Every roofing project comes with challenges, but some projects, like the physician’s office building at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu, included hurdles that were both unique and rigorous.
High Profile and a High Level of Difficulty
This high-profile re-roofing project required the complete removal and replacement of the office building’s roof due to ongoing leaks. A moisture scan of the roof system showed that more than 50% of the roof was saturated, further proof that full replacement was necessary. And, because the building is part of a medical facility, the rooftop hosted a range of mechanical equipment, including two large cooling towers that required regular access for maintenance. In all, nearly 70% of the rooftop was covered with equipment, and any roofing solution had to be flame retardant due to the continual maintenance work on the cooling towers.
Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing, which, with help from Polyglass products, patience and attention to detail, was able to tear off the existing roof system and install a new Polyglass-modified bitumen system with the proper flashings – all while working around the existing penetrations and equipment. The Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing team was able to establish a plan for getting all the roofing materials to the eleventh-floor rooftop with minimal staging areas.
Since the work was being done at a medical facility that caters to fragile patients such as newborns, children and new moms, the contractor had to ensure that roofing material odors didn’t flow through intake vents. Noise also had to be mitigated so as not to disturb sleeping children in the adjoining building, something Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing achieved by installing additional insulation and padding in a fourth-floor roof deck and using a crane to hoist materials to the 11th floor.
Perfect Product Selection
The building’s existing roof system was a two-ply modified bitumen roof, but because the roof required regular access, Polyglass recommended a three-ply system that delivers long-term sustainability, longevity and ongoing utility.
To make this project a success, Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing installed asphalt roofing that came in rolls of SBS materials, including Polyglass’ Elastobase V and Elastoflex SA V Plus, making them easy to maneuver and surround the hundreds of existing roof penetrations and equipment that often required very small spaces for flashing. Plus, the selection of the asphalt system eliminated the need for strong-smelling, solvent-based glues and adhesives used in single-ply systems. And low-odor coatings were used to flash difficult-to-access areas.
Polyglass’ innovative self-adhered membrane was used as the base sheet – saving on labor time and resources to quickly make the roof watertight. Additionally, an APP walk-pad, using Polyglass’ Polyflex G FR, was installed around the entire perimeter of the roof along the parapet walls to further protect the roof system.
The SBS Polyglass system proved agile to work with given the amount of equipment on the rooftop and the extremely tight pockets. This system called for the use of small hand-held metal rollers and torches, which made it easier to get into tight spaces and ensure the penetration areas were watertight.
Polyglass 1C liquid flashing quickly and efficiently sealed all penetrations in tight areas, and the Polyglass SBS modified self-adhered membrane allowed the contractor to speedily make the roof watertight – a must in Honolulu where rain is sporadic and frequent. In addition, Polyglass 1C liquid flashing is the one must have product, because it can even be applied in wet conditions allowing for immediate repair in bad weather.
All in all, this unique project challenged Polyglass and the Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing team to think differently and deliver expertly. The client was satisfied, letting the contractor know it was “he hana maikai” – a job well done! The Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing team responded with a warm “aloha and a hui hou” – until we meet again.
Product Information:
Elastoflex SA V Plus – Elastoflex SA V Plus membrane is a robust, self-adhered, elastomeric base ply low-slope roofing product manufactured using patented ADESO® dual-compound self-adhered technology, whereby a “true” Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) modified asphalt compound is applied on the top layer and an aggressive self-adhesive compound is applied on the bottom layer. Elastoflex SA V Plus is built with a high quality reinforced fiberglass mat to ensure strength and excellent dimensional stability, providing a robust membrane that resists natural forces and other factors on the rooftop.
Elastobase V – Elastobase V is a high quality Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) modified bitumen roofing membrane reinforced with a high quality fiberglass mat which provides strength and excellent dimensional stability. The proprietary SBS compound offers quality waterproofing and weathering physical properties. Elastobase V is designed for use as a base ply layer in multi-layer low-slope assemblies.
Polyflex G FR – Polyflex G FR is an Atactic Polypropylene (APP) modified bitumen roofing membrane with fire retardant additives, and reinforced with a superior non-woven polyester mat that provides flexibility and dimensional stability as well as excellent tear and puncture resistance. The premium APP compound and durable construction provides long-term weathering performance.
Polyflash 1C – PolyFlash 1C is a one-component, moisture-cure silane modified polyurethane, white flashing compound designed for sealing various roofing and waterproofing details such as walls, curbs, vents, roof drains, pitch pans and unusually shaped penetrations. When combined with PolyBrite Reinforcing Polyester, this product can easily solve typical and challenging flashing needs.
PG 100 – PG 100 is a general purpose penetrating asphalt primer used to promote adhesion prior to the application of hot-mopped, cold-applied, and self-adhesive membrane systems as well as roof cements, mastics, and asphalt-based adhesives.
Experience Unmatched Roofing Solutions with Polyglass Products
Polyglass products offer the quality that your project requires. Initiate a conversation with us today and become part of a community of accomplished contractors, much like Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing Hawaii, Inc. Reach out to us now to explore how our advanced roofing systems can help you overcome the challenges of roofing and waterproofing, consistently exceeding your client’s expectations.
