PREVENTATIVE ROOF MAINTENANCE WITH CLEANING
STADIUM DRIVE SCHOOL – BOARDMAN, OH

Case Study Overview

Boardman Local School System, located in northeast Ohio, reached out to TEMA Roofing Services for assistance with multiple roofing issues, including regular roof maintenance with commercial roof cleaning for Stadium Drive elementary school.

TEMA staff quickly assessed all areas of concern, none of which were still under warranty, and worked to prioritize all roof repair and maintenance needs within the school’s budget.

Project Specs

Location: Boardman, OH
Date: Summer 2019
Roof Material: White PVC Roof
Coverage: 61,000 sq. ft.
Solution: Reviewed inspection results, discussed benefits of a properly maintained white PVC roof (cool roof), and got commercial roof maintenance up-to-date (never cleaned since original install).

Background

The Boardman Local School’s Stadium Drive commercial roof maintenance project was one part of a much bigger relationship between TEMA Roofing and the northeast Ohio school system. This multi-year project included ongoing maintenance, repair and replacement of multiple roofing structures within the district and was prioritized based on affordability, the severity of need and yearly budget.

In particular, the Stadium Drive building’s roof had not been regularly maintained and had never had a commercial roof cleaning. The surface was dark and dingy, and the lack of maintenance resulted in over 10 years of debris, draining issues, white roof degradation and loss of cool roof system benefits. After inspection, TEMA Roofing suggested roof maintenance services (inclusive of commercial power washing and scrubbing) in order to clean the PVC membrane, remove debris and restore the energy-saving properties of the white roof material.

Problems

As with any commercial roof that is poorly maintained, Stadium Drive was losing the benefits of their roofing system. Drains were backed up (due to debris), standing water was present and the roofing membrane was degrading, despite being installed just 10 years prior.

It was evident that the building’s lack of maintenance was causing issues that would eventually result in major repair or replacement. In addition to the presence of considerable debris, numerous drains were clogged (creating standing water), and seams, curbs and wall flashings were in need of attention.

Even more, the white PVC membrane had darkened significantly because the material had never been professionally cleaned. Unfortunately, knowledgeable commercial roof cleaning services are difficult to find, and, this gap in the industry is the exact reason why TEMA Roofing implemented eco-friendly, commercial-grade power washing as an add-on service within their Preventative Maintenance program.

Especially when dealing with a white cool roof system, it’s essential to keep the roof clean and well-maintained. According to Duro-Last (a manufacturer of white PVC roofing), white membranes can reflect up to 86% of the sun’s energy and can greatly reduce energy consumption and costs for a building.

What is a Cool Roof?

Cool roof systems have been around for decades. Their highly reflective surfaces help to deflect solar heat which, in turn, decreases energy use and emissions.

Duro-Last notes that an effective white roof can make building insulation 25 to 50 percent more effective and improve HVAC efficiency by keeping inlet air temperatures 5 to 15 degrees cooler than other roofing systems. Additionally, it can decrease interior temperatures by 15 to 20 degrees during hot months and reduce heat flux.

White PVC membranes can be installed on virtually any structure, including flat, low-slope and sloped roofs and are applicable for any geographic location.

A variety of colors are available (even though white is the most reflective) because a variety of colors can reflect the near-infrared spectrum, which makes up nearly 50% of the sun’s energy.

Solution

After completing a 40-Point Inspection, TEMA Roofing suggested professional power washing and regular preventative maintenance in order to positively affect the roof’s life expectancy and increase efficiency.

Educating the client was also of the utmost importance for TEMA’s specialists because the white roof had been installed for a reason (efficiency and energy savings) and it was important for the client to understand how lack of proper maintenance can negate the intended benefits of the system.

Commercial Roof Cleaning

Commercial roof cleaning is considered to be a service over and above regular roof maintenance (which should be done twice a year). It keeps the roof surface light in color and free of debris, which helps to maintain the energy-saving qualities of white PVC and TPO roofing.

Commercial Power Wash

Power washing should be done once per year and is completed using commercial-grade equipment like a Whirl-A-Way surface cleaner. Although restoration companies often provide roof cleaning services, it is best to use a commercial roofing company that offers roof cleaning, as they are familiar with roofing materials and are able to spot potential areas of concern.

Preventative Maintenance

According to studies conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the American Institute of Architects, a preventative maintenance program may reduce commercial roof leaks by up to 70 percent and fully double a roof’s life expectancy.

TEMA Roofing’s commercial roof maintenance program identifies problem areas and helps clients gauge a roof’s life expectancy and its future need for repair and/or replacement.

At the Stadium Drive project, roof maintenance consisted of a customized plan that incorporated commercially cleaning all 61,000 sq. feet of the roof’s surface, which had not been done since the original installation (nearly 10 years prior). This commercial power wash service, combined with bi-annual preventative maintenance, brought the building’s maintenance up-to-date and will help to increase the roof’s overall life expectancy.

In addition to regular roof maintenance and bi-annual inspections, TEMA also addressed seam issues and curb and wall flashing problems. All of this was coordinated within five days’ time: with two of those days falling over a weekend.

Whether you have one building or one hundred, TEMA has the experience and expertise to fit your needs and budget. Our custom-designed programs are built for every roof within an asset portfolio, and our team of professional, knowledgeable staff work diligently to provide unmatched response and 24/7/365 roof leak repair.