Spring Roof Maintenance on Your Building's Roof

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.

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

RoofConnect – At your Service!

RoofConnect, Liz Miller

RoofConnect Offers You Emergency Service; Immediate Connection

RoofConnect -- Emergency Service; Immediate Connection

RoofConnect provides 24-hour Emergency Repair Service, including nights, weekends and holidays. Each location has a fully staffed service department operating 24/7/365 to protect our client's roofs in any weather emergency.

We can assist in the documentation requirements for insurance claims, as well as work with the material manufacturers to resolve repair and maintenance claims on your warranted roofs. Additionally, whether it's an emergency leak service, hurricane, tornado, fire, or any other natural disaster, the RoofConnect team is only a phone call away. We will provide you with the best possible solution in the shortest amount of time.

This immediate service can save you time and money, and may decrease further interior and structural damage.

If your emergency is after normal business hours (7:30 am – 5:00 pm CST) please call 877-942-5613 and our designated on-call RoofConnect Representative will assist you immediately.

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

RoofConnect National Commercial Roofing Service Provider

RoofConnect – At your Service!

RoofConnect, Liz Cleveland

We give thanks for you!

Dear Friends of RoofConnect,

In this time of gratitude, we give thanks for you. We value your patronage and appreciate your confidence in us. Counting you among our customers is something for which we are especially grateful.

I wanted to take this time to remind you that RoofConnect never closes!  If you have any roofing emergencies over the holiday please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Representatives - always available 24-7-365!

On behalf of all of us at RoofConnect, National Roofing Services, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

 

Your RoofConnect Team

 

RoofConnect 24-hour Emergency Contact Information

 

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 only a phone call away! We hope you are able to enjoy a stress free Thanksgiving Holiday!

War Room in Action! Got Roofing Emergencies?

First and foremost, we hope everyone is safe from harm and the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy.  RoofConnect has enacted our war room "command center" at our headquarters and is currently deploying our crews to locations effected by storm damage! 


war room;  English, Noun

1. A command center; a single location which serves as the point of coordination for military activities.
2. By extension, a single location from which any activity is directed.
3. A room where strategic decisions are made.


As always, the RoofConnect Team is only a phone call away. We are working to solve your roofing emergencies quickly. And we understand how important it is to identify damage from a storm quickly to ensure payment from your insurance providers. 
Our work and materials exceed the standards of insurance coverage claims. 

• RoofConnect will provide pictures and estimates of any damage to your roof to properly and quickly report to your insurance company. 
• RoofConnect will make temporary repairs on all leaks and do everything possible to keep the inside of your building dry. 
• Call us today to schedule an evaluation of your roofs or to get your building in the dry!

Tips for After a Hurricane from FEMA 

  ·      Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates.

  ·      Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.

  ·      If you have become separated from your family, use your family communications plan or contact FEMA or the   American Red Cross.

  ·      FEMA has established the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS), which has been developed to help reunite families who are separated during a disaster. The NEFRLS system will enable displaced individuals the ability to enter personal information into a website database so that they can be located by others during a disaster.

  ·      The American Red Cross also maintains a database to help you find family. Contact the local American Red Cross chapter where you are staying for information. Do not contact the chapter in the disaster area.

  ·      If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.

  ·      If you cannot return home and have immediate housing needs. Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 12345).

  ·      For those who have longer-term housing needs, FEMA offers several types of assistance, including services and grants to help people repair their homes and find replacement housing. Apply for assistance or search for information about housing rental resources

  ·      Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed¬ out bridges. Stay off the streets. If you must go out watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.

  ·      Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.

  ·      Walk carefully around the outside your home and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage before entering.

  ·      Stay out of any building if you smell gas, floodwaters remain around the building or your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.

  ·      Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.

  ·      Use battery-powered flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles. Note: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering - the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.

  ·      Watch your pets closely and keep them under your direct control. Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.

  ·      Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated.

  ·      Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.

  ·      Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.

  ·      Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

  ·      NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off.

RoofConnect is here to help with any of your roofing issues:

1. Safety is always first and foremost. 
2. A proper plan is executed with you to meet specific needs at each site.  
3. All Federal and local guidelines must be followed to protect all personnel before entering the disaster zone and while on site. 
4. Proper documentation is always provided at project close out.
5. We work with you to solve your emergency quickly; our work and materials meet the standards of insurance coverage claims.
6. Minimal interruptions once we begin our restoration process.

RoofConnect can service your commercial buildings anywhere in America!  RoofConnect – At your Service!

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.

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.

A HOT June...did you have extra Foot Traffic on your Roof?

It was a strange June this year, one of the hottest Junes on record!   http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/comment.html?entrynum=80


As a result of this extreme heat, our AC units have been working overtime to keep us cool and our buildings cool.  Extensive use of the units usually requires additional maintenance, which means more foot traffic on your roof asset. 


If your rooftop units need a checkup, maybe your roof could use some attention as well.


Punctures usually occur because of carelessness on the part of people visiting the roof: HVAC technicians, window washers, etc. Punctures can also occur because of debris left behind by these other trades, blown or tossed on the roof. 


Take time now to do some preventative maintenance on your roofs!


Some other good reminders about proactive roof maintenance: http://www.roofconnect.com/repairs-a-proactive-maintenance.html

When a flat roof is not regularly maintained it may cost far more in maintenance over time

This article made me think about the long term health of your roof... 

Articles Ezines » Advantages and disadvantages most typically associated with flat roofing

RoofConnect is a strong believer in proper maintenance of your roof portfolio to gain the absolute most in the return on investment over the life of each roof.


http://www.roofconnect.com/repairs-a-proactive-maintenance.html

Our preventive maintenance program will extend and maximize the life of your roof, save money on overall roof maintenance, while adhering to manufacturer warranty requirements. Our members maintain warranty certification expertise.

One phone call offers a seamless client experience to solve your roofing needs. With one phone call, RoofConnect customer service establishes:

• Work order entry and dispatch

• ETA response to customer provided by RoofConnect Customer Service Team

• Work is performed on site per customer requirement(s)

• Work Summary Report/Follow up with customer

• Invoice from RoofConnect to customer

• All work order history is housed in a database for customer visibility

Do you have a maintenance program in place for your roofs?

Request an evaluation of your roofs today: http://www.roofconnect.com/request-a-roof-evaluation.html