case study category: INSTITUTIONAL

Central Washington University diverted 46,000 lbs of landfill waste and offset 67 metric tons of CO2 by choosing to recover an old roof instead of tearing it off.

Central Washington University had a building previously coated with an acrylic roof coating and was at the end of its useful life. The roof was leaking and in need of a solution. During the bid process, they were presented with the options to tear off and replace the existing modified bitumen roof or to recover it with a new TritoFlex liquid rubber membrane.

The cost difference to recover the 14,000 sf roof with the TritoFlex solution was a savings of more than 50% and helped divert 46,620 lbs of waste to the landfill and offset 67.2 metric tons of CO2.

TritoFlex installation is non-toxic, non-flammable, and odor-free, eliminating common on-site safety hazards, and was much quieter construction (non-disruptive), allowing the students and staff to study and work more efficiently in Purser Hall.

According to its website, Central Washington University has received multiple awards for its Sustainability work, including the sole recipient of the 2024 Sustainability and Sustainable Development Award, which recognizes “higher education institutions that demonstrate a clear commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and climate change awareness in their curriculum, on their campuses, or in their communities.” We are proud to work on this roof project and to help CWU reach its 2024 sustainability goals of waste reduction. Using the TritoFlex renewable recovery alternative helped CWU ensure their building is safe from harsh weather and their campus is aligned with sustainable practices for future generations.

Project Before and After

UCLA needed a cost-effective, yet high-quality, option for a roof replacement on the Gayley Center. The existing Built-Up Roof was deteriorated badly and not a candidate to be restored. However, replacement bids for a new single-ply system were very expensive due to having a concrete deck. 

Rather than tear-off and replace with a conventional rolled roofing system that would require adhesives and glue, UCLA’s team elected to use Triton’s liquid-applied, seamless thermoset rubber roofing membrane directly over the existing concrete deck. The insulation below the roof deck provides adequate R-value for the building, so installing expensive new insulation on top of the deck was not warranted. As the existing BUR membrane was removed, the contractor was able to immediately clean and temporarily waterproof the concrete deck utilizing TritoFlex 1K S. This  meant the building was never exposed to the elements and there were no concerns with overnight precipitation.

After the existing roof was fully removed and the concrete deck sealed with an initial base coat of TritoFlex 1K S, the roofing contractor installed the TritoFlex 2K membrane at 80 dry mils to the entire surface in a single coat. This created a thick, durable, flexible, and seamless waterproofing membrane without the need for adhesives, glues, caulks, sealants, and termination points. The TritoFlex 2K membrane was then coated with a 30 dry mil layer of white TritoCryl 2K acrylic topcoat to provide reflectivity and a roof that UCLA can renew for decades. The University received a 20-Year Renewable NDL Material and Labor Warranty with their new seamless, watertight liquid-applied Triton roof system.

The Lindquist Center houses the University of Iowa College of Education, including offices and classrooms. The College was in the midst of a full interior renovation, adding new innovative classroom technology, but the roof system protecting it all was aged and leaking.

Rather than tear-off the existing roof systems down to the concrete decks, the University elected for a stronger, safer alternative that would utilize the a seam-free industrial-grade, non-toxic synthetic rubber membrane. Considering only a minor portion of the existing roof had compromised, saturated insulation, they were able to remove and replace only those sections of roofs with new insulation. The liquid-applied recover approach saved the University, and taxpayers, a substantial amount compared to a full tear-off. After sections of damaged insulation were replaced, the Triton Certified Contractor, who was awarded the competitively-bid project, spray-applied TritoFlex 2K synthetic rubber directly over the existing Modified Bitumen roofs on the building to create a new, seamless, and impermeable waterproofing membrane. With high durability and puncture-resistance, resistance to chemicals, and resistance to severe hail and hurricane-force winds, Triton products were engineered to last in any environmental and keep critical higher education facilities watertight.

After the roofs were recovered with a new TritoFlex 2K synthetic rubber membrane, the highly reflective, sacrificial TritoCryl 2K white topcoat was installed for energy efficiency and sustainability. Both the TritoFlex 2K and TritoCryl 2K products are inherently slip-resistant, providing a safer roof surface during and after installation that reduces the likelihood of slips and falls. The new liquid-applied roof system came with a 20-Year NDL Material and Labor Renewable Warranty that provides peace of mind to the University, even in the harshest weather events.

Education is fundamental to change, progress, and innovation. Our educational institutions must be protected, both in figurative and literal terms. Triton recognizes the importance of education in our society and engineers innovative roofing technologies that protect educational facilities for decades.

This particular Jr. High School in windy Wyoming had battled leaking on 15,500 square feet of roof, causing disruption to the school’s daily operation. Maintaining the roof was particularly difficult, as the existing EPDM membrane was covered with a layer of insulation board and rock ballast. Finding and fixing leaks was no easy feat and only drove up roof repair costs.

The school needed to act fast, but had budget constraints to work within. A disruptive, expensive tear-off was averted with the TritoFlex 2K Rubber membrane. The rock ballast and wet insulation board would have to be removed, but the existing EPDM membrane could be salvaged and utilized to the school’s advantage. 4 Elements Roofing ensured the existing EPDM membrane was secure and properly repaired before spraying it with a single, instantly rain-resistant coat of 80 mil (2 mm) TritoFlex Rubber. This new liquid membrane capitalizes on the existing membrane’s pliability and durability, creating an ultra-thick waterproofing layer.

With extremely high elongation, high tensile strength, a Class A fire rating, and a warranty that covers hail and ponding water, the TritoFlex system not only saved the school district money, it provided them a more durable, longer lasting roof membrane in the end. The roof was finished off with the TritoTherm ceramic coating to reduce surface temperature, reduce heat transfer, and provide a sacrificial layer. This allows the roof to be sustained indefinitely.

Unleashing the potential of the human mind through education, and combining it with decades of practical experience and common sense, is what leads companies like Triton to change their industries with progressive technologies. 

The existing roof on this Church in Milwaukee had been leaking for years. Solving leaks was the first step. Installing a vegetative food roof on top to help feed the hungry was the important second.

This section of the Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church’s building in Milwaukee had an old EPDM single-ply glued down over insulation mechanically attached into a concrete deck. For years, the maintenance staff battled leaks along the scuppers into the room below which was used to reach the homeless. Now, the church was preparing to have only the second food roof in all of Milwaukee installed on their building. Before installing all of this, the roof needed to be restored with a new watertight and durable membrane which is compatible with a vegetative system on top.

Limited Options

Installing Vegetative Roof Components

Hanging Gardens is a Milwaukee-based company which designs green roof system and distributes the necessary green roof components for these solutions. They stepped in to help the church realize their dream of having a vegetative roof to grow fruits and vegetables with the purpose of teaching job skills to the homeless community and providing produce for area soup kitchens. When Hanging Gardens analyzed the existing roof condition before designing the green roof, they saw the existing roof needed to be addressed first. With a limited budget, a tear-off with all new insulation and membrane would be too costly. They immediately contacted Triton, knowing the TRITOflex liquid rubber membrane could be installed over the existing EPDM and would provide a premium level seamless membrane underneath of their new rooftop garden. Triton surveyed the existing roof system and found some areas of damp insulation where leaks had occurred. They recommended these areas be replaced before installed the new liquid membrane.

Quality Installation

After pressure washing the existing EPDM, replacing areas of damp polyiso insulation with new insulation, and priming the roof, TRITOflex was installed in one coat to an 80 mil (2mm) dry thickness. The membrane was spray applied monolithically to all parapet walls, flashing, and transitions. With TRITOflex having extreme impact and puncture resistance on its own, the church utilized the existing EPDM rubber to its advantage rather than wasting it. With nearly 140 mils of rubber membrane on that roof, now sealed up with the seamless TRITOflex system, the church can be confident in a watertight, maintenance-free roof for years to come.

After installation of the TRITOflex membrane, an installation crew installed the components of the food roof on top. This included, in order, a HDPE root barrier, protection fleece, drainage mat, filter fleece, pavers and pedestals to create a courtyard, and a proprietary blend of growth media for the plantings.

Within the first month, the church harvested over 90 lbs. of produce from their rooftop garden!

The church is excited for their new, fruitful rooftop garden to provide food for the hungry and skills to the homeless. All kept watertight underneath with the seamless TRITOflex system!

This 18-year old Hypalon white single-ply roof system had been causing the middle school water intrusion problems for the last few years as it began to fail due to punctures, brittleness, and many other problems.

The school had reached the original expected lifespan out of this white Hypalon single-ply roof system before it began to leak extensively and require constant maintenance and care. Knowing that it was time to have this middle school building re-roofed before the new school year, the school brought in Triton to analyze their current situation and present the options they could choose from.

Limited Options

There were lots of punctures in the existing membrane due to a variety of causes and the school was constantly having it patched. Algae and fungi had also eaten into the membrane causing pinholes. Some of the fasteners had started to protrude through the membrane due to settled insulation from moisture. Lastly, the membrane was very dirty, which negates its energy savings, and thin due to deterioration over time. Water was actually beginning to wick through the reinforcement scrim of the membrane.

Quality Installation

The TRITOflex two-component rubberized membrane was installed in one coat with a spray application directly over the existing single-ply roof system to achieve a 60 mil/1.5mm seamless membrane. It was then top coated with two coats of TRITOtherm thermal insulating coating at 20 mils/0.5mm total to provide superior energy cost savings in the hot summers and also help prevent heat loss through the roof system while the school is heated during the cold Iowa winters. With an industry-leading FM-approved hail resistance classification and leading puncture resistance properties, the flexible TRITOflex membrane will protect this building from anything the elements, roof-top workers, or children 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 school. They can rest assured they will have no disruptions to their vital classroom environments due to a leaking roof and they now have a roof system that can be sustained for decades to come.

The school can rest assured they will have no disruptions to their vital classroom environments due to a leaking roof and they now have a roof system can be sustained for decades to come.

The City of De Pere, Wisconsin decided to convert their worn-out EPDM roof into an environmentally-beneficial roof-top garden.

The old, worn-out mechanically-attached EPDM roof was in constant need of repair and ready for replacement. The City of De Pere were intrigued by the long-term benefits of a green roof, after speaking with Hanging Gardens, a Milwaukee-based green roof design firm. A structural analysis confirmed the roof deck and structure could hold the weight of a green roof.

Looking at all Options
Rather than go the traditional route and tear off the old roof, install new expensive insulation, and then a new membrane, Hanging Gardens informed them of the TRITOflex restoration option. It made perfect sense. The City could use their existing EPDM roof to their advantage, rather than waste it, by adding 80 mils (2 mm) of highly flexible, durable, and ponding water resistant TRITOflex rubber. As a seamless, self-terminating liquid membrane, this would eliminate traditional failure points of seams, overlaps, and flashings. Any other liquid-applied membrane would have not be acceptable to install a green roof over.

Quality Installation

After a good pressure wash, TRITOflex was spray-applied by Zander Solutions, a Certified Triton Applicator, to 90 mils (2.2 mm) dry in one coat over the existing 9,000 sq. ft. EPDM roof. EPDM rubber is naturally a long-lasting, strong material. With the addition of TRITOflex on top, not only did it save the city money, but provides them a “bullet-proof” roof for decades. TRITOflex is impermeable and will withstand ponding water indefinitely, making it the ideal solution to keep a building watertight with a green roof over top.

The total system included the ILD electronic vector mapping leak detection system, drainage mat, filter fleece, growing medium, and sedum mats. Click here to learn more about the green roof from the local news station.

Benefits of a green roof versus a traditional roof:

• Reduces stormwater runoff and improves water quality

• Reduces energy consumption

• Promotes biodiversity

• Helps reduce air pollution and improves air quality

• Increases overall roof life

The Western Cape Department of Health contacted Flex-O-Tek Western Cape (Pty) Ltd to solve their problem of a leaking main water reservoir at the historic Groote Schuur Hospital.

The hospital was founded in 1938 and is famous for being the location where the first heart transplant was performed by Prof. Christiaan Barnard in 1967.  The reservoir supplies water to the entire hospital via further holding tanks located in various sections of the hospital.  It holds approximately 8,000 kilo-liters of water.

Limited Options

Various alternative options were considered.  First, they could rebuild a brand new main reservoir, which was not an option because of time and cost restrictions.  Structurally the reservoir was still in very good condition.  Certain leaks had been detected over the years, which were patched only to re-occur at a later stage.  Besides the leaks, the water in the reservoir was also being contaminated by pine needles from nearby pine trees.  Although not a serious health hazard, the pine needles were finding their way to the renal unit in the hospital and clogging its water purification filters.  It seemed that the pine needles were finding their way into the reservoir via a slight gap between the concrete lid of the reservoir and the wall structure.  Over the years the copings had become loose and some had fallen off, creating small gaps where the pine needles worked their way in.

The Engineers at the Department of Health chose the TRITOflex liquid rubber solution to solve their problems, due to its following characteristics:

• Ability to withstand water indefinitely

• That it contains no VOC’s and or any other harmful chemicals

• The rate at which it can be applied, therefore causing less disruption to the hospital’s water supply

• A 15-year guarantee

• Its high elongation characteristics

• SABS/SANS potable water approval

Quality Installation

The whole inside of reservoir, minus the ceiling, was sprayed with the TRITOflex monolithic rubber membrane at 1.5mm (60 mils) dry. The joint where the walls meet the roof was also sprayed, therefore preventing pine needle contamination. On the outside, TRITOtrowel flashing compound was also used as the primary barrier to pine needle contamination before the copings were reattached.

The Western Cape Department of Health has now specified the Triton line of products as a solution to all matters pertaining to water storage and various roofing issues. A smaller project at Riversdale Hospital was completed with further projects at larger hospitals such as Tygerberg being planned.