Up on the Roof, Down goes the old

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Our 2nd floor tenants here mentioned the ceiling in the kitchen was showing some water damage again after the last big snowstorm. I figured I had already patched that area above the kitchen with lots of tar last year, but apparently to no avail.
I've know since I bought the building that the roof needed to be completely replaced, since much of it was rippled and many of the joints with the parapet walls were tearing.  I made the mistake of hiring some fly by night contractors to put a layer of paint-able rubber membrane on over 5 years ago, and I thought that would hold it for awhile, but the membrane already had started coming off in the same year.  At that same time, I did get some estimates for a 'modified bitumen roof' for about $10K.  Once of the estimators took a sample of my existing roof, and said there were 7 layers of roof, and what looked to be the original gravel roof!
So, obviously, this roof needed to be completely torn off.

I contacted a number roofing contractors, and decided on Cuevas Construction after receiving 6 different quotes.  Mr. Cuevas seemed the most knowledgeable and experienced for the best price.

The used axes to chop up the old roof, pile into large bags, and had a crane from the street move the bags into the dumpster.

A number of floor boards were rotted out from roof leaks

The worst damage was at the end of roof near the gutter.  I think water was pooling up here where the grade was not steep enough.





























I found this a good page to describe TPO roofing vs. the traditional modified bitumen.

Comments

  1. Santo CaridineJuly 11, 2012 at 2:19 PM

    Your roof really needs replacing. That’s going to be a lot of work. With the condition of your old roof, it’s a good idea that you chose very experienced contractors. What materials are you planning on using on your new roof?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jerrylogansquareJuly 10, 2017 at 10:52 AM

      TPO! http://duplexdown.blogspot.com/2012/04/almost-white-as-snow.html

      Delete
  2. Eugene CaulJuly 20, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    Replacing the roof is definitely a good decision. Looking at the pictures, it seems it took quite some work to tear down the old roof, given that large pile of debris you have in the first photo. Well, in any case, I do hope the roofer you chose gave you a fair price and a good choice of roofing. One good suggestion is metal roofing, mainly because it's tough.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jerrylogansquareJuly 10, 2017 at 10:53 AM

      I do like metal roofing, but i've never seen on low slope residential roof

      http://duplexdown.blogspot.com/2012/04/almost-white-as-snow.html

      Delete
  3. jerrylogansquareAugust 27, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    see later posts!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tiffany LarsenOctober 5, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    I’ve seen your latest post about this roof and I’m totally amazed on how this rotten roof turned out great. I like that you chose the white color, which will be a big advantage for you when inspecting the roof for rot or damage. You can easily spot it on white color. I’m glad that you finally replaced it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jerrylogansquareNovember 15, 2012 at 11:06 AM

      Thanks, i think TPO roof only comes in white or off-white.

      Anyway, i'll have a later post talking about the leak into the kitchen that is coming in through the brick on the side of the house!

      Delete

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