Built-up roofing - alternating layers of roofing felt and hot-applied asphalt or coal tar, finished with aggregate surfacing - was the commercial roofing standard for most of the 20th century. San Antonio's downtown commercial buildings, the older institutional buildings around the established university campuses, and the mid-century office and industrial facilities that predate the current suburban corridors are still running BUR systems in various stages of deterioration.
The honest assessment of most of these systems is that they have exceeded their design life. A coal-tar BUR installed in 1970 on a downtown San Antonio building was designed for 20 to 25 years of service. It has been repaired, patched, and perhaps had a mod-bit cap sheet applied over it, and it is now pushing 50 years old. The insulation beneath it has absorbed decades of the Texas heat cycle. The felts are oxidized and brittle. Commercial Roofers of San Antonio does not try to extend these systems beyond their useful life with more patches - we assess them honestly, pull moisture cores, and produce a capital-replacement plan that the building owner can take to their budget cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens during a roof scope for Built-Up Roof Systems - Inspection and Replacement for San Antonio's Legacy Commercial Inventory?
- We review roof access, the existing system, drainage, penetrations, leak or damage history, and any photos or warranty records you already have. Then we document the repair, replacement, coating, or maintenance path that fits the building and timing.
- How quickly can you look at Built-Up Roof Systems - Inspection and Replacement for San Antonio's Legacy Commercial Inventory in San Antonio?
- For active leaks or storm damage, send the address, photos, access notes, and timeline through the form. Those details help us route the call, prepare the roof walk, and avoid wasting time on the first visit.
- What information helps price Built-Up Roof Systems - Inspection and Replacement for San Antonio's Legacy Commercial Inventory accurately?
- The useful details are roof type, approximate square footage, age, leak locations, access constraints, tenant hours, warranty paperwork, and any insurance or capital planning deadlines. Photos of drains, seams, penetrations, and interior staining help us scope faster.