Wednesday, June 3, 2015

5 Commercial Roofing Mistakes That Lead to Water Penetration

by Liza Barth

Did you know that 98% of all roof repairs occur in penetrations or perimeters, meaning anything that protrudes through the roof or breaks the membrane? Some examples include curbs, drains, plumbing stacks, vent stacks, elevator shafts, antennae bases, electrical and copper lines, skylights, and penthouses. These areas present challenging repairs, and if they’re not done correctly could result in a leak. Here are some examples of what not to do on a roofing job.

Don’t use non-compatible roofing materials (i.e., plastic cement on single-ply membranes).
Don’t overspray with coating or you could have an insurance liability claim on your hands.
Don’t cover electrical cords/conduits. These areas will need to be accessed at some point.
Don’t clog drains. Keep them clear so they don’t lead to ponding on the roof.
Don’t just poke a hole in the roof and put goop around it. Besides the fact that it doesn’t look very nice, it won’t be watertight.

There are many solutions for tough penetrations, but whichever one you choose, be sure to use a high-quality sealant to ensure correct waterproofing. Here are three methods a contractor can use to waterproof a challenging penetration:

For an MB or BUR roof system, seal using the three-coursing approach, which includes placing one layer of sealant, one layer of fabric, and one layer of sealant. The final step is to sugar-in matching granules with the SBS or BUR surface. The advantages of this approach are that it’s easy to use, no mixing is needed, and there is less waste, as the pouches are reusable.

For a metal roof or MB or BUR roof system, use TOPCOAT® FlexSeal™ Elastomeric Sealant. It is a similar approach to three coursing but uses a different sealant. It is compatible on metal, concrete, wood, SBS, APP, EPDM, and BUR substrates for gutters, detail areas, edge metal, and termination bars.

For a BUR or MB roof system, use an M-Curb™ Pitch Pocket System, which is made from solid urethane and designed to seal difficult penetrations on asphaltic roofs that can’t be flashed. This option requires no fabric or granules, as the material is pourable and bonds with the asphalt roof. Installation is fast and easy, and these curbs are very versatile, as they can be made in custom shapes to fit a variety of rooftop places.

ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguard Facebook Page .

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Roof Talk-101 10 Things to Do at Key Leak Areas

by Liza Barth

It’s important to make sure a roof is protected at critical areas to avoid coverage problems and not all roofing manufacturer warranties are the same. In order for the homeowner—and the roof—to get the most out of a warranty, it’s important that the contractor ensures a home is well protected from leaks. The right materials can make the difference. Here are 10 things a contractor should do to ensure warranty coverage for a homeowner:

Install waterproof leak barriers at critical areas that are prone to leaks including valleys, side walls, penetrations, chimneys, dormers, and eaves.
Use edge metal at rakes and eaves to help protect from water infiltration at the roof’s edges. This is especially critical in high wind areas and colder climates.
Install premanufactured flashing at all pipe penetrations to help prevent water entry.
Install roof deck protection, also known as underlayment, to ensure shingles will lie flat and to protect against wind-driven rain that can blow under the shingles.
Install proper attic ventilation to help manage the attic temperature and prevent moisture from being trapped in the attic space. Shingle roofs last longer when attics are properly ventilated.
Install hip and ridge cap shingles to help protect those areas since they get more wind pressure than other parts of the roof. The finished look of hip & ridge cap shingles can also help increase curb appeal.
Check skylight conditions. Old skylights should be replaced to better match the new roof’s age; also, new skylights will probably have better energy ratings.
Install a single roofing system. When installing components from different manufacturers, mismatches in warranty coverage can occur. A complete system with shingles, leak barriers, hip and ridge cap shingles, roof deck protection, starter strips, and attic ventilation from the same manufacturer will allow all these components to be covered by one warranty and help to avoid finger-pointing in the event of an issue.
Take advantage of problem-prevention inspections by factory-certified roof inspectors, when available. These inspectors are technical experts who also provide feedback on the installation.
Install systems that have transferable warranties. This is a valuable feature to have if you ever sell your property in the future.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Roof Talk-101 5 Maintenance Tips to Help Prevent Roof Leaks

by Jason Joplin

One of the most common and costly issues homeowners call on a contractor for is to fix a leaky roof. Not surprisingly, most property owners do not have the expertise (or desire) to get onto their roofs and look for problems themselves.

However, even for a professional, the source of a leak can be elusive because it rarely lines up with where the water is getting into the home. Contractors need to become detectives to correctly identify the source of a leak and understand the path that water travels. Yet all of this pain can be avoided with a comprehensive maintenance program. Even the National Roofing Contractors Association recommends that roof inspection and maintenance be performed regularly to help avoid future problems.

After all, a homeowner wouldn’t expect:

• A furnace to perform efficiently if the filter was never replaced

• A car to run if the oil was never changed

Yet, they install a roof and think that’s the end of the story.

Before an inspection, the contractor should look around from the ground and ask the homeowner if there has been recent extreme weather, animals around the home, leaves, falling debris, trees, satellite or cable work, or an accident that caused damage to the roof.

Once on the roof, follow these 5 simple tips to help locate future leaks and show how a maintenance program can help identify potential problems before they cause damage.

If it pops through the roof look at it. Penetrations are the most common leak sources and will stop the natural water flow off a roof. Look here first to find the source of the leak:
- Chimneys. The top leak source. Does the chimney have a cricket? Is it properly step flashed and counter flashed? Does it need to be sealed?
- Skylights. Water gets trapped behind them. Is the flashing in good repair? Is the skylight itself leaking?
- Plumbing vents. Do the vent stacks have neoprene or rubber that has cracked with age? Do they need to be sealed or painted? Have critters chewed on the pipe or flashing?
- Is the satellite or cable flashed properly?
Living on the edge. A drip edge is not just aesthetically pleasing, it is important to help ensure water is kept away from the fascia and moved off the roof.
- A common leak source in the eaves and cause of wood rot is a missing drip edge. Wind-driven rain will enter the gap between the roof deck and fascia board.
- A drip edge also helps to keep out insects, critters, and snakes. Make sure to check the drip edge when looking for leaks.
Every step I take. Areas where step flashing should be installed are a common leak source and maintenance item. Inspect these areas for damage:
- Dormers
- Roof-to-wall transitions
- Wherever low-quality sealant or mastic has been used in the past
What’s in YOUR attic? Many times, homeowners think the roof is the culprit, but problems can come from improper ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning, condensation, vent fans, and animal or bug infestation in the attic. Be on the lookout for:
- Algae stains on interior plywood
- The “M” word: mold
- Soaked insulation when it hasn’t rained
- Black rings or rust around nails, which is the first sign moisture is condensing in attic spaces
- Is there a lack of ventilation that is causing the attic to overheat or accumulate moisture?
- Are the intake vents clogged with paint, spider webs, dust, or insulation?
Mind in the gutter. Many homeowners do not realize the importance of their gutters. They need to be installed and sloped properly to drain, tightly fastened, and free of debris. Contractors should stress to homeowners that gutter maintenance should be left to a professional. Advise them of the risks of climbing onto a ladder.

All contractors can explain to their customers that a preventive maintenance plan consisting of periodic inspections (generally in the fall and spring), routine maintenance, and minor repairs can help avoid costly problems down the road. A thorough inspection, performed regularly by a professional roofing contractor, can monitor the roof’s condition and help prevent small problems from becoming major roof leaks.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Roof Talk-101 How Puncture Resistant Are Commercial Roofing Membranes?

How Puncture Resistant Are Commercial Roofing Membranes?

Liza Barth

Contractors are careful on the roof, but accidents can happen. Heavy, sharp tools can get dropped. Stones, loose screws, or gravel can get stepped on and driven into the membrane. These things can happen during roof installation or when air-handling equipment, etc., gets installed or is worked on during routine maintenance. Some of these accidents can result in a puncture of the roof membrane. GAF set out to compare the two popular heat-weldable membranes, TPO and PVC, together with a range of substrates. So, which roofing materials will give you less worry about punctures? GAF’s research uncovered the answers.

Puncture resistance can happen in a few basic ways. Objects can impact at slow or fast speeds and be sharp or blunt. Single-ply membranes do not have the hard exterior surface or redundant layer, which are normally part of multi-ply systems, so they are sometimes perceived as less resistant to punctures. In an effort to shed some light on puncture resistance, GAF took a look at various TPO membranes from the major roofing manufacturers in 45-, 60-, and 80-mil thicknesses and 36- and 50-mil PVC samples.

GAF tested both low- and high-speed impacts and failure was defined as the force required to penetrate the top membrane layer to expose the scrim. In the low-speed test, thicker TPO was better, and fleece-back was also an improvement. No notable difference between manufacturers was found. PVC appears equivalent, except for the 36mil material. Being reinforced with a heavier weight fabric, it showed better performance, highlighting the importance of scrim in this low-speed test.

In the high-speed test, the TPO membranes again indicate that thicker is more puncture resistant with little differences between membranes of the same thickness from all manufacturers. The 50-mil PVC samples were slightly less puncture resistant than 45-mil TPO. One surprise was the poor result of the 36-mil PVC sample (even though it did well in the low-speed test), suggesting that the dense scrim in that membrane does not help resist a falling sharp object compared to a standard scrim. As with TPO, supported PVC is more puncture resistant.

It’s important to note that low-speed manual demonstrations done by slowly pushing a pointed object into a membrane are misleading. It’s best to look at approved test methods (rather than relying on a marketing gimmick) to show how roofing membranes hold up to punctures.

ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguard Facebook Page .

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Roof Talk-101 Spring Has Arrived

Roof Talk-101 Spring Has Arrived

Here are some tips to look for during spring cleaning to help preserve the integrity of your roof.

Tree limbs. Make sure tree limbs don’t touch a roof. If they do, they can easily scrape over the shingles and loosen the protective granules. This will severely reduce the life of a roof. Trim trees close to the house to avoid any limbs touching the roof surface.

Leaves and pine needles. A little leaf or a few pine needles are fine, but if they collect and are deep enough to hold moisture, they need to be taken off the roof. Anything that traps moisture will cause mildew to form, block gutters, or cause extra weight on the roof. A rake or air blower can be used to clear the roof, but take care not to damage the shingles.

Moss. Cutting back trees and removing leaves will reduce moss growth, as it will allow sunlight to dry up the moisture that moss thrives on. While there are chemicals available on the market to get rid of moss, the runoff can cause damage to plants. Another solution is to nail zinc or copper strips to the ridgeline; as rain washes across, it creates an environment where moss cannot grow.

Mold. Discolored streaks on a roof indicate there is mold, algae, or fungus, which can eat away at the roofing material and, ultimately, cause leaks. A treatment of chlorine bleach or copper sulfate solution applied with a garden sprayer can kill the mold. GAF manufactures algae-resistant shingles that have a specially formulated granule that inhibits algae growth, in addition to shingles with StainGuard® Protection. Finally, do not power wash shingles! It can dislodge granules and cause premature shingle failure.

Gutter damage. Heavy snow from the winter season can result in gutter damage while leftover fall leaves and debris can lead to clogged gutters. Before the springtime rain, check to make sure water can flow easily through the gutters and fix any loose nails that are preventing the gutters from sitting tightly along the roof line.

Missing shingles, chimney, and flashing. A complete inspection by a contractor can uncover issues with missing shingles, chimney damage, or flashing around chimneys, vents, or other bends in the roof.

Dealing with these potential issues in a timely manner will allow your roof to stand strong through the next season of weather challenges—and for many years to come.

ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguard Facebook Page .

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Roof Talk-101 9 Steps To Hiring A Residential Roofing Contractor

When it comes to choosing a residential roofing contractor, it's important to select an experienced contractor who can give your roof the quality it needs to keep your family and personal belongings safe from the outside elements. When choosing a roofing contractor for your home, you must seek out candidates with the proper licensing and a great business reputation in your area. Continue reading to learn how you can choose a residential roofing contractor for your home.

1.Verify that the roofing contractor you hire has the required applicable business licenses for your state or local area.

If you are unsure of the business licenses required for roofing contractors in your area, contact the licensing board or Department of Professional Regulation for your area or state.You may also visit the Contractor's Licensing website featured in the Sources section of this article to determine the licenses required by specific states.

2.Verify that the roofing contractor or business is legitimate by asking for their tax identification number, a business address, business website or email address, and contact phone number.

3.Ask the roofing contractor to provide you with proof of insurance, including worker's compensation and liability coverage.Not all areas or states require roofing contractors to have insurance, but you may want to hire a person with insurance to protect yourself from lawsuits if the contractor is injured while working on your property.Check with the contractor to verify that the insurance covers the entire time-span during which the roofing project takes place.

4.Ask the roofing contractor for a list of references and past clients you can call to find out if they were satisfied with the work done on their roof.You can also research the roofing contractor's reputation by contacting your state's Department of Professional Regulation or a local Better Business Bureau (BBB). Visit the BBB website listed in the Sources section of this article or call them at 703-276-0100 in the United States and at 514-905-3893 in Canada.

5.Ask your roofing contractor for proof that shows they have been approved by the roofing manufacturer to install or work on the roof you have chosen.Some types of roofing may require contractors to have special training, certifications, or licenses to ensure proper installation.

6.Ask the roofing contractor how many people will be working on the roofing project for your home so you can determine how the work will be supervised and how long it will take to complete.

7.Read the warranty information for your project in full and check for understanding with the roofing contractor regarding any actions or exceptions that may possibly void the warranty.

8.Obtain a contract or detailed proposal in writing from the roofing contractor that will provide explicit information regarding the project. Information to ask for should include the length of the project, daily start and end times, roofing materials to be used, safety procedures, the amount of payment and payment schedule, and clean-up methods.

9.Research and obtain the services, fees, and warranties provided by several different roofing contractors before making the final hiring decision. Do not hire roofing contractors based solely on the lowest pricing bids because they may not provide the same value as contractors with slightly higher pricing.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Roof Talk-101 Thinking of Having Your Own Roof Top Garden

Roof Talk-101 Thinking Of Having Your Own Roof Talk Garden

The thought of building a natural oasis on top of a building may seem a little odd, but the fact is that rooftop gardens have been around for centuries. Roof Gardens began in Europe a long time ago and since then have become the latest trend in gardening. Not only are rooftop gardens beautiful and unique, they are also efficient in many unique ways.

Hidden Hideaways (and Benefits)
Of course, one advantages of the roof garden is its secrecy. No more kids, vermin, and strangers tromping through your flowerbeds. Not only does their "secret" location keep them safe, but it adds a concealed privacy to your outdoor habitat. And this uniqueness can actually add economic value to your home due to its aesthetic appeal.

Here are some other ways rooftop gardens benefit you and your environment:

Energy Efficiency: Roof gardens absorb a lot of energy by being on top of a structure. They provide natural noise and thermal heat insulation, thereby cutting down on utility bills. Plus, since the foliage itself needs water and sun, they actually retain twice as much rainfall and sun. What this means for you is less water runoff, and therefore less flooding; and in bigger cities this decreases the excess heat caused by urban heat islands. Roof gardens actually cool places off to a certain degree.

Creates Space: By utilizing the space on top of a structure or building, you then have more room in your own backyard for other projects. Also, if you live in a city, roof gardens are one of your only chances to grow plant life away from the noise and pollution of city streets.

Provides for Nature: Not only do rooftop gardens add to your own peace and tranquility through their special beauty, they also improve the natural environment by providing wildlife habitats (something people in the city may lack). Plus, due to the extra foliage these gardens also re-oxygenate the air and retain harmful toxins, allowing your home and neighborhood to reap the natural benefits.

ROOFTEC-LLC and ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec-LLC Facebook Page .