Beyond Repair: How ReCover by Monolithic Can Help You Restore Your Domes and Recover Your Investments
The Monolithic Dome is the best structure for storing fertilizer. They are disaster-resistant and long-lasting, but like any other structure, the roofs are a maintenance item. At River Bend Ag in New Madrid, Missouri, their Monolithic Dome storages needed exterior renovation.
Before contacting Monolithic, the domes at River Bend Ag had passed the tipping point where liquid coatings could be successfully used in a regular maintenance schedule.
When Monolithic Domes are not routinely maintained, sometimes the exterior can deteriorate past the point where a simple coating will sufficiently meet the goal of providing long-term protection for the underlying polyurethane foam and structural steel and concrete. These storage domes in Missouri had reached this tipping point, and the company had multiple coating companies try and fail to install a new roof over the domes. The quotes for renovation using different methods from various companies were very expensive.
The two fertilizer storage domes at River Bend Ag were in bad shape. They had water leaks that were degrading the structures and had damaged products. Water will find its way into the concrete and rebar when the barrier between the dome structure and nature is breached. When this happens, the renovations necessary to save the building become more expensive every day that goes by.
A New Solution Using Proven Technology—ReCover by Monolithic
Our solution for River Bend was to install a new, flexible, breathable roofing membrane over the dome. This membrane is attached directly to the dome with concrete anchors. It protects the original foam and carries a 15-year warranty.
Monolithic teamed up with Duro-Last Roofing to create this method for renovating Monolithic Domes which we are calling ReCover.
The crew makes their way around the building. Previous attempts to coat the dome are illustrated.
Our Partner, Duro-Last
While the application of Duro-Last’s PVC roofing membrane system to Monolithic Domes is new, the company and its products have been around for four decades. Their roofing system has been tested and installed on “billions of square feet of roofs across North America,” according to their website.
Duro-Last maintains an office and manufacturing facility close to our headquarters here in Texas. We have worked side-by-side on the installation process to ensure the use of their proven singly-ply roofing membranes will convert to use on curved architecture.
ReCover by Monolithic is Fully Customizable
Almost done—just a few more panels to install.
Monolithic Domes always have additional architectural or functional elements that intersect the domes. Storage domes will have material handling equipment like conveyors, industrial bays, pillars, and hatches. In New Madrid, our team used computer-aided tools to customize the membrane to allow for these elements, and the crew reinforced and waterproofed each intersection according to prescribed installation procedures. This ensures the storage domes will fun for many years to come.
ReCover Restores Investments
The new roofing membranes are securely attached to the domes. The breathable PVC system allows any moisture trapped in the original insulation to evaporate while protecting the foam from damaging UV rays and vapor drive. The life of their new roof is estimated at 20+ years.
River Bend Ag saw instant benefits as soon as the new roof was installed. They report that the product stored inside is dry and clean.
Monolithic Constructors, Inc. started the Monolithic Dome business 50 years ago. Unlike hiring a local roof vendor that will disappear when things get tough, we are here to stay. My dad would say: “Once you coat a roof, you own the roof,“ and he was right. Hiring us to renovate and ReCover your Monolithic Dome means having a partner for life.
Call us today at 972-482-7423 to talk about solutions for renovating your Monolithic Dome!
Dome One is nearly finished, only the column supports are remaining. Dome Two is still being ReCovered.
The ReCover membrane adheres closely to the foam, protecting it from new water penetration while allowing existing moisture to evaporate.
A crew from Monolithic installs the first panel of the ReCover system.
The membrane is attached to the structure with concrete anchors. There will be a concrete curb poured around the base to finish the project.
The new roofs on the River Bend Ag domes are estimated to last 20+ years with minimal maintenance.