Emergency flat roof fix with rot and mold in London Ontario | Legacy Flat Roofing

Hello Legacy Flat Roofing & Sheet Metal fans!

This week, we received an urgent call from a client in Central London, Ontario (we seem to be there quite frequently lately—good news travels fast, we think!).

Usually, we handle projects when things aren't too dire, but this case was different. The client discovered mold inside their home due to a damaged and compromised flat roof system. While they will address the mold inside, we were called in to tackle the flat roof issue.

The existing flat roof was a 2-ply modified bitumen roof with a shingle tie-in. Typically, to save costs, we recommend roofing over the existing roof, especially if it's a 2-ply system, as this approach is cost-effective and doesn’t compromise quality. However, in this case, we knew it would require more extensive work and could not be roofed over.

Upon close inspection, we found that the roof was improperly installed. The old membrane was easily lifted, which should never happen with a quality roof; it should always be adhered to the wooden deck. If you're not using us as your contractor, ensure your flat roof contractor follows proper installation procedures to avoid issues like these.

Additionally, plywood boards were placed directly on top of an existing four-ply system with pea stone—something that should never be done. This resulted in a poorly executed job, and the homeowner experienced the consequences. There were even parts where the boards had rotted and separated, and a bird had made a nest in the roof.

In short, the entire roof system needed to be cleaned up and removed, with the rot repaired. We had to do some framing work to create a proper base for a new 2-ply system to be installed correctly.

This was a laborious task, but we managed to clean everything up and fix it properly. We worked as quickly as possible to install the waterproof membrane before the end of the day, as leaving the flat roof exposed to the elements, especially in Ontario where rain can occur suddenly, could lead to further damage.

For the new system, we applied a primer to the wood deck and installed a peel-and-stick base sheet, a waterproof membrane that covers the entire roof. We used a special base sheet with heat-welded ends to ensure the roof is as watertight as possible. Next, we completed the metal work, primed the base sheet, and applied a cap sheet, heating the seams for extra waterproofing.

For the shingle tie-in, we extended the membrane and base sheet up and underneath the rows of shingles to control water flow down across the shingles and under the membrane, preventing ice damming during winter and spring thaws. The client had struggled with this section for years due to improper water flow management.

We’re proud of this project—the client can now have peace of mind as they address the interior of their home. A reminder to everyone watching: don’t delay your flat roof replacement or skimp on quality repairs and maintenance, as it can cost you both money and sleep. Reach out to Legacy Flat Roofing today!

Legacy Flat Roofing & Sheet Metal
Serving London Ontario and all of SouthWestern Ontario

web: http://www.legacyroofs.com
email: [email protected]
tel: 519-615-7164

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