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Why Is My New Roof Leaking?

[fa icon="calendar"] Jul 10, 2018 6:05:00 AM / by Krystal Coddington

Krystal Coddington

 

why is my new roof leakingRoof leaks are always frustrating to deal with, but they are even worse when you’ve just shelled out to replace your roof.

Roofs are intricately designed systems, and a failure of one part of the system does not entail a widespread problem. Meaning, addressing the leak promptly can limit the extent of the damage. If your new roof is leaking, it is important to address the issue immediately because failing to will likely cause more components of your roof to break down.

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Causes of Commercial Roof Leaks in New Installations

The causes of commercial roof leaks in new roof installations are usually due to human failure. Installing a roof is a detailed process, and slip-ups by contractors are far too common.

While the root of a new roof leak is usually due to failed installation, it is important to understand the reasons for why your roof may be leaking today despite holding strong in the past.

Poor Workmanship

Roof installation is an intricate process. If your roof is leaking shortly after installation, then poor workmanship is a likely culprit. Failing to do something as simple as adequately screwing in roofing screws or as tricky as accounting for capillary draw often results in a leak.

Defective Roofing Materials

While responsible contractors source roofing materials from trustworthy suppliers, faulty materials are always a possibility. If your new roof is experiencing a leak, it may be because parts of your roof are comprised of materials not capable of protecting the structure as intended.

Luckily, most roof purchases come with a manufacturer’s warranty included. If your new roof is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty and is leaking due to defective materials, then you should be covered!

Major Weather Event

Unfortunately, even perfectly installed roofs may not withstand a major storm.

  • Extreme Rains
    Extreme rains can create water loads parts of your roofing system cannot withstand.
  • Extreme Wind
    Extreme winds can cause structural damage that creates previously absent weaknesses in your roof. 
  • Hail
    Hail can be devastating for any roof. Hail can destroy shingles, dent metal roofing systems, and smash sealants that protect your roofs from leaks.

Most roofing systems are not designed to handle the most extreme of weather conditions. If you’ve recently experienced severe weather, there is a good chance that it is the cause of your leak.

 

Damage Caused by People Standing on the Roof

Despite an incredible ability to withstand weather damage, roofs are usually ill-equipped for human foot traffic. If you have had people standing on your roof since installation, then this might be the cause of your leak.

Despite most roofing systems not being designed for foot traffic, it is not uncommon. If you’ve recently had an AC repair completed, or if your roof is easily accessible, foot traffic may be the cause of your leak.

 

What to Do If You Have a Leaking Commercial Roof

Here are a few things you should do if your commercial roof is leaking:

Minimize Water Damage

If you’ve become aware of a roof leak, you should first attempt to minimize water damage. Tracing the leak to ensure it is only draining in already identified areas is vital. While you may have other forms of liability protection, it is unlikely that your roof warranty will cover any internal damage to your property.

Check Your Warranty

A newly installed commercial roof is likely still under warranty. One of Your first moves should be to make sure that you do nothing that can void your roof’s warranty. You also may find that you are entitled to free or cheap roof repair.

Contact an Experienced Professional

A commercial roof leak can be serious business. Do it yourself tactics are risky, and there’s a good chance they will cost you money in the long run. Having an experienced professional inspect and repair your roof is crucial.

Contacting a roofing professional as soon as possible is advisable in any commercial roof leak scenario. It is difficult to assess the extent of damage to your roof and the longer a leak goes unrepaired, the more likely you are to have to foot the bill for costly damages.



Roof leaks come in various shapes and sizes. While a leak on a newly installed roof is undeniably frustrating, recognize that the leak might be due to something that can be repaired quickly and easily. Roof maintenance is a key part of increasing your roof’s lifespan but becomes even more important when a leak is identified.

To mitigate damages arising from roof leaks contact a experienced roofing professional to get your roof back into shape.

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Krystal Coddington

Written by Krystal Coddington