As it turns out, looking down at our fleet of service trucks from five stories in the air gives you a whole new appreciation for commercial roofing. We headed out to a beautiful multi-family property in Williamsburg to perform a bi-annual commercial maintenance inspection, and the sheer height of the building was only half the challenge. This project became a perfect example for our Roofing for Reel series because it shows exactly what it takes to protect large-scale local properties in our unpredictable Tidewater climate.

The Problem: Invisible Vulnerabilities and Hard-to-Reach Areas

When you are managing a massive property, a tiny roof leak can travel through multiple floors before anyone even notices a water stain on the ceiling. On this specific building, the layout presented two major challenges for routine care:

  • Restricted Access: This roof couldn't be accessed safely from an exterior ladder. To even get our boots on the roof, we had to coordinate closely with the building's residents to use specialized interior hatches.

  • Varying Architectural Slopes: The roof features a complex architectural blend—steep perimeter slopes lined with heavy Grand Manor luxury asphalt shingles, which transition directly into a large, hidden flat roof section.

Because coastal Virginia winds, high humidity, and heavy rain put incredible stress on these transition points, skipping routine check-ups simply wasn't an option for the property owners.

The Technical: Grand Manor Shingles and Fibertite Membranes

To keep a building of this size completely watertight, the architecture relies on two very different, high-performance roofing systems working together.

First, along the steep architectural slopes, the building features Grand Manor shingles. These are thick, multi-layered luxury shingles designed to mimic the heavy look of natural slate while offering exceptional wind resistance against coastal storms.

Second, the flat upper roof section utilizes a Fibertite membrane. Unlike residential shingle roofs that shed water down a slope, flat roofs need a completely sealed, continuous barrier. Fibertite uses a specialized formula that resists ponding water, UV breakdown, and chemical exposure from HVAC units.

During our walkthrough, The Roofing Company, Inc. team focused heavily on inspecting the hot-air welded seams of the flat membrane and testing the sealants around the roof penetrations—like pipes and exhaust vents—where leaks are most likely to start.

The Professional Solution: The Bi-Annual Maintenance Inspection

Because this property is so difficult to access, the management team brought us out to establish a proactive, bi-annual maintenance program. Instead of waiting for a catastrophic leak to disrupt the families living inside, we come back twice a year to catch small vulnerabilities early.

Safety is always our absolute top priority on a job like this. Before pulling out a single tool, our crew rigged up full safety harnesses and secured themselves to designated anchor points. We carefully checked every square inch of the transitions between the flat Fibertite membrane and the steep Grand Manor shingles, cleaning out drainage paths and reinforcing sealants where needed. This meticulous, professional care gives the property owners total peace of mind, knowing their roof is ready to handle whatever the next local Nor'easter throws its way.

Keeping your home or commercial property dry starts with a quick check-up. Whenever you're ready to take a closer look at your roof's health, whether you're managing an apartment complex on the Peninsula or a neighborhood home on the Southside, we're just a phone call away. Give us a shout at 757-867-6600 or view our website to see how we can help protect your investment.