We have a potential client who wants a commercial tear off and replace. It’s a small business (25sq). We went up to the roof the other day to take a core sample and found that there is currently two roofs on it, the first being a tar and gravel and the second and top layer is a torch down.
I want to provide an alternative option to the client in case they don’t like the price of a double tear off and install. A roof over is not an option because city code only allows two layers max.
My question is, is tearing off the top torch down layer only and roofing over the tar and gravel with polyiso board and TPO a viable alternative?
It should also be noted that I hate roof overs and would much rather go to the deck. But considering its a small business, and its not an insurance job I want a last resort if the property owner absolutely can not afford a full tear off. I am of course going to push for the full tear off first.
I dont think the top layer is fused with the layer under it because when I took the sample I pulled up on it and it came right apart. Oddly enough though the roof looks pretty smooth all things considered. It’s just slightly squishy when you walk across it. Also I didn’t see any insulation in the core, just what looked like tar, rocks, and the top layer of torch down.
I assume its torch down because it has tar oozing out the lap seams. At first I thought it might of been sbs.
That’s the problem with laying over flat roofs. Nobody puts one on until they have leaks. Vapor vents are mandatory on a recover, but it’s rare to see them installed. The real question is how much rotten deck are you covering up?
You bring a very good point to the table. For the most part the deck is quite sturdy but there is a problem area in the back where water is pooling up, And likely this is rotten decking there. We were considering only tearing up that part fully and building it up with insulation.
That’s so true though, some people dont even call a roofer until it’s been leaking so long that their rafters are rotten, it baffles me.
Had a question on pricing for replacing a roof.
Hi,
Hard to get proper info, but I’m looking for guidance on a full roof replacement. My home is about 200sqm in size and presently has concrete/cement roof tiles. It was built in 1980. After the crazy weather, we had a roofer come and do a minor repair to the roof, but he is now saying that the roof has had it and a full roof replacement is required. It is very expensive and it’s very difficult to gauge what is a reasonable cost.
So far, I have had;
2 quotes to replace existing roof with colorbond – one quote was $50K the other quote was $60K.
1 quote to replace existing roof with cement tiles – $78K.
1 quote to replace existing roof with terracotta tiles – $97K.
$50K for the absolute cheapest seems like a lot, but maybe I’m wrong and my expectations need adjusting.
