Old Style Flat Roofs Need Replacing

We first wrote about old style flat roofing systems ten years ago, when their Modified Bitumen (MB), Built-Up Roofing (BUR), and EPDM coverings were aging out. The urgency then is even greater now after a decade of leaks. Those old-style flat roofs need replacing.

There was a time not all that long ago when bituminous, built-up tar and gravel, and EPDM roofs were state of the art. A lot of innovation occurred in the last 30 years, but business owners were reluctant to invest in new roofing systems. As a result, thousands of those old flat roofs exist in the Inland Northwest. No one is installing those types of roofs now, but I still see them around.

Hot-tar roofing was the first to go away in the early 1990’s, largely because of environmental standards, but also because of the potential liability for employees using the flame involved in application. Silver-coating hot-tar roofs was a significant part of our business for many decades. Those roofs lasted a long time, but they required recoating every two or three years.

Along came EPDM roofing in the early 1990’s. EPDM was a synthetic rubber membrane like a bicycle tube tire but with glued seams. EPDM roofs lasted about 12-15 years, with the glued seams the first point of failure.

Commercial Roofing was a low-technology industry that moved slowly. When thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) appeared in the early 2000’s, it was like someone had turned on the lights. We jumped on this new product very quickly.

Our customers trust us, because they know that we have a willingness to adapt that many other roofing companies lack. For example, silicone coatings are just one innovation that we are embracing. We serve the community in more ways than just installing commercial roofs and tracking trends. We pride ourselves on offering great service before, during, and after the sale.

Even Modern Flat Roofs Require Maintenance

Business owners are surprised at how quickly road grime accumulates on a TPO membrane roof, even a new one. We look for free-flowing drains and clear valleys that channel water to rooftop drains during our twice-yearly inspections, for owners who subscribe to our Roof Asset Management program. Within six months of installation or cleaning, a flat roof can have as much as an inch of compacted road grime. This gunk is a risk to the roof because water cannot escape down rooftop drains or parapet wall scuppers.

We also look for punctures that occur from human foot traffic, tree limbs, even birds. Inspection of welds, seams, and coping is also important, because the wide temperature swings in our area cause expansion and contraction. We proactively address all these risks before they become expensive problems.

I take it as a personal challenge to keep up with changing times in the roofing industry. Old school just does not cut it any more in a world that is very different from the one I faced when I joined the company. When businesses are unwilling to reinvent themselves as technology and best practices change, they are falling behind. People come to us because they know where we stand on innovation.

Time To Replace Your Old-Style Flat Roof

In the Spokane metropolitan area, commercial roofers and business owners alike have only about four months to do twelve months’ worth of commercial roofing work. So, owners want to get on the books. Do not wait too long to replace your old-style flat roof! Call Spokane Roofing Company today at (509) 838-8633 to schedule a free commercial roof inspection, before this year’s window of opportunity closes.

Citations

• Spokane Roofing Company – Commercial Roof Replacement
• Spokane Roofing Company – TPO Roofing Building Owner’s Guide (TPO 101)
• Spokane Roofing Company – Roof Asset Management.