Protect People and Secure the Affected Area
The immediate goal when you discover a commercial roof leak emergency should be to protect people, reduce the risk of additional property damage and give trained professionals the information they need to address the problem safely and efficiently. Ready.gov’s emergency-response guidance notes that actions taken in the initial minutes of an emergency “can save lives, minimize physical damage to structures and property, and allow for better resilience.”
As soon as a leak is discovered, you should put your commercial roof leak response plan into action. First, move employees, customers, tenants and visitors away from the affected area. Don’t assume a small drip means a small problem.
Next, block off wet floors and keep people away from ceiling areas that appear saturated, swollen or damaged. If the situation poses a greater safety concern, follow your facility’s established emergency response or evacuation procedures.
You should also designate one person to coordinate the commercial roof leak emergency response. That person can communicate with employees, maintenance personnel, management and outside responders rather than having several people independently trying to solve the problem.
Treat Water Near Electrical Systems as a Serious Hazard
A commercial roof leak emergency can introduce risks that have little to do with roofing itself, especially when water reaches electrical systems.
Pay close attention to water around:
- Light fixtures
- Electrical outlets
- Wiring
- Electrical panels
- Computers and servers
- Manufacturing equipment
- Powered machinery
Never use electrical equipment while standing in water, and don’t attempt to repair wet electrical equipment unless you’re qualified and authorized to do so. OSHA’s electrical-safety guidance warns you should always assume that all overhead wires are energized at deadly voltages. They recommend that you never use electrical equipment that has gotten wet until after a qualified electrician has inspected it.
When electricity and water are involved, avoiding injury is paramount.
Limit Interior Water Damage—But Only Where It’s Safe
Once people are protected and immediate hazards have been addressed, you may be able to reduce property damage while you wait for the roofing professionals handling your emergency roof repair to arrive.
If it can be done safely, place buckets or other suitable containers beneath active drips. Move any portable electronics, furniture and equipment away from the affected area and relocate inventory, documents or other valuable materials that could be damaged. Protect equipment or materials that can’t easily be moved. And clearly mark wet walking surfaces to help prevent slips and falls.
But the one thing you shouldn’t do is attempt a repair you aren’t equipped or trained to perform. Too often, you can turn a manageable leak into a serious emergency. Even if the location of the dripping water seems obvious, the actual entry point on the roof may not be. Water can travel along roof decks, structural components and other building materials before becoming visible inside.
Your priority is to limit the consequences of the leak until trained personnel can evaluate its source and determine an appropriate repair.
Don’t Climb Onto the Roof During Unsafe Conditions
When water enters the building, you may want to head straight to the roof to find the source of the problem.
Resist that urge, particularly during rain, high winds, lightning, ice or other hazardous conditions. Severe weather can increase the risk associated with working on a roof, as can additional hazards such as roof edges, skylights, elevation changes and rooftop equipment. Refer to our commercial roof safety checklist for a helpful list, including restricting roof access and ensuring roof hatch safety.
Although it may also be tempting, don’t put up makeshift patches with tarps, sealants or other materials unless the work is being performed by properly trained personnel under safe conditions. Roof systems are assemblies of multiple components, and an improvised repair can fail to solve the actual problem or potentially interfere with the existing roof system.
The safest rule is also the simplest: If the roof isn’t safe to access, stay off it.
Document What’s Happening
Information collected during the leak can make it easier to communicate the problem to professionals once they arrive. From a safe location, document as much about the leak as you reasonably can, including taking photos or video of the active leak, noting the exact room, floor or area where water appeared, writing down the time when the leak started or was first noticed, and reporting any previous leaks in the same area.
If they’re readily available, gather relevant roof records too, including previous repair reports, inspection records, warranty information and building drawings. NRCA guidance for building owners emphasizes maintaining records of roof-system inspections, maintenance and repairs.
Documentation may also be useful when reporting property damage, although specific documentation requirements will depend on your insurance policy and the circumstances of the loss.
When a Commercial Roof Leak Can’t Wait
For your commercial roof leak response plan, the order of priorities matters:
- Protect people
- Isolate hazards
- Limit interior damage where it’s safe
- Stay off an unsafe roof
- Document the problem
- Let trained roofing professionals handle the repair
That’s where Roofing Corp of America’s Respond 360 Emergency Leak Repair service comes in.
Respond 360 provides 24/7 emergency roof repair services, supported by trained dispatch staff and professional field technicians. The goal is straightforward: stop leaks, minimize damage and provide the responsive professional support building owners and facility managers need when a roof emergency can’t wait. The program also emphasizes detailed communication about service visits and outcomes, as well as prioritizing safety, cleanliness and care for the facility.
Respond 360 is part of Roofing Corp of America’s broader RoofAdvantage 360™ commercial roof service and maintenance offering, which also includes the Defend 360 Preventative Maintenance and Restore 360 Roof Repair and Improvement programs.
Contact your local Roofing Corp of America professional for details and all your emergency roof repair services.
Rely on RoofAdvantage 360 to Ensure Optimal Warranty Coverage
RoofAdvantage 360 is a comprehensive commercial roof service and maintenance solution developed by the reputable and experienced contractors of Roofing Corp of America. With our Defend 360 preventative maintenance program, your roof will be regularly inspected and maintained by a contractor with experience and proven roofing know-how. We’ll provide detailed documentation, and when possible we’ll keep digital copies on hand to help support your needs should they be needed in the future.
Contact us today to learn more about RoofAdvantage 360 and how we can help you extend the life of your roof, lower your overall costs, and get the most from your warranty.
