Services. Recovery Systems
Overview
A Recovery System is one where a second roof is installed on top of an existing one.
Recovery / Retrofit Viability
There are a few key criterion that need to be addressed in the design of a successful long-term recovery system.
Qualities of a Recovery Candidate:
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The existing roofing system is still within its manufacturer defined expected service life and can present a viable substrate for the application of a second roof
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Roof leaks have been addressed as they have occurred
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The structural roof deck can accommodate the additional dead-load weight and does not show signs of water related decay
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The structural roof deck will provide an acceptable “pull-out” rating for retrofit fasteners per your area's recommended wind uplift requirements (FM I-90 for Chicago and surrounding areas)
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Roof leaks have been minor or have been in isolated areas
Disqualifier's:
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There are already two (or more) roofs on the building
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The structural roof deck shows signs of water damage
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30% or more of total roof area has significant moisture trapped within the assembly - Roofing Solutions can provide an infrared thermal inspection of the roofing system to determine this information
A Thorough Inspection For Entrapped Moisture
We can perform a moisture scan of the existing materials to be sure that the existing roof is a suitable substrate for the new materials using thermal IR cameras. If entrapped moisture is revealed by a moisture scan, but the majority of the roof is dry, only those areas with entrapped moisture are removed and a separating layer of insulation is installed over the existing roof as a substrate for a new roofing / waterproofing system as described below.
New Roofing System Options
If you have a flat roof, you will ultimately choose from the four major product groups: Conventional Built-Up, Modified Bitumen Built-Up, Thermoplastic Single-Ply, and Thermoset Single-Ply. Metal building owners have the option of Elastomeric Liquid Systems as well
You will probably want to do some research on each of the groups, depending upon the specifics of your structure and your plans for use of the roof area. For example, if you have a metal roof deck, you are probably going to want a lightweight system. Or, if you have a substantial presence of equipment mounted above and through the roof, you may prefer a multi-layer system for its thickness and puncture resistance.
We would be more than happy to supply you with information that comes from the industry’s most respected sources, as well as the major manufacturers, to help you make an informed system selection. Our proposals include photographs that show you the various steps associated with installing the systems listed above, cross-section sketches to illustrate the components that make up each system, and narrated video documentation when applicable so that building owners and decision makers can have a clear understanding in the needs of their roof without ever stepping foot on a ladder.
Get a quote for a recovery / retrofit roofing system for your building