Re-framing a flat roof in preparation for a new rubber membrane


For an existing addition on a circa 1912 residence in Newport, RI


Part I
Part II
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Part III

One last look at the worst part of this non-flat roof before the rubber comes up.


This insulation board in this area was not cut properly and broke when fastened, creating a low point for puddling.


The rubber is up and all the 6" screws and plates holding down the the insulation board have been removed. I wonder what I'll find under this insulation board?


OMG, its a built up tar and gravel roof on 90 lb underlayment! I can see why the prior roofer recomended a roof over, lol.



This is one heavy roof with all this tar and gravel. A dumpster is on its way.


Water has been getting under this rubber. Look at the moisture on the gravel roof and the multi colored mold on the underside of the insulation board.


Here's another area showing evidence of water entry.


I went around the perimeter and cats-pawed all the nails securing the edge of the built-up roofing. Now I'm able to get under the bottommost ply. This is one heavy roof.


Luckily Steve was willing to give me a hand removing this old technology built-up roofing


The next morning my friend Alan Bettencourt came on board to help see the job through. The next order of business was to get this Homasote board up.


That homasote board has lost its strength where there has been water leaks and comes up in crumbs. Amazing they left the original porch roof intact when they built this addition. WHY?


We still have a way to go before all the demo is complete.


This area had a bad leak at one time, most likely why the the built-up roof was rubbered over.


Time to evict the old porch roof.


A recessed gutter and metal roof, to bad this great workmanship is headed for the dumpster.


The black water staining tells of yet another leak that has been chased up here over the years.


This was one tenacious roof to strip.


We found an old Mutt & Jeff comic, dated 1922 in the eaves.


Water stains on the old porch rafters too. Leaks, leaks and more leaks.


Once the old porch roof is gone we'll have a single plane roof deck.


All Gone.


Oh boy, lots of water got in here at one time and there is only 2 inches of insulation. Good enough in the 60's I guess when oil was only 20 cents a gallon.


Solid 2x10 framing, but that old insulation has to go.


The water stains are really evident in this shot. We'll fill this space with R-38 insulation and replace the 5/8" plywood with 3/4" after we add new framing for a definite pitch.


When the interior was remolded in 2005, a load bearing wall was was removed and this gluelam beam took its place.


This 1960's era insulation had a nice radiant barrier that's still reflective today.


Alan is making a material list for tomorrow.


Part I
Part II
you are here
Part III