Metal Roof Leaks Have Many Sources. A roof penetration is often one of them.
Our short video shows how a poorly installed air conditioning unit has led to metal roof leaks on this commercial roof.
The Problem
Roofrite had installed a couple of years ago hopper flashings to repair reported metal roof leaks on the roof of a commercial building: a cost effective solution to a common problem. We were surprised then to be asked to return to the property to investigate reports of new metal roof leaks in the same area.
Detecting the Metal Roof Leaks
As can be seen in the video, our site inspection revealed one of the five most common causes of roof leaks – the addition of penetrations post installation. Typically, metal roof leaks caused by poorly installed air conditioning units have problems relating to the flashings. In this case, the flashings are not long enough to adequately cover the ribs of the metal roof sheets nor are the flashings properly sealed between the joins. Close inspection also showed the trays of the metal roof sheets haven’t been bent up to prevent water seeping in from the front of the penetration. At the rear of the penetration, the flashings that were meant to redirect the water around and away from the air conditioning unit have been lapped the wrong way. All in all, this is a poor job that doesn’t meet Australian Plumbing Standards and is now the cause of metal roof leaks.
The Solution
The recommended solution to the metal roof leaks in this situation is to install wider, longer flashings and properly seal between the joins of flashings. We also recommended that the direction of the laps over the roof sheets be changed so that the upper lap covers the under lap thereby preventing water seeping in.
Roofrite Melbourne for Metal Roof Repairs, Metal Roof Restoration & Metal Re-Roofing – 03 9499 8059
If you have any queries, or would like a quote on repairing or replacing your metal roof, please call Roofrite on 03 9499 8059.