Day: October 15, 2018

Here on Florida’s west coast, our extreme weather can include blistering heat, high humidity, hail, hurricane-force winds and torrential rains. Our volatile climate makes it essential to keep the roof on your commercial building in the best possible condition, and this is easier to accomplish with the help of a knowledgeable local roofer. A Tampa commercial roofer knows that helping your roof reach its full lifespan requires a multi-prong approach that includes:

• Regular, in-depth inspections
• Planned routine maintenance
• Timely repairs
• Effective preservation efforts

How Your Contractor’s Local Knowledge Impacts Your Roof

You may not realize that your contractor’s experience with the nuances of our local climate directly affects the performance of your commercial roof in a variety of ways. Here’s a look at how local expertise relates to different roofing issues and how it can improve your ability to protect and maximize the value of this costly asset:

• UV degradation. A knowledgeable contractor understands how Tampa’s brutal sun speeds up the chemical breakdown of different roofing materials, and can advise you about effective solutions to minimize the deterioration, such as applying a highly-reflective coating.
• Wind damage. The high winds we sometimes experience can cause billowing or tearing of a roof membrane, so a skilled roofer makes checking the condition of flashings and mechanical fasteners a priority during routine and post-storm inspections.
• Water damage. Leaks that occur during and after a heavy rain can cause structural deterioration of your roof and building, facilitate mold growth, damage interior finishes or ruin contents like equipment and inventory. An experienced Tampa roofer knows how to limit potential damage by ensuring that the drainage system is fully functional, addressing issues with ponding, and identifying problem areas and then analyzing the roof so sound repairs can be made using the correct materials and techniques.
• Age-related wear. A Tampa commercial roofer can advise you on how to extend the life of your roof as it ages with effective preservation methods like applying a waterproof coating. When the time comes for a replacement, a local roofer not only knows how to meet all necessary code requirements, they can also offer recommendations on the best material choice for our climate – such as a single-ply TPO membrane that saves energy by reflecting the sun’s rays and resists premature aging from high temperatures and UV degradation.

Contact us today at Aderhold Roofing for local expertise on your Tampa commercial roofing needs.

Your commercial roofer may tell you that your business’s roof is a bit like a desert. Vast areas of it are downright boring. A few spots are where all the action is. Leak action, that is. Most of your industrial or commercial roof is just a stretch of single-ply, modified bitumen or some other roofing material. Piercings, add-ons and edges are the trouble spots — not exactly oases, but definitely water-prone areas.

Piercings

The most obvious leak culprits are holes cut through your roof. Everything from sanitary stacks to internal drains needs to be checked thoroughly. The rubber boots around piercings are prone to break down in the Tampa heat and sun. Once they lose their elasticity, they can crack, allowing tiny rivulets of water to enter and damage your roof deck.

Add-Ons

That HVAC unit is supposed to sit on a curb, but not all curbs are properly sloped to match the low-slope roof on which they sit. New signage, radio masts and satellite dishes are all likely leak areas. Make certain your commercial roofer checks attachment points of all equipment, since a single loose fastener can allow water to creep into your building and ruin roof insulation, decking and more.

Edges

Roof edges, parapets and metal fastenings are all common spots for leaks. Special attention needs to be paid to any place where water can back up, such as around a clogged scupper.

Seams

Open seams can admit water, but these are usually easily detectable and remedied during annual inspections and routine maintenance. Make certain your commercial roofer properly identifies not only the roofing material, but the original method of sealing the seam. A chemical adhesive is not the same as a hot-torch seal, for example.

Slope and Decking

Because nearly all commercial roofs are low-slope roofs, finding and solving leaks is a challenge. Water flows downhill, yes, but your commercial roofer will first mark the interior spot of a leak and then trace its path with an understanding that your roof’s metal deck affects that path. As the experts at Facilities Net point out, a commercial roofer must know the orientation of the metal decking to correctly chart the leak on the exterior.

Leave your commercial building’s roof in the expert hands of the professionals from Aderhold Roofing. We can trace and stop leaks before they ruin your building’s rooftop integrity. Contact us today and stay dry tomorrow.

A high-quality commercial roof installation can cost into the tens of thousands; it is a major investment that deserves attention and preservation. Too often, of course, other down-to-earth matters intrude. Customers complain. Employees call out sick. You may feel you have no time for looking after your rooftop investment. Here are three simple actions you can take, today, to help your roof last longer.

1. Sunscreen

Partner with a top professional commercial roofer such as Aderhold Roofing to find the best method of reducing ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage. Usually this means a waterproof, reflective coating applied atop your existing roofing material. This does triple duty:

• Reduces the risk of water infiltration
• Reflects back that semitropical sun that tortures Tampa roofs, lowering your central air conditioning and air handling costs
• Preserves the roofing material by preventing UV rays from breaking down the complex chemicals in your felts, membrane or asphalt.

2. Cut Back

Cut back in two ways:

1. Cut back branches and growth that overhangs your commercial roof — You probably should opt to have this done by trained professionals with the right safety equipment; careful trimming prevents impact damage from falling deadwood and helps discourage pests from using your low-slope roof as their private playground
2. Cut back on rooftop visits — Do this for two reasons: the less foot traffic, the less chance you run of having someone get hurt or fall; and, the fewer feet, the longer your roof will last, whether it is the ballast atop built-up roofing or the exposed membrane of PVC roofing

3. Inspect Every Six Months

Having your Tampa commercial roofing inspected every six months by trained experts will go a long way toward adding long years of service. Small problems are nipped quickly:

• A little seam repair can prevent thousands of dollars of damage from water infiltration
• One cleared scupper can prevent ponding that compresses insulation
• A careful inspection can reveal cracking, crazing, bubbles and other easily corrected issues

Inspection is a simple solution that involves nothing more elaborate than scheduling the regular visit, and minor repair work, with your local, trusted roofer. If you want to extend the life of your commercial roofing, contact Aderhold Roofing today to learn how we can help. Our services span from simple to sophisticated, and all are intended to save you money while preserving your roof.

When you’re budgeting for all of the necessary expenses of maintaining your commercial building, it’s all too easy to put roof care low on the list. This can prove costly though, because your roof not only represents a considerable monetary investment, it’s also the critical structural component that shields and protects the building and its contents from our often extreme weather. Prioritizing the costs associated with roof preservation is a smarter strategy, and it can actually save you money over the long term.

What Does Roof Preservation Entail?

The primary goal of roof preservation is to maximize the asset’s service life so you avoid the major expense of a premature tear off and replacement. The best way to do this is with a proactive, four-prong approach that includes:

• Conducting in-depth inspections
• Taking care of regular maintenance
• Performing routine cleaning
• Making necessary repairs and improvements

Why Roof Preservation Makes Good Fiscal Sense

Studies have shown that taking good care of a commercial roof makes a big difference in terms of its expected lifespan. On average, well-cared-for roofs last 21 years, while poorly-maintained roofs need replacement after just 13 years. In addition to saving you the hefty expense of replacing your roof eight years early, preserving it can allow you to save money in various other ways, such as:

• Emergency repairs. Staying aware of your roof’s condition and correcting deficiencies quickly makes it easier to avert unexpected leaks that require emergency services from your commercial roofer.
• Heating and cooling costs. By repairing damage to the membrane, or having a roof coating installed, you protect the insulation getting wet and losing its R-value.
• Restoration services. Keeping the roof watertight and preventing leaks into the interior can help you avoid the need for costly clean-ups by a restoration service.
• Revenue losses. Taking care of roof repairs promptly helps guard against catastrophic leaks that can ruin inventory or equipment, cause an interruption in business operations, or force tenants to relocate.
• Structural and interior repairs. Catching and fixing slow leaks into the structure lets you avoid the expense of repairing or replacing the roof decking, framing, ceiling tiles, drywall, electrical system and HVAC components.
• Mold remediation. Preventing water intrusions into the building safeguards against the growth of mold, so you won’t have to pay for remediation services.

For help developing a roof preservation plan for your Tampa Bay-area commercial property, contact us at Aderhold Roofing.

If your commercial roof starts to leak, you might be tempted to send your building maintenance staff up to make a quick fix. Doing so can result in bigger problems in the future though, because it takes specialized training and experience to pinpoint the source of a leak and make sound commercial roof leak repairs.

To make sure that your roof’s integrity is restored and any water damage is properly addressed, it’s better to call in a roofing professional, especially for leaks caused by these three issues.

Drainage Problems

A poorly-functioning drainage system can cause ponding after it rains that leads to membrane deterioration and leaks. While your maintenance staff can clean up standing water or flush a blocked internal drain, recurring ponding should be investigated by a commercial roofer. A pro knows how to inspect and test for serious drainage issues and advise you on the repairs needed to get the system working properly and water damage fixed. It may be that the drains can’t handle the necessary volume of rain or the roof isn’t sloped adequately. The seals around the drains may be degraded, some metal components may be rusted through, or the surrounding roof material and insulation may be waterlogged and sagging.

Degraded Flashing

Corroded, bent, loose or missing flashing can allow water into your roof system during a rain or make the membrane vulnerable to being torn off in high winds. An experienced roofer knows the exact areas to check to locate the source of a flashing-related roof leak, such as around penetrations for HVAC equipment, vents, pipes, or skylights, and along the roof perimeter and parapets. A pro who’s experienced working with your type of roofing also knows how to replace, reattach, and secure the various flashed areas to make the building watertight again.

Roof Field Damage

There are numerous areas on a commercial roof covering that are susceptible to degradation, damage, and leaks. Common problems on the roof field include seam or lap separations, membrane tears, or punctures from foot traffic or debris, and split blisters/bubbles caused by moisture retention between the material layers. A pro can inspect the roof field to identify trouble spots where moisture is seeping in and take appropriate steps to remediate any water damage and properly repair the leak(s).

If the roof on your Tampa commercial building is leaking and you need expert help, contact us at Aderhold Roofing.

Most roof repair work is localized, small and not done as an emergency response. As a commercial building owner or facilities manager, do you know what to do when any one of the three worst roofing emergencies occurs on your watch?

She’s Taking on Water

After a hurricane or major thunderstorm, some commercial roofs become sieves, often with little advance warning. Prepare for multiple water infiltration by stocking up and knowing who to call.

Protect the interior — Stock plastic sheeting to protect furnishings, equipment and inventory; keep extra, large trash cans on hand to catch water, with smaller containers to cluster beneath multiple leaks; empty the smaller ones into the larger ones Clear rooftop water  — Your building’s roof may have retained water around clogged internal drains and parapet scuppers; if safe to work on, have wide squeegees and brooms available to push the water away Contact your roofing contractor  — A trustworthy, local roofer will respond quickly in an emergency

Vandalism

Roof hacking, impromptu parties, and deliberate, destructive vandalism can be unpleasant surprises for facilities managers. Company employees may be guilty of rooftop escapades, but serious damage usually occurs when vandals gain access.

Repairs to a vandalized commercial roof may require an emergency inspection, coordination with other trades (HVAC, satellite communications, sign company, the window washing equipment supplier), and a police response.

Keep contact information for all rooftop contractors readily available, and enlist your facilities crew to do a foot-by-foot inspection to uncover damage from stray feet, blunt or pointed tools, spray paint and meddlesome hands. Catalog the damage and inform the police, your insurance company and your roof repair contractor.

Wind Uplift

Strong winds can wreak havoc with a commercial roof, leading to emergency roof repair and big insurance headaches. Prepare for what could be a business-shuttering emergency by applying these three steps:

If safe, clear the damage so that additional winds do not grab the uplifted sections and pull more of your roof away If safe to work on, cover the damaged roof area with tarps to prevent water infiltration Keep all your insurance and emergency roof repair contact information in one spot for immediate access

We hope, as you plan your response to critical roof repairs, you consider Aderhold Roofing to be your trusted partner in roof repair, maintenance and inspection. Contact us today to learn how we can help you prepare and plan for the biggest emergencies.

Sadly, bad commercial roofers are all too common in our industry. You can avoid dealing with substandard roofers and the headaches they leave behind by watching for these three, less than stellar, qualities you do not want to see in your commercial roofer.

1. Poor Communication

Everything from a company’s website to business cards to their telephone answering strategy will tell you if that commercial roofer communicates well. Communication between a client business and a commercial roofer is vital, since clear expectations can only come from clear understanding. Does the roofer respond to initial inquiries quickly? Is the office staffed with real people or do you always land in a voicemail menu? Is the website updated frequently, accurate, and edited correctly? You might think these are tangential to good roofing work, but consider: if the roofer cannot bother to communicate with customers clearly, what is she or he telling the company employees? How is your roof being inspected, repaired or installed correctly if the roofer cannot even answer a telephone call?

2. Callbacks

Ask potential roofers how they handle callbacks. Be very wary of the roofer who claims never to need them. Be wary of a roofer who seems reluctant to return to a job site, too. Callbacks—returning to a job to fix some minor overlooked issue—are built in to most roofers’ schedules. Prompt callbacks are good customer service and a sign of quality. Avoiding callbacks means the roofer knows the work is substandard.

3. Paperwork Procrastination

Permits, warranties, and roof inspection reports are all paperwork details that truly matter. Unfortunately many a Tampa commercial roofer will “overlook” permitting, “accidentally” fail to register a warranty, or “forget” to provide a printed roof inspection report.

Permits are required by law in Tampa. Manufacturers provide warranties to support their products. An inspection report is the starting point for sound financial planning for roof repair and maintenance. A good Tampa commercial roofer recognizes the importance of details, from paperwork, to PVC, to parapets. Your best strategy for avoiding a bad commercial roofer is to interview prospective roofers, ask for and check their references, and inspect recent work.

You invested sweat, toil, and tears in your company. Your business deserves the best, so partner with Aderhold Roofing to get the highest quality service, installation, and repair work for your commercial roofing. We are the Tampa commercial roofer you can trust; contact Aderhold Roofing today.

With a new commercial roof potentially costing into seven figures, Tampa facilities managers and business owners naturally want to know about other options for their roofs. Re-covering, continued repair, or roof preservation are all options. If you have your roof’s life extended with roof preservation, what can you expect?

1. Savings

The typical cost of replacing an existing roof is in the range of $7 to $15 per square foot. Costs for roof preservation could run in the range of $3 to $6 per square foot. The difference — as little as $4 to as much as $12 per square foot — may not seem significant.

Consider, though, that the average size commercial property has steadily grown from 12,000 square feet in the 1960s to 19,000 square feet today, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. At the low end of the estimate, you could save $76,000; at the high end, $228,000.

2. Lower Energy Bills

A typical roofing preservation job includes complete sealing of any problem areas and an energy-efficient, reflective coating sprayed or brushed on to provide reflectivity. This reflects infrared radiation, reducing the load on your building’s cooling system.

Please note that preservation is only feasible if your roof has been well maintained, has no wet insulation, and has good slope and drainage.

3. Meticulous Service

Please do not expect a roof preservation job to take less time than a tear-off and re-roof. Because you are trading materials costs for labor costs, you will see our crews on site for as long as they need to do a thorough and clean job. At Aderhold Roofing we do not take shortcuts by skipping a cleaning, inspection, patching, or repair. We take our time with roof coatings, too, to ensure adhesion and uniformity. Your preservation job will give your building many additional years of protection.

A roof preservation essentially is a major job. It is not demolition or reconstruction, but it does involve a lot of cleaning prior to the application of the new coating. Think of your roof like a giant painting in a museum. We clean off and restore the original roof, providing it with a beautiful new sealing coat, without disturbing what is already there.

If you want to compare costs of roof preservation to other options, contact us at Aderhold Roofing. We can provide on-site inspection, a written estimate, and an outline of strategies — including coatings, re-roof, or re-cover — to save you money.

At times, Tampa business owners must feel like Mother Nature is conspiring against them. If sun damage does not prematurely age a Tampa industrial roof, some other part of nature’s arsenal will. Three causes for roof deterioration are moisture, penetrations, and a breakdown in the integrity of a roofing system.

Moisture

Whether from leaks or trapped moisture, many commercial roofs deteriorate because of water damage. Insulation may trap moisture if the roofing insulation was stored improperly before installation. This moisture will expand and, under the Tampa sun, form gas bubbles under membranes. These blisters can also form when water vapor is trapped within plies in built-up roofing.

Felts have to be stored where they will not absorb water along their rolled edges. Membranes have to be installed on a dry roof. This means you need to trust your expert, local commercial roofer to do the job properly to get adequate roof preservation.

Penetrations

The day after a roof is installed, someone invariably comes up with a good idea of some other widget to stick on the new roof. It could be any number of items:

• New window washing equipment
• A new satellite dish
• A radio antenna
• A sign
• More HVAC equipment
• A skylight
• Solar panels

Every new item attached to a roof is a strike against roof preservation, because the item has to be physically attached. This means a penetration, and a penetration destroys the integrity of the roofing system. Water can find its way into the roof deck through a carelessly drilled hole or fasteners that migrate with expansion and contraction.

To ensure long roof preservation, plan and organize rooftop additions to allow plenty of input from your commercial roofer. Steps can be taken to seal the roof before and after an additional widget is installed.

System Integrity

Experts point out that commercial roof preservation depends on the integrity of the entire roofing system. If drains are clogged, the insulation will sink from ponding. If flashing becomes unsealed when membrane shrinks, catastrophic failure from wind uplift can result.

Mechanical fasteners (termination bars) at the membrane perimeter can counter some of this, but annual inspection and routine maintenance will go far in providing adequate roof preservation.

To learn more about preserving your commercial roof, contact our experts at Aderhold Roofing. We will be happy to inspect your roof and advise you on roof preservation.

As much as you pity your northern neighbors who fight to keep their roofs against the twin perils of snow and ice, our Tampa Bay businesses have our own fight on our hands: sunlight. It is one of many challenges to preserving your roof, and part of our focus on four ways to ensure roof preservation.

1. Prevent Solar Damage

Infrared and ultraviolet radiation from the sun do substantial damage to Tampa Bay commercial roofs. The solution is waterproof coatings expertly applied by Aderhold Roofing. Applied coatings serve two valuable purposes:

• Energy savings
• Roof preservation

The same coating that provides light reflectivity will also turn back ultraviolet rays that break down the chemicals in single-ply membranes.

2. Fight Mold

For as much sunlight as Tampa Bay receives, it also receives substantial rain. This can cause mold problems on your property’s roof and inside. Because of rooftop air intakes, this is an especially important problem to address, as the drawn-in air can affect indoor air quality. Molds, lichens, mosses, and spores can set up base camp on your building’s roof and then advance inside, through rooftop vents and air intakes.

Preservation begins with frequent and thorough inspection. Eliminating ponding, reducing water leaks, and keeping rooftop insulation dry will all help to lower the risk of mold inside and out.

3. Limit Access

The fewer feet that clamber around your rooftop, the longer your roof will last. A wise facilities manager or building owner keeps a careful record of rooftop visitors, their reasons for being on the roof, and the areas where they worked. This also helps identify potential trouble spots during inspection.

This is one of best ways to ensure roof preservation because it costs almost nothing, requires very little time and provides an excellent return on investment.

4. Landscape Consciously

Many of the Tampa Bay area’s roofs nestle amidst some our semitropical greenery. That is all lovely and fine until overhanging branches and leaves interfere with the roof. One key to roof preservation is to keep growth trimmed back, so falling branches, large fronds and other flora cannot touch your roof. The sabal palm may be our state tree, but it is no friend to roofs.

Your best ally in the fight for commercial roof preservation is Aderhold Roofing. Contact our offices today to learn how we can ensure a long life for your company’s roof.