TPO Roof Replacement — Take 5 Oil Change, Alexandria, KY
TNT Roofing & Restoration LLC completed a full commercial roof replacement for Take 5 Oil Change in Alexandria, Kentucky — removing a deteriorated ballasted gravel roof system and installing a new TPO membrane with polyisocyanurate insulation. This page documents the full project from initial inspection through finished installation.
Project Overview
Take 5 Oil Change operates a busy commercial service facility on the US-27 corridor in Alexandria, Kentucky. The existing flat roof — a ballasted gravel-over-modified-bitumen system — had reached the end of its serviceable life. Pooling water, cracked membrane seams, and moisture-saturated insulation were creating active leak risk into the occupied commercial building below.
After a free commercial roof inspection, TNT Roofing recommended a full tear-off and TPO membrane replacement with new polyisocyanurate insulation board. This approach provided the property with a clean, warrantied, and energy-efficient roofing system built to perform for decades with minimal maintenance.
This is a real completed project by TNT Roofing & Restoration LLC. All images on this page were taken on-site by our team during the actual inspection and installation process.
Project Details
- Location
- Alexandria, KY (Campbell County)
- Building Type
- Commercial — Quick Lube Service
- Previous System
- Ballasted gravel / modified bitumen
- New System
- TPO single-ply membrane
- Insulation
- Polyisocyanurate board
- Attachment
- Mechanically fastened
- Roof Features
- Multiple skylights, pipe penetrations, flat parapet
The Customer's Challenge
The Take 5 location in Alexandria had a flat commercial roof that was visibly deteriorating. The ballasted gravel system — once a common approach for flat roof construction — had developed multiple failure points that were progressing toward active water intrusion into the occupied building.
For a quick-service automotive business, a leak is not just a maintenance issue — it is a safety and liability concern. The property owner needed a contractor who could assess the situation honestly, mobilize quickly, and complete the work with minimal disruption to the business.
Project Photos
Why We Recommended TPO
TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) is the most widely installed commercial flat roofing membrane in the country — and for good reason. For a commercial building like Take 5 Oil Change with multiple roof penetrations, skylight curbs, and a parapet wall perimeter, TPO offered the best combination of long-term waterproofing, workability, and value.
Unlike the original ballasted system, TPO is mechanically fastened and heat-welded — meaning every seam is fused by a hot-air weld tool, not lapped with tape or adhesive. The result is a monolithic, fully bonded membrane system with no reliance on sealants that degrade over time.
The white reflective surface also reduces summer heat gain, which is a meaningful benefit for a building with service bays that generate significant internal heat.
Installation Process
Every step of the installation followed standard commercial flat roofing best practices. Below is the sequence our crew used on this project.
Full Tear-Off
All stone ballast, failed membrane, and degraded insulation board were removed and hauled off the property. The existing deck was inspected for damage or soft spots.
Deck Preparation
The concrete deck was cleaned, swept, and any surface irregularities were addressed to ensure a consistent substrate for the new insulation and membrane.
Insulation Board Installation
New polyisocyanurate (polyiso) insulation boards were mechanically fastened to the deck in a staggered pattern to eliminate thermal bridging and provide a flat, consistent surface.
TPO Membrane Roll-Out
TPO membrane sheets were unrolled and positioned across the insulation field, overlapping at the seams in preparation for heat welding.
Heat-Welded Seam Fusion
All seams were heat-welded using a commercial hot-air welding tool, fusing the TPO sheets together into a single continuous membrane layer.
Penetration Flashing
Every roof penetration — pipe boots, vent stacks, and HVAC curbs — was re-flashed with matching TPO pockets and heat-welded to the field membrane.
Skylight Curb Integration
Existing skylight curbs were cleaned and stripped of old flashing material. New TPO skylight curb wraps were installed and heat-welded to the field membrane.
Edge Termination
Aluminum termination bar was mechanically fastened along the parapet walls and perimeter. Edge detail was completed with mechanically attached TPO edge metal.
Challenges During Installation
Commercial roof replacements on occupied buildings involve challenges that residential projects rarely present. The Take 5 location in Alexandria was no exception.
The business remained operational throughout the project, which required our crew to work around the building's daily customer traffic, manage material staging carefully, and maintain a clean job site at all times. Gravel and torn material were contained and removed in a controlled manner to avoid any impact on the parking lot or drive-through lanes below.
The multiple skylight curbs on this roof also required detailed attention — each one needed to be fully stripped, cleaned, and re-flashed before the TPO field membrane was tied in. This is a critical detail on any flat roofing project because improperly flashed skylights are one of the most common sources of commercial roof leaks.
Materials Used
TPO Single-Ply Membrane
White thermoplastic polyolefin membrane — mechanically fastened and heat-welded for a fully bonded, waterproof roofing system.
Polyisocyanurate Insulation Board
High-R-value closed-cell foam board providing thermal resistance and a flat, consistent substrate for the TPO membrane.
TPO Pipe Boots
Pre-formed TPO pipe boots heat-welded to the field membrane — fully integrated, not caulked or adhesive-bonded.
TPO Skylight Curb Wraps
TPO pockets fabricated to match each skylight curb profile — heat-welded to provide a watertight curb-to-membrane transition.
Aluminum Termination Bar
Mechanically fastened perimeter termination bar providing a secure, weather-resistant edge detail at parapet walls.
Drip Edge / Edge Metal
Coated aluminum edge metal at the building perimeter — mechanically fastened and overlapped for clean water shedding at the eave.
Benefits to the Customer
The deteriorated membrane was the source of ongoing water intrusion risk. The new TPO system eliminates that risk entirely.
A properly installed TPO system provides 20–30 years of expected service — far longer than patching an aged membrane would have achieved.
The white reflective TPO surface reduces solar heat gain, which translates to lower cooling costs for the building's occupied service bays.
The customer's business operated without interruption. The site was kept clear of debris throughout, and a full cleanup was completed upon project completion.
Photo documentation of all pre-existing conditions, progress stages, and finished details provides the property owner with a permanent project record.
TNT Roofing coordinated the project sequence to minimize impact on the active business below, including controlled staging of all materials.
Why Choose TNT Roofing & Restoration LLC
TNT Roofing & Restoration LLC is a licensed, insured, family-owned commercial roofing contractor based in Northern Kentucky. We handle commercial flat roofing projects of all sizes — from small retail pad sites to larger multi-building commercial properties across Campbell, Kenton, and Boone Counties.
What sets us apart is straightforward: we do not oversell, we do not recommend replacement when repair is appropriate, and we do not cut corners on materials or installation details. Every project gets the same attention regardless of size.
If you manage or own a commercial property in Alexandria, KY or anywhere in Northern Kentucky with a flat or low-slope roof that needs inspection, repair, or replacement, call us for a free, no-pressure assessment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is TPO roofing and why is it used on commercial buildings?
How long does a commercial TPO roof last?
Does TNT Roofing handle commercial roofing in Alexandria, KY?
What is the difference between TPO and EPDM flat roofing?
What does a commercial TPO roof replacement cost?
Do you offer free commercial roof inspections in Northern Kentucky?
Can my commercial roof be repaired instead of replaced?
Does Your Commercial Roof Need Attention?
If you own or manage a commercial property in Alexandria, KY or anywhere in Northern Kentucky with a flat or low-slope roof, contact TNT Roofing & Restoration LLC for a free inspection. We provide a written assessment of your roof's condition with no charge and no obligation.
Serving Alexandria, KY · Campbell County · Northern Kentucky · Greater Cincinnati