The Most Common Reason Commercial Flat Roofs Fail
I have been fixing leaks like this since 2013, and I see the same damage to flat roofs every week.
To my facility and property managers: the most common reason commercial flat roofing systems fail is constant water exposure. A mechanical RTU or chiller dripping condensation onto the roof will cause the membrane to break down rapidly. If you allow those same mechanical RTUs to drip condensation onto the edge of a roof drain, you should expect the sealant holding the drain together to fail as well.
What To Do About It
- Mechanical RTUs and chillers must completely terminate off the roofing system — never allow condensation to drip directly onto the membrane.
- Have your mechanical contractor check for dripping water every 6 months, before it becomes a roof leak.
- If a drain, seam, or membrane section is already staining or degrading near a mechanical unit, that is the leak forming — not a cosmetic issue.
A recent job shows exactly this pattern. At an AT&T property on Military Pkwy. in Dallas, a rooftop chiller had been dripping condensation onto a Modified Bitumen roof for years before it turned into leaks the facility manager could see from inside. The full repair is written up on our Dallas page.
If you manage a commercial property in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and need a reliable commercial roofer, give Pepper Coatings LLC a call.
