I was called out to inspect a leak on a commercial flat roof on an apartment complex in Knoxville Tennessee. Upon inspection, we found several areas where the membrane has detached from the insulation board underneath. We took several course samples and found that the insulation board Beneath the membrane roof on top and the insulation underneath the built-up gravel roof below is saturated and will need to be removed and replaced. We are proposing a tapered Tpo roof membrane system.
Several leaks and ponding water on this flat roof
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- All of this water retained on the roof will freeze and thaw and causing expansion and contraction and eventually leaks.
- Issues with pitch pockets and penetrations

- 1All of this water retained on the roof will freeze and thaw and causing expansion and contraction and eventually leaks.
In this photo, you can see the leaves and debris are gathering up and piling up around HVAC units and penetrations. This can cause excess water to be held on the roof which can freeze and cause contraction of the membrane. You can also see that the membrane is rippled and detached from the insulation board underneath. All of this water retained on the roof will freeze and thaw and causing expansion and contraction and eventually leaks.
Go To Pin - 2Issues with pitch pockets and penetrations
These electrical and Freon HVAC lines penetrate the membrane and are sealed up with pitch pockets and flashing. These appear to be incorrect and in very poor condition, almost certainly leaking.
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