Weather and wind account for 95% of roof leaks. When you live in an area like Michigan that has extreme weather conditions ranging from very hot to below zero temperatures, in addition to wind, rain, and snow; you can expect your roof to get weathered. Northern Michigan experiences the most dramatic weather conditions in the state, and both commercial and residential roofs in our area can take a heavy toll.
Because residential and commercial roofing in Michigan is continually exposed to the elements, especially wind and flying debris, it is almost certain that given enough time and lack of proper maintenance, at least some of the flashings will get worn and likely cause a leak. The flashing is a form of weatherproofing on a roof. It is usually a continuous piece of impervious material, often sheet metal, used to cover joints or openings on roofs. You will usually find flashing around pipes, chimneys, seams or joints on a roof.
When you have a commercial building it is imperative that you schedule annual roof inspections. Because commercial buildings usually have more than one tenant a roof leak could affect many different businesses. A proper roof inspection that gives special attention to any possible weathering on the flashing could save yourself not only money but also your reputation with your tenants.
A Springfield SmartRoof™ does not use shingles so that eliminates one culprit of roof leaks. If you have a Springfield SmartRoof™ you won’t have to watch for wear and tear or water getting under shingles. Other common places to watch for leaks are:
- Valleys – a line where two roof planes intersect
- Wall Step Flashings – where a roof climbs along side a vertical wall
- Chimneys – chimneys have four different types of flashings therefore they are a major source of roof leaks.
- Plumbing vent flashings – many new plumbing vent flashings incorporate a rubber seal and aluminum flashing. Watch for cracked rubber around the plumbing pipes.
- Furnace flashing – much like a plumbing vent but often has a metal storm collar. Watch for leaks around these collars.
- Ice dam leaks – this is a common Traverse City Michigan roof repair. Unfortunately ice dams block the natural flow of water even on roofs without problems, pushing water up under flashing and causing leaks.
- Wind blown rain leaks – again another common Michigan roof leak, wind can force rain up under perfectly good flashings.
Commercial roofing in Michigan is certainly plagued by the weather but damage can be prevented. First be sure to install a quality roof like a Springfield SmartRoof™ that can eliminate many of your potential roofing complications. Then schedule routine maintenance or inspections to catch any damage from elements before they become a problem.
Call us for your free evaluation at 231-263-5300 or visit our website at springfieldsmartroof.com.