Wednesday 25 March 2015

10 Things to Do in Common Leak Areas

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, like GAF’s Lifetime 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. For example, when a homeowner buys a GAF Golden Pledge ltd. warranty**, they are entitled to an inspection by a GAF inspector. 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.

For more information on GAF’s residential warranties, see our comparison.

Monday 23 March 2015

5 Questions to Ask About a Roof Before Buying a Home

residential_shingles

Buying a home can be stressful and the last thing you want to end up with is the previous owners' problems.  You want to make a smart purchase, and being armed with the right questions to ask can help you avoid a nightmare when purchasing your dream home.  First things first, look at the roofing system.  Here are five questions we highly recommend you ask before making an offer:



1.  What is the roof's condition?  Ask if the homeowner is aware of any recent damage.  Do you see any noticable damage you can see from the ground? Check the roof for any cracked, curled, or missing roof shingles. Are there any areas that look worn, or damaged?  

2.  How old is the roof?  Knowing the roof's age will help you determine about when it will need replaced again.

3.  Who did it, and why? Was it the cheapest option? This will give you a good idea of the home's past problems and possibly gauge the quality of work performed.  Cousin Joe probably was not as thorough as a professional contractor when it comes to proper roof installation and its longevity.

4.  How many layers? How many layers of shingles are currently on the roofing system?

5.  What type of roof is on the home?  There are so many choices available today.  This information will help you better understand the needs and cost to maintain the home's roof.

 


These are all great questions to ask when you find a home or property that you are interested in potentially purchasing. The answers will provide you with a clear picture of the roofs true condition, and whether or not you want to factor that valuable information into your bargaining on the purchase price.

If any answers to the above questions have you somewhat concerned or still in questions, it's a good idea to call on a licensed, professional roofing contractor to perform an inspection. The more information you have on the home's roof, the closer you will be in determining when it will be due for maintenance or replacement. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us! Don't forget to connect on social media as well:

- Twitter

- Facebook

- LinkedIn

Monday 16 March 2015

Asphalt Roofing Systems: Freedom of Selection or Overkill?

There are many different options from a variety of manufacturers when deciding which asphaltic roofing material to use for a building. But is having so many choices necessary, and could it cause more harm than good?



Asphaltic roofing has been around for more than 150 years and has many advantages in the commercial market, including long life, multi-ply redundancy, and outstanding puncture resistance. However, the market share has decreased as a result of competition from less expensive single-ply membranes, and now the sheer quantity of offerings—which are estimated between 800-1,000 asphalt roof systems per manufacturer—doesn’t make sense in this smaller market. In contrast, TPO, which is larger than the asphaltic business, has about 75 percent fewer systems.

We understand the competitive pressure out in the marketplace and it’s nice to give customers a choice, but there are risks involved. It could cause confusion as professionals scramble to understand so many roofing systems, complicate the sales process, and drive up the cost for distributors, manufacturers, and, ultimately, customers.

Instead of focusing on how many different ways we can arrive at the same result, we should focus on what is the most cost-effective way (from an installed cost standpoint) to arrive at the desired result. For example, if a customer is looking for a 20-year hot mopped system over insulation, there are approximately 20 different combinations (i.e., systems) possible, but only one is the most cost effective: the one that requires the least steps and less labor. When we approach solutions this way, we find there are products that are not needed and certainly many systems that are not delivering value to customers.

The benefit of changing to a more manageable set of roofing choices is that it will result in less confusion with easier-to-understand procedures, saved time and labor, and simplified training. As a specifier, consultant, or contractor, you’ll know that you’re choosing a system that is reliable and meets your customer’s needs. As a manufacturer or distributor, it means less SKUs to manage, which saves costs associated with codes approvals, manufacturing, and storage. And ultimately for customers it means a more streamlined decision process and cost-effective solution. For all parties involved, it is a win-win situation.

Trudel is taking the lead in focusing on simplifying the sale and creating value for our customers. If more manufacturers follow suit, it can eventually improve competitiveness and cost in the asphaltic industry.

The Importance of Having Your Roof Inspected by a Pro - Especially After Extreme Weather

In Ontario, we get our fair share of thunderstorms during the summer months and snow storms in the winter. While most are harmless, some weather events cause us to make alternative arrangements – a minor inconvenience.

But, what about those unexpected storms that seemingly come out of nowhere and catch us off guard? How prepared are you for them? What about your business? How confident are you that your building and your roof can withstand the power of a major storm?

Tornado

 

Last summer, the people in Angus Ontario found out just how quickly a storm can turn into a tornado and cause millions of dollars worth of damage to a community. With winds of more than 180 km/h residents had little time to take cover. Thank goodness no one was seriously injured!

The damage of the June tornado also caused many business owners in the area to rethink the importance of proactive maintenance, especially when it comes to roofing.  

Ask yourself - How prepared is your building if an unexpected tornado or storm hit your city? Do you have confidence that your roof could withstand the high winds?

Have Your Roof Inspected After A Major Storm

If you experience a major storm in your area, it’s important to have your roof inspected by a professional commercial roofer. The truth is that most companies don’t bother to call their roofing company unless they see obvious signs of damage, such as water leaks and visible cracks.

However, there are many other types of damage that can occur, with many of these issues being less obvious or hidden from sight unless an inspection is conducted. Failure to have your roof inspected only opens the door to roofing issues in the future. Avoid overlooking small issues as this is what ends up costing companies more money in the long run. Address the small damages now, so they don’t become a more serious and costly issue in the future.

Types of Storm Damage

What type of damage can a major storm cause to your roof? Just about anything you can imagine!  But, you can help to lessen the impact of a storm by taking care of:

  • Broken and missing shingles and tiles
  • Interior and exterior water leaks
  • Hail damage
  • Roof lifting
  • Downed trees and branches
  • Broken eaves, downspouts and facia
  • Clogged water drains
  • Surface damage
  • Debris build up
  • Damage from projectiles

These are only some of the many examples of the type of damage that could happen to your roof during a storm.

Don’t get Caught Off Guard - Do You Know What’s Happening Up Top?

Remember that if you don’t know what’s happening up on your roof, it could lead to a major repair that can be easily avoided through regular inspection.  Don’t leave yourself exposed and subjected to more damage simply because you neglected your roof. It will cost you more money and increase the odds of having extensive damage, should a major storm occur.

Preventive Maintenance Is The Key To A Healthy Roof

Taking a proactive approach to roof maintenance ensures that you stay ahead of the game. Addressing minor issues before they become significant roofing issues saves you time, money, and the headache of dealing with roofing issues.

Through our Preventative Maintenance Programs you will be able to stay on top of things and your roof will be better equipped should a major storm occur.

How healthy is your roof? Get peace of mind and book your comprehensive roof inspection today!

Monday 9 March 2015

Cool Weather Application Precautions

Roofing work doesn’t stop in the winter, but if you are applying single-ply roofing systems in the cool weather, there are precautions you should take. By following proper procedures, cold weather applications can progress more efficiently and effectively, resulting in higher quality roof installations. Here are some helpful tips:
Always follow any cool weather application instructions for the product or system you are installing when the temperature is below 7.2°C, as special care may be required. Acceptable weather conditions are not only based on the actual ambient temperature, but also the total combination of nature’s elements (e.g., wind, humidity, snow, sleet, etc.). These installation recommendations should reduce the potential for:
  • Membrane wrinkling
  • Failures and blow-offs due to improper adhesion
  • Poor/false welds
  • Membrane blisters on adhered systems
Careful planning of work during cool weather can greatly improve the quality of the installation and can minimize problems.
  • There must be no ice, dew, or water on the roof substrate
  • Do not apply roofing materials during inclement or threatening weather
  • The roof substrate must be clean and dry
  • All membrane rolls, adhesives, and coatings must be stored at least overnight at a minimum temperature of 12.8°C prior to their application. All water-based products must be protected from freezing temperatures at all times. Any water-based materials that have been frozen must be discarded.
  • Lay out the roof area and place materials where they will be needed prior to starting your application
  • Complete each roof section daily. Application should be scheduled so there are no partially completed portions of the roof left exposed.
Membrane rolls are to be removed from the heated storage only as they are being installed. Install membrane rolls immediately after removal from storage to avoid membrane cooling.
Field seaming during cooler temperatures is an even more critical time to perform test welds in the morning, after any extended break such as lunch, or after significant change in weather (air temperature, wind speed, cloud cover, etc.). Many factors will affect the settings, including overcast skies and lower temperatures. This will require a slower speed that will provide the additional heat energy to compensate for heat-draining conditions.
  • The correct speed and temperature settings for automatic welders are determined by preparing test welds at various settings
  • Hand-welding during colder temperatures also needs to be adjusted
  • Perform daily quality control, including probing and checking seams at the end of the day
Adhesives, sealants, and primers will take longer to flash-off and dry in lower temperatures.
  • Adhesives, sealants, and primers should be kept in a warmer environment until just prior to usage in order to minimize exposure to cooler temperatures
  • Not waiting the appropriate time it takes for the adhesive to set up will most likely result in adhesion problems
  • At low temperatures, non-solvent-based adhesives, coatings, sealants, and caulks can be difficult to apply properly and may not adhere or cure as they do in warmer temperatures. Temperatures above 4.4°C and rising are best. Do not heat adhesive containers with torches or other high-temperature devices
  • Do not attempt to thin these products

White Roofing: Rising Demand Charges Make the Case

There has been much trade press the past year arguing how far south a black roof will yield energy savings. Their main point is that black roofing has a winter warming benefit. However, the winter sun in is generally not very warm, and many of the calculations assume that commercial buildings are heated with electricity, which is usually not the case.

So, what is the right roof color to help lower energy costs? Much of the modeling understates the case for white roofing, but electric demand charges are changing that perception, since they can increase an electric bill by three times. Whether you’re designing a building or managing a facility, it’s important to understand demand charges—and white roofing is one way to keep costs under control.

Utility companies have to worry about two things when supplying a region—how much power they have to supply each month or quarter, and how to manage peak demands. Think peak summer season, when everyone’s air conditioning is cranked up. If a lot of power is used one hot afternoon in July, the electric company will charge at a higher rate all month long. They focus on the high demand charges that occur in a short period of time and will penalize a building owner for it.

Let's look at two types of customers whose monthly power usage is 2,500 kWh, except one of them paid over three times more than the other. How is this possible? Let’s take a look at the math:

customer b

(Credit: Department of Energy)

Even though both customers used the same total power, Customer A used it within a short window of time and was charged $1,775. Customer B spread out their demand and paid just $515—a third as much.

Sounds convincing, but all bills aren’t that simple. In fact, they’re actually very complicated to figure out, since they often don’t even mention demand charges. Here's an example of how this looks on a typical utility bill:

energy bill

Look closely at the “Time of Use Detail” section. There are three charges based on actual usage: peak, partial-peak, and off-peak times of the day. Below that is a similar set of charges based on the actual rate of use, where demand charges account for 45% of the total bill! This shows the importance of checking these charges, especially since they rise faster than base charges.

average demand

Demand charges are an electrical phenomenon, and will be largest during the summer months when AC usage is at its peak. However, there are ways an architect or building manager can combat these extra costs:

  • Add additional insulation.   Since insulation saves on both summer and winter charges, it always generates an improvement, regardless of geography.
  • White roofing can have its biggest impact in lowering peak demand and, therefore, in lowering demand charges. This is true even for well-insulated buildings.
  • Time the start-up of load-intensive equipment (such as refrigerators and air conditioners) to prevent spikes, and of building energy management software to avoid simultaneous operation of HVAC units.
  • Use a professionally installed cool, reflective roof such as a roof coating to reduce a building’s cooling needs and demand charges.
  • For the building designer: by lowering AC demand with white roofs, the unit can be downsized. This will lower demand charges even further and reduce upfront capital costs—a true win-win.


Monday 2 March 2015

Help Grow the Commercial Side of Your Business

Whether a contractor already services the commercial roofing market or is just starting out, growing that side of the business can be quite challenging. Trudel and Sons Roofing understands the pain points and is ready to help with 3 comprehensive tips to overcome the most common obstacles in commercial growth:

  • Equipment… a recent survey found that only 40% of contractors had all the necessary equipment to install low-slope roofing and 51% said cost is the greatest barrier. Many companies and suppliers now offer promotional incentive to supplying equipment for contractors, after all, it's great advertising for them! 
  • Cash Flow… waiting on the final payment for a commercial project can cause cash flow issues and potentially prevent a contractor from bidding on the next opportunity. Contractor Financial Services (CFS) and other like companies can ensure payment within 24-48 hours to help improve cash flow and enhance a contractor’s ability to bid on more work.
  • Web… did you know that 70% of customers research online before making a purchase? Having a strong web presence is crucial, but 45% of contractors surveyed rated their website “Poor” for its ability to promote their commercial business. Know that it's well worth your time and finances as a company to either outsource your web presence or use one of the many free or low-cost web domain assistors to create the optimal user experience.