Failing Access Hatch Swapped in Under a Week

The Roof Condition

Maintenance staff at this Oakville commercial building were accessing the roof through a hatch that had become a liability. Years of exposure had warped the frame, seized the opening mechanism, and worn the weatherproofing down to nothing.

Every time someone needed to get up top for an HVAC check or a roof inspection, they were wrestling with a hatch that didn’t want to open — and when it did, it wasn’t keeping water out. What should be routine access had turned into a safety concern the building owner couldn’t keep ignoring.

The Replacement Process

We assessed the existing hatch and surrounding roof structure, confirmed measurements for the new unit, then removed the old hatch without damaging the membrane around it.

A new access hatch went in with upgraded insulation and full weatherproofing — sealed tight to the existing roof system and tested for smooth operation before handoff.

The Videl Difference

Roof penetrations are where most leaks start. A hatch that doesn’t seal properly is just an open invitation for water damage — and most building owners don’t think about it until something goes wrong inside.

We treated this like what it is: a critical part of the building envelope. The new unit is insulated, properly sealed, and built for the kind of regular use a commercial property demands. Quick turnaround, zero disruption to building operations, and the owner now has safe, reliable roof access that actually keeps the weather out.