Ensuring First Responder Buildings’ Roofs are Leak-Proof

By Will Lorenz, General Coatings Manufacturing Corp. 

First responders are essential in our communities, we need to make sure we protect their roofs.

During these unprecedented times, however, firefighters, police and EMTs are even more critical. These people’s ability to respond to emergencies is of the utmost importance.

Providing a sanitary, leak-free, and safe building for first resopnders is vital to ensuring that emergency reasponse times aren't delayed and interior mold issues don't arise that could promise their health. 

Municipal Building Roofs

Fire and police stations’ roofs are often old and have been repaired many times over the years. First responder buildings are critical, but tax-funded budgets are limited and set for many years. A leaking roof may be a good candidate for a spray foam recover even if not addressed immediately. When new budgets are approved and planning begins for capital improvements is the perfect time to counsel the facility director on the waterproofing benefits and life cycle costs of a spray foam roof.

Spray Foam Roofing Overview

Spray foam is a field-applied continuous membrane that is installed to roofs by professionally trained contractors using specialized equipment. This method ensures that the foam seals every crack and fills all crevices of the existing roof. Once sprayed, the cellular foam expands to roughly 30 times its original liquid volume and forms a monolithic surface measuring up to two inches thick. 

This type of roofing system is a real fully adhered membrane, because when properly applied, the durable foam conforms and bonds to all decks and substrates, forming a seamless, monolithic barrier.

Spray Foam Roof Benefits

Depending on the situation and existing substrate, spray foam can often be applied directly to the existing roof without the need for tear off – saving municipalities time and money, and lengthening the service life of the original roof by 10 – 20 years. This also means minimal disruption to occupants and buildings can remain operational during the application – a critical consideration for first responders. Studies also show that the average payback period for a new foam roof can be reached in as little as five years, another important benefit to budget-conscious municipal directors.

There are many other advantages to this system as well:

• Durability. From high winds, rain, snow and hail to corrosion and foot traffic, spray foam roofs’ unique polyurethane polymer structure and adhesion properties help deliver long-term, high-performance results. This unique chemical polymer withstands temperatures ranging from desert heat to frigid cold, and can resist normal maintenance activities and ultraviolet wear.

• Energy Savings. This monolithic system acts as a continuous layer of insulation and thermal break, significantly reducing air leakage and heat transfer; saving energy otherwise used to heat and cool buildings. A coated foam roof can provide an additional energy savings of 10 – 15 percent with a reflective roof coating installation.

• Renewable.  Since roofing materials are the third greatest contributor to landfill waste, it’s important to note that a spray foam roof can be extended by recoating the top layer, thereby eliminating future tear off and more waste materials. Additionally, as long as the UV reflective coating layer is maintained, the roof will perform to the full service life of the building.

• Waterproof. When properly applied, the durable foam provides no entry points for rainwater, snow or moisture by forming a seamless monolithic barrier. Leaks are virtually eliminated because spray foam self-flashes around irregular penetrations, parapet walls, HVAC stands, round vents and raised skylights.

As I mentioned in my last blog post, roofing contractors play an important role during these unprecedented times. In addition to being deemed essential, you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on your municipalities through the installation of spray foam roofing systems on first responder buildings that have old, leaking roofs.

Stay strong, we’re all in this together. #InThisTogether #FirstResponders

Will Lorenz is Vice President of Sales with General Coatings and may be reached at will@generalcoatings.net or (949) 466-8552. Over his 33-years in the roofing and polyurethane foam industry, Will has received numerous awards and recognition. He is currently president of the Roof Coating Manufacturers Association, a member of NRCA and serves on the board of directors for the past two years for the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance board of directors. When not focused on roofing, Will enjoys watching the Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks, spending time with his family and attending church, and taking his pit-bull mix, Mack, for long walks around his California neighborhood.

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