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Send product records, exhaust or process details, repair history, and roof access information. We will inspect the PVC surface, welds, attachment, and drainage, then define a compatible repair scope.
PVC may be selected where resistance to grease or certain chemicals is important, but the exact product and exposure still matter. We look for surface swelling, softening, discoloration, loss of bond, brittle areas, open laps, and patches that have lifted. At a vent or kitchen exhaust, we trace where discharge lands and whether cleaning or maintenance practices are carrying residue onto the sheet. The repair must use materials compatible with the membrane, not an assumed universal patch.
We also check foot traffic, service paths, fasteners, and equipment work near the affected area. Abrasion can thin a sheet without creating an immediate opening. A probe or close inspection identifies whether a seam has separated or whether the concern is surface contamination. If a roof stain appears below, we map the interior and roof evidence rather than treating the closest vent as the proven leak source.
PVC membrane seams are heat-welded. A clean, properly fused lap should resist a seam probe; a weak section may peel or reveal a discontinuity. We inspect welds at patches, corners, curbs, and transitions, where setup changes or movement can create inconsistent bond. If the defect extends along a seam, we define its full length and check the surrounding sheet before marking a repair boundary. Surface gloss does not establish weld quality.
Thermal movement affects the membrane and metal details differently. Nearby Detroit climate normals show July average highs in the low 80s Fahrenheit and January lows in the teens. The nearby station provides regional context, while the roof tells us whether a detail has actually shrunk, split, or pulled loose. We examine attachment, perimeter restraint, and sheet tension where the evidence indicates movement. The scope follows the condition observed at the property.
PVC sheets and accessories vary by manufacturer and product line. We check labels, submittals, repair records, and field characteristics when available, then select a compatible flashing and primer. PVC product lines accept different cleaners, adhesives, and coatings. When identity is uncertain, we check records and compatibility before applying material that could weaken the sheet or weld.
We identify whether the roof is mechanically attached, adhered, or installed over another assembly. Fasteners, plates, insulation, cover board, and deck affect how loads reach the structure and whether a local patch can stay stable. If the substrate is wet or the field sheet moves, the repair may need to extend beyond the visible opening. A test cut can establish layers and moisture when that answer changes the scope.
Water can remain against a vent curb or flow beneath a loose seam before reaching a drain. We check slope, drain bowls, overflow openings, wall flashing, and edge metal around the affected section. A new flashing must not block drainage or leave a pocket where residue and water collect. If ponding is part of the failure, we can coordinate drainage correction before closing the membrane detail.
The Sterling Heights Mound Industrial Corridor centers on manufacturing; the North Van Dyke River District includes commercial and industrial investment. At either location, owner process details and observed residue guide material selection. Confirm the access route with the facility contact before inspection.
We remove contamination and failed material as required by the selected repair method, expose a sound boundary, and make a test weld where appropriate. The repair uses compatible PVC flashing, reinforcement, or accessories. Corners receive formed details that avoid sharp folds and exposed cut edges. We set a test weld on compatible material, let it cool, and probe the bond before running the longer seam. If insulation is wet, we replace affected material before rebuilding the membrane so moisture is not trapped beneath a new patch. Where product instructions require records, note the preparation, test-weld setting, and surface conditions. After cooling, probe the full weld and inspect corners, terminations, and patch edges. If bond varies along the run, mark the weak intervals and repair each to a stable boundary instead of bridging the entire seam with coating.
For a broader replacement, we document how the new system will terminate at drains, walls, curbs, and metal edges. If a roof has a chemical exposure or exhaust condition, the owner should provide process details for product selection. The roof scope can identify the membrane work, while another specialist confirms the discharge or equipment requirement. Clear responsibilities prevent a new sheet from receiving the same damaging exposure.
A useful PVC report identifies the sheet, seams, attachment, exposure evidence, moisture findings, and repair limits. Photos should connect the roof condition to the vent or process area without claiming more than the inspection established. We note where product records were available and which compatibility checks remain. If the discharge source changes after maintenance, a follow-up check can show whether the membrane remains exposed. For a multi-building operator, condition reports can retain the detail and repair history by roof zone.
The record connects roof findings to the reported source: product data, process or exhaust details, residue evidence, surface-test results, and affected zones. Photos show both the exposed area and a comparison point. We identify which compatibility questions were answered and what still requires manufacturer confirmation before setting repair limits.
Some PVC systems are selected for resistance to particular exposures, but product and discharge conditions matter. We inspect residue and confirm compatibility before proposing a repair.
We probe the lap and examine its bond, especially at corners, patches, and transitions. The seam is mapped before we set the repair boundary.
We do not assume compatibility between different membranes. Product identification and an appropriate transition detail come first.
The discharge path needs review alongside the membrane. We document the exposure and coordinate with the equipment owner before rebuilding the roof detail.
Provide product submittals, prior repairs, process or exhaust information, roof plans, and leak locations. That information helps match the field sheet and the repair materials.
Send product records, exhaust or process details, repair history, and roof access information. We will inspect the PVC surface, welds, attachment, and drainage, then define a compatible repair scope.
