Abbotsford Commercial Flat Roofing
Abbotsford has a large mix of commercial, industrial, agricultural, warehouse, strata and multi-family buildings with flat and low-slope roofing systems.
Commercial roofs also change throughout their service life. New HVAC equipment, refrigeration systems and other building services may require new curbs, penetrations or supports to be incorporated into an existing roof.
At Flat Roofing Insights, we bring more than 33 years of flat roofing experience to commercial roof inspections, repairs, maintenance, roof alterations and replacement planning.
When new rooftop equipment is being installed, the roofing work should be considered as part of the project from the beginning. Proper planning allows new penetrations and supports to be incorporated without unnecessarily compromising the existing waterproofing system.
Roof Alterations for New Mechanical Equipment
Installing a new rooftop unit involves more than simply placing equipment on the roof.
Flat Roof Assessment
Depending on the installation, roofing work may be required for:
- New equipment curbs
- Roof openings
- Pipe and service penetrations
- Electrical penetrations
- Equipment supports
- Membrane modifications
- Flashing and waterproofing
- Temporary weather protection
Ideally, the roofing and mechanical work should be coordinated before equipment arrives on site.
Working With Existing EPDM Roofs
EPDM remains common on commercial flat roofs and can often be modified when new rooftop equipment is required.
The existing roof first needs to be understood so that new openings and penetrations can be properly positioned and incorporated into the membrane.
On ballasted systems, stone may also need to be moved away from the work area to provide access to the membrane below.
Once the roofing work is complete, ballast can be reinstated where appropriate.
Planning Roof Openings and Curbs
Cutting a new opening through an existing commercial roof needs to be properly planned.
The position and dimensions of the opening need to correspond with the new equipment while taking account of the existing roof assembly and building structure.
The new curb then provides a raised location for the equipment while allowing the waterproofing membrane to be properly detailed around it.
Preparing Penetrations Before Equipment Arrives
Sometimes the roofing work and mechanical installation cannot happen at the same time.
Roof penetrations and other details may need to be completed in advance so that the building is ready when the new equipment arrives.
In these situations, the roofing work still needs to remain watertight during the period between the roof alterations and final equipment installation.
That coordination can prevent last-minute alterations being made to the roof when the mechanical contractor arrives.
Maintaining Ballasted EPDM Roofs
Mechanical alterations are also a good opportunity to inspect the surrounding roof.
Ballast may hide parts of the membrane from normal view, so once an area has been exposed it makes sense to check the membrane, seams, penetrations and previous repairs before reinstating the stone.
Regular maintenance remains important around mechanical equipment because these areas often experience greater rooftop traffic than the main field of the roof.
Repair, Maintain or Replace?
New mechanical equipment does not automatically mean an existing roof needs to be replaced.
If the roofing system remains serviceable, new curbs and penetrations can often be incorporated into it.
However, the condition and remaining service life of the roof should be considered before installing major new equipment. If substantial reroofing is likely in the near future, coordinating the two projects may avoid unnecessary duplication and additional costs.
Flat Roofing Systems in Abbotsford
Commercial and industrial buildings in Abbotsford can use several roofing systems, including:
- SBS modified bitumen
- TPO
- PVC
- EPDM
- Built-up roofing
Commercial & Industrial Flat Roofing in Abbotsford
Our Abbotsford flat roofing services are suitable for warehouses, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, strata properties and multi-family developments.
Whether the building requires an inspection, repair, maintenance, a roof alteration or replacement planning, understanding the existing roofing system is the starting point.
Preparing an EPDM Roof for New Equipment in Abbotsford
This Abbotsford project involved preparing an existing ballasted EPDM roof for new mechanical equipment.
The new unit was not due to be installed for approximately another month, which meant the necessary roof opening, curb and penetrations had to be coordinated and prepared in advance.
Preparing the Opening for a New Roof Curb
The first stage involved setting out and cutting the roof opening required for the new equipment curb.
The opening had to be positioned and prepared before the curb and eventual rooftop unit could be incorporated into the building.
Roof opening being prepared for a new mechanical equipment curb on an existing EPDM roof in Abbotsford.
Preparing New Roof Penetrations in Advance
Additional penetrations were also prepared for services associated with the new equipment.
Because the rooftop unit was scheduled to arrive later, these roofing details needed to be completed and made watertight beforehand.
The surrounding ballast was moved away to expose the EPDM membrane and provide sufficient working space around the new details.
New service penetrations prepared and waterproofed on a ballasted EPDM roof ahead of a future rooftop equipment installation.
Why Coordination Matters
This project is a good example of why roofing and mechanical work should be planned together.
The roofer may need to complete openings, curbs and penetrations well before the mechanical equipment arrives. Those details still need to protect the building during the period between the two stages of work.
Planning the sequence beforehand also reduces the risk of someone making an unplanned penetration through an existing roof simply because the new equipment is ready to be installed.
Need Help With a Flat Roof in Abbotsford?
If you own or manage a commercial, industrial, strata or multi-family property in Abbotsford, we can help with roof inspections, repairs, preventative maintenance, roof alterations and replacement planning.
Call 778.908.3968
FAQ
Can new HVAC equipment be installed on an existing EPDM roof?
Yes, provided the existing roof is suitable and the new curbs, supports and penetrations are properly incorporated into the roofing system.
Can roof penetrations be completed before the new equipment arrives?
Yes. On some projects, roofing work needs to be completed in advance of the mechanical installation. Any temporary or permanent details must remain properly waterproofed while waiting for the equipment.
Does the ballast need to be removed when modifying an EPDM roof?
Ballast normally needs to be moved away from the immediate work area so the membrane can be accessed and properly detailed. It can then be reinstated where appropriate once the roofing work is complete.
Should the condition of the existing roof be checked before installing new equipment?
Yes. If significant roof replacement is likely in the near future, it is useful to know that before installing new rooftop equipment that could complicate future reroofing work.
