Roofing

Built-up roofing (BUR) is one of the most popular and longest-lasting commercial roofing options available to Texas business owners.

Assembled on site and configurable to just about any low-slope roof, BUR seals well. The combination of felts and liquid roofing bitumen makes for a fire-retardant, waterproof roof. This does not mean BUR is maintenance-free, nor is it without some issues that require careful inspection.

Flashing

BUR roofing fails often—perhaps most often—at the flashing, where the BUR felts end and metal is used to span or cover a joint. The BUR roofing itself is like a custom-molded liquid seal across most of your roof, but the edges are the weak spot.

Blisters

Blisters can occur for a variety of reasons. Moisture and air trapped in BUR will rise and lift the felts, causing a blister. A blister collapses with pressure, revealing the air bubble beneath the surface.

Ridging

Ridges are firm to the touch, unlike blisters. They are caused at joints and seams, either by telegraphing irregularities in the roof deck through the layers of felts, or by getting the raw edges of felts moist, causing them to expand. Ridges, being solid, act as small dams and breaks in the roof’s natural drainage. This can lead to  ponding.

Undulations

When BUR felt rolls are stored on their sides (rather than their ends), they develop a crushed side. When unrolled, instead of lying flat, the roll undulates. The repetitive rise and fall of the felt across the roof does not allow firm attachment between layers. Other causes of undulation (and the resulting poor drainage) are insufficient downward pressure during installation or insufficient liquid bitumen at application.

Inspection For Prevention

Preventing BUR trouble spots begins with careful, regular inspection. While some problems arise from poor installation, BUR roofs generally last for many years at nearly the same level of performance, significantly dropping only in the last years of its useful life.

This means those annual or semi-annual inspections can catch every little trouble spot with plenty of time for the expert roofers at BELDON® Roofing Company to remedy it.

Choose BELDON® For Your Home’s Needs!

Have some questions or need some roofing advice? Need to schedule a service? Give our team at BELDON Roofing Company a call today!

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