Bell Deck Roofing

We often see water damage and structural weakness in the steeple due to leaks through and around Bell Decks. Repairs to the structure, flashing and roofing are usually called for in the Assessment. Soldered Copper roofing is the preferred solution on exposed bell decks and will outlive even a “well installed” rubber roof by far. Since so much of the effort to reroof calls for rigging gear to remove and replace the heavy bell, it is illogical to go with the cheaper rubber roof. It would be a shame to spend good money on structural repairs and/or roofing and have to come back and do it again in 20 years. If bell deck reroofing is called for, include a proposal for soldered copper, as an alternate, in your proposal. If the proposal includes EPDM (rubber) roofing, it must be installed by a roofing contractor and be backed up by a manufacturer’s warranty.