Commercial roof construction is a different process when membrane roofing is put on since the membranes are so thin. However, rubber and plastic membranes are common choices for buildings with flat roofs, so your building may have one. If you'll be getting a new roof, you may wonder what the process is like. Here's an overview of the commercial roof construction process.
Water Damage Needs To Be Found
To get started on your new commercial roof, plan to have an inspection and moisture survey done. This determines if your new roof can go on top of the old one. If the roof has too much water damage, the old roofing materials need to be torn off.
Once the roofer has all the information they need about your old roof, they create a plan for the new roof installation and how they'll manage the work to avoid disrupting your employees and customers as well as they can.
Insulation Boards Go Over A Dry Deck
Commercial roof construction is more involved if water damage is present. The roofer removes all the roofing material from the deck and then replaces the portions of the deck and rafters that have moisture damage. When the structure of the deck is sound and dry, the next step is to put down insulation boards.
Insulation boards are needed since membrane roofing is so thin that it can't insulate your building. The surface of the roof is covered in the boards in such a way that the boards create a slight slant toward the roof drains.
Membranes Are Secured To Each Other
Membrane roofing comes in various widths and lengths, but the roofer still has to seam the membranes together to cover the entire roof. They also have to attach the membranes to the roof surface. Installing the membranes can be done a few ways depending on the type of membrane and how you want the finished results to look.
When the membranes are in place, flashing is installed. Flashing wraps around vent pipes to make a seal that keeps rain from getting in. Flat membrane roofs also use flashing along the edges of the roof to keep rain from rolling down the roof and getting under the membrane.
The last thing your commercial roofer may do is put down mats on your roof that creates a path for contractors to work on your HVAC or to provide walkways for your maintenance crew. If you keep foot traffic off of the membranes, you reduce the risk of punctures and other damage from shoes.
