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TRANSCRIPT
TOP 10 STEPS TO KEEP YOUR ROOF IN TOP SHAPE
PRESENTED BY: JUSTIN BIRRELL
MANUFACTURER’S REPRESENTATIVE
RIO GRANDE ROOFING REPS
BASIC COMMERCIALROOF FUNCTIONS
Maintains structural integrity of the building
Protects building contents
Directs flow of water
Controls heat and cooling loss
Protects from externally sourced fire
Restricts spread of internal fire
Contributes to aesthetics
Mitigates external noise
Restricts moisture vapor
Another area for public
Platform for equipment
TYPICAL LOW-SLOPE ROOF SYSTEMS
Built Up Roof Membranes
Modified Bitumen Membranes
Single Ply Membranes
Spray Polyurethane Foam
Fluid Applied Membranes
Protected Membrane Roof
(PMR) Assemblies
STEP 1 –KEEP ACCURATE MAINTENANCE RECORDS
Keep a file of all the
records for the roof –
warranties, contracts,
repair and maintenance
bills, original construction
documents, etc.
These records can be very
helpful if you need to
have repairs made or have
additional equipment
added to the roof.
Also helpful when it is
time to re-roof – since
you know what’s up on
the roof and what has
been done
STEP 2 –CONDUCT ROUTINE INSPECTIONS
Biannual Inspections
are recommended –
once in the fall and
once in the spring
In the spring, you want
to check for any
maintenance items
that can be scheduled
for the roofing system.
In the fall, you’re
checking for to make
sure the roof is ready
to go through the
winter months.
You will also want to
inspect after any work
has taken place on the
roof
STEP 3 – INSPECT AFTER SEVERE WEATHER
Always inspect the roof for damage after severe weather such
as Hail-Storms, Heavy Rains, and High Winds.
Just because water is not coming in, doesn’t mean that the roof
hasn’t been damaged
The sooner you have the damage repaired, the smaller the
repair cost will be
WIND AND HAIL DAMAGE
STEP 4 –REPAIR CORRECTLY
Remember, improper repairs are a common cause of roof problems… and are easy to avoid!
If your roof is under warranty –you want to make sure that the original installer (if available) performs the repair work – with materials from the manufacturer…
Improper repair example: petroleum-based products on single ply roof – BIG NO NO!
IMPROPER REPAIRS VS. PROPER REPAIR
STEP 5 –KEEP ROOF CLEAN & FREE OF DEBRIS
What is considered debris? Leaves, branches, dirt, rocks,
bottles, trash from other trades, etc.
Keep gutters, downspouts, drains, scuppers, and the
surrounding roof areas clean to ensure proper drainage
Trash and debris can cause not only harm (such as punctures)
to the roofing system but can also be a safety hazard; this can
range from simple “trip” hazards to potentially over-loading the
structure with extensive ponding water from clogged drains.
TRASH & DEBRIS ON ROOFCLOGGED DRAINS
STEP 6 –KEEP METAL IN GOOD CONDITION
Examine all metal flashings, counter
flashings, expansion joints, and pitch
pockets for: Rust, Detachment or
Damage, and Deteriorated Sealant.
Have loose metalwork reattached,
replace sealant as necessary, repair
metal as necessary, and prepare and
paint and rusted metal.
Metal components on a roof are a
common point of water entry
It doesn’t matter how good your
roofing system is if the adjacent metal
is letting water into the building
LOOSE METAL, DRIP EDGE SEPARATING, PITCH PAN SEPARATING, & CAULKING DETERIORATION
STEP 7 –KEEP MASONRY IN GOOD CONDITION
Examine masonry walls and copings for: cracks and bad mortar joints,
deteriorated sealant, loose masonry stones, indication of water
absorption
Repair all such conditions to prevent water infiltration
Water leaks from masonry is often incorrectly attributed to the roofing
system… so keeping any walls, copings, etc. watertight also goes a long
way to keeping the building leak free
COPING INCOMPLETE, STUCCO CRACKS, & WALL TIE-INS
STEP 8 –MAINTAIN ROOFTOP EQUIPMENT
Examine rooftop equipment for any problems that may allow
water infiltration including: air conditioners, vents, and duct
work, equipment stands or screens, skylights, satellite dishes,
antennas, etc.
Just as the roof needs maintenance, so does the equipment
that is on the roof
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations provided
and always check the roof after any service calls to make sure
the roof hasn’t been accidentally damaged
NO SLIP SHEETS, ROOF DAMAGE, DUCT NOT SEALED, SKYLIGHT NOT REINSTALLED
STEP 9 –MAINTAIN ROOF COATING (IF PRESENT)
Eliminate any spillage of coolant, oils, grease, etc. and repair
roof membrane if affected.
Examine protective coatings and recoat any cracked, flaked,
blistered or worn areas with a compatible roof coating – ie –
silicone with silicone, silicone over acrylic (acrylic cannot be put
over silicone)
Roof coatings protect the membrane from long term exposure
to the elements… and if reflective, also provide great cooling
benefits for the building. Recoating of these materials protects
the membrane and allows it to keep doing its job.
BUBBLING, FLAKING, & PEELING
STEP 10- MINIMIZE ROOFTOP TRAFFIC
Minimize rooftop traffic by limiting access to
necessary personnel only
Maintain a roof access log so that you can ascertain
who has been on the roof in the event of damage to
the roof from other trades.
Roofs are meant to keep water out… and, if properly
designed, can even act as another roof area. But
most roofs are not designed for this, and repeated,
long-term traffic can wear a roof out
The easiest way to prevent this type of damage is to
keep people off the roof who don’t belong there!
MINIMIZE THE BLAME GAME!
RIO GRANDE ROOFING REPS CAN ASSIST YOU ON A ROOF INSPECTION!
THANK YOU!
Questions?