What is your favorite flat roofing system?

akismith678

My personal choice is PVC.

Joe Roofer

I've done a lot of modified, standing seam and exposed fastened metal, some elastomeric coating (some with a guy named Aaron?) and one house with TPO. I hate the coating, junk is how I feel about. Freaking mess. I know of too many leaks for it to be a functional system (fortunately not on any I had anything to do with yet. Aaron's work really stinks.) Torch I dislike. Mess on the shoes and the fear of fire is ever present. TPO all the way! I'm sold and have complete faith in the product. The only good thing about having so many houses here with the coating on them is I know TPO will be on them shortly.

Joe Roofer

That's a improper use of unreinforced flashing, a roofer failure by the look of it. I hope my pipes don't do that. It looks like a simple repair none the less.

RooferJim

TPO is not as time tested as PVC membrane though. I know of a lot of PVC roofs holding well after twenty and even thirthy year service. EPDM Rubber roofs the same, although the laps and flashings will in many cases need to be redone with EPDM. With the taped seams now I think they will have less of a maintenence issue.

yanceyman1

Thanks for the imput joe. But those are pics of the manufacture designed and fabricated flashing kits. You know the kind, mostly commercial roofs, you send them a set of prints and they send out your roof. You weld it together and BAM!, you got a new roof. Until BOOM! it starts to leak! And then noone wants to take responsibility.

__________________
"The Best Way To Appreciate Your Job Is To Imagine Yourself Without One". OSCAR WILDE

RooferJim

Are you sure it was Trocal ? They have not been around for a while.

yanceyman1

Yes, I could tell by the big, "Tro-Cal" stamp on the material.

__________________
"The Best Way To Appreciate Your Job Is To Imagine Yourself Without One". OSCAR WILDE

RooferJim

Then it must be older than 12 years

Joe Roofer

Still, IMO if it's just a few curbs (or other small details) it only needs a repair that may take only a few hours. If it was the field then it needs a whole new roof. If you can sell it by all mean sell it. I see one ply modified as a down grade from PVC/TPO. Two ply might be in the ball park.

Ansel

Best Roof for Flat ....

All things being equal I would have to say a three ply hot type IV glass (JM is best choice) with modified cap (torch on Derbigum) .... or mop-on Tamko SBS and then flood coat and gravel .....

But the real question is what is the best roof for the particular job ..... Most residential homes are well served by TPO - EPDM or Modifieds .... Once again, depends on the particular job ..... each has pluses and minuses .... but with respect to the TPO the jury is still out on that membrane .... see below from the MRCA dated 2/10/10..... Not good for TPO ......

February 10, 2010


T&R Committee Advisory on TPO
Information is being circulated in the industry indicating that high solar loading and elevated temperature lead to the premature exhaustion of anti aging components such as anti oxidants, UV absorbers and heat and light stabilizing compounds within TPO. This could lead to the breakdown of the sheet in affected areas.

This also might explain some reported problem applications with localized deterioration of membrane. One manufacture has recently changed formulation to account for this problem; another advises their product not be "subjected" to high thermal or solar loading; while others remain silent. Southern states appear to have this problematic local condition due to the heat load these roofs experience.

The committee believes that enough information has surfaced concerning TPO accelerated weathering due to solar or thermal loading to advise members to:

Review roof plans for situations where sun light is reflected back on membrane; such as areas below metal and glass or highly reflective curtain walls, or high profile reflective wall flashings.

Look for heat emitting equipment or heat exhausting vents or dark emissive materials laid on the roof that can elevate the temperature of the covered sheet; as well as areas under or over elevated temperature operations.

If situations exist that may commonly elevate temperatures over 160 degrees or increase solar loads beyond "normal" incoming solar load, question the manufacturer as to the suitability of their product for the situation; consider changing the product to a material that will clearly withstand the loading; consider changes in design to forestall the loading.

If you have existing TPO roofing subjected to these situations you may well want to inspect the applications for incipient, developing or obvious local problems. The manufacturer can then be approached for direction in addressing or rectifying any deficiency.

Please inform the committee of any problem found as well as any reaction from the manufacturer involved.

T&R Committee