Tar and Gravel to Modified Bitumen Flat Roof Conversion in Atlanta

Older tar and gravel roofs have a lifespan - and when that lifespan runs out, you're left with a surface that's cracked, brittle, and constantly working against you. This building in Atlanta had exactly that. The existing BUR (built-up roofing) system was worn out, and there was also an abandoned AC unit sitting on the roof taking up space and creating more penetration points to worry about.

We stripped things back and converted the entire surface to a modified bitumen roofing system. Modified bitumen is a serious upgrade from traditional tar and gravel. It's a reinforced, multi-layer membrane that holds up better against foot traffic, weather stress, and the kind of thermal movement you get on a flat commercial roof in Georgia summers. It's also a lot easier to inspect and maintain down the road.

While we were at it, we pulled the old unused AC unit off the roof entirely and properly sealed that penetration. That's the kind of thing that gets overlooked but matters a lot. Every unnecessary penetration on a flat roof is a potential leak waiting to happen. Removing it and closing it off cleanly is just smart roofing practice.

The end result is a clean, uniform membrane surface with properly finished seams and a new drip edge along the perimeter. No more loose gravel, no more questionable patches, no more guessing where the next leak is coming from. The building owner now has a roof that's built to last and way simpler to maintain going forward.

Flat roof problems don't fix themselves - and in Atlanta's heat and rain, they tend to get worse faster than you'd expect. If your commercial roof is aging out or you're dealing with recurring issues, getting a straight answer from someone who actually knows flat roofing is worth your time.