Signs Of Failure

Pooling/Ponding Water: Standing water that remains 48 hours after a rainstorm. This indicates poor drainage and adds immense weight stress.
Blistering or Bubbling: Trapped moisture or air expanding under the membrane, which can stretch and eventually crack the material.
Cracking, Tears, or Punctures: Physical damage from foot traffic, dropped tools, or fallen debris.
Alligatoring: For asphalt roofs, a pattern of cracking that looks like alligator skin, signaling that the bitumen has dried out from UV exposure.
Gravel/Granule Loss: On modified bitumen or built-up roofs, a loss of the protective top gravel layer leaves the underlying membrane vulnerable to the sun.

Gaps in Seams: Openings where sheets of the roof membrane overlap. This is one of the most common sources of commercial leaks.
Damaged Flashings: Strips of metal or membrane around edges, parapet walls, and projections that are warped, rusted, or pulling away.
Pitch Pockets & Penetrations: Checking the seals around HVAC units, pipes, vents, and skylights to ensure the caulking/sealant hasn’t dried out or cracked.

Clogged Drains and Scuppers: Leaves, twigs, trash, or silt blocking water flow.
Gutters and Downspouts: Sagging troughs, loose brackets, or broken seams that prevent water from leaving the building perimeter efficiently.
Debris Accumulation: Large piles of organic matter that trap moisture against the roof surface.

Parapet Wall Cracks: Fissures in the perimeter walls or deteriorating masonry/coping caps that allow water to seep behind the roof membrane.
Deformed Decking: Areas that feel spongy, soft, or saggy when walked on, indicating rotted or weakened decking underneath.
HVAC Curb Integrity: Ensuring the heavy structural platforms holding HVAC units aren't shifting or crushing the roof structure.

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