Quality roofing is a complex, intricate and technical profession. It can also be very dangerous. An estimated 1.3 million employees in construction face significant asbestos exposure on the job, with some of the heaviest exposures occurring in the roofing industry. The removal of asbestos during renovation, tear-off or demolition is particularly hazardous.

The Coventry Square project was an example of the critical need for follow through and safety precautions when working with old asbestos roofing.

Madsen Roof has had several success stories surrounding the abatement of asbestos infected roofing. Their most recent asbestos abatement challenge was the Coventry Square Project.

The Coventry Square job was a great example of the critical need for follow through and safety precautions when working with old asbestos roofing. The old roof consisted of medium cedar shakes with a Nicolette friable felt underlayment containing asbestos. In order to tear off the old roof, which was beginning to fail, an asbestos abatement plan had to accompany the roofing bid.

Madsen Roof prides its estimating staff on working closely with clients to meet their needs on all levels. Coventry Square consists of several individual buildings that were all owned separately yet had been formed into a business cooperative. Madsen Roof bid the entire project for the association while coordinating individually with the owners, tenants and association to devise a plan of managing safety and quality issues of each building.

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Madsen’s concern with the tenant’s thoughts and protection resulted in performing the abatement at night. They hooked up three tier lights and due to the need for a twenty-foot containment area; this was the safest option for all. Madsen also worried about the noise that would be caused by pulling nails throughout the night so the work schedule was designed to satisfy everyone’s needs. Nails were pulled from 7:00am until 6:00pm and the abatement took place from 6:00pm until midnight.

Madsen also worked with the association and individual owners to establish the new roofing systems. All agreed on a general system that included 15-pound Leatherback felt for underlayment and Celotex Presidential Tri-laminate shingles. Individual owners had different specifications for flashings and accessories that Madsen Roof accommodated.

Once the bid and plan were accepted, the first step was the removal of the old system, which included both steep and flat-pitched sections. The area was roped off and regulated with warning banners that contained very special instructions about breathing in the area. The ropes and caution tape also facilitated keeping the area clear of pedestrians.

The tear-off crew wore tyvex suits, respirators and gloves as they began the asbestos abatement segment of the steep pitched sections. With asbestos removal, one of the biggest concerns is the chance of dust escaping into the air. To prevent this from happening, the asbestos needed to be wet before removing. Madsen amended the water with an additive to make the water “wetter”, decreasing any chance that dust could escape throughout the removal process. The cedar shakes and felt were sprayed and removed as they were applied, one layer at a time. The cedar shakes were then recycled and the felt underlayment was sprayed and double bagged. Due to the hazardous asbestos elements of the felt, it was disposed of at a registered dumpsite.

Madsen also removed the old built-up roofing from the flat portions on top of each building and on the decks over the front doors. The old flat systems also contained asbestos but to a lesser degree. During the removal the old membranes were burrito wrapped in plastic and removed to the proper local landfill.

Madsen Roofing crews then hand loaded the replacement roofing material up to each roof. The weight of the new tri-laminate shingles was approximately 510 pounds per square. Due to the weight, loading the roofs was another challenge for the crews.

It also flagged a concern about keeping the materials on the roof. Madsen recommended using six nails in each shingle. They also recommended the use of Cor-a-vent on the ridges to enhance the ventilation and the life of the new roofing system. “Madsen used the thickest shingle on the market and coupled with the presidential design, it makes for a very unique looking roof,” stated Greg Lyons, Sales Representative for Certainteed.

The flat sections of the roof were recovered using JStevens TPO EP Sheet single ply roofing. Most flat areas contained miscellaneous vents; air conditioning units and an access door, creating an intricate application for the single ply crews. The single ply was run up the walls and over the caps behind the new shingles. The walls were then capped with metal. The final details differed between buildings due to differing ownership. Madsen worked with each owner to develop systems that worked within their budgets yet were watertight.

The final phase was the reconstruction of the patio decks over the front entrances of the buildings. The decks had been designed incorrectly and water had been draining off the front of the deck, dripping on pedestrians. Madsen designed a system to build-up the roof deck to convert water to the extruded gutters at the back of the roof deck.

Madsen Roofing Company's attention to detail, follow-through and continued diligence made the Coventry Square project a triumph for everyone involved.

Madsen Roof Inc. has been in business for fourteen years. "We act as a roofing consultant selling value instead of price," ”said Christian Madsen, Vice President of Madsen Roof, Inc. "We stress education and believe that communication with our customers is a key part of a successful roofing project. Our proactive philosophy helps us deal with any possible challenges upfront."”

"The Coventry Square Job is a good showcase for Madsen Roof Company. The steepness of the roof made this job extremely difficult and Madsen did an outstanding job," stated Lyons. "Considering the entire scope of the job, not many contractors could pull it off the way they did."

Madsen Roof focuses on follow-through, education and safety. "In fourteen years we have absolutely no OSHA violations. We consistently keep in contact with OSHA to maintain our clean slate and stay safe in the workplace," continued Madsen.

Madsen's strong reputation in the roofing industry has been built by the example they set by continuously sticking to this philosophy. With Madsen's attention to detail, follow-through and continued diligence, Madsen Roof succeeded at making the Coventry Square project a triumph for everyone involved.