Care Preventative Maintenance Guide Liquid Applied Systems
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Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide Liquid‐Applied Coatings and Roofing Systems 8/2016 Copyright© 2016 GAF ▪ 1 Campus Drive Parsippany, NJ 07054 ▪ www.gaf.com Overview Due to its constant exposure to heat, cold, ultraviolent radiation, rain, snow, hail, high winds and/or mechanical damage, a roof can be the most vulnerable component of a building's exterior. Despite these negative effects, long‐term performance can be enhanced, and major roof problems avoided, through correct design, quality materials, proper installation procedures and workmanship, and a comprehensive roof maintenance program. The cost of a comprehensive maintenance program is minimal compared to the cost of repairing and/or removing and replacing a damaged roofing system. The roofing system is a critical asset in the overall building envelope, and should be treated as such. Identifying and correcting potential problems early is paramount to ensuring that small problems do not become major issues. It is also essential in maintaining the integrity of the roof, protecting the building's contents, and avoiding interruption of the building’s intended function. A thorough and consistent maintenance schedule will not only extend the life of the roofing system and lower life cycle and replacement costs, but will help protect other building components as well. Contents Page GAF Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide 8/ 2016 General Care & Preventative Maintenance............................................ 2 Semi‐Annual Inspections........................................................................ 4 Inspection Checklist............................................................................... 6 Roof Specific Leak Investigation............................................................. 8 Emergency Repairs................................................................................. 9 Roof Alterations..................................................................................... 10 1 General Care & Preventative Maintenance The following is a list of general care and maintenance recommendations that will help achieve maximum performance from the roofing system. Provide proper drainage... to minimize standing water on the roof. Keep the roof surface clean from leaves, pine needles, twigs, paper, accumulated dirt and other debris, which tends to accumulate at and clog drains. Cut back trees or branches growing too close to the roof. Ponding of water on the surface of the roofing system will increase the probability of moisture entering the structure in the event of a puncture or other mechanical damage to the roofing membrane. Check the building exterior... for settlement or movement. Cracks in the walls are a warning of possible cracks in the roof substrate and flashing. Ensure that overhangs, cornices, fasciae, and edging are in good condition. GAF Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide 8/ 2016 Avoid damaging the roofing system... by exposing it to any of the following, which could cause premature degradation of the coating or membrane: o Liquids containing petroleum products o Solvents o Grease used for lubricating rooftop units or from restaurant vents o Oils (new or old) used for air conditioning or compressor units o Kitchen waste or other animal fats o Chemicals The use of catch pans... (including proper drainage of these pans or other means of protection) may be used to protect the roofing membrane from exposure to grease, chemicals, and other materials that would otherwise be expelled onto the roof surface. Prolonged exposure to these materials can cause swelling and possible degradation of the roofing system if spills are not removed in a timely manner. Check for signs of algae, mold, mildew... or other plant growth on the roof, particularly in shaded areas that hold water. Unprotected areas... of the roofing system are more susceptible to damage from heavy foot traffic and additional measures must be taken to avoid damage to the system. See options below and/or contact GAF for recommendations where heavy foot traffic is expected. 2 If snow removal is necessary...use plastic shovels and be careful when working around protrusions or other areas where detail work could be damaged. Snow blowers, picks, axes and shovels with sharp edges must not be used on the roof. Remove foreign debris... such as glass, bolts, nails, screws, metal shavings, and any other materials that may cause punctures or cuts to the liquid‐applied coating or roofing system. Limit roof access... Most roof damage is caused by individuals that are not authorized to access the roof, or by individuals that are not aware of the damage that can be caused when proper precautionary procedures are not followed. Roof access should be strictly limited to authorized personnel and outside personnel should be informed as to the precautions necessary when accessing the roof. Make a log of all visitors and maintenance personnel accessing the roof. Make sure that maintenance personnel... are warned against dropping tools and equipment on the coated roof surface in order to avoid puncturing the membrane. When servicing the rooftop HVAC units, antennas, solar panels, satellite dishes, etc., care should be taken when placing tools, metal doors, lids, pans, or sharp objects on the coating system surface. When moving roof‐mounted units or equipment over coated roofs, avoid damage by placing smooth plywood over the coating membrane prior to moving any equipment. GAF Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide 8/ 2016 Repair of any damage... caused by misuse of the roofing system is the responsibility of the Building Owner. The Building Owner is also responsible for ensuring that any such damage is properly repaired by either the original contractor of record or an approved GAF contractor. If timely repairs are not made to rectify mechanical damage or other misuse of the roofing system, this can result in the need for major repairs or replacement of the roof or roof coating system at the owner’s sole expense. 3 Semi‐Annual Inspections NOTE: The liquid‐applied roofing system or coating may be slippery when wet. Exercise caution when walking on the liquid‐applied roof system or coating during or after a rain shower, or if moisture is present in the form of dew, frost or ice. Pay attention while walking on light‐colored surfaces as ice or frost build‐up may not be as visible as on a dark surface Semi‐Annual Inspections Consist of a cleaning and visual examination of the roof coating system. The inspection should include the overall coating condition as well as the integrity of flashings, vent pipes and other protrusions, skylights, drains, gutters, parapet walls and caps, adjacent walls, and mechanical equipment. Also check for evidence of any biological growth or other foreign debris. Preventative Maintenance Program Consists of regularly scheduled inspections and subsequent corrective actions, intended to maximize the life expectancy of the roofing system. It is recommended that preventative maintenance semi‐annual inspections be scheduled in the spring and fall. GAF Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide 8/ 2016 Additional Inspections In addition to the scheduled semi‐annual inspection, additional inspections should be scheduled if the roof is exposed to abusive or unusual conditions including but not limited to those listed below. Maintenance programs that include semi‐annual inspections can usually be arranged through the installing contractor or another approved GAF contractor. They can also be performed by a registered roof consultant or other qualified personnel who have been properly trained in liquid‐applied roofing systems and safety. These inspections should be attended by the Building Owner and/or in‐house maintenance personnel responsible for the roof. Additional roof inspections should be conducted whenever any of the following conditions occur: 1. Exposure of the roof to severe weather, such as strong winds, hail or continuous heavy rainfall. Examine the roof for severely ponded areas, accumulated debris, and any damage to the building components that may allow moisture to infiltrate the roofing membrane. The coating or liquid‐applied system should also be examined in areas where severe conditions may have caused punctures, tears, abrasions or loose coating. 2. After repair or replacement of rooftop equipment, or at any other time when the roof may be exposed to activities from other trades where damage may occur. Examine the roof for spills, debris, sharp objects, punctures, excessive wear, or other damage caused by heavy traffic or modifications to the roof. 4 Cleaning Procedures WARNING: The liquid‐applied roofing system or coating may be slippery when wet. Exercise caution when walking on the liquid‐applied roof system during cleaning. 1. Remove any build‐up of rocks, branches, leaves, pine needles and other foreign debris, as well as excessive dirt build‐up around drains and other low areas. Use a plastic rake, medium‐bristle push brush or other appropriate method for removing this accumulated debris from the roof, using the least amount of pressure possible. Remove any excessive build‐up or blockage from drains, gutters and downspouts. Ensure that downspouts on multi‐level roofs do not dump directly onto the coated roof surface below. Trim any overhanging trees to prevent excessive leaf and pine needle accumulation, allowing as much sunlight to the roof as possible to help eliminate mildew and algae growth. 2. Liberally apply GAF United Cleaning Concentrate, diluted at a ratio of 1 part concentrate to 10 parts water, under low pressure to a given section of the roof at the rate of 0.4 to 0.7 2 2 gallons per 100 ft (1.6 to 2.9 L/m ). Allow the cleaner to sit for a minimum of 15 minutes. 3. Make sure that areas where algae, mold, or mildew growth has occurred are thoroughly saturated. These areas should also receive additional scrubbing with a medium to stiff bristle brush to assure the most complete removal possible. GAF Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide 8/ 2016 4. Pressure rinse toward the drains using clean water and a 1,200 to 1,500 psi pressure washer. Use a fan tip on the extension wand, held no closer than 12" (305 mm) from the coated roof surface. Low areas where the dirt has accumulated may require additional agitation using a broom or cleaning pad. IMPORTANT: Roof wash‐off catchment systems should be in place when required. Be sure to follow state and local requirements for roof‐ wash off catchments during the cleaning process. 5 Inspection Checklist Pre‐Inspection Prior to the actual roof inspection, a detailed roof plan should be prepared, on which any defects and notes can be recorded. Prior to going onto the roof itself, inspect the underside of the deck (if accessible), as well as the outside of the building. Note any signs of excessive moisture or deterioration. These observations can give clues to not only problems with the roof, but also other conditions affecting the performance of the building envelope. Checklist Roof Membrane & Flashings Roof Drains & Scuppers Gutters Parapet Walls and Caps Treatment Ensure that the overall roof coating membrane is sound and free of mechanical damage, splits, crazing, and cracking. In areas prone to standing water, inspect the coating surface for signs of blisters, delamination, or degradation caused by biological growth. Ensure that roof drains and scuppers are clear and free of all debris to allow for proper drainage. Check drain covers to verify that they are tight and properly fastened. Ensure that the coating around drains and scuppers is sound and free of blisters, tears, and delaminations. Ensure that gutters are clean and free of any debris that will inhibit proper drainage. If drains are coated, inspect coating to ensure that it is sound and free of blisters, tears and delaminations. Inspect interface between roof deck and parapet walls to ensure that there are no splits or tears, and that the coating membrane is fully‐adhered and sound. Examine parapet walls and caps to ensure that there are no cracks or breaks in the substrate or membrane that will allow moisture to enter beneath the coating system. GAF Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide 8/ 2016 Area of Concern 6 Checklist (Cont.) Area of Concern Protrusions Roof Mounted Equipment GAF Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide 8/ 2016 Inspect the reinforced coating around all protrusions, such as vent pipes, for any signs of splits, tears or delaminations around the base. Ensure that vent pipes have the proper caps installed. Inspect coating to ensure that it is still self‐flashing and secure around the top of all protrusions. All rooftop equipment should be inspected to ensure that it is well‐secured to the base risers, and that the coating and reinforcement around the base is sound and free of blisters, tears and delaminations. Skylights Check the reinforcement around all skylights to ensure that it is sound and free of blisters, tears and delaminations. Other Details Check the bricks and mortar on chimneys, as well as caulking or joints in metal flashings such as copings, counter‐flashings, rooftop units, curbs, caps, expansion joints, etc. Repair or replace caulking as necessary. If damage has caused concern with moisture penetration into the roof substrate, a non‐ destructive moisture detection survey can be conducted to provide an accurate analysis. Two common methods are nuclear metering and infrared thermography. A moisture meter probe can also be inserted through the coating; however, this is a destructive method and will require the damage be repaired. Areas found to need minor repairs (e.g., small punctures and tears) during the inspection may be repaired with the specified flashing grade product. More extensive repairs may be treated with the top coat product with fabric. For project‐ specific recommendations, please contact GAF’s Technical Services. Moisture Analysis (optional) Minor Repairs 7 Treatment Roof Specific Leak Investigation On metal decks... it is important to identify the direction of the deck flutes and deck slope. Moisture may infiltrate through the roofing system, migrate in the lower flutes of the deck, and leak inside the building in low areas. On concrete decks... or on projects where the existing roofing material is left in place, leaks may result from moisture entrapment at the time of the original installation. On poorly insulated roofing assemblies... leaks may occur as the result of condensation. It is therefore important to determine the leak location and frequency. 1. Begin leak investigations by conducting a thorough visual inspection of the general location on the roof where leaks have been detected inside the building. 2. Inspect detail areas such as drains, vents, scuppers, HVAC and other roof‐mounted equipment, parapets, ponded water areas, etc. If the roof is dry at the time of investigation, areas where water ponds can be identified by evidence of accumulated residue on roof membrane. 3. Examine lower areas of the roof for moisture beneath the roof coating system (soft insulation can be detected when walking over the roof). 4. Check areas around mechanical rooftop equipment, drains, skylights, roof hatches, expansion joints, pipes, vents, etc. to identify cuts or punctures in the coating membrane. GAF Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide 8/ 2016 5. Explore the condition of metal flashings (i.e., edging, coping, expansion joint covers, parapet caps, etc.) for cracks and improperly sealed joints. 6. When a visible source of the leak has not been identified, wet the system at the anticipated leak area with water and examine the interior area for leaks. 8 Emergency Repairs GAF must be notified of any leaks within 30 days of discovery of a leak or GAF will have no responsibility for making repairs or replacing that portion of the products that leak as a result of a manufacturing defect. The Building Owner may make temporary repairs to minimize damage to the building or its contents in an emergency. Only qualified workers should perform temporary repairs. These repairs will not result in cancellation of the applicable guarantee or warranty as long as they are reasonable and customary and do not result in permanent damage to the GAF roofing materials. When weather conditions permit, permanent repairs should be completed by an approved GAF contractor. Repairs should not be made with asphalt‐based products unless a wet patch type product is needed for emergency purposes. If wet patch products are used they must be completely removed at the time permanent repairs are made. Temporary Dry Surface Emergency Repairs Clean the coating surface around the damaged area using GAF United Cleaning Concentrate. Rinse the area with clean water and allow it to dry. GAF Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide 8/ 2016 Apply the specified flashing grade and embed fabric as needed to provide additional strength. Contact GAF Technical Services before any other product is used to confirm its suitability. Specific Repairs to Liquid‐Applied Roofing Systems over Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation Minor breaks in the coating or mechanical damage to sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) may be repaired with Flexseal and then top‐coated with an approved GAF coating. The damaged foam must be completely cut away prior to repairing. If the repaired area is larger than 2" (51 mm) in diameter, consult GAF Technical Services for proper repair procedures. Note: If silicone is needed for a repair, the area must be filled with Unisil and fabric or Unisil with Unisil Fibers. Large blisters that are not leaking but have broken open should be removed and repaired by an approved GAF contractor. If the blister has not broken open, GAF recommends leaving it in place. 9 Specific Repairs to Liquid‐Applied Roofing Systems Not Over Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation Repair minor mechanical damage to the liquid‐applied coating membrane with the specified flashing grade product, and then top‐coated with an approved GAF coating. The damaged membrane must be completely cut away prior to repairing. If the repaired area is larger than 2" (51 mm) in diameter consult GAF Technical Services for proper repairs procedures. If the liquid‐applied roofing system incorporates reinforcement fabric, then the repair should use a combination of the specified flashing grade with reinforced fabric. Large repairs should be completed by an approved GAF contractor. Roof Alterations General GAF must be notified of any planned roof alterations prior to such alterations being made. Coverage under the guarantee or warranty may be jeopardized if: GAF is not notified of alterations. The original contractor of record (or another pre‐approved GAF contractor) does not do the required work. All alterations must be pre‐approved, including but not limited to modifications such as roof‐ top HVAC units or other equipment, pipes, satellite dishes, antennas, conduit, general penetrations, skylights, etc. ______________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: These maintenance and inspection procedures are provided for guideline use only. The approved GAF contractor or a professional roof consultant may provide a more detailed maintenance program. Maintain records of roof damage and maintenance inspections for each building roof. GAF Care & Preventative Maintenance Guide 8/ 2016 Non‐GAF products are used. 10
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