Leaky roofs are often the result of the most overlooked responsibilities in maintaining commercial and industrial premises because it’s a place people don’t really see. How often would you go up onto your roof to check for corrosion of roofing materials or the build-up of moss and other debris that could potentially be a cause of a major leak? You probably wouldn’t and it would not even cross your mind to do regularly unless you are a premises manager.
One of our biggest challenges in our industry is about convincing people that facilities management isn’t just about ensuring the lights work or the air con is serviced. Facilities Management is about proactively safeguarding your property from costly, disruptive and potentially dangerous issues before they happen such as our recent emergency call out for help.
The problem: the impact of neglecting your property’s maintenance
Following a period of heavy rain, we received a call from a business that was reporting a major leak inside their premises. Imagine waterfall in the middle of your office.
Water had made its way into the building, threatening equipment and the safety of the working environment.
Upon inspection, our engineers discovered that the cause of the roof leak was relatively straightforward, but entirely preventable. The building’s gutters were completely blocked with debris. As a result, rainwater had nowhere to go, backing up onto the roof structure. This prolonged exposure had compromised the roof, with bolts holding the tile sheeting having eroded over time. The loosened panels allowed water to penetrate the building.
Had routine gutter cleaning and roof inspections been carried out, these issues would have been identified and resolved long before they turned into a costly problem.
Our immediate solution to the leaky roof problem
Given the ongoing poor weather forecast, our priority was to prevent further damage to the property. We carried out emergency works including:
- Clearing all debris from the gutters and removing rubbish from the site.
- Re-fixing loose tile sheeting to prevent additional weather-related damage.
These temporary repairs were essential to protect the building while a full, permanent solution could be planned.
The importance of planned, preventative premises maintenance
While emergency repairs serve an immediate need, they’re no substitute for long-term maintenance. In this case, further works were recommended to properly address the structural issues:
- Removing temporary repairs and deteriorated materials.
- Installing new outlets and upgrading the drainage system.
- Cleaning, preparing and re-sealing gulley areas with high-performance waterproofing products.
- Replacing compromised tile sheeting.
- Installing scaffolding for safe and thorough access.
Unfortunately, as of now, these essential works have not been authorised by the client, which could potentially leave the building at risk of future damage.
How to prevent a leaky roof?
This incident serves as a clear reminder of how easily preventable issues can escalate when regular maintenance is overlooked. Our approach at Sussex Facilities Management is about much more than reactive repairs. A well-structured, proactive maintenance schedule can:
- Reduce unexpected costs from emergency repairs.
- Prolong the life of your building assets.
- Ensure health and safety compliance.
- Minimise operational disruption to your business.
- Provide peace of mind knowing your premises are protected against preventable damage.
Protecting your premises will avoid a crisis
At Sussex Facilities Management, we understand the value of preventative maintenance. From routine gutter cleans and roof inspections to full building maintenance packages, we help businesses stay ahead of potential issues before they become costly problems.
If your property hasn’t had a maintenance check recently, now’s the time to act because prevention is always cheaper and less disruptive than cure.
Contact our friendly team for a free, no-obligation site visit:
📞 01444 812 171
📧 admin@sussexfacilities.co.uk
