Why do I always have leaks in my commercial kitchen in Metro Detroit?

If you own a commercial property with an industrial kitchen in the Metro Detroit area, you’re likely no stranger to roof leaks. These properties are always high on the list of roof leak offenders. There are multiple contributing factors, such as the large number of penetrations going through the roof and improper installation of kitchen exhaust systems. However, none are bigger—and potentially more costly—than neglected rooftop grease traps.

I know what you are thinking: How does grease cause a roof leak? It’s just a liquid on my roof, and liquids don’t typically cause the punctures, tears, and rips that lead to leaks. Normally you would be right, but commercial kitchen grease is special—and highly corrosive.

When building owners in Metro Detroit fail to maintain their rooftop exhaust grease traps, the grease eventually builds up and overflows directly onto the roofing membrane. What most people—and even some roofing contractors—do not know is that this grease actually damages and destroys many common commercial roofing membranes. This includes EPDM (rubber), Asphalt, Built-Up Roofing (BUR), and Modified Bitumen, which are the most common commercial membrane systems installed across Southeast Michigan.

While it is true that PVC and TPO membrane roofing systems are much more resistant to grease, even these systems will eventually be damaged by pooled grease left on a rooftop over a long period. The caustic nature of the grease causes these systems to break down, dissolving seams and leading to de-lamination. With asphalt-based systems, it quite literally eats the membrane by causing a chemical reaction that destroys the material’s integrity.

The Fire Hazard You Can’t Ignore

An often-overlooked and terrifying fact for many commercial building owners in Michigan is that rooftop grease is one of the most common causes of fires on commercial buildings. The grease itself is highly flammable, and any spark—from an electrical short, lightning, or another ignition source—can turn your building into a blazing inferno in an instant. Protecting your investment and your tenants is critical.

Preventing Grease Damage and Protecting Your Metro Detroit Commercial Roof

So, how do you prevent this from happening and protect your commercial roof investment?

The simple answer is maintenance. Regularly inspecting and cleaning your roofing system will go a long way in minimizing the damages from pooling grease from these exhausts.

The best answer is to install a certified grease containment system on your rooftop exhausts. The system we recommend and install is the Drip Loc system, which can be installed on almost any commercial exhaust fan. It effectively collects the grease in its proprietary bag system. When needed, our technicians simply access the roof, remove and properly dispose of the grease-filled bag, and install a fresh bag to continue collecting the grease.

Client Testimonial:

“Rich and Josh from Kanga Roof have been absolutely outstanding! Their professionalism, attention to detail, and friendly demeanor make every service visit a pleasure. They consistently go above and beyond to ensure our roofing needs at Bamboo Royal Oak are addressed promptly and efficiently. What truly sets them apart is their willingness to explain their work and provide helpful maintenance tips. I highly recommend Kanga Roof for their reliability, exceptional workmanship, and top-notch customer service. They’ve earned our trust and continued business! 🌱” – Review from a Commercial Property Owner in Detroit, MI

This is a key service our team offers as part of our Kanga Kare Club commercial roof maintenance programs. We partner with property owners across Metro Detroit to ensure their roofs are protected.

For a deeper dive into the solution, you can check out the manufacturer’s website at https://www.driploc.com/.

We have installed these systems on countless commercial buildings across Metro Detroit and saved building owners hundreds of thousands of dollars by preventing their roofs from being destroyed by neglected maintenance. Even better, we educate building owners that the cost for these systems and their maintenance is often required to be paid by their tenants in their commercial lease agreements. It is one of the most overlooked parts of commercial lease agreements—making this a true win-win.

You keep your Metro Detroit commercial roof in tip-top shape, avoid costly repairs or premature roof replacements, and your tenants may end up covering the cost for you.

While we all love a great local restaurant, no one loves leaks in the kitchen. Now you know one of the most common causes for these unwanted leaks and how to avoid them. If you are interested in learning more about the Drip Loc system for your commercial kitchen or building in Sterling Heights, Royal Oak, or anywhere in Southeast Michigan, we would love to help!

You can contact our team right now for a professional assessment at 586-566-0308 or schedule your inspection online at https://kanga-roof.com/schedule-inspection-now/ (Kanga-Roof Inspection Scheduling).

We hope you gained valuable insight from this article, and as always, we hope you have a Kanga-Riffic day!

Sincerely,

Bill Burkhardt, Jr.