Roofing Glossary

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Adhere

To cause two surfaces to be held together by adhesion, typically with asphalt or roofing cements in built-up roofing and with contact cements in some single-ply membranes.

Adhesion

The state in which two surfaces are held together by interfacial forces which may consist of molecular forces or interlocking action, or both.

Aggregate

Rock, stone, crushed stone, crushed slag, water-worn gravel or marble chips used for surfacing and/or ballasting a roof system.

Alligatoring

Shrinkage cracking of the bituminous surface of built up or smooth surface roofing, producing a pattern of deep cracks resembling an alligator hide.

Asbestos

A group of natural, fibrous, impure silicate materials used to reinforce some roofing products which have been outlawed and are the responsibility of the building owner to abate.

Asphalt Roof Cement

A trowelable mixture of solvent-based bitumen, mineral stabilizers, other fibers and/or fillers.

ASTM

American Society for Testing and Materials