Aircraft Hangar Roofing: Protect Your Hangar Before Winter Weather Hits

MARKETING

Oct 20

6 min read

Every general aviation flight ends in a practical place: on a ramp, beside a hangar, under a roof someone has to maintain. In Los Angeles, where months of dry heat can give way to heavy winter storms, aircraft hangar roofing belongs on every winter checklist.

That roof may not get the attention an aircraft does. It may not have a logbook, avionics upgrade schedule, or preflight checklist. But when winter weather arrives, the roof over a hangar, terminal, FBO, or maintenance bay becomes part of the safety system.

A hangar leak is rarely just a nuisance. Water can reach aircraft, tools, stored parts, electrical systems, insulation, fire protection equipment, and tenant spaces. A failing membrane can disrupt operations, create slip hazards, and turn a busy ramp day into an emergency repair call.

ADCO Roofing & Waterproofing sees this connection every day. Our CEO, Andrew Triphon, knows it firsthand as a pilot. Most Mondays, he flies his Cirrus SR22T out of Van Nuys to visit ADCO divisions across the West. Robb Report recently shared his aviation story, and it reflects something we talk about often: the runway and the rooftop are connected.

That idea was also at the center of “Runways to Rooftops,” which ADCO recently co-hosted at Van Nuys Airport with Mach 1 Aviation and Cirrus Aircraft. The event brought together people who understand aviation from more than one angle, including aircraft owners, operators, maintenance teams, and facility leaders who keep aviation infrastructure dry, safe, and ready.

Wide-angle view of a private aircraft parked beside a hangar on a cloudy afternoon. — ADCO Roofing and Waterproofing CEO, Andrew Triphon in his Cirrus SR22T @ Van Nuys Airport, CA

A roof problem can become an aviation problem fast

Airport facilities are different from standard commercial buildings. They operate around aircraft movement, tenant schedules, security requirements, specialized equipment, and weather exposure across wide open surfaces. A roof issue can put pressure on all of that at once.

For a hangar, water intrusion can affect:

Aircraft interiors and avionics
Ground support equipment
Tooling, parts, and maintenance records
Electrical panels and lighting
Insulation and interior finishes
Tenant operations and lease obligations
Walkways, door tracks, and work areas

For terminals and FBO buildings, the risks look a little different, but they are just as real. Wet ceiling tiles, stained interiors, slippery floors, and recurring leaks send the wrong message to passengers and tenants. They can also create maintenance backlogs that grow during the busiest travel periods.

This is why aircraft hangar roofing deserves the same practical attention as pavement, lighting, fuel systems, and access control. It protects assets that are expensive, sensitive, and central to airport revenue.

Winter weather exposes weak points

Many roofing problems stay quiet during mild weather. Then the first heavy rain, wind-driven storm, or freeze-thaw cycle shows exactly where the system is aging. If you're tracking El Niño forecasts for Southern California, read our guide: Is Your Commercial Roof Ready for El Niño?

Flat and low-slope airport roofs often have large surface areas. Water needs a clear path to drains, scuppers, gutters, and downspouts. When debris collects or drainage slows, ponding water can stress seams, flashings, and penetrations.

Common winter trouble spots include:

Open seams in single-ply membrane systems
Cracked sealant around penetrations
Clogged roof drains or overflow drains
Damaged flashing at parapets and curbs
Loose metal edge details
Blisters, punctures, or worn coating
Rust or fastener issues on metal roof panels
Deteriorated transitions near hangar doors

These problems are easier to address before a storm. Once water enters the building, the work becomes more complicated. Crews may need to protect aircraft, move stored materials, coordinate around active operations, and solve the roof issue while also dealing with interior damage.

A pre-season roof inspection helps identify those weak points while there is still time to plan repairs.

What an aircraft hangar roofing inspection should cover

A good inspection is more than a walk across the roof. It should look at the building as an operating aviation facility, not just a surface.

At a minimum, a winter readiness inspection should include roof membrane condition, drainage, flashings, penetrations, rooftop equipment, expansion joints, and interior leak indicators. For hangars, the inspection should also account for large door openings, wide spans, wind exposure, and areas where water could affect aircraft or maintenance operations below.

A practical inspection should answer a few clear questions:

Where is water most likely to enter?
Is drainage working as designed?
Are there signs of movement, separation, or aging?
Which repairs are urgent?
Which repairs can be planned after the season?
Is documentation strong enough for budgeting and maintenance records?

That last point matters. Airport GMs, FBO operators, and maintenance crews often need to make decisions quickly, but they also need to justify spending. Clear photos, plain-language findings, and repair priorities make it easier to act before small issues turn into emergency calls.

For some facilities, the right next step may be targeted hangar roof repair. For others, it may be coating, waterproofing, drain correction, flashing replacement, or a larger reroof plan.

Close-up view of water beading near a roof drain on a low-slope hangar roof. — Drainage details often reveal roof problems before leaks reach the interior.

Hangars, terminals, and FBOs need different maintenance plans

Airport properties are not all maintained the same way. A hangar used for aircraft storage has different needs from a terminal with passenger areas or an FBO with offices, lounges, fuel operations, and maintenance bays.

A strong roof plan reflects those differences.

Hangars need asset-first protection

Hangars often protect high-value aircraft and equipment. Even a small leak can create a serious problem if it drips onto an aircraft, reaches avionics, or pools near maintenance work. Large doors and open interiors can also make wind-driven rain more challenging.

The goal is direct: keep water out, keep the floor safe, and protect stored assets.

Terminals need reliability and public confidence

A terminal roof supports passenger experience as well as operations. Visible leaks, stained ceiling tiles, and blocked-off areas can damage trust. They can also create safety concerns in public walkways.

For terminals, airport waterproofing often includes careful attention to transitions, walls, canopies, pedestrian areas, and occupied spaces where disruption must be kept low.

FBOs need uptime

FBO facilities balance customer service, aircraft support, tenant needs, and daily operations. Roof work must often be planned around aircraft arrivals, ramp access, fueling activity, and customer spaces.

A good roofing partner understands that access, timing, and communication matter as much as the repair itself.

Experience matters when the facility is active

Roofing at an airport is not the same as roofing an ordinary warehouse. It can involve security protocols, restricted access, safety coordination, tenant communication, and careful scheduling around active aviation operations.

ADCO Roofing & Waterproofing has delivered roofing and waterproofing services for aviation and aerospace clients including Hollywood Burbank Airport, FedEx at LAX, and SpaceX. Today, ADCO operates 11 divisions across five states and can support aviation clients nationwide.

That depth matters because airport work requires both technical skill and operational awareness. Crews need to understand how to protect the building while respecting the environment around it. On active facilities, a clean job site, controlled access, and clear communication are part of the work.

For airports and aviation facilities across Los Angeles, from Van Nuys Airport to LAX, the rule is simple: choose a commercial roofing and waterproofing partner that understands the cost of downtime. If you manage other commercial properties in the area, see our guide to finding commercial roofing services in Los Angeles.

Aircraft hangar roofing across the West and beyond

ADCO's reach goes well beyond Los Angeles. As the Robb Report feature describes, Andrew flies most Mondays from Van Nuys to visit ADCO's 11 divisions across five states, landing at FBOs a short flight from each operation. Those same markets are where our crews can protect hangars, terminals, and FBOs:

Las Vegas, NV: hangars and FBOs at airports such as Harry Reid International, Henderson Executive, and North Las Vegas
Phoenix, AZ: hangars and FBOs at airports such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Phoenix Deer Valley, and Scottsdale
Reno, NV: hangars and FBOs at airports such as Reno-Tahoe International and Reno-Stead
San Jose, CA: hangars and FBOs at airports such as San Jose Mineta International and Reid-Hillview
Sacramento, CA: hangars and FBOs at airports such as Sacramento International, Sacramento Executive, and McClellan

Outside these markets, ADCO can support aviation and aerospace clients nationwide. Wherever your hangar, terminal, or FBO is located, call 800-773-7663 to plan a pre-season roof inspection.

The best time to fix a leak is before it starts

Winter roof problems often feel sudden, but many begin months earlier. A seam loosens. A drain clogs. A flashing detail separates. A small puncture goes unnoticed. Then the first major weather system arrives, and the problem shows up inside.

A pre-season roof inspection gives maintenance teams a chance to get ahead of that cycle.

It can help identify:

Small repairs that prevent larger damage
Drainage issues before heavy rain
Membrane wear before active leaking
Conditions that may affect warranties
Budget items for the next capital cycle
Safety concerns around occupied or operational areas

Clear skies above, dry hangars below.

That line captures the goal. Aircraft belong in the air. Water belongs outside the building.

Book your pre-season inspection before the weather turns

Winter weather is coming, and airport roofs should be ready before the first major storm finds the weak spots.

If your hangar, terminal, FBO, or aviation facility has visible wear, past leaks, ponding water, stained ceilings, or aging roof details, now is the time to act. ADCO Roofing & Waterproofing can inspect the roof, identify risks, and help prioritize the right repair or waterproofing plan.

Book a pre-season roof inspection with ADCO Roofing & Waterproofing: