​​Richmond VA Roofing
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Installation of a TPO Roof

What is TPO Roofing? 

TPO roofs are becoming increasingly popular as a flat roofing choice for both residential and commercial properties. Generally, the top contenders when deciding on a single-ply membrane are EPDM (aka "rubber" roofing), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin).  

TPO roofing is often chosen for businesses that will have more exposure to grease or other chemicals, since it has excellent resistance to these elements. TPO is also chosen for its affordability, as it often is less expensive than PVC. TPO membranes are usually white in color, and can help businesses meet Energy Star requirements due to its superior reflectivity. TPO is also known for being impact resistant.

Part of its thermoplastic properties is that the material softens when heated but hardens and bonds upon cooling. This enables TPO seams to be heat-welded and once cool becomes a very strong bond, made not with a secondary adhesive, but of its own material. 
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How is TPO Roofing Made?

Thermoplastic polyolefin is made using proprietary mixes of plastics and conditioners, and then extruded and flattened by a large calendaring roll machine which forms it into a sheet. The TPO sheets contain flame retardants, UV absorbers, and other ingredients to achieve desired properties. 

​​TPO Roofing Advantages:

This type of rubber roof membrane is one of the least expensive single-ply membranes available.

Routine maintenance like gentle power washing and occasional sealing/coating refreshes the membrane and extends its life. It also increases improves its reflectivity, helping reduce cooling costs back to the original benefits it afforded.  

The TPO membrane will resist deterioration from grease, making it a better option for restaurants than EPDM membranes. 

TPO has two options for installation: mechanically fastened - attached with fasteners designed to prevent tearing, or fully-adhered - glued directly to the roof, for extra wind and lift-off resistance
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Heat Welding TPO Roof Seams

TPO Roof Fasteners

Heat Welding TPO Roof Seams with Handheld Welder

Issues to Consider with TPO Roofs:
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Quality can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another as formulas have improved over the years and often manufacturers have proprietary additives. This is where a good roofing contractor can help explain the differences in TPO membranes and which one would be the best option for your roof.

The TPO roof needs to be checked regularly for debris, worn areas along seams, and ponding water - mostly after storms or a service repair to a component on top of the roof. Sharp objects, such as tree branches, could have been blown on the roof during a storm or a service provider could have dropped tools on the roof during a repair. Regular inspections will help ensure minor repairs are found and made before they become widespread issues. 

​TPO roofs need to be sealed and coated after a few years, so the membrane retains its flexibility and elasticity. This also improves reflectivity. When TPO roofs are cleaned and coated, there is the added advantage of it being easier to see any problem areas without dirt and grime obscuring them.

No Cost Roof Inspection
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Richmond VA Roofing offers free estimates for any TPO roofing issue you are having. We also offer comprehensive inspections with a write-up that you can use for insurance and so you can know the condition of your roof and what issues may need to be addressed. 

For our free estimates, we will schedule a time that works for you and our estimator will discuss your concerns, and take notes during the meeting to make sure we address all of them. We will also ask for any known history of the roof in case that previous repairs may have been done improperly.
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Flat TPO roofs may have issues like debris or tree branches that have blown on the roof, drains that have become blocked, seams may have come apart and need to be resealed, or vent, pipe, and cable penetration may need resealing. We follow a multipoint checklist during the commercial roof’s assessment, checking for problem areas, and provide a report back to the owner with an estimate for any necessary repairs.

TPO Roofing Repair
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TPO roof in need of repair

Many novice maintenance workers, business owners and handymen fail to correctly repair TPO roofs for several reasons, such as:

• Repairs fail to bond or seal well if prep work hasn’t been done right. The original membrane needs to be well-cleaned to accept the repair patch.
• The right materials need to be used. The patch should be of TPO material, just like the roof.
• To seal the patch, specialized equipment is required. Hot air welders are expensive and most maintenance personnel don’t have access to one. Hot air welders also require experience so it is hot enough to give a lasting seal, but not so hot that it scorches.
  

Replacement
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Shrinking TPO Roof May Need Replacement

​When the TPO membrane ages, the top layer of it will shrink, crack, craze and generally deteriorate. If the roofing membrane has numerous cracks and has pulled away from the seams, then it may be time to replace the membrane.

Generally, most roofs can handle two layers of membrane. However, it is a good idea to check for moisture damage in the insulation boards underneath before adding a new membrane on top. There is a way to find hidden moisture problems by the use of infrared digital imagery conducted with a scanner or camera. Areas that have moisture will retain heat and allow problem spots to show up on the scan, sometimes even before they become major issues. This method requires an experienced operator to properly interpret results. They will be able to understand how surface moisture, and daytime/nighttime temperatures affect the scan. To verify results, test cuts and moisture probes can also be used. 

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Get a Free Estimate

Give us a call, or email us, to set up a time for us to inspect, repair, or install a new TPO roof for you. We have decades of experience installing and repairing membrane roofs in Richmond. Whether you need a consultation on what roofing material is best for your property, a quote for a new construction project, or want tips on how to maintain your existing TPO roof, we look forward to talking with you and showing you why we are a top roofer in Richmond!