There’s a bucket under the ceiling again, and the last patch held for one season. Your building’s roof leaks somewhere, but nobody has been able to tell you exactly where, and every repair feels like a guess you’re paying for. Good commercial roof repair in Republic, MO starts by finding where the water actually gets in.
That’s the frustrating part of a flat roof. Water can travel a long way under the membrane before it finds a seam in the deck and drips through, so the stain over your desk may have started 20 feet away. Meanwhile you’re trying to protect stock, equipment and the people working below.
APC Roofing repairs TPO, EPDM, built-up and metal commercial roofs. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and your inspection is free. Call 913-398-5020 to have someone walk your roof.
Where commercial roof leaks usually start
Most leaks on a low-slope roof come from a short list of places. The membrane in the middle of the roof is rarely the first thing to fail. The details are.
Seams and laps
Every place two sheets of membrane join is a potential leak. Welded TPO seams can fail if the original weld was cold or rushed. EPDM seams rely on tape and adhesive that dry out and peel with age. On a built-up roof, the laps between plies can open as the asphalt gets brittle.
Flashing at walls and parapets
Where the roof meets a wall, the membrane turns up and is fastened and sealed at the top. Sealant cracks, termination bars work loose and water slips behind. Cracked mortar or a worn wall cap above the roofline can let water into the wall itself, and it shows up inside looking like a roof leak.
HVAC curbs, pipes and other penetrations
Each pipe, vent, conduit and equipment curb is a hole in the roof that has to be flashed. Rooftop units also get serviced by other trades, and a dropped screw, a dragged panel or a missing access cover can puncture the membrane nearby. Condensate lines that drain onto the roof add water right where you don’t want it.
Drains, scuppers and the edges
A drain blocked by leaves, gravel or ice lets water build up, and standing water finds any weak spot. Edge metal that’s loose or lifting lets wind get under the perimeter of the membrane, which is where wind damage usually begins.
Metal roofs
On metal buildings, the usual suspects are fasteners that have backed out, rubber washers that have dried and cracked, and overlapping panel seams where sealant has failed. Rust around fastener holes is a sign the roof has been taking water at those spots for a while.
How a leak gets traced
A careful repair starts on the roof, not with a tube of sealant. The roofer checks the drains and edges, then every seam, curb and flashing in the area above the leak and uphill from it. If the source isn’t obvious, the next step is to check whether the insulation under the membrane is wet and how far the wet area spreads. A small core cut or a moisture survey can answer that before anyone recommends a fix.
You should get photos of every problem found and a plain explanation of what each one means. That way the repair estimate makes sense to you and to anyone else who has to sign off on it.
Storm damage on a commercial roof
Hail and wind are the main storm threats in southwest Missouri. Hail can puncture or bruise a membrane, crush the insulation board underneath and dent metal panels and HVAC fins. Wind lifts edge metal and peels back perimeter seams. Some storm damage leaks right away, and some waits until freeze-thaw opens it up months later.
If the damage is from a covered storm, you or your company files the claim and pays the deductible on the policy. We document the damage with photos, provide a repair estimate and work with your adjuster. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible. Our storm damage in Republic page covers what to look for after a storm.
When repair stops making sense
A repair is the right call when the damage is limited and the insulation is dry. It stops making sense when:
- Wet insulation covers a large share of the roof
- Seams are opening in many places, not just one
- The membrane has shrunk and is pulling away from the edges and curbs
- The roof has been patched so often that patches are leaking
At that point, the money is better spent on a new system. Our commercial roofing installation in Republic page explains what that involves, and the main commercial roofing in Republic page compares the options.
Simple habits that cut down on repairs
Many building owners have the roof looked at each spring and fall and after any big storm. Between visits, a few habits help. Keep drains and scuppers clear, especially before winter. Ask HVAC techs and other trades to report anything they drop or damage on the roof. And if you see standing water two days after rain, have it checked before the next freeze.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online. Tell us where the leak shows up inside and how to get onto the roof.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of what we found, learn what’s causing the leak and get a written estimate for the repair.
- The repair gets done and the site gets cleaned up. The work is scheduled around the weather and your business, and the crew cleans up before leaving.
Commercial roof repair questions
Can you repair a roof while it’s raining?
A permanent repair on most membranes needs a clean, dry surface. If water is coming in during a storm, a temporary seal may be needed first, with the permanent repair once the roof dries out.
Can a TPO or EPDM roof be patched?
Yes. TPO is patched by welding new membrane over the damaged area, after the old surface is cleaned. EPDM is patched with compatible membrane and seam tape. Patching with the wrong material is a common reason repairs fail.
Why does my roof keep leaking in the same spot?
Usually because the repair treated the spot where water came through the ceiling, not the spot where it got into the roof. Tracing the source fixes that.
Do you repair metal building roofs?
Yes. Typical repairs include replacing failed fasteners and washers, resealing panel laps and fixing flashing at the ridge, walls and penetrations.
Book a commercial roof repair inspection in Republic
Call 913-398-5020 or schedule your free inspection online. Find out what’s really causing the leak and fix it once. Then the bucket goes back in the closet and the next storm is just weather.
