For more than 15 years, the Albuquerque Convention Center has been the home of major concert events and conventions in the heart of downtown Albuquerque, N.M. Built in the early 1990s, the east section of the building’s original roofing system was a 215,919-square-foot 60-mil fully adhered Firestone RubberGard EPDM system with a five-year warranty.

For more than 15 years, the Albuquerque Convention Center has been the home of major concert events and conventions in the heart of downtown Albuquerque, N.M. Built in the early 1990s, the east section of the building’s original roofing system was a 215,919-square-foot 60-mil fully adhered Firestone RubberGard EPDM system with a five-year warranty. Although the roof performed well and the EPDM membrane remained in good shape 10 years after the warranty expired, some leaks occurred due to lack of preventative maintenance.

The city and convention center officials took a proactive approach to correct the problem by seeking out different options, from installing a new roof to making repairs to the original system. After careful consideration, they decided that repairing the existing system was the most cost effective option and a sound investment for the future of the roof.

Firestone technical representatives inspected the roof and determined that with some minor repairs and upgrades, they could issue a new five-year Red Shield warranty. The project was bid and awarded to National Roofing Company Inc., located in Albuquerque.

The repairs included stripping the seams as needed; reinstalling the base tie-ins; replacing all damaged sections of the roof with new 60-mil RubberGard EPDM and two-inch Firestone ISO 95+ insulation; repairing walls and curbs; repairing or reinstalling all flashing, as required, along with new walkways; wrapping six foot walls with EPDM; and installing Firestone pre-finished metal coping.

Firestone AcryliTop coating was applied to the convention center’s roof membrane to enhance the investment and extend the life of the roof. AcryliTop coating provides energy savings and protection on dark-colored rooftops where temperatures can reach more than 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius). The white coating on the convention center’s roof will help in the reduction of the urban “heat island” effect caused by the building’s existing dark membrane.

The new roof will provide long-term cost savings to the city of Albuquerque in cooling and energy costs. Additionally, the immediate environmental impact of repairing the roof rather than tearing it off saved labor and energy costs of hauling more than 140,000 pounds of waste material into the city’s landfill and eliminated thousands of dollars, which would have been needed for diesel fuel and disposal fees. The cost savings to taxpayers to do a restoration, rather than a reroof, was almost $1 million.

“We are very pleased with the professionalism and overall experience with Firestone Building Products and National Roofing,” said Harry Gordon, director of operations, Albuquerque Convention Center. “The convention center’s roof has not only been fixed, it has been enhanced with a white coating to protect it from the New Mexico sun and its damaging effects.”

As with any roofing system, pro-active maintenance and care will protect your investment and ensure that it lasts for years to come. Also, be sure to check the status of your roof’s warranty and stay in contact with your local contractor for required inspections and maintenance.

For more information, visit www.firestonebpco.com.