This article will discuss three of the most common causes of flat commercial roof leaks.
Epdm gutters leak then not leak.
Ponding water leads to leaks.
Epdm rubbers cannot handle foot traffic very well.
This article describes an epdm roof installation study roof repair history spanning fourteen years from original rubber roof installation and the mistakes shortcuts that led to leaks and trouble to an extensive tear off and re roof repair that was made along the entire problem roof s lower edge.
Water can soak into the roof and cause a leak.
Epdm rubber roofing membrane not a lasting solution for commercial roofs.
If the water is coming from a leak between the gutter and the fascia it is very likely that this is a gutter problem and that the back of the gutter was not installed correctly.
Clogged gutter if your gutters clogged up with debris or leaves water will stop flowing off the roof.
I like to use a squeezable tube for gutter sealer because it is easier to handle and you can normally get the tube right inside the gutter even if there is a gutter hanger clip near the seam.
The interior of the end drop downspout connection will probably need to be repaired or replaced where it passes through the house eaves or soffit.
The spillage that does not fall to the ground can accumulate on the roof causing damage.
Here s two ways to not repair a leaky gutter and one solid way to do the job correctly so that it holds for years not weeks.
Otherwise your gutter may not leak for a time but its water will still leak into the soffits.
Leaky epdm rubber roof repair details.
We illustrate how choice of the wrong roof edge.
While not a permanent fix you can generally get another season or two out of the gutters as long as the damage isn t extensive by applying a silicone or rubber gutter caulk or sealant.
However more often then not weeks or even days later the leak returns to the befuddlement of the home owner.
When it comes to commercial roofs then epdm rubber is not the way to go.
Consider getting a gutter cover to help keep the gutters free of debris.
My approach has been to re line the gutter with modified bitumen epdm rarely or copper expensive.
If the water is dripping between the fascia and the soffit or only from the soffit this is a good indicator that the leak is coming from your roof.
A leaking roof occurs when your gutter cannot maintain the water drainage from your roof.
It is a good rubber but not something that would last as long as a modified bitumen rubber.
Do not apply silicone on top of silicone or on top of the old gutter sealant.