Sika Helps Revitalize University Building

By Sika. 

With help from Sikalastic® RoofPro, the University of North Carolina was able to restore a building in dire need of repairs.  

Project description 

The McEniry Building, constructed in 1975, serves as the home for the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of North Carolina. Unfortunately, the building had been struggling with various maintenance issues, one of which being its deteriorating roof. The outdated EPDM roof covering had been showing signs of wear and tear, resulting in leaks that were affecting the science rooms and the labs situated in the building. 

Unique problem 

Prior to the application of Sikalastic® RoofPro, an interior renovation took place and multiple new roof penetrations, and equipment pads were added. Adding the many penetrations for ventilation and proper airflow to the labs and classrooms soon made this a “busy rooftop.” In the roofing industry, this introduces many obstacles that can cause issues with potential leaking. The more units and penetrations a roof holds also makes for a very difficult installation to produce a monolithic weatherproof system. 

Project solution  

The main reasons for choosing this RoofPro application to go over the existing EPMD membrane were for a cost savings of not having to do a complete tear off and replacement and to not cause disruption to the classes in the academic areas of the building. With RoofPro, the application went smoothly and quickly around and up all the equipment pads and penetrations to create a seamless roof cover inclusive of flashings. Without the solution of RoofPro reinforced liquid applied membrane this roof would have continued to deteriorate making replacement inevitable. Instead, the university was able to save the existing roof and obtain a 20year warranted roof system.  

Products used 

•  SIKALASTIC® -641 LO-VOC  
• SIKA® EPDM PRIMER  
• SIKA® EP PRIMER RAPID  
• SIKA® REEMAT PREMIUM  
• SIKA® FLEXITAPE HEAVY, 3" & 6"  
• SIKA® JOINT TAPE SA, 3" 

Project participants  

• Sika Corporation: Chris Oler, technical field services rep – LAM  
• Sika independent rep: Hydro-Corr  
• General contractor: BIRS, Inc.  
• Engineer: SKA Consulting Engineers, Inc. 

Learn more about Sika Corporation in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.usa.sika.com.