search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • Techos y Más Advisory Board
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!
Columns

How to Determine if a Building Has a Bad Roof

By John D'Annunzio
January 1, 2007
The most visible of all roof-related problems is moisture intrusion into the facility -- i.e., the roof leak. Roof leaks do not necessarily indicate total roof system failure. They indicate that there is a failure point within the system. That failure point must be corrected prior to extensive damage to the roof as a system. The extent of the damage to the components of the system caused by the leak will have a greater bearing on the overall system failure.



It is the experience of most building owners and property managers that roofs of commercial facilities, particularly in temperate climates and those having a low slope, are a chronic problem.

The most visible of all roof-related problems is moisture intrusion into the facility -- i.e., the roof leak. Roof leaks do not necessarily indicate total roof system failure. They indicate that there is a failure point within the system. That failure point must be corrected prior to extensive damage to the roof as a system. The extent of the damage to the components of the system caused by the leak will have a greater bearing on the overall system failure. For example, a split in a roofing membrane amounts to immediate failure to protect the building’s structure and its contents, as does a flashing failure, detachment due to wind forces, mechanical damage by man, or any change in the protective function of the roofing membrane.



The Roof as a System

The important fact to consider is that there exists a distinct synergism in the dysfunction of a roofing system. In simple terms, when one part of a roof system fails, the rest of the “pieces” of that system will eventually fail as well.

To determine if the roof system has failed, it is important to analyze the entire system. Regardless of the membrane covering, all roof systems are comprised of similar components. The materials for the components are the only variations. The roof system components include:
  • Structural deck (substrate).
  • Insulation.
  • Membrane.
  • Surfacing.
  • Flashings.
  • Metal terminations.




What to Look For

Obviously, the intent of the roof inspection is to identify roof defects that will have an adverse affect on the service life of the roof system. These defects can be in the form of openings, holes and splits to the membrane or flashing systems. The inspector should also be cognizant of extensive debris on the roof surface. Debris can be detrimental to the roof system in a variety of conditions. Debris may clog roof drains, impeding proper drainage. Certain types of debris can also puncture the membrane flashing.

While complex repairs and some maintenance items should be performed by qualified roofing professionals, the owner or building maintenance manager can assist in the maintenance of the roof by performing regular housekeeping duties, such as cleaning all debris from the roof area.

Each type of roof membrane system has its own unique distress indicators and failure modes. There are certain distress indicators that are common to all roof systems. When inspecting a roof, two areas in particular deserve special attention: the roof’s perimeter and the roof membrane.



The Roof's Perimeter

The perimeter of a roof has many components that can become faulty, contributing to the potential for roof-system failure. When doing a roof inspection, the inspector should pay particular attention to the following areas:
  • Metal gravel stops, applied at the roof edge, can show defects if improperly designed and secured, and can move, creating openings at the metal gravel stop joints. Distress can also occur at points where the metal gravel stop is applied over the roof membrane.
  • Expansion joints constructed of elastomeric materials are susceptible to splits, punctures, holes and openings.
  • Flashings on a roof are susceptible to blistering, ballooning, buckling, and cracks or splits. Flashings can also show wear due to insufficient maintenance. In addition, defective flashing conditions can occur in the location of mechanical units. All of these scenarios can lead to roof-system failure.
  • Rooftop equipment, such as HVAC units or exhaust pipes, can be a primary source of problems, particularly at flashing seams. Chemical discharge from certain rooftop equipment can quickly degrade a roof membrane. The equipment discharge must be controlled with proper design and maintenance programs.





Problems with Roof Membranes

The roof membrane can also be compromised, potentially causing roof leaks and other problems. The building owner or maintenance supervisor should first make sure that the roof system has been applied properly by a licensed, qualified roofing contractor. However, even when the roof system is applied properly, the membrane can fail due to the following circumstances:
  • Blisters, ridges or bare areas in the roof membrane can compromise the roof system’s performance. Cracks in the membrane can often occur as a result, allowing moisture into the system and the facility.
  • Ponding areas or excessive wear in certain areas can lead to structural damage to the roof system and leaks.
  • Plant growth on the roof surface, which sometimes occurs in the areas of chronic ponding conditions, and the accumulation of dust and organic airborne contaminants can also cause damage to the membrane.
  • Punctures in the membrane allow for moisture intrusion into the membrane and the facility. Common causes of punctures include broken blisters, fasteners backing out of the substrate, dropped tools or other dropped objects, hail, lack of proper membrane support, or mechanical abuse.
  • Plugged drains caused by debris, abuse, incorrect or marginal design, or insufficient maintenance can lead to improper drainage and chronic ponding problems.
While some of these roof-related problems can be easily fixed, such as flashing around HVAC units or removing debris from drains, others may require professional assistance. If the problems are the result of a faulty application or material failure, the building owner or maintenance supervisor should contact the roofing contractor who performed the original work.

You may also want a professional roofing consultant to inspect your roof to get an unbiased opinion of your roof system’s potential problems.

Either way, a little regular inspection and maintenance of a building’s roof will help to eliminate major problems, as well as the costs associated with those problems.



Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Jdannunzio
John A. D’Annunzio is President of Paragon Roofing Technology Inc., a construction engineering firm he founded in 1989. He is the editorial director of Architectural Roofing & Waterproofing and a technical columnist for Roofing Contractor. He has published more than 100 articles and has written four books on building exterior issues. For more information, visit www.paragonroofingtech.com. He can be reached at 248-936-8744.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Editor's Note
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Steep Slope Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • TAMKO Titan XL Shingles
    Sponsored byTAMKO®

    Built for Business: How Titan XT® Shingles Keep Proving Their Value

  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

Popular Stories

The Home Depot is weighing a bid for GMS. The potential offer would pit the retail giant against QXO Inc.

UPDATE: Home Depot Pushes QXO Out of GMS Pursuit

Brad Jacobs, chairman and CEO of QXO, offers $5 billion to acquire GMS, a major distributor of gypsum and interior building products.

QXO Sets Its Sights on GMS in $5 Billion Offer

Undocumented workers make up 36% of the U.S. roofing workforce, leaving contractors and workers alike especially vulnerable.

Roofing is Left Exposed by Trump’s Deportation Flip-Flop

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • Technical Details: How to Properly Determine Moisture Content in Roof Systems

    See More
  • Technical Details: How to Determine Proper Fasteners for Roof Applications

    See More
  • Hail: Yes! It Can Damage a Roof

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Green_roof_Systems.gif

    Green Roof Systems: A Guide to the Planning, Design and Construction of Building Over Structure

  • tcr.png

    The Complicated Roof – A Cut and Stack Workbook

See More Products
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing