Adept Construction tore off and replaced an aging flat roof on a commercial building in Naperville, IL. The roof was photographed in January 2018, when cracks had opened along the seams and at the base of the parapet wall.
Project at a glance
- Location: Naperville, IL
- Photographed: January 2018
- Service: commercial roofing, flat roof tear-off
- Building: commercial
About the area
Naperville sits along the DuPage River in DuPage and Will counties, about 28 miles west of Chicago’s Loop. Naper Settlement credits Joseph Naper with founding the town in 1831.
The challenge and how we solved it
The challenge: the flat roof surface had cracked along its seams and where it turned up the parapet wall, the spots where flat roofs most often start to leak.
The solution: rather than patch the cracks, the old roof was torn off and replaced.
What we did
- Tore off the old flat roof.
- Installed a new flat roof system.
Why a tear-off
Once a flat roof cracks at the seams and parapet, water can travel under the surface. A tear-off removes the wet layers so the new roof starts on a dry, sound base.
Keeping it in good shape
- Keep roof drains and scuppers clear so water never ponds for more than a day or two after rain.
- Walk the roof each spring and fall and look closely at seams, parapet edges and pipe boots.
- Check the roof from the ground after severe storms. The National Weather Service Chicago office issues severe thunderstorm and high wind warnings for DuPage and Will counties, and lifted or missing shingles should be looked at before the next storm.
- Clear heavy snow drifts along parapet walls, where snow piles deepest.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Adept Construction tore off and replaced this cracked commercial flat roof in Naperville.
Seams, parapet walls and pipe penetrations, which is where this Naperville roof had cracked.
Small cracks can be patched, but widespread seam and parapet cracking like on this roof usually calls for a tear-off.
Twice a year, in spring and fall, and after major storms.
Planning a project in Naperville?
Adept Construction has served DuPage and Will County homeowners since 1997. See our commercial roofing services and flat roofing. You can also see more Adept projects or request a free roof estimate.
