Roof Repair for Leaks and More in Colorado Springs

Any type of roof in the Colorado Springs Colorado area can suffer issues that reduce its effectiveness and durability, but such issues can be especially problematic for low-slope roofs. Certain conditions can result in the reduced lifespan or premature failure of a low-slope roof. When a roof problem strikes unexpectedly due to improper installation or maintenance, repairs can be expensive. As a roof ages, problems are inevitable—and roofs require immediate repair—but routine, proper maintenance can address minor problems before they develop into major repair issues.

Leaks and moisture
Having one leak or several leaks is a problem for any style roof. There are several causes of roof leaks, such as improper flashing details during the installation of a built-up roof. With a built-up roof, 95% of roof leaks happen at the flashing details where the roof membrane has an interruption or ends. Hot bituminous and torch-applied modified bitumen roofs (made from natural substances such as asphalt that primarily consist of hydrocarbons) can leak when there isn’t a proper moisture barrier installed beneath a coping cap (protective cap on exterior wall) on parapet/exterior walls.

Improperly installed flashing on bitumen roofs can also cause roof leaks, and the ever-changing weather in Colorado is an example of the perfect recipe for roof damage. “Another source of leaks are insufficient head laps (areas where one shingle overlaps a shingle two courses below it) and backwater laps on modified bitumen roof installations,” says an expert from Colorado Springs Colorado Roofing. A backwater lap is when the joint between the roof panels and the roof curb laps backward against the water flow and as this area has no shingles, it’s highly prone to leaks. Water penetrates beneath the roof membrane leading to leaks, blisters and possible roof failure. When materials used for cold-applied modified bitumen roofs don’t receive proper storage, it can lead to built-in moisture infiltration in the roofing system. Improper application of adhesive in the roofing system can lead to poor lamination and eventual roof leaks. Single-ply membrane roofs installed with poor seams can leak because the membranes hole water and weaken the roofing system.

Blow-offs, billowing, tenting and reduced resistance to wind uplift
Improperly installed roof flashing can cause more than just roof leaks in hot bituminous roofs. Poorly attached flashing on these types of roofs can lead to laps and open seams that increase the risk of blow-offs while reducing puncture resistance. Inadequate flashing installation can also cause code issues that may be costly to remedy, especially in Colorado Springs. Similar consequences, including blow-offs, can also be a result of using an inadequate number of fasteners in the base sheet during installation and poor gravel embedment for both torch applied bitumen and hot bituminous roof systems.

On cold-applied modified bitumen roof systems, inadequately cured seams can reduce wind uplift resistance on low-slope roofs. Cold adhesive used on seams doesn’t have strong integrity until the adhesive cures fully and when those seams receive exposure to rain and wind, moisture may invade the roof system or wind uplift can damage the roof membrane.

Single ply roofs have a higher risk of billowing, blow-off, and tenting of the flashing when they’re not adhered to the substrate properly, which can damage the roof membrane.

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