Flat Roof Air Pocket Problems
I have just had my roof redone and they removed all the old material striped down to the wood decking and then they used the new Tpo roofing on my flat roof. and it has been about three or four months now since the install. i went up on the roof the other day and…
I have just had my roof redone and they removed all the old material striped down to the wood decking and then they used the new Tpo roofing on my flat roof. and it has been about three or four months now since the install. i went up on the roof the other day and found five or more air pockets on the roof is this normal for this type of roofing for when i called the company that did my roof they said it was nothing to worry about it was normal for that type of roofing but then it started to leak two or more days later. is this really normal let me know.
I just had the same thing done to my roof. I recently went onmy roof also and the same thing is happening. In addition it seems rather thin like the roof will cave in.
Adding to what ‘southoxford’ is saying, exterior brick would absorb the water right through and stops below your roof deck too. The last project i was involved, the client had a brick parapet exposed to the weather and to solve the problem, we had to cover the exposed brick inside the roof with metal panels. this solved the main problem. next was to repoint brick mortar joints and provide sealant as needed. to date no leaks.
Air bubbles (called “blisters”) are caused by water trapped between the new membrane and the roof deck. When sun hits the roof, it causes the trapped water to heat up and turn into water vapor which expands in size. This expansion eventually delaminates the membrane from the roof deck, which causes the blisters you now see. Blisters are problematic as they indicate that water is somehow getting underneath your new roofing membrane. Additionally, as they expand over time they weaken the roofing membrane which can lead to further water infiltration. A qualified roofing contractor should cut out the blisters and patch over these areas with new membrane.
Air pocket (or bubbles) are not at all normal and are a sign of a very poor, very unskilled installer. I can’t believe that when you called they told you this was normal – that’s just outrageous. Unfortunately, I suspect that with that kind of attitude, it will be very difficult for you to see any of these people again. It would be very useful for people here if you outed the name of your installer so that people can avoid them.
In my experience, a roof should be “fully adhered”. This means that the membrane is glued down to the substrate. I would be concerned about any air pockets since these are places that are prone to leaks in the future. You may want to check the website of the roof membrane manufacturer to see what the specs are. This will give you some amunition when you go back to the installer. Obviously, a new roof should not leak.
I don’t know bout the air pockets, but the leaking sure isn’t normal. I’d suggest contacting the company that installed your roof for repairs under their warranty.
No, it is not normal for a new roof to leak.