5 Common Spring Roofing Problems We See in Elkhart (And How to Fix Them)

Let’s be real — winter does a number on commercial roofs around here. Snow, ice, wind, freeze-thaw, all of it. But the thing is, most of that damage doesn’t show up until spring.

That’s when things start to warm up. Ice melts. Water starts moving. And suddenly, those tiny cracks and weak spots that made it through winter? They turn into actual problems.

At American Builders, we’ve seen it all — especially around Elkhart. By the time March or April rolls around, the calls start pouring in. Leaks. Ponding. Weird bubbling in the membrane. Stuff that was quiet all winter suddenly becomes urgent.

So let’s walk through the five most common spring roofing problems we see every year — and how to deal with them before they get worse.

1. The “Outta Nowhere” Leak

This is the one that catches people off guard. Everything seemed fine all winter. No visible damage. No interior leaks. But then spring rolls in, it rains hard for two days, and suddenly… drip. Drip. Drip.

That slow spring leak? It didn’t just happen.

It’s usually been building up all winter. Ice formed, expanded in seams, pulled membranes apart. Then came the melt — and now water’s got a path in.

These types of leaks usually show up around flashing, rooftop units, or old seams that finally gave out. You might not even see them until the water finds its way through insulation and drywall.

The fix?
First step is a solid inspection. Not just a surface-level look — we’re talking infrared scans, moisture detection, the works. Find the weak spot, repair it properly, and make sure the rest of the roof hasn’t been compromised too.

2. Ponding Water That Just Won’t Drain

Ah yes… the rooftop puddle. Or should we say, mini rooftop lake?

This one’s super common in Elkhart, especially on older commercial buildings with flat or low-slope roofs. After the snow melts and the spring rain hits, water starts collecting in all the wrong places. And instead of draining off like it’s supposed to, it just… sits there.

That’s called ponding, and it’s more than just an eyesore.

When water hangs around for more than 48 hours, it starts breaking down the roofing membrane underneath. It puts stress on seams, adds weight to the structure, and slowly opens up paths for leaks. Even if the membrane looks fine, the constant moisture is slowly doing damage underneath.

A lot of the time, ponding water is caused by blocked drains or scuppers. But sometimes, it’s from low spots in the roof that have formed over time — from settling, insulation breakdown, or years of wear and tear.

The fix?
First, clear out all drains, scuppers, and gutters. Make sure water has a clear path off the roof. If ponding still happens, your roofer may need to re-pitch certain areas or install crickets (small, sloped structures that redirect water). And in some cases, applying a new roof coating can help seal things up and improve water flow — if the damage isn’t too far gone.

3. Cracks, Blisters, and Bubbles in the Roof Membrane

Spring shows no mercy to old or stressed-out roof membranes. One day it’s 28°F, the next it’s 65° and sunny — that back-and-forth does a number on your roof. Especially if it’s already aging or wasn’t maintained over the winter.

Here’s what we see a lot of this time of year: cracks, blisters, and bubbles.

Cracks usually show up in older membranes or around seams and edges. They happen when materials shrink and stretch from all those freeze-thaw cycles. Doesn’t take much for a tiny crack to turn into a water entry point once spring rain starts rolling in.

Blisters and bubbles? Those are signs that moisture has already gotten under the surface. Maybe it snuck in during winter and froze. Maybe the membrane wasn’t fully sealed in the first place. Either way, that air or vapor pushes upward, creating raised spots that look like a bubble or blister. And once that membrane lifts? It loses its watertight seal.

The fix?
Depends on how bad it is. Small cracks and bubbles might be able to be patched or sealed with a roof coating. But bigger areas — especially ones where water’s gotten underneath — usually need to be cut out and replaced. A professional inspection will tell you how far it’s spread and whether spot repairs will cut it or not.

4. Flashing Failures Around Roof Penetrations

This one’s a classic. You’ve got a solid roof, everything looks good… but then water starts showing up around HVAC units, skylights, vents, or those odd little pipes sticking out of the roof. Nine times outta ten? It’s the flashing.

Flashing is that metal or rubber material installed around anything that cuts through your roof — like AC units, plumbing vents, or drains. It’s supposed to seal the gap between your roof membrane and whatever’s sticking up through it. And when it’s done right? It works great.

But over time — especially after a rough winter — flashing can crack, pull away, or completely separate from the membrane. Cold temps shrink the materials. Wind lifts them. Ice gets in there, expands, and boom — now you’ve got gaps. Gaps = water in your building.

We see this all the time in the spring, and it’s usually one of the first spots to fail after winter.

The fix?
If the flashing’s just loose or separated, your roofer might be able to reattach it and reseal the area. But if it’s cracked, rusted, or falling apart? It needs to be replaced. Fast. Ignoring flashing issues is one of the quickest ways to end up with water inside your building — and that can lead to way bigger repair bills.

5. Storm Debris and Roof Surface Damage

Spring in Elkhart brings all the usual stuff — rain, wind, hail… and plenty of debris. We’re talking branches, twigs, trash, shingles from the building next door, you name it. After a storm, all of that junk ends up on your roof.

Here’s why that’s a problem: even if the debris itself didn’t do damage on impact, leaving it up there can cause problems fast.

Branches can scrape or puncture the membrane. Wet leaves clog drains and cause ponding. Loose gravel or roofing material gets blown around and wears down the surface coating over time. And honestly? Sometimes stuff just sits there and starts rotting, holding moisture against the roof.

We’ve even seen screws and nails from nearby construction projects end up on roofs after high winds — just rolling around up there like little leak grenades.

The fix?
Clean the roof. That simple. After every big storm, make it a habit to send someone up there (safely) or hire a roofer to do a post-storm cleanup and quick inspection. Catching debris early means less chance of punctures, drainage issues, or long-term wear.

Spring Roof Problems Don’t Fix Themselves

Look — spring in Elkhart is rough on commercial roofs. Winter left its mark, and now spring storms are rolling in hot. Leaks, ponding, busted flashing, debris, bubbling membranes — these are all problems we see every single year. And if you don’t catch them early? They will get worse. Fast.

But the good news? Most of this stuff is easy to fix when you catch it early. That’s why a spring inspection is such a no-brainer. You get ahead of the damage, save money, and keep your building (and your tenants or employees) protected.

At American Builders, we specialize in helping commercial building owners and property managers across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois deal with exactly these kinds of problems.

We know what to look for. We know how to fix it. And we’re ready to get up there so you don’t have to.

Contact us today to schedule your spring roof inspection.
Let’s get ahead of the damage and keep your roof ready for whatever this Midwest spring throws at it.