Five Fact Friday

It's that time again...Five Fact Friday brought to you by RoofConnect's Technical Services Department.

Effective communication is key in maintaining customer relationships and potentially more important than the actual work being performed.

There is not “one size fits all” roof application.  Each opportunity must be evaluated and fitted with the appropriate roof for the location, configuration, size, and use of the building.

Remember:  The lowest price does not necessarily result in saving money.  Hire the person who is most knowledgeable about the project, not the one with the lowest price.

A scheduled inspection program for rooftop drainage and waterways is critical to positive roof performance and structural integrity.

When considering a solar installation, it is essential to include a roofing professional and roofing manufacturer in your discussions with the solar integrator.  Together they can make sure your roofing continues to perform and your building contents are protected during and after the solar installation.

For more information, please contact us today! 877-942-5613 or technical_services@roofconnect.com.

  

Happy 2014 - Prepare Roof for Storm Hercules!

Start the new year right - be prepared for Storm Hercules and excessive snowfall.

Now is a crucial time to evaluate your roofs and enact your winter emergency and snow removal action plan. As a preventive measure, it is good to have a yearly assessment of your roof to make sure there are no underlying repairs that need to be done prior to a heavy snow. It’s important to understand the risk that snow and ice accumulation poses, and it’s even more important to secure proper snow and ice removal from a reputable roofing company, like RoofConnect...before the storm, before all resources are allocated.

In the event of any winter storms, snowfall can be monitored, measured and assessed to determine whether or not it exceeds your roof’s weight capacity, and when it does, it is important to remove immediately.

Even when snow or ice accumulation does not exceed your roof’s weight capacity, drifting and wind can cause unanticipated roof failures or leaks. Furthermore, snow and ice melt-off can freeze and block drainage systems.

RoofConnect Five major items of review should be considered for winter Commercial Roof Maintenance:
1. Current Snow Load on Your Building. With snow storm followed by snow storm, roof weights can become an item of serious concern. We want to ensure that this doesn't happen at any of your locations.

2. Proper and Continuous Roof Drainage. Accumulating snows coupled with thawing and then refreezing make it critical that you clear all drains, gutters and scuppers. Every winter buildings collapse due to poor roof drainage.

3. Ice buildup and Falling Ice. Ice formations form on gutters and overhangs that can cause serious concerns to customers, employees and other visitors to your facilities. Ice buildup must be addressed to prevent injuries and damage at your facilities.

4. Snow Packs Around Building. Often times snow plowing causes snow build up against the exterior walls. Moving snow away from the exterior walls can avoid moisture problems inside your building.

5. Roof Leaks and Water Infiltration. Snow and ice build up on your roof can cause leaks in unusual sources. Snow build up around unit fans and over the height of roof flashings can cause leaks into the building creating hazards.

RoofConnect utilizes our vast network of experienced Roofing Technicians for your winter related roofing needs, ensuring there is no long term damage to your roof system. 

Don’t forget…Inexperienced crews can damage or destroy the roofing membrane with improper shovel or snow blower use.

RoofConnect has the experience to properly analyze, design and execute a plan to take care of any of your winter roofing needs. Please contact your RoofConnect representative today or if one is not assigned, please call 877-942-5613 or email info(@)roofconnect.com to receive immediate answers to any of your questions or roofing related winter weather roof concerns.

Call us 24/7/365 at 877-942-5613.

RoofConnect – At your Service!

RoofConnect, Liz Miller

Prepare Roof NOW for Early Tropical Storms & Hurricanes

It's that time of year again.  Hurricane Season officially began on June 1st!

AccuWeather.com's long-range team predicts 16 named tropical storms,
eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes for the
2013 Atlantic hurricane season. Of these, three are predicted to
make landfall in the United States.

Proper analysis of your roofs is critical in any season, but hurricane season raises even more concerns.  Hurricanes cause damage in a variety of ways through strong winds, storm surges, flooding and tornadoes.  Early preparation and regular roof maintenance is essential so that your roofs are protected against the hurricanes arriving this season and beyond. 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 roofs are better prepared to survive a hurricane.


TO DO...Now:

• Schedule RoofConnect to perform your roof’s annual maintenance if you have not done so already. 
• Take care of regular roof maintenance concerns now to prevent any additional damage.
• RoofConnect will create a proper plan to meet specific needs at each site. 
• Train your property management staff now – educating during a hurricane warning can be stressful.
• Take photographs or video of your establishments inside and out, from all angles. This will help to substantiate insurance claims later.
• Regularly clean drains, gutters and downspouts of your buildings.
• RoofConnect can verify that all permanent rooftop equipment is secure.  - Improperly secured machinery causes membrane separation & leaks.
• 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:

• 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!
• Remove loose objects, loose gravel and debris from the roof. 
• Bring in display racks and other objects usually left outside. 
• Remove antennas, outdoor signs, especially those that swing or are portable.
• 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.

RoofConnect Can Help:

• Safety is always first and foremost. 
• 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.
• We work with you to solve your emergency quickly; our work and materials meet the standards of insurance coverage claims. 

Be Sure to Connect with Us!
         



RoofConnect, National Roofing Services

P:  877-942-5613
RoofConnect.com

RoofConnect, Liz Miller

Roof Replacement Strategies - When, Why and How

To replace or rehab? That is the (roofing) question.

So how does a facility manager know that it's time to consider replacement? And what kind of research is needed to yield the best options for a new or rehabbed roof?

You will find answers to these questions along with a step-by-step strategy to evaluate your existing roof's status, and understand the various roofing options available to you.

Learn about roof types and systems, up-front and long-term costs, ease of installation, durability and expected lifespan, and maintenance requirements and other factors that should be considered before choosing a replacement roof system.

At the conclusion of the webcast you will be a roof-replacement expert with the ability to:

• Evaluate your current roof to determine if replacement is immediately necessary
• Identify the various roof types and systems, and which are optimal for your facility
• Review roof replacement cost, installation and maintenance factors
• Establish code compliance and roof system compatibility with an existing structure with a roof investigation

Can't attend? This exclusive webcast will be available on-demand after April 11.

For those attendees who successfully complete a learning outcomes assessment, Trade Press Media Group is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 CEUs for this program.

Note: Interactive question and answer session and IACET-certification eligibility only available to participants of live webcast.

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RoofConnect, Liz Cleveland

Inspect your Roof for Storm Damage

Torrential rain, gusting winds and heavy snow accumulation are expected to continue through the week. Maintaining our Commitment to Service, please find below our SWAT customer emergency response information for you to distribute to proper personnel and post with your company’s emergency documents.

As a part of our “SWAT - Emergency First Response List”, we want to assure you that RoofConnect is equipped with the manpower, supplies and resources to meet your needs should emergency leak response be required as a result of these storms. Our experience, resources and guaranteed fair pricing will help to get your buildings in-the-dry as quickly as possible.

Inspect your roof for potential hail and high wind damage from recent storms:

http://marketing.roofconnect.com/acton/attachment/4325/f-002f/0/-/-/-/-/file.pdf

ROOFCONNECT EMERGENCY CONTACTS
For your convenience, our emergency service contact information for you to post where necessary:
24/7/365 Emergency Line
RoofConnect Customer Service
Office: 877-942-5613
Cell: 870-941-8425
Customerservice@roofconnect.com

The RoofConnect Team is always on standby and only a phone call away. In the event of any storm damage we will work with you to solve your emergency quickly; our work and materials exceed the standards of insurance coverage claims.

You can rest assured that we will continually monitor storm strength and movement throughout the weekend. After these storms have passed, and as soon as it's safe, take time to visually examine your roofs. RoofConnect has the manpower to aid you in properly assessing any damage, and offer unbiased recommendations for temporary and long term roof repairs or roof replacement.

Hoping you stay safe and dry!

RoofConnect, Liz Cleveland

Is your roof ready for winter?

Having no roof snow removal plan or winter roof maintenance - is bad business.

Now is a crucial time to evaluate your roofs and create a winter emergency and snow removal action plan. As a preventive measure, it is good to have a yearly assessment of your roof to make sure there are no underlying repairs that need to be done prior to a heavy snow. It’s important to understand the risk that snow and ice accumulation poses, and it’s even more important to secure proper snow and ice removal from a reputable roofing company, like RoofConnect...before the storm, before all resources are allocated.

In the event of any winter storms, snowfall can be monitored, measured and assessed to determine whether or not it exceeds your roof’s weight capacity, and when it does, it is important to remove immediately.

Even when snow or ice accumulation does not exceed your roof’s weight capacity, drifting and wind can cause unanticipated roof failures or leaks. Furthermore, snow and ice melt-off can freeze and block drainage systems.

RoofConnect Five major items of review should be considered for winter Commercial Roof Maintenance:
1. Current Snow Load on Your Building. With snow storm followed by snow storm, roof weights can become an item of serious concern. We want to ensure that this doesn't happen at any of your locations.

2. Proper and Continuous Roof Drainage. Accumulating snows coupled with thawing and then refreezing make it critical that you clear all drains, gutters and scuppers. Every winter buildings collapse due to poor roof drainage.

3. Ice buildup and Falling Ice. Ice formations form on gutters and overhangs that can cause serious concerns to customers, employees and other visitors to your facilities. Ice buildup must be addressed to prevent injuries and damage at your facilities.

4. Snow Packs Around Building. Often times snow plowing causes snow build up against the exterior walls. Moving snow away from the exterior walls can avoid moisture problems inside your building.

5. Roof Leaks and Water Infiltration. Snow and ice build up on your roof can cause leaks in unusual sources. Snow build up around unit fans and over the height of roof flashings can cause leaks into the building creating hazards.

RoofConnect utilizes our vast network of experienced Roofing Technicians for your winter related roofing needs, ensuring there is no long term damage to your roof system. 

Don’t forget…Inexperienced crews can damage or destroy the roofing membrane with improper shovel or snow blower use.

RoofConnect has the experience to properly analyze, design and execute a plan to take care of any of your winter roofing needs. Please contact your RoofConnect representative today or if one is not assigned, please call 877-942-5613 or email info(@)roofconnect.com to receive immediate answers to any of your questions or roofing related winter weather roof concerns.

Call us 24/7/365 at 877-942-5613.

RoofConnect – At your Service!

RoofConnect, Liz Cleveland

Insight into a RoofConnect Service Manager

An interview with Jim Ash, RoofConnect Member and Service Manager with Columbia Roofing

This is Jim and a little girl he met on a mission trip to Haiti.  
She was ever so grateful while they were rebuilding her tent structure.

"I found out at the end of the day through our interpreter that her name was Bella Allisia!" Jim explained.  

Bella is also the name of his granddaughter!

For the full details on Jim's trip visit: Columbia Roofing & Sheet Metal's Facebook Page

Q: What is scarier to you, climbing up the ladder or coming down?

A: Coming down the ladder!

Q: What is the silliest repair you have seen on a roof?

A: School janitor patched a roof with a Kenworth mud flap. Yes, a Kenworth Mud Flap!

Q: Customer service comes in many styles. Are you a Pit-bull or Labrador?

A: A mix of both. Sometimes you have to be a pit bull to take care of your customer.

Q: The service industry requires some customer heroics. Who is your favorite superhero?

A: Spider-man!  He doesn't need a ladder, built in webbing.

Q: What is your favorite thing about roofing service?

A: Solving difficult roof problems and exceeding a customers expectations.

Q: Which Do you prefer: a service call late at night or on the weekend?

A: Weekend. Don’t like my guys being on a roof when its dark.

Q: Customer Service takes great team work. Who is your favorite team?

A: George Fox Cougars - no superstars and they work together.

Q: What is the most creative solution you have ever seen on a roof?

A: Flute filler and TPO to repair penetrations on a metal roof.

Q: What is your favorite roofing activity?

A: Installing Standing Seam or PVC.

Q: Who is you favorite TV Character?

A: Gibbs – NCIS (Mark Harmon)

Q: In roofing service, you give the customers what they need.  What is your favorite charity?

A: 4sq missions.

Q: Favorite Rooftop food?

A: Burritos

Q: What celebrity would you like to be on your roofing crew?

A: Gibbs

Q: What is something that you always say in your service department?

A: Take the time to be thorough and get the leak the first time. Don’t assume it’s the obvious.

Q: What is your favorite rooftop movie scene between: Shawshank Redemption, Die Hard, Spiderman, Batman, The Matrix, The Hangover, Sleepless in Seattle, The Crow, or The Departed.

A: Shawshank Redemption

RoofConnect is very proud of our service managers and their crews!  Finding and stopping leaks is what we do best!  RoofConnect can service your commercial buildings anywhere in America!  Call us at 877-942-5613.  RoofConnect – At your Service!

Call us 24/7/365 at 877-942-5613.

RoofConnect – At your Service!

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.

Self-Storage Roof Maintenance: 3 Tips for Keeping Units Dry Year Round

Great article in Inside Self-Storage Magazine this month.  3 Tips for Keeping Units Dry Year Round


Tip No. 1: The Visual Inspection

Before renting out your storage units, make a visual inspection of the interior. 

Tip No. 2: Keep Water Flowing Off the Roof

The self-storage industry uses many types of roofing. Some common roof systems are asphalt shingles, EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin or Polyolefin), built-up roofing and standing-seam metal. A high percentage of storage facilities have metal roofs. These roofs are designed to shed water by means of gravity. 

Tip No. 3: Keep Gutters and Drains Clean of Debris

If the gutters fill up, then the water will overflow under the eave and into the unit. 


Complete article can be found here...

Self-Storage Roof Maintenance: 3 Tips for Keeping Units Dry Year Round 

Written by RoofConnect's very own, Mick Handloser.  Mick 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, which offers national roofing services. To reach him, call 870.942.5613; e-mail mick.handloser@roofconnect.com; visit www.roofconnect.com.

Performed roof maintenance on your building lately?

At a minimum, you should conduct roof maintenance annually on your buildings.  More often than not, when a roof fails it is due to lack of regular maintenance. Consistent roof maintenance can prevent a multitude of issues that could escalate into the expensive and sometimes preventable need for a complete roof restoration or replacement.

A few things you and your maintenance team can do on a regular basis to extend the life of your roofing systems:

1. Drainage Systems:  Clear all gutters, downspouts, scuppers; clean out all drains; check strainers and clamping rings.

2. Is there debris or materials on the roof that could damage the roof system?  Is there excessive foot traffic that necessitates more walkway pads?

3. Proper maintenance to rooftop equipment and their surrounding area:  check for oil, animal fats, and other contaminants that could degrade the roof system.  Change the equipment filters regularly to prevent these deposits on the roof.

4. Ponding water:  Aggregate is likely to collect in these areas which could result in vegetation growth and impede drainage.

5. Penetration flashings:  Pitch pans and pipe boots are maintenance items that should be checked regularly for voids.

6. On all HVAC units, check the ductwork connections, access panels, gaskets, condensate lines, etc. to make sure there is no water entry.  Identifying and correcting these items could eliminate unnecessary roof service calls.

7. Walls:  Check interior walls for stains or bubbling paint.  Check exterior walls for bubbling paint, missing mortar, deteriorated blocking, etc.  Identifying and correcting these items could eliminate unnecessary roof service calls.

8.      Always use a professional roofing contractor to assist you in your roof maintenance needs.  The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) offers a few tips and guidelines for selecting a commercial roofing contractor.

Also, all of the major roofing system manufacturers encourage semi-annual inspections with documentation to maximize the life of your roof and possibly extend your warranty term (if applicable).

If you are limited in staff or time, let RoofConnect take care of your roofs for you.  RoofConnect can manage your entire roof portfolio.  We will schedule out all roof inspections, perform annual maintenance, track your roof warranties and provide you with 24/7 access to the your roof inventory data via a personalized roof management portal.



Don’t wait for a roofing problem to occur --- by then it is too late!  Be proactive in your Roof Asset Management! Planned preventative roof maintenance can save money, time and heartburn.

This topic will never dull for us here at RoofConnect: see our previous post "When a flat roof is not regularly maintained it may cost far more over time"

Note: NRCA believes that the best way for a building owner to ensure satisfactory post-installation roof system performance is to have a formal, long-term maintenance agreement with a professional roofing contractor. Building owners should take care in selecting a roofing contractor to perform the maintenance work. Additional information is available from NRCA.

RoofConnect is now blogging!

Our "corporate" blog, is the place where you can follow all things RoofConnect.  We hope to share what we find interesting and think is worth discussing, not just commercial roofing topics, but also timely information for building owners and facility managers.