“Walker Roofing is a great company to work with. They’re good people and they give you a good, honest quote. Their staff is friendly and skilled in doing both large and small projects.”

--Joe Haeg
M+H Builders

Leak Information 

#Step #1: Verify the Complaint
A good maintenance tech or onsite manager should investigate the inside of the apartment that is leaking. The reason for this is twofold. First, it will verify that the management team is responding immediately to the complaint. Second, it will allow a staff member to inspect possible causes. We have many service calls each year that are attributed to overflowing bathtubs and sinks, open windows, backed up or leaking toilets, etc. These issues are handled by the onsite maintenance staff, so you’re not charged a service fee from your roofing contractor. If the leak is coming from the ceiling or wall, verify yourself that the questionable area is wet to touch or not. Sometimes an old stain is noticed after a repair has already been completed. Poke a hole in the ceiling with bucket in hand to drain out ceiling to prevent collapse. If no causes are found inside the apartment, it’s time to go to the roof.

Step #2: Inspect the Roof
If access to the roof is easily attainable, have your maintenance tech locate the roof area above the leaking apartment. Check to see if the roof drains and scuppers are plugged with debris and clean if necessary. Look closely at the roof in this area—has it been damaged by branches or storm related debris? If so, contact your contractor immediately. In the interim, try to cover any holes or damage you can see. Additionally, note the weather conditions. Was the rain very heavy? Was it light? Was the wind blowing hard? These are all questions your contractor may ask you.

 

Step #3: Contact your Roofing Contractor
If the cause of the leak does in fact appear to be coming from the roof, contact your contractor immediately. Usually, you will be asked if you want an estimate, or if you require a repairman. Taking estimates on a repair or leak call will ultimately delay the solution—the process of getting multiple reps from various companies and then comparing their estimates takes valuable time. Usually, a repairman can indicate what the cost of the repair will take to seal temporarily. Keep in mind though, that you typically pay hourly for the repairman’s time.

Step #4: Keep Records
If you do not already have a roofing file, you should create one. In this file, you should store any and all contract documents, warranties, invoices and a written history of the leak locations and what was done to resolve them, whether or not they were roof related. This will help the repairman decipher the makeup of the roof system, and to see if it is a repeat leak or not.

A Quick Note Regarding In-house Repairs
It is not recommended that onsite maintenance technicians attempt to stop gap repairs using bentonite or cold process roof coating. In an emergency situation, you may feel obligated to try to stop the leak by way of sealant or roof coating. Your time is much better spent pumping off the roof and protecting the tenant's belongings inside the building, right after you’ve called your roofing contractor. Since all we do centers around roofing, we know the fastest, most efficient way to stop and repair leaks, having a roof system covered with roof coating makes it almost impossible to locate the actual cause of the leak, and makes your repair costs more expensive. Additionally, unauthorized products applied to a new roof will sometimes void any warranty that may be in place.