Sika Sarnafil Roofing in South Bend, IN

A line of dull, slick staining runs from the kitchen exhaust fan across the white roof of a hotel, and by the time the engineer notices it, the sheet around the fan housing has gone soft and the drain nearby is half full of grease. That is the moment the call reaches us in South Bend, IN, and the manufacturer on the paperwork is Sika Sarnafil. Sarnafil is known for PVC membranes, and PVC is the sheet many roofing people reach for when a roof sits below exhaust that sends fats and oils onto the surface. So the first question is whether the roof is behaving as the sheet should, or whether something has changed the conditions around it. We go up, look at the fan, the pad, the drain and the seam, and then tell the engineer what we see in order.

The mix of uses in East Bank Village includes housing, offices, retail and a technology/medical corridor. Before repairing a Sarnafil roof there, coordinate access, nearby air intakes and staging with the property contact; the installed assembly determines the compatible repair detail.

Why PVC sits under exhaust

PVC is a thermoplastic that resists many of the animal fats, oils and chemicals that attack other single plies, which is why it turns up on kitchens, labs and food plants. Sarnafil sells membranes in several lines, including felt-backed versions that are adhered to the substrate, and the right repair depends on which one is on the roof. Resistance is not the same as immunity. Grease that builds up over time collects dirt, holds water against seams and clogs drains, so a PVC roof near a vent still needs cleaning and a look at the PVC sheet at least once a season. For a roof that sees heavier chemical exposure, KEE formulations are another option, and we explain the choice when a client asks.

Welds, probes and cold mornings

PVC seams are fused with hot air, and a good weld shows a small, even bead of melted material at the edge. A poor weld can look the same from a distance. We probe each seam with a metal pick, press along the edge and test the welds around penetrations, where the sheet changes direction. Repairs call for a clean, dry surface, and PVC is especially particular about the cleaner and the temperature of the welder. In the cold months, when meltwater film or frost is on the sheet, the work moves to a temporary dry-in with a return visit after the sheet is dry. A weld made in the wrong conditions may hold for a month and fail at the next hard freeze, which is a much more expensive lesson than waiting a day.

Flashing is where PVC gets hurt

The open field of a PVC roof is usually the most reliable part. Trouble starts where pipes, conduit, curbs and drains interrupt it, because each opening needs a boot, a flashing or a welded collar that has to stay bonded through years of expansion and contraction. South Bend has recorded -22 F and 104 F, and a pipe boot that fits snugly in July can pull away from its pipe in January. We look at every penetration, feel for gaps along the base and check whether the flashing is the same material as the sheet or something added later with sealant. Where a boot has failed, the lasting repair is a welded or mechanically terminated flashing, not another coat of mastic over the old one.

Tall buildings feel the gusts first

The hotel at South Bend, which opened on March 1, 2023, is the second-tallest building in the city, and a hotel roof at that height meets the wind sooner than a low building does. South Bend has recorded a 92 mph gust, and the edge metal, copings and perimeter membrane are the first places a sheet shows strain. On any Sarnafil roof, we check termination bars, edge flashing and the corners where the sheet turns up a wall. We also look at the drains, since the 24-hour rainfall record of 4.88 inches set in August 1995 asks a lot of drains and scuppers on a flat roof. Clogged strainers are cheap to clear and expensive to ignore.

Quiet roofs over sensitive rooms

Some buildings have rooms below the roof that cannot tolerate surprises. Union Station Technology Center, called the largest data center in the northern part of the state, shows the stakes, and a data center operator needs to know the schedule, the access route and the dry-in plan before any crew steps on a roof. The Veterans Affairs clinic at Mishawaka is a single-story building with three clerestory atrium entrances, and any roof repair there has to keep noise, fumes and dust away from every door patients use. We send a tenant notice in advance, stage materials away from intakes and keep access routes clear. Work near air intakes follows the building engineer's instructions.

What goes in the engineer's folder

After the visit, the engineer or property manager gets a roof plan with the grease-affected areas marked, a photo log of the seams and flashing, and a short written summary of what was repaired. If a section needs replacement, we price it separately and describe the choices, including whether the existing insulation can stay. We also record the exhaust source, because a roof that sees the same grease every week needs a cleaning plan as much as a patch. A follow-up inspection can check repaired welds, wall flashing, drain sumps and walk pads after winter conditions have passed. Owners with other makers on other buildings, such as Duro-Last or Versico, get the same format of record.

Commercial Roofing Questions

Does grease from a restaurant or kitchen exhaust shorten the life of a PVC roof?

PVC resists fats and oils better than many single plies, but heavy buildup still collects dirt and holds water against the seams. Clean the area on a regular schedule, keep the grease trap or exhaust filter maintained and have us look at the seams around the fan. We can show you how the roof is behaving before it becomes a repair.

Can a failed PVC seam be repaired in winter?

If safe access permits, a compatible cover can limit further exposure; a lasting weld needs a dry, clean sheet and suitable temperatures. The permanent repair can be scheduled when conditions allow. If the building is occupied, we plan the sequence around tenant hours and the interior damage so no one waits longer than necessary.

How do I know whether my Sarnafil roof is adhered or mechanically fastened?

Look for a smooth surface without visible fastener lines, which suggests adhered, or a pattern of plates or bars along the seams, which suggests fastened. Documents often name the system, and a roof inspection or selected sample can help identify the assembly. We map the attachment on the roof plan, since wind repairs and recovers depend on it.

Our hotel roof has a lot of rooftop equipment. What do you check first?

We begin with the pads and curbs, since vibration and service traffic damage the sheet around equipment before the open field shows trouble. Next come drains, which carry both rain and condensate, and the flashing where pipes and conduit leave the roof. Then we produce a map that shows each unit and its condition.

Should the roof over a data center get a different repair schedule?

The sequence should account for the building's risk controls. Coordinate with the operator on access, the protection plan and how much roof area can safely be open at once. Weather watches matter more than usual, and we would rather postpone than open a roof ahead of a storm.

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