Commercial Roof Repair and Leak Repair in Savannah, GA

A leak over inventory, tenants, a dining room, a sanctuary or a server room needs fast attention. Call (912) 513-1486 and we will connect you with an independent local commercial roofing contractor who handles flat and low-slope roof repairs across Savannah and Chatham County. We are a referral service; the roofer diagnoses the leak, quotes the repair and does the work.

Common commercial roof leaks

• Flashings at walls, curbs and parapets. The most common leak source on flat roofs. Membrane pulls away from walls or cracks at corners.
• Rooftop HVAC units. Curb flashings, condensate lines, and damage from service traffic. Air conditioning runs hard for much of the year here, so units get serviced often.
• Drains and scuppers. Live oak leaves, pine needles and pollen clog drains, and a heavy downpour can back water up under flashings within minutes.
• Open seams. On EPDM, glued or taped seams fail with age and heat. On TPO and PVC, a poorly welded seam can open.
• Pipe boots and pitch pans. UV dries out sealant and cracks boots.
• Metal roof fasteners and laps. Loose screws, worn washers, rusted fasteners and failed lap sealant.
• Coping and edge metal. Wind-loosened coping lets wind-driven rain into the wall.
• Masonry walls on older buildings. On brick buildings downtown, water can enter through parapet mortar, cracked coping stones or failed through-wall flashing, and it looks like a roof leak.

What to do while you wait

1. Move inventory and electronics, and protect floors with plastic and buckets.
2. Note where water comes in and when (every rain, only wind-driven rain, only during long storms). It helps the roofer trace it.
3. If it is safe and you have roof access, check whether drains near the leak are clogged. Do not go on the roof during a storm, in high wind or lightning.
4. Take photos inside and out for your records.
5. If water is near electrical equipment or lights, shut off that circuit and call an electrician.
6. Dry out wet ceiling tiles and carpet quickly; in Savannah's humidity, mold can follow a leak fast.

How a roofer finds and fixes the leak

Water often travels a long way under a membrane or along a deck before it drips, so the leak inside may not be right below the hole. A good roofer inspects flashings, seams and penetrations near and upslope of the leak, may probe seams, and may recommend an infrared or moisture survey on larger roofs. Repairs include welded or taped patches, new flashings at curbs and walls, new pipe boots, drain repairs, re-securing edge metal, and fastener replacement on metal roofs. Temporary emergency repairs may come first, followed by a permanent repair when the roof is dry.

Commercial roof repair costs

Rough national-guide ranges. Access, roof type and how hard the leak is to find all affect price. Get the price in writing.

What drives the price

• Roof system and age; some older membranes are hard to patch
• How long the leak has been going (wet insulation spreads)
• Height and access (ladder versus lift), and tight downtown lots
• Emergency or after-hours calls, and demand right after a storm
• Whether the roof is under a manufacturer warranty that requires an approved contractor

How long it takes

Many leak repairs are done in a few hours to a day once the roofer is on site. Larger section replacements may take several days. Repairs need a dry surface, so during a wet stretch or a slow-moving tropical system, expect temporary measures first.

Repair or replace?

Repairs make sense when the roof is under about two-thirds of its expected life and problems are localized. If leaks keep moving, insulation is wet in many areas, or you are spending more every year, ask the roofer to compare repair, coating and replacement options.

Savannah factors that cause leaks

Heavy summer rain is the everyday test. Afternoon thunderstorms can drop a lot of water in a short time, so any slow drain or low spot gets exposed. Tropical storms bring wind-driven rain that enters at coping, edge metal and rooftop unit panels. Strong sun breaks down sealants and membranes, and salt air rusts fasteners and metal flashing. Trees are part of the city's character, but leaves and moss from live oaks end up in gutters and drains. Older masonry buildings in the Historic District and the Victorian District often have parapet walls whose coping and flashing need attention, while metal buildings near the port tend to leak at fasteners.

Hiring checklist for Savannah commercial roofing

• Georgia contractor license. Georgia requires a state contractor license for many commercial construction jobs, and what applies depends on the type and size of the work. Ask for the license number and verify it with the Georgia Secretary of State's online license lookup before you sign.
• Permits. The City of Savannah, Chatham County and the surrounding cities usually require a permit for commercial reroofing. Ask the contractor to confirm what applies and to pull any permit in their own name.
• Historic district review. If the building is in downtown Savannah's National Historic Landmark District or another local historic district, roof changes visible from the street may need review. Check with the City of Savannah's historic preservation staff before materials are ordered.
• Insurance. Ask for certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance, sent directly from the insurance agent.
• Wind rating. Ask what wind uplift rating the roof system carries and how the attachment plan handles the corners and edges, where coastal wind pulls hardest.
• Written scope. The proposal should name the system, thickness, insulation, attachment method, flashing details, tear-off or recover, warranty terms and cleanup.

Prevent the next leak

• Schedule inspections each spring and fall, and before and after hurricane season.
• Clear drains and scuppers regularly, more often under trees.
• Keep a roof log of repairs and who did them.
• Ask HVAC contractors to protect the roof during service.

Call (912) 513-1486 to reach a local roof repair contractor.

Frequently asked questions

Areas we serve

We connect callers across Savannah, Pooler, Garden City, Richmond Hill and all of Chatham County, Georgia, including:

• Savannah
• Pooler
• Garden City
• Port Wentworth
• Richmond Hill
• Bloomingdale
• Thunderbolt
• Tybee Island
• Wilmington Island
• Isle of Hope
• Skidaway Island
• Georgetown
• Rincon
• Chatham County
• Bryan County

Local pages: Pooler, Richmond Hill, Garden City.

Related services

• Commercial Roof Replacement
• TPO & Single-Ply Roofing
• Commercial Metal Roofing
• Roof Coatings & Restoration
• Hurricane & Storm Damage Inspection