At Just Roofing USA, every project is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. However, some projects carry an even deeper significance.
In August 2025, our team had the privilege of completing a major roofing overhaul for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) building in Ohio.
The VFW, a long-standing gathering place for veterans and their families, had been struggling with severe roofing issues for decades.
Standing water, leaks, and a poorly designed roof had plagued the building since its original construction in the 1960s.
For over 80 years, members of this community had been forced to endure these challenges, replacing ceiling tiles and patching interior damage as a temporary solution.
The time had finally come for a permanent fix.
This case study explores the scope, challenges, and successful outcome of this full roof replacement project, a transformation that not only improved the building structurally but also preserved its function as a cornerstone for local veterans.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting U.S. veterans through programs, resources, and community initiatives.
The Hubbard, Ohio, post is a cornerstone of the local community, serving veterans and their families with a place to gather, receive support, and honor their service.
The building itself was constructed in 1960 and has stood as a local landmark for more than 60 years.
Unfortunately, the original roof design had one critical flaw: it lacked the slope necessary to drain water properly.
This oversight plagued the facility for over eight decades, leading to repeated water pooling, chronic leaks, and ongoing interior damage.
By 2025, the VFW leadership knew they needed a permanent solution.
That’s when they called Just Roofing USA.
The VFW building was constructed in 1960, but from the very beginning, the roof presented problems.
The original design lacked proper slope, which led to standing water pooling on the surface year-round. For decades, this caused ongoing leaks, structural stress, and interior damage.
Veterans and staff frequently had to replace ceiling tiles and deal with water intrusion issues, creating disruption and unnecessary expense.
The building had been topped with a white TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) roof system with insulation underneath.
While TPO is an effective material for many applications, its performance depends heavily on proper slope and drainage design.
Without slope, water pooled into shallow “ponds” across the roof surface, leading to deterioration of seams and insulation.
Compounding the problem, there was no follow-up or corrective work done after the initial construction, and the roof essentially remained the same for decades.
Temporary fixes and patchwork repairs provided brief relief but never addressed the fundamental issue: poor drainage design.
This long-standing problem not only affected the building itself but also disrupted the VFW’s operations.
Community members often described the roof as a “swimming pool on top” of the building, a stark image of how severe the problem had become.
It was clear that a full removal and properly engineered replacement was the only path forward.
Client: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Hubbard, OH
Location: Hubbard, OH
Date: August 1–8, 2025
Project Type: Full Roof Replacement (Re-Roof)
Roof Type: TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) 60 mil membrane, manufactured by Versico
Size: 60 squares (approximately 6,000 square feet)
The scope of the project called for a complete removal of the existing roof system and installation of a new 60-mil TPO roof manufactured by Versico.
But unlike the original build, this new system would be carefully engineered with a tapered package system to provide a functional slope.
Full Roof Removal : Stripping the old TPO system down to the steel deck, ensuring a clean base for new construction.
The project was scheduled between August 1 and August 8, 2025, taking approximately 4–5 full working days within an 8-day timeframe.
This project presented several unique challenges that required problem-solving and creative engineering.
The biggest challenge was the history of standing water.
The roof had been flat for decades, and the existing drainage systems were ineffective.
Designing and implementing a tapered insulation system that would provide lasting runoff without disrupting the building’s structural integrity was critical.
Raising the roof slope also meant raising the parapet walls along the perimeter.
Without these adjustments, water could spill over improperly or create pressure points.
Ensuring the walls were extended by 10 inches while maintaining the building’s original aesthetic required precision.
With the slope change, all HVAC units needed to be adjusted to remain up to code.
This required raising curbs and hiring specialized contractors to disconnect, lift, and reinstall the equipment properly.
Coordinating this with the roofing team added complexity to the timeline.
The VFW is an active community hub, and the team prioritized minimizing disruption to its operations.
Although the building had to temporarily shut down during construction, communication with the leadership ensured schedules were respected, and the project was completed on time.
Despite these challenges, the team’s commitment to problem-solving, collaboration, and precision allowed the project to stay on track and meet its deadline.
The project began with a full tear-off of the existing TPO roof system, taking care to expose and preserve the steel deck underneath.
This revealed the full extent of the roof’s long-standing drainage issues and confirmed that a tapered system was necessary.
Next, crews installed the new tapered insulation system, carefully sloping the surface to a 1.5/12 pitch.
This allowed water to drain efficiently to designated points rather than pooling in the center. Every angle and slope was measured and verified to meet design specifications.
The parapet walls were extended by 10 inches around the perimeter of the roof to align with the raised slope.
This required additional framing and finishing to ensure both functionality and a seamless appearance with the existing architecture.
When the new tapered system raised the roof’s height, all rooftop HVAC units had to be adjusted to meet code.
Just Roofing brought in a specialized contractor equipped with a lift to safely remove each unit before construction began.
Once the new curbs were built up to the proper height and insulated for efficiency, an HVAC specialist reinstalled and reconnected the units to ensure full compliance and performance.
This coordination allowed the project to stay on schedule and ensured the system operated safely with the newly sloped roof.
Finally, the team installed a new 60-mil Versico TPO membrane, heat-welded at the seams for a watertight, durable finish.
The reflective surface helps improve energy efficiency while protecting the building from UV damage.
The project was completed in 4–5 working days, within the scheduled 8-day timeframe, despite weather setbacks.
The results of the project were transformative for the VFW.
For the first time in 80 years, the building had a properly sloped roof that eliminated standing water and the damage it caused.
Benefits included:
The project not only resolved structural issues but also reinforced the building’s role as a safe, welcoming space for veterans.
The satisfaction of the VFW members underscored the project’s success and highlighted the importance of roofing as a foundation for community spaces.
The Hubbard VFW project was more than just a roof replacement.
It was about solving an 80-year problem that had hindered a vital community space and ensuring that local veterans had a safe, functional, and reliable building to call their own.
By implementing a tapered roof system, upgrading parapet walls, and coordinating specialized solutions for HVAC and drainage, Just Roofing USA delivered a comprehensive solution that will serve the VFW for decades to come.
The project stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to quality, problem-solving, and community impact.
For Just Roofing USA, projects like these embody our mission: delivering not only reliable roofing systems but also peace of mind for the people and organizations that depend on them.
Don't wait for damage to escalate if your commercial property faces ongoing leaks, ponding water, or outdated roofing systems.
Contact Just Roofing USA today to schedule an inspection and explore tailored solutions that last.