Repairing Roof Leaks
A leak that keeps coming back is usually a sign the first repair only treated the symptom. Lester sees this often: a property owner has patched the same spot two or three times, and it still leaks after the next heavy rain, because the patch never addressed what was actually letting water in. Commercial roof leak repair in Sarasota, FL has to start with finding the real source, not just the spot where water shows up inside the building, since those two locations are often several feet apart on a flat or low-slope roof.
The climate across Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice does not make this easy. Frequent heavy rain, gusty winds, and occasional hail take a toll on aged TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, and metal roofing systems alike, causing rotting, warping, corrosion, and rust at the membrane, flashing, and fasteners. Left alone, a leak is rarely a one-time expense. It becomes a pattern, and eventually a much larger bill.
3 Major Causes of Commercial Roof Leaks in Sarasota, FL
Beyond normal wear from an aging roof, Lester traces most of the roof leaks he sees back to three causes: damaged flashing, UV radiation, and saltwater corrosion.
Flashing Damage
Flashing damage is one of the most common causes Lester finds when he actually traces a leak back to its source. Florida’s strong thunderstorms cause steel or aluminum flashing to crack, warp, and rust over time, exposing edges and seams to moisture that seeps down through the underlayment to the roof deck. This is exactly why chasing the interior stain instead of inspecting the flashing rarely fixes the problem for good.
* Note, our warranties apply exclusively to coatings for commercial roofs. This includes flat and low-slope roofs but excludes shingle roofs. The duration and coverage of the warranty depend on the type of coating selected, with more affordable options offering shorter warranty periods. Please contact us for more details on warranty terms and applicable roofing types.
UV Radiation
The sun’s UV rays gradually dry out and weaken a roof membrane, a condition roofers often call alligatoring, since the cracked surface resembles alligator skin. Once those cracks form, water works its way through and eventually shows up as an interior leak, often nowhere near where the cracking started.
Saltwater Corrosion
Commercial buildings in coastal areas of Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice face more saltwater corrosion, and it is not limited to metal roofs. Lester has found flashing damage from salt exposure on buildings with other roofing materials too, since coastal storms carry salt-laden rain well inland.
Permanently Repairing Commercial Roof Leaks
Instead of patching the same leak repeatedly or jumping straight to a full replacement, Lester’s approach is usually restoration with the Conklin Cool Roofing System. Conklin’s acrylic elastomeric and fabric-reinforced coatings are applied directly to the existing membrane, sealing the actual source of the leak rather than masking a symptom. It is a proven, cost-effective way to extend a roof’s useful life for decades without repeating the same repair every storm season.
Dollar for dollar, the Conklin Roofing System delivers outstanding value and performance:
- Superior weatherproof barrier fixes and prevents roof leaks with advanced leak protection
- Energy Star white, reflective cool roof technology reduces business cooling costs by up to 30%
- An insulation layer reduces seasonal temperature fluctuations for year-round energy savings
- UL listed fire protection
- Extends the life of your existing commercial roof for decades with periodic maintenance recoating, without significantly increasing the building load
- Suitable for most commercial membrane substrates, including TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, built-up roofing (BUR), and metal
- Rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council and FM Approved
- Backed by our 10-year workmanship guarantee
- Conklin manufacturer warranty available upon request
- Tax credits, rebates, and other incentives may also be available
Commercial Roof Leak Detection and Repair in Sarasota, FL
We can repair your leaky commercial roof permanently. For a limited time, we’re offering free commercial roof inspections for agricultural, industrial, manufacturing, and other commercial buildings throughout Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice. We also serve Nokomis, Osprey, Port Charlotte, and North Port. Call to schedule an appointment and free estimate today.