Roof Talk-101 The Top 5 Reasons To Have Your Gutters Cleaned

Roof Talk-101  The Top Five Reasons To Have Your Gutters Cleaned


While a gutter is very useful in directing rain water away from your commercial building, it can accumulate dry leaves and other debris causing it to clog. When there is too much debris in the gutter it traps water causing the gutter to rust and break away. Additionally, if the water does not drain from the gutter it can lead to ice damming and damage, forcing you to replace the gutter. Many small animals and insects can also decide to build nests and homes among the debris accumulated in the gutter as well.
 

       1. Benefits of Cleaning Your Gutters

A gutter that is full of debris cannot fulfill its true purpose. The accumulation of dry leaves and debris will prevent water from flowing down the gutter into the down spout. This means that excess rain water will pour out of the sides of the gutter and on to the siding of the commercial building and into the landscaping. This will necessitate expensive repair and painting to restore the appearance of your commercial building. Additionally, a clogged gutter can lead to a rusted gutter that will require replacement. The water trapped in the gutter can freeze in winter, forming ice dams that weigh down the gutter and cause damage to the gutter and the roof. All of these issues can be avoided by ensuring that the gutters are cleaned regularly.

2. Contributing Factor

Gutters become clogged because of the fallen leaves and other debris that accumulates on the roof of the commercial building. This is washed into the gutter when it rains. Additionally, small animals such as squirrels and birds might decide to nest among the debris and leave their dropping in the gutter. The presence of organic matter and water leads to the formation of mold, which contributes to the further clogging of the gutter as well.


3. Timing is Everything - Best Time of Year to Clean Your Gutters


As with other building maintenance tasks, the timing of cleaning the gutters can help prolong its life and minimize other damage. The gutters should be cleaned twice a year, at the beginning of fall and at the beginning of spring. If you clean the gutters at the beginning of fall, the leaves will still be dry and easier to remove. Additionally, when the precipitation occurs, the water will flow freely through the gutter and into the down spout ensuring little or no damage to the gutter. Also, because there is no debris to be washed into the down spout, this will not become clogged, making it easier to clean it out. Cleaning the gutters in early spring will again prepare it for directing the water brought in by the spring rains (if you live in an area that rains heavily or at all). 

You do not want to be cleaning your gutters in the middle of August. First off, that is the hottest part of the year so you will be miserable performing a chore such as this in that heat. In addition, it also means you have waited too long to clean and unclog your gutters which means for months now your gutters have been holding up more weight than it should have been and you have also given plenty of time for bugs and critters to find some room to settle in. None of these factors are a good thing.


4. Beyond Cleaning - Time to Replace Your Gutters?

Even as you clean the gutters you should examine their condition. If the gutter is coming loose, it can be re-fixed to the sides of the roof. However, if the wear and tear of the accumulated debris and water has caused rusting and major damage, you should replace the gutter. Older gutters made of iron are prone to rusting and should be replaced with aluminum or other gutters that are rust proof. This will not only make it easier to clean the gutter later on, but enhance the curb appeal of your business. 

5. Find a Gutter Cleaner

Cleaning the gutters is a time consuming and physically challenging task. If you do not have the time or the inclination to carry a ladder around your home cleaning out the gutters, you should consider retaining the services of a gutter cleaner to do the job for you.
 
A business owner has the responsibility of keeping every part of their business in working order. This is in the interests of both the upkeep of the business and the health and safety of the tenants or employees. A clogged gutter can lead to plenty of unpleasant incidents and cause the spread of diseases. By taking steps to clean the gutter twice a year, scheduling this for early fall and spring, you can be sure that rain water will be diverted away from your home and into the storm water drains. 

ROOFTEC-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec Facebook Page .

Roof Talk- 101 The Next Five Most Common Commercial Roof Problems

Roof Talk-101  THE NEXT five MOST cOMMON  Commercial rOOF pROBLEMS

by: jana madsen


1: Punctures and the addition of penetrations post-installation

For all owners, but especially those with single-ply or spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roof systems, damage from foot traffic can be problematic. “Punctures are something on high-traffic areas that can be a problem,” says Harriman of single-ply systems. “One of the things we like to do is add walkway paths or extra sacrificial layers of membrane.”
C.A.R.E. notes abuse of the finished roof as one of the nine most common problems plaguing single-ply systems, stating, “Heavy construction traffic can cause scrapes/cuts in the membrane and damage to the underlying substrate. In addition to leaks, this can cause premature problems with the roof membrane and may void the guarantee.” Limit traffic and conduct cursory inspections after tradespeople have been on the roof.
All roof systems’ performance is compromised when new equipment and penetrations are added to an existing roof, unless proper precautions are taken. When penetrations are added and deleted from a metal roof, the results can be disastrous. “You are sometimes left with a compromise and a lot of caulking and sealants. Metal roofs move a lot. There is a lot of expansion and contraction, and if you are left to deal with caulking, you’re probably going to have problems eventually,” Harriman warns.

2: Safety

The installation of hot bituminous and torch-applied mod bit systems requires strict adherence to safety procedures. Overheating asphalt can result in burns, and fires in the kettle and on the roof, C.A.R.E. warns. In torch-applied mod bit applications, fire extinguishers should be present and MRCA CERTA program guidelines should be followed.
During installation, odors from cold-applied mod bit systems can cause discomfort and alleged illness among building occupants. Outside air intakes should be covered in roofing areas, recommends C.A.R.E.

3: Improper repairs

Using materials that are not intended for application on specific roof types can result in permanent damage to the roof. “One of the most common problems we see with metal roofs is improper repair. People go up with caulking and plastic roof cement and improper materials that are in no way intended for that purpose,” Harriman says. “You can make a small problem worse through that improper repair.”
Pierce agrees. However, this problem isn’t exclusive to metal roofs. “On a built-up or modified roof, that five-gallon bucket of plastic cement can solve a lot of problems. But if I take that five-gallon bucket of plastic cement up on a single-ply membrane, I may actually damage the membrane itself,” she says. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use and take note of repair products with a shelf life.

4: Shrinkage

Single-ply roof types are each unique. “If you walk out onto an EPDM roof today, one of the first things you’re going to look for is evidence of shrinkage,” Harriman notes. “The two most common things I see, especially on ballasted membranes, are pulling of the flashings (which is due to shrinkage of the field membrane) or you could have deterioration – surface crazing and cracking of uncured membrane, commonly used at perimeter and penetration flashing

5: Blistering

Blistering, ridging, splitting, and surface erosion are symptomatic with BUR, and can eventually lead to bigger problems. While blisters are not always worth fixing, one of significant size should be addressed. According to C.A.R.E., inadequate attachment of hot bituminous roof systems due to asphalt heated to an improper temperature can cause blistering, along with the slipping of felts, and accelerated aging. Bad interply integrity and dry laps can also result in the appearance of blisters.
Voids and holidays can be problematic in the application of torch-applied modified bitumens. “If the membrane is not torched properly, it will result in delamination, slippage, and blisters,” the C.A.R.E. CD-Rom reports. Moisture and air trapped in modified bitumen roofs can vaporize, causing a blister. “Many times it’s non-threatening, unless it’s affecting the lap area and then it probably needs to be repaired,” says Harriman.
With cold-applied mod bit systems, the entire membrane should be installed in the same application (i.e., scheduled around work breaks and/or holidays). C.A.R.E. pinpoints the consequences of improper sequencing of work as contamination and poor adhesion between the cap sheet and base ply: ultimately, blisters, delamination, leaks, and voids.
During the installation of spray polyurethane foam systems, recovering over a wet substrate can result in severe blistering and delamination, notes Harriman.
Ensuring a quality installation, providing the roof with consistent maintenance, and the early detection of problems through routine inspections can help maximize roof life. As the roof ages, the likelihood of problems increases. However, it is how these problems are addressed that will determine the fate and future of your roof system.

ROOFTEC-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec Facebook Page .

Roof Talk-101 Rodeo Time In The Alamo City!!!

Roof Talk-101  Rodeo Time In The Alamo City!!!


Once again its RODEO TIME in the Alamo City! Yes, the 2014 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo has been upon us for the last few days….and the Spurs have hit the road for a while. This year ROOFTEC-LLC has been really blessed to have been a small part of Stock Show and Rodeo. 

We had been thinking of supporting, in some way, the committed and hard working youth who show some fantastic looking animals. And out of the blue…..we were asked to help support through the CLUB 500 group and we were pleased to say yes….a big thank you to Howard at Transwestern! We had a chance to go to the Rodeo and Stock Show and we had a great time. Everybody was very nice and appreciative of the support. The grounds, events, and activities were great! 

Until you are involved or really look into the Rodeo and Stock Show you don’t realize how big an event this is for San Antonio and south Texas and its citizens. We know of many individuals who either support or are involved in some way from committee members to cattle cowboys sittin’ in the saddle drivin’ the cattle into town. We are already looking forward to next year. “Cowboy” hats off to all those who have organized and run the show! Thanks for a great experience.

Craig Foster-President RoofTec-LLC

ROOFTEC-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec Facebook Page .

Roof Talk-101 The Top 5 Most Common Roof Problems

Roof Talk-101  The Top 5 Most Common Roof Problems

           

By Jana Madsen

 

Obvious or unforeseen, roof problems are always a pain and undoubtedly a significant expense. “If you look at a failure curve, most roofs are the best they’re going to be at the time they are installed. The curve is pretty flat in terms of their deterioration for the first several years, and the last 25 or 30 percent of the roof [life], the curve becomes more steep,” explains Ron Harriman, vice president, Benchmark Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA. Unfortunately, problems are inevitable as the roof ages. Without proper and routine maintenance, these minor problems can even become catastrophic.

1: Roof leaks and moisture

 “With any roof – no matter what type – if you’ve got roof leaks, then you’ve got a problem,” explains Charles Praeger, executive director, Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), Cleveland. Leaks can occur for a number of reasons. Built-up roofs (BUR) might experience leaks due to flashing details that weren’t fastened properly during installation. “The problems an owner is typically going to have [with a BUR system] is that 95 percent of leaks occur at flashing details – anywhere the membrane itself is terminated or interrupted,” explains Helene Hardy Pierce, director of contractor services, GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, NJ. Additionally, hot bituminous and torch-applied modified bitumen roofs may experience leaks when a proper moisture barrier is not installed underneath a coping cap on parapet walls, according to Avoiding Common Roof Installation Mistakes, a CD-Rom produced by the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence (C.A.R.E. Ltd.).
The C.A.R.E. CD-Rom also pinpoints improper installation of flashing as a source of leaks on torch-applied modified bitumen roofs. Inadequate head laps and backwater laps are another mod bit installation problem that can allow moisture infiltration. “Water can get under the membrane if the field of roof is installed so that water flows against the lap. The consequences of backwater laps are leaks and blisters, which can lead to roof failure,” C.A.R.E. explains. With cold-applied modified bitumens, improper storage of materials can result in moisture infiltration built into the roofing system, and under-application of adhesive can result in poor lamination and roof leaks.
Leaks can result when single-ply membrane roofs are installed with poor seams. “You’ve got to have good seams with single-ply, because if you don’t, you don’t have much. The membranes themselves will hold water. You’ve got to have the seams either glued or heat-welded properly,” Harriman explains.

2: Blow-offs, tenting, reduced wind uplift resistance, and billowing

Leaks are not the only problem that can result from improperly installed flashing. Hot bituminous roofs where flashing is poorly attached may experience open seams and laps and ultimately cause blow-offs, reduced puncture resistance, and code issues, advises C.A.R.E. Poor gravel embedment and the use of an inadequate number of fasteners in the base sheet during application of both hot bituminous and torch-applied mod bit roof systems can also have similar consequences.
Wind uplift resistance can be reduced greatly if seams are not cured adequately on cold-applied mod bit systems. C.A.R.E. notes, “Seams made with cold adhesives do not have good integrity until the adhesive has cured. If the seams are exposed to wind and rain before they are properly cured, moisture can infiltrate the roof system or wind uplift can damage the roof membrane.”
If not adhered properly to the substrate, single-ply roofs are at risk for blow-off and billowing. “With single-ply membranes, we do a little more to hold things in place, and if it’s not done properly, then we end up with tenting of the flashings [and] we end up damaging the membrane,” says Pierce.

3: Poor installation and unsatisfactory workmanship

A faulty installation dramatically increases the likelihood of problems and reduces a roof system’s life expectancy. “Workmanship does tend to be one of the more common problems or common reasons for problems that crop up at some point in the life of the roof,” Harriman comments. BUR system installation can be problematic if specific preparations are not taken. According to Harriman, problems with adhesion can result when the area isn’t cleaned, dried, and primed properly prior to installation. “Those are things that are difficult to walk up on a roof and visually see, but could lead to future problems, premature aging, or premature failure,” he says.
Torch-applied mod bit system performance can be compromised if crews do not relax the sheets prior to installation. Material preparation is important to a quality installation. C.A.R.E. notes, “Sheets installed that have not relaxed or are installed when ambient conditions such as temperature are not right can result in wrinkles, leaks, fish mouths, contraction of sheets, or blisters.” Be sure that the contractor and crew you’ve hired are educated in proper installation techniques specific to the roof they are installing.

4: Lack of maintenance

There are many reasons not to neglect the roof – including financial and business continuity reasons. Being wise to problems can prevent their escalation. “The problem in roofing is a lack of education on all levels. But if the owner of the property is better educated, the whole industry does better and less problems [occur],” explains Chris Mooney, GAFMC/C.A.R.E. national training manager, C.A.R.E., Wayne, NJ. Specific levels of maintenance are required to prevent voiding the warranty. “Perform routine inspections. You don’t have to know a lot about roofing,” Pierce explains. “Things like ponding water, a piece of slipped base flashing, pitch pockets that haven’t been filled – those should be obvious whether you know a lot about roofing or not.” Addressing minor problems before they escalate maximizes roof life as well as minimizes headaches and expense.

5: Ponding water

“Another common problem across all roof types is what I call ‘incidental ponding water.’ If we move the water off the roof, the roof has a really good chance of performing the way it should,” notes Pierce. During the design of a dead-level roof, slope should be added with tapered insulation or crickets. “If we don’t take proactive measures when we’re actually designing the roof, then we’re building in ponding water,” she stresses.
UV rays compounded by ponding water can have adverse effects on BUR and asphalt-based mod bit roofs. During installation of hot bituminous systems, C.A.R.E. warns that improper mopping can produce voids in the membrane, block drains, and result in ponding water as well as void the warranty.
Pierce cautions that before roof repairs are hastily made, the source of the ponding water should be investigated. HVAC units without condensate drain lines could be the culprit. Always inspect thoroughly before making a repair. Check drains to make sure they are free of dirt, silt, and debris.

ROOFTEC-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec Facebook Page .

Roof Talk-101 Site Factors and Your Cool Roof

Roof Talk-101    Site Factors and Your Cool Roof

Martin Grohman,    GAF's Director of Sustainability

 

Much has been written of late, both positive and negative, regarding cool roofing.  Some recommend a cool or reflective roof for every structure on Earth, projecting energy consumption savings in the billions.  A few even say that cool roofing is overhyped, and not only won’t deliver savings, will lead to problems. 
 
 
 

As you might guess, the issue is complex, and you can’t make a blanket statement about cool roofing that will apply to every structure.  A data center in a cold climate like Winnipeg may benefit from a cool roof, because the servers generate so much internal heat.  And cooling is typically harder to do, from a thermodynamic point of view (cooling a building by one degree with conventional equipment takes approximately three times the energy that heating by one degree takes, and is usually done with more expensive energy—e.g., electric instead of natural gas).  Conversely, an industrial space with very large internal heating needs in a southern climate may be a candidate for a heat-absorbing roof. 
In short, the building’s intended use and site are major factors and the question is not simple.  To get you started in determining if a cool roof is right for your commercial building, here are some questions to consider:

Will it lower my energy bills?  There are a number of cool roof energy calculators, including GAF’s CREST (which is based on DOE’s CoolCalc and CoolCalcPeak) that will help answer this question.  Projections are only as good as the data you put in, and should be used for comparison purposes only.  However, generally speaking, if your building is in warmer climate zones (1-3 and usually 4); you have expensive electricity (and high demand charges); and you have older, inefficient air conditioning equipment; you’ll likely realize savings.  If you don’t have much roof insulation, the savings will be greater.  (Remember that all a cool roof can do is help provide savings in energy usage.  If rates go up, the bills will go up - but then of course so will the savings.)

Should I just add more insulation?  Additional insulation lessens the energy savings effect of membrane reflectivity and emissivity.  As a rule of thumb, above R-30, a cool roof will have a much smaller contribution to savings, but membrane reflectivity is a net plus or minus on the roof no matter how much insulation there is (if a cool roof helps with no insulation, it will not hurt with a lot of insulation).  System cost may be reduced by using cool roofing together with less insulation, if appropriate.  However, as always, it all depends on the building and its use. 

Do I have a high demand charge?  Increasingly, electrical billing is about the peaks.  Peaks in electrical usage force expensive electrical grid upgrades.  Peak usage tends to occur on the hottest days of the year.  To capture and bill for those peaks, electrical billing structures are more and more finely detailed, and capture the cost of peaks in a demand charge.  Demand charges as high as $900 per kilowatt hour are not unheard of.   This means that a cool roof, which can help shave off peak demand by keeping the building cooler on the hottest days of the year (or even just by moving peak load later in the day when demand charges may be lower), can make a lot more sense than you might guess in a northern city like Boston.

What is the condition of my roofing system?  Insulation that’s wet has an R value of -0-.  That means that a full removal (a “full rip” or “tear off” in industry lingo) will have benefits beyond what any calculator will project.

What’s my building’s use?  Roofing assemblies, particularly those that have insulation below deck and no vapor retarder, can sometimes handle vapor drive and high vapor loads just by overheating.  Switching to a cool roof may expose the need for additional vapor retarders and/or some above deck insulation, particularly if there is a large vapor load, such as from a commercial laundry.  This is an advanced roofing system design question.

Should I care about the Urban Heat Island Effect?  If you’re just trying to lower your utility bill, the Urban Heat Island Effect is not a consideration. However, if you’re pursuing a LEED®, Energy Star® or Green Globes® rating for your building, site factors such as Urban Heat Islands are a consideration.  And an owner who is thinking of selling in a few years should consider the membrane reflectivity and these broader concerns when they make their roofing choice, since it could impact future sales price.

Are there other benefits to a cool roof for my structure?  There is some support for the idea that reduced temperature swings will lengthen the life of a roofing system and even a building.  It has also been shown that solar PV panels are more efficient when they are cooler - so if a PV project is in your future, a cool roof can be a good choice. 

Are there other building considerations that trump reflectivity?  I feel that highly reflective TPO is a great solution for most roofs, but it is important to remember that the roof’s primary job is to keep water out of the building.  Certain types of facilities may be better served by different roofs types.  It should not be overlooked that our traditional multi-ply asphaltic roofs have a history of great performance as well, and are available with high reflectivity and high emissivity. What’s clear is that there is a right roof for every structure – and re-roofing is a phenomenal opportunity to improve your building’s energy performance. 

ROOFTEC-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec Facebook Page .

 

Roof Talk-101 Five Steps To Reduce Storm Water Runoff

Roof Talk-101 Five Steps To Reduce Storm Water Runoff

 

Storm water runoff is precipitation that does not soak into the ground where it falls. This is one of the greatest threats to water quality in much of the industrialized world. When water runs off yards, streets, and parking lots into storm sewers or directly into waterways, it carries with it sediments that clog streams and reduce oxygen in the water, as well as chemicals that poison aquatic ecosystems and can render water supplies undrinkable. Runoff also contributes to flooding, and because it doesn't recharge groundwater supplies, it exacerbates water shortages in many areas. 

As more and more people move to cities and towns, the storm water runoff problem worsens, because the flattened, impervious surfaces and lack of natural vegetation in these environments prevent precipitation from soaking into the ground. While runoff is a problem of immense scale, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to reduce storm water runoff on your own property.

 

 

 

1. Minimize impervious surfaces on your property. In nature, most precipitation soaks into the ground where it falls. Plants absorb much of this through their roots, and some makes its way down to the water table, being purified as it gradually percolates through the soil. The "built environment," however, is characterized by impervious surfaces (surfaces that don't absorb water), so that a large portion of rainfall or snow melt becomes storm water runoff. Reducing the amount of impervious surface on your property therefore reduces the amount of runoff.

·        Replace concrete or asphalt slabs with pavers. You can use paving stones or bricks for patios, walkways, and driveways. Water can seep down into the spaces between the individual pavers, thus reducing the amount of runoff.

·        Take out the center of your driveway. Only the tires of your car touch the ground, so two strips of pavement should suffice for a driveway. You can then plant grass or mulch the center of the driveway, reducing the amount of pavement substantially.

 

·        Replace all or part of your driveway with the kind of pavers shown here. Low plants can even grow up between the openings.

·        Replace the pavement at the bottom of your driveway with a French drain or grate. This will collect the water that falls on the rest of your driveway and allow it to soak into the ground, rather than flowing into the and, eventually, into waterways. Installing a French drain with the capacity to take in all the runoff from your driveway can be very expensive, but every little bit helps.

·        If an area must be paved, use porous asphalt or permeable concrete, which will allow at least some water to soak into the ground. Keep in mind that the effectiveness of these materials is limited because water tends to run off them before it can permeate them, especially if there's any slope. It's also important to make sure there is a percolation field of permeable ground beneath the pavement.

 

 

 

 

2. Line impervious surfaces with gravel trenches.

Figure out where water runs off your driveway or patio, and then dig a small trench along the edge. Fill it with gravel to slow the runoff and allow the water to seep into the soil.

 

 

3. Use the water that drains off your roof. A 1,000 square foot roof can produce more than 600 gallons of runoff for every 1" of rain that falls on it. If your downspouts are connected directly to a storm drain, disconnecting them is the single most important step you can take to reduce runoff. Instead of allowing water to go directly into the sewer or to run into the street, direct your downspouts toward a vegetated area, such as your garden or lawn. Use extensions to ensure the water comes out at least 5 feet away from your foundation. Alternatively, install rain barrels or cisterns to collect the water so you can reduce the risk of soggy yards and save some rain for a sunny day. If you don't have any way to make good use of the stored water, consider Dutch drains, gravel-filled barrels with holes at the bottom which slow the flow of water to allow the ground to absorb it all.

 

4. Replace lawn areas with native plants. Lawns aren't particularly effective at absorbing and retaining water, especially during heavy rains. This is a problem not only because more natural precipitation runs off them, but also because they may require a lot of irrigation, which in turn can create even more runoff. Native plants, such as shrubs and wildflowers, tend to develop more extensive root systems that take in and hold water much better than lawns. As an added bonus, they require less maintenance than a lawn does. If you do decide to keep your lawn, though, water it efficiently to conserve water and reduce runoff.

 

5. Add organic matter to your soil. Adding compost or mulch to your soil can make your plants happier, but it can also reduce runoff. Spread a 2-4" layer of organic material once a year.

 

 

ROOFTEC-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec Facebook Page .

 

 

 

Roof Talk-101 What is DensDeck Roof Board?

Roof Talk-101  What is DensDeck Roof Board?

DensDeck® Roof Board is an exceptional fire barrier, thermal barrier, coverboard and recovery board used in various commercial roofing systems. The patented DensDeck design employs glass mat facings front and back that are mechanically bonded to a water-resistant gypsum core, providing excellent fire resistance, moisture resistance and wind uplift properties. The unique construction of DensDeck provides superior flute spanning that stiffens and provides increased foot traffic resistance to the roof deck.
 
Additionally, DensDeck has been shown to withstand delamination, deterioration, warping and job-site damage more effectively than roofing membrane substrates such as paperfaced gypsum board, fiberboard and perlite insulation. DensDeck is highly resistant to the growth of mold when tested, as manufactured, per ASTM D 3273.

 

Roof system manufacturers and designers have found DensDeck Roof Board to be compatible with many types of roofing systems, including: built-up, modified bitumen, single ply, metal systems, wood shingle and shake, tile, slate, as well as a recovery board and overlayment protection board for polyisocyanurate and polystyrene insulation. DensDeck can also be used as a form board for poured gypsum concrete deck in roof applications as well as a substrate for spray foam roofing systems. 1/2” and 5/8” DensDeck may also be used in vertical applications as a backer board or liner for the roof side of parapet walls.
Some membrane manufacturers have hot mop asphalt or torch applications directly to DensDeck without using a primer or base sheet. Consult with the system manufacturer for their recommendations with this application. System manufacturers and designers have found DensDeck to be compatible with bonding adhesives for fully-adhered single-ply membrane applications. The exceptional moisture resistance and low R-value of DensDeck make it the preferred substrate for vapor retarders.
 
An excellent fire barrier, DensDeck features a noncombustible core and inorganic surface that offers greater fire protection than other conventional commercial roofing products when applied over combustible roof decks and steel decks. DensDeck is FM tested.

ROOFTEC-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com.