When it comes to owning a commercial property, certain aspects are vital to ensuring its protection from the elements. One of the most important features of the property is the roof. Knowing the specific causes of roof damage can help owners ensure they have the insurance coverage they need to protect against the losses resulting from such events and what they can do to help prevent them.
The Common Causes of Commercial Roof Damage
When owning and operating a commercial property, owners should be aware of the potential risks of damage occurring. Any kind of property will endure damage throughout its time in operation which can bring about major headaches for owners. Roof damage in particular can be troublesome, as signs of immediate damage are not always apparent. While performing routine maintenance is often the best course of action to prevent the need for costly repairs and dealing with insurers, this doesn’t always happen. Being able to catch the warning signs of roof damage early on can help enable commercial property owners to perform repairs before they become critical and may end up not being covered due to a failure to maintain the property. The common causes and indicators of commercial roof damage property owners should be mindful of include:
Leaks and Faulty Flashing
One of the top causes of commercial roof damage is faulty flashing. Roof flashing is used by professional roofers to direct water away from critical areas of the roof and is typically installed around vents, chimneys, and skylights. Installing flashing requires accounting for the expansion and contraction of roof materials in response to the elements. When installed incorrectly or punctured, flashing can cause a roof to leak. Additionally, issues around a roof’s pitch pan can also cause leaks to emerge. The pitch pan is used to seal the areas around pipes that may go through the roof. When they are not sealed properly, they can easily cause leaks.
Strong Winds
Strong winds from major storms can also cause commercial roof damage. When roofing materials are not accurately installed and maintained, wind pressure can put additional strain on roof flashing. When this pressure combines with internal pressure, a wind uplift occurs. Over time, this ultimately damages the flashing, seams, and membranes of a commercial roof. High winds can also blow vent caps off and allow water to leak in.
Punctures
Although commercial roofs are designed to withstand years of weather and pressure, sometimes the roof membrane can be punctured and lead to leaks, which necessitate costly repairs. This is especially true with regard to hailstorms that have the potential to drop sizable hailstones directly onto a roof. Hailstones can hit already vulnerable portions of a roof and easily puncture it. On occasion, having HVAC, plumbing, and/or electrical contractors work on a roof can create punctures as well in the event they drop a heavy object or machinery on the roof. They can also inadvertently cause damage to flashing during their time working on the roof of a commercial property.
Standing Water
Standing or ponding water can occur on a roof due to clogged drainage systems, a poorly installed roof, or a roof that has not been well maintained. Regardless, the presence of standing water can add an incredible amount of pressure on the roof’s surface.
One gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds, meaning 100 gallons of water on a roof can add 834 pounds of dead weight on top of a roof. When water accumulates, the acceptable weight load of the roof may be exceeded which could lead to massive structural damage to the roof that may even cause it to collapse.
New Equipment Installation
The installation of new or upgraded equipment on a commercial property’s roof can also add considerable weight to it. In these cases, property owners may unknowingly exceed the roof load and put the integrity of not only the roof but the building as a whole, at risk. When planning the installation or replacement of equipment on the roof, commercial property owners should calculate the roof’s dead load, live load, and transient load capacity to avoid exceeding the overall load capacity.
Poor Roof Maintenance
When a commercial property owner does not maintain their roof or perform regular inspections on it, this can cause costly repairs that could have been avoided. If the property owner notices water stains on the ceiling or other indicators a roof has been damaged, a professional roofer should be called in for an inspection. Performing routine commercial roof inspections can help owners locate problems at the outset and avoid having a commercial property damage insurance claim be denied due to improper maintenance.
Insurance Coverage Attorneys
Dealing with a damaged roof can be cumbersome for even the most established commercial property owner. While a small roof leak can easily be patched if located quickly, it can become detrimental if left unattended. While filing a commercial property damage claim is an important step toward getting a damaged commercial roof repaired, if a valid claim is denied, underpaid, or delayed, you could need legal counsel. At Raizner Slania, we have handled thousands of insurance claim denial cases and have a proven track record of success against every major insurer. If you have a valid roof damage claim that your insurer is attempting to delay or deny, we can help you hold them accountable. Contact our office today for more information.
