Why commercial roofs in Kern County start leaking
Most commercial roofs around Bakersfield don't fail all at once. They wear down through the dry months, then show it in the first real storm of the season.
- Heat and sun. Months of triple-digit afternoons dry out coatings, sealants and flashing. Roofing expands in the heat of the day and shrinks at night, and that movement works at seams and joints.
- Long dry spells, then sudden rain. Our rain comes in a handful of storms, mostly in the cooler months. A crack that did no harm all summer lets water in the first time a storm sits over town.
- Dust, debris and wind. Valley dust, leaves and wind-blown trash collect in drains, scuppers and gutters, and strong gusts can lift weak edges and old patches. When water can't get off the roof, it finds another way down.
- Rooftop equipment. HVAC units, vents, pipes and skylights all cut holes through the roof. The flashing around them, and the foot traffic from service techs, make them some of the most common leak spots.
Commercial roof problems we repair
We repair the same roof systems we install and work on every day.
Spray foam roofs
Worn-through coating, blisters, cracks, hail or foot-traffic damage, and bird pecking. Damaged spots can usually be repaired and recoated so the foam is protected again. We repair spray foam roofs installed by other contractors too, not just our own.
Coated roofs
Coatings that have chalked, thinned, cracked or peeled, leaving the roof underneath exposed to the sun. Sometimes a spot repair is enough. Sometimes the whole surface is ready for a recoat. See roof coatings.
TPO single-ply roofs
Open or split seams, punctures from dropped tools or foot traffic, and flashing pulling loose at walls, curbs and edges. See TPO roofing.
Metal roofs
Older metal shops, barns and warehouses usually leak at the seams, overlaps and rusted fasteners. We typically fix leaking metal roofs by spraying foam over them, which covers those weak spots in one continuous layer. Learn about spray foam over metal roofs.
Problems on any flat roof
- Ponding water that sits for days after a storm
- Clogged drains, scuppers and gutters
- Failed flashing at walls, curbs, vents and pipes
- Leaks around skylights and rooftop units
- Storm and wind damage
See flat roof repair for more on ponding and drainage problems.
Ponding water and clogged drains cause many of the flat-roof leaks we see. Read signs your commercial roof drainage is failing to learn what to look for. If a roof is leaking right now, here is what to do when a commercial roof starts leaking. To keep a roof in shape between repairs, see commercial roof maintenance contracts.
Finding the real source of the leak
The stain on your ceiling often isn't under the hole in the roof. Water can travel along the deck, a beam or the top of the insulation before it drips, sometimes a long way from where it got in. That's why patching the spot right above the stain so often fails.
When we come out for a leak, we get on the roof and check the whole area around it: seams, flashing, penetrations, drains and the condition of the surface. Then we tell you what we found, what should be fixed now and what can wait. More on this on our roof leak repair page.
When it's an emergency
If a storm has opened up your roof or water is pouring into the building, call (661) 213-2203. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, and someone is on call after hours, so you can call anytime. We tarp roofs in emergencies to help limit the damage until a permanent repair can be made. See emergency & storm roof repair.
Leak at home instead? See roof repair for homes.
Searching for commercial roof repair near you? We're based in Bakersfield and someone is on call after hours. In an emergency we tarp the roof to help limit damage, then give you a written, itemized repair estimate.
While you wait:
- Move inventory, equipment and electronics away from the leak, and cover what you can't move.
- Catch dripping water with buckets or bins, and keep people away from wet floors.
- If water is near lights or electrical equipment, shut off power to that area if it's safe to do so.
- Stay off the roof in rain and wind. Wet roofs are slippery, and damage isn't always visible from the surface.
Repair it or replace it?
A good repair is the cheapest roof you'll ever buy. But patching a roof that's failing everywhere just means paying for the same call next winter. We'll tell you which situation you're in:
- Repair makes sense when the damage is limited to a few areas and the rest of the roof is dry and holding up.
- Recoating or restoration can make sense when the surface is worn out but the roof underneath is still sound. See commercial roof restoration.
- Replacement is usually the answer when water has soaked large parts of the roof or failures are showing up all over. See commercial roof replacement.
If you go with a new spray foam or TPO roof system, warranty length depends on the roof system, typically 20 years. To have the whole roof looked over before you set a budget, ask about a commercial roof inspection.
Repairs that fit around your business
Roof work doesn't have to shut you down. We can work around your business hours and on occupied buildings, whether it's a store, an office or a warehouse running shifts. We'll plan the work with you ahead of time.
How a repair works
- Call or send a request. Call (661) 213-2203 or send us the details. Tell us where the water shows up and when.
- We look at the roof. We check the leak area and the roof around it.
- Written, itemized estimate. You get the repair scope and the price, line by line, plus anything else we noticed.
- Permits when needed. If the work requires a permit, we pull it.
- The repair. Scheduled around your business hours.
Why call Pioneer Roofing for commercial roof repair
- Based in Bakersfield at 6321 Almond Dr, working across Kern County.
- We repair what we know: spray foam, silicone and acrylic coatings, TPO, and foam over metal.
- Honest answers. If a repair will do the job, we won't try to sell you a new roof.
- Written, itemized estimates, and we pull the permits when the job needs them.
- Emergency tarping, with someone on call after hours.
- Over 20 years of roofing experience.
- Pioneer Roofing · Licensed & Insured · CA License #976470.
Commercial roof repair FAQ
How much does commercial roof repair cost?
It depends on what's damaged, how big the area is, the type of roof and how easy it is to reach. A small seam or flashing repair and a large storm-damage repair are very different jobs. We give free written, itemized estimates, so you know exactly what you're paying for. Call (661) 213-2203.
Can you repair a roof another company installed?
Yes, for the roof systems we work on. That includes repairing and recoating spray foam roofs installed by other contractors. We'll look at the roof first and tell you whether it's one we can repair.
Why does my roof only leak in certain storms?
Wind direction, how hard it rains and how long the storm lasts all change where water goes. A gap in the flashing on one side of a rooftop unit might only leak when rain blows from that direction, and a partly clogged drain may keep up with light rain but overflow in a downpour. Those leaks are worth finding before the next big storm.
Do you do emergency roof repairs?
Yes. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, and someone is on call after hours. We tarp roofs in emergencies to help limit damage until the roof can be repaired.
Can a leaking metal roof be repaired?
Usually, yes. We typically repair leaking metal roofs by spraying foam over them, which seals the seams, overlaps and fasteners where metal roofs leak and adds insulation. The metal has to be checked first to make sure it's a good candidate.
Can you repair my roof while we're open?
Yes. We can schedule repairs around your business hours and work on occupied buildings. We'll plan the work with you before we start.
When is a roof beyond repair?
When water has soaked into large parts of the roof, leaks keep showing up in new places, or the surface is failing across most of the roof, repairs stop being a good use of your money. We'll tell you honestly if that's where your roof is and explain your options.
Get a free commercial roof repair estimate
Tell us what's happening: where the water shows up, how long it's been going on and what kind of building it is. We'll get back to you to set up a time to look at the roof.
Serving all of Kern County and nearby areas, plus larger projects elsewhere in California. From our office at 6321 Almond Dr, we serve all of Kern County, including Bakersfield, Oildale, Shafter, Wasco, Delano, McFarland, Arvin, Lamont, Tehachapi, Taft, Frazier Park, Lake Isabella, California City, Ridgecrest and Buttonwillow. Call (661) 213-2203 to ask about your location. See all service areas.
Pioneer Roofing · 6321 Almond Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308 · (661) 213-2203 · 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily (Mon–Sun), on call after hours · Pioneer Roofing · Licensed & Insured · CA License #976470
Related: Commercial roofing · Spray foam roofing · Roof coatings · TPO roofing · Roof leak repair · Flat roof repair