Dr. James Chen, proprietor of Altadena Family Dental, a thriving practice serving the community for over 15 years, encountered severe issues with his aging commercial flat roof. Years of exposure to Southern California’s intense sun and occasional heavy rains had left the 3,000 square foot roof beyond repair, causing persistent leaks that threatened expensive dental equipment worth over $500,000.
Water stains on the ceiling were visible in patient areas, potentially damaging the practice’s professional image. Dr. Chen needed a complete roof replacement solution that would not only solve the immediate problem but also provide long-term protection while minimizing disruption to his busy practice, which sees an average of 30 patients daily.
Recognizing the delicate nature of a dental practice environment, we devised a strategic plan to replace Dr. Chen’s flat roof efficiently while allowing his dental practice to continue operations with minimal interruption. Our team implemented a comprehensive solution that addressed both immediate concerns and future needs:
We began the project on a Friday evening after the practice closed, working through the weekend to minimize impact on Dr. Chen’s business. Using low-noise equipment to respect neighboring businesses and residents, we quickly removed the old roofing material, including the deteriorated built-up bitumen layers and damaged insulation. All waste was responsibly disposed of and recycled where possible, aligning with our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Taking advantage of the full roof replacement, we installed a state-of-the-art polyisocyanurate (polyiso) insulation system. This high R-value insulation significantly improved the building’s energy efficiency, promising to reduce Dr. Chen’s long-term operating costs. We carefully calculated the optimal insulation thickness to balance energy savings with roof height restrictions.
Our team applied a high-performance, long-lasting PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) flat roofing system designed to withstand Altadena’s climate. This system offers superior durability, excellent chemical resistance (important in a medical setting), and a highly reflective white surface to minimize heat absorption. We paid special attention to creating proper slopes for drainage and reinforcing areas around rooftop dental equipment.
