Storing Items on a Rubber Roof

[Lazy Daze]

Are there any roofers here that deal with rubber roofs?

I have a flat rubber roof on top of a store. The roof is in great shape, but I'd like to store some bulky items up there (aluminum docks). I have no concerns about the weight as they're not that heavy and the load will be well dispersed.

My question/concern is about maintaining the integrity of the rubber. We'll elevate the docks off the rubber... but what about the contact points of whatever blocking we use? I was originally thinking of wood - but maybe we shold first put down some squares of HDPE? And round the corners off so they don't dig in? Am I overthinking this?

 

[randmhall]

My concern isn't the storage as much as the movement on and off. Stupid forklift operators for example. HVAC units sit on TPO roofs all the time. But you can build a good sized metal storage building for the price of replacing a roof when someone screws up the placement.

 

[PlayDate]

For what it is worth.....we have tried multiple approaches to supporting AC units on our DC rental properties membrane roofs.

We started with pressure treated wood to disperse the weight and control the rot. The problem was the weight (AC plus support platform) would still depress the wood between the support beams and create ponds of water. The vibration from the AC compressor probably didn't help. The roofing guys wanted to create a galvanized grid that rested on the building walls for weight bearing which was insane for a single residential AC unit.

In the end, we ended up using horse stall pads (wife is into horses) to handle the loads on the roof. They are 4'x6' weigh 100 pounds, weather/UV proof, dense rubber at available at Tractor Supply for $56 a piece. We have used horse stall pads for 10 years with zero problems.

The other thing to think about is can a wind storm blow off what you have on the roof? AC units are porous and accept high winds pretty well.

 

[Scott215]

If it's rubber like RPI or whatever it's best to foot down a few strips of rubber before you put your blocking down to set something on top of it for storage not just a 2x6 or a 2x8 but another piece of rubber under the sleeper that you're going to put your stuff on

 

[Lazy Daze]

My concern isn't the storage as much as the movement on and off. Stupid forklift operators for example. HVAC units sit on TPO roofs all the time. But you can build a good sized metal storage building for the price of replacing a roof when someone screws up the placement.

Can I build the metal storage unit on top of my roof? I'm out of real estate at the ground level

 

[Lazy Daze]

Excellent. I think the idea of putting down a rubber mat is exactly what I needed. That will ensure I don't damage the roof.

I will be shrink wrapping the docks (these are aluminum docks that are used a boat show) so windage is a concern. I can cut wind holes in the sides... but I think the edges of the docks are going to grip into the rubber pretty well.

That's a good price on that rubber matting, too.

Good... thanks guys, that helps!

 

[Scott215]

Just make sure that wherever you're putting down your sleepers or your posts or whatever to hold that up you have another layer of 060 rubber under that it's your protect the actual roof and spread the load

 

[Lazy Daze]

Just make sure that wherever you're putting down your sleepers or your posts or whatever to hold that up you have another layer of 060 rubber under that it's your protect the actual roof and spread the load

Yes, I agree. That was definitely one of my main concerns. It looks like that heavy rubber pad will fit the bill.