Why Do Newly Installed Commercial Flat Roofs in Metro Detroit Leak Within Five Years? The Ugly Truth

Investing in a new commercial roof is a major capital investment for any company in Metro Detroit. The last thing any building or business owner wants to deal with is leaks on their new commercial flat roof that they just invested $250,000 or more on. The sad reality is that it happens all the time. It is a major reason why the commercial roofing industry has such a poor professional reputation for many business owners. Today, our goal is to pull back the curtain and educate you on why new commercial flat roofs have leaks, and what you can do about them. It is part of how we live out our mission of proving there is a better way to serve our team, clients and the community through the roofing industry.

Causes of New Flat Roof Leaks in Southeast Michigan

1. Poor Installation and Craftsmanship (The Number One Culprit). The number one reason why new commercial flat roofs leak is sadly poor installation and craftsmanship. Modern commercial single-ply flat roofing systems, like TPO, PVC, and EPDM, are not just roofing; they are engineered systems designed to keep the water from entering the building and, equally important, directing the water where to go to get it off of the roof. This often means engineered insulation systems, thousands of feet of heat welded seams, and hundreds of pieces of flashing around curbs and penetrations on the roof. Sadly, most Metro Detroit roofing companies do not invest in ongoing and continuous skill training and development, and even fewer invest in a real final quality control inspection to ensure all those details are installed correctly. Just one 1″ gap in a heat welded seam can cause major leaks and flooding in the building, and the only way to catch it is to do it right the first time and have someone afterwards come through and do a probe inspection of the seams. Thankfully, here at Four Seasons Kanga Roof, we have invested in a full-size roofing simulator that our teams are continually trained on so they are not “learning” the job while they are installing your new commercial roofing system. On top of that, every roof goes through our own quality control inspection checking all seams and details before we put our stamp of approval on your new roofing system. This commitment is one reason why we are a recognized Elevate Master Contractor.
2. Other Contractor Damages. Other contractor damages are the second most common leading cause of leaks on your new roofing system. This is because most flat roofs have plumbing penetrations, HVAC equipment, and countless other systems installed on top of their flat roofs. When other skilled tradesmen are working on these systems, they often leave behind screws, nails, and other debris that can then puncture your new roofing system. Additionally, it is very common for new equipment to be installed 1-2 years after the roof is completed, and often the trades installing those systems fail to contact the original roofing contractor to come out and properly install the new flashings and sealants.
3. Owner Neglect & Lack of Commercial Maintenance. Neglect is the other common cause we see from newly installed flat roofs. Many building owners completely forget about their new commercial roof after it is installed. This out of sight, out of mind approach can lead to clogged drains and scuppers, or damage from falling debris that causes leaks. A clogged drain or scupper can cause water to build up, pond, and eventually access portions of the building the engineered roofing system were not designed to protect, leading to non-warranty covered leaks and additional expenses. The simple answer is that every single commercial roof in Macomb or Oakland County should have annual inspections and maintenance performed. Preventing small issues like these from turning into catastrophic issues is a key reason why manufacturers require annual inspections and maintenance to be performed by the building owner whenever they issue warranties on commercial roofing systems.

Being a proactive building owner in Metro Detroit is ultimately the right solution to all three of these scenarios outlined above. Taking your time, vetting your contractors, and ultimately choosing a qualified contractor—and not just the lowest bid—will save any building owner the most money in the long run and tons of headaches over the first five years. That contractor will more often than not do it right the first time, enroll you in a qualified maintenance program, and have the in-house service department backing everything up. This way, if Murphy’s Law does rear its head, the worst case scenario is a quick call to your roofing contractor’s warranty department, and their team is out ASAP to get the leak stopped and your new roofing system repaired.

A Verified Commercial Client Review

We believe our dedication to quality speaks for itself, especially when it comes to unexpected leaks:

“The Kanga team has done a wonderful Job on several projects for the company I work for over the years. Very professional team, from Mike their Service Superintendent, to Alec their commercial rep, right down to Armando and the field crew. Very impressed, and we will be doing business with them again. I sincerely recommend their services!” – Verified Local Commercial Client, Henry Monroe

The good news for you the reader is, the team here at Four Seasons Kanga Roof is that type of commercial roofing company. We don’t deliver you the cheapest possible roof replacement; we provide you the best roofing system at the best price. It is also why we include 2 years of our Kanga Kare Club commercial roofing maintenance program, which includes annual inspections on every commercial roof replacement we perform. This program is vital for protecting your manufacturer warranty.

We would be honored to help you with your commercial roof, and provide you a detailed assessment. To get this process started, you can always call our team at 586-566-0308 or skip the line and book your appointment online at Kanga-Roof Schedule Inspection.

We sincerely hope your new commercial roof never experiences a leak, but if it does, I hope that this article helps you understand how that could happen. And as always, I hope you have a Kanga-Rific day!

Sincerely,

Bill Burkhardt, Jr.

VP & Owner, Four Seasons Kanga Roof

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why do newly installed commercial flat roofs in Metro Detroit sometimes leak within the first five years?

A: The three most common reasons we see at Four Seasons Kanga Roof are poor installation and craftsmanship (often related to weak seams or flashing), damage caused by other tradesmen working on rooftop HVAC or plumbing, and neglect, such as a lack of regular maintenance leading to clogged drains and ponding water.

Q: How does ponding water destroy a flat roof, and how do you fix the drainage?

A: Ponding water (water standing for more than 48 hours) prematurely ages the roofing membrane, stressing seams and flashings, and can void manufacturer warranties. We fix drainage issues by cleaning clogged drains and scuppers, or in some cases, re-engineering the roof’s insulation system to create a proper taper that directs water to the drainage points.

Q: Will my commercial flat roof warranty be voided if I don’t have a documented Exterior Maintenance Program?

A: Yes, in many cases. Commercial roofing manufacturers require documented, regular maintenance and inspections (often annually or bi-annually) for their No Dollar Limit (NDL) warranties to remain valid. Programs like our Kanga Kare Club are designed specifically to provide this required documentation.

Q: How long does a professionally installed TPO or EPDM roof *actually* last in Macomb or Oakland County?

A: While the materials themselves are highly durable, the lifespan is heavily dependent on quality installation and consistent maintenance. With professional installation by a certified contractor and a regular maintenance program, these systems can often exceed 20 years, but without maintenance, they can fail prematurely in Michigan’s extreme climate swings.