With our reputation as a quality-focused contractor, we are regularly asked to take on “rescue” projects when another builder has failed to the point of being removed from the job. On a recent project, a brand-new TPO low-slope roof had been installed by a previous builder and we were asked to evaluate it as part of our work to take the partially finished project to completion and help the clients close their contract with the first builder.
Low-slope roofs are always challenging. With most types, there is no redundancy, so a single flaw can cause large problems. Over the years, we’ve found that some parts are more likely than others to fail, so we checked those areas carefully. For example, when evaluating a 16-by-29-foot roof recently, we first checked the TPO seams using a seam probe. Running the awl-like tool along the edge of the seams, we quickly found multiple voids. In addition, heat-welded patches were missing at numerous seam intersections, so it didn’t take us long to determine that the roof’s seam and patch work would have to be carefully checked and heat welded as needed. We also noticed that seam sealant hadn’t been applied to the field-cut edges of the TPO membrane and patches. Some brands have factory edges on all sides, but once cut, the membrane’s fabric reinforcing layer becomes exposed and vulnerable to weather damage.
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