Single-ply roofing can be described as malleable sheets composed of a mixture of synthetic polymers. The sheets themselves garner properties of strength, long life and durability; as such single-ply roofing sheets are becoming increasingly popular and have the potential supersede more traditional roofing materials.
When choosing the appropriate roofing system for business premises the selection criteria are best framed as an optimum balance between performance, design and of cost of installation, repair and maintenance. In addition, these factors must be considered in terms of the projected useful life of the building itself. As regulations concerning recycling and waste management become ever more stringent, so environmental factors become more intertwined to the overall decision-making process.
Maintenance and repair of single-ply roofing
For a typical single-ply roofing system it is recommended that the roof is regular inspected for signs of wear and tear, all things being equal a bi-yearly inspection should suffice. Obviously, if weather conditions are harsh then the roof ought to be inspected when it is practical to do so. As with all maintenance concerns, prevention is better than cure and early detection of potential problems may well preclude serious damage.
The inspection itself will be concerned with checking the most vulnerable areas such as drains, hatches and any roof top constructions in conjunction with an overview of the roof itself. A qualified roofing inspector will be looking for any damage to the membranes in the roofing polymer as well as chemical and/or water damage and oil or Freon (chlorinated organic solvents) spills.
Patching a single ply roof
It must be clearly stated that to repair significant damage a qualified roofing expert must be consulted. This takes nothing away from the skills of a handyman or tradesperson, but the simple fact is that to keep the roof functioning properly a particular set of abilities is required.
However, there is scope for patching or stop-gap repair work, which any individual with solid DIY, handyman or joinery experience can undertake. In this context the first task is to establish what the damage or problem is. From here determine how much of the roof membrane is to be cut away and remove any damaged insulation. It should be noted that the insulation ought to be replaced with a like material.
Then the area of membrane where the patch is to be applied should be thoroughly cleaned, rinsed, made soap free and then dried. A general all-purpose cleaner should suffice but to check to make sure that it does not react with the roofing polymer itself. The patch itself can be purchased from a quality hardware shop, but it would be advisable to check with a retailer which type of patch is most suited to the type of roof on the premises. Once this is established the patch should be applied in stages and firmly pressed into place as the patching progresses. The butyl tape used is highly adhesive and will firmly hold the patch in place, for extra piece of mind evenly apply a polyurethane sealant or similar epoxy, again check which is most suitable before purchase.
In summary, single-ply roofing represents a long-term investment in the business and so an equivalent level of attention must be directed at repair and maintenance.