Navigating roof restoration challenges with manufacturer support

By Dani Sheehan.

Leveraging manufacturer expertise can make the difference between a standard job and a long-lasting, efficient roofing solution tailored to the customer’s needs.

The partnership between manufacturers and contractors plays a critical role in selecting the best roofing solution for a building’s unique needs. In this recent roof top demonstration, Heidi J. Ellsworth joins John Athanasion, Kris Castro and Mike Negrete from APOC to discuss a recent roof restoration project. They talked about the significance of selecting the right materials, having the proper installation techniques and building strong relationships between the building owner, the contractor and the manufacturer.

The building being restored had a roof that was approximately 15-16 years old. While it had aged over time, it hadn’t lost significant amounts of granules, making it a prime candidate for restoration rather than a full tear-off. Understanding the goals of the building owner was essential in determining the best solution to take. Kris shared, “You want to make sure you know if they plan to keep the building, if they plan to sell the building and it’s also important to know how many years they want for the warranty or for the system.” Having a technical representative assess the roof with you can help you find a solution that best addresses the project’s requirements.

Based on Mike’s recommendation, the team decided on a full emulsion polyester system with an acrylic topcoat for this restoration – a 15-year system tailored to the building owner’s needs and the condition of the existing roof. This choice was particularly beneficial because the roof experiences high traffic due to tenants moving equipment and materials, leading to penetrations and wear over time.

“One of the great things about these systems is that repairs are very simple,” John shared. “They can bring in buckets rather than heavy equipment to take care of the repair quickly. You can actually continue to restore these roofs to last forever if you take proper care of them.”

The existing equipment on the roof added a unique challenge to the installation of this project. Kris explained that HVAC units, satellite dishes, fiber optics and other infrastructure created a crowded environment that required careful planning. John added, “Naturally, when you’re bidding a process like this, you really have to take into consideration the timing – how long it’s going to take to lay this out. There are a lot of details and you really have to address it all in your proposal.”

This project highlighted the importance of manufacturer and contractor relationships in delivering the best roofing solutions. By working closely together, the team was able to evaluate the building owner’s goals, select the right restoration system and navigate installation challenges effectively.

Watch the full YouTube video below to learn more about the project and APOC’s advice to increasing contractor success.