Torch-On Roofing in Burnaby – Reliable Flat Roof Protection

What Is Torch-On Roofing?

Torch-on roofing is a low-slope/flat-roof system built from SBS-modified bitumen membranes that are heat-welded together for a seamless, watertight skin. Think of it as asphalt that’s been engineered with elastic SBS polymers so it stays flexible in cold, resists cracking, and bonds tightly at seams.

How the system is built (quick overview)

• Base ply + cap ply: Most Burnaby roofs use a 2-ply assembly—an SBS base sheet bonded to the deck or cover board, then a mineral-granule cap sheet torch-welded on top for UV protection and durability.
• Heat-welded seams: Installers use a torch to fuse laps and details, creating continuous, monolithic seams (no exposed fasteners, no loose tapes).
• Robust details: Proper torch-on includes raised parapet flashings, sump pockets at drains, D-molds at edges, and reinforced corners that take foot traffic in stride.
• Substrate & safety: Success depends on dry, properly primed substrate, correct ventilation/vapour control, and strict hot-works safety (fire watch, extinguishers, and shields).

Why torch-on is ideal for Burnaby’s rainy climate

• Storm-tight seams: Heat-fused laps stay sealed through wind-driven rain and seasonal temperature swings—exactly what we get all winter.
• Ponding resilience: Paired with tapered insulation and clean drains, torch-on shrugs off short-term ponding that would overwhelm other systems.
• Cold-weather flexibility: SBS polymers keep membranes flexible at low temperatures, reducing crack risk during cold snaps and freeze-thaw cycles.
• Repairable for decades: Future patches are simply heat-welded onto the existing cap sheet—fast, reliable, and clean.
• Traffic-friendly: Mineral-surfaced cap sheets handle routine service visits to HVAC units better than many lightweight coatings.

Bottom line: Torch-on (SBS) roofing is a proven match for Burnaby’s long, wet season—seamless, durable, and easily serviceable. Done right—with slope to drains, quality membranes, and hot-works discipline—it keeps water out and maintenance predictable year after year.

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Benefits of Torch-On Roofing

Built to last in Burnaby’s wet winters. A properly installed SBS torch-on system routinely delivers 20+ years of service—and far longer with smart maintenance. The reason is simple: SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) adds elasticity to the asphalt, so the membrane flexes through daily temperature swings without cracking. Paired with quality insulation, tapered slope to drains, and clean scuppers, torch-on roofs stay tight and predictable for decades.

Fire-resistant by design. Modern torch-on assemblies are available with Class A/B fire ratings (system-dependent). The mineral-surfaced cap sheet and fully bonded layers help resist flame spread and ember ignition—peace of mind for buildings near tree lines or in dense neighborhoods. Just as important: professional installers follow strict hot-works safety (permits, shields, and fire watch) so the roof goes on safely and stays safe in service.

Unmatched waterproofing performance. Torch-welded seams fuse the base and cap plies into a monolithic, watertight skin—no exposed mechanical fasteners to back out, no peel-and-stick seams to lift in wind-driven rain. Critical details (parapets, drains, skylights, and wall junctions) are heat-sealed with reinforced membranes, creating continuous barriers where leaks most often start. Even if a puncture occurs years down the road, repairs are straightforward: heat-bond a patch and you’re back to watertight in minutes.

Bonus advantages:

• Low maintenance & easy repairs: Granulated cap sheets handle foot traffic to HVAC and vents; patches weld cleanly.
• All-weather flexibility: SBS stays pliable in cold snaps, reducing crack risk through freeze-thaw cycles.
• Great for retrofits: Works over concrete, wood, and recover boards; ideal when adding tapered insulation to fix ponding.

Considering a torch-on roof for your Burnaby property? We’ll design the right 2-ply system, set the slope to drains, and deliver clean, code-compliant hot-works from start to finish.

Our Torch-On Roofing Process

1) Tear-off & prep (safety-first hot-works).
We begin by protecting landscaping and access, then remove existing membranes down to a sound substrate. The deck is inspected for moisture, rot, and fastener pull-out; damaged plywood or concrete spalls are replaced/patched. Next, we install tapered insulation (if needed) to create positive slope to drains/scuppers, add cant strips at verticals, and prime the surface per the membrane manufacturer. Hot-works best practices are baked in: permits pulled, non-combustible shields set, extinguishers staged, and a post-torch fire watch is maintained.

2) Base sheet + cap sheet installation (two-ply SBS).

• Base ply: We torch-bond (or cold-adhere, where required near combustibles) a sanded SBS base sheet, keeping laps straight and tight—side laps ≈ 3–4 in., end laps ≈ 6 in. Laps are staggered to avoid T-joint stacking.
• Details first: Drains, parapets, curbs, and inside/outside corners get reinforced target patches and gussets before the field ply—so critical areas are double-secured.
• Cap ply: A granulated SBS cap sheet is torch-welded over the base, seams offset from the base ply. We aim for a neat, continuous bleed line at laps—enough flow for fusion without over-flooding. Field seams are rolled while warm to lock in adhesion and remove fish-mouths.

3) Proper torching technique (clean, fused, and safe).
Our technicians use a controlled, sweeping flame to evenly heat both substrates—looking for the tell-tale bitumen “rivulet” ahead of the roll. Poly films are fully burned off; laps are warmed edge-to-edge, not scorched. We keep torches off flammables and use shields at wood trims and skylights; cold-applied primers/adhesives are substituted where open flame isn’t appropriate. Every seam is probe-tested, any voids are reheated and rolled, and penetrations are back-water-lapped shingle-fashion.

Cleanup & handoff: The roof is swept, metal edges polished, drains tested, and a final QA checklist completed with photos. You receive your warranty package, maintenance tips, and a simple care schedule to keep the membrane performing for decades.

Torch-On Roofing Maintenance & Repairs

Keep your SBS torch-on roof tight, dry, and worry-free with a simple, repeatable plan. Below is the field-tested upkeep we recommend for Burnaby homes and low-slope buildings.

Regular Inspections (Spring, Fall… and after big storms)

• Twice yearly checkups: Do a full walk-through each spring and fall, plus any time you’ve had high winds or heavy rain.
• What to look for (quick scan → close look):
• Drains & scuppers: Remove leaves/grit; confirm strainers are secure; re-torque drain rings.
• Ponding water: Note any areas holding water > 24–48 hours after dry weather—often a sign of blocked drains or low spots.
• Seams & laps: Probe for fish-mouths, voids, or cold welds; check cap-sheet bleed lines for continuity.
• Blisters & wrinkles: Mark sizes/locations; isolated blisters are monitored, not punctured.
• Granule loss & scuffs: Exposed bitumen ages fast; schedule touch-ups.
• Edges & metalwork: Inspect parapet caps, edge metal, term bars, and counterflashings for movement or sealant cracks.
• Penetrations: HVAC stands, vent stacks, conduits, skylight curbs—look for splits or mastic shrinkage.
• Document everything: Photos, dates, weather conditions, and a simple roof plan with marked findings build a history and support warranties/insurance.

Sealing Penetrations (the usual suspects)

• Pitch pans / pockets: Top-up with manufacturer-approved pourable sealer if it has settled; the surface must be clean, dry, and primed.
• Small splits at stacks or curbs:

1. Clean → dry → prime the area.
2. Three-course repair (SBS mastic + polyester scrim + mastic) or a torch-applied base patch.
3. Finish with a granulated cap-sheet patch extending ≥ 6 in. beyond the defect in all directions, heat-welded and fully rolled.

• Skylight/HVAC curbs: Re-secure loose counterflashings; renew termination bar sealant with compatible polyurethane or SBS mastic (never generic roof cement on SBS).
• Fast rule: Use SBS-compatible primers, mastics, and cap sheets from the same system family. Avoid solvent/asphalt products that can soften or contaminate SBS membranes.

Annual Upkeep Tips (small habits, big payoffs)

• Keep it clean: Sweep debris, branches, and grit. Don’t pressure-wash granulated cap sheets—low pressure + soft broom is safer.
• Granule touch-ups: Where scuffed, set fresh granules into a thin SBS mastic film to shield the bitumen from UV.
• Gutters/downpipes: Clean twice yearly; confirm downspouts discharge away from foundations.
• Vegetation control: Trim back overhanging limbs; shade + debris = moss and slow drying.
• Hardware & metal: Check for rust at edge metal fasteners; spot-prime/paint or replace with stainless where needed.
• Expansion joints & walk pads: Verify adhesion and integrity; replace torn pads to protect traffic lanes.
• Winter watch: After cold snaps, re-check laps and penetrations for thermal-movement stress or new splits.
• Access control: Limit trades traffic; use walk pads; require anyone on the roof to report issues they see.
• Records & warranties: Keep a maintenance log, invoices, photos, and your warranty docs together—this preserves coverage and speeds claims.

When to Call for Professional Repair (don’t wait)

• Ponding areas that don’t drain within 48 hours after dry weather.
• Widespread blisters, open seams, or granule loss exposing black bitumen.
• Active leaks near drains, skylights, or parapet bases.
• Soft spots/spongy substrate (possible wet insulation or deck damage).
• Repeat sealant failures at pitch pans or term bars.

Typical pro fixes we deploy: heat-welded cap-sheet patches, drain bowl rebuilds, curb/base-flashing resets, tapered-insulation infills for birdbaths, and—when the field is aged but the deck is sound—cap-sheet overlays to extend service life.

Quick Do/Don’t Cheatsheet

• Do: Inspect 2×/year + after storms, keep drains clear, use SBS-compatible products, and re-granulate scuffs.
• Don’t: Puncture blisters, use generic roof cement on SBS, pressure-wash aggressively, or torch near combustibles without hot-works controls and fire watch.

Need a hand with an annual tune-up or a stubborn leak? Paragon Roofing BC can inspect, report, and execute SBS-compatible repairs that protect your warranty—and your home.

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Why Choose Paragon Roofing BC for Torch-On Roofing in Burnaby

Experienced flat-roof crews. Our SBS torch-on teams are led by Red Seal roofers and RCABC-trained foremen who do this work every day—townhomes, strata blocks, commercial plazas, and single-family low-slope additions. We follow strict hot-works protocols (permits, shields, extinguishers, dedicated fire watch) so the install is clean, safe, and compliant.

Commercial + residential expertise. From retail plazas on Kingsway to strata complexes in Brentwood and Metrotown, we design and install two-ply SBS systems that fit the building: tapered insulation for drainage, properly set drains/scuppers, reinforced perimeters, and durable parapet details. For homes, we keep it tidy—careful tear-off, protected landscaping, discrete staging, and spotless cleanup.

Proven track record in Burnaby. Our portfolio spans dozens of local torch-on projects—leak-prone flat roofs turned into dry, reliable assemblies that shrug off November rain. Expect a photo-rich report, a roof plan with slopes and drains marked, and a line-item proposal (no guesswork). We register your manufacturer system warranty and our workmanship warranty, then offer a simple annual maintenance plan to keep coverage—and performance—on track.

What you can count on:

• RCABC-compliant methods and SBS-compatible materials only
• Drainage first: ponding fixes with tapered packages, not band-aids
• Flashings that last: new metal edges, proper term bars, sealed penetrations
• Transparent pricing & fast scheduling—especially before storm season
• Responsive service: emergency dry-downs and priority repairs when weather hits

Ready for a flat roof that’s built for Burnaby’s rain? Call Paragon Roofing BC for an expert torch-on assessment and proposal.

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