You already know the major signs of post-hurricane damage to watch out for. Watermarks, mold, structural damage. But not all hurricane damage is so easy to spot. You or your crew could easily miss some signs of damage that are not obvious to the untrained eye.
Today we’re going to take a look at some of those easy-to-miss signs of damage.
Preliminary Inspection
As soon as it is safe following the storm, you should perform a cursory inspection to get an idea of the extent of the storm damage.
Here’s what to do first:
- Clear away debris as soon as it is safe. The longer debris sits on your roof, the more damage it does.
- Schedule a professional inspection. Experienced professionals use specialized equipment to find even the most hidden problems.
- Stay vigilant. Continuously monitor the inside of your building for signs of water damage.
- Set up a regular maintenance schedule. Much of the hidden damage that your roof can suffer will not make itself known right away. Mold can take up to three weeks to become apparent, for example.
Keep in mind that not all storm damage is obvious. Here are some of the signs of damage that you might see.
1. Bubbles
If air or moisture becomes trapped under the layers of your roof, you might see blisters or bubbles.
Sometimes these bubbles or blisters can be obvious, but not always. It’s best to have a professional take a look to uncover harder-to-see bubbles that can be lurking on your commercial roof.
The challenge here is that moisture and air can travel far from its point of entry. That means that even if you do see a blister, the damage that led to it could be hiding far away.
2. Ponding
Water should not stand still on your commercial roof. If you have an area of water that has not drained away after 48 hours, you have a ponding problem.
Ponding needs to be fixed as soon as possible because each new rain compounds the damage. The weight of ponded water can be immense and will only worsen your underlying problems.
3. Water Leaks
Sure, you know what water damage looks like when it shows up as an interior stain, but that doesn’t mean you know where the damage to your roof lies.
Low-sloped roofs can make it especially challenging to find the source of a leak as water can travel great distances over several days as it slowly makes its way through the layers of your roof.
A professional roofing contractor will have access to specialized equipment that will help them track down the source of the leak, so they can put a stop to it once and for all.
4. Mold Growth
With leaks come mold and mildew growth. What many don’t realize about mold and mildew, however, is that the actual infestation began up to 20 days before any visible signs show up.
That’s why it is so important to have a professional inspect your roof after a hurricane. You want to be able to find the leaks as soon as possible. After all, you don’t want your customers exposed to mold spores for nearly three weeks before you even see a problem.
The Hidden Dangers
Unfortunately, not all of the damage done to your commercial roof is obvious. While blisters, ponds, water stains, and mold are clear indicators of damage, there can also be hidden weaknesses or failures that only a professional inspection can uncover.
At Perry Roofing Contractors, we have more than 40 years of experience of checking commercial roofs after the passing of a hurricane. We know what to look for and where to look to uncover even the most hidden damage. If you want to be sure your commercial roof is as safe and secure as possible, give us a call today!