Insulation can become wet in a variety of ways. A pipe could burst, a seam could have been improperly welded or there could be a puncture somewhere on your roofing system. However, just fixing the cause of the leak is not enough; the wet insulation must be removed. Damp insulation is a danger not only to your roofing system but also to the overall integrity of your building as well as the people who occupy it. The following four points explain the ramifications of not tearing out wet roof insulation.

When Hurricane Irma slammed into Florida in September of 2017, it hit Marco Island and Ft. Myers hard. Most buildings suffered serious wind damage, and many roofs were damaged or destroyed. It has kept roofers very busy with some repairs not receiving attention until recently.

Each year, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) organizes National Roofing Week. June 3–9 has been designated as National Roofing Week 2018, and the NRCA is encouraging members to take part by informing the public about how essential roofs and professional roofing contractors are to communities.

The technology behind the FiberTite roofing membrane places it in a class of its own. Currently, FiberTite is the only single-ply roofing membrane that meets the stringent ASTM D6754 standard, which requires the proper utilization of Dow ELVALOY™ Ketone Ethylene Ester (KEE).

When identifying today’s most prevalent single-ply membrane roof systems and their appropriate application methodologies, there are a number of myths surrounding durability, energy saving capabilities and condensation concerns. Take a look at the myths below to see what’s real when it comes to single-ply roofing.

When you were younger, you probably heard that sitting too close to the TV will ruin your eyesight or that drinking coffee will stunt your growth.

As it turns out, these are just myths.

In fact, there are many myths today that don’t hold any truth to them.

There are even myths when it comes to roofing. When identifying today’s most prevalent single-ply membrane roof systems and their appropriate application methodologies, there are a number of misconceptions surrounding the durability, energy-saving capability and condensation concerns of single-ply roofing.

When it comes to fire protection, not all roofing systems are alike. While all systems must meet certain standards, some materials succumb to flame while others are self-extinguishing. Check out this video to see a lab test on some of the most popular roofing materials used today.

The chart below provides a quick overview of the flame-resistance of various roofing materials. While roofing systems are evaluated and tested as a unit, this look at materials is a good baseline for selecting the best system for your fire prevention needs.

First and foremost, remember that you are the first line of defense when it comes to maintaining your roofing assets. With that being said, I would recommend someone on staff who knows what to look for when inspecting your roof and who also has the knowledge to make a temporary repair before the contractor or manufacturer gets there.  But even before that, check with your warranty for the do’s and don’ts and be sure you have a clear understanding of your responsibilities.

The storm has passed and it’s now time to assess the damage.

The Initial Inspection

First, check your building’s envelope. If it’s damaged, you’ll likely need a temporary fix to protect your assets. This is especially true if there has been damage to the roofing system. But be careful when inspecting roof damage—damaged roofs can be very unstable.

While a hurricane may be an impressive sight from outer space, it can be a devastating event  for those in its path on the ground.

When these storms are defined as being a Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS), they are considered a major hurricane or tropical cyclone. When we hear major storm system names like Sandy, Wilma or Andrew—and now Harvey and Irma— we’re reminded of the destruction these types of storm systems can inflict upon everything in their paths.