The call started the way most do: water dripping from a ceiling tile and a frustrated owner who’d already paid for three “fixes.” When we arrived, he pointed to the wet spot. Naturally, he expected us to start there. We started somewhere else—the roof itself.
Why? In commercial roofing, the symptom is rarely at the exact source. Water tends to travel, especially across certain roofing surfaces, before it shows up inside a building. In this case, what seemed like a simple leak was actually a puzzle—a mystery waiting for the right process and the right experience to solve.
A Traveling Leak on a Concrete Deck
This building had a concrete roof deck—a common feature in older commercial structures. Here’s what many people don’t realize: concrete isn’t waterproof—it’s water-resistant. That means water doesn’t stop; it travels. It can slide quietly across the deck for 20, 50, or even 100 feet before it finds a way in.
The previous contractor only examined the area directly above the visible drip. They were addressing the symptom, not the underlying issue. Without a systematic approach, it’s easy to overlook the real cause entirely.
At Seamless Roofing, we don’t chase water. We trace it. Our inspections consider how water moves, collects, and ultimately enters a building. By viewing the roof as a dynamic system rather than isolated spots, we can identify and resolve the problem at its source.
Inside the Mind of a Roof Detective
Eric Howland, our Partner – Operations, has spent years tracking down leaks that other contractors couldn’t.
Here are a few of his go-to lessons from the field:
- Lesson 1: Water can travel forever.
- Lesson 2: If one part is failing, the whole roof is aging.
- Lesson 3: Focus on the “usual suspects.”
After walking the full roof, the culprit finally showed itself—a single compromised seam, hidden far from the ceiling drip. One repair later, the mystery was solved.
That’s the difference between patching and diagnosing. Anyone can chase water. Finding its source takes experience, process, and patience.
Our "roof detective" approach is essential. Once we identify the source of the failure, we can suggest a systemic solution—often a silicone restoration that forms a new, seamless membrane over the entire surface—rather than just another temporary patch.
Stop Elusive Leaks from Draining Your Resources
Persistent leaks aren’t just inconvenient. They threaten your property, disrupt operations, and lead to costly repairs later. Instead of paying for another patch that doesn't last, you need a thorough diagnosis.
Stop chasing leaks. Start solving them. Schedule a diagnostic roof assessment with Seamless Roofing and let our “roof detectives” find the source—not just the symptom.