Built-Up Roof Repair

What This Service Involves

Built-up roofs, the classic tar-and-gravel systems on many older Washington commercial buildings, layer felts and bitumen into a thick, durable membrane. Decades of Northwest weather eventually cause blisters, ridging, and flashing failures where the gravel has shifted and the felts below have dried out. We spud away loose gravel, rebuild the affected plies, and renew flashings at walls, drains, and penetrations that are usually the real leak source. Rebuilt and re-graveled sections restore the multi-layer protection these roofs were designed to provide.

Benefits

Rebuilds multi-ply protection at failed areas; Reflashes walls, drains, and curbs where leaks start; Re-establishes gravel surfacing for UV protection; Extends the life of a proven built-up system; Avoids costly full replacement of a sound roof

Our Process

1) Rake back gravel to expose blistered or split felts; 2) Cut out and rebuild the failed plies with hot or cold bitumen; 3) Renew flashings at walls, drains, and penetrations; 4) Re-gravel the surface and confirm proper drainage

What Affects the Cost

Depth of gravel and felts requiring rebuild; Condition of base flashings at walls and drains; Whether hot-mop or cold-applied methods are used; Size of the blistered or split area involved; Building height and rooftop access for materials

Best Time of Year

Dry summer conditions are best for felt and bitumen work, but we handle urgent built-up leaks through the wet season.