What is an Asphalt Built Up Roof
BUR, a built-up roof system, is one of American history’s oldest and most enduring. A BUR system is a layer or “plies” of underlayment applied to the roof using hot liquid asphalt, covered with a granulated cap sheet. This roof system is a good one. But it is also dangerous; using hot melted asphalt or “Bitumen” presents many hazards to the building and the installers.
Over the years, roofing technology has evolved. And now we have what’s known as Modified Bitumen rolled roofing. Which com can be a self-adhered or torch-down material. There are still some hazards associated when using a torch-down roof system. But fewer hazards when using self-adhered roofing.
Many roofers consider these BUR and Roll roofing different systems. The fact, however, is that the only real difference is that a BUR is manufactured on the roof. While the modified bitumen, or mod bit for short, is manufactured in a factory.
Suppose your commercial was built before the eighties or even into the nineties. Chances are good that you have some BUR roof system. BUR systems are still being installed today, but they compete with SPF and Single pile systems.
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How long should a BUR built-up asphalt roof system provide service?
A BUR or Built-Up Asphalt roof system when it is stalled and maintained adequately. It can provide decades of leak-free service. Its long service life made BUR roof systems so prevalent in American roofing history. An installer should be well-trained and skilled to properly install a BUR roof system. When they are installed correctly, they are great roof systems. And when they are properly maintained, a BUR system will provide service for years and even decades.
At some point, however, things that indicate a BUR system is starting to deteriorate begin to happen. Some signs of roof deterioration include: the roof granules coming loose and collecting in lower areas of the roof. The drains are debris-filled, including roof granules; you may see buckles and wrinkles in the membrane. Or you may see some spits or loose seams. To name a few things you may see.
When you notice these signs of the roof’s deterioration, it is time to call Factory Direct Roofing, LLC, for a free roof survey and restoration proposal. We can extend the service life of your BUR roof system for 10 to 30 years. We can often double the expected service life of a BUR roof system. You are saving the owner money, disruption, and time.
Request your Free roof inspection and estimate at pierce@factorydirectroofing.net
How do we restore a BUR built-up asphalt roof system?
Many contractors would be happy to “coat” your BUR roof. But there is a difference between a roof coating and roof restoration. When Factory Direct Roofing, LLC does a roof restoration project, we will first do a proper roof survey, which may include testing. BUR asphalt roof systems, especially older BUR systems. It can have water trapped between the layers, also known as plies. Must remove the water before a proper restoration can be applied.
Once we have determined that the BUR asphalt system is in good condition and can be restored, we will make whatever roof repairs are needed. Then our expert applicators will power wash the roof using less than 3500 psi. Power washing will ensure the removal of any loose granules or other contaminants. Depending on the various contaminants we find on the roof. Factory Direct Roofing, LLC may require a detergent or rinsing agent to ensure the roof is clean and contamination-free. Then we will apply Metacrylics clear coat base. And several passes of Metacrylics top coat, the owners’ warranty choice will determine the number of passes we apply.
After completing the restoration process, we recommend that the owners hire Factory Direct Roofing, LLC, to perform ongoing roof care and maintenance services, ensuring your new roof is clean and perform the service it was designed for many years or decades to come.
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The benefits of a restored BUR asphalt roof system
Extending the service life of a BUR roof system is the first clear benefit of a restored roof. Remember that roof care and maintenance is necessary to ensure warranty coverage and keep the roof in good condition.
During the roof restoration application process, there is little to no disruption to the occupants of the building. At best, the occupants will hear our skilled team applicators walking around, power washing, and the noise from our industrial roof coatings spray equipment. Factory Direct Roofing, LLC
Our top coat is a reflective material, reflecting light from the sun away from the roof. A standard BUR asphalt roof system will absorb that same light, hotter the roof. That heat makes its way to the interior of the building and has to be removed. Our top coating materials reflect most of the light away from the roof. That heat is not absorbed into the interior of the building. It must be removed and save the owner or the occupant money on their air conditioning bill. In
Arizona needs a sound air conditioning system because it gets scorching here. The more heat the air conditioning system must remove. The more wear and tear there will be on your Air conditioner and the means it will break down sooner. By helping keep the heat out of the building, the air conditioner must work less. And by happy happenstance saves you or the occupant the cost of replacing the air conditioner system before its time.
About the Author: Henry Staggs has been in the roofing industry since the 1980s. He was starting his own company while still young. He worked as a second-tier subcontractor on a military base. Henry ran several roofing companies over the years and worked as a roof consultant for several of those years. Was named a subject matter expert by the NCCER and assisted in revising the trade school textbooks. Roofing level one and level two. Is an NCCER master trainer, NRCA authorized trainer, NCCER roofing craft trainer, evaluator, and test proctor. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Request your Free roof inspection and estimate at pierce@factorydirectroofing.net
No Dollar Limit (NDL) Warranty
Request your Free roof inspection and estimate at pierce@factorydirectroofing.net
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ROC 336296
