You may already know the primary problems they may face with their flat roof system. It is your responsibility to impart that knowledge in a clear, concise, and understandable fashion to your current or potential customer. What is the best way to do that? You can share the information on your company social media (think Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.). You can share expertise via your website blog. You can have a flyer made to provide various details. There are many options. What is not an option is failing to support your commercial clients with the information they desperately need to make good financial decisions.

In case you are newer to flat roof systems or are looking for more information about their potential issues, we are sharing the top 5 reasons ponding water on a roof is a problem.

Why is Ponding Water a Concern?

The very nature of a flat or low-slope roof causes ponding water problems. Without a significant slope to remove it from the roof, the water will pond in low areas. Why is this a problem? There are several reasons to consider.

Gravity. If moisture has nowhere else to go, gravity will cause it to seek any tiny imperfection in the roofing system to move downward. This leads directly to leak development and resulting structural damage.

Vegetation. Stagnant water is a petrie dish for the development of mold, mildew and other forms of vegetation. Many of these use a root system, which can penetrate the roofing system and cause the very defects that lead to the development of leaks. Additionally, some of this vegetation is extremely unhealthy for the people the roofing system is designed to protect.

Pests. Standing water provides the opportunity for pests to gather. Not only is it a breeding ground for mosquitoes, it provides a gathering location for birds, rodents and other pests to find their necessary water.

Weight. Depending on the size of the ponding area, it could be adding unanticipated weight to the roofing structure. A single gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds. You can quickly see how large areas of ponding can add substantial weight to specific structural locations. Those locations may not be sufficiently reinforced to support that weight.

Collapse. Over time, left unchecked that ponding water will lead to system failure and will eventually get into the structure. The structure will weaken and collapse. No roofing system or substructure can withstand the damage of unchecked water year after year.

How to Address Ponding Water Issues

There is no point in identifying a problem if you aren’t willing to offer some solutions. Here are a few ways to identify and address water ponding.

Inspections. Scheduled inspections help identify the existence of a ponding water issue. Simply put, you can’t fix what you don’t know is broken. The NRCA states water found standing on flat roofs for longer than 2 full days after a storm should be examined by a professional commercial roofing contractor.

Maintenance. Appropriate maintenance of the flat roof system is paramount. This is how those small defects that may exist are corrected, reducing the risk of system compromise from the accumulated water.

Repairs. Any repair should be made promptly and correctly. Though it doesn’t stop the water from ponding, it does reduce the likelihood of more extensive damage from occurring.

Restoration. The application of a coating, spray foam or single-ply membrane improves the waterproofing of the system and helps seal any existing defects. If the ponding is due to collapsed insulation or other “low spot” in the roofing structure, it can also help fill in the area for a more even roof.

Gutters. Gutters need to be cleaned and inspected at least twice a year. Debris build-up is another common reason water can begin to pond on a system. This is such an easy fix. There is no excuse for it ever occurring.

Drains. The installation of drains may become necessary. Experts recommend a drain every 80 feet to allow for proper and efficient water removal.

Replacement. If the problem is extensive or caused by issues like collapsing insulation, weakened structure or even a foundational issue, the only answer to the problem may be a full tear off and replacement to address the deficiencies.

Remember, more than just an eyesore, ponding water is truly a hazardous condition to any flat roof system. Left unchecked, it will ultimately lead to system failure and the risk of a catastrophic loss to your client. Do them a favor, and make sure they know the risks. They will appreciate it.

Here are some of the benefits of roof coatings:

No dumping in landfills: One of the major environmental concerns today is the growing amount of garbage disposed in landfills. With roof restoration, you do not need to be concerned about the remains of your roofing system going to landfills. You also save money as transporting the waste materials to landfills is quite expensive and you also do not need to pay for labor.

Little upkeep and maintenance required: Traditional roofing systems require maintenance and upkeep to avoid costly repairs in the future. Opting for a Conklin roof coating means that you get a roofing restoration solution that will require little maintenance or upkeep for optimal performance. That will save you time and energy in the long run.

Savings on maintenance and repairs: With their maintenance and upkeep requirements reduced, re-covered roofs give you savings in maintenance and cost repairs. That is money you can reinvest in your business or put aside for other building improvements that you have been waiting to upgrade.

Greater environmental responsibility: Yet another advantage of a coating an existing roof is the environmental stewardship you will espouse. As the roof is restored, the Conklin coating that is installed over it has tremendous reflectivity properties, meaning it will bounce back almost 90 percent of the sun’s energy. That will be less taxing on your air-conditioner, so that it emits less carbon dioxide into the air.

Longer roof lifecycle: When restoring your roof, you get a layer of protection that is leakproof, stays resistant against hurricane-strong winds and harsh inclement weather, and performs well year-round. It has been tested and confirmed to last for 40+ years or longer, whereas a traditional roof might be at greater risk for needing expensive repairs in the future.

Easily repairable: Should your reinforced roofing system require any repairs, they are easily applied and in a short time frame, cutting down on disruptions to your business. In addition, you will enjoy the benefits listed above and more with the reapplication, while adding even more years of life to your roofing protection.

How can you go wrong when a Conklin roofing system has so many advantages? Take a cue from the many property owners who have opted for roof restoration rather than replacement and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.

Steel Decks

• Narrow rib (maximum 1”)
• Intermediate rib (1¾”)
• Wide rib (maximum 2 ½”)

The rib is considered the width of the channel between the flat upper sections of the metal sheet. Steel decks are typically installed onto steel framing and fastened by means of welding or mechanical fasteners. Corrugating allows greater spans and amount of load per square inch (psi). Rib style and type are determined by a structural engineer and are given in specifications details. Another type of deck or roof is standing seam metal roofs. These roofs are classified as either structural panels of architectural panels. For specific details on stand seam roofs, contact the Conklin Building Products Department.

Wood and Plywood Decks

The panels are also assigned span ratings indicating the maximum distance allowable between supporting rafters. To ensure that plywood meets Conklin specifications, an APA rated board, rather than a mill-certified board, is needed. Mill-certified boards are not tested as thoroughly as APA-rated boards and may be more subject to buckling or delamination.

Plywood Under Special Coatings

Chemical coatings for roofs have increased the range of design possibilities, particularly in larger commercial structures where contoured or steel-pitched roof surfaces are exposed to view.

Exterior plywood is recommended for use under special coatings for roofs. When the coating requires a very smooth base, use APA A-C Exterior or APA B-C Exterior plywood. When maximum smoothness is not essential, use APA C-C PLUGGED Exterior. Tongue-and-groove plywood (½” or thicker)or lumber blocking at panel edges is recommended. A 1/8” space is recommended at all edge and end joints unless otherwise indicated by panel manufacturer. If high-performance coatings are to be used for finish, check coating manufacturer’s recommendations for panel joint treatment.

Grades should also be specified when the structural wood deck is to be overlaid with a separate plywood layer to serve as substrate for special roof coatings. A 1/8” space is recommended at all edge and end joints unless otherwise indicated by panel manufacturer. Although minimum ¼” plywood may be used over structural decks, 15/32” or thicker panels should be considered for best performance over uneven surfaces or when rain or high humidity is anticipated prior to application of roof coating.

APA – The Engineered Wood Association has several publications available containing extensive information on plywood and Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and its uses.

They can be obtained at the following location:

APA – The Engineered Wood Association
P.O. Box 11700
Tacoma, WA 98411-0700
(206) 565-6608
www.apawood.org

Precast Concrete Deck Systems

Typically, precast concrete deck systems are concrete slabs, most commonly found with metal edges or tongue and groove edges. The slabs are reinforced with wire fabrics or preformed steel bars and are either slipped to the steel frame members or welded to concrete frames by means of metal plates. Depending on the design of the slab, they span anywhere from four to twelve feet. The joints between the slabs are sealed with flexible grouts or other seals.

Gypsum Concrete

Gypsum concrete is a poured system composed of a mixture of gypsum, wood chips, and shavings combined with water. After mixing at the job site, the substance is poured over a wire mesh, which is supported on form boards of either fiberglass, gypsum board, or other material. The minimum acceptable thickness of a gypsum concrete deck is 2”. One advantage of this system if the feasibility of varying the thickness to provide slope for good drainage.

One cautionary note: Because the material is applied in a wet state, it is very important to allow sufficient drying time before installing a roofing system over a new gypsum.

Further, gypsum concrete is not suitable for direct application for Conklin coatings because its chalky surface prevents proper adhesion. Before roofing over this system, some method of moisture detection must be used to ensure that the deck is dry, followed by a recommended “divorcing material” to act as a buffer between the concrete and coating.

Cement-Wood Fiber Panel Roof Deck (Tectum)

Cement-wood fiber roof deck panels are composed of treated wood fibers that are bounded together with Portland cement or other binder and compressed or molded into flat panels. The panels provide both acoustical and thermal insulation. They are furnished either as tongue-and-groove planks suitable for application directly to joists or with rooted edges, which must be secured with bulb-tees.

Reinforced Concrete Roof Decks

Reinforced concrete is produced by mixing aggregate (usually stone or crushed gravel and sand) with Portland cement, water, and in some cases, chemical additive. Steel bars, welded steel mesh or both are used to reinforce the concrete. Then, the surface should be finished to a texture equivalent to either a light power-trowel finish or a firm wood-trowel finish. The density of these decks is from 100 to 150 pounds per cubic foot. Reinforced concrete should not be confused with either lightweight structural concrete or lightweight insulating concrete.

Lightweight Insulating Concrete

Lightweight insulating concrete is usually made of perlite or vermiculite and Portland cement. Occasionally, a foaming agent is also added to create bubbles within the concrete, lessening its density. Minimum standard density is twenty-two pounds per cubic foot. This is a poured system, which is installed over wire mesh or form boards much like the gypsum deck. The material used in making these units can also be used as a fill over pre-cast and pre-stressed deck systems at a minimum thickness of 2”.

Note: Lightweight insulating concrete is not suitable for direct applications of Conklin coatings due to its high water absorption properties. Before roofing over this system, use some method of moisture detection to ensure that the deck is dry. Then, use a recommended “divorcing material” to act as a buffer between the concrete and coating. Conklin Building products Department will provide specific recommendations for this procedure.

Do not apply Benchmark or Rapid Roof III where temperatures exceed an ambient of 100o F and a surface temperature of 120o F. Do not apply at temperatures below 40o F, during inclement weather, when temperatures may drop below 40o F within forty-eight hours of when the temperature is not at least 5o above the dewpoint.

Top white roof benefits

Add Decades of New Life

Cut A/C Costs up to 50%

Free On-Site Inspections

Leak-Proof Your Roof

Warrantied Up to 20 Years

Reduced energy costs: When a white roof is used, you can actually lower energy costs by approximately 20 percent during the hot seasons. You can keep heat better insulated in your commercial building during those cold winter months as well. This is an impressive feat as saving energy is one of the most effective ways to protect our environment and lower utility expenditures.

Lower air-conditioner use: A white roofing system that measures just 1,000 sq. ft. significantly minimizes the use of air-conditioners, extending their life and reducing your carbon footprint. Without a white roof, your air-conditioner would emit approximately half a ton of carbon dioxide on an annual basis based on this 1,000 sq. ft. commercial roof example.

Lower levels of smog: White roofs in urban areas actually help in minimizing the levels of smog. Local temperatures are often high due to the large number of paved surfaces. When the temperatures are lowered, the smog levels are affected in the same way.

Extended roof life: Many white roofs easily last for 40+ years or more without any real problems. One advantage they offer is their energy-saving properties. They reduce your roof surface temperature by up to 80°, leading to lower temperature swings and thus minimized commercial rooftop deterioration in the long term.

Little upkeep and maintenance costs: Unlike traditional roofing, white roofs require little maintenance and upkeep to maintain their top performance levels. Cleaning efforts may be needed on a white roof just once or twice a year to protect against dirt build-up or discoloring. Alternatively, a traditional roof such as a flat roof will require more involved, specific, and frequent maintenance efforts for best results.

Tax benefits from energy certification: A white roofing system’s energy-saving properties are recognized by efficiency certification programs such as the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® program. That means that you might qualify for tax cuts, benefits, and rebates, letting you help the environment and save money at the same time.

Additional benefits of a Conklin roofing system

It is clear that a white roof brings many benefits. A Conklin roofing system, however, brings even further value, offering long-term quality protection and being easy to maintain. Below are even more reasons that illustrate why having a Conklin roofing system will benefit you in the short and long terms.

Proven reliability: Independent studies have shown that Conklin roofing systems meet the highest industry standards. Conklin has been setting customer expectations for cost savings, performance ability, roof long-lastingness, and overall roof reliability for 40+ years and counting.

Extensive implementation: Since 1977, Conklin roofing systems have been applied to 2+ billion square feet of commercial, agricultural, and industrial rooftops across America. Many contractors continue to endorse these products for their cost-effectiveness, performance standards, and many other benefits.

Demonstrable effectiveness: Many of the initial Conklin roof systems that were applied in the 1970s are still on the job today. Even more impressively, they are still performing at or near the same levels as when they did when they were first installed.

Excellent functionality: Conklin roofs function as a turtle shell, shielding the underlying commercial building from all types of weather. Their seamless design means no leaks and consequently big savings on expensive leak repairs.

Savings in roof replacement: With a Conklin roof restoration solution, you save huge costs by eliminating the need to tear off the existing roof and install a new one. Should your new roof protection need any maintenance or repairs, it is easily fixed. Alternatively, a new traditional roof can cost much more to repair, maintain, or even replace, and it does not even enjoy the same performance standards.

Lightweight application: Conklin roofing systems offer a lightweight solution with no seams, no leaks, and no trouble of any kind. They add little to the deadweight of a commercial building’s existing structure, cutting back on opportunities for future needed repairs and maintenance.

High-quality protection: Our roofing systems provide excellent protection and can withstand hail and hurricane-force winds with ease. Conklin roofing products are proven to persist in the harshest outdoor conditions, and many can be applied to an existing roof year-round so you enjoy the benefits immediately.

Quality assured: Conklin roofing systems meet or exceed the strictest standards for fire rating and code approvals. Certification from leading organization such as Underwriters Laboratories and Factory Mutual only confirm Conklin roofing products’ efficacy, reputations for safety, and overall quality.

Customer-tested for decades: Our Conklin roofing solutions boast of lab-tested durability and customer-verified reliability. Conklin has emerged as a trusted name in quality roof restoration solutions for thousands of customers nationwide for its product ingenuity, product permanency, and product quality.

Re-appliable benefits: A Conklin roofing system is a renewable roof system, allowing further extension of an existing commercial roof’s life through application of a new roof coating. All of the benefits that come with the Conklin brand are reapplied as well, for even longer periods of benefits and cost savings-reaping.

With so many benefits to using white roofing systems, it is no wonder that more people are turning to them for commercial properties. It is a great way to do your small bit for the environment especially when all it takes is a small investment that is often equal to what you would spend for any other type of roofing system.

The Basics of Rapid Roof III
Rapid Roof III is an elastomeric, acrylic, monolithic roof coating, but what does all that mean exactly? Let’s look at each word a little closer to find out. Elastomeric refers to the Rapid Roof’s unique elastic like ability. The material can expand and contract during heat fluctuations. Acrylic refers to a product that is made from polymers or acrylates. Monolithic means that the roofing system is large, powerful and uniform.

Rapid Roof III comes in three colors. It can be applied in bright white for maximum efficiency, light tan, or light gray. All three color choices help to actively reflect light away from the roof. This helps keep energy costs down, and helps keep the entire building cooler.

Rapid Roof III has been designed to create a waterproof coating on metal roofs, membrane roofs, spray polyurethane foam, and Conklin’s Fabric Reinforced System.

Some Technical Specifications
Rapid Roof III is an ENERGY STAR® rated product as approved by the US Department of Energy. It has a UL-790 Class A fire rating, and it has been approved by the Cool Roof Ratings Council (CRRC).

One gallon of Rapid Roof III will cover 100 square feet of roofing, but the roof can’t be below 40 degrees during application; however, a separate Conklin coating can be used in cooler temperatures. Inclement weather must be avoided as well. It takes approximately 2-8 hours for Rapid Roof III to properly dry.

Rapid Roof III can reflect up to 85% of the sun’s solar energy. This is what makes Rapid Roof III such a great product for commercial roofs. It helps reduce the heat of the roof which results in energy savings.

It is easy to see why Conklin’s Rapid Roof III is becoming one of the most popular choices for contractors and roofing companies all over the United States. When you engage a Choice Roof Contractor, you get access to this superior roofing system as well as all other industry-trusted Conklin products.