Keeping a Failing Roof Dry Through a Cold and Wet Iowa Winter

By Karen L. Edwards, RCS Editor.

Ernie Martinez turned to KARNAK Ultra 19 to do the seemingly impossible – and it did.

When RoofersCoffeeShop® asked contractors to share their KARNAK stories with us, we received many great responses including this one from Ernie Martinez, owner of Iowa-based Mason City Roofing. I called him to learn more about him and how he was able to do the impossible with some help from KARNAK Ultra 19.

Let me start by saying that Ernie is a veteran and proud member of the Marines. When he shared his story online, he ended it with a hearty “OORAH!” His email signature and website both sport the motto of the Marines: Semper Fi!  Ernie has a lot of passion for the Marines along with his passion for roofing – having owned Mason City Roofing for about 20 years. The company has been in existence since 1933, with two other families owning it prior to Ernie.

Ernie received a call to look at a building that had a failing BUR with gravel. There was about a 4’ x 8’ section that was experiencing ponding water so bad that the plywood underneath was falling apart, and the roof was starting to sink in. They weren’t really sure how they were going to repair this to hold out until the spring when the owner would be able to replace the roof.   

Ernie turned to a product he had used before but never on an issue so challenging. “We cleaned up the damaged area really well and brought a three-gallon bucket of KARNAK Ultra 19 up there,” Ernie explained. “We made a perimeter seal around the damaged area and then placed a piece of SBS modified on top, lapping two pieces together with the Ultra 19. Then we did a five-course membrane application to seal the material over that part of the roof.”

It turned out to be one of the rainiest and then snowiest winters in a long time with that roof seeing 55 inches of snow. "The roof was submerged in water and ice for 7-8 months and it lasted through the entire winter,” Ernie said. “It never leaked. It made me a true believer in KARNAK Ultra 19. It works great everywhere.”

KARNAK 19 Ultra Rubberized Flashing Cement is the next generation asbestos-free flashing cement. It is scientifically compounded with a selection of rubber-reinforced asphalt, mineral fibers, and refined solvents. It provides a durable elastomeric coating of greater strength, excellent adhesion and high resistance to water and weathering – and can be applied in wet or dry conditions. It’s also available in caulk grade. Learn more about KARNAK Ultra 19.

Do you have a KARNAK story to share? Tell us about it and you have a chance to win a Yeti.