Floods can cause serious damage to commercial roof structures. A burst water tank or a microburst after a storm could compromise your roof and put the entire building at risk. If your commercial roof needs repair after structural damage by a flood, you need a contractor with structural engineering experience. The expert design-build team at The Structures Group Southwest specializes in repairing all types of damage to commercial roofs.

Types of Structural Damage Caused by Flood

You never know when a flood can strike—even if you don’t live in a flood zone, your building could still get flooded from a plumbing accident or a burst water tank. The weight of the water from a sudden flood might put too much strain on your roof’s load-bearing capacity, causing structural damage. Additionally, when they are saturated with water, wood structural members have a reduced capacity to carry loads.

Storms

High winds and heavy rain can penetrate even the smallest cracks and saturate your roof, weakening its structure. An unusually strong storm could cause a weakened roof to fail. Always inspect your structure after a severe storm to check for any signs of water damage. Repairing your roof at the first sign of damage can prevent a disaster later on.

Flash Floods

Flash floods can cause structural shifts that force beams to crack, break, or buckle. Two feet of floodwater is strong enough to carry a vehicle away, and it can smash debris into your building with that same force. Most structural damage during a flood is caused by impact. This type of roof damage should always be assessed by a structural engineer. 

Plumbing Accidents

Flood damage from a sprinkler system malfunction, a burst boiler, or a ruptured water tank can be just as destructive as a storm. Plumbing accidents are more common than you might expect. Regular inspections to check for leaks, cracked pipes, and corroded fittings can help you prevent flood damage from plumbing accidents.

Inspecting for Structural Damage Caused by Flood

Both wood and steel roof structures can be compromised by flooding. After a flood, you should always have your roof inspected. The inspector will check the exterior for damaged flashing, damp spots, leaks, and surface cracks. They will also inspect the beams and trusses for signs of water damage, corrosion, splitting, and buckling.

Emergency Structural Repair

Structural damage compromises your building and its occupants, as well as the equipment and other assets inside. If you need roof repair after damage caused by a flood, contact The Structures Group Southwest. Based in Phoenix, we are licensed in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Texas. Call 1-800-270-2372 or send a message to info@structuresgroup.com to learn more about our emergency structural repair services.