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There is a new technology on the scene in the roofing industry that has only started to scratch the surface in terms of the ways it can transform how roofing and construction work is performed, measured, and maintained.  Spurred largely by the inception of Part 107 in August of 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration's Small UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Rule (14 CFR part 107), commercial drone operators can now own and fly a drone without the complexity of obtaining a pilot’s license.  And that has made all the difference.  To own and operate a drone, start by completing the simple knowledge test, paying a small fee, following a set of common sense operational limitations, and be 16 years or older and ready to present your drone for inspection upon request.  This is the procedure to have a member of your company that can safely obtain and maintain a remote pilot in command certification.  Passage of Part 107 was a huge step towards making drone technology ac...

Commercial roof surfaces can often be an intense complex of pipe networks, platforms, HVAC equipment, and increasingly, smart technology, that needs to be organized and strongly secured to the building rooftop as a vital part of proper building safety and function.  Both in the past and even in the present, it is easy for building owners to feel either real or perceived financial pressures to cut corners or improvise some of this securing and organization by using relatively cheap and temporary means of supports to include impromptu wood blocks and scaffolding, concrete block and rope, and other loose materials.  But all buildings are serious investments.  The problem is that while temporarily effective, such measures often lead to greater costs and consequences rather quickly down the road.    Since the advent of adjustable roof support systems, including the arrival of systems like PHP’s zero penetration roof supports on the scene, building owners have the ava...

As all commercial building managers know, providing safe and reliable rooftop access is imperative to ensure that any equipment stored in this area is properly maintained. Accessing this equipment is often easier said than done, however. Without proper planning, you may encounter multiple safety and logistical issues. The best way to ensure easy rooftop access for workers and all personnel is to invest in a complete rooftop access system—including stairs, platforms, and crossovers—all of which work together to create an ideal rooftop solution that protects your equipment and roof as well as workers. What is the Most Important Equipment to Provide with Roof Access? A commercial roof is a large, flat open space that’s hard to see from the ground below. Therefore, it’s the perfect place to put large, noisy, and otherwise unsightly rooftop equipment—out of sight, out of mind. Unfortunately, what’s out of sight and out of mind might also be very difficult to access when it needs maintenance...

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. How Will Hurricanes Damage Your Roof? Here we’re going to discuss two separate but closely-related issues: how hurricanes cause damage, and which rooftop structures will be affected by this damage. Hurricanes have three primary damage mechanisms: wind, wind-driven rain, and windblown debris. (Hurricanes can also cause lightni...

When summer temperatures soar, roofing maintenance is not on anyone’s list of fun things to do. But the many factors that can damage a roof don’t take the summer off, so you can’t, either. You do, however, have an obligation to offer your workers as much protection as you can. While there are no specific OSHA regulations that cover heat-related illness, several companies have been cited under the General Duty Clause, which requires employers to provide safe working environments.  Protect yourself and your workers by making sure everyone thoroughly understands these hot-weather roof safety guidelines: 1. Know How to Cool Off Teach your employees how to take care of themselves in the heat: Wear loose, light-colored clothing with plenty of ventilation; wear a cap with a brim that covers the face and neck; take frequent shade/water breaks (drinking at least two to four cups every hour); and avoid caffeinated beverages, which increase the rate of dehydration.  2. Understand Your Bo...

The time is finally here: roof replacement time. Whether it’s because of postponed maintenance, storm damage or just the natural end of your roof, it’s something all building owners and facilities managers have to deal with eventually. One of the first questions almost everyone asks is, “how much will it cost?” That’s not an easy answer because there are so many different factors involved. Here are some of the most important ones: 1. Recover vs. Tear-Off The biggest factor affecting the cost of a roof is whether you can recover your existing roof or replace it with a new one. Recovering a roof is usually the first choice because the costs are much lower and it’s not as disruptive to the workplace, but it’s not always possible. Any of the following factors can make a complete replacement necessary: Building codes require it The existing roof is damaged to the point where it can’t serve as an adequate substrate There’s moisture below the membrane The underlying deck is damaged or deterio...

Many of us remember the big building boom that occurred in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. What this boom means to us now is that today these roofs are reaching the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. With every roof replaced, more and more waste winds up in the landfill—or does it? There has actually been a push in recent years to recycle roofing materials. This comes as part of a larger green strategy that many firms are embracing. Recycling any material possible is certainly a good thing; after all, anything that can be kept out of the landfills and turned into something usable will help our earth stay greener and may even save money.  With the likelihood that roof replacements may be at a high over the next few years, what does your firm need to know about recycling some of the most common materials in the business? Let's discuss the basics. EPDM The ERA (EPDM Roofing Association) has determined that recycling material that goes into EPDM roofs is not only possible, ...

Mobile apps help make life and everyday tasks more convenient - there's no question about that. But apps are also increasingly assisting on-the-go professionals. That's right, tasks that were once only able to be accomplished at the office computer can now often be carried out remotely from anywhere. Specifically, contractors are one group of professionals that have largely benefited from this technology. As contractors are often on-the-go or at job sites, it's been traditionally difficult for them to stay in touch with the office and update project progress. That's not the case anymore thanks to mobile technology and an ever-increasing amount of apps that are available for download. On that note, here's a look at 6 apps that every contractor should be sure to download: Mobile Field ManagerMobile Field Manager Created by Viewpoint Construction Software, this mobile app is purpose-built for the construction industry. Specifically, it allows construction workers to tr...

There are several different types of commercial roof coatings used today, including silicone, acrylic,roof-coating-2846324_1280 aluminum, and polyurethane.  They are sometimes referred to as restoration membranes because roof coatings are often applied over existing rooftop membranes, as opposed to being part of a new roof construction detail.  They can also be used in partial applications to coat and re-coat parapet walls or portions of a roof.  At this time, the major competitors in the commercial roof coatings industry are really only one of two types: silicone and acrylic.  Let’s consider some of the key aspects of these coatings such as longevity, application, cost effectiveness, climate appropriateness, sustainability, and maintenance.  Because reflective roofs can moderate energy use over the course of a new or even an existing building’s lifetime and because energy savings mean cost savings, certain coatings can be a sustainable choice in most climates....

Out of every surface on your building, your roof is the one that spends the most time exposed to rain and wind-driven moisture. There is absolutely no way to prevent water infiltration entirely, but there are ways to prevent most of it – and unless you try, your roof and its contents will quickly be eaten by rot and hazardous mold. What Happens When You Don’t Control Moisture? Failure to control moisture will result in mold growth, which will have negative side effects for your building and for your building tenants. Your tenants may develop asthma, or the symptoms of asthma: wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Shortly thereafter, you will develop the symptom of not having any tenants – no one wants to live or work in a building that makes them ill. In addition, your building will develop symptoms. Moisture rots wood, so over time it will swell, bend, and crumble. It will slowly break concrete and brick, especially in climates that experience winter. It will rust metal, get in...

Buildings rely on HVAC systems to ensure comfort year round. However, all too often, the regular upkeep of HVAC systems isn’t a priority…until something goes wrong or they don’t work as they should. Routine HVAC preventative maintenance is essential for comfort, healthier indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and peace of mind—and it’s something that should begin well before an issue occurs. In fact, the best move you can make for ensuring HVAC equipment longevity is to set up your system for long-term success with equipment supports as part of a complete rooftop support system. Before we dive into our recommendations, we’ll outline some basic HVAC components, what they do, and why preventative maintenance should be a priority for all building managers. Overview Of HVAC Components In order to understand why maintenance improves the operation of HVAC systems, it’s helpful to understand how some of the individual components work. Thermostat: Sometimes a problem with the HVAC system isn’...

With the changing season, it’s time to think about fall readiness and eventual winter prep through commercial roof maintenance. Your commercial rooftop went through a lot this year! High heat in summer and cold nights in spring and winter could have caused damage to your commercial roof.  Now that the cold weather is coming around again, it's important to know your roof's status and to inspect areas that can degrade over time. Knowing the condition of your roof and taking steps to protect your roof from future storms can help prolong your roof's service life.  Clean the Roof and Remove Debris Debris causes damage to rooftop materials in a variety of ways. By locking in moisture, debris like leaves, paper and organic materials can lead to the degradation of materials like caulk, rubber and more. Other debris, like branches and sharp objects, can cause punctures on rooftop surfaces, leading to small tears that get bigger over time.  Clean your roof and remove debris before ...

It’s trite but true: Accidents happen. Sometimes, no matter how many precautions you take or how well you train your employees on rooftop safety, something goes wrong. Unfortunately, the nature of working on a roof means that many of the resulting injuries are often very serious. A broken water pipe could cause a slip; an electrical short could cause a shock or a burn. And then there’s the dreaded fall, which can be especially scary when it happens from a high distance.  The rooftop safety of your workers is your responsibility, so it’s important for you to know exactly how to react when someone is injured. Here are some of the things that should be on your “accident to-do” list: The most important thing, of course, is to help the employee. If possible, provide first aid (ideally, you or someone on your staff should be trained in first aid). If you’re not certain that you can do so without causing further injury – in the case of a fall, for instance – call 911 immediately. Remember...

You’ve convinced your employer to invest in a green roof, but the budget is far less than what you had anticipated. Should you scrap the project altogether? Or should you make your priorities within the budget you were given? The correct answer is definitely the latter. Here’s how you can make that happen: Extensive vs. Intensive When you go to a restaurant, you don’t have to buy the most expensive thing on the menu in order to enjoy your meal. Likewise, you don’t have to replicate a rainforest in order to reap the benefits sustainable roof systems can offer. Any green improvements will add to the life of your roof and decrease your operating costs. You just have to choose an extensive green roof over an intensive one. They’re both green, but there are a few important differences. Intensive green roofs have deeper soil, usually eight to 24 inches. The soil base for extensive roofs is between 2-6 inches. Intensive green roofs, because of the deeper soil base, support a wider variety of ...