Day in and day out, hospitals are buzzing with activity. Within the building’s walls, doctors, nurses, and staff are hard at work caring for the ill, injured, and those in need. So, when it comes to hospital roof repairs, it’s no wonder that shutting the facility down is not an option. As the facility manager, it’s crucial that you remain vigilant in your routine maintenance schedule and make the necessary repairs before they become a much larger problem.

Here are some of the warning signs your hospital roof needs repairs:

Interior Leaks

When it comes to your roof, leaks are probably the most obvious signs that there’s a problem. If you happen to see moisture or water spots on your ceiling or in light fixtures, this is indicative of an interior leak. At this point, the first thing you’ll need to do is call your roofing contractor and schedule an inspection. Interior leaks not only indicate that your roof needs repairs, it could be a sign that there’s more damage inside the building. Mold can quickly thrive in environments like this, and with so many precious lives inside, it’s crucial to their recovery that the air they breath not be contaminated.

Weather Damage

Regular inspections of your roof are essential to catching a problem before it becomes a major issue. It’s incredibly important to inspect your roof after a storm, whether it’s a rain event, a wind storm, or a hurricane, especially when thousands of lives depend on your roof’s protection. Signs of damage can include loose materials and cracked or blistered roof surfaces.

Water Blisters

While you're walking on the roof, one of the more obvious signs your hospital roof needs repairs are water blisters. Water blisters can be caused by wet material under the roof, such as insulation, spaces between the layers of the roof, or bad drainage. It’s especially important to have blisters repaired if they’re in a high traffic area, are cracking, or are near the seams.  

Cracks in the Interior and Open Seams

Did you notice a crack inside your hospital? Depending on the size of the crack this might be a sign of structural damage, and that could be a sign of moisture within the walls. Although you may notice the issue on a wall, the actual problem may have originated on your roof. Open seams are another issue to lookout for. Open seams can result from an aging roof or poor installation of the initial roof. If not repaired quickly, an open seam on your hospital roof will lead to leaks, ultimately causing significant damage.

Doors and Windows Don’t Shut Properly

Are you having a hard time closing the window or a door within your hospital? This is a sign that there might be a structural issue. The first thing we suggest you do is to contact your roofing contractor for an inspection. They will be able to thoroughly check your roof from top to bottom and recommend solutions to fix your problem.

Moisture Problems

We don’t want to sound like a broken record, but regular inspections are going to be your biggest ally to combat moisture problems and reduce the need for hospital roof repairs. Water can be your roof’s enemy, especially when there may be an existing leak or issue that hasn’t been repaired. Moisture on your roof can lead to leaks and mold, which not only increase the repair costs, but can endanger the health of your hospital’s patients if not treated.

Climbing Energy Costs

An increase in energy costs can be directly related to roofing issues and a sign that your roof needs repairs. Having a reflective roof will help save you money on energy costs. A reflective roof absorbs less of the sun’s rays and energy by deflecting it back into the environment. Nowadays, there are a wide variety of products available on the market that can be used to make your hospital roof more energy efficient, such as various coatings that will not only help reflect heat, but they’ll increase the longevity of your roof.  

The roof on your hospital is the first line of defense for your patients and employees, so it needs to be maintained properly. As the facility manager, be aware of these warning signs to catch an issue before it becomes detrimental to the building. Roofing repairs can be expensive and disrupt your business. Keeping a consistent maintenance and inspection schedule will help you limit any issues and keep your repair costs to a minimum. But if you do have an issues or questions, the team at McEnany Roofing is happy to help. Contact us and let us know how we can help.