Be prepared - Isaac on track to impact

RoofConnect would like to remind you of things you can do now to prepare for damaging wind and rain.

Isaac Slowly Strengthening

"The eye of Isaac is evident on satellite and the National Hurricane Center is forecasting the storm to strengthen into a hurricane by Tuesday. The forecast track takes him over New Orleans Tuesday afternoon or evening."

Tropical Storm & Hurricane Preparedness: Are your roofs ready? Are you Ready?

Evaluate your roofs and prepare a plan of action before the next Tropical Storm or Hurricane mounts an assault.  Now a crucial time to evaluate your roofs and prepare a plan of action. 

Careful installation practices and annual maintenance can make a significant difference in a roof’s hurricane preparedness. Here are a few of the things you should check to make sure your properties are prepared to survive a hurricane.

TO DO...Now:

1. Schedule RoofConnect to perform your roof’s annual maintenance if you have not done so already.
2. RoofConnect will create a proper plan to meet specific needs at each site. 
3. Train your property management staff now – educating during a hurricane warning can be stressful.
4. Take photographs or video of your establishments inside and out, from all angles. This will help to substantiate insurance claims later.
5. Regularly clean drains, gutters and downspouts of your buildings.
6. RoofConnect can verify that all permanent rooftop equipment is secure.  - Improperly secured machinery causes membrane separation & leaks.
7. Determine and acquire emergency equipment and supplies to have on hand in the event of a storm (e.g., heavy plastic sheeting, tie-downs for sheeting and rooftop equipment, duct tape, masking tape, sandbags, emergency generator, storm shutters, large pieces of plywood, hand tools and other essential items).

TO DO...When a Hurricane Watch is Issued:

1. Check and secure equipment on rooftops – HVAC equipment, ventilation piping, exhaust fans and vents must be secured to the roof – these things can become missiles!
2. Remove loose objects, loose gravel and debris from the roof. 
3. Bring in display racks and other objects usually left outside. 
4. Remove antennas, outdoor signs, especially those that swing or are portable.
5. Close all doors and secure all windows. A RICOWI (Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues) study found that a surprising number of roof failures were due to doors and windows that had been left open or shattered.  When high speed winds entered buildings through these spaces, roofs can be compromised.

A helpful roof evaluation checklist can be found at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety's web site: http://disastersafety.org/hurricane/evaluating-the-roof/

As always, RoofConnect can help in an emergency…Before, during and after the storm:

• Safety is always first and foremost. 
• We will conduct a thorough roof inspection and adhere to the specific manufacturer requirements.  
• A proper plan is executed with you to meet specific needs at each site.  
• All federal and local guidelines must be followed to protect all personnel before entering the disaster zone and while on site. 
• Proper documentation is always provided at project close out.
• Our work and materials meet the standards of insurance coverage claims. 

To schedule an evaluation of your roof, call 24/7/365 877-942-5613 or visit http://www.roofconnect.com/request-a-roof-evaluation.html

RoofConnect, Liz Cleveland

Unusual Things We Find on the Roof

Recently, I was on a roof in Louisiana during some stormy weather.  While I was walking the roof I found a Spiderman action figure standing independently in the middle of the roof defying the storm gusts!  How was Spidey just standing there in the middle of the roof?  I had to scale a 200 lb, 30 ft.  tall ladder to get on the roof.  So, unless a kid was bitten by a radioactive spider, how did it get there?  It's amazing how many times we ponder the obscure items we find on a roof!

RoofConnect maintains millions of square feet of roofing.  We are on roofs over 15,000 times a year and sometimes our techs find some interesting items.  Here are 6 of the more unusual things.

1. Bullets and bullet holes.  Our techs send us pictures of roofs that are riddled with bullet holes and have the actual slugs on them from people shooting their weapons into the air.  Well, what goes up must come down, and thankfully onto a roof and not a person.  “Lead” precipitation is definitely not covered under warranty!

2. Trees and Shrubs.  I know that you are thinking, “Hey! Green roofing is not unusual!”  However, these trees and shrubs are unintentional.  We once removed a 4 foot tall mimosa tree from a roof in Florida that had rooted completely through the built-up roof to the deck.  This is why we recommend clearing gutters and drains bi-annually!

3. A clothes line - with the clothes still clothes-pinned on the line.

4. A Santa Suit!  No Santa though. 

5. Animals.  We have certainly seen lots of winged animals, squirrels, and rats.  Animal nesting and waste is a serious hazmat and roof condition concern. Owners should take the proper humane and professional steps to eliminate any animal roosting.

6. Garbage and Junk.  We have found and disposed of tons of roof junk left by tradesmen, building employees, and litter-bugs.  In one serious California rainy season incident, a roof became flooded because a plastic bottle had gotten stuck in one drain, a plastic bag and leaves were clogging another, and the gutter flow was congested from garbage.  There was so much water on the roof that a roof collapse was a real possibility.  Our tech was able to get the drain and gutter cleared and averted disaster.   Get the garbage off the roof!

Most of these finds are the direct result of a lack of awareness and regular roofing management. With the proper maintenance plan, your roof will not hold any surprises for you.  Annual roofing assessments are recommended by the National Roofing Contractors Association.  Call RoofConnect at (877) 942-5613 and we will help you put a program in place.  Visit our website for information on repairs & regular roof maintenance. 

Tell us, what are some of the unusual things you have found on a roof?

Guest Blog Contributor:  

Mick Handloser, National Account Manager - South Central Region for RoofConnect. 
Mick can be reached at (877) 942-5613 or via email mick.handloser(at)roofconnect.com

Mick Handloser is a Registered Roof Observer (RRO), and a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association and the Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues Inc. He currently manages the accounts in the south-central and southwest U.S. for RoofConnect.

How to maximize a commercial roof warranty

RoofConnect advises: How to maximize a commercial roof warranty

First and foremost, keep records of your warranties and understand what the warranty does and does not cover and for how long.

• If you are not tracking your warranties then have your roofing contractor track the warranty for you.  Most quality roofing contractors have this capability. 
• Read the warranty and ensure that you understand what you have bought. 
• Know the common warrantable problems for the roof type in which you have installed.  With single ply systems (PVC, TPO and EPDM ), the most common problem is open seams.
• Know the difference between “material warranty” and “material and labor warranty”. Contractors usually guarantee against defects caused by the labor for no more than two years, while manufacturers warrant their materials for 10 to 20 years. 

Explore potential ways to extend your warranty for minimal cost

• Find out if your roofing manufacturer offers a warranty extension for a preventative maintenance program.  A preventative maintenance program is always recommended to extend the life and if you get a longer warranty period then it is easier to justify the cost.
• Discuss options with both the installing contractor and the manufacturer to maximize the life of your warranty.

Do not void your warranty

• There are numerous disclaimers in terms of coverage and requirements to prevent the voiding of the document, including lack of notification of issues and the requirement that only approved contractors certified to repair their systems be allowed to make changes.  Contractors usually guarantee against defects caused by their labor for no more than two years, while manufacturers warrant their materials for no more than 10 to 20 years.
• Even using incompatible caulking or mastic can also void the warranty and leave the building owner stuck with the cost.

More information about roofing manufacture warranties can be found on the RoofConnect web site at http://www.roofconnect.com/manufacture-warranty-support.html


RoofConnect Warranty & Non-Warranty Service Program 

• RoofConnect is approved to perform warranty repairs by all major roofing manufacturers. 
• RoofConnect offers a unique program whereby costs for warranty and non-warranty roofing repairs are handled internally. 
• RoofConnect members are trained and certified by every major roofing manufacturer in the United States. 
• The RoofConnect Warranty Service Program is designed to help protect the best interest of our clients by protecting them from unnecessary costs and delays in repairs. 

Request complete program details today!  Call 877-942-5613 or via email info(at)roofconnect.com.