Private School Flat Roof Membrane Repair in Toronto

Project Specifications

Type of Project: Full Replacement/Recovery
Roof area: 30,505 sqft.
Deck Type: Steel & concrete
Roof Membrane (field area): 3 ply hybrid – 1 ply SBS sand-sand base sheet + 2 plies type 4 glass felt, flood coat of asphalt and pea gravel
Flashing Membrane (perimeter and roof upturns): 2 ply SBS modified bitumen
Insulation:
- 10,465 sft recovery area at steel deck substrate – over top of existing 0.5 fibreboard insulation, 2.5″ ISO insulation and 0.5″ gypsum board – we added 1 layer of 2.0″ coated glass facer ISO insulation and 0.5″ perlite insulation
- 20,040 sft replacement area at concrete substrate – 2 layers of 2.0″ coated glass facer ISO insulation and 0.5″ perlite insulation

Flat Roof Membrane Repair

Address:

475 Patricia Avenue

Toronto, Canada

This Toronto private school building changed ownership in the past year and underwent an extreme makeover. The roof was leaking in multiple locations and this meant that the 30,000 square foot roof needed a roofing membrane upgrade. By leaving in place existing dry materials along with upgraded insulation and an upgraded roofing membrane, we successfully repaired this roof on time, and under budget.

Client Goal/Purpose of Project

The client in question (a Toronto area private school) was looking for a 20 year workmanship warranty, and required a roofing membrane upgrade in order to qualify for said requirements. The replacement would have to be done while classes were in session. Safety was imperative during this project, as the primary school children had recess close to our working area at the footprint of the building.

Key Challenges

Undertaking a roofing membrane upgrade for a private school during regular classes presented several unique challenges. Safety, operational continuity, and efficient planning were paramount due to the proximity of students and ongoing school activities. Below, we outline the key challenges we faced in managing and executing the project as well as planning effectively to meet the school’s needs.

Planning

Complex Roof Assembly

The roof’s varying substrates—steel and concrete—required tailored solutions for insulation and membrane application.

Waste Reduction

Reusing existing dry insulation where feasible helped minimize debris and reduce costs.

Warranty Requirements

Meeting the client’s goal of a 20-year OIC workmanship warranty added additional planning complexity.

Management & Execution

Safety Concerns

With primary school children having recess close to the worksite, safety was a top priority. Protective hoarding was required to create secure boundaries.

HVAC Coordination

The roof housed 19 HVAC systems with extensive gas piping, necessitating daily collaboration with the school’s HVAC contractor.

Odour Control

To minimize disruptions, a hybrid membrane was used to reduce asphalt bitumen fumes during school hours.

Minimizing Disruption

The roofing work needed to proceed without interrupting classes or restricting access to the playground.

Partially completed roof area with some ongoing work around an HVAC unit using our gantry crane

Solutions for this Private School Flat Roof Membrane Repair in Toronto

Our team developed a strategic and flexible approach to overcome these challenges while maintaining safety and operational continuity. Below are the key solutions we implemented to ensure the project’s success.

Safety Measures

Installed protective hoarding around the building footprint to create a safe environment for students and staff.

Hybrid Membrane Selection

Used a hybrid roofing membrane to minimize asphalt fumes, ensuring the comfort of occupants.

Coordinated HVAC Work

Partnered with the school’s HVAC contractor to manage the relocation and protection of rooftop units and gas piping.

Efficient Material Use

Preserved and reused existing dry insulation in select areas to save costs and reduce waste.

Tailored Roofing Solution

Designed recovery and replacement strategies based on the specific substrate—adding new insulation and using high-quality materials for durability.

Collaboration with Engineers

Worked closely with the engineer of record to maintain safety standards and optimize the repair process.

Minimized Debris Impact

Reduced potential dust and debris infiltration into the premises by optimizing removal processes.

Uninterrupted Operations

Successfully completed the project without closing down the school or playground, ensuring a seamless experience for the client.

Contact Elite Roofing for your next roofing project!

If your roof needs repairs or a replacement, but you don’t want to shut down operations, contact us. There are always options for roofing work that does not have to affect the day-to-day functionality of your structure. That’s the Elite Advantage.