How Leaves and Debris Can Wreck Your Commercial Roof
October brings cooler weather, the Bears are (hopefully) winning, and the entire Chicagoland area is putting on a gorgeous show of red, orange, and gold. For those of us who call Northern Illinois home, this is truly a spectacular time of year. But, for your commercial roof, this picturesque season brings a hidden enemy: leaves and debris. Those seemingly harmless fallen leaves are a silent threat to your most valuable asset, and ignoring them now sets you up for major problems when the real winter weather hits.
The Big Chill Threat: Why October is Critical
For commercial properties, especially those with low-slope or flat roofing systems (like the Modified Bitumen, EPDM, or TPO roofs we often install around here), leaves and autumn debris create a one-two punch of damage:
- The Clogged Drain Disaster
Commercial roofs are built with a sophisticated drainage system (scuppers, internal drains, gutters) to shed thousands of gallons of water efficiently and direct water away from the foundation.
The Problem: Dry, crunchy autumn leaves blow onto your roof, get wet, and quickly turn into a thick, sludge-like mess. This messy debris piles up, clogging drains and scuppers.
The Result: Water can’t escape. It pools on your roof, creating ponding. Even if the water eventually drains, this standing water accelerates the deterioration of the roof membrane, flashing, and seams. If it’s left to freeze and thaw—a signature Chicagoland move—it can result in cracks, tears, and leaks inside your building.
- Hidden Membrane Damage
Those piles of leaves don’t just block drains; they create an environment that traps moisture.
The Problem: Wet, decomposing debris can hold excessive moisture against your roof surface for days, even weeks.
The Result: This trapped moisture can break down the surface of your roofing membrane (especially on older systems) and, worse, hide punctures, splits, or compromised flashing that a professional inspection would catch. It’s a dark, wet home for potential rot and mold, and it obscures small issues before they become huge, costly ones.
Waukegan Roofing’s Autumn Proactive Plan
As local commercial roofing experts, our goal is to help you minimize headaches and maximize your roof’s lifespan. October is your last best chance to prepare your roof before the snow and ice truly lock down on the Chicagoland area. Here’s how you can protect your commercial investment today:
- Clear the Clutter (Safely!): Have your maintenance team or a qualified professional safely remove all visible leaves, sticks, and debris from the roof surface, paying extra attention to the areas around all drains, scuppers, and parapet walls.
- Inspect the Drains: Ensure all internal and external drainage points are completely clear. Check for any sludge or blockages deep within the openings.
- Locate & Seal Potential Entry Points: Find and seal any small cracks or failing caulk before they become leak points during heavy rain or freezing temperatures.
- Inspect Flashing & Roof Accessories: Check all rooftop structures like the HVAC system, vents, skylights, whirlybirds, and other accessories for loose flashing or penetrations.
- Schedule a Professional Maintenance Inspection: A proactive inspection from the experts at Waukegan Roofing is the best money you can spend. Why? Because we look deeper than just the surface. Our licensed, bonded, and insured contractors perform a comprehensive, multi-point roof diagnostics to make sure the structure is safe and free of defects that can cause damage.
Don’t let the beauty of a Chicagoland fall blind you to the risk on your commercial roof. A little maintenance today can prevent a major, disruptive, and expensive repair job when you least expect it. Ready to safeguard your business before the first deep freeze? Contact Waukegan Roofing today to schedule your commercial fall inspection and protect your investment with preemptive maintenance and professional commercial roofing services.
