“[Polyurea] literally creates another membrane, but this one is fluid-applied and seamless, and it cures in about 45 seconds.”
When WRI visited the site, they realized
there were several issues with the existing
roof. There was more than two inches of
ponding water surrounding the roof access
entrance, so another contracting firm
installed a new drainage system before
any application could take place. Beyond
the water, Wagoner noticed that the EPDM
material had what he called ‘flutter’.
“When wind blows across the roof, the
rubber membrane between the fastener
points can flutter up and down,” said
Wagoner. He described the effect as
similar to blowing a leaf blower across
a comforter on a bed. The problem was
typical of an aging EPDM roof and needed
to be addressed.
The project began in October of 2012,
but one major obstacle when conducting
roofing applications on tall buildings is
figuring out the logistics of positioning
equipment and materials. WRI had
just purchased a new JMT spray foam
machine and decided to assemble it in
the mechanical room on the top floor,
transporting the parts in the freight
SPRAYFOAM insulation & roofing MAGAZINE 27