Liberty Roofworks

How to Repair TPO Roofing

Contractors prefer TPO membranes because of their strength and ability to have their seams hot-air welded. Despite their tear, impact, and puncture resistance, they are not impervious to these structural faults.

TPOs decay and lose their quality when exposed to external conditions over an extended period, even though they are economical and energy-efficient. Any TPO roofing system will eventually show signs of wear and require repairs. Fixing the TPO thus becomes a necessity.

Regardless of the defects you detect, a quick fix is not the answer. Even though this may be cheap now, it will cost more in the future when you need to fix more than just the original issue.

Contact Us Today

Have skilled roofers at Liberty Roofworks provide you with roofing services in Columbia, SC. We provide a free roof inspection and estimate for your convenience.

Speak with our experts at any time regarding your property goals or concerns. We’re here to confer with you about your property to ensure great results.

1397 Cilantro Ct.,
Tega Cay SC 29708
Monday-Friday | 8am-5pm
(704) 463-8177

How Can Water Leak Through a TPO Roof?

Water can penetrate a TPO roof in various ways:

The Seams

You can join several big sheets to form a TPO roof membrane. These can be combined chemically by letting them overlap and fusing them with heat. This chemical attachment may weaken over time.

Also, the original installation may have run into problems.

Perhaps the contractor overheated when heat welding the seams together, causing a burn that could leave holes in the roof’s membrane.

The seams could appear to be joined after installation because the contractor may not have applied enough heat.

When seams come apart, water gets into the insulation beneath.

The Fasteners

On a TPO roof, one sheet will be heat welded onto an insulating board after being secured with screws and plates.

Fasteners may start to come apart with time. When they do, the screw’s hole provides a pathway for water to get inside the underlayment insulation.

The Flashings

TPO roofs have flashings added to stop water from getting inside the building where the roof joins a vertical structure like a wall or HVAC unit.

Since TPO roofs come as sheets, it is necessary to custom-cut them to fit the penetrations. Then, the vertical framework is covered with flashings and boots using adhesive or welding.

If the weld fails or the glue can’t hold, this could give water a way into your building.

Cracks, Holes, or Punctures

A TPO roof may develop a hole, split, or puncture due to dropped tools, flying debris, screws, nails, etc.

You have to create a pathway for water to infiltrate the insulation. This is due to the TPO sheet’s extreme thinness. It goes horizontally (and downward) from where it comes into contact with the insulation, deck, and your structure.

It’s crucial to have a plan in place for maintaining your roof; that way, a professional can find these places and reduce the damage at least once a year.

Neglecting the remaining holes for a long time only worsens the situation. The insulation may become so saturated that you might need to rebuild your roof. You can repair it if it is less than 25% saturated.

In most situations, it is advantageous for the property owner to remove the entire roof if there is more than a quarter saturation. Cost-wise, a roof restoration is much less expensive than total removal.

What Options Are Available for Repair?

Everything hinges on the outcomes of an inspection and what core sample or infrared inspection results show.

Let’s explore three potential outcomes based on how much your TPO roof was damaged.

Minimal Damage

Imagine that water is dripping into your building’s cafeteria. The roofer notices that an exhaust pipe’s flashing is damaged when he climbs onto the roof above the café.

They then take core samples every 10 feet around the pipe to gauge how saturated the insulation is. This ends with removal and replacement with similar material.

The roofer checks the other parts of the roof up there, and if there are no holes or loose joints, they classify it as decent.

Medium Damage

Consider a similar scenario to the one above, but imagine that a bigger portion of the insulation is wet.

Let’s also assume that more holes and cracks pop up with a further examination of the rest of the roof.

Even though these locations may not have yet caused water to penetrate your building, more and more insulation is absorbing water with each downpour. That water will eventually find its way inside the structure.

In this case, restoring the roof using a silicone coating system would be a plausible answer.

Severe Damage

The TPO roof is covered in more cracks and loose flashings than in the second scenario.

Additionally, several of the seams are found to no longer be attached. A roofing professional will run an infrared examination after spotting this to figure out how much of the roof is soaked.

Let’s assume that 50% of the roof is saturated following the infrared examination.

In this case, tearing off the entire roof and starting fresh would be advantageous to the building owner.

Steps to Repairing TPO

Pinpoint Exactly Where the Damage Is

Your property may have evidence of leaks, which could be a sign that the TPO roof is damaged. However, until you perform a comprehensive inspection, any more problems might not be apparent.

It is advisable to request a professional roof inspection because you may lack the knowledge and abilities required to check for issues on your TPO roof.

Inspectors who are qualified and certified will assess the roof’s precise condition and let you know whether repairs are necessary.

Prepare Your TPO Roofing System for Repairs

The TPO roof surface needs to be ready for repairs as soon as you realize the roof needs to be repaired.

In this process, the surface is cleaned with various TPO cleaning agents. This makes sure that any pollutants, dirt, debris, or grime that can affect how well the materials used for repairs adhere to the TPO substrate are removed.

Before making any repairs, it’s essential to ensure the TPO roof surface is spotless.

Patch Simple Punctures

Since this kind of single-ply roofing system can be welded with heat, you may make repairs if you find that your TPO has cracks and holes. However, this is not a straightforward task that you can DIY.

It calls for some quite advanced tools and technological expertise. This task is best left to a professional because mistakes could harm you or others while also causing long-term damage to your roof.

Use a Roof Seal Repair Tape

Roof seal tapes are currently offered for purchase online and at local shops. This tape can be used to patch any holes in your TPO roof that are damaged.

If it’s freezing outside, you must warm the seal tape to room temperature. As you continue to apply heat, you should also reheat the damaged section and forcefully roll in the seal tape.

Frequently Asked Questions about TPO Roofs

How Do I Repair A TPO Roof By Myself?

Since they are dangerous and frequently necessitate the services of a professional roofer, DIY projects and doing any repairs are generally discouraged by all roofers.

To save money, time, and any risks, it is preferable to leave it to the professionals.

Because skilled roofing contractors have had extensive training and are accredited by the product’s provider, you will also receive warranties. If the roof is fixed by someone who isn’t authorized or qualified by the manufacturer, you probably won’t get a warranty.

How Much Will My TPO Roofing Repair Cost?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a universally applicable response to this query.

The cost of roofing repair or building a new roof system depends on several factors, including the roof’s pitch, the size, or the roof area that needs repair. It also includes the type of materials used, the condition of your roof, the number of shingle layers, current market prices, and the roofing contractor you choose. The fastest way to learn the cost is to request a free quote.

Always remember that picking a quick, cheap fix will usually wind up more expensive in the long run because your roof is an investment.

How Do I Choose the Right Roofing Contractor?

Choosing the best roofing contractor can seem intimidating because there are so many options available.

Ask for recommendations to get started, and if you can, speak with some past customers to find out if there were any problems. Check out the online reviews for your contractor for the same purpose.

A roofing contractor ought to have both insurance and a license. Inquire with the business about the goods they use and whether their supplies and work are protected by warranties.

Last but not least, a roofer should finish the project on time, clean up the area after finishing, and take care of any problems right away.

Understanding all of your options is crucial when it comes to your property, your roof, and their care and repair. You will always have peace of mind when you make decisions based on the information and verifiable facts.

By working with us, you will have a group of roofing repair specialists at your complete disposal who are dedicated to earning your complete pleasure.

If you have any problems or want a TPO roof replacement, make sure to call us, and we will help with whatever you need in Columbia, SC. We have many years of experience, and it’s our pleasure to assist home or business owners with roof-related issues.

Call us now if you have any general questions about commercial roof systems or roofing installation in Columbia, SC.

Columbia, South Carolina TPO Repair