The iconic BB&T Financial tower in downtown Winston-Salem, NC, owned by a private real-estate firm, was in desperate need of a solution for their leaking and deteriorated sloped metal roofs, curtain walls, and EPDM roofs.
The roofs and walls were restored with the TritoFlex 2K synthetic rubber membrane, applied at over 130 wet mils in just one coat without any disruptive odors or overspray. It was then finished with a custom-colored TritoCryl 1K reflective acrylic topcoat. This system came with a 20-Year Renewable NDL Warranty with more coverage provided than any other manufacturer in the industry. Watch a detailed overview of the entire project below to see the stunning results.
The existing metal roof system at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson had previously been A rare storm that tore through Arizona with baseball sized hail severely damaged a two-year old roof on an insurance company’s office building in the prestigious Scottsdale business district. In order to prevent tearing off and starting over, the customer chose the durable TRITOflex rubber membrane recover system to go over top the existing roof.
The client only had their new laminate-surfaced, two-ply modified bitumen roofing system installed for two-years before a major hail storm severely damaged it, resulting in ripped seams, punctures and a fractured laminate surface. Although the hail strikes damaged the modified bitumen roof membrane, the underlying insulation was undamaged and could be salvaged.
Two Options The client was presented with the two best options by the consultant, Alan Stevens Associates. The first option was to do what they had done two years prior and tear-off the entire modified system down to the concrete decking and start all over. The second option was to have the roof recovered with the TRITOflex fluid-applied, instant-setting rubber membrane, which is hail-resistant, has no seams, and has the highest wind uplift rating in the industry. Rather than going through the cost, labor, and disruption of tearing off the entire roof system again, the client chose TRITOflex to be installed over the existing hail damaged membrane. The client achieved a new 15-year warranty and saved $500,000 over replacement cost.
New Hail-Resistant Roof The TRITOflex two-component rubberized membrane was installed in one coat with a spray application directly over the existing modified bitumen roof system to achieve a 60 mil/1.5mm seamless membrane. It was then top coated with a thermal insulating surface coat to provide superior energy cost savings in the hot Arizona climate. With an industry-leading FM-approved impact and hail resistance classification, the flexible TRITOflex membrane will protect this building from anything mother nature may bring at it in the future.
The TRITOflex recover system being environmentally safe with no VOC’s, and no harmful or disruptive odors, proved to be the most cost-effective and prudent solution for the clients building
When approached proactively, existing roof investments can be protected and restored for decades, rather than creating physical and financial waste. Who better to take a hard look at their spending than the largest bank in the USA?
As part of their nationwide roof replacement program, J.P. Morgan Chase took advantage of the TritoFlex 2K restoration system to save a million dollars that would have went to a costly, disruptive tear-off that required more maintenance. This administration building in the Stone Oak area of San Antonio had an existing modified bitumen roof system in desperate need of replacement.
After a complete thermal moisture scan was done, it was determined less than 5% of the existing insulation needed to be replaced. Rather than waste this with a tear-off, new R-25 insulation, and new waterproofing, the consultant provided an alternative bid option to install a liquid rubber membrane over the old roof. These bids came in 50% less than the conventional approach.
The saturated, bad areas of insulation were removed and replaced with new insulation. Then 100 mils dry of TritoFlex 2K Rubber, with over 650 psi tensile strength and 1200% elongation, was applied directly to the existing roof membrane with no primer. Now, they have over 340 mils of durable, hail-resistant waterproofing. In addition to that, a 30 mil reflective acrylic top coat was applied to reduce heat transfer and act as a sacrificial, renewable wear layer.
The TritoWalk seamless walkway coating was used around all HVAC units and to create bright safety yellow, anti-slip walking paths throughout the roof surface.
Triton provided a stronger, safer, and smarter alternative to traditional roofing options, engineered as a long-term, hail-resistant, and sustainable roof system.
Standing at 813 ft., this 60-story skyscraper in the Financial District of Manhattan (28 Liberty Street) opened in 1961 and served as the headquarters for Chase Bank for decades. The inverted flat roof assembly at the very top of the building consisted of a liquid-applied PMMA membrane with insulation and concrete paver overburden. The existing liquid membrane had started to fail and allow moisture to enter the building, sending the client on a search for a high quality option that would be the least disruptive and financially sensible.
From a logistical standpoint, major roofing work in Manhattan is as tough as it gets. The building is managed by CBRE and they chose to utilize Triton’s non-toxic, industrial-strength membrane that would be able to tenaciously adhere to the existing PMMA coating. This option would minimize disruption to their tenants and operations, maintain the benefits of a seamless, fully-adhered membrane, and keep costs in check.
The inverted roof, sometimes referred to as IRMA, consisted of a layer of drainage mat over the old membrane, a layer of loose-laid insulation boards, and a layer of concrete pavers on top of the insulation. The overburden was removed in sections to exposed the existing PMMA waterproofing membrane so that it could be cleaned and prepped for an application of the new TritoFlex 2K synthetic rubber membrane. The new TritoFlex 2K membrane was applied in one coat at 100 dry mils over the entire roof field and flashings, creating a new thick, durable, and flexible waterproofing membrane directly over the old PMMA. The contractor then replaced the insulation and pavers on top of the new membrane, avoiding astronomically higher costs that would have come with a conventional roof replacement. The new roof membrane came with a 20-Year NDL Material and Labor Renewable Warranty.
The critical computer networks of an area ambulance center required a premium waterproofing system to protect against the worst storms possible.
The computer systems of a newly constructed area ambulance needed to be protected against water damage in the event the main roof were to blow off during a tornado event that could occur in this area of the country. The client needed to have superior waterproofing protection over the interior concrete bunker that was being built to protect the critical network systems.
Flexible Concrete Protection
The Architect recommended a TRITOflex liquid rubber waterproofing system to be installed over the concrete bunker and then another layer of concrete installed over it for ultimate tornado protection. TRITOflex is an extremely durable quick setting, water-based, liquid rubber system with no VOC’s. The superior adhesion, puncture resistance, and wind up-lift rating of the TRITOflex system assured stability of the waterproofing system over the concrete structure in the event of the worst storms possible.
Quick, Green Installation
The new between slab waterproofing protection was completed within 2 days. The client achieved a warrantied waterproofing system for 25 years and can rest assured during even the worst storm events.
It is difficult to avoid a full tear-off and replacement with existing ballasted EPDM roofs because the existing membrane and insulation are loose-laid, only being held down by the stone ballast. Traditionally, when these roofs are past their useful life, they are completely torn off and replaced, as restoration and recover options are usually not feasible. On this Truist bank branch, Triton provided a hybrid alternative which allowed the bank to avoid the waste and cost of replacing good, dry insulation, but receive a new slip-resistant thermoplastic membrane without adding fasteners or using ballast.
After a thorough roof analysis confirmed that the majority of the existing polyiso insulation was dry, Triton assisted in designing a non-traditional roof system that would not only save costs and reduce waste, but result in a stronger, safer membrane with unlimited wind uplift resistance. Considering this was a structural concrete deck, mechanical attachment needed to be avoided at all costs. Due to constant issues, there was no prudent reason to re-use the stone ballast. This eliminates any option to restore or recover the existing loose-laid EPDM with a liquid membrane or a conventional single-ply recover. The concrete deck was inspected and confirmed to be airtight and load-bearing. This meant a wind-vented, vacuum system using Venturi principles was a viable design option, instead of the conventional, expensive approach of tear-off with new fully-adhered insulation and single-ply.
The project was executed quickly and without hiccups by the certified roofing contractor. They removed and disposed of the existing stone ballast and EPDM membrane. The existing insulation was pulled up in sections and a new air/vapor barrier was fully adhered in adhesive over the concrete deck as a safeguard to ensure the deck remains airtight. The dry insulation was placed back into place and a new, durable cement cover board was added over the insulation. The small amount of wet insulation was replaced with new iso. The new 60 mil Triton Protan PVC single-ply membrane was loose-laid over the new cover board. Following design guidelines, proprietary equalizer vents were installed in all corners and along the perimeter. These vents allow air pressure to escape the system in order for vacuum principles to take hold. The faster the wind blows across the surface, the harder the PVC membrane is sucked down towards the deck, holding everything tightly in place.
Not only was this system chosen due to the cost and waste avoidance, but for the properties of the Triton PVC membrane itself. The new PVC membrane is much stronger and durable than EPDM or TPO. Unique to Triton, all Protan PVC has a slip-resistant, patterned surface to reduce the chance of slips and falls when the surface is wet from dew, rain, or snow. It is common in West Virginia for a white roof to be wet. Regular smooth TPO and PVC are very slippery when wet and lead to injuries when people are on the roof working with HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc. Truist was very happy to reduce liability related to potential occupational injuries, when compared to traditional options. Additionally, Triton provided a 20-Year NDL material and labor warranty upon completion of the project.
The TRITOflex recover system being environmentally safe with no VOC’s, and no harmful or disruptive odors, proved to be the most cost-effective and prudent solution for the clients building
When this aluminum surfaced 17-year old built up roof system started to fail, the TRITOflex seamless rubber membrane system proved to be the most affordable and non-disruptive retrofit option for the client.
The old built-up roof had deteriorated in the desert sun and was experiencing leaks. The old roof was showing signs of vulnerability to more substantial leak issues in the future if something were not done. The client needed to either replace it or recover it prior to damages occurring on the interior. The client could not afford any disruption to its daily operations in the way of roofing fumes or construction noise, which made tear-off and replacement a less desirable solution.
Limited Options Since a tear-off option was eliminated due to the disruption it would cause, the lightweight retrofit options considered by the client were a TPO single-ply sheet membrane versus a Fluid Applied membrane system. Single-ply membrane systems require an insulation board separation between the new membrane and the old roof which would require thousands of fasteners to hold it down. If the membrane were to leak from a seam failure or puncture, water would be trapped between the systems and run through the thousands of holes penetrating the roof. The client chose a fluid applied option to be installed directly over the existing roof without the need for fasteners or glue. TRITOflex was chosen as the best-in-class option because it is an instant setting rubber that can be spray applied to any thickness in one coat without experiencing shrinkage cracks like most other liquids do when installed too thick in one coat. The TRITOflex liquid rubber membrane is an environmentally friendly water-based product that has 1900% elongation and extreme resistance to puncture. A thermal insulating ceramic based white surface coating was also applied over the TRITOflex to provide superior energy efficiency in the desert heat.
Quality Installation The entire project was completed quickly within five days and the client achieved a watertight and energy efficient roof system with a 15-year warranty. The client had no disruption to their business operations and appreciated the zero-impact on their operations during the whole process.
TRITOflex is in a class of its own with the ability to become a seamless waterproof membrane in seconds after it is sprayed, with no fumes.
Anglo American is the world’s largest producer of platinum. A majority of their refinery operations are at the Rustenburg location of South Africa. Previously, polyurethane coatings had been used to protect concrete and steel structures at these facilities.
Triton was invited to present alternatives to the coatings they had been using. They needed an alternative that was safer, greener, required less maintenance, and could improve protection against acids and chemicals at these facilities.
TritoFlex 2K and 1K synthetic rubber products have been installed on thousands of square meters throughout these refineries. Support beams, roofs, dams, beams, tanks, and leach pads have been sealed with one-coat of highly flexible, acid-resistant rubber. TritoFlex is water-based with no VOC’s and is non-flammable in liquid or solid form. This was the non-toxic, premium solution Anglo had been looking for.
TritoFlex Rubber products have been used at mines, refineries, and chemicals plants all over the world for its superior physical properties, combined with its excellent chemical resistance and impermeability.
Completed in 1931, during the Great Depression, the Washoe Theatre in Anaconda, Montana is considered a national treasure by the Smithsonian and recognized as a historical landmark due to its architecture. The theater originally cost $200,000 to finish in the 1930’s, when Anaconda was key to the copper mining boom and had already erected the tallest masonry structure in the world at the time.
For many years, the theater owners battled leaks and various coating products had been used to patch the existing Built-Up Asphalt Roof (BUR). Considering its rich history, doing everything they could to preserve this historic icon was important. After having a certified Triton contractor inspect the theater’s multiple levels of roofs, it was determined this was a perfect candidate for a TritoFlex 2K Rubber restoration and recover.
After pressure washing the roofs and removing existing acrylic roof coating materials that had absorbed water and peeled loose, TritoFlex 2K synthetic rubber was spray-applied in one coat to 60 mils (1.5mm) dry. TritoFlex 2K has over 1100% elongation and over 600 psi tensile strength, resulting in a strong, durable membrane that will withstand the harsh Montana winters and indefinite ponding water.
To finish, the TritoCryl 2K reflective elastomeric top coat was applied at 20 mils (0.5mm) in a single coat. Triton’s unique 2K instant-set technology means the products can be rained on within seconds. In fact, one area of roof that leaked heavily for years was sealed with TritoFlex 2 hours prior to a storm. Not a single leak has occurred since.
An 11-story office building in downtown Perth in Western Australia was experiencing leaks from constant cracking. TRITOflex Australia came in and provided the perfect solution.
The existing concrete roof deck had been coated with various products over the years in an attempt to fix constant cracking, resulting in annoying leaks. A lot of money was spent each year to maintain the roof. After speaking with Triton representatives in Australia, they realized there was an economical, long-term option.
The building operator was initially looking to only spot repair cracks again or at other thinly applied liquid products, such as acrylic elastomeric coatings. However, their experienced proved these other materials are only temporary. The client made a decision to go with the TRITOflex system for its:
• 1900% elongation
• Class A fire rating
• Hail and impact resistance
• UV stability and ceramic technology
• Seamless and self-terminating
• No harmful VOC’s or toxic fumes
• No harmful VOC’s or toxic fumes
• Highest adhesion ratings to concrete in the world
• Impermeable resistance to acids and much more
Seamless Installation
With the mobility of Triton’s spray machines, the applicators were able to operate from the top of the building. They simply ran a 100m air hose to the compressor on the ground. TRITOflex was installed at 1.5 mm (60 mils) dry in just one coat. This resulted in an instantly watertight roof as it was applied. All cracks and gaps in the concrete were sealed seamlessly.
The TRITOtherm top coat with ceramic technology, ideal for Australia’s climate, was installed as a sacrificial top coat and energy efficient layer at 0.5 mm (20 mils) dry. The project resulted in a very happy client with a leak-free building. This roof system and warranty can be sustained indefinitely. The high quality seen during this project has led to further projects in the downtown Perth area.
