Rooftop heating and cooling units are a feasible adjustment to make for keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter while saving space in your home. But they can also damage your roof in multiple ways due to negligence. If you have a swamp cooler or another rooftop HVAC unit, it is essential to find out if it will damage your roof or cause leaks.
This article will help you understand the following details:
- How rooftop HVAC units, also known as rooftop units (RTUs), can cause leaks
- What to do if your roof leaks in heavy rain
- How to fix and prevent roof leaks
At Trusted Roofing, we understand every property owner wants to create a safe and comfortable residence or workplace. We try our best to educate homeowners about proper roofing practices so that they can take good care of their homes or commercial building.
If your roof leaks in heavy rain, or even during light showers, it’s possible that your rooftop HVAC unit has something to do with it. In the following blog post, we’ve explained the causes, and solutions, for roof leaks caused by RTUs.
How Does An HVAC Unit On Roof Cause Leaks?
If you see water dripping down the ceiling, or wet stains, your roof has probably developed a cut, crack, or hole. Water and pests can quickly enter through the damaged part, causing all sorts of problems to your home. If you have a swamp cooler or any other roof mount AC unit, these units can cause damage due to the following reasons:
Incorrect Installation Is A Leading Cause
One of the most common causes of a roof leak is the faulty installation of an HVAC unit on the roof. The installation of an RTU includes a proper frame, support system, and flashing, which should always be done by a qualified roofing contractor. HVAC contractors are experts with their equipment, but not with the roofing system. Even a tiny mistake in installation can compromise your roof.
Handymen and inexperienced workers may also use poor-quality roofing materials or install a rooftop AC unit on an old roof without a proper inspection. These factors can cause damage over time if not addressed early enough in the process, which may then require expensive repairs or even a roof replacement.
To prevent roof damage and leaks, you must make sure that these components are installed correctly by professionals who know what they’re doing. If you decide to use an independent contractor, make sure they have experience installing HVAC units on roofs, and that their work is fully insured in case any problems arise down the road.
Can Roof Leaks Occur Due To The Effect Of External Temperatures On Rooftop HVAC Units?
The temperature outside is a significant factor in your RTUs performance. Here is an explanation of how the temperature actually affects your HVAC unit and roof:
Residential HVAC systems work best when the output system is located in the attic. With temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), this could stress out the internal components of your air conditioning system. When this happens, the machines will use more power and time to cool your house, raising energy costs. If you live in a hot and humid region, there might be better alternatives to mounting your AC unit on the roof.
If you think your rooftop HVAC unit might lead to leaks, here’s what you should do:
What To Do When Your RTU Causes A Roof Leak
If water has already passed down the roof or ceiling, it is best to call a roofing professional for a complete roof inspection and repair. You can also contact an HVAC contractor if the roofing expert suggests something is wrong with the RTU. Meanwhile, you can take the following measures on your own:
Contain The Leak Temporarily
The first step in containing the leak is to place buckets underneath to catch any drips that might occur while working on other areas of the roof. It’s crucial to take this step! A bucket may seem insignificant compared to everything else we mentioned but trust us, it’s better than having wet drywall or moldy furniture later down the line.
Mark Every Leaking Point, Including Wet Ceilings
To determine where a leak is coming from, and how big it is, you’ll need to mark everything that seems to have leaks. First, take pictures of any puddles or wet spots on your ceiling. Then, pick up a roll of painter’s tape and start marking each place where there’s water damage, even if it seems like just a few drops here and there. This will help you mention every suspicious area to your roofing contractor, increasing the speed of assessment.
Research Local Roofing Contractors
Before you begin any repair or maintenance project, you must research local contractors who can help. You’ll want to look for a contractor who has experience with your HVAC unit, and roofing system. Researching local contractors is just as important as analyzing the problem itself.
To ensure that you’re getting quality workmanship and materials, ask friends and family members for referrals to a reliable roof repair contractor. You should also check online reviews and see what people say about their team and services.
Choose A Reliable & Experienced Company For Consultation
A rooftop HVAC unit might lead to leaks, but don’t assume it’s the only possible culprit. You should take advantage of any free roof inspection offered by a trustworthy and skilled company.
- They will find the cause and actual source of leaks and conduct a complete roof inspection. This will determine if any structural issues need addressing.
- After inspecting all parts of your roof and making necessary roof repairs, they’ll reinstall the RTU properly to prevent further damage and roof leaks.
You can also conduct preventive maintenance on your roof after everything is taken care of.
How To Prevent Issues With Rooftop HVAC Units
A regular roof inspection is the best way to control roof damage before it even happens. Most roofing companies offer professional roof inspection services, but only some of them are experts. Our team of proficient roof inspectors can quickly identify the damage caused by RTUs and any other issues with your roof– minor or huge. If no problems are detected during inspection, then preventive maintenance is done every few months to keep the units and the roofing materials working smoothly for many years.
In this blog, you’ve learned that one of the most prominent causes of roof leaks is when a rooftop HVAC unit is installed poorly and not maintained properly. Roof leaks can also be caused by normal wear and tear due to weather conditions and usage, but whatever the case may be, you must take care of your roof to protect your home or building.
If you live in or around Hendersonville, Tenessee, our team can help you solve this issue on priority, and with the highest level of efficiency.
Get A Free Consultation & Estimate For Roof Repairs & Reinstallation Of Rooftop HVAC Units
When it comes to your home’s roof, you want to make sure that all the leaks are fixed, and reinstallation of your rooftop HVAC unit is done correctly. That’s where Trusted Roofing comes in. We offer free consultations and estimates for all of our work, so you can get an accurate idea of how much our roof repair services will cost and what they include.
We understand that when it comes to your home and business, there are no small jobs. That’s why we take pride in our attention to detail and focus on doing things right the first time around. We provide the most reliable and high-quality workmanship in Hendersonville, Nashville, and surrounding areas in Tennessee.
Contact us at (615) 714-4300 for a free roof inspection and estimate for roof leak repairs. Our residential roof repair team is licensed, skilled, and trained to offer 100% customer satisfaction. Plus, they are friendly and dependable!
