot. The presence of moisture against your substructure over time will lead the wood to rot. This reduces the structural integrity of the entire area.
Mold. That ongoing leak provides the perfect environment for the development of mold. Not only unsightly, mold is a significant health hazard to your employees or tenants. Remediation is expensive and can be highly destructive.
Inventory Loss. There could be loss of inventory. Paper products, electronics and various other hard goods can be very susceptible to water damage. If the loss is to a tenant, as the owner you may still be on the hook to replace it or cover the cost of damages.
Additional Roof Damage. The constant presence of water in your roofing system will lead to degradation of the system overall and result in premature failure.
Should a freeze occur, the water present in the roofing system will freeze and thaw. The presence of ice/water and the recurrence of freezing/thawing will cause the leak to enlarge and expand, making the situation increasingly worse (and more expensive).
Slips & Falls. The pooling of water within the building can build up into puddles or slick spots on the flooring. An employee or customer fall is certainly a concern you must consider.
Electric Fire. Should the leak be in an area where electric wiring or outlets are present, the risk of the leak causing a short and leading to an electric fire is clear.
Catastrophic Failure. Though the most extreme result, failure to address leaks will ultimately lead to a wholesale failure of the roof itself and require a full replacement. This is a costly and time-consuming endeavor, particularly if it could have been prevented.
When you have a roof leak, regardless of the size, you need to have it addressed IMMEDIATELY. You not only need the obvious leak repaired, you truly need a full inspection to ensure the water from the known leak hasn’t migrated into unexpected areas and caused unseen damage.
To schedule your inspection and free estimate, call our North and Central Ohio location at 419-492-2201 or our South Ohio and Kentucky location at 740-776-7777.