San Antonio Commercial Roof Hail Damage Project Requires Collaborative Approach
Hailstorms can occur without warning and end quickly, but the damage they leave can be long-lasting and expensive to repair. After a particularly damaging hailstorm struck San Antonio in April of 2016, the owners of the San Pedro Square shopping center found themselves in need of a top-quality contractor who could perform the commercial roof hail damage repairs expertly, with minimal disruption to the building’s tenants. Built in the 1980s, the 30,000-square-foot structure was developed using low-slope roofing products that provided a flat appearance, which was typical of large retail and office complexes in the area.
CIMA Contractors LLC, a Dallas-Ft. Worth firm, was chosen for the repair project. The company was selected not just for its roofing experience and knowledge, which includes a Gold Star credential from CertainTeed Roofing, but also for its strong reputation for timely, high-quality execution. CertainTeed’s low-slope roofing products were CIMA’s clear choice for the project, due to the products’ track record of durability and performance.
A Complicated Roof Requires a Customized Approach
The replacement was not a simple one, with the team encountering a number of hurdles along the way. During tear off, CIMA discovered that the roof on the San Pedro Square Shopping Center was actually three old systems layered atop one another, including the building’s original roof system covered with loose gravel, requiring additional manpower to remove. The team also had to work carefully within the existing framework of the building, which included a number of gas lines and other equipment related to the facility’s HVAC, plumbing and heating systems.
Representatives from CIMA and CertainTeed worked together to design a hybrid roof system that included a 15-year NDL warranty, providing a long-lasting solution that utilized a number of high-quality CertainTeed products.
Targeting improvements in energy efficiency, CertainTeed’s FlintBoard® ISO insulation was mechanically-attached to structure’s steel deck. CIMA then applied the self-adhering Black Diamond® Base Sheet, valued for its strength, dryness protection and ease of handling. The torch-applied Flintlastic® GTA was chosen as the capsheet, as it provides further protection against punctures and tears.
CIMA then tackled the areas where the major mechanical equipment and gas lines were present by installing tapered FlintBoard® ISO-T insulation, followed by the heavy-duty Ultra Glass SA (self-adhered) base sheet to ensure additional water resistance. The section was similarly capped with torch-down Flintlastic GTA.
CIMA completed the hybrid system install in three weeks, achieving ownership’s goal of being minimally disruptive to the building’s valued tenants and customers while coordinating with their insurance carrier to ensure a smooth process throughout the re-roofing experience. With its new and improved roof, San Pedro Square is once again ready to face San Antonio’s varying weather conditions.
All project photography courtesy of CIMA Contractors LLC
