Leak Investigation & Repair

Roofers working on a roof

Want to know what it looks like when our team comes out to identify the roof leak in your building? Read more here.

We are aware a leak is the last thing you want to find in your building. Although we may be the last call you want to make, we hope Baker Roofing Company is your first. Over 100 years of experience has proven to give us insight into the most efficient way to locate and repair your leak. We believe in transparency and education when it comes to our services, so we thought it would be helpful to share what our team does on-site to find that pesky roof leak.
Roofers working on a roof with a satellite
Roofers climbing up a ladder

First step:The salesperson will go inside the building and speak to the onsite point of contact. If there are any water stains or active indoor leaks, we will take a look at them then. If the business has ceiling tiles, then our team will remove those tiles and look at the type of deck on the building. The deck is accessible between the tiles and the roofline. At this point, we are looking for water or other obvious roof penetrations. We also like to determine if the water is from the air conditioning units’ condensation. Sometimes we identify roof penetrations this way and sometimes we do not.

Second step: Go on the roof. We will then search around any holes, open seams, or penetrations that might be open in the leak area. Depending on the job, we can utilize density gauges or infrared cameras (used at nighttime only) to see if any of the insulation is wet which allows us to track it at the point of entry.

Last step: Photo documentation of our findings after we have thoroughly checked and identified the problem area. Now you can expect our team to work up a proposal with photos and explanations. Once the proposal or NTE (not to exceed) work order is signed, our service crew will be scheduled to come out and make the repair! You’ll be back to normal business before you know it. Not to mention, a nice and dry ceiling/roof!

map of locations of roofing company

Waterhead

A box-shaped component that connects scuppers to downspouts, helping control the flow of roof runoff and avoiding unsightly cascades. Waterheads are also called conductor heads or rainheads.

Expansion Joints

Flexible joints built into a roof system that absorb movement from expansion and contraction. They prevent cracking and leaks at connections between different parts of your roof assembly.

Drip Edge

An L-shaped piece of roof edge flashing that helps rainwater flow off the roof and away from the fascia boards. It prevents water from seeping under shingles or other roofing materials, protecting the roof deck from rot.

Capillary Action

The process where water moves into tiny gaps or along narrow spaces, often against gravity, because of surface tension. In roofing, it can draw water into seams or cut edges, leading to hidden leaks and damage.

Membrane

The waterproof layer in a roofing system that protects the building from water intrusion and reflects sunlight, lowering energy costs. It’s usually the top layer of the roofing system and can be made of materials like TPO, PVC, EPDM, or modified bitumen.

Heat welded thermoplastic membrane

A type of white single-ply roofing membrane that’s sealed at the seams using hot air, creating a waterproof layer over the roof. It’s commonly used on flat or low-slope commercial buildings, since these roofs need to most protection from water infiltration.

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer)

A black, gray or white rubber roofing membrane known for its long lifespan. It’s commonly used on flat or low-slope buildings and is typically glued down, mechanically fastened or ballasted, not heat-welded.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

A high-end type of heat-welded thermoplastic membrane that stands up well to oils and chemicals. It’s ideal for restaurants or industrial buildings for its extra resistance, though it usually costs more.

TPO (thermoplastic olefin)

A durable type of heat-welded thermoplastic membrane that reflects sunlight and helps reduce cooling costs. It’s a cost-effective option for flat roofs but may not perform as well as PVC in harsh environments.

End cap

A metal cap that seals the open end of gutters, flashings, or panels. End caps prevent water from spilling and protect roof edges from corrosion or leaks.

Soldered joint

A watertight joint created by joining metal roofing or flashing components together. Soldered joints provide long-lasting, durable seals against water infiltration.

Parapet wall

The short wall that extends above the roofline, often around the roof’s edge, to provide safety, block wind, and in some cases help manage water drainage. In roofing, parapet walls are usually capped with coping to keep water from seeping into the wall structure.

Retro drain

A roof drain retrofit designed to fit inside existing piping without major demolition. Retro drains are cost-effective solutions for improving drainage on older roofs.