Do you know all the dangers that come with a leaky warehouse roof?
A leaky or old roof is a huge problem that simply cannot wait. The longer it goes without repairs, the more damage to your warehouse and the greater chance of water damage to your inventory.
Although it\’s an expense, having roof repairs sooner than later may be the best way to go.
If you don’t want to deal with expensive repairs later on, keep reading to learn a few of the top reasons to act now.
1. Your Inventory is At Risk of Water Damage
Water damage can lead to serious problems with your inventory, especially if you store water-sensitive products like food, paper, textiles, or chemicals in the area.
If exposed to wetness long enough, these products can get ruined. Remember, even water that\’s not visibly wet can still cause damage. For example, water that has condensed on the underside of a leaky roof can drip down in spots you don’t expect.
Under your warehouse\’s leaks are shadows that hide water damage, which becomes especially problematic when it rains during hot weather. When you have hot temperatures with high humidity levels combined with wet inventory, this is the perfect setup for mold and mildew growth.
Not only is this harmful to the products themselves, but it\’s also a health concern if you don\’t take care of the problem – especially if they\’re food products. This is why having metal roof restoration is so important.
2. Mold and Mildew Can Develop
If you don\’t get rid of excess moisture soon after it appears, mold and mildew can grow. It spreads fast, which means it will only continue to get worse if you don\’t eradicate the problem quickly.
Mold is dangerous because it can lead to respiratory issues. And once it gets into your walls or studs, it\’s even harder to remove. Mildew isn\’t as dangerous but still harmful – and it can also affect your inventory.
For example, it can degrade paper products like labels, invoices, and product packaging. This is especially destructive if you have products that have expiration dates on them, such as food.
3. Damage Will Affect Your Warehouse’s Walls and Ceilings
If you allow wetness to dry inside walls or ceilings, they\’ll start to break down over time. This leads to more expensive problems later on. It\’s much cheaper to address wall and ceiling issues now than having to repair them later on.
Water that\’s gotten into walls or ceilings can cause wood rot in areas around windows, doors, and studs. This is especially important in your warehouse because the product in this area may be more sensitive to moisture than other products you store farther away from these spots.
Another big issue is when water damages support beams, which will force you to replace them. This can be very costly and time-consuming, not to mention problematic because your warehouse cannot function without these beams in place.
4. You’ll Spend More on Energy Bills
The climate inside a leaky warehouse is completely unpredictable, which means your energy bills will go up and down frequently.
While you\’re waiting around for roof repairs, this can hurt your business. For example, if you want to keep the heat on at a higher temperature than usual, that means more of your energy bills will go toward heating costs.
If it\’s colder than usual inside your warehouse, on the other hand, keeping temperatures high will cost you more money on energy bills. Neither is a good situation for your business.
5. Stockpiled Products Are at Risk of Deterioration
It\’s common sense: Water and products don\’t mix well together, especially when the water has had time to get inside and affect the structure of wood and other materials in products like pallets, bags, and crates. But did you know that it can also damage things like glue, staples, and even zippers?
Water on products that you stack up or store on pallets can lead to serious deterioration if you don\’t remove the water quickly enough. Not only will this shorten the lifespan of your products, but it can also cut into your bottom line if you need to get rid of affected products and replace them.
6. You’ll Be at Risk for Lawsuits
Your employees and customers are at risk when you have a leaky roof. If someone gets hurt because you didn\’t make the necessary repairs and protect your business and workers accordingly, that person (or their family) may sue you.
Even if the accident is minor, the person who got hurt could file a worker\’s compensation claim on your behalf. If they were seriously injured, they could even potentially take legal action against you and pursue damages for personal injury, which can quickly turn into a very serious issue indeed.
For example, if an employee slips and falls on the floor because it\’s wet, they could hurt their head, neck, or back. If this happens, you\’re legally liable to help pay for all medical expenses and other damages that might arise from the accident.
7. You Risk Having Your Property Seized and Closed Down
If you neglect your commercial roof repairs and it gets too bad, the state could seize control of your property. This can include things like taking over operations (like if they deem that food is at risk), having you pay for repairs, or even tearing down your warehouse to get rid of mold and mildew.
For example, state inspectors could find that you\’re not doing enough to keep your warehouse safe and put a stop to your business until you fix the roof. If it gets bad enough, they might even tear down your facility and kick you out altogether.
This is not what you want to happen.
Fortunately, by hiring a professional roofing contractor to handle your warehouse\’s repairs right away, you\’ll be able to avoid these potential problems and keep your business on track!
Get Started With Warehouse Roof Repairs
Now you should know more about why you need to address a leaky or old roof as soon as you possibly can. Roof repairs are a decision that will save you time, money, and stress over the long haul.
It\’s easy to get started to work with commercial roofers: Just submit the form on this page and we\’ll contact you with a free, no-obligation consultation.
