Article
Man wearing gloves and sunglasses power washing a shingles roof under clear blue sky.
Autor:
David Biliak
3/11/2026
Time reading:
10min

[heading-style-h3]Roof Leaks Around Rooftop Units: What to Inspect First[heading-style-h3]

<<A roof leak around a rooftop unit may come from the curb, flashing, penetration, sealant, drainage, membrane damage, or trade traffic. The inspection should not assume the field membrane is the source until the equipment details are checked.>>

Roof leaks around rooftop units are common on commercial and low-slope roofs because equipment creates curbs, penetrations, service traffic, and drainage interruptions.

[heading-style-h4]Why RTU leaks are easy to misread[heading-style-h4]

Water near a rooftop unit can enter through the roof, the curb, a penetration, an old sealant repair, or even equipment-related paths. If the inspection only looks at the membrane, the actual source can be missed.

Facility managers also need to know whether another trade has affected the roof. HVAC work, foot traffic, tools, or panel access can damage membrane areas around the unit.

[heading-style-h4]What to inspect first around rooftop units[heading-style-h4]

The inspection should move from the equipment detail outward.

  • RTU curb flashing and counterflashing conditions.
  • Sealant joints, pipe penetrations, and pitch pockets.
  • Membrane seams and patches near the unit.
  • Drainage around the unit and ponding zones.
  • Foot traffic damage and service access paths.

[heading-style-h4]RTU leak diagnosis table[heading-style-h4]

Finding
Possible cause
Repair direction
Water at curb corner
Flashing or sealant failure
Detail repair and photo documentation
Puncture near service path
Trade traffic damage
Membrane repair and access control
Ponding around RTU
Drainage restriction or low area
Drainage review and seam inspection
Interior leak after HVAC work
Equipment or penetration disturbance
Post-trade inspection

[heading-style-h4]How Flat Roof Pros approaches this[heading-style-h4]

Flat Roof Pros inspects RTU leak areas by checking curb details, penetrations, drainage, membrane condition, and service traffic. The recommendation should identify the likely source before repair begins.

[heading-style-h4]Common questions[heading-style-h4]

Is the HVAC contractor or roofer responsible for an RTU leak?
The source has to be inspected first. The issue may be roof flashing, equipment, penetration detailing, or damage from rooftop work.

Can RTU leaks be prevented?
Regular inspections, walk paths, post-trade checks, and documented maintenance can reduce the risk of repeat issues.

No items found.

Find the RTU leak source before patching the wrong area

Flat Roof Pros can inspect rooftop unit details and document whether the issue is flashing, membrane, drainage, or trade-related damage.

Man wearing gloves and sunglasses power washing a shingles roof under clear blue sky.

Related FRP resources

Tags

Repairs
Commercial
Flat Roof

Let’s Schedule Your Free Estimate

Don’t wait for the first leak call. Get ahead with a fast roof check.

Request a Free Estimate
Call (855) 771-0111
3.25.2025
Articles

Warm Roofs vs Cold Roofs: Guide for Building Owners

Confused about warm vs cold roofs? Learn how insulation placement, ventilation, and climate impact your roof’s performance and long-term value.

Read more
5.7.2025
Articles

Is Your Roof Sheathing at Risk?

Protect your property by learning how to recognize subtle signs of sheathing issues before they turn into serious problems.

Read more
7.9.2025
Articles

Flat Roof Inspection: Step-by-Step with Flat Roof Pros

Flat roofs require regular inspections to prevent leaks, structural damage, and costly repairs. Knowing how to inspect a flat roof properly can help catch issues early—before they become major problems.

Read more
2.1.2026
Articles

No-Pressure Roof Estimate in Seattle: What an Honest Assessment Includes

A homeowner and owner guide to honest roof assessments, photo evidence, and clear repair or replacement options.

Read more
2.5.2026
Articles

Commercial Roof Leak Water Damage: What to Contain, Document, and Repair First

An emergency guide for owners and managers dealing with water intrusion from a commercial roof leak.

Read more
2.9.2026
Articles

Portfolio Roof Inspection for Property Managers: One Report Across Multiple Roofs

A guide for property managers who need one clear roof condition report across multiple buildings or properties.

Read more
2.14.2026
Articles

Commercial Roof Warranty Maintenance: Records That Matter

A guide to roof maintenance records and why commercial owners should document inspections and repairs.

Read more
2.18.2026
Articles

Flat Roof Repair Across Puget Sound: Weather, Drainage, and Scope

A Puget Sound flat roof repair guide focused on drainage, weather, leak paths, and documented repair decisions.

Read more
2.22.2026
Articles

Commercial Roof Repair and Replacement in Bellevue: What Owners Should Check

A Bellevue-focused guide for commercial owners deciding whether to repair, restore, or replace a roof.

Read more
2.26.2026
Articles

Commercial Roofing in Seattle: Clear Scope and Low Disruption

A Seattle commercial roofing guide focused on clear scope, occupied buildings, and documented roof decisions.

Read more
3.2.2026
Articles

Roof Leak Insurance Documentation: Mitigate Damage Without Losing Proof

A careful guide to documenting roof leaks when owners may need records for an insurer or internal review.

Read more
3.7.2026
Articles

Flat Roof Drainage in Seattle: Tapered Insulation, Crickets, and Drains

A technical guide to drainage fixes for Seattle flat roofs, from cleaning to tapered insulation planning.

Read more
3.15.2026
Articles

Roof Asset Management Plan: Treat the Roof Like an Asset

An executive guide to managing commercial roofs through inspection, priority maps, and capital planning.

Read more
3.19.2026
Articles

How to Replace a Commercial Roof Without Shutting Down the Building

A business-continuity guide for commercial owners planning roof replacement on occupied buildings.

Read more
3.23.2026
Articles

Bad Roofing Contractor Red Flags: Vague Scopes, Low Bids, and No Updates

A practical guide to contractor red flags for owners comparing roof bids and repair scopes.

Read more
3.28.2026
Articles

Roof Tear-Off Hidden Damage Costs: Why Estimates Can Change

A guide to hidden damage, change-order evidence, and how owners can reduce surprise during roof tear-off.

Read more
4.1.2026
Articles

Apartment Roof Replacement Tenant Notice: What to Communicate

A communication guide for property managers preparing residents for apartment roof replacement work.

Read more
4.5.2026
Articles

Storm Damage Roof Inspection in Seattle: Document, Mitigate, Repair

A claim-aware but careful guide to storm roof inspection, mitigation, and repair planning.

Read more
4.9.2026
Articles

Commercial Roof Maintenance Plan in Seattle: Annual Roof Health Reports

A guide to annual roof health reports for commercial owners and property managers in Seattle.

Read more
4.14.2026
Articles

Low-Slope Roof Repair in Seattle: How Diagnosis Should Work

A practical guide to low-slope roof repair for Seattle properties with leaks, ponding, or hidden water paths.

Read more
4.18.2026
Articles

PVC Roof Replacement in Seattle: Drainage, Scope, and Warranty Clarity

A guide to planning PVC roof replacement for commercial and low-slope properties in Seattle.

Read more
4.22.2026
Articles

TPO Roof Repair in Seattle for Commercial and Multi-Family Buildings

A system-specific guide to TPO roof repair for Seattle commercial and multi-family properties.

Read more
4.26.2026
Articles

Winter Roof Repair in Seattle: What Can Be Done Safely

A winter roofing guide explaining temporary mitigation, dry-ins, weather windows, and permanent repair limits.

Read more
4.30.2026
Articles

Roof Inspection and Certification in Seattle: Sale, Refi, Insurance, and HOA Use Cases

A guide to paid roof inspection and certification use cases for owners, buyers, lenders, and boards.

Read more
5.5.2026
Articles

HOA Roof Replacement Board Approval: How to Build a Defensible Plan

A board-focused guide for HOA and condo leaders preparing roof replacement approval.

Read more
5.9.2026
Articles

Multi-Family Roof Repair in Seattle Without Resident Chaos

A guide for apartment, condo, and multi-family owners planning roof repairs around occupied buildings.

Read more
5.13.2026
Articles

Roofing for Property Managers in Seattle: Proof, Scope, and Follow-Through

A property-manager focused roofing guide built around documentation, clear scope, and fewer follow-up calls.

Read more
5.17.2026
Articles

Commercial Roof Restoration vs Replacement: When Restoration Makes Sense

A practical restoration eligibility guide for commercial owners deciding between coating and tear-off.

Read more
5.21.2026
Articles

Commercial Roof Repair vs Replacement: How to Decide

A decision guide for owners comparing commercial roof repair, restoration, and replacement options.

Read more
5.26.2026
Articles

Standing Water on a Flat Roof in Seattle: When It Is a Problem

A practical guide to ponding water on flat roofs in Seattle and when it needs professional diagnosis.

Read more
5.30.2026
Articles

Why Roof Leaks Come Back After Patching

A guide for property managers and owners tired of paying for the same roof leak more than once.

Read more
6.3.2026
Articles

Emergency Commercial Roof Leak Repair in Seattle: What to Do First

A practical first-response guide for property managers and owners dealing with an active commercial roof leak in Seattle.

Read more

Our Locations

We’re ready to help – Give us a call!

855-771-0111

Head Office

Seattle, Washington

3420 C St NE, Unit 403

Auburn, WA 98002

Eastern Washington Office

Spokane, Washington

601 W 1st Ave, Suite 1400

Spokane, WA 99201

Oregon Office

Portland, Oregon

650 NE Holladay St, Ste 1600

Portland, OR 97232