Whether you have a sloped or flat roof, you should be prepared for your roofing project. Besides planning the schedule of your roof replacement and choosing materials, you should also take the necessary measures to protect the quality of the air you breathe indoors. Keep in mind that roofing jobs can be messy and produce a lot of debris.
Here are different ways to avoid indoor air quality (IAQ) problems during your roofing project.
Which Roofing Projects Are Linked to Poor IAQ?
Low slope hot tar roofs typically use a built-up roofing system that’s made on-site using layers of felts a hot-applied asphalt or coal tar pitch. The hot tar is heated at the site in a kettle, which is the main source of fumes. Another type of roofing system that can compromise your IAQ is a rubber roof, which is also a low-slope roofing system. The adhesive this material needs produces massive amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To minimize exposure to asphalt fumes or VOCs, proper planning, setup, and advanced preparation are necessary.
Tips for Avoiding IAQ Problems
Proper Planning and Scheduling
Whether you’re replacing a shingle roof or a flat roof, proper planning is essential. For instance, roofing jobs at schools should be scheduled when there are no classes, during summer or holiday breaks. However, alternate scheduling is not always possible, especially for commercial and industrial structures.
Open Communication
Good communication between you and your contractor is key when it comes to successful projects. If you own a commercial structure, you should also let the occupants know about your project. Before the actual construction begins, give everyone time to express their concerns. Determine what precautions you need to take to minimize chemical exposure to the occupants. Also, your roofing contractor should regularly update you on the progress of your project.
Looking for a quality flat, shingle, or metal roof? Turn to Gulf Coast Roofing. We only install roofing products from leading manufacturers in the industry. Call us at (850) 465-7663 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.