Roofing

Springtime for property managers and owners creates a sense of urgency around roof inspections and maintenance work after difficult winter weather across the country. Following the snow, sleet, ice, winds and temperature fluctuations (freeze/thaw), comes the rain, sleet, hail and wind of spring weather. These weather related issues can not only lead to roof leaks, but to other problems that may compromise or cause failure to your roof system. Additionally, your roof needs to be inspected and maintained to meet the requirements of a roof warranty.

As we change seasons, it is important to understand the impact that weather has on your building’s roof. 

In the fall, your roof can get covered in leaves. Once the leaves fall, it is important that gutters and downspouts are free of debris and flowing properly. Additionally, if your area endured any significant storms, and you didn’t have your roof inspected after the storms, now is a good time. The inspection will identify damage and needed repairs, allowing you to get them fixed before winter.

❄️Winter is here. With that comes heavy snow and ice that can cause problems on your roof. Learn what you can do to prevent them by reading our snow removal infographic.

CentiMark takes great pride with our “Mark” on the roofing industry. Our technological innovations from Mobile Phone Apps to MyCentiMark give our customers quick and easy access to their roofing portfolio and repairs.

Vortex Breaker Strainers for Roof Drains - Getting Water Off Your Roof

Statewide average of annual rainfall and snowfall range from a high of 63.7 inches in Hawaii to a low of 9.5 inches in Nevada. For the United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), the average amount of moisture falling from rain and snow is 30.21 inches per year.

Technology is being used in CentiMark roofing services to benefit customers in a number of ways. From infrared thermal imaging used to detect moisture captured within a roof to unmanned aircraft (drones) used to enhance inspections.

The frequency of torrential rains and microbursts in much of the United States has increased dramatically since 1958, according to the U.S. National Climate Assessment’s “Climate Change Impacts in the United States”¹ which puts large amounts of rain on the roof in very short periods of time. The impact of all this heavy rainfall on roofs can, has been and will continue to be disastrous, especially when roof drainage systems fail.

The beginning of fall means winter is right around the corner which can bring harsh weather for your roof. In addition to being one of your building’s most valuable assets, your roof can also be one of the most vulnerable. Even the strongest and most durable roof can have some weaknesses. Without a proper roof inspection in the fall, your roof system may be susceptible to major damage during the winter months. Fixing any issues before the freeze/thaw cycle begins will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

Weather and daily temperature variations are a challenge to your building and its roof. Concerns for your roof specific to temperature extremes exist if you are located in sunny South Florida, frigid Alberta, Canada or anywhere in between. As daily cooling and warming cycles occur, your building and its various components expand and contract.

Your decision to choose a roofing contractor is just as important as selecting the products that will end up on your roof. This can include everything from HVAC equipment, exhaust fans, even satellite dishes may need to be installed.

It’s spring! Now that winter is over, have you thought about the effects that winter has had on your roof? It’s a good time to have your roof checked for any damage that may have occurred during the winter and prepare for the spring and summer. Here are a few things to consider:

With Winter right around the corner it is important to have your roof inspected. Even if you aren’t located in a climate that gets snow, a Fall Preventative Maintenance Inspection will help with keeping your roof clean and identifying any potential repairs or improvements that may be needed.

Hurricane Matthew recently reminded all of us in the roofing industry that weather and environmental conditions can have a huge effect on your roof. There are many far more subtle conditions that exist and can cause detrimental conditions leading to premature roof failure: wind, rain, snow, freezing temperatures and heat. Each of these factors has a different effect on your roof and manifests itself in different ways. Understanding the effects of each condition and identifying the symptoms they reveal is critical to making the best roofing decisions and extending the life of your roofing asset.

Once fall is here, it is important to start thinking about preparing your roof for the harsh winter weather!

Actually, let CentiMark clean your roof this Fall to get your roof ready for winter weather.

White single-ply roofs can get dirty from debris, mold, pollution and environmental factors. It’s important to clean your roof as a standard procedure of Preventative Maintenance.

For 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, your roof can be exposed to a variety of extreme weather conditions: rain, hail, sun, snow and wind. As fall begins, it is an important time to ensure your roof is in the best condition possible for the upcoming winter. Heavy snow loads and ice buildup can put a roof system to the test. Fall is an essential time to have a commercial roof inspection.

Experienced facility managers know that re-roofing projects are time consuming and involve many important decisions. These include the type of roof system, method of attachment, type of insulation, amount of repair work to the existing deck and, of course, what edge metal system to use. An often overlooked but important detail during the planning stage of a re-roofing project is also ensuring that the project includes a high performing roof drainage system.

Having adequate drainage plays an important role in the life of the roof. When originally designed, the roof drainage requirements would have been calculated and the number and placement of drains on the roof should reflect that calculation. Your roofer, or specifier, can verify how many drains you’ll need, but a good rule of thumb is two for the first 10,000 square feet (and smaller roofs), plus one for each additional 10,000 square feet and no more than 100-feet apart. Consult an engineer to review your roof drainage system, especially if there are any structural changes to your roof or adding an adjacent wing or addition to your building.

Making sure that all the water drains from your roof is very important. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) defines standing water as any water on a roof that hasn’t drained or dissipated within 48 hours after rainfall or other precipitation. Left unaddressed, standing water can cause several problems. First, water is heavy. Five gallons weighs nearly 42 pounds and an inch of water over a 10 x 10-feet. area weighs over 500 pounds. Second, standing water can deflect the roof deck over time, which can lead to roof leaks and even roof collapse. If your roof has several low areas where water ponds, consider adding tapered insulation during re-roofing to aid in roof drainage.

Keep it Clean
As a building owner, you are responsible for maintaining the roof. Today’s advanced roof systems typically don’t require extensive maintenance but keeping drains free and clear is something to check frequently. Good roofing practice is to inspect your roof at least twice per year -- quarterly is even better -- and before and after major storms. Remove the strainer to ensure drain leaders are free and clear. Also remove leaves and other debris built-up around the outside of drains and scuppers so that water can flow freely.

Three Options
Assuming that the drainage system is sufficient, there are three choices when it comes to the drains during re-roofing. Rework the drains, remove and replace the drains or retrofit the drains.

1) Rework – Most OEM drains are cast iron and prone to rusting and cracking which can lead to leaks in your building. To rework the drain, contractors take the drain apart, clean, repair and often repaint the components. Replacement parts can be difficult and time-consuming to source depending on the drain and tiny cracks in the bowl are easy to overlook. The benefit of reworking drains is that the job can be completed from the rooftop without disrupting building occupants. The downside is that re-working drains can take several hours each, which may not justify the expense or extra labor.

2) Remove & replace – Replacing the entire drain and plumbing connection is not all that common because it is expensive and logistically difficult. In addition, much of this work requires a plumbing professional which can cause roofing delays, and gaining access to the underside of the roof typically disrupts building occupants. Unless the drainage system and infrastructure are completely unusable, this is not the best option.

3) Retrofit – For owners who want new drains on their new roof, adding insert or retrofit drains are a good option. Retrofit drains are installed without disrupting building occupants. More importantly, retrofit drains are designed to fit into the existing water leader and over the existing drain bowl, so they use the existing plumbing system. Retrofit roof drains have been commonly used since the mid-1980s. Most are made with aluminum components that will not rust and the good ones also feature a mechanical seal that does not restrict flow. In fact, the leading retrofit drains exhibit flow-rates that are as good as or even better than original roof drains. They also surpass the ANSI/SPRI RD-1 standard for backflow prevention in order to keep water out of the roofing assembly. Some are also available with coated flanges that can be directly welded to certain thermoplastic roof covers.

Climate Change
According to the U.S. National Climate Assessment’s “Climate Change Impacts in the United States”, the frequency of torrential rains in much of the United States has increased dramatically since 1958. The report, which was published in May, 2014, states that the proportion of precipitation that is falling in very heavy rain events has jumped by 71 percent in the Northeast, 37 percent in the Midwest and 27 percent in the South. With this type of trend, it’s clear roof drains require even greater attention and that building owners, facility managers and roofing contractors alike must be vigilant when it comes to ensuring that roofs drain effectively. Remember, always consult an engineer to do a drainage study if you have concerns that the building has been modified from the original design or water is not being discharged from your roof properly.

Learn more about CentiMark’s roof services

As a building owner or manager, you know how important a proper Preventative Maintenance Program can be for your roof. Every building is unique - CentiMark can help structure a customized program designed specifically to protect your roof with consideration of your budget.

Can the sun damage my roof? That’s an interesting and complex question. Do you know that there are both beneficial and detrimental aspects of sunlight and its effect on your roof?

The roof’s edge metal system – fascia or coping – acts as the roof’s first line of defense. The edge metal system ensures the integrity of the entire roofing system when Mother Nature has other ideas. Therefore, it’s important to get the very best edge metal system possible and not compromise on quality or performance.