Blisters In Asphalt Shingles
Roof blisters in flat roof membranes are typically the result of workmanship errors during installation. This is not normally the case with asphalt shingles. Almost all blistering in asphalt shingles today is caused by improper ventilation of the roof assembly.
Poor ventilation below the roof causes the roof deck to overheat, which prevents the shingles from releasing the heat they absorb from the sun. Once the asphalt in the shingles reaches a critical temperature, the asphalt begins to release small amounts of gas. These gasses are trapped within the shingle, forming the blister.
Before modern manufacturing processes, when roofing asphalt was mixed in the factory by hand, poor quality control during production often led to roof blisters later.
Imbalances in the asphalt mix allowed gasses to form within the shingles even under normal temperatures in properly ventilated roofs. Damp reinforcement mats could trap moisture within the shingle and the moisture would expand in the heat once the shingles were installed on the roof.
This isnt the case today. Shingle manufacturing is now a finely-tuned automated process. However, asphalt shingles are still designed only to perform under expected normal temperatures, and warranties wont cover temperatures that exceed these.
Although they are very unlikely to cause roof leaks, blisters in asphalt shingles are unsightly and will likely shorten the overall life of the roof.
Repair Of Blisters On Modified Systems
- Loss of granules or other surfacing
- Membrane deterioration
- Blisters in seams which have reduced lap coverage
- Blisters that have breaks that can admit moisture
- Blisters that have fatigue cracking around the circumference
- Blisters that occur in areas of high traffic
If it is determined that blister removal is required, the following procedure should be followed:
1. Remove the membrane from the blistered area down to the existing substrate. Inspect the membrane for possible moisture infiltration.
2. If water infiltration is suspected, open the membrane and inspect the insulation and deck for damage. Remove wet or damaged insulation and repair or replace the deck as required. Properly attach new, dry insulation consistent with the thickness of the existing insulation and compatible with the other roof system components.
3. To promote thorough adhesion of a patch, it is essential to begin by preparing the surface. Remove debris, contaminants, surfacing, ballast or loose granules from the surface of the membrane or flashing to be repaired. The area to be prepared should extend beyond the perimeter of the patch to provide an ample clean work area on which to install the patch.
4. Clean the surface of the membrane. If the membrane surface has been flood-coated and aggregate-embedded, carefully spud the aggregate free from the surface and sweep clean. The exposed asphalt flood coat may need to be heated with a torch in order to smooth out irregularities, then allowed to cool.
Can You Walk On A Foam Roof
Even though the popularity of elastomeric and Polyurethane spray foam roof materials have gained popularity and use on flat and low slope roofs, there are still those that question it. One concern is the foot traffic many commercial buildings have with contractors. Commercial building owners can relax knowing that a foam roof professionally installed has the approval of the National Roofing Contractors Association, which has proven that it can sustain up to fifty pounds per square inch. A downside of a foam roof and many other roofing materials have the same issue, sharp objects dropped can puncture the foam roof and require repairing. Repairs should be made with proper materials after thoroughly cleaning the surface. Products recommended for repair are an acrylic coating or elastomeric material.
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Advantages Of Flat Roof Coatings
Yes, when applied by a professional roofing contractor with experience in apply an elastomeric flat roof coating. The rubber-like properties of elastomeric contracts and expands with the original roofing surface and temperature. This minimizes any chance of leaks because there are no seams to split open.
A commercial structure is a lot of responsibility, mentally and financially. With a proper flat roof coating, the problems of the roof are minimized. This gives you more time, and money, to spend your time with things that are more important, like running the business.
It is worth the time to consult with your property owners insurance on any possible discount on premiums and with local government on any possible energy credits for easing your part of the urban island head. Call today for your roof coating in Tulsa, OK.
Foam Roofing For Quality Defense
Installing a foam roof for a flat roof has become more prevalent in commercial structures over the past few years. Foam roofing consists of elastomeric and Polyurethane foam coating. A high-density insulation material, when Polyurethane and elastomeric are blended, they become a coating becomes a water-resistant membrane that effectively protects a roof from the rain, sun, and water.
This foam roof with the coating is applied to commercial structure roofing in a seamless layer, and to determine if spray foam roof good or bad, and to answer the question, Are foam roofs any good? review these benefits:
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How To Prevent Roof Blisters
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About West Roofing Systems, Inc.
West Roofing Systems, Inc. was established in 1979 and now has locations in Ohio and Georgia. Holding over 18 industry awards and having installed over 50 million square-feet of commercial, industrial and municipal roofing, West Roofing Systems, Inc. is the only roofing contractor you’ll ever need. For more information visit westroofingsystems.com.
How Do You Repair A Spray Foam Roof
Spray Foam roofing is easy to repair small damages such as cracks or punctures and more severe damage is easy to repair as well by removing the damaged area and reapply the spray foam coating over the specific areas. Professional commercial roofing contractors that work with spray foam roofing recommend recoating every fifteen years to extend the lifespan beyond the 30 years.
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Not Taking The Proper Safety Precautions
Take it from people who know: roofers pay the highest workers compensation premiums of any profession, and theres a reason for that. Its a dangerous job.
Any time youre working around heights or ladders, you need to have a friend there to give you a spot. Have your buddy stand at the base of the ladder and hold it still to keep you from slipping. Its also a good idea to keep your friend on the ground so he or she can watch you work and let you know if youre getting too close to the edge.
Its easy to get distracted with the work, and sometimes people dont notice where theyre stepping.
Finally, you might want to tape off your property so that nobody walks into the fall zone. You dont want a pedestrian being struck in the head if you drop a tool.
What Color Roof Is The Coolest
White is always going to be the coolest color for anything, including a cool roof. However, if the commercial structure has a roof that is sloped with street visibility, white may not go with the architectural style of the structure. In that case, a workable solution is to have a reflective coating applied to the existing surface to create a cool roof.
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What Are The Disadvantages Of A Metal Roof
With all of the benefits that can be seen with a standing seam metal roof, there are also some significant disadvantages. With the highly durable materials and process of installation, the opposite is true that the business owner will need to afford a few concessions like:
- Requires distinct focus to colors applied to the roof
- Can be loud depending on the process of installation
- Is more expensive compared to other roofing options
- Longer installation process
While the brunt of what turns most people away from the standing seam metal roof is the cost, it can be argued that the standing seam has benefits that outweigh the disadvantages if money is not an issue or if planing for the long term is of prime importance. The greatest factor to consider is arguably what kind of roof would you want to spend on that will keep your livelihood safe against the weather, whether it is incredibly hot or frigid outside. The standing seam metal roof is one of the best options on the market for that.
Fix Roof Blisters Fast
What are Roof Blisters?Roof blisters often occur in asphalt-based roofing systems like built up roofing or asphalt shingles. Blisters happen when moisture or air is trapped under the layers of roofing. When the temperature rises, the pressure in these pockets causes the air or moisture to expand and then weaken the asphalt, forming a blister or pocket in your roofing material. Some blisters are small, harmless and inevitable, but in other cases, these weakened areas allow more moisture to seep below the surface and cause more blistering, more damage to your roof, eventually leaking, and even complete roof failure.
Can Roof Blisters Be Fixed?Yes, roof blisters can be easily fixed through a process that generally involves some type of patching that will depend on the size of the blister and the type of roof. As soon as you notice a roof blister, you should fix it as soon as possible, as the problem can multiply and become more complicated. We do recommend hiring a professional roofer, as simply traversing a blistering roof can cause additional problems and damage. Moreover, a blister can be a sign of other hidden problems, so a thorough inspection is usually the best route.
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Possible Overspray During Installation
Anytime you work with a spray substance there is the chance of overspray, and if there is any breeze or wind, spray foam roofing has the tendency to be carried away further. This can affect vehicles parked nearby as well as the neighboring buildings. There isnt any health risk, but cosmetic damage is possible.
Spray foam roofing in an ideal product for most commercial structures and has been used on residential structures with flat roofs too. Because of the white surface it creates, the reflective features keep the UV rays from heating up a building in the summer, ideal for structures located where the summers are longer and hotter.
For structures in areas where colder weather is more prevalent, spray foam roofing may not be the best option. An experienced professional commercial roof should be able to provide information that will help a building owner choose the right roofing material. Call today.
Is A Tpo Roof Good
The advantages of having a TPO roof should not be underestimated. TPO roofs are great at resisting dirt build-up, punctures, and tears. TPO roofs can also lower your energy bills during the summer because they are highly reflective and have great ultraviolet ray resistance. If you are looking for the benefits from an environmental standpoint, TPO roofs can lower carbon emissions because they are made from environmentally friendly products.
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Not Thoroughly Reading The Instructions Of Your Particular Foam Roof Repair Kit
Maybe youve done this before. If you read the instructions on your repair kit the first time around and completed the repairs without a problem, it might be tempting to assume you only need to skim it this time.
But each repair kit is a little bit different. Some might require different tools, longer or shorter drying times, or additional steps. Just be sure youre familiar with the instructions of your repair kit.
About Causes Of Roofing Blisters
Blisters on flat roofing occur on any type of flat roof system materials , whether it is a membrane roof or a built-up one. Youll need guidance on how to fix blisters on flat roofing and methods for preventing roof blistering to deal with a blister area early.
Adhesion between Layers of Materials
Blisters are raised surfaces that occur in areas where there is a loss of adhesion between layers like bitumen. Generally, causes of roofing blisters have to do with trapped air or water within a flat roof membrane or built-up roof. Air or water fill up the gaps between the membrane system layers, resulting in bubble-like protrusions.
Trapped air or water bubbles in the membrane will expand in warm or hot weather while dry or cooler temperatures at night will cause it to contract. Apart from moisture in the membrane, they also happen because of poor installation and ventilation. Unless the bubbles burst, blisters can grow larger inside the membrane.
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How Long Do Foam Roofs Last
Spray foam roofs are generally expected to last around 20 years at installation. The roof will last much longer than 20 years, but this is the standard warranty period. This all depends on the thickness of the foam and the coating, and applying more of either of them will generally extend the warranty term.
Not Letting The Roof Surface Dry Completely
Before you make your repairs, youll have to clean the roofs surface. It is very important that you let it get totally dry before you apply the spray foam material.
If you apply the spray foam or coating over a damp area, it will cause gases to form. The gases become blisters that could ruin the entire roof. Trust us when we tell you that this is an expensive problem.
So repair the roof on a warm, sunny day, and let it dry for several hours before you apply the spray foam.
Of course, if youd rather not take care of these repairs on your own, you can always give us a call. American Foam Experts has been family owned and operated for three generations.
We pride ourselves on quality and service. Give us a call, and well come out for a free estimate.
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Recoating A Foam Roof:
For recoating a foam roof, we recommend either Acrylic Elastomeric Coatings or we recommend GE silicones.
These Coating Systems are our premium quality fluid-applied, elastomeric roof coating manufactured using advanced polymer technology. The fully adhered seamless membrane exhibits outstanding reflectivity, adhesion, flexibility and water resistance.
We have lower cost elastomeric roof coatings as well.
How To Fix Blisters And Bubbles
There are a few things that you can do when it comes to fixing blisters and bubbles in your flat roof. First, you can cut away to spots that are blistered and bubbled areas and replace them. It is advised that you replace the same number of layers as you removed. The other way of doing this is to cut an X into the blister or bubble and peel away the bad parts and replace them, again with the same number of layers as you removed.
Regardless of which way you choose to do this, always overlap at least six inches past the blister and bubble so that you are overlapping the old with the new.
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Not Purchasing Enough Foam
If you buy a spray foam roof repair kit from Home Depot, it will come with some foam. But be sure to measure the area that needs repair ahead of time, and check your kits packaging to find out how many square feet it will cover.
If you need to repair a large area of the roof, you might have to purchase some extra foam to cover it.
What Is A Roof Blister
A roof blister is a raised area where there is a loss of adhesion of the roof. This area can fill up with air or water to form a blister which looks like a bubble on your roof. If left untreated, a blister can grow larger and allow more moisture to get in so that the problem gets worse until more extensive repairs and possible replacement is necessaryunless it pops!
Roof blisters can be caused by any number of problems:
- Moisture
- Poor Ventilation
This article will cover the main causes of commercial roof blisters and how they are repaired.
When air or water is trapped in a blister, the weather can cause the blister to grow on a daily basis. Warm weather will cause the water or air to expand during the day. The cool temperature will cause the trapped water or air to contract at night.
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What Is The Best Coating For A Flat Roof
The flat roof coating market has taken a surge in using silicone because of the large range of benefits it provides. This is a flat roof coating that is all about long term performance, between ten and fifteen years with routine maintenance. This is the number one concern for any commercial building owner and their budgets.
Other benefits of a silicone flat roof coating are:
- Withstands ponding water because it is not water based and doesnt absorb water.
- Doesnt chalk or shed like other flat roof coating materials
- No reinforcement is necessary, a money saving feature
- Less product required than other flat roof coating materials
With aesthetic appeal, silicone flat roof coating provides leak-free protection while contributing to the improvement of sustainability and reducing carbon footprint of your business.
