How A Commercial Roofing Contractor Checks A Membrane Roof To Determine If Repairs Are Possible
Posted on: 24 January 2022
Share
If the membrane roof on your building has scattered damage and you're wondering if repairs are possible, talk to a commercial roofing contractor. They'll start with an examination of your roof to determine how much of the roof is damaged. Keep in mind, water damage may not be visible from the surface of the roof, so the roofer will need to do tests to detect moisture. Here are ways a membrane roof is inspected and repaired when repairs are possible.
What Determines If The Roof Can Be Repaired
A couple of things determine if roof repairs are possible. One is the condition of the membrane and the other is the condition of the insulation boards underneath the membrane. The membrane on your roof might be made of rubber or a plastic material. If the membrane has been exposed to the sun for many years, it may be deteriorated and ripped or punctured in many places. If that's the case, the commercial roofing contractor might recommend replacing the roof instead of repairing it.
If your roof has scattered damage, but the holes, rips, or seam gaps have been there a long time, the insulation boards may have soaked up so much water that they are damaged or rotting. If too many boards are ruined, then replacing the boards and membrane may be necessary. The roofer can determine the amount of water damage by doing a moisture test on the roof. A popular way to do that is with an infrared camera that shows water damage even if it is under the membrane and out of sight.
When Repairs Are Possible
If your roof still has several years of life left and the number of holes is limited and the water damage is localized, then repairing the roof could be the best idea. First, the boards that harbor moisture are identified through moisture testing. These are pulled up and replaced with new, dry insulation boards. Then the membrane can be patched or replaced in the area on top of the new boards.
Repairing a hole or rip is fairly easy since the roofing contractor does that with a patch made of the same type of roofing membrane. The patch is put down with adhesive or it's heat welded in place. With dry boards and a patched membrane, the roof is ready to go and should last for several more years. However, it's good to inspect the membrane regularly to make sure the patches are holding and that no new damage has occurred.
For more information on commercial roofing services, contact a company such as Commercial Solutions, Inc.