Until recently, the best way to inspect a commercial roof was to physically climb on top of it and look around. While getting a close-up view of the rooftop is certainly the best way to check for defects, it’s also potentially quite dangerous, as there’s an increased risk of a slip-and-fall accident. In addition, an untrained inspector can cause unintentional damage by crushing roof panels and piercing the roof membrane.
Topics: Roofing Maintenance
How Advances in Roof Coating Technology Protect Your Commercial Roof
Half a century ago, your commercial roof coating options were limited to two options: asphalt or gravel. Today, advances in materials science have left those coatings far behind. Roof coatings are now both more durable and more sustainable—able to improve not just the roof itself but the building below it.
Topics: Roofing Maintenance
Commercial roofs play an essential role in protecting the integrity of your building. As roofing is one of your most important investments, it’s only natural to want it to last for as long as possible. Unfortunately, most commercial roofs don’t end up meeting their promised lifespan. Why? Wear and tear will, of course, take their toll over the years. And while you can’t stop aging, you can slow its pace. The way you control how external factors interact with your roof and leave it vulnerable to damage will play a large role in determining its longevity.
Topics: Roofing Management
Future Forecast: Commercial Roofing Industry Trends in 2022
COVID-19 upended life as we knew it in 2020, and the commercial roofing industry was not immune to the fallout. COVID-19 initially caused supply bottlenecks, labor shortages, and enforced pauses in construction. Many of those problems, including a spike in the price of lumber, have been causing difficulties for building managers throughout 2021. As the year comes to an end, we’re looking back and then looking ahead: What did 2021 bring for the commercial roofing industry, and what’s on the horizon for roofing trends in 2022?
Topics: Roofing Industry
Digging In to Commercial Roofing Safety Practices: Q&A With John Engle
How often do you think about the safety of your commercial roof? For building owners and managers, rooftop safety is a topic that should be at the forefront of your mind. After all, the roof is a vitally important part of your building, housing important equipment that keeps your tenants comfortable. Securing this equipment while ensuring your rooftop stays protected from damage is essential. To do so, you must be able to provide safe, regular access for maintenance workers and staff.
Topics: Roof Safety
Your Commercial Roof Needs Care and Preventive Maintenance Year-Round
Commercial roofs are the most vulnerable and also the most important part of any commercial building. Although the commercial roof plays a vital role in insulating the building and situating building infrastructure, it’s also surprisingly delicate. It can be damaged by high winds, debris, or even something as small as an errant footstep. What’s more, damage tends to become ramified. A pinhole in the membrane turns into a leak, which turns into rot, and suddenly your have to replace a roof beam.
Topics: Roofing Maintenance
Repair or Replace? How to Decide on the Future of Your Commercial Roof
When you discover issues with your commercial roof, you may wonder whether a total roof replacement is in your near future, or whether you can get by with a simple repair. We discuss common signs of trouble, what they could mean, and how to make the right decision for your roof.
Topics: Roofing Management
How Hurricanes Can Impact Rooftops and Rooftop Equipment
Hurricane season is here, and commercial roofs can see damage as a result. Heavy rain, wind gusts, flash flooding, and debris can all result in problems for your roof, especially for low-slope roofing which poses additional vulnerability during extreme weather with risks to the perimeter, corners, and flashing areas. Today, we’re discussing how to prepare now for hurricane season, what you should do when you know a hurricane is on the way, and what you should do after a hurricane strikes. We will illustrate how using rooftop support systems can reduce the incidence of damage by eliminating some of the risks that come with storing equipment directly on the rooftop.
Topics: Roof Safety, Rooftop Equipment
Why It’s Important to Plan and Design Your Commercial Rooftop
When most people think of commercial rooftops, the word “design” doesn’t come to mind—but maybe it should. Planning and designing aren’t just about aesthetics. A thorough design process also allows for the most efficient use of space, saving you time and money in the long run. Having a dedicated rooftop support system helps you maximize your rooftop space as well as creates a safe and organized area for maintenance and building personnel. Planning can help reduce potential accidents and damage to your roof.
How Expecting Unexpected Weather Protects Your Commercial Roof
Commercial building owners plan for expected events. In Texas, we know that summers will be rife with scorching heat. Up north, buildings must be ready for heavy snow. What happens when things don’t go as expected, and damage occurs as a result? Having a sound plan to deal with contingencies is important for all commercial building owners.
Topics: Roofing Management