Holcim Elevate (Formerly Firestone) Roofing in Pasadena, CA

On a Holcim Elevate roof, the edge metal tends to go before the membrane does. Wind pries at the drip edge, the cleat that holds it loosens, and a gap opens that lets air under the sheet and water under the metal. Holcim Elevate is the current brand on many roofs whose original records say Firestone Building Products. Before choosing a membrane family, we look at the deck, edge profile, wind exposure, drainage and the equipment paths that will cross it. Familiar product names such as UltraPly TPO and RubberGard EPDM remain in use. We install, repair and maintain these systems across Pasadena, from older storefront blocks to foothill buildings that take Santa Ana gusts. We begin each job at the perimeter, because the edge is where wind loads concentrate and where a good crew shows its fit and finish.

Seam Prep, Fastener Plates and Cover Board

Before a sheet goes onto the older blocks of Old Pasadena or along Colorado Boulevard, we find out whether the deck is poured concrete or wood plank, because the attachment has to suit the one beneath. On a mechanically attached sheet, each fastener and plate must sit flat, in a straight row, and at the spacing the wind zone requires. Adhered sheets depend on the deck being clean and dry before bonding adhesive goes down. For TPO we clean the seam, weld with steady heat and probe the edge, and for EPDM we prime and roll the splice. A cover board over the insulation spreads the load from foot traffic and protects the board from tool drops and dropped equipment. We lay out the roof on paper first, so crews are never improvising at a corner.

RubberGard EPDM Beside UltraPly TPO

RubberGard EPDM is a cured rubber sheet, flexible in cold and tolerant of the small movement a building makes with temperature. The standard sheet is black, though white-faced versions exist for roofs that must reflect heat. UltraPly TPO is a white thermoplastic whose seams are fused with hot air, which makes it a familiar choice for cool roof rules. The two behave differently at details: EPDM wraps awkward shapes easily, while TPO prefers clean lines and welded flashing patches. For an owner choosing between EPDM and TPO, the real questions are the number of penetrations, the amount of foot traffic and what the energy code expects. Neighboring options from Carlisle SynTec raise the same questions.

Hastings Ranch and Santa Ana Winds

Upper Hastings Ranch in east Pasadena is one of the city's mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zones, along with much of the Arroyo Seco, so a reroof there falls under the wildland-urban interface rules, which call for a Class A assembly in the Very High zone once more than half the roof is replaced in a year. The Santa Ana winds that preceded the Eaton Fire in January 2025, which began near Altadena, were forecast at 30 to 50 miles per hour, with widespread gusts of 60 to 80 and isolated gusts higher still. A roof edge in that exposure must be mechanically secure, and the corner and perimeter zones need more fasteners than the field. We review the East Pasadena roofs we repair for edge fastener density, parapet height and the condition of the rooftop units, and we correct problems before the next wind season.

Metro A Line Retail and Mixed-Use Roofs

The Metro A Line has drawn about 750,000 square feet of new commercial space and roughly 2,000 residential units to its Pasadena stations since construction began. A building that puts retail below and apartments above tends to have a rooftop crowded with equipment, an exhaust stack or two and often a deck or amenity space. Such a roof punishes a membrane through constant service. The sheet needs walk lanes, well-flashed curbs and drains placed where a technician can reach them. Parking structures, restaurants and tenant fit-outs all feed new penetrations into the roof over time, and each one is a place for water to enter. A shopping center roof shares much of that pattern, so we keep a flashing patch kit on every service visit.

Seasonal Walks and Edge Checks

A Holcim Elevate roof needs a short, regular routine. Each fall, before the rain, we clear the drains, check the edge cleats and fasteners, walk the seams and look at each curb and boot. After a major wind we return to look at the edge metal and the first row of fasteners. The findings from every visit go into a photo report, so an owner or contractor has a record when a question comes up. When the roof is on an occupied building, we also agree in advance on the quiet hours, the access route and the loading area. We compare the details on GAF systems when an owner is weighing another membrane family.

Commercial Roofing Questions

Do I still call it Firestone when I order service on this roof?

If the original records say Firestone, include them when you call. We identify the membrane and accessories from those records and a field inspection before selecting compatible repair materials.

Is white EPDM a better choice than TPO for a roof with many small penetrations?

It can be. Rubber wraps pipes and awkward shapes without the corner patches that thermoplastic needs, and it tolerates movement. White-faced EPDM can also reflect heat, though the aged reflectance must be checked against the energy code. TPO remains attractive where the roof is large, open and simple.

How windy does it need to be before edge metal fails?

A failing edge does not wait for a record gust. If the cleat is loose or the fasteners have lost their grip, ordinary afternoon wind can start lifting the drip edge. We check the metal by hand and replace anything that moves, because a loose edge is far cheaper to fix before the sheet starts peeling.

Can EPDM be reroofed over an older mechanically attached sheet?

In many cases, provided the insulation is dry and the deck is sound. We test the existing roof for moisture, fasten a cover board and keep the old fasteners from telegraphing through. When the old sheet is damp, tear-off is the safer path. Our written findings spell out which situation applies.

What proof can I ask for that the roof meets a Class A fire rating?

Ask for the listed assembly: deck, underlayment, insulation and covering as a tested set. California Chapter 7A reads the rating from the whole assembly, so a data sheet for the membrane alone is not enough. We provide the assembly listing with the written scope.

Have Us Look at the Edge of Your Roof

Bring us the building and we will check the cleats, fasteners and terminations around your perimeter, because the details decide whether wind or water gets in first. Call to schedule a visit, or call at any hour if a storm has already started.