How Much Does a Commercial Roof Replacement Cost?
Although proper care and maintenance can extend the lifespan of any commercial roof, it’s time to replace it if it has visible structural problems, such as…
Modified Bitumen Roofing
Modified Bitumen (MB) roofing is an asphalt-based roofing system that is ideal for low-slope or flat roofs. It is a durable and flexible roofing ….
5 Common Signs Your Commercial Roof Needs a Repair
Most commercial roofing structures will last from fifteen to thirty years based on the quality and type of roofing installation. The most common types of commercial roofs include flat roofing, thermoplastic polyolefin, ethylene propylene diene monomer EPDM, polyvinyl chloride PVC, and modified bitumen Mod-Bit. So, depending on the roof that you want, you’re likely to come across one of these. Unfortunately, regardless of the roofing type, most commercial owners struggle to predict the right time to repair their roofs. So, whether you turn your gaze towards heaven or climb up your roof and check below, here are five common signs that your roof needs a repair; Holes, open seams or general openings in the roof are a sign that the roof needs to be repaired. Even if the roof isn’t actively leaking, it will likely leak soon. And, any opening where water can get into the roof system will cause your insulation and underlying roof components to get wet, causing larger problems down the road. If the insulation is buckled / curling, that is a sign that moisture is getting into the roof and/or your fasteners are not holding down the insulation properly. Since the entire roof system is one assembly, damaged insulation will eventually mean a damaged roof system. If you notice your edge metal on the outside is loose or missing, that is […]
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 […]
Fully Adhered
Fully Adhered roof systems have been installed since the mid 1960’s. They are known for being aesthetically pleasing and having the least amount of membrane fluttering, since every square foot of membrane is bonded to the insulation. Manufactures also give fully adhered roofs the highest wind ratings, whether it is a fully adhered TPO roof system, or a fully adhered EPDM roof system. However, it is important to note that factory mutual gives higher wind ratings to mechanically fastened roof systems, since it’s easier to add more fasteners to weak points in the roof system, such as the corners and perimeters. Fully adhered roofing systems rely on the rigid insulation to be fastened down thoroughly. As a result, fully adhered roof systems have fastening patterns of 12-24 fasteners per 4’ by 8’ rigid insulation board, far more than the 5-8 fasteners required for mechanically attached roof systems. The result is that fully adhered roof systems typically have more fasteners installed than mechanically attached roof systems! Once the insulation has been thoroughly fastened down, the roofing membrane is rolled out. Then, the bonding adhesive (or glue) is applied to both the rigid insulation and the membrane. After, the membrane is placed on top of the rigid insulation, then rolled in for a tight bond. Where there are angle changes, for example around walls or rooftop units, the membrane is fastened and glued down […]
Mechanically Fastened
Mechanically Attached Roof System Mechanically Attached roof systems have been installed since the late 1960’s. They are known for consistency and strength, since a fastener goes directly through the membrane and insulation on its path to attaching itself directly to the structural deck of the building. All mechanically attached roof systems have two core components, the fastener and the plate. On the insulation and separately on the membrane, a plate is laid down first, and then a fastener is driven into the structural deck. They are both laid out in accordance with a fastening pattern specified by the manufacturer. The number and location of the plates and fasteners is based on the warranty, wind speed, FM rating (if applicable), and numerous other factors. Extra fasteners are typically installed along the corners and perimeter of the roof system, where wind hits the hardest. Extra fasteners are also installed on the perimeter of rooftop units, drains, and other rooftop penetrations to prevent the membrane from lifting or sagging during angle changes. Thicker fasteners also may be required based on the wind rating of a particular building. All fasteners are then covered by membrane. The insulation fasteners, which are installed first, are covered by the top layer of the roof system, which is the membrane itself. The fasteners in the membrane are then covered by membrane from the next […]
Membrane Installation
Flat Roof Membrane is installed directly over the rigid insulation. Membrane is the weatherproofing portion of the installation, and needs to be fully installed over the rigid insulation and any roof penetrations to make the building watertight. There are many different membrane products that can be used, and many different installation techniques. Every type of membrane product used in flat roofing is unique with its own strengths and weaknesses. For more information on the most commonly used membrane products, see our pages below on: Single Ply membrane roofs, like EPDM Membrane and TPO Membrane, can be installed a few different ways. The most commonly used membrane installation methods are: Asphalt based products, like modified bitumen and built up roofs (BUR) have their own installation methods. No matter what roof membrane product you use, the installation is comprised of two aspects: Field work and detail work. The field work, for the most part, is the easy portion where the membrane is installed over open, flat areas. The detail work is the harder portion, which includes areas like HVAC units, skylights, walls, roof hatches, and other penetrations and rooftop equipment in the roof system. Over 90% of flat roof leaks come from the detail portion of the flat roof work, so it is important to have an expert crew performing any membrane installation work. After the membrane […]
Service – TPO Roofing Repair
Roof Repairs – TPO Roofing TPO Roofing can be difficult to repair because defects are typically caused by heat welding, a process that requires experience to install and experience to find a defect in. Knowing how to probe a TPO roof, and where to probe a TPO roof, requires extensive experience. Also, knowing how to patch a TPO roof, whether it is welding a new TPO patch over the defect, or installing white EPDM self-adhered membrane, is equally important to make sure the patch works and goes the distance. At Chaffee Roofing, we have been servicing TPO roof systems since TPO roofing came on the market. As a result, we have extensive experience knowing where to look for defects, and how to patch them.
Rubber Roof Repairs
Depending on your roof’s condition, roof repairs can stop leaks, prevent future problems, and buy your existing roof time before it needs to be replaced. Chaffee Roofing has a dedicated 24/7 service department available to make sure we can be as efficient and effective as possible to take care of your roofing needs. And, at Chaffee Roofing, you always get the same service foreman working on your building, along with his direct cell phone number. That way, our service foreman gets familiar with your building, along with its unique layout and requirements. And, you can be assured that you will get consistent, quality service every time. Leaks can be caused by a variety of issues, such as an older EPDM roof where the seams are failing, or an older heat-welded roof where a few voids are popping up. On occasions like these, roof repair should be done to extend the life of your existing roof system. No scope of work is too big or small for us. We have handled roof repair projects that are completed the first time our service foreman inspects your roof, and we handled projects that require a full crew to be on-site for weeks. If the roof can be repaired, Chaffee will take care of it!
PVC “Vinyl” (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC Roofing Systems have been installed since the 1960’s and was one of the first single ply materials used in roofing. PVC Roofs come in thicknesses from .036 mil to .090 mil, can only be reinforced. PVC is typically white, tan or gray in color. A PVC membrane installation can be mechanically attached, fully adhered, Rhinobond or ballasted. Like TPO roof systems, PVC Membrane rolls and flashing membrane are heat welded together, creating the strongest bond available in a roofing system. A PVC Roof installation is heat welded together using computerized hot air equipment that reaches temperatures of around 800 degrees in the seams. For welding the seams on open membrane rolls, an automatic “robotic” welder is used that automatically sets the correct temperature, applies the perfect pressure, and sets the best speed to perfectly weld the two membrane sheets together. For smaller areas, like rooftop units and curbs, a hand-held heat welding gun is used, along with a rubber roller. These smaller detail areas rely heavily on the craftsmanship of the roofing mechanic to achieve the correct temperature, pressure and speed required for a perfect weld. Benefits of a PVC Roof PVC Roofing systems have solid strengths. Some Benefits of a PVC Roof are: Drawbacks of a PVC Roof In the roofing industry, PVC roof systems are being overtaken by TPO, because TPO holds […]