Built-up Roofing Membranes – Problem Areas

Built-up roofs are composed of bitumen (either asphalt or coal tar) and glass fiber, polyester or organic reinforcing felts.

• Some of the most common problems and problem areas of built-up roofs
  Holes, tears, or abrasions
  Fishmouths and buckles (wrinkles)
  Surface coating deterioration
  Membrane deterioration
  Dry side laps
  Blisters
  Debris, vegetation and other containments
  Inadequate equipment support
  Ponding water
  Alligatoring or eroding of surface
  Crazing or eroding of mineral surfaced cap sheets
  Splits
  Fastner back-out
  Loose or displaced wall and base flashing
  Open side laps
  Deteriorated flashing
  Scuppers
  Pitch pans
  Interior drains
  Interior gutters
  Loose mechanical attachment of base flashing
  Exposed gaps at the top of base flashing
  Penetrations (loose or unbounded membrane flashing)

NOTE: When repairing a BUR the material should be compatible with the type of membrane being repaired. Meaning asphalt-based products should typically be used to repair asphalt BUR and coal-tar based products to repair coal tar BUR.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BUILT-UP ROOF IS COMPOSED OF ASPHALT OR COLD-TAR?

Simply conduct a field test – Place a piece of the membrane in a container of mineral spirits and shake. If the material starts to dissolve and turns brown quickly, it is asphalt.