Built-Up Roof Repair
An existing built up roof can develop problems over time, and proper repair addresses them to extend the roof's life. Understanding BUR repair helps you know what to expect. Here is what built up roof repair involves on a Springmill Villages commercial building.
Common Built-Up Roof Problems
Built up roofs develop characteristic problems over time, including blisters, cracks and splits in the membrane, deteriorated flashings, and bare spots where the surfacing has worn away. The bitumen layers can crack or blister, the flashings can fail, and the protective gravel can shift or wash off, all of which can lead to leaks. For a Springmill Villages building, understanding the common BUR problems explains what repair addresses, since these are the issues that develop as the roof ages. Catching them early keeps repairs manageable. These common built up roof problems are what repair addresses, since blisters, cracks, flashing failures, and bare spots are the characteristic issues a BUR roof develops, and addressing them properly keeps the roof watertight and extends its service life on the building.
Finding the Source of a Leak
Repairing a built up roof leak starts with finding the source, which is not always where the water appears inside, since water can travel between the layers and along the roof before dripping through. A proper repair requires tracing the leak to its actual origin. For a Springmill Villages building, finding the source is essential to an effective BUR repair, since the multi ply construction means water can travel before it shows, and fixing the wrong spot leaves the real problem unaddressed. The source must be identified first. This finding of the source is the foundation of a lasting BUR repair, since water can travel between the layers from where it enters to where it appears, and identifying the actual origin of the leak is what allows the repair to address the real problem on the commercial building.
Repairing Cracks and Splits
Many built up roof repairs involve repairing cracks and splits in the membrane, addressing the openings where water gets in. Cracks and splits that have developed in the bitumen layers are repaired, restoring the membrane's integrity at these failure points. For a Springmill Villages building, repairing cracks and splits is a common BUR repair, since these are frequent sources of leaks as the membrane ages. The repairs close the openings that let water in. This repairing of cracks and splits is central to much BUR repair work, since the cracks and splits that develop in the bitumen membrane over time are common leak sources, and properly addressing them restores the roof's watertightness at the points where it has failed on the commercial building.
Addressing Blisters
Built up roofs can develop blisters, raised areas where the layers have separated or trapped moisture or air, and these are addressed as part of repair. Blisters can compromise the membrane and may lead to leaks if they break, so they are repaired to restore the roof. For a Springmill Villages building, addressing blisters is part of BUR repair, since these raised areas indicate a problem between the layers. The blisters are repaired to restore the membrane. This addressing of blisters is part of built up roof repair, since these raised areas where the layers have separated or trapped moisture can compromise the roof and lead to leaks, and properly repairing them restores the membrane's integrity and prevents the problems they would otherwise cause on the building.
Restoring Surfacing and Flashings
BUR repair includes restoring the surfacing and flashings, replenishing bare spots where the gravel has worn away and repairing the flashings at transitions and penetrations. The gravel protects the membrane, so bare spots are addressed, and the flashings are common leak points that need repair. For a Springmill Villages building, restoring the surfacing and flashings is an important part of BUR repair, since worn surfacing exposes the membrane and failed flashings let water in. The repairs renew the roof's protection. This restoring of surfacing and flashings is part of thorough BUR repair, since the gravel surfacing protects the membrane from UV and the flashings protect the transitions, and addressing both keeps the membrane shielded and the vulnerable points watertight on the commercial building.
Extending the Roof's Life
The goal of BUR repair is extending the roof's life, addressing problems before they spread so the roof serves longer before replacement is needed. Timely repair of cracks, blisters, surfacing, and flashings keeps the roof sound and defers the major cost of replacement. For a Springmill Villages building, extending the roof's life through repair is the practical payoff, since catching and fixing problems early keeps the roof serving longer. The repairs preserve the roof's condition. This extending of the roof's life is the purpose of BUR repair, since addressing problems promptly keeps them from spreading and damaging the roof further, preserving its condition and getting more years of service from it before replacement becomes necessary on the commercial building.
Keeping a BUR Roof Sound
Built up roof repair addresses common problems by finding the source of leaks, repairing cracks and splits, addressing blisters, and restoring surfacing and flashings. This proper repair extends the roof's life and keeps it watertight on a Springmill Villages commercial building.
It helps to understand that the weight of a built up roof is a real consideration. The multiple plies of bitumen and felt, plus the gravel surfacing, make BUR heavier than some other flat roof systems, which means the building structure must be able to support it. This is part of why an assessment matters before installing or replacing a roof, since the structure and the roofing system have to be compatible. For a Springmill Villages building, this weight consideration is one of the factors weighed when choosing a flat roof system, alongside the durability and redundancy that built up roofing offers. Springmill Villages Metal Roofing considers the structure and the building's needs when recommending a roofing system, since the right choice balances the strengths of a system like BUR against considerations like weight to ensure the roof fits the building.
Get Your BUR Roof Repaired
Seeing leaks or wear on your built up roof? Call Springmill Villages Metal Roofing at {phone} for a free inspection of your Springmill Villages commercial building. We find the source of the problem and repair it properly, addressing cracks, blisters, surfacing, and flashings to extend your roof's life.