So do you have a roof leak or storm damage to your roof?

When you have damage or just a leak, its good to be knowledgable about your roof system on how it works!

How a BUR System Works

Built up roof membranes, referred to or better know as BUR, have been used for more than 100 years in the United States. BUR systems generally are composed of alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabrics that create a finished membrane. The number of plies in a cross section is the number of plies on a roof: The term "four plies" denotes a Four Ply Roof membrane construction.

What are Plies?

Sometimes a base sheet, is used as the bottom ply, is usually mechanically attached to wood decks and hot mopped or adhesive to concrete decking. BUR generally are considered to be fully adhered if applied directly to the roof decks or insulation. The reinforcing fabrics also known as roof felts or inter ply sheets. Roof felts are reinforced with either fiber-glass or organic weaved into roll material.

The bitumen typically used in BUR roofing systems is aphalt or cold applied adhesive. The asphalt is heated in s kettle or tanker and then applied by a mop or a mechanical spreader. Asphalt is a petroleum product refined from crude oil, coal tar is derived from the distillation of coal. Cold applied adhesives typically are solvent-based asphalts that don't have to be heated.

Final layer or surfacings for BUR systems include aggregate (such as gravel, slag or mineral granules), fiber-glass or mineral surfaced cap sheet, hot asphalt mopped over the entire surface, aluminum coatings or elastomeric coatings are also used as protection. A roof system composed of a built up roof membrane with two or three inter plies and a polymer-modified bitumen membrane cap sheet is commonly referred to as "hybrid" system. NRCA considers this type to be a polymer modified bitumen membrane system. Typically a four or five ply BUR system will carry a ten to twenty year warranty.

Is a BUR Repairable?

YES, a BUR is repairable with either of the different products as before mentioned. Best to remove damaged or wet insluation and patch with asphalt or cold applied patch. If there are signs of de-surfacing or lose of gravel, it is suggested to apply elastomeric coating over the poorly weather areas or entire surface. When elastomeric coating is applied over the entire BUR system, a ten year manufacturers and contractor warranty can be applied to the BUR system. Roofing Experts can help you save money with your roof system no matter what condition it is in...

So call our Emergency Team 24 hours a day seven days a week.

If you have a leak, never attempt to inspect the roof yourself. The roof may be weak and you could sustain fatal injuries. Why not let us give you an estimate to repair the damage today?

Count on Roofing Experts for a professional, reliable service when you need it most in the South Florida Area. No roofing job is too big or to small. So if you're looking for a quality re-roofing project at an affordable price, call Roofing Experts for a free roof evaluation.

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