Protecting Your Assets: Rapid Roof Remediation After Hurricane Helene

An example of Structura View's building enclosure consulting technology.

On September 26th, Hurricane Helene brought heavy rainfall and destructive winds to Florida, causing significant damage to the roof of a Big Lots store on the state’s west coast. The hurricane led to extensive water intrusion, requiring prompt action to prevent further damage and avoid disruption to business operations.

Roof moisture outlines in moisture survey
Visual Image of Big Lots Roof with Moisture
Intrusion Areas Highlighted in Blue
Thermal Image with
"Hot Spots" Showing Moisture Intrusion
Thermal Image of the Big Lots Roof with
“Hot Spots” Showing Moisture Intrusion

Structura View was contracted by the roofing contractor to conduct a comprehensive moisture survey and perform pull testing on the TPO roof membrane, which covered more than 38,000 square feet. Our team utilized various technologies and methods, including:

  • Drone-based visible and thermal imaging scans
  • Tramex RWS moisture meter testing
  • Core sampling
  • On-roof moisture outlining
  • Pull testing for assessing membrane adhesion

Our investigation identified moisture intrusion across multiple areas, affecting approximately 18,555 square feet. Nine distinct moisture areas were mapped, highlighted in the report, and marked directly on the roof. The pull testing revealed several adhesion issues in the TPO membrane.

RWS Scanner Identifies Moisture Near Tears in TPO Roof Membrane
RWS Scanner Identifies Moisture Near Tears in TPO Roof Membrane

Three days after completing the on-roof moisture survey, we delivered an initial report summarizing key findings and highlighting the identified moisture areas. A follow-up detailed report soon followed, documenting results from four core samples, including roof composition and moisture data for each layer in the roof. Additionally, the full report also included moisture scan results from 77 test points and results of the pull tests.

Throughout the project, Structura View worked closely with the client, helping to facilitate repairs and prompt remediation of the damaged areas. This enabled the client to fix the roof quickly without any disruption to business operations.

This case study highlights the importance of quick and decisive action after hurricane-related damage. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and our experience, Structura View helped the client quickly identify and address critical issues, ensuring the roof’s structural integrity and minimizing business interruptions.

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