4 of the Most Common Commercial Flat Roof Repairs to Expect
Commercial flat roofs are industrial structures that need careful installation and maintenance. When excellently done and if properly maintained, commercial flat roofers will tell you that a quality roofing installation will last upward of twenty five years. Unfortunately, commercial flat roofs may not attain the twenty five year lifespan because of weather and calamities. Snow overload, excessive heat, humidity build-up, and condensation are all factors that may affect commercial flat roofs. Humidity build-up, extreme heat, and snow build-up on commercial flat roofs may cause cracks, voids, or holes. Below we take a look at the most common commercial flat roof repairs: Holes are common in commercial roofing. Dropped tools, knives, and sharp objects may cause mechanical damage, leading to holes. The presence of holes in commercial roofs implies the leakage of rainwater, snowwater as well as the direct penetration of sunlight. So, patching holes caused by mechanical damage and sometimes aging is one of the most common flat roof repairs – especially for commercial roofs – whether EPDM, TPO, PVC, or asphalt. Flashing repairs are another category of repair for commercial flat roofs. Flashing details are often the most difficult part of a flat roof installation, which makes them a likely source for roof leaks. Checking to see how walls, rooftop units, roof drains, etc. are installed is a good start to finding your leak […]
3 Preventive Care Steps to Take in Protecting Your Flat Roof
Flat roofs are very common on commercial and industrial roof systems due to their ability to maximize space inside a building. Despite their versatility and functionality, flat roofs are potential victims of bad weather, especially during the winter. A minor defect may not be problematic in good weather, but it could be catastrophic in bad weather. In many cases, flat roofs are out of sight, out of mind. As long as it doesn’t leak, many building owners and facilities managers won’t spend time or money on their flat roof. This allows minor problems, like clogged drains, loose rooftop panels and small surface scratches, to turn into major problems. As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. In the case of industrial flat roofing, this is especially true, as a small amount of money spent on maintenance can prevent a far larger repair cost, restoration cost, or even replacement cost. We advise that you observe the following preventive steps in protecting your flat roof: 1. Complete a general roof inspection. The first step of any maintenance program is completing a general walk around of the roof. Check for roof damage, such as slits, slices and openings. Look for loose rooftop doors / hatches and other areas that may create damage down the road. If something looks problematic, take care […]
How Does Heat Welding Work
Heat welding is a fabrication process whereby two or more parts fuse using heat, pressure, or both, forming a joint as the parts cool. Heat welding is mainly used on metals and thermoplastics but can be used on wood. The completed welded joint is referred to as a weldment. Some materials in heat welding require the use of specific techniques and processes. Many materials are considered unweldable, a term that’s descriptive and useful in engineering. The parts that are joined together during heat welding are known as parent materials. The material added to form the joint is called consumable or filler. These materials may see them referred to as parent plate, filler, pipe, or consumable electrode (for arc welding). The main steps of heat welding include: Contact Chaffee Roofing for any inquiries about heat welding solutions.
Ballasted Roof Repair
Commercial buildings have been using ballasted roofs since the roofing method became more widespread in the 1960s. Ballasted roofs offer building owners a wide variety of benefits and are easier to install than other roofing methods. A ballasted roof is an unmoored roofing system secured in place on flat roofs by the weight of small rocks, gravel, and pebbles. So, for example, if you had EPDM membrane installed on your commercial roof, the only thing holding it in place would be the accumulated weight of the small rocks covering it. Ballasted roofs are not an ad hoc or hastily constructed roofing design method. On the contrary, extensive wind tunnel testing conducted over decades has proven that rocks used as ballast can keep unmoored roofing systems in place in the rain, wind, and other forms of inclement weather. Aesthetically pleasing rocks as roof ballast are plentiful, affordable to procure, and relatively quick to install than other roofing methods. In addition, rocks don’t burn, so a ballasted roof can act as a natural fire retardant. And light-colored roof ballast can reflect heat energy from the sun, saving money on energy costs. Additionally, ballasted roofs provide excellent UV protection, since they cover the roof system from the sun’s UV rays. Related: Adding On Or Renovating Your Commercial Property? Consider Upgrading Your Roof Easy to Replace Ballasted roof repair […]
Tapered Insulation – How Does It Work?
On buildings designed with little to no roof pitch (i.e., slope to direct water toward drains, scuppers, etc.), or older buildings that may have settled over time, ponding water can be an issue. Depending on how much water ponds on the roof and how long it stays there, solutions are usually developed to help promote drainage. One of the most common solutions is tapered insulation. But how does tapered insulation work? The first step is always to determine the severity of the problem. If ponding water is minimal, then installing a tapered insulation system may be overkill. Adding drains, scuppers, or even installing relief outlets can solve smaller ponding water problems at a fraction of the cost. However, if ponding water is problematic throughout a large portion of the roof system, tapered insulation should be considered. The next step is to obtain information on the existing roof system. This starts in the field, obtaining roof measurements and identifying sources of water relief. Drains, scuppers, gutters, etc. all need to be identified and measured out relative to the building. That way, when the tapered system is designed, we know where we are trying to direct the water. Once information is obtained, the next step is to create a design. Typically, a design starts around the drains and works its way towards the edge of the building. […]
5 Signs You Should Replace Versus Repair Your Roof
Knowing when to replace a roof is a very valuable skill. You may do repairs through the many years of its life, but there comes a time when replacing the roof is the only option. Getting the timing right is vital.It will save you money.Looking for signs of replacing rather than repairing is the place to start. Five clear and obvious signs leave nothing to doubt.Let’s take a look at the five signs that indicate you need to replace your roof. The roof is marking its 25th anniversary Age catches up with a roof. All those years of being exposed to cold, wet, and windy weather, as well as hot summers, take their toll.Take a look at when the roof went on the building. If it is 25 years or more, annual repairs will most likely not be enough on a standard roof system.Repairing a 25-year old roof is not cost-effective on most roof systems. The roof is sagging in too many places When a roof begins to sag, you know you are in trouble. Typically, it means that the underlying insulation is in very poor shape or, in extreme cases, the structural wood or steel decking is beginning to collapse. If the contractor can repair a weakness, then you may be safe for a few years.When the roof as a whole begins to sag, […]