Infrared Roof Scan & Leak Atlanta, GA
Advanced Roofing & Paving installs and repairs built-up roofing (BUR) on commercial and industrial buildings across Metro Atlanta. BUR builds waterproofing from multiple layers, so a single damaged ply does not have to mean a leak.
What Is Built-Up Roofing?
A built-up roof is made of alternating layers of bitumen (asphalt) and reinforcing felts or fabrics, assembled on the roof. The top is finished with gravel or a mineral-surfaced cap sheet that protects the layers below from sunlight and foot traffic. It is often called “tar and gravel” roofing.
Where Built-Up Roofing Is Used
- Older commercial and industrial buildings across Metro Atlanta
- Roofs with regular foot traffic to rooftop equipment
- Buildings that value redundant waterproofing layers
- Schools, warehouses and manufacturing facilities
Key Components
Roof deck and insulation
Base sheet
Flood coat with embedded gravel, or a cap sheet
Multiple plies of felt set in bitumen
Flashing at walls, curbs and penetra
Advantages of Built-Up Roofing
Redundancy
several plies of waterproofing
Durability under foot traffic
Durability under foot traffic:
Puncture resistance
from the multi-layer assembly
Repairable
with compatible bitumen-based materials
Limitations to Consider
- Heavier than single-ply systems, so structure must be checked for recovers
- Installation involves hot materials, fumes and more time on site
- Gravel can clog drains and hide defects during inspection
- Blisters and splits develop as the assembly ages
Built-Up Roof Installation
- Deck and insulation preparation
- Base sheet installation
- Plies of felt applied in bitumen, overlapping each layer
- Flashing at walls, curbs and penetrations
- Flood coat and gravel, or cap sheet
- Final inspection and walkthrough
Built-Up Roof Repair
Common BUR problems include blisters, splits, bare spots where gravel has worn away, and cracked flashing. We cut out and repair blisters and splits, re-embed gravel and rebuild failed flashing with compatible materials. See commercial roof repair.
Restore or Replace an Aging Built-Up Roof
A BUR roof with dry insulation may be restored with a coating system after surface preparation. When moisture is widespread, which an infrared scan will show, replacement is usually the better choice.
Is Built-Up Roofing Right for Your Building?
BUR suits buildings where redundancy and foot-traffic resistance matter more than weight or install speed. Compare it with other options on our commercial roofing systems page, including modified bitumen.
Related Services
Commercial Roof Repair
Blister, split and flashing repair.
Commercial Roof Replacemen
Tear-off and a new roof system.
Infrared Roof Scan
Find wet insulation under the plies.
Industrial Roofing
BUR on manufacturing facilities.
QUESTIONS
Built-Up Roofing FAQs
Yes. "Tar and gravel" is a common name for a built-up roof finished with a gravel surface.
Blisters form when moisture or air is trapped between plies and expands in the heat. Small blisters can be monitored; open or growing ones should be repaired.
Sometimes, if the insulation is dry, only one roof layer exists, and the structure can carry the added weight.
It depends on roof size, number of plies, surfacing, insulation and tear-off. We provide a free written estimate after inspection.
Multi-Layer Protection, Built Right
Ready to make an informed decision about your roof? Contact us to schedule a professional inspection and get clear guidance on your roof needs.