Henrico Roofing
804-894-9139
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We offer TPO roofing service for flat commercial roofs in Henrico Virginia including the Greater Richmond areas, such as Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, Short Pump, New Kent, Ashland, Varina, Highland Springs, and surrounding areas. We work on apartments, churches, stores, offices, and medical clinics. We are licensed, bonded and insured in the state of Virginia.
Installing a TPO Roof
Studies have shown that 2/3 of the problems people experience with their new roofs are due to the contractor’s workmanship- not the roofing materials.
Choose Carefully!
What is a TPO Roof?
TPO is an acronym for the chemical composition of Thermoplastic Polyolefin. Thermoplastic means a material that softens when heated then hardens as it cools. This rubber like compound is extruded under heat and pressure into calendaring machines (large steel rollers) that will flatten and smooth the compound into a large 100-foot roll of a single ply membrane or sheet that can be anywhere from 6 to 12 feet wide. These sheets are then fitted to the prepared flat roof with seams between the sheets that will be heat welded with a special machine.
Special Quality
What makes the membrane special is its white reflective laminated top because the Sun’s heat is reflected back to the atmosphere it will keep the building cooler- as much as 20 degrees. Very good savings during the hot days. The cold days can be helped with fiber insulation put down under the membrane that will insulate it with an R factor of about 6.
The TPO membrane can be attached a few different ways:
TPO Roof Fasteners
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Cleaning the Existing Roof for New TPO Roof
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Using Adhesive for TPO Roof Install
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Most important is the existing roof preparation. Roof must be free of all dust, grime, mud and dry for the heat bonds to stay strong for its expected lifetime.
- Mechanically fasten to the roof deck with special plate like fasteners that are attached to the roof deck. How they are attached is dependent of the material of the roof deck.
- Fully adhered to the roof deck with special adhesives.
Most important is the existing roof preparation. Roof must be free of all dust, grime, mud and dry for the heat bonds to stay strong for its expected lifetime.
How to decide if a TPO roof is appropriate for your situation?
TPO roofs have become quite popular in the past few years for commercial business owners looking for a fast-installing waterproof membrane that won’t be out of reach financially.
Positives of the TPO roof are:
Cost for a TPO flat roof installation is less expensive that the other types of rubber roof membranes.
Will not feed mildew, algae and mold fungus so no worries about power washing the fungus off every summer.
TPO withstands contact with numerous materials that will damage other types of membranes.
UV Rays are reflective back to space preventing heat buildup within the building below.
With some maintenance the TPO roof will function for 20 to 30 assuming the install was an expert one.
The heat welded bonds in places around chimneys, vents, HVAC hoses and other perforations are long lasting and totally sealed (no moisture seepage should take place).
Positives of the TPO roof are:
Cost for a TPO flat roof installation is less expensive that the other types of rubber roof membranes.
Will not feed mildew, algae and mold fungus so no worries about power washing the fungus off every summer.
TPO withstands contact with numerous materials that will damage other types of membranes.
UV Rays are reflective back to space preventing heat buildup within the building below.
With some maintenance the TPO roof will function for 20 to 30 assuming the install was an expert one.
The heat welded bonds in places around chimneys, vents, HVAC hoses and other perforations are long lasting and totally sealed (no moisture seepage should take place).
Some Negatives are:
Manufacturers of TPO fabrics vary greatly in quality and the price point is not always a good indication of what you’ll end up with. An experienced TPO roofer, such as Henrico Roofing VA can discuss pros and cons of a certain TPO fabric performance for your situation.
TPO roll come in widths of 6 to 12 feet consequently there will be seams to heat bond where the rolls meet raising the probability of installation error with each seam. A conscientious roofer who checks their work will remove that probability.
Like all flat roofs, any debris blown or dropped on will have to be removed by hand.
Critters, such as squirrels, birds, rodents, and insects will need to be routinely controlled to keep damage from occurring.
Any trees overhanging the roof should be cut back to prevent pests from access to the roof.
Other pests, such as insects and rodents will have to be deterred by sprays or other methods.
Manufacturers of TPO fabrics vary greatly in quality and the price point is not always a good indication of what you’ll end up with. An experienced TPO roofer, such as Henrico Roofing VA can discuss pros and cons of a certain TPO fabric performance for your situation.
TPO roll come in widths of 6 to 12 feet consequently there will be seams to heat bond where the rolls meet raising the probability of installation error with each seam. A conscientious roofer who checks their work will remove that probability.
Like all flat roofs, any debris blown or dropped on will have to be removed by hand.
Critters, such as squirrels, birds, rodents, and insects will need to be routinely controlled to keep damage from occurring.
Any trees overhanging the roof should be cut back to prevent pests from access to the roof.
Other pests, such as insects and rodents will have to be deterred by sprays or other methods.
Free Consultation
Whether you need a consultation for repair or evaluation of an existing TPO roof system or the installation of a new TPO roof, Henrico Roofing encourages you to schedule, at your convenience, a free roofing inspection. We will arrive promptly on-site at the scheduled date. The inspector will discuss your concerns about the property to get an understanding of your needs, desires, and expectations. This will help guide our assessment to evaluate the health of the current roof’s system or how we might best install a new one. Our goal is to provide you with a detailed written report addressing potential problems, various options for repair, replacement, or new install, and finally budget friendly solutions or recommendations. We gather the information, review it, estimate for repairs are pass on to client and then we step back and stay available for questions- the decision is the clients.
TPO Roof Repair
TPO Roof Needs Repair
The inspector from Henrico Roofing will check penetrations of the waterproof membrane, debris blocked drains, the seal between seams, the sealing of vents and other roof penetrations, compromised accessories in need of repair and any safety concerns. The inspector’s goal is to promote a long-lasting repair of the roof when possible or promote a budget friendly replacement.
Roof debris will be looked at to determine where it’s coming from and the inspector will ponder any solutions that might prevent it. Trees overhanging the roof with branches will allow access to squirrels, ants, rodents, and pose puncture hazards with dropping branches.
Roof debris will be looked at to determine where it’s coming from and the inspector will ponder any solutions that might prevent it. Trees overhanging the roof with branches will allow access to squirrels, ants, rodents, and pose puncture hazards with dropping branches.
Novice Repairs
Many novice repairs fail to bond because the existing TPO membrane was not prepared properly. The TPO membrane has to be clean of all impurities before heat sealing with a membrane patch otherwise the seal will fail prematurely causing water damage from moisture seepage. Also, TPO roofing repairs require specialized equipment, such as a hot air welder (can be very expensive) and TPO material patches are not available at the big box stores. It is unlikely a TPO roofing membrane manufacturer will sell a small square of the material because it’s generally sold in big rolls. Should a repair be made with the wrong material it could increase the area of damage that needs replacing by an experienced TPO roofer. Save yourself some unnecessary expense for do over repairs and call or text Henrico Roofing to get scheduled for a roofing consultation- it won’t cost anything to get some expert advice.
TPO Roof Replacement
If the TPO roofing membrane has numerous punctures, cracks, and the seams have pulled away it may be time for a TPO roof replacement. Although your allowed to have up to 2 layers of roofing before you strip off the existing roof, it’s best to see if there is moisture damage underneath. You could check the underside of the roof within the building and see if there are any wet spots that could indicate a problem. Another way to find hidden moisture is by infrared digital imagery using an infrared camera or temperature scanner. They both work by checking temperature differences within a specific area. Any temperature shifts down will indicate hidden moisture that could be inspected.
Henrico Roofing free inspections are best at determining if any problems under the existing TPO roof needs repair before placing a new TPO roof on.
One thing to keep in mind is the existing roof has to be totally clean for correct bonding of membranes so make sure the replacement roofer intends to do an extensive prep clean up or you may have several repairs to make again within a few years or less.
Henrico Roofing free inspections are best at determining if any problems under the existing TPO roof needs repair before placing a new TPO roof on.
One thing to keep in mind is the existing roof has to be totally clean for correct bonding of membranes so make sure the replacement roofer intends to do an extensive prep clean up or you may have several repairs to make again within a few years or less.
Contact Henrico Roofing (804) 894-9139 and schedule a free, no commitments, roof assessment and ask a roofing consultant if TPO roof is a good solution for your roofing needs.