RAMCON Roofing

The Future of Green Roofing

2012-01-23T08:15:00.000-05:00

Green roofs involve growing plants on rooftops, thus replacing the vegetated footprint that was destroyed when the building was constructed.

Germany is widely considered the leader in green roof research, technology and usage. It is estimated that 12% of all flat roofs in that country are green and the German green roof industry is growing 10% to 15% per year. In North America the concept of green roofs is still fairly new.

Will green roofs ever catch on in the United States like they have in Europe? Several barriers to widespread acceptance exist such as a lack of awareness regarding green roofs, potentially higher installation costs, limited quantifiable data pertaining to the benefits they provide, no technical information on how to build them, and a lack of government incentives or tax breaks. However, all of these problems are currently being addressed. These barriers are not insurmountable, as the same barriers have been overcome in Germany. In the U.S. the concept of green roofs is just now being introduced and will likely become more common in the future. They represent an entirely new market for landscape designers/architects, nursery operations, and landscape contractors; and the potential market includes all existing and future roofs in the country.

The Details of a Vegetative Roof

2012-01-16T07:59:00.000-05:00

Managers need to ensure proper design and installation by engaging a professional. Each roof is different, so managers should not rely on “boxed” systems.

Before installation of the overburden, managers should schedule a flood test of the system. Water should be at least 2 inches deep at all details. If a detail fails, the installer must retest it after repairs.

Vegetative roofs offer significant benefits related to sustainability that building owners and managers seek. But to ensure system longevity, managers must specify proper materials and detailing. Otherwise, the cost to repair or replace a leaking vegetative roof system dramatically reduces these sustainability benefits.

When specifying a vegetative roofing system, managers must consider system details carefully.

Base flashing. For conventional roofs, the top edge of the base flashing must be at least 8 inches above the membrane surface. For vegetative roofs, the top edge of the flashing system should be at least 8 inches above the top of the planting system.

Penetrations. For all roof systems, managers must minimize penetrations to reduce the potential for leaks. Due to access constraints and challenges, this issue is more important in vegetative roofs.

Gravel. Managers should specify that installers use gravel at perimeters and around penetrations and details so water can flow promptly away from these areas.

Drains. Managers need to specify dual-level drains to ensure water can drain from the top surface of the overburden and the waterproofing-membrane layer.

Planters. For plants with deep root structures, such as trees and shrubs, managers should specify independent planter boxes to separate the roots from the waterproofing system.

Never Too Early To Plan

2012-01-12T15:59:00.000-05:00

Mark your calendars now, and make plans to come visit us at booth #609 at the 2012 Florida Building & Facility Maintenance Show! Just click on the link for details.

http://www.eliteemail.com/emview.cgi?c=146733&b=MA/2759067&u=167217866&ticket=53616c7465645f5f36feaaa4928e9fdba66cd2dca59a11e70e01cf6f888a162702b52496867efef3159b185b443eb3a9

See you there!

Pros and Cons of Vegetative Roofs

2012-01-09T07:37:00.000-05:00

The decision to invest in green products and technologies requires understanding both the up front benefits and the longer-term impact. In other words, do energy savings and a smaller environmental impact during manufacturing and installation outweigh the effects of possibly having to replace the product after only a few years?

In specifying a vegetative roofing system, that balance is important because the impact of replacing a system is significant. Crews must completely remove overburden materials to replace or even repair the membrane system.

To successfully specify a vegetative roof and maximize its sustainability, maintenance and engineering managers need to understand the system’s many components, as well as the potential benefits and drawbacks.

BENEFITS OF VEGETATION
Vegetative roofing refers to plant materials installed over a weatherproofing system. These roofs provide many benefits to the building and environment:

Storm-water control. The planting system, including soil media, reduces the overall volume of run-off, the peak volume-rate requirements for drainage systems, and contaminants in run-off water — all of which reduce the demand on storm-water drainage and treatment systems.

Air quality. Increasing the amount of plantings in any area allows for natural air treatment, reducing airborne contaminants.

Energy savings. The planting system provides a buffer between ambient temperature and roof insulation, reducing the fluctuation in high and low daily temperatures, as well as the rate of temperature change. Both of these benefits result in reduced load on the building’s mechanical heating and cooling systems.

Service life. Assuming a reliable installation, vegetative roof-membrane systems have increased service life over conventional membranes because they are protected from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Vegetation covers the membrane and protects it from thermal-shock stresses.

Aesthetics and wellness. If a vegetative roof is visible and accessible, occupants and visitors can benefit from this exposure. Some research indicates access to nature scenes can increase productivity, as well as general health.

DISADVANTAGES
Although vegetative roofs offer many benefits, managers also must consider the disadvantages of such systems:

Maintenance. While conventional roofing membranes require periodic maintenance to repair membrane degradation, vegetative roofing requires periodic landscaping maintenance to remove unwanted weeds and other plants so they do not overtake and detract from the plantings.

Increased costs. Depending on the selected planting method — modular vs. built-in-place — or overburden system, a vegetative roof can cost up to twice as much as a conventional system.

Membrane access. If leaks occur, the planting or overburden systems cover the membrane system. Inspectors must remove this top layer to find and repair the cause of leaks. As with any system, this process is challenging because the interior leak might not align with the membrane breach.

Unwanted wildlife and insects. The planting systems provide suitable habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife, which managers might not want. Managers might have to specify additional protection to prevent unwanted wildlife and insects from inhabiting the system.

Get Ready. Get Set. GO!

2012-01-03T10:19:00.000-05:00

As we enjoyed time with our family this holiday season, we had opportunity to reflect on the things in life for which we are most grateful. Obviously, family and dear friends came to mind, along with the necessities of life that are so often taken for granted. We also found ourselves thinking of our loyal clients – those like you who have made every part of our journey and progress possible.

At this time, as we start a new year and strive to live up to the resolutions we set on New Year’s Eve, we’d like to take the opportunity to personally thank you for choosing us. We also want to make sure you know that RAMCON values your business and your opinions. One of the most rewarding parts of our job is talking with our clients. We love to hear stories of excellent service or surpassed expectations, as well as suggestions as to how we can improve. In fact, we discuss these recommendations every week and take action to correct any problems immediately. It’s made the world of a difference and poured the foundation for what we’ve accomplished.

In 2011, we installed over 3.3 million square feet of practically every type of roofing system imaginable. Our never ending commitment to quality remains stronger than ever. In 2011, we remained Florida’s only Firestone President’s Club winner council member, one of only 30 Johns Manville Pinnacle Council members in the world and maintain the highest accreditations by practically every major manufacturer. These awards signify our commitment to installing the best systems in the industry. We’ve installed roofs on some of the highest profile facilities in Florida, including:Tropicana Field, Busch Gardens, and Walt Disney World. We’ve logged over 4,200 hours of hands on training to continue to get better.

However, we’re not satisfied and certainly not done. This year, growth will continue rapidly. We are venturing into new markets; adding new arrays of services and enhancing our customer service features to give you live time data and reports on your facilities. You’ll never have to wonder when a technician will be at a facility, you’ll see it live. Want to know the status of a repair? It’s right at your fingertips. How about getting an instant report showing all conditions, logs and lifecycle of any roof in your portfolio? It’s all coming in 2012 with our custom designed application that’s nearing completion.

This is just one example of where we are headed. We’ll be moving into new frontiers to match our award winning quality, talented personnel and levels of customer service and interaction that are simply unmatched.
The truth is, in everything we build, the most important thing is our relationship with you. We sincerely thank you for taking this journey with us. Your loyalty and feedback is amazing and we owe you for every step of our progress. Have a great, prosperous New Year!

-The RAMCON Team

Toys For Tots

2011-12-15T15:38:00.000-05:00

There is still one more day to bring in toys! Tomorrow, Friday, December 16th, we will be taking the toys to one of the Toys for Tots warehouses just after lunch. If you have anything you want to drop off in the morning, please feel free to come by and say hello!

Lower Energy Bills with Cool Roofs

2011-12-12T08:14:00.000-05:00

Managers specifying a cool roof only a few years ago found a limited number of product options. Now, based on the growing demand in part by institutional and commercial facilities, managers can choose from among hundreds of cool products.

By reducing the amount of heat transferred to a building’s interior, cool roofs provide a number of additional benefits. These include lower energy bills and longer performance lives for roof systems, as well as cooling equipment.

The environment also benefits from cool roofs. By lowering facilities’ energy use, cool roofs cut down on air pollution — including carbon emissions, which contribute to global warming.

Managers also need to pay attention to the return on investment — an especially important consideration in tough economic times. While some cool-roofing options cost more than standard, non-cool options, a cool roof generally will pay for itself in a relatively short time through savings in energy costs. But managers should note that exact savings depend on a number of factors that include climate zone, product type, building insulation and the type of HVAC equipment used to cool the building.

Understanding the concept behind a cool roof does not fully describe the amount of actual energy savings managers can expect. Savings obviously can vary widely, but the difference in temperature between a cool roof and a regular roof can be large.

Climate, roof performance, insulation and other aspects of the building can cause variations in the exact amount of savings, but cool roofs can yield up to 50 percent savings on cooling loads.

Average savings in the range of 10-30 percent of the cooling energy required is a reasonable expectation for a typical application of cool roofing under normal conditions. This range might equate to a drop in the total electric bill of 3-10 percent. These ranges generally apply to low-rise buildings in regions with significant cooling loads.

Cool Roofs Reject Heat, Lower Cooling Loads

2011-12-05T07:36:00.000-05:00

The availability of viable and energy-efficient cool roofing products has expanded greatly in recent years. Building owners and managers, specifiers, and architects increasingly use these products because of their capacity for energy savings.

Managers in institutional and commercial facilities also can achieve several other benefits, such as: lower interior temperatures, greater occupant comfort, and smaller cooling loads on HVAC systems. A growing number of building codes also mandate the use of cool roofs, and more voluntary programs include them as a key element of sustainable design.

By understanding some of the science behind cool roofs and the questions to ask in specifying these systems, managers can more effectively match product options to the organizations’ needs.

How Is It Cool?
Specifying a cool roof for an institutional or commercial facility can be a smart decision, but not everyone is clear on what exactly cool entails. Cool roofs have been around for quite some time and are increasingly popular options in many areas of the United States. Still, managers often do not understand the performance details of cool roofs.

A cool roof is highly reflective and can easily emit the small amounts of heat it absorbs, allowing the surface of the roof to remain cooler, and transferring less heat into the building.

Two radiative properties define a cool roof. Solar reflectance describes the fraction of solar energy the roof reflects. Thermal emittance describes the relative ability of the roof’s surface to radiate absorbed heat. Both of these properties are measured from 0 to 1, and the higher the number, the cooler the roof.

Here is where part of managers’ confusion comes in. Many elements of a roof’s structure, such as insulation, can affect a building’s interior temperature and its performance. These elements are obviously important, but “cool roof” refers specifically to the roof’s radiative surface properties.

It stands to reason that light-colored surfaces have high reflectance, and many early rebate programs for cool roofs used this characteristic as the only requirement. Uncoated shiny metal surfaces reflect the sun’s energy efficiently, but they have very low emittance and, as a result, become very hot during the day. A roof that demonstrates both high solar reflectance and high thermal emittance is essential for managers seeking to improve a facility’s energy performance.

RAMCON Collects Toys For Tots!

2011-11-28T07:40:00.000-05:00

“The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.” Once again this year, RAMCON management and staff are happy to give back. RAMCON will to take part in the annual Toys For Tots Program by collecting new toys and books.

“Toys for tots Began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The idea came from Bill’s wife, Diane. In the fall of 1947, Diane crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas. When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one. He did. The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. The initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to ‘bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children’.”

The team at RAMCON will be collecting toys in our corporate offices in Tampa through December 15th, and will be having them picked up on December 16th. There are many collection locations across the entire state, but if you would like to come visit the offices of RAMCON, and bring your new, unwrapped toy here, we will gladly get it to the Toys For Tots to be distributed to a local, less fortunate child.

For more information on Toys For Tots, visit www.ToysForTots.org.

A Time to Give Thanks (part 2)

2011-11-21T08:30:00.000-05:00

So much to be thankful for!

Bing maps: The bird’s eye view is simply amazing.
Positivity: Makes for the best day ever.
No Dollar Limit warranties: Keeps manufacturer’s honest and backing their product.
NRCA: The oldest trade organization in the US.
Our teammates: The team here is as good as it gets.
ANSI/SPRI ES-1 code: Keeps roofs attached when the wind howls.
60’ ladders: How else can you climb that high?
Toolbox safety talks: Cause we never want to make ‘that’ call to a loved one.
CREW Tampa: Puts on an excellent fishing competition every year.
Lunch and Learns: Great times for interacting with you.
FindSolar.com: A solar system cost calculator, that’s wildly accurate.
Generosity: One of those things that is just as great to give, as it is to receive.
Projects in the Keys: Starts a competition on who gets to do the survey.
Falling gas prices: Down to $3.29; high, but in the right direction.
Good ideas: Usually sporadic and come out of nowhere.
First day of winter: Finally, a relief from the heat.
Referrals: What better way to say job well done?
Photos: Really are worth a thousand words.
Walkway Pads: Helps prevent roof damage. Don’t have them? Get them!
Volunteering: It feels good to give back.
Training programs: At times mundane, yet always helpful.
Flexseal: Actually quite funny…but tested and doesn’t work long.
Good looking buildings: Roofs aren’t exactly sexy, but a lot of buildings look good!
Yelp: It’s nice to see all the good things our customers say about us.
Our loyal customers: Without you, nothing would be possible.

Great American Teach In

2011-11-18T09:36:00.003-05:00

The Great American Teach In is an annual event where parents and volunteers visit local schools to speak about their jobs and hobbies. RAMCON was proud to be a part of the event this year. Our Service Director had the opportunity to speak to an elementary class yesterday, Thursday, November 17, 2011, about roofing and safety. With some fun activities, and sample roofing materials, the kids really had a great time. Below are some of the notes that were received from the students.

A Time To Give Thanks (part 1)

2011-11-14T08:06:00.000-05:00

As we begin to wind down each year, we have an excellent opportunity to reflect on everything that we are so thankful for here at RAMCON. Therefore, here are 25 of the things we are most thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Toys For Tots: Every child needs to smile.
Solar panels at $1/watt: That’s right. First Solar, Inc. finally broke the barrier.
Our industry friends: We have remarkable friends and truly value them.
Google Earth: We now have accurate satellite images for double checking those dimensions.
Manufacturers who back what they sell: Need we say more?
Cellphone cameras: See what our techs are seeing, immediately.
The Bermuda high: Just keeps those hurricanes turning away from Florida.
Sunshine: It brightens the day and makes it safe for roof tear offs.
White: It keeps the sun off our roofs and makes them last longer.
Insulation: Keeps us cool. Keeps us warm. And everything in between.
Star Program: Protecting several million sq ft of roof and saving our clients big bucks.
Fulfilling our dreams: It’s a work in progress, but we know we are getting there.
Facebook: Keeps us close with our clients.
Product sales reps: Always hanging around the office, but at least they bring donuts.
AC Contractors: Someone has to create punctures for us to fix, right?
New MyRAMCON.com site: Instant information on your roof 24/7.
Aerial photographers: Provide amazing photos of our projects.
Apple iPad: Convenient, productive and long battery life. Changes the way we work.
Our Twitter Followers: Great way to connect with thousands of our customers.
PermaFlash: It seals just about everything…and it’s covered under warranty.
New service truck wraps: They simply look good.
RAMCON Blog: Even we learn things from the article research.
Hurricane Tracking ‘11: The first year they are actually about right.
Libya War Ending: Libya is one of the largest producers of SBS polymers, which are used in Modified Cap Sheets. The war sent prices skyrocketing.
The US Military: When it absolutely, positively has to be destroyed overnight.

Stay tuned for the continuation of the list!

Thermal Scans of Roofing Systems

2011-11-07T08:10:00.000-05:00

Adding insulation to the walls of an existing building typically is not economically feasible, unless the building is to be re-clad for aesthetic reasons or if other significant deficiencies exist. But replacing a roof system is an option.

Thermal scans of a roof system can help technicians locate wet insulation that reduces energy efficiency. They can replace the insulation and address the cause of the leakage. If much of the insulation is wet, managers should consider complete replacement.

This step not only would replace the inefficient wet insulation, it would ensure compliance with current building codes that require additional insulation. When adding insulation to a roof system, managers need to thoroughly review the impact on flashing heights and ensure the system is detailed to be reliable and to prevent moisture from migrating into the insulation and building.

Significant energy loss through the building envelope is very common in both new construction and existing buildings. But managers have options to increase the envelope’s overall efficiency.

New buildings require proper design, which might include integrating the air barrier, vapor retarder, and backup waterproofing as one component. In existing buildings, technicians will need to determine the sources of air leaks and address them. This work requires hands-on investigation and knowledge of building components and materials.

Implementing energy-efficient building systems certainly increases the overall cost of construction, but organizations will see a viable payback from an energy-efficient building envelope. To achieve this efficiency goal, managers will need to ensure the building-envelope systems are properly designed and constructed with durable materials in a reliable manner. Insulation exposed to moisture, air leaks and other inefficient construction will decrease the overall efficiency.

RAMCON Supports Children's Crisis Center

2011-11-02T20:02:00.001-04:00

RAMCON is proud to support the MHC Foundation's Children's Crisis Center. RAMCON will be participating in the 7th annual Children's Crisis Breakfast on November 3rd, 2011 at the prestigious Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club.

Mental Health Care’s Children’s Crisis Center is a 14-bed unit and the only program of its kind in Hillsborough County that provides crisis evaluation and inpatient emergency psychiatric services for children who are in a situation so severe they present a danger to themselves or others. Since the Children’s Crisis Center opened in 1987, thousands of children have been impacted. Through 24-hour assessment services, the Center provides a caring safe environment and teaches coping skills to both the child and parents as well.
RAMCON is proud to support the Children’s Crisis Center, which is over 40 years old, continues to update and remodel to provide a comfortable, secure environment where children in crisis can receive optimal care and positive outcomes. We strongly encourage all who are able to join us in supporting this organization that provides resources to optimize the level of care MHC provides to our community's most vulnerable citizens. Please vistit: http://mhcinc.org/poc/view_index.php?idx=103&fin=504.

Another Real Life Roofing HORROR Story

2011-10-26T08:12:00.000-04:00

A 30-foot Blister was Only the Start

A property manager was frantic. Her predecessor had installed a new roof on the building six months earlier. Now this brand new roof was already leaking badly, and the manager was beside herself about what to do. An inspection of the roof revealed very large blisters — one extended more than 30 feet. Further investigation revealed that the new roof had been installed over an existing membrane, but the existing, poorly installed pitch pans had been left in place. Water had gotten into the old pitch pans and spread out from there. Wrinkles in the membrane left long thin tubes between the plies to funnel water into the roofing. After only six months in use, a moisture survey discovered that nearly 80 percent of the roof was completely saturated.

The property manager then looked at the contract to try to resolve the problem with the contractor who had installed the roof. To her horror, she found that the previous property manager had failed to get a signed contract from the roofing contractor. The previous property manager had spent $57,000 to replace a roof without a signed contract.

The new manager was left with the prospect of having to explain to the owner why the roof had to be replaced twice in one year and why there was little recourse against the roofer. She had to find emergency money, not only to replace the roof, but also to remove all of the existing roofing down to the deck. Proper completion of the new roof cost about $110,000.

Moral: Get a signed contract.

More Real Life Roofing Horrors!!!

2011-10-21T16:05:00.000-04:00

Arsenic and an Old Roof
Picture a hazardous waste containment facility with large tanks of arsenic being stored until it could be properly disposed. The vats were sitting on concrete secondary containment. The owner hired an unlicensed consultant to design a new roof for the building, who gave the project to a friend of his to re-cover a built-up roof and even added a little extra gravel to the roof to be sure it was well covered.

After the new roof was installed, there were approximately 10 pounds per square foot of built-up roofing and 17 pounds per square foot of re-cover roofing material on a structural steel deck designed for 20 pounds dead load per square foot and 20 pounds live load per square foot. In addition, re-cover drains were installed that reduced the size of the drainage pipes to about one-third of the required amount.

Because the size of the drains were reduced, the water built up on the roof to the overflows during the next heavy rain — four inches of water at waters weight of approximately 62 pounds per cubic foot. Guess what ended up with the arsenic in the secondary containment? You do the math.

Moral: Hire a competent contractor who makes sure the structure can withstand the weight of the designed roof.

Real Life Roofing HORROR Story

2011-10-17T08:05:00.000-04:00

It’s a familiar scene from late night television: An unwary peasant, out on a moonlit night, hears an ominous sound and turns. . . There stands a vampire or werewolf. But not all horror stories are safely confined to the television set or movie screen. When it comes to the roof, blisters and leaks can be almost as terrifying as the demons of the night — and far more real.

In many cases, these real-world roofing horror stories teach important lessons; partly because they are recurrent nightmares for those of us in commercial real estate and construction.

Consider this example.
A leaky structural standing seam metal roof was only 10 years old — not old for a metal roof — but it had leaked on and off since it was installed. Because of the nature of the primary tenant, even a small amount of leakage was unacceptable.

The owner hired a roof consultant to provide plans and specifications for re-roofing the building. Because it was not feasible to remove the structural standing seam metal roof, leaving the building wide open to the weather, three separate schemes were designed to get the best price for the new roof; all were lightweight to avoid overloading the pre-engineered structure.

Because the owner also wanted to eliminate the interior gutter system, a source of much of the leakage, the drainage was redesigned to take advantage of the existing overflows, making them the primary drainage. The construction documents detailed three new overflows at each drain to be added to the precast concrete parapets to assure that water on the roof would be quickly removed. The new deck was to be supported by steel angles attached to the concrete walls.

The roof was bid without the involvement of the consultant and installed by a contractor out of Miami. Fifteen months later, it collapsed following a night of heavy rain. The original consultant was called back to determine what had happened. One look at the building from the outside told the whole story. Both the overflows and the steel angles intended to support the new deck had been eliminated by “value engineering” between the owner and this unnamed subpar contractor, who was not familiar with the design and did not understand why it was done the way it was.

Because the overflows were not installed, the estimated 9 inches of rain from the previous night could not exit through the main drainage fast enough. The weight of the water accumulated at the drain, where it overstressed the deck and the structure, and the building came down at a cost of about $2 million.

Moral: Be careful of who you trust for your roofing system.

It’s Time For Your Semi-Annual Roof Inspections!

2011-10-10T07:36:00.000-04:00

The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends inspecting all roofs twice each year, once after the hottest weather and again after the coldest weather. These weather cycles induce the most thermal stresses on roofs and manifest the greatest damage. Roofs should also be inspected after any major weather event, such as high winds or hail. The inspection report should classify distresses as follows:

Damage caused by storms
Warranty repairs
Housekeeping and cleaning

Routine maintenance should be performed regularly, thereby correcting deficiencies disclosed by the inspections. All maintenance and repair work orders and payments should be entered into the client’s database.

Never fear! Our professional technicians will visit your facility and perform our exclusive 20-point inspection to determine the condition of your system.

RAMCON can take care of all of your roofing inspections, repairs and maintenance. Simply call one of our Customer Service Representatives today at 1-877-726-2661 or email info@RAMCONRoofing.com.

Roofing Maintenance With Tight Budgets

2011-10-03T11:34:00.000-04:00

In these times of economic uncertainty, delaying a costly roof replacement project may not only be desired, it may be a financial necessity. Tough times call for innovative and proactive thinking in regards to the roof system. As the economic downturn squeezes budgets, facility executives should reassess their long-term goals and short-term needs in regards to their facilities’ roofing systems.

Roofs fail for many reasons; the sad part is that many fail years before they should. The causes of premature roof failure include poor design, poor materials, poor installation, lack of maintenance, natural causes, man-made concerns (e.g., material defects, incorrect or lack of response to roof problems), tenant abuse, change in building use, building component failure due to incompatibility of components, and rooftop traffic by other trades. Proactive roof maintenance can often detect early signs of failing components and allow time to mitigate the concerns and increase the roof’s service life.

Now, more than ever, you really should think about a RAMCON roof maintenance program to try to extend the life of the roof and drastically reduce the leaks that develop. All roof systems require maintenance. In fact, most roof warranties require it, so failure to do so may void the warranty, bring about an early demise of the roof and result in unwanted moisture intrusion, production and work stoppages, and upset building owners and tenants. In addition to preventing the premature or untimely demise of the roof system, maintenance will extend the service life of the roof, thus promoting a key element of sustainability: long service life.
In many cases, roof systems protect 95 percent of a building owner’s assets, yet they are a relatively fragile component of a building. The roof system often is subjected to wind, hail, rain, and ultraviolet energy; as well as foot traffic and various forms of abuse from mechanical equipment. While many other building components are more visible and, tend to be maintained on a regular basis, a roof system often is overlooked.

As previously discussed, leading causes of premature roof system failure include poor roof design and installation, neglect of proper maintenance and lack of appropriate repairs. Properly maintaining the roof can extend the service life, thus deferring costly roof replacement. This can allow time for financial planning for future replacement. It also helps ensure that there are no roof-related interruptions to the building occupants, which is more important than ever given pressure on organizations to survive in these tough financial times.

Budgeting Strategies for Your Roof

2011-09-26T08:31:00.000-04:00

Extend Roof Life...and Budget
How do you extend the life of your roof if the tough economy has caused your capital budget, and your plans for a new roof, to be slashed?

If you haven’t already, institute a comprehensive roof maintenance program; which should include a historical record of actions performed, regularly scheduled inspections, solutions and recommendations for deficiencies found upon inspection, and repairs made as needed with appropriate documentation. Make sure that repairs are actually done in a timely manner and that the repairs are done correctly.

If you’re already past the point of no return, and truly do need a new roof, but do not have the money; a full-scale roof restoration is a last resort. A roof restoration may include re-flashing all roof curbs, base flashings, roof edges and drains. There are also coating options for some types of systems that provide a temporary solution to reduce water intrusion at a substantially lower cost. While we could debate the application and designation of roof coatings, we’ll suffice to say that some work…and some do not. We have extensive experience with coatings and can show you which ones are a good application and which ones will leave you disappointed.

However, keep in mind that if the roof is really in tough shape, establish a plan for when the roof must be replaced, and present a list of options to the decision maker, along with possible consequences if the roof fails.

Inspection Strategy: The Worst Shall Be First
Don’t be one of those managers or owners whose roof requires replacement before reaching its design life, or for whom emergency repairs are needed at the worst time. In short, don’t neglect good roofs and doom them to early failure. Periodic inspection and maintenance of roofing assets are the most important elements of a successful roof-management program.

One recommended strategy might be described as “top down, bottom up.” You can succeed more quickly by focusing on roofs in the worst condition — those at the top of the priority list — while still attending to those at the bottom of the list — those in good condition and performing well. This strategy calls for directing most available funds toward putting out immediate emergencies, such as severe leaks. At the same time, some funds also must go toward prolonging the life of newer roofs.

Using this two-pronged approach, managers can ensure other roofs in their portfolios do not need to be replaced prematurely. RAMCON is here to be of assistance to you, performing evaluations to help you budget towards a dry and efficient roofing system that meets and extends its projected service life.

Roofing Trends: Roofs and Energy

2011-09-19T07:51:00.000-04:00

As we head into the next decade, the biggest trends in the roofing industry—which are inherently connected to the direction of the entire construction industry—are related to energy efficiency and sustainability. This push towards energy efficiency begins with a well-insulated facility.

Over the past decade, higher and higher levels of insulation have been mandated with each subsequent edition of building and energy codes. The result is an increased thickness of overall roof insulation, which certainly is beneficial to a building’s energy efficiency.

Testing One, Two, Three
Roof systems are required by building codes to have minimum fire and wind resistance appropriate for the building type and location. Testing agencies, like Underwriters Laboratories and FM Approvals, perform fire and wind resistance tests and classify roof systems.

So how does this impact the energy efficiency trend? In order to achieve the maximum insulating benefit from roof systems, it is best to use at least two layers of insulation and stagger the board joints. This approach provides a more stable substrate for the roof membrane and minimizes the likelihood of unwanted air movement within a roof system.

A single layer of roof insulation means there is a high possibility of air movement from the deck to the underside of the membrane. And because air movement accounts for a significant portion of a building’s heat loss; staggered board joints are quite beneficial to the overall R-value of a roof system.

Proper design and installation of a roof system’s insulation layer are critical to the accuracy of the energy modeling of a building. If you assume a roof system has a design R-value of 30 but the insulation board joints align vertically and mechanical fasteners are used to secure the entire thickness of insulation, this could present a problem.

Studies have shown that this configuration can create a loss of R-value of over 15%. In fact, the in place R-value would be closer to R-25.

Reflected Energy
White and light colored, highly reflective roof surfaces also are trending up and have been for some time, mostly in the form of TPO and PVC single-ply systems. However, there are also reflective BUR cap sheets that provide similar reflectance. The benefit of roof surface reflectivity should be looked at from two perspectives: the specific building’s energy savings and the overall environment by reducing the ‘urban heat island’ effect.

Low rise buildings with large roof areas (relative to the entire building envelope) are likely to be more energy efficient during periods of air conditioning operation when a highly reflective roof surface is used to reduce solar gain into the building. On the other hand, a highly reflective roof will reflect the sun’s heat energy, subsequently reducing rooftop temperatures. This is overall beneficial for the environment regardless of building size, proportions, and location. Understanding the different perspectives about the benefits of using a reflective roof surface is important when determining if a building will or will not glean reduced energy consumption.

National Preparedness Expo

2011-09-12T08:09:00.000-04:00

Do you have a plan if disaster strikes?

September is National Preparedness Month, and RAMCON was happy to participate in a National Preparedness Expo in Kissimmee on Saturday.

The Expo was sponsored by SERVPRO of Osceola County.

Many local companies, including RAMCON and SERVPRO of Osceola County were available to provide valuable information and to answer your questions.

Check out the RAMCON Hurricane website to make sure you and your buildings are prepared for any storms that may come: http://www.ramconroofing.com/hurricane.htm.

How to Report a Roof Leak

2011-09-06T08:26:00.000-04:00

Your roofing problems don’t wait for normal business hours and neither do we. We have emergency crews on standby 24/7 for your convenience. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll shortly have a uniformed, certified roofing technician on site to solve your problem.

1. CONTACT RAMCON
There are several ways to report your leak, in order to make it easy for you.
Call Toll-Free: (877) 726-2661
Email: RoofLeaks@RamconRoofing.com
Utilize Our Web Based Report Features at: www.RamconRoofing.com

2. REPORT THE PROBLEM
Provide the RAMCON representative a detailed explanation of the situation, so that they can immediately begin working on getting the right crews and equipment to your location as soon as possible.

3. REST ASSURED
We respond immediately to roofing emergencies. Very shortly, a uniformed RAMCON crew will be at your facility to solve your problem. You’ll get a full report of what was found and how it was repaired with before and after photographs to assure you that you’re asset is being well cared for by the very best.

Two ‘Cool Roof’ Myths

2011-08-29T07:56:00.000-04:00

Even with the mounds of literature and white papers on technical studies, building owners and managers still have misconceptions and gray areas about cool-roof applications.

Myth #1: Eventually, all white roofs turn gray and all black roofs turn gray, so there is no long-term benefit from installing a cool roof.
Typically, the reflectivity of a light-colored roof will decrease about 20 percent during its first year according to an LBNL study. Another study found that solar reflectance of white-coated roofs can drop 25 percent, with most of the loss occurring in the first and second year.

The solar reflectance of cool roofs tends to decrease over time, but another study by LBNL showed that washing a weathered cool-roof membrane resulted in a significant solar reflectance increase. Other studies have shown that modest cleaning can restore 90+ percent of the original solar reflectance.

Some cool roof membranes also have a higher resistance to dirt accumulation than others, so budget-conscious organizations might have to weigh the resulting increase in energy use for a dirty membrane against the cost of cleaning. For a detailed analysis and case study by RAMCON on cool reflective roofs and how keeping your roof clean pays off, visit http://bit.ly/oZcQMr

Myth 2: Using a cool-roof product when reroofing minimizes the need for insulation.
While it is true that using a cool roof on a building with a low level of insulation can generate greater energy savings, an energy–efficient roofing system should have adequate insulation in addition to a solar-reflective surface. To find out what is the optimal amount of insulation for a given location, you can refer to the International Energy Conservation Code. You can find it here: http://bit.ly/oAAy4Q

Have You Become Complacent?

2011-08-22T09:24:00.000-04:00

Since the destructive 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, only 4 hurricanes have made a U.S. landfall, all doing so in the western half of the Gulf of Mexico, most notably, September 2008’s Hurricane Ike.

Furthermore, since Hurricane Ike’s destructive rampage, the U.S. has had only a few hurricane “close-calls” the past 2 seasons.

Complacency makes you less attentive, less aware, less able to react when a serious situation presents itself.

As the U.S. faces a potential tropical threat later this week from Hurricane Irene, a major concern among meteorologists is “hurricane preparedness complacency”.

Do you know what the condition of your roof is? Will it be able to withstand hurricane or tropical force winds? Are the drains functioning properly to effectively and quickly remove the water to avoid ponding water?

It is not necessary to be in the direct path of a hurricane to feel and experience the effects of it. Don’t ever assume you are safe. It is always better to be prepared, rather than left picking up the pieces.

For more information on preparation, visit: http://www.ramconroofing.com/hurricane.htm. Or call RAMCON at 1-877-726-2661 to speak to a roofing expert today!

Hurricane Preparations

2011-08-16T13:26:00.000-04:00

Check out our hurricane website. It is filled with information to help you prepare your roof and facility for any major storms.

http://www.ramconroofing.com/hurricane.htm

Protecting Your Roof In The Face Of An Impending Storm

2011-08-15T07:37:00.000-04:00

When you see that hurricane bearing down on you, what are some of the last minute things you can do to ensure that your roof will weather the storm? Let’s go over 7 proven steps.

The number one item for protecting a roof against a storm is to be certain that air conditioning unit covers are attached with all the required screws. Most damage to roofs comes from items already on the roof. The worst culprits are mechanical units and their screen enclosures. Air conditioning units, ventilator fans, satellite dishes, antennae, and the like are all potential debris during a storm. We often reflect here at RAMCON about Hurricane Andrew sending an unsecured 30-ton air conditioning units rolling across a roof. But the most common damage during all of the storms was from air conditioning unit cover panels that were not completely secured. Similarly, ventilator fans lost the covers and antennae lost arms. All of these sharp metal pieces caused long rows of gashes as they blew across the roof and dug into the membrane, allowing direct water intrusion.
Put satellite dishes, small air conditioning units and cell phone cable trays on stands and secure them to the structure rather than putting them on wood sleepers or holding them in place with concrete blocks. Concrete blocks and sleepers will blow around in a heavy storm. Strap the equipment to the stand with metal straps to keep them in place.
Check the lightning protection system to be sure that the cables are well secured to walls and tight on the roof. Be sure the air terminals are well attached to the system. The cables will move during the storm and the air terminals with their sharp points will poke holes in the roof.
Secure condensate lines. The wood blocks normally used to support condensate lines gouge the roof as the pipes are blown back and forth, slicing and damaging the system.
Check the roof for weak spots like torn flashings and loose perimeter metal accessories. Reinforce weak gravel stops and copings to be sure they will stay in place.
Clean debris off the roof and check to see that drains are free-flowing and not cluttered with debris. Check gutters and downspouts to be sure they are well-secured and not clogged. Remember, water weighs 62lbs a cubic foot and your structure is unlikely designed to handle such heavy loads.
Know what is on the roof and its current condition. During the past few storms, insurance companies have sometimes denied claims based on prior damage. They argue that they have no way of knowing what damage existed prior to the storm so they are not responsible for any damage that has occurred. A smart move is to schedule a RAMCON inspection now to document the condition. As a RAMCON client, it’s free and a smart move.

Hurricanes don’t have to mean a total loss for a roof. If the roof is well-designed — with wind events included as a part of the total package of design parameters — properly installed and well-maintained by RAMCON, it has a solid chance of weathering the storm.

Weathering the Storm: BUR versus TPO/PVC/EPDM

2011-08-08T07:41:00.000-04:00

What happens when high velocity winds meet your roofing system? Well, there’s no simple answer and no way to predict precisely which roofs will have trouble; Mother Nature is just unpredictable. Sometimes, on buildings with the same type of roof that are located side by side, one roof blows off or suffers other catastrophic damage while the other roof has very little damage. Let’s compare the two most common styles of roofing in Florida.

Built-Up Roofing Systems (BUR)
The tried and true performers of roofs that weather storms are conventional built-up or modified bitumen membranes fully adhered, especially when they are adhered to a structural concrete deck. Historically, after a major storm, many have puncture damage to flashings and cuts as a result of flying debris, but the roofs stay intact and in place. Gravel-surfaced, built-up roofs fared slightly better than the modified bitumen systems because the gravel that was well embedded in the flood coat provided protection from flying debris. The weight of the gravel also helped keep the roof down. Unfortunately, most of the built-up roofs lost a good portion of the gravel surfacing, causing other damage to surrounding buildings, but the roofs that the gravel came from suffered the least amount of punctures.

Less effective, but still very good, were the modified bitumen and built-up systems mechanically attached to steel decks. The asphalt-based roof systems that were attached to lightweight concrete or gypsum deck tended to have more wind-related damage than others. Generally, the membrane stayed intact, but sections pulled up from the deck, leaving the membrane loose on the roof but looking as if nothing had happened to it. With lightweight concrete and gypsum decks, whether the roof stayed in place mostly depended on the condition of the lightweight concrete or gypsum and its ability to resist fastener withdrawal.

Single-Ply Roofing Systems (TPO/PVC/EPDM)
Fully adhered single-ply membranes resisted blow off about as well as asphalt systems but were more susceptible to damage from flying debris. Almost all types of flexible membrane systems suffered cuts and punctures during the storms. There was one exception: Roofs that had no mechanical units or other penetrations were almost always free of puncture damage.

Overall, fully adhered single-ply membranes were more hurricane-resistant than mechanically attached systems. The mechanically attached systems weathered the storms well as long as they remained intact. Once the membrane was cut, the incidence of blown-off membranes increased. Wind is able to get into the cuts, so the roof was subject not only to negative pressure above the membrane — which pulled the membrane up — but also to positive pressure from underneath, which pushed the membrane up.

Because roofs are mostly designed for uplift pressures only, the wind was able to loosen poorly fastened screws. This causes a ripple effect: one screw pulls out, putting extra stress on those around it, which in turn causes them to pull out. This cycle repeats itself until the membrane comes all the way off.

Move Up The List

2011-08-02T15:33:00.000-04:00

In the case of a disaster like a hurricane, it is not going to be just one building or business that is going to be affected. The damage is going to be widespread and you’ll need a fast response time and a plan.

So, how do you ensure that you and your facility will receive the quickest response possible? With RAMCON, it’s easy. Simply call us at (877) 726-1661 and we’ll make sure that the information for your facilities is automatically in our dispatch system. We’ll exchange emergency contact information and make sure that you also have the information you need from us, such as a W9, Certificates of Insurance, etc. At RAMCON, we know that you can’t put a price or value on being able to be back up and running and serving your customers with minimal down time or interrupted service.

When a storm strikes, RAMCON service teams are up and running within hours, running several shifts per day 24/7. We can respond to leaks and emergency damage immediately. With over 50,000 square feet of material and equipment in inventory (more than a lot of distributors), we have in stock what it takes to solve almost any problem.

Make sure you call RAMCON this week at (877) 726-2661, speak with one of our customer service representatives and ensure that all is ready if and when you need us.

Inheriting A Neglected Roof

2011-07-25T07:53:00.000-04:00

If you are a building owner or manager who takes the reins of a facility where no Preventative Maintenance (PM) plan has been initiated, there are important steps to take. In trying to transition from a reactive to a proactive system of roof maintenance—where there has been no budget for PM and there are too many problems to resolve using corrective action—it is even more important to set priorities and follow a plan to move forward toward PM.

Active leaks should be the first priority, since those will likely cause additional damage to a roof system and related areas. Because these priority repairs impact roof conditions and performance, these actions will help protect the current roof from further deterioration and eliminate the majority of active leaks.

Next up is removal of problematic or failing roof areas. You should spend capital dollars where the funds will have the greatest impact, not solely based on the age of a component or other single factor. Removal of failing areas will prevent further spending on repairs that offer a low, or even negative, return on investment.

The third step is tackling the lower priority (non-leaking) roof deficiencies and performing regularly scheduled PM activities. These actions preserve the current condition of the roof, bringing it into a more predictable and maintainable condition. This step also begins the process of pro-actively limiting future leaks into the building.

The fourth step is to replace aged roof assets, thus reducing or eliminating the reactive and costly spending that often takes place late in the roof life cycle. Timely and systematic replacement of older and weathered assets helps to preserve future capital budgets.

The fifth and final step is to begin repairs, renovations, and upgrades to current roof membranes and components. These actions extend roof service life and reduce future capital spending in the short-term by pushing out the costs of currently projected replacements in the next three to five years. This also reduces future long-term spending, since the average cycle of roof replacement is extended.

Regardless of what stage of roof maintenance planning you are in, it will always be true that a PM is a smarter and more cost-effective measure to take than reactive spending. The sooner you can transition from reactive to proactive spending for the roofing system, the better off your facilities will be.

RAMCON Project Featured on Firestone Building Products Website

2011-07-21T13:18:00.000-04:00

RAMCON is proud to have been a part of the building of the Glazer Children's Museum in downtown Tampa, installing the roof, which is now featured in the Firestone Building Products website in their Project Portfolio. Check out the links below.

http://www.firestonebpco.com/portfolio/metal/Glazer/
http://www.firestonebpco.com/portfolio/asphalt/Glazer/

Proactive Roof Management

2011-07-18T07:34:00.000-04:00

A leak doesn’t need to be the first sign of roof trouble
There is a great deal of information supporting the fact that planned/preventive maintenance (PM) is key to performance and longevity for any building component. Every building owner and manager knows that an effective PM program helps balance available resources against degrees of potential risk and improves financial results by reducing total cost of ownership (TCO). This basic tenet is especially true in the case of PM as a cost-effective tool to manage roof performance.

When it comes to roofs, “out of sight, out of mind” thinking often prevails, since this facility component is not always viewed as having the same risk level as others. PM programs for roofing are often sacrificed in favor of other maintenance budget initiatives; yet, in the long run, the payback for the facility is every bit as beneficial. When a roof failure occurs, it can affect critical space and operations, and the results can be costly.

Leak Repair Is Often Too Little, Too Late
Leaks are caused by a myriad of issues that are usually only discovered when RAMCON performs a thorough investigation. Maintenance delays can increase damage and repairs, reducing roof life.

Leaks that are discovered for the first time when water enters a facility are among the most common problems related to roof performance. By the time that happens, repair needs are often significant, with the added possibility of business interruption and internal damage.

The potential threats and/or costs from a roof leak are numerous. These include emergency repairs, damage to interior finishes, structural problems, harm to inventory or equipment, damage to roof system itself, mold remediation, loss of R-value and business interruption. Emergency leak repairs (which are reactive measures) are not a replacement for proactive roof PM programs. PM targets likely areas on a roof where defects will be corrected with a minor, less expensive repair. Roof systems require regular maintenance, and manufacturers mandate this in order to keep warranties in effect.

The Economics of a Roof Leak

2011-07-12T10:50:00.000-04:00

Every building owner or manager at one time or another faces this dilemma: When is roof replacement a better option than continued roof maintenance? Of course, the ideal answer to this question is never. But it is rare that a roof’s service life equals the service life of the rest of the building.

The more obvious answer to the question is that when the roof is no longer watertight — its primary function — roof replacement may be the better option. In other words, when leaks become intolerable, it is time to replace the roof.

But when do leaks become intolerable? Is leak tolerance the best or most cost-effective reason to make a huge capital investment? A central element in the roof-replacement decision for managers is determining when leaks become bad enough to mandate replacement.

The Economics of Leaks
In some cases, a financial model can help managers determine when roof maintenance has reached the point of diminishing returns, in which case you are simply throwing away good money to repair leaks on a roof that will have to be replaced within a matter of time anyway. As much as we preach preventive maintenance (PM) for roof systems, at some point PM becomes useless.

It is difficult to justify the capital expense of replacing a roof, especially when that money could go toward buying new equipment and systems that would benefit the organization’s bottom line. But roof leaks also can hurt the bottom line. Consider these real-world examples:

Interior damage. Roof leaks that damage ceiling tiles, carpet, furniture, and computers are common, but the damage can be much more severe. For example, one school lost its gymnasium floor due to damage from roof leaks. The school had to cancel or move athletic events and replace the floor, at a cost of $500,000.
Operations downtime. A roof leak for one building owner shut down operations for a day, costing the company an estimated $700,000 in revenue.

Damaged products. A retail store recently lost more than $40,000 worth of products due to one roof leak.
Lost business. Roof leaks forced one hotel to close its top floor — its priciest rooms — for three weeks, causing significant lost revenue.

Upset Tenants. In today’s market, it’s tough enough to find tenants, yet alone keep them. Leaks encourage tenants to seek rent reductions and seek ways out of their leases.

We must incorporate all of these factors into any life-cycle cost analysis in trying to justify a roof replacement. Granted, for any of you who have not gone through the cost-justification process, projected costs are only predictions. But to neglect figuring in these costs is misleading and provides a false sense of security. A smart course of action is to have RAMCON perform a free roof analysis that will tell you if your roof can be economically maintained or if you are flushing money down the drain.

Evaluating The Roofing System After A Storm

2011-06-27T07:46:00.000-04:00

You can’t do much to repair or maintain a roof while the storm is underway; a roof isn’t a safe place to be in bad weather. First and foremost, if you sense problems during a storm like ceiling tiles falling or sprinklers popping, indications that the roof may be caving in, you’ll want to evacuate the building immediately.

Once you’ve taken all the steps you can to ensure the roof will weather the storm (best achieved with an inspection from RAMCON), what happens when it’s over? It’s wise to perform a post storm roof inspection.

Evaluate the Damage
As soon as it’s safe to examine the roof, it’s important that we do so. RAMCON has teams that specialize in post-storm inspections and can quickly and effectively inspect the roof for any substantial damage.

As we review the system, taking action may be warranted. Anything that’s causing leaks is top priority and needs attention as soon as possible. Damage to the membrane, such as cuts, punctures and voids, needs to be addressed. It’s also vital to check the roof drains and gutters to see if they became clogged, which is common in a strong storm with debris flying around.

Similarly, we’ll need to see whether any metal flashings have come loose, creating a risk of water getting behind the flashing and into the facility. If the roof has multiple levels, we will pay particular attention to the intersections of the walls and roof levels to make sure nothing has been dislodged.

Also on the checklist: listening for a crunching sound as we walk the roof. That may indicate that the roof actually was lifted by the storm and is settling back into place as you walk over it, if that happens, we need to check it further. We may see that the fasteners have backed up and penetrated the roof membrane, so that they may cause leaks when the next storm hits. Several areas warrant checking that might not be apparent at first glance. For instance, we confirm that all penetrations and penetration flashings remain firmly attached to the roof. The same goes for any equipment screens, which should be “storm-worthy for the next event”.

While roof maintenance often takes a back seat to other priorities on your “To-Do” list, it is an important part of managing and looking after the asset. An ongoing maintenance program can prevent more serious and costly problems down the road.

How to Report a Roof Leak

2011-06-20T07:33:00.000-04:00

Your roofing problems don’t wait for normal business hours and neither do we. We have emergency crews on standby 24/7 for your convenience. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll shortly have a uniformed, certified roofing technician on site to solve your problem.

1. CONTACT RAMCON
There are several ways to report your leak, in order to make it easy for you.
Call Toll-Free (877) 726-2661
Email: RoofLeaks@RamconRoofing.com
Utilize Our Web Based Report Features at: www.RamconRoofing.com

2. REPORT THE PROBLEM.
Provide the RAMCON representative a detailed explanation of the situation, so that they can immediately begin working on getting the right crews and equipment to your location as soon as possible.

3. REST ASSURED.
We respond immediately to roofing emergencies. Very shortly, a uniformed RAMCON crew will be at your facility to solve your problem. You’ll get a full report of what was found and how it was repaired with before and after photographs to assure you that you’re asset is being well cared for by the very best.

Preparation is Key!

2011-06-13T07:34:00.000-04:00

As of June 1st, hurricane season is officially here. Is your roof prepared?

Are all of your flashings properly sealed?
Are your drains and gutters free of debris? Do they quickly remove water from the roofing system?
Are there any voids, open seams or penetrations that will allow water under the membrane?
Is every piece of rooftop equipment properly secured to the roof?
Are the perimeters of your roof properly fastened for wind uplift?

They may seem like unimportant questions, but hurricane (or even tropical storm) force winds, can cause major damage if your roofing system is not properly prepared. If you are unsure about the answers to any of these questions, give us a call at 877-726-2661, or email info@RamconRoofing.com, and we will perform a comprehensive roof inspection, and provide you with a complete roofing system analysis report! The more you know, the better you can prepare.

Roofing Trends: Shelter From The Storm

2011-06-06T07:51:00.000-04:00

Long before mankind could imagine such inventions as air conditioning, high tech security or cubicles; it discovered the benefits of a secure, watertight structure to protect against the elements. From the natural shelter of cave dwellings man emerged to construct roofs from various native materials, including animal skins, dirt and twigs, and tree bark. These early roofs needed to be completely portable and likely required constant repair. In some ways, very little has changed. The essential purpose of a roof—to shield building occupants from the ravages of weather—is the same. And we share one basic tenet—roofs should not leak.

These days, the demands placed on roofs have changed significantly. They are expected to last 20 years or more and, with proper preventive maintenance and inspections, should not fail, particularly during inclement weather.

Weathering The Storm
Building owners and managers must keep in mind many things when renovating, replacing, or designing a maintenance plan for roofs. This includes increased wind loads and more frequently occurring 100 year rainfalls, hurricanes, and hail storms. Facility managers and building owners must be aware of the need for roofing systems that do more than just keep water out of their facilities. Throughout Florida, increased durability and high performance roofing systems are important protection against hurricane force winds and golf ball sized hail. The impact of the sun’s rays on a roof can also be particularly harmful. Roofing materials can decay over time due to the sun’s heat and ultraviolet rays.

How To Keep Up
Proper maintenance and informed decisions can help ensure a long life for your facility’s roof. To explain it simply, past and current, the most pressing issue and greatest challenge in roofing is to provide a reliable, watertight, and leak free waterproofing system for a 20 year service life. So how can you extend the roof service life and mitigate storm risks?

Simple really, it is proven that you can prolong the life of a roof, diminish the impact of regular wear and tear, and ensure the roof remains in good condition during a storm through adequate maintenance practices. However, it is easy to install a roof and forget about it until something goes wrong. This is a mistake that could lead to leaks or potentially damaging roof failure.

Sadly, roofs are not maintenance free. Some roofing types require less maintenance than others, but they all require some degree of upkeep. The better this asset is maintained and cared for, the longer service life facility managers will get in return.

Inspections are necessary to prevent costly damage. Some problems may not be evident from a superficial perspective. A leak is an obvious problem. Less obvious, however, is wet insulation, which can cause an organization to lose thousands of dollars in thermal investment. The investment in a regular maintenance, inspection, and repair program is imperative to manage the roof properly.

We strongly encourage all of our clients, to extend the service life of your roof and lower lifetime maintenance costs. Ensure your roofs are regularly maintained by a quality preventative maintenance program. We offer our clients a full range of solutions, including an unlimited, no-cost leak response. You have a leak, we fix it free. End of story. Call us at (877) 726-2661 to learn more.

Another Busy One? Initial 2011 Hurricane Season Prediction Is Out

2011-05-31T07:59:00.000-04:00

It’s time to start looking ahead to the 2011 season, which starts tomorrow! The famed storm prognosticators at the National Hurricane Center issued their crystal-ball look at the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, and they’re again calling for an above-active one.

That forecast comes in the wake of their 2010 estimates, which correctly projected – although ultimately underestimated – a busy hurricane season.

Researchers are predicting that we’ll have 17 named storms next year, nine of which will strengthen into hurricanes. The 50-year average is 9.6 named storms and six hurricanes. The National Hurricane Center is also projecting that there will be a 73 percent chance of a major hurricane making landfall along the Gulf Coast. The annual average is 52 percent.

The basis for the above-average projection is extended-range statistical predictions that utilize nearly six decades of past data. While El Nino conditions are unlikely next year, the researchers said sea-surface temperatures in the far North Atlantic remain at record warm levels. La Nina conditions in the equatorial Pacific are generally conducive of an active hurricane season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

During the 2010 hurricane season there were a total of 19 named storms, tying 1887 and 1995 for third highest on record.

The Hurricane Center team projected there to be 15 named storms before the season began in June 2010. Of those 19 storms, 12 strengthened into hurricanes. That ties 1969 for the second highest on record. Five of those became major hurricanes, reaching Category 3 or higher. But the Hurricane Center said two major factors kept most of the storms from threatening the U.S. mainland. First, the jet stream that roasted and dried out much of the eastern U.S. acted as a natural barrier to keep many storms out at sea. Then because so many of the storms formed in the eastern Atlantic close to Africa, they began curving northward before they even reached the Caribbean. Simply put, here in Florida, we were lucky.

Regardless of the predictions, let’s not forget Hurricane Andrew, which caused devastating damage in South Florida. Andrew was actually part of a rather mild Hurricane Season, but proves that just one storm can make it seem active for us. Take the proper precautions and get RAMCON out to your facilities for a pre-storm inspection. As a RAMCON client, it’s free and will help identify problem areas and keep you safe from Mother Nature’s wrath.

Time for Some Spring Cleaning

2011-05-23T07:45:00.000-04:00

...and that spring cleaning should include your roof. A simple low pressure cleaning and removal of any debris that has accumulated over the winter months can help prolong the life of the roofing system by removing anything that could cause premature deterioration of the membrane.

At RAMCON, our professional technicians utilize low-pressure cleaning methods on your roof. Don’t let high pressure (3,500 psi) washing damage your roofing system. Our low pressure (300 psi) cleaning process removes dirt, mold and algae via cleaning agents developed exclusively for RAMCON. We rely on the process, not the pressure to clean make your roof look like new.

In addition to protecting and extending the life of your roofing system, a clean roof looks better to your customers and tenants and improves the overall image of your facility. For more details on low pressure cleaning of both low and steep slope roofing systems, visit http://www.ramconroofing.com/low-pressure-roof-cleaning.htm.

Roof Recovery Has Big $$$ Advantages

2011-05-16T08:07:00.000-04:00

It is important to understand how roofs fail in service and identify those factors that contribute to their failure. Roofs begin deteriorating shortly after they are applied and continue deteriorating until they are replaced. The rate, severity and extent of deterioration are affected by a wide variety of factors, such as their exposure to the environment, quality of installation, level of maintenance and simple age.

Deterioration and damage are not always the result of environmental exposure. Quite often, roofs have to fulfill several functions they were not intentionally designed for. They are often replete with mechanical equipment that requires periodic servicing, exposing the roof to damage from roof top traffic.

Inevitably roof failure will occur, whatever the cause. You are then stuck with the difficult task of selecting the appropriate course of action. At one time, the current materials and designs limited available options. If the roof failed, the alternatives were to attempt repairs or tearing-off and replace all, or part of, the roof. Increasingly, another option is becoming a viable alternative to complete tear-off and replacement.

Gaining popularity, an alternative to complete re-roofing is to re-cover to existing system. FM Global, a world-wide commercial and industrial property insurance and risk management organization, defines recovery systems as a roof where, “the existing roof system is left in place and new components are installed over it.”

Recovering has a number of economic and practical advantages, including lower overall costs, the potential for reusing the existing roof insulation, provided it is dry and in sound condition, avoiding financial and environmental costs associated with roof tear-off, minimizing disruptions to building operations. In addition, it offers a higher degree of security and protection from the elements while the work is being carried out.

Unfortunately, not all building can be recovered for numerous reasons, including the number of roofs currently on the facility, etc. If your roof is a trouble maker and you are looking for a low cost solution with the same warranty as a new roof, be sure to talk to RAMCON about a recovery system.

Single-Ply Roofing: The Ultimate Guide

2011-05-09T07:59:00.000-04:00

The story of single-ply roofing systems dates back to the 1970’s oil crisis and the search for a roofing system less reliant on asphalt material led to lightweight, flexible roof membranes. Today, these systems have evolved into a variety of single ply systems, including TPO, PVC and EPDM.

Single-ply membranes are usually broken down into two subgroups — thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastics have a common characteristic not found in synthetic rubbers — they can be heated and reshaped or melted multiple times. Because of this, the most common method of seaming a thermoplastic is by heat-welding the membrane. Properly melting the edges together fuses the membrane into a strongly bonded seam. The two major thermoplastic membranes in the market are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO).

Thermoplastics
TPO membranes have become widely used as roof membranes in the past ten years. A TPO roofing membrane is typically made from polypropylene and ethylene-propylene (EP) rubber polymerized together using state-of-the-art polymer manufacturing technology. Unlike some other popular thermoplastic roofing membranes, the TPO polymer does not contain chlorine and no chlorine-containing ingredients are added during sheet production. Because TPO membranes are inherently flexible, unlike PVC membranes, additional plasticizers are not required in the formulation so there is little danger of plasticizer migration.

Thermosets
Virtually all thermoset roof membranes are EPDM. Once EPDM has cured, it cannot be melted and reshaped. Consequently, the rubber membrane is seamed by an adhesive — generally either a field-applied contact cement or an adhesive tape that is applied in the field or factory and activated by removing a release paper. A major benefit of EPDM is that it can stretch and relax, so it can easily accommodate thermal expansion and contraction on large expanses of roof.

Reflectivity
The majority of thermoplastics come in white. These white membranes give an initial high reflectance value that can help keep the temperature of the roof and consequently the inside of the building cooler. As the roof becomes older and collects dirt, however, this initial value will decrease unless the roof is periodically cleaned (see a case study at our website http://bit.ly/hby3NJ). Thermosets are available with a white surface, but most likely comes as a dark grey, almost black color.

For more information regarding single-ply roofing systems, give RAMCON a call at (877) 726-2661 or visit our Single Ply Roofing section at the RAMCON website.

4 Factors of Long Term Roof Performance

2011-05-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Maintaining institutional and commercial facilities is crucial for today’s building owners and managers. One of the most important steps in achieving this goal, yet the most overlooked in many organizations, is the roofing system. Why do so many organizations overlook the roof system, which is by far the most problematic building component? In general, roofs present a host of major challenges, from specification and installation to maintenance and replacement.

The Right System
Choosing the right roofing system for your facility is likely the most important decision you will make. Unfortunately, there is not a ‘best roof’ out there. Each type of system has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. We’ve installed practically every type of roofing system available and can help you to choose the right system for your project.

Top Installation
The installation crews installing your roof is a crucial factor, and in some cases, the greatest influence on roof performance. If the contractor does not install the roof properly, the roof will not perform up to expectations, no matter the quality of the roof design or materials. Your primary consideration when choosing a contractor is ensuring it can provide a highly experienced, skilled, and conscientious roofing crews and supervisors. At RAMCON, this is what we do best and are known for industry wide.

Materials Management
New and improved waterproofing products continually enter the market. Unfortunately, new and improved often means less expensive. The cost of the membrane, not its proven performance, too often is the overriding factor in choosing a roof system. But you must keep in mind the difference in cost between a high-quality, time-tested roofing membrane and a low-cost commodity brand is usually less than 10 percent of the system’s total cost. RAMCON has case studies to show you the proven track record of most major roofing systems.

Maintenance Matters
It’s vital that you implement a proactive inspection and maintenance program immediately after the roof is installed. Too many times, owners and managers believe that because a warranty covers the new roof, they can ignore maintenance as it’s be covered by the warranty…WRONG. Historically, over 65% of all roof leaks fall outside the coverage of the manufacturer’s warranty. The sad part is, most are completely avoidable. Practically every manufacturer mandates you perform and document routine maintenance as a condition of the warranty. With RAMCON, this is a piece of cake. We’ve got the best service teams available, ready for you 24/7.

Florida Building and Facility Maintenance Show - Day 1

2011-04-27T14:38:00.000-04:00

Day one has just come to a close for the Florida Building and Facility Maintenance Show. We had a great time talking to many people about their roofing needs. Check out some of the great pictures below. We also had fun with our "Puttin' On The Roof" feature where you can try to sink a put on an actual piece of Firestone modified bitumen cap sheets made with UltraWhite roofing granules. Sound interesting? The show still has one more day. Come by and check it out for yourself...and say hello to the RAMCON team!

Come See Us!!!

2011-04-25T16:19:00.000-04:00

We are going to be displaying at and talking with attendees at the 2011 Florida Building and Facility Maintenance Show at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. So, come out and visit us, and see how you could possibly win a $50 gift card to any Darden restaurant, or $50 off your next roofing service!

We will be at booth #424, so stop on by, and see how we can help extend the life of your roof!

For more information on the show, feel free to call or email us at 877-726-2661, info@ramconroofing.com.

Talking About Counter-Flashing

2011-04-18T07:58:00.000-04:00

All roofs have to end somewhere. Either they terminate at a wall, parapet, expansion joint, metal edge or a tie-in with another roof. In all cases, where the roof ends, there is a weak link. Walls and parapets require vertical flashings. The flashings are generally attached at the top to keep them from sliding down the wall. The flashing attachment is usually screws, concrete fasteners, nails, or some other fastener fastened through a termination bar — a flat strip of metal with pre-punched holes. Termination bars are supposed to provide attachment along its entire length because it will continuously press against the wall.

Most roof manufacturers understand that this is a weak point in the roof and require a counter-flashing. A counter-flashing is a material, usually metal, that covers the upper edge of the flashing to divert water away from it. If the counter-flashing is not properly installed, water can get behind it and the membrane flashings. The counter-flashing then requires a sealant to be applied at the top.

This problem is just a sample of the considerations that need to be addressed in designing, installing and maintaining a roof. A good understanding of how a roof actually works and knowledge of the strengths and limitations of the different types of roofing systems is essential for the long-term performance of any roof system. The roof system should be designed with the particular building in mind, not just which is cheapest.

Protect the Roof from Stress

2011-04-11T07:46:00.000-04:00

Where the roof changes plane or terminates at a wall, metal edge, curb or other obstruction, it has the potential to be stressed. The vertical portion of the flashings is especially prone to damage by people on the roof. Ropes hung over the side of the roof for boson chairs or window washer fall protection can abrade the flashing, causing tears and punctures. Unprotected roofing between access doors and ladders and mechanical equipment is subject to premature wear from foot traffic. Dropped tools and debris left behind can cause punctures and tears in the membrane. Simply put, you roof can go through a lot of abuse.

The simplest and best way to protect a roof from this abuse is to limit the traffic on it. If roof access can’t be limited, such as the need to change AC filters, the next best solution is to provide protection at those areas that are the most vulnerable — around the HVAC equipment and the pathways to them. Adding walk pads around each unit will help to minimize the damage to the membrane from excessive wear. When swing stages or boson chairs are used, the contractor should be required to provide protection for the parapet walls. Plywood can be used to protect the field of the roof by spreading out the load on the membrane and by providing a physical barrier to flashing damage.

In asphalt-based roofing systems where the deck is not supported by the walls and the two are allowed to move freely, the flashings can be subject to stresses caused by differential movement between the deck and the parapet walls. The result will be diagonal wrinkles in the flashings that will eventually crack due to material fatigue. This is less a problem with single-ply membranes because their greater flexibility allows them to stretch and relax better with the building movement.

Unfortunately, once the roof is installed, there is no way to protect it from diagonal wrinkling. The only way to minimize damage from the building movement is by proper design of the flashings or by understanding the demands of the construction and to choose a different type of system.

What can you do to stay ahead of roof stress? Make sure all HVAC units and pathways have protective walkway pads. Limit access to the roof as much as possible and utilize your resources at RAMCON to ensure proper design that meets the buildings requirements.

Roof Penetrations Can Be the Weak Link

2011-04-05T08:04:00.000-04:00

Every roof has them, and many of us know the headaches they can cause. We’re talking about roof penetrations (vent pipes, drains, pitch pockets), which are often a roof’s weak link. With single-ply membranes, this means a boot or field-formed membrane that is adhered or welded to the roof membrane with a draw band — a metal collar that fits around the protrusion — and sealant at the top. It’s important to ensure that the draw band is tightly attached but does not cut into the flashing and that the sealant at the top is installed with no voids or unadhered sections. The membrane flashings on single ply roofs at pipes and other penetrations, no matter what the material used, are usually the first items on the roof to deteriorate from age and abuse, so careful attention should be paid to the condition of these flashings.

A modified-bitumen or asphalt roof will often use pitch pockets with pourable sealers. Alternatives are goosenecks and perma-flash. Pitch pockets are the most common, with a weak link occurring when the pourable sealer deteriorates and cracks over time. This is accelerated by any movement in the penetration, causing a separation between the penetration and the sealant. Watching for signs of cracks in the sealant in the pitch pocket and around the penetration. Re-sealing these areas routinely will help keep the roof watertight. Your RAMCON technician can ensure that the sealer is filled to the pitch pocket top to keep the penetration from holding water.

With pitch pockets, there can be additional problems. It’s vital that the sealant applied be appropriate for the roofing system. If the sealer used is asphalt or roofing cement, it will shrink over time, causing cracks within the sealer itself or causing it to pull away from the penetration. This leaves a direct path for water to enter the roof. Regular maintenance of the pitch pans includes crowning the sealer to shed water away from the penetration. RAMCON always utilizes stainless steel pitch pockets on our roofing systems, but many contractors do not. If another contractor used galvanized pitch pockets, checking the pan for rust is essential. Wherever the rusting occurs, there will eventually be a hole.

Metal penetration flashings are dependent upon compression tape and elastomeric sealants to keep the penetration watertight. The sealants should be examined on a regular basis and replaced when they begin to harden and crack. With both the pitch pockets and the metal flashings, the membrane stripping between the flanges of the metal and the roof should be adhered tightly to both the metal and the roof for an adequate seal.

If you have problems on your roof, there is a good chance it is directed from roof penetrations. Trust the professionals at RAMCON to install these correctly and fix any problems the right way.

How to Report a Roof Leak

2011-03-28T10:20:00.000-04:00

The rains are here for the rest of the week. What will you do if your roof starts to leak? Easy...just follow our three step process below!

Your roofing problems don’t wait for normal business hours and neither do we. We have emergency crews on standby 24/7 for your convenience. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll shortly have a uniformed, certified roofing technician on site to solve your problem.

1. CONTACT RAMCON
There are several ways to report your leak, in order to make it easy for you.
Call Toll-Free (877) 726-2661
Email: RoofLeaks@RamconRoofing.com
Utilize Our Web Based Report Features at www.RamconRoofing.com

2. REPORT THE PROBLEM.
Provide the RAMCON representative a detailed explanation of the situation, so that they can immediately begin working on getting the right crews and equipment to your location as soon as possible.

3. REST ASSURED.
We respond immediately to roofing emergencies. Very shortly, a uniformed RAMCON crew will be at your facility to solve your problem. You’ll get a full report of what was found and how it was repaired with before and after photographs to assure to you that you’re asset is being well cared for by the very best.

Types of Solar Panels

2011-03-21T09:31:00.000-04:00

Monocyrstalline
Generally considered the workhorses of the solar power market, these are made from cells created by cutting thin slices from single crystal silicon block and are higher in efficiency, but also higher in cost per watt. These are easily identifiable, made up of uniformly stacked rounded cells. Because they’re made from just one crystal, not multiple crystals fused together, the process of making them is one of the most complex and costly ones around.

Polycrystalline
These are made from cells created by cutting thin slices from polycrystal silicon block and are slightly lower in efficiency, but also lower in cost per watt. Polycyrstal silicon is the “chicken nugget” of silicon, made by combining many individual crystals. They are easy to spot because they have an uneven color, usually blue.

Thin Film
These are made by depositing a thin layer of very finely powdered silicon (amorphous silicon) or other photovoltaic material, on a substrate. While lower in efficiency that crystalline cells, they are considerably cheaper per watt. The downside is that they take up more space per watt. They are perfect for roof mounted systems as they are incredibly strong, have superb wind uplift and produce power even in undesirable conditions.

Join Us At The Florida Building & Facility Maintenance Show - April 27th & 28th

2011-03-14T13:48:00.000-04:00

Join us on April 27th - 28th at the Florida Building & Facility Maintenance Show at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL. This is a great opportunity to meet some of the RAMCON team and discover the many ways RAMCON can be service to you and your organization.

You'll have the opportunity to win numerous RAMCON discounts and giveaways PLUS be entered to win for our special grand prize.

At this show, you'll have the opportunity to partake in numerous Free Educational Sessions including Gree Maintenance, Regulatory Compliance, Predictive Maintenance, Technology, Emergency Planning, Management and much more.

It's a great opportunity to get involved with Florida's Building Owners, Facility Managers and Maintenance leaders.

Leave a comment below with your email, or email us at info@ramconroofing.com and we'll send you an exclusive VIP Ticket that includes Free Admission to the show.

Facts About Solar Energy

2011-03-14T07:36:00.000-04:00

Sun Related Facts About Solar Energy

Sunlight travels to the earth in approximately 8 minutes from 93,000,000 miles away, at 186,282 miles per second.
The sun is also the main source of non-renewable fossil fuels (coal, gas and petroleum), which began life as plants or animals whose energy came from the sun millions of year ago.
Solar energy is responsible for weather patterns and ocean currents.
Clouds, pollution and wind can prevent the sun’s rays from reaching the earth.

Other Interesting Facts About Solar Energy

Da Vinci predicted a solar industrialization as far back as 1447.
In one hour more sunlight energy falls on the earth than what is used by the entire population in one year.
About 2 billion people in the world are currently without electricity.
Accounting for only 5 percent of the world’s population, Americans consume 26 percent of the world’s energy.

Incentives Make Solar Energy More Affordable Than Ever

2011-03-07T08:12:00.000-05:00

The combination of government and utility incentives can drive down the cost of your solar installation by up to 70%! Federal, State, and Local governments, along with utilities, are pitching in to lower the cost of your solar panels because solar is a great investment for them as well as for you.

Federal Rebate
The Federal rebate is very straightforward. It is 30% off your installation price. It’s a simple one page form that attaches to your Federal tax return and you will get your money as a tax rebate.

Florida Incentives
As part of the 2006 Florida Energy Act, the Solar Energy Systems Incentives Program offers rebates for individuals or businesses to purchase solar photovoltaic systems. Solar photovoltaic systems are eligible for a $4/watt rebate, capped at $100,000 for businesses. In addition, In May 2005, a law was passed (HB 805) that permanently made photovoltaic panels exempt from Florida Sales Tax.

Utility Credits
Florida encourages its utility companies to utilize green technologies, specifically solar. As such, the state offers a $0.01/kWh credit to power companies that use renewable energy. The utility achieves this by providing incentives to you to install photovoltaic systems, which are becoming more generous. It’s a win-win-win situation; you get money from the utility for putting up solar panels, the utilities don’t need to become experts in adding solar to roofs, and the state gets more solar installations.

Net Metering
As of July 1, 2009, all utilities in the Florida, whether investor owned or owned by the municipality now have to credit your solar power dollar for dollar. That means any excess energy your panels produce gets sold to your local utility, and then you get to buy that power back at the same price.

Looking at Solar PV Roofing

2011-02-28T07:35:00.000-05:00

Generating part or all of a facility’s electricity with photovoltaic (PV) systems is growing in popularity all over Florida. Whether the systems are used to lower peak demand costs, power an individual facility or enhance the green aspects of a project, even the smallest systems can help lower electric bills and clean up the environment.

Of course, up-front cost remains an issue. Many states, such as Florida, offer a range of incentive programs, many of which could take a PV system from the red to the black in just a few years. And as utility rates increase, payback periods shrink.

A Nod To The Newest PV System
For those of you whose idea of a PV system dates back to the ‘70s — glossy blue tinted panels fastened to metal racks bolted to a roof — take note: New products are available that integrate PVs into the building, making them not only less obvious but also less risky.

There are many concerns about what type of PV system is best. Obviously, cost is a major issue, despite generous state and utility rebates. The system also needs to fit the design and maintenance needs of the facility. Many owners are not interested in poking holes in a perfectly good roof. This is the reason many organizations are now looking at thin-film flexible membranes.

Thin-film photovoltaics do not have a rigid frame or solar cells. Instead, the material that generates electricity is layered onto a rubber-like substance. It’s as flexible as a roll of roofing material and we install it onto the roof much the same. It attaches directly to the roof surface with adhesives so there are no roof penetrations. In fact, the system really can’t be seen unless you are actually on the roof. Even better, they are more efficient under diffuse light than typical, rigid polycrystalline modules, something worth considering. These flex panels are tough stuff. To test their durability, the team at RAMCON has walked on them, stomped on them and even whacked them with a hammer. They continued to produce electricity as specified.

RAMCON is among the very few contractors in the industry with experience in photovoltaic systems, having installed tens of thousands of watts. For more information or to determine the costs and estimated pay back periods for a system on your facility, give us a call at (877) 726-2661.

Asset Management Programs Make Roofs Last

2011-02-21T07:51:00.000-05:00

No one ever wants to think about replacing a roof before the end of its expected life. But that may be exactly what happens when you don’t think enough about the roof.

Instead of managing the roof as an asset, too often people ignore the roof until a leak develops. This sort of neglect is far from benign: It can shorten the life of the roof, disrupt business operations and increase costs. The cornerstone of effective roof asset management is getting timely information about the roof, then acting on it to prevent small problems from becoming big ones. And the key to achieving those goals is a commitment to regular maintenance.

Best Bang For Your Buck
Regular maintenance is a key ingredient in the long-term performance of any roof. In many cases, the difference between a roof that meets or exceeds its rated service life and one that fails prematurely is simply maintenance. But the benefits of good roof maintenance don’t end there. A comprehensive roof maintenance program will minimize the need for emergency repairs, reduce damage to the building structure and finishes, and help maintain a safe and healthy working environment for building occupants. It’s been estimated that for every $1 spent on a comprehensive roof maintenance program, $3 - $5 is saved through reduced emergency repairs, interior damage, energy conservation and extended roof life.

Unfortunately, few organizations take a proactive approach to roof maintenance. Instead, leaks and roof failures determine maintenance performed on a roof. As a result, the focus of roof maintenance is replacement, not repair.

We all agree that good maintenance is the key to long service lives for roofs. This makes inspections vital, as regularly conducted roof inspections are critical to determining what maintenance needs to be performed.

So this year, make an effort to pro-actively manage your roofing system. If you call RAMCON, we’ll inspect the roof free and help develop a proactive management program that will show a proven ROI. You’ll know what you have, what it will take to maintain it and estimated lifetime savings.

Calculate Your Savings!!!

2011-02-14T09:27:00.000-05:00

The ‘GreenSave’ Roof Calculator
This innovative little calculator lets you compare roofing alternatives over a specific time period to determine which system has the lowest life-cycle cost. It is excellent for determining whether higher initial costs are justified by reducing such future costs as operating, maintenance, repair or replacement costs or producing additional benefits, such as energy savings. It’s simple to use by going to http://bit.ly/eHXxoG

Department of Energy ‘Cool Roof’ Calculator
This calculator is designed for facilities to estimate energy and peak demand savings for low-sloped (flat) roofing systems. Remember, what you get out of this calculator is only as good as what you put in. Check it out here http://bit.ly/hQA1jZ

A Look At Modified Bitumen Installation Methods

2011-02-07T07:36:00.000-05:00

Modified Bitumen (MB) roofing is an asphalt-based, close cousin of the Built-up-Roof (BUR) designed for buildings with low-slope or “flat” roof structures. It features increased resistance to brittleness at cold temperatures, greater flow resistance at high temperatures, and increased elasticity can be achieved by blending synthetic rubberized polymers with asphalt. But did you know this interesting fact? It has a variety of installation methods. Take a look at four of the most common.

Hot-Asphalt Method
Modified bitumen systems can be installed in conventional hot asphalt, allowing the use of common ‘BUR’ equipment and application techniques. The most popular application method, RAMCON crews are utilizing this installation method every day.

Torch Applied Method
This application method is probably the second most common.
When this application is to be used, a manufacturer typically increases the thickness of modified bitumen on the backside of the roll and adds a thin plastic burn-off film. The additional bitumen and burn-off film melt under the application of a propane-fired torch, and they adhere the membrane to the roof insulation or substrate. Torch application does not require the use of hot asphalt, eliminating the need for an asphalt kettle. In areas where asphalt fumes become an issue or where asphalt cannot be transported to a roof, torch installation is a valuable option.

Cold-Adhesive Method
This third application option is gaining in popularity. In locations where hot asphalt cannot be used due to fumes or accessibility restrictions and where torch application might not be allowed or prudent, cold-adhesive application might be more appropriate. In such applications, the modified bitumen membrane is installed in the manufacturer’s cold adhesive.

Self-Adhesive Method
‘Peel and stick’ modified bitumen products have been available for more than 20 years. Most self-adhered membranes have been used on steep-slope roofing and as an underlayment for eaves and valleys. Manufacturers have now developed a membrane that has a very sticky surface on the back of the roll. A release paper is mated to this sticky side during manufacturing. When installing a self-adhering membrane, RAMCON technicians unroll the membrane, position it, peel off the backing, and then press it into place. The appeal of self-adhering roof membranes is related to concerns about asphalt fumes, torch safety and solvents in cold adhesives. Self-adhering membranes eliminate the need to lift asphalt, propane or adhesives to the roof, making it perhaps more suitable for hard-to-reach locations.

Progress Energy Expands Solar Incentives

2011-02-02T08:17:00.000-05:00

The Florida Public Service Commission has OK'd Progress Energy Florida's plans to offer more financial incentives for customers who want to add a solar photovoltaic system, starting March 15 2011. This new incentive provides up to $2 a watt for installed solar systems. Combine this with the 30% Federal Tax Credit and State rebates and solar becomes quite affordable to install and certainly profitable.

It might be worth a good look at turning your roof into your own power generation system, locking in your utility rates and start saving. Contact RAMCON at (877) 726-2661 for more information.

The Lost Guide To Your Roof

2011-01-31T15:54:00.000-05:00

Check out our new "Lost Guide To Your Roof". This guide walks you through the four proven steps towards proactive roof management. Follow this guide and you'll be sure to see the following benefits:

Lower Lifetime Maintenance Costs.
Significantly Extended Roof Service Life.
Much Lower Liability.
Higher Return On Your Roofing Investment.
Dramatic Cost Savings.
The Ability To Eliminate All Leak Expenses.

Visit it online now at http://www.lostguidetoyourroof.com/ or email us at info@ramconroofing.com to get the official version mailed to you free!

The Roofing-Mold Connection

2011-01-31T07:28:00.000-05:00

Most owners and managers have begun to fully comprehend the potential ramifications of mold for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). These ramifications can manifest themselves as damaged building materials, degraded IAQ, sick building symptoms, and potential lawsuits.

Mold commonly occurs in most organic building materials. It is common to see lichens, or mold, growing on the top exterior surface of roofs, within wet organic roof insulation boards, and on wet wood nailers. The one thing that all these surfaces have in common is that they are above the roof deck and, therefore, have minimal impact on IAQ.

When mold growth develops on interior surfaces, IAQ can be affected and building occupants start asking questions. Most organic building materials can support mold growth if temperature and moisture conditions are within supportive limits. Typical materials include ceiling tiles, gypsum board, wallpaper, insulation, adhesives, wood trim and wood framing materials. These materials have been used for years in construction, many never experiencing mold growth.

Identifying the Culprit
What is the catalyst for mold growth: temperature or moisture? Temperature seems to be unlikely, as many similar building types have similar interior environments, and some have mold, while others do not. It appears that moisture might be the single most probable catalyst to affect mold growth. This seems likely as most observed mold growth is associated with leaks and condensation problems in roofs, windows or walls. Studies have proven that leaks in a building can contribute to mold growth within as little as 48 hours.

Leak Response
If we know that roof leaks may be a major contributor to mold development, then keeping water out of organic building materials is paramount to preventing mold growth. We must establish an aggressive leak response program. Technicians must investigate leaks, determine origin points and address deficiencies in a timely manner. Leaks must be stopped within 48 hours and the wet materials dried out, or mold growth is possible. Simple enough when you call RAMCON.

A Proactive Step
Leak response, though important, is reactive, and materials often get wet before a problem can be identified. A better approach would be to develop and preserve an aggressive roof-maintenance program.

It appears that mold growth and roof leaks are directly related. As a result, annual roof maintenance might be the first line of defense against mold development. If leaks do occur, they must be investigated and repaired immediately. To stop mold development, you must take the position that roof leaks are not acceptable and that they must not be tolerated. A RAMCON preventive maintenance program can help provide tangible results in mold prevention.

What's going on up there?

2011-01-24T08:41:00.000-05:00

When was the last time you had your roof inspected? It is simple, and will let you know what is going on up there…the first step to pro-active roof management.

Contact RAMCON
Call us, toll-free at (877) 726-2661 or email us at support@ramconroofing.com. Hurry, we get many requests and want to make sure we can get your roof scheduled promptly.

Schedule
Schedule a time and date to have your roof inspected.

Inspection
Our professional technicians will visit your facility and perform our exclusive 20-point inspection to determine the condition of your system.

Analyze
Our project estimating teams will review and analyze your roofing system to create the best, most comprehensive approach to addressing all roofing conditions.

Review
We’ll provide you a detailed roof analysis reports, containing everything you’ll need to proactively manage your roofing system. You’ll also be able to view and share your report with key stakeholders securely online, via MyRAMCON.com

There is a convenient online form to get all of this started. Simply log onto http://www.ramcongreen.com/free-roof-inspection.htm to get started.

2010 Hurricane Season In Review

2011-01-17T07:37:00.000-05:00

The so called “hyper-active” Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2010 came to an end last month as the third most active in history. It ties 1887 and 1995 with 19 named storms. There were 10 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes in the Atlantic basin this year. Only 2005 and 1969 had more activity.

Interesting enough, these numbers are almost exactly what was forecast by Colorado State University, they had 18 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes in their long range forecast. NOAA’s outlook issued May 27th had 14-23 named storms, 8-14 hurricanes, and 3-7 major hurricanes. The “average” since 1995 has been 11 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes.

Florida escaped any hurricane problems again last season. The last major hurricane to hit Florida was in 2005, when Hurricane Wilma hit South Florida. The last significant system to cause damage in Florida was slow-moving Tropical Storm Fay in 2008. In 2010, Tropical Storm Bonnie did cross Florida in July. Bonnie was a very weak system and was almost immediately downgraded to a tropical depression. So then beckons the question, why has Florida been lucky?

There are three reasons for the tracks of the storms last season. First, a strong upper high held over the Southeastern U.S., Gulf of Mexico, and Florida for much of the season. This high was one of the primary reasons our summer was one of the hottest on record. The high also caused drought conditions in the Southeastern U.S. Most of the Caribbean systems were kept on a southerly track, impacting Mexico, Belize and Central America. Other systems which could’ve threatened Florida, such as Nicole and Paula, were held to the south or were unable to develop.

Secondly, a series of upper level troughs developed again this summer in the Northeastern United States. These troughs made it easy for long-track “Cape Verde” type hurricanes to re-curve in the Atlantic. One of these, Hurricane Igor, was one of the worst hurricane disasters on record for Newfoundland.

In the end, the 2010 hurricane season is a vivid reminder of what we always say at the beginning of each season. It doesn’t matter what the forecast numbers say. If the season is active and no storm hits you, you probably don’t think it was been that busy. If the forecast is for a slow year, and one storm hits you, you think it has been a bad season. Therefore, each year we’ll continue to help our clients prepare their roofing systems for each season the same, no matter what the long-term forecast. After all, each season is different and it only takes one storm to make it a bad year.

Extensive or Intensive? Green Roofs Explained

2011-01-10T10:18:00.000-05:00

There are two general types of green roofs: extensive and intensive systems. Intensive green roofs, commonly thought of as “garden roofs,” are the more complex of the two, exhibiting much greater plant diversity, and a greater need for design expertise. Planting media for intensive green roofs are a foot deep at minimum, and have saturated weights ranging from 80 to 120 pounds per square foot, depending on type and depth of planting medium and the type of plants. Almost always used for new construction, intensive green roofs can be anything from a public garden to an entire park — as is the case with the world’s largest green roof, Millennium Park in Chicago, which is 24.5 acres of landscaping on top of two subterranean parking garages.

Extensive green roofs, with a saturated weight of 12 to 50 pounds per square foot, are the most common. With planting media of 1 to 5 inches thick, most extensive green roofs aren’t designed for public access or to be walked on any more than a typical membrane roof would. Several modular extensive green roof products have emerged in the last few years that allow plants to be grown at the factory prior to being installed on a roof. We’ve found that these products allow the opportunity to pre-grow the roof so that it can be laid out like a giant jigsaw puzzle when the roof is ready for installation, so you get an “instant green roof.”

Dealing with Complexity
Whether the roof is intensive or extensive, you should consider the details of green roof design and construction carefully. There are a few more layers of complexity with a green roof than with traditional construction. That complexity, as well as cost, and the misperception that green roofs are more leak-prone, are the main reasons many don’t seriously consider green roofs for commercial projects.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that green roofs are more leak-prone. In fact, green roofs should be better at preventing leaks because the membrane is more protected from the elements. Still, we caution that a green roof is only as watertight as its design, which is why it’s even more critical on a green roof to have a good contractor like RAMCON and make sure the roof is designed properly from the outset.

With a strong understanding of the considerations that go into a green roof project and RAMCON at your side, you’ll be in the best position to ensure success. For more information about vegetative roofing systems, contact RAMCON at (877) 726-2661 or visit www.vegetativeroofing.com

A Look Behind and the Drive Forward

2011-01-03T07:59:00.000-05:00

As we say goodbye to 2010 and race into 2011, our thoughts first turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. You are the reason for our continued success and the drive that keeps us moving forward. As we look forward, we must reflect back at 2010 and the many accomplishments that have been achieved.

Last year, we installed approximately 2.9 million square feet of practically every type of roofing system imaginable. Our never ending commitment to quality remains strong. In 2010, we remained Florida’s only Firestone President’s Club winner council member and one of only 30 Johns Manville Pinnacle Council members in the world. These awards signify our commitment to installing the best systems in the industry. Three of our projects (All Children’s Hospital, Glazer’s Children Museum and Strawberry Crest High School) have won or are nominated for the 2010 Building of America awards.

In addition to roof installations, we’ve made considerable progress in our Roof Maintenance Department and serviced millions of square feet of roofing systems. Our service department has grown significantly in 2010, which has brought you the tangible benefits of a faster response time, lower service costs through efficiencies and considerably higher quality.

We’ve also ventured into new and existing territories including the installation of tens of thousands of watts of roof integrated photovoltaic solar systems. We’ve rolled out new programs such as our preventative maintenance Star Program and instituted our online roof management application MyRAMCON.com. You may have also noticed the new look of the RAMCON fleet on the road and our newly revised website. We encourage you to check out the site as it is constantly updated and full of new resources, webinars and information.

This is just a snap shot of the achievements at RAMCON. We are always interested in hearing your suggestions and input on how we can further meet the range of your roofing needs, as our entire focus in on you.

As we begin a new year and new era, we want to thank you for everything you’ve done to make our progress and success at RAMCON possible. With our strong and motivated team working together we can make our goals happen. We have not come to our place in this industry by happenstance or accident. It’s a direct result of hard work and the trust each of you have provided. For all that has been accomplished — Thanks. And for all that will be — Yes.

How Freezing Temperatures Cause Roof Leaks

2010-12-15T09:37:00.000-05:00

Did you know that freezing temperatures on our Florida roofs often cause roof leaks? That’s right, often moisture and dew on the roof gets into any cracks or voids. As it freezes, it expands these areas and creates larger voids. Over time and through several freeze-thaw cycles, a roof leak develops. Learn more at www.ramconroofing.com/freeze-leaks.htm.

Metrodome Roof Collapse

2010-12-12T16:06:00.000-05:00

RAMCON Collects Toys For Tots

2010-12-06T08:21:00.000-05:00

“The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.” In a time when charity needs are at their highest, RAMCON management and staff are happy to give back. This year, RAMCON has chosen to take part in the annual Toys For Tots Program.

“Toys for tots Began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The idea came from Bill’s wife, Diane. In the fall of 1947, Diane crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas. When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one. He did. The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. The initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to ‘bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children’.”

The team at RAMCON will be collecting toys in our corporate offices in Tampa through December 16th, and will be having them picked up on December 17th. There are many collection locations across the entire state, but if you would like to come visit the offices of RAMCON, and bring your new, unwrapped toy here, we will gladly get it to the Toys For Tots to be distributed to a local less fortunate child.

For more information on Toys For Tots, visit www.ToysForTots.org.

High Level Decisions for Facility Management

2010-11-29T08:50:00.000-05:00

Most managers in commercial and institutional facilities agree, in theory, that regular inspections are an essential part of a roof asset management program. They also would recognize and agree with the basic roof management tenet that regular inspections and routine maintenance reduce ownership costs, reduce leak frequency and severity, extend roof life, and reduce management inefficiencies.

But, in practice, by the time many organizations think about starting a roof management plan, they need a roof replacement program. The opportunities to maintain and repair have been supplanted by the obligation to fund and implement roof replacements.

If organizations can extend the life of each roof under management one year, they break even on the roof management plan costs. If they can extend each roof by two or three years, the plan can reduce roof expenditures by a multiple of its costs.

So why don’t all organizations have a viable roof inspection and maintenance plan? Is it inertia or a fear of the unknown? It’s hard to fathom. The truth is, even a minimal plan is better than no plan. The best advice for managers is to get started now.

Action Steps to Take

It’s time to call RAMCON to get up on the roof and perform a condition assessment. No roof can be managed appropriately without first knowing the roof’s history and then understanding its current condition. Managers can best obtain current roof condition by scheduling this roof assessment.

How often an organization needs to perform various tasks associated with a roof Preventative Maintenance program depends on the roof’s age and condition, environmental influences, rooftop traffic, occupancy sensitivity, size and roof accessibility.

The information gathered during an inspection does no good if it sits on a shelf accumulating dust. Managers need to study the information, as it will help identify opportunities to make repairs, conduct maintenance or anticipate re-roofing. Formulating a plan will help managers communicate better with upper management and owners and can assist in creating an effective management plan.

Perhaps the most important goal of all is to avoid having a roof replaced before its design life is reached or worse, having to perform emergency repairs at the least opportune time. To avoid letting a good roof sit neglected and doomed to early failure, managers can begin the effort with a well-devised roof inspection and maintenance plan by calling RAMCON. Get started today and on the road towards proactive roof management.

Stretching Roof Life

2010-11-22T08:13:00.000-05:00

One of the most difficult problems facing facility executives is getting the most out of their facility’s roofs. Why all the trouble with roofs? Part of it is due to the environment in which roofs must function. They are exposed to wind, rain, snow, hail, sunshine and birds and other animals. They must withstand temperature swings from well below freezing to over 180 degrees. They serve as a platform for building mechanical systems that can vibrate, inducing stress failures in roofing components, and they must survive foot traffic from maintenance personnel and building occupants.

With the strain that roofs are routinely exposed to, combined with the expense of roof replacement, it is logical to think that roofs would be a focus of attention for facility executives. In some facilities they are, and those executives have found that by following a comprehensive program for managing roof assets, they can lower life-cycle costs for roofs while reducing the frequency of leaks and emergency repairs.

But not all roofs are managed. Less than half of building owners ever file a claim against their roof’s warranty even though most roofs experience some problems during the warranty period. And many of those who do file a claim have it voided because they have not been doing the tasks necessary to maintain the warranty.

The difference between these two groups is how they view the roof. The group of facility executives that are successful in lowering roof costs view the roof as an asset to be managed. The others view the roof as a maintenance expense, focusing on replacing rather than managing.

Roof asset management is a process that begins with a thorough understanding of the installed roofing system. This is best derived from a comprehensive roof inspection. Evaluation of the inspection report along with data from subsequent inspections is used to develop a schedule and budget for major roof repairs and replacements.

The Benefits
One of the most significant benefits of managing roofs as an asset is that doing so will extend the life of the roof. While it will take money to perform the tasks required, asset management programs will result in roofs that typically last 25% to 50% longer. In some cases, they can even double the service life of a roof. The cost of setting up and operating the roof asset management program is typically recovered if the roof life is extended by only one year. Extended service lives beyond that first year will greatly reduce the life-cycle cost of the facility’s roof inventory.

Roof asset management also reduces roof maintenance costs. One of the reasons why maintenance costs for roofs are so high is that they often are performed on an emergency basis. When a leak or other problem with the roof occurs, it typically happens when the weather is less than ideal. Roof maintenance personnel are called in, sometimes on an emergency basis, and temporary repairs are made. Later, when conditions allow, they return and make the permanent repairs. Not only have there been two service calls, but damage to the roof, and possibly the building’s interior, has taken place.

A roof asset management program will not eliminate all emergency repairs, but it will reduce their frequency. And by identifying problems and taking action to correct them before they develop into leaks, the program will reduce damage to the roof and the building.

Another benefit of the program is better allocation of funds for roof repair and replacement. Many roofs are replaced before it is necessary to do so. Recurring leaks, surface deterioration, storm and wind damage combine to make facility executives think that it is necessary to replace a roof when routine maintenance and repair will extend the life of the roof. By implementing an asset management program, facility executives will have the information to determine if relatively minor repairs will correct the problem or if the roof is approaching the end of its life and requires replacement.

Realistic Budgets
Roof asset management programs allow managers to budget for roof replacement on a basis of need, not crisis. Replacement funds are usually used on the roof that is believed to be in the worst condition at the moment, but by establishing the condition of all roofs in all facilities, executives can set priorities based on real — not perceived — needs.

A major complaint from facility executives is that roof warranties are complicated and sometimes misleading. While it is true that it is difficult to process warranty claims with some installers, many denials of warranty claims are a result of the owner failing to conduct inspections and perform routine maintenance tasks required by the warranty.

Staying on Top
Treating roofs as assets will provide financial and performance returns for those willing to make the investment. But roof asset management is not a collect-and-forget system. It is a process. To be effective, keep up with the collecting, assessing and updating of data. The time and effort are well worth it.

Why Is Maintenance So Important?

2010-11-15T08:32:00.000-05:00

The number one cause of premature roof failure is neglect of routine maintenance. Water entering the building damages not only the roof, but what’s inside. Even a small hole can let a large amount of water into a roofing system, damaging interiors, merchandise, equipment, not to mention the work environment and business productivity.

Roof replacements are traditionally one of the most costly investments that a building owner can make. At RAMCON, we focus on the continued maintenance of roofing assets and not just roof replacements. Our philosophy is to assist building owners in the maintenance and upkeep of their existing roofing assets with the intention of extending the service life of the roof assembly as long as it is a fiscally sound decision to do so.

We work with building owners and managers through various services to help you control costs. These managed services include roof maintenance plans, annual infrared scans of the roof assembly, coating applications when necessary and other services that allow a building owner to manage their roofs and the costs associated with maintaining them. We know that if a roof is properly maintained, it can yield far more valuable use life than if it unmanaged and left to deteriorate.

Roof Maintenance Pays Off
Roofing industry experts say that a building owner who budgets only 5 cents per square foot per year, can avoid losing three times that much per square foot each year. Add it up for a typical owner/manager, that’s easily tens of thousands of dollars each year in cost savings.

“The decision not to employ an aggressive roof maintenance program is costing owners between $.010 and $0.15 per sq. ft., per year.” - Dennis Firman, after managing 600 million sq. ft. of roof as maintenance chief for the U.S. Air Force.

Our comprehensive, cost efficient maintenance programs, such as our Star Program, are designed to help you get the most out of your investment. Call us today at (813) 663-9667 and discuss your needs today.

Here at RAMCON, we’ve created three levels of comprehensive, cost efficient maintenance programs. Tailored to your specific facility, your investment in preventative maintenance is designed to award a fast payback, extend the service life of your roofing system and drastically reduce/eliminate roof expenses. Preventative Maintenance conducted by a top contractor is so effective that some manufacturer’s will extend your warranty 25% completely free (example: a 20 year warranty becomes 25 years). Give us a call and we’ll perform a free preventative maintenance inspection, create predicted service life extensions and savings analysis and a put together a customized plan that works for you.

The Low Down: The RAMCON Star Program

2010-11-08T08:14:00.000-05:00

In today’s economy, it’s important to stretch every dollar as far as it can go. Your roofing investment is no exception. It’s no secret your roofing system is one of a buildings most costly elements. So what if we can extend of the life of your existing roof by 5 or 10 years? How about reducing un-budgeted roof expenses and emergencies or eliminate them entirely? Well, we can and we do it every day. We’ve developed the RAMCON Star Program with one goal in mind: Saving you thousands over the lifespan of your roofing system. Browse our customizable plans below and discover how.

Bronze Star Plan
Our entry level preventative maintenance program, this plan includes an annual assessment and preventative maintenance service that performs remedial repairs. For a minimum investment of only pennies per square foot, this program provides the basic preventative attention required by most roofing manufacturers. A Bronze Star Plan pays for itself quickly by identifying small problems and repairing them quickly before they become big and expensive.

Silver Star Plan
As our intermediate and more proactive program, our Silver Star Plan is our most chosen preventative maintenance program with over a million square feet covered. This program includes two annual condition assessments and preventative maintenance services, an online MyRAMCON account allowing you to monitor your portfolio online, anytime 24/7. In addition, this program includes one no-cost leak response per year and a committed response time of 12 hours.

Gold Star Plan
The ultimate proactive roof maintenance program, our Gold Star Plan includes four condition assessments and preventative maintenance services per year. Never worry about un-budgeted roof emergencies again with an included Unlimited Leak Response Program. You have a problem, you call and we fix it…end of story. Our Gold Star Plan includes a detailed roof history and database, 5 year replacement and renovation budgeting and a committed response time of 8 hours. No other preventative maintenance program even comes close.

Okay, you know there’s a need and RAMCON has a solution to fix it. Now what? Easy, give us a call or shoot us an email. We’ll send a team out to do a no cost roof evaluation. We’ll let you know what the condition, put star plan options and customized pricing and do the calculations to determine how long we think your roof life can be extended and dollars saved. It’s simple, effective, efficient and smart.

The Benefits Of Fall Roof Inspections

2010-11-02T13:40:00.000-04:00

Fall is a crucial time to complete an inspection of your roof. This time of year, leaves, branches and debris can collect on a roof and clog drains, gutters and vents, causing ponding water to accumulate and damage the roof. Early detection and correction of roof related problems can reduce the severity of roof damage, associated repair costs, and interior damage to the facility. Being proactive and addressing problems early will safeguard the overall quality and service life of the roof.

Most of us know how important inspections and routine maintenance are, however some still fail to act in terms of inspecting and protecting their roofing systems. Not a day goes by where we do not find something on a roof have could have been prevented for a fraction of costs if detected and repaired sooner. Roofs are commonly ignored until leaks occur and complaints are received. Unfortunately, at this point, the roofs have often suffered major damage which will continue to worsen if repairs are not immediately performed. Moisture entrapped within a roof system will accelerate the deterioration of the roof’s insulation, membrane, structural deck, and sharply lessen the service life of the roof.

It may be hard for us to admit, but, many our roofs are not being pro-actively managed. Rather, we employ crisis management techniques. As we are all aware, crisis induced corrective repair is far more costly than planned preventive maintenance. And, most importantly, planned inspections and preventive maintenance will allow our costly roofing assets to attain their designed service life which will ultimately save our companies thousands of dollars.

Discover a 5 step solution to keeping your roof in top shape at www.ramconroofing.com/5steps.htm

The Benefits Of Solar Roofing

2010-10-25T09:25:00.000-04:00

Before blindly jumping into a decision to install a photovoltaic (PV) roofing system, it helps to understand which of the technology’s potential benefits applies to you, as well as the practical implications of installing and maintaining such a building component. Let’s focus on 4 benefits.

Financial savings. The cost savings created by reduced electricity is actually a cost-effective payback that offsets the up front cost of purchasing and installing a PV roofing system, when you factor in the federal, state and utilities financial incentives, such as tax credits and subsidy programs. Even with this ROI, the up front cost of a PV system is substantial.

This situation has led to the development of solar power purchase agreements (SPPA), a financial arrangement between a third-party developer that installs, owns, operates, and maintains the PV system for the organization. The organization agrees to host the PV system on the roof or property and to buy the electricity from the provider for a predetermined period. This set-up allows you to receive electricity at a predictable cost, with the potential to have a positive cash flow via reduced electrical costs from the day the system goes into service. The solar provider receives the tax credits and the income the sale of the electricity generated. It’s a win-win situation.

Hedge against rate hikes. PV systems are not vulnerable to electrical rate increases, which have averaged about 6 percent in recent years. The PV panels produce electricity at a fixed rate over the life of the system.

Peak energy savings. PV systems can reduce the cost of peak power. A PV system produces the most power in the summer at mid-day, when the sun is highest. So it supplements the need for expensive power at peak operating times.

Public relations. PV technology can have a legitimate positive influence on the general public, which might think more highly of the organization for taking action to protect and improve the environment.

With billions of square feet of unused roof space around, PV systems are likely in your future. RAMCON is one of the very few contractors who has installed tens of thousands of kilowatts of solar panels on roofing systems. Contact Kyle Burdine at kburdine@ramconllc.com for more inquiries.

Understanding A Wet Roof Deck

2010-10-11T08:08:00.000-04:00

Wet roof decks simply can’t be ignored. Recovering a wet roof deck won’t make the problem go away. That’s because recovering a roof deck will likely only cause the roof to blister, or cause other serious problems that won’t be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Here’s how to tackle a wet roof deck the right way. First, identify wet areas in the roof. To do so, one of three types of moisture surveys should be completed: infrared, nuclear or capacitance. None of these actually measure moisture. Instead, they measure the effect moisture has within the roofing materials.

For the best results, match the type of moisture scan with your roof because each moisture scan works differently. Infrared surveys measure the heat retained or lost in insulation that has become damp. Ballasted roofs aren’t a good candidate for infrared surveys because the rock itself retains a lot of heat, giving potentially false readings. Nuclear moisture surveys measure hydrogen atoms in the roof, meaning that any membrane with a large hydrogen chemical component will send a positive reading. Water is a good conductor of electricity, and capacitance surveys measure electricity traveling through the roofing material. This survey won’t work on a roof with wet or ponded areas, and EPDM roofs may require modified instruments.

The amount of moisture found in the roof, if any, may dictate the choice of whether to recover or replace. The more areas of moisture found, the more expensive it will be to replace those areas. If you have 100,000 square feet of roof and four 8-by-10-foot areas are wet, replacing those sections makes sense. But if 30 percent of your roof is wet and it’s scattered throughout the roof, the labor to replace all of those sections probably equals the cost of just tearing off the entire roof.

But what if the roof is leaking just after a recent replacement? It’s not that far-fetched. Due to poor design or installation, many roofs experience water leakage soon after construction. In many instances, water leakage through a roof membrane can go unnoticed because a vapor retarder at the bottom of the roof system captures the water. The captured water absorbs into the insulation, significantly decreasing the thermal value of the insulation and causing premature deterioration of the roof system.

A properly prepared and implemented design can prevent water from migrating into the roof. Generally, the membrane in the roof’s field does not allow bulk water leakage. Most leaks through a system arise from unreliable detailing. For example, in most instances, roof terminations consist of surface-mounted conditions (exposed termination bars or metal flashing) or reglet-set flashing (a small cut in a wall system to insert the metal flashing).

The team at RAMCON is uniquely qualified to identify and address saturated roofing systems and wet roof decks. We’ll perform moisture surveys and noninvasive testing that will determine whether or not repairing or replacing a roof is the most cost efficient solution.

Roof Maintenance In Severe Weather

2010-10-04T08:51:00.000-04:00

This year alone, roofs have collapsed at a store in Georgia, a manufacturing plant in Ohio, a warehouse in Maryland, a firehouse in Ocala, an arena in Texas and a church in Tampa. And with severe weather an ongoing problem in Florida, it’s smart for you to think about ways to keep your buildings off that list.

Avoiding that fate isn’t difficult, but it does require taking some time to set up an ongoing roof maintenance program and post storm inspections.

Of course, before taking these steps, you want to know that the roof has been properly installed. David Hawn, a registered roof consultant advises, “You want a good installation and a good slope for draining.” For most buildings, that means a fall of at least a quarter inch per foot of roof area, sloping toward the drain. A RAMCON inspection can ensure you meet this criteria.

It also makes sense to become familiar with the ANSI/SPRI ES1 standard, which applies to the design, specification and installation of edge materials used with low-slope roofs. The standard focuses mainly on design for wind resistance, and any roofing or re-roofing project has to meet it. RAMCON maintains one of only a few ES-1 certified metal fabrication machines, which run off the latest Windows® software.

Inspection Checklist
Assuming the roof has been properly installed, it pays to complete a visual inspection at least once a year. Routine inspections can help catch small problems before they become disasters. It’s wise to make repairs before severe weather is ready to hit. If you only look at the roof the day of the storm, you don’t have time to react. Both low- and steep-slope roofs can be vulnerable to water damage if the drains and gutters aren’t kept clear. That’s particularly the case when the roof is surrounded by a parapet (a low wall) along its edge. If the water isn’t able to move freely into the roof drain, it will pond, get behind flashings and enter the facility.

Also part of preparing the roof for a severe storm is taking care of the rest of the structure. If the windows or doors break during the storm, air pressure inside the building can build and contribute to roof failure. So, when you board up windows before severe weather, you’re also helping to reduce the likelihood of roof failure. Studies have shown that the increased pressure inside, combined with uplift from outside, are a major cause of roof failure. Large warehouses are particularly susceptible to this, given the sizes of both the buildings themselves, and the openings, such as larger doors near loading docks.

A well-crafted inspection and maintenance plan is a crucial factor to your roofing system. RAMCON’s Star Program has 3 plan levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) tailored to your specific building to address these needs. It’s simple, cost effective and will save you thousands of dollars and yes…headaches.

4 Common Types of Roof Insulation

2010-09-27T08:05:00.000-04:00

Specifying insulation that extends a roof system’s performance life is essential, but it is only one factor building owners and managers must consider. When managers select roof insulation, they also must account for the building’s thermal needs, satisfy applicable energy codes, and deliver a roof assembly acceptable to your facility’s insurance carrier.

To perform successfully, insulation has to become an integral part of the roof assembly and must function in concert with the membrane and the structural deck. Wise insulation choices result in successful roof systems that perform over the long term, while poor choices can be detrimental to roof performance. We can help you select the best option for your needs. Below, we discuss the 4 typical types of roof insulation.

Insulation Types
A variety of rigid insulation types are available to you, including wood fiber, perlite, polyisocyanurate, expanded or extruded polystyrene, cellular glass, and gypsum board.

Wood fiber is an organic insulation board composed of wood, cane, or vegetable fibers mixed with fillers and binders. The insulation can be asphalt impregnated or asphalt coated to enhance moisture resistance. You may want to consider uncoated insulation in applications where the selected roof covering is incompatible with asphalt-based coatings.

Perlite insulation board is composed of inorganic, expanded siliceous volcanic glass (perlite) combined with organic fibers and binders. The top surface of the insulation board features an asphalt coating or a proprietary coating formulated to limit adhesive — asphalt — absorption into the insulation during the roof-membrane application.

Polyisocyanurate is a closed-cell foam plastic insulating core sandwiched between organic or inorganic felt facers, glass-fiber mat facers, or glass-fiber-reinforced aluminum foil facers. A blowing agent expands the foam material, creating the closed-cell structure that gives the insulation its high thermal resistance. Polyisocyanurate’s insulating efficiency remains higher than other rigid insulation.

Gypsum Board is a non-structural, non-combustible, water-resistant, treated gypsum core panel. The board is available with a proprietary, non-asphaltic coating on one side to enhance roof-membrane adhesion. Gypsum board typically is used as a cover board over foam-plastic insulations, as a thermal barrier over a steel deck, or as a vapor-retarder substrate.

Overview
There are numerous ways of increasing thermal resistance with insulation, which offers you the opportunity to save thousands of dollars in operating costs. On your next project, we’ll work with you to find the solution that fits both your needs and budget. We’ll develop solutions to maximize rebates and R-Values while meeting necessary building codes.

Your Roof: Repair vs. Replace

2010-09-20T08:06:00.000-04:00

You’ve likely experienced unscheduled capital expenditures due to roofing repairs. Many of these water-infiltration-related repairs can be avoided by developing and following a scheduled maintenance program for the life of a roofing system. Even with stringent adherence to a thorough maintenance program, however, the decision to re-roof an existing roofing system will have to be made at some time within or towards the end of the expected service life of the roof.

Many issues — such as the location, type of system currently in place, cost, construction schedule, occupant requirements, and long- and short-term use of the building — have to be addressed as part of this decision. Although it is possible to identify many of the physical issues that affect roof performance in general terms, the appropriate decision must be addressed on a building-by-building basis.

The first step to be taken, before beginning the decision process, is to estimate the remaining service life of the roof. We derive this estimate from factors that include water infiltration, moisture trapped in the underlying insulation, aggregate movement across the roof, membrane slippage or embrittlement of single-ply membranes.

RAMCON can investigate the existing system and answer these questions for you, as well as comment on any related code or technical issues. We can also eliminate false or misleading assumptions, such as incorrectly attributing water infiltration to the roof system when the water is actually entering the building through alternative sources.

Is it cost efficient to repair my roof?
Repairing an existing roof or replacing sections of a roofing system become difficult to justify if the deterioration leading to the need for a repair is due to long-term exposure to the elements or the advanced age of the roof. Truth is, if deterioration is extensive, the application of a maintenance coating will rarely solve the problem for long.

If the roof is leaking because the existing system is aged, it will be just a matter of time before the entire system will need to be replaced. In those cases, the cost of the temporary solutions may not be justifiable; the money would be better spent recovering or replacing the roof. The best course of action would be to have a RAMCON Service Account Manger inspect your roofing system and determine the viable options.

Enemies of Your Roof

2010-09-13T08:22:00.000-04:00

Your roofing system’s performance is affected by numerous factors. Given the fact that your ultimate goal is to have a roofing system that lasts a long time with low lifetime maintenance costs, we need to know what we’re up against.

Sun: Heat and ultraviolet rays cause roofing materials to deteriorate over time. Think about it, direct sunlight causes the material heat and cool rapidly, causing deterioration. Usually this occurs faster on the sides facing south.

Rain: When water gets underneath the membrane, flashing or other materials, it can work its way along the roof deck to a penetration point in the deck, resulting in a roof leak. Often, water can sit on the deck for a considerable amount of time which encourages deck and insulation deterioration and may significantly increase the cost of re-roofing the system.

Wind: High winds can cause all sorts of damage on the roofing system. If condensation lines are not securely attached to the roof, they will swing back and forth, causing slices and punctures to the membrane. Flying debris and equipment will also cause serious damage to the surface, allowing points of water penetration. Extremely high winds can cause extensive damage.

Moss, Algae and Vegetation: Moss and algae can grow directly on the membrane, especially around AC fluid lines. Once growing, it holds even more moisture to a roof system’s surface, causing deterioration. In addition, vegetation roots also can work their way into the system and structure. Besides creating a black-green stain, algae can retain moisture, causing rot and deterioration as well. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from the building to eliminate damp, shaded areas, and drainage systems should be kept clean to ensure good drainage.

Trees and Leaves: Tree branches touching a roof will scratch and gouge roofing materials when the branches are blown by the wind. Falling branches from overhanging trees will almost certainly puncture most membranes. Leaves on a roof system’s surface retain moisture and cause rot, and leaves in the drainage system will cause the roof the ‘pond’ water.

Missing or Damaged Materials: The key to a roof system’s effectiveness is complete protection. When a piece of the system is missing or damage, the roof structure and the building interior are vulnerable to water damage. The problem is likely to compound, as the missing or damaged piece will cause surrounding areas to be damaged as well.

Punctures: The most preventable enemy, punctures, usually occurs because of carelessness on the part of people visiting the roof: HVAC technicians, window washers, painters, maintenance staff, smokers and tenants. Punctures can also occur because of debris left, blown or tossed on the roof. They may appear as tears or holes in the membrane

Flashing Deterioration: Fact: most leaks on a roof occur at the flashing areas (perimeter walls, roof penetrations, etc.). Without good, tight flashings around vents, AC units, roof hatches, skylights and wall/roof junctions, water can enter the building and cause damage to the building interior.

Neglect: The biggest enemy of the roof is often the owner. Roofs, like any equipment, require periodic routine maintenance to fix little problems early, before they become big and expensive. Just like changing the oil in your car, there are certain things that must be routinely done to maximize your roofing investment. Discover simple, comprehensive and cost efficient programs for you (plus how much it could save you) at www.MyRAMCON.com

Accurate Budgeting - an Invaluable Tool

2010-09-07T08:18:00.000-04:00

Yes, it is that time of year again. It is time to begin the budget process. But, how do you arrive at the bottom line figure for your roofing budget? Do you make an “educated guess” or is it just a complete “shot in the dark”? Maybe you are a little more practical, and you know that a roof is undergoing constant wear and attack from the elements, so you add a standard 10% to 15% to last year’s budget?

However, none of these approaches takes the composition, condition, age or life expectancy of each roof into consideration. It is still imperative to have answers to the following questions:

Exactly what type and how many roofs are on each property?
Will the pace of needed repairs accelerate and how fast?
Are certain areas of the roof experiencing greater problems than others?
Were previous repaired leaks located in the field or at the flashings?
Is there trouble brewing up there, and can it be prevented?
How many years will the roof last?
How much should be budgeted for emergency repairs?
How much should be budgeted for preventative maintenance?
How much should be budgeted for roof replacement, if necessary?

As Florida’s leading full-service roofing contractor, RAMCON is happy to assist in this process. We will send an inspection crew to thoroughly inspect each roof in your portfolio, and put together a comprehensive analysis report, which will include the following information, and so much more:

Detailed captioned photographs visually depicting the entire roofing system.
Report of conditions of the field and flashing areas of the roof.
Professional estimates in years of the roofs remaining serviceable life.
Exact figures for:

Anticipated yearly maintenance
Preventative roof maintenance items, if required, and their effect on lengthening of your roof’s serviceable life.
Roof replacement options and costs, if necessary.

A quality, accurate roof budget is an invaluable tool. We can help you feel more secure in the preparation and submission of your roofing budget. To obtain a sample report of what you could receive, or for referrals of other owners and managers for whom we perform due diligence services, contact us at 877-726-2661 or online at www.RamconRoofing.com. If our expertise can be of assistance to you, please contact us at the phone number or website above, or email Info@RamconRoofing.com.

Is This The Future of Cool Roofing?

2010-08-30T08:15:00.000-04:00

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have recently invented a new smart roofing tile called “Thermeleon” (rhymes with “chameleon”), which is thermochromic – in other words, when it is exposed to heat it changes color from black to white, and vice-versa.

Thermeleon works by sandwiching common polymers between several flexible plastic layers. When it is cold outside, the polymer solution stays dissolved and the black rear-face shows through to absorb the natural heat. When it heats up outside, the polymer solution condenses to form light-scattering droplets (in other words, it turns white), to reflect the heat.

We now know that a white roof reflects up to 80% of the sunlight, keeping the interior of the building beneath the roof much cooler. This can result in a 20% reduction in summer air conditioning costs. But during the winter months when you would rather your roof capture as much heat as possible from the sun, the black coloring has the reverse effect - these tiles scatter only 30% of incoming solar radiation, thereby helping to keep the building beneath the roof warmer (reducing heating costs).

The team at MIT is now working on micro-encapsulating the chemicals to create a commercially-viable paintable or spray-on roof coating. If they can figure out how to produce this roof coating at a favorable price and proves to be durable enough for the extreme summer months in regions like the desert southwest, this could very well be a sneak peek at the future of cool roofing.

Roofing: Making White Coatings Work

2010-08-23T08:18:00.000-04:00

The main purposes of white coatings is to protect roof membranes, resulting in longer roof life cycles, and to reflect solar radiation, resulting in lower energy costs. A closer look at their formulations and components can help you successfully specify and apply coatings and ensure maximum performance.

Binders, pigments, liquid carriers
In general, a white coating consists of a binder blended with pigments and other additives. There are hundreds of different white coating products formulated and manufactured by a range of companies. Most can be conveniently classified according to the binder they use. Most white coatings used today are water-based - often referred to as latex coatings - and are available in a variety of polymer types. For some white coatings, organic solvents carry the liquid, while others, called reactive coatings (generally prepared with multiple-part resins blended on site before curing), might flow well enough to eliminate the need for a liquid carrier.

Membrane Compatibility
You can specify white coatings for use on most roofing membranes and systems. They most commonly are applied to metal roofs, single-ply rubber roofs and modified bitumen roofs. But they can be applied to certain kinds of asphalt built-up roofs. Prior to specification, you will need to establish the compatibility between the coating and the underlying roof surface. You can do this by consulting with a RAMCON representative

Primers and Surface Preparation
Primers are useful for improving the adhesion between roof surfaces and coatings and for imparting additional properties to roof coating systems. A compatible primer for a rubber roof coating might provide better adhesion to a rubber roof membrane or improve a coating’s permeability rating on a sprayed polyurethane roof.

Application Insights
We typically use airless sprayers, rollers or brushes. Due to the variety of coating types, climactic conditions and surfaces to be coated, it’s important that we utilize the proper application rates and related recommendations.

Many, but not all, white coatings are waterproof. A coating’s permeability to liquid water, water vapor, and gases varies greatly, depending on the coating type:

Acrylic coatings are breathable, so they have a high moisture-vapor transmission rate, or permeability.
Silicone coatings are classified as breathable.
Butyl rubbers, hypalons and neoprenes have very low permeability, so they are highly resistant to moisture transmission.

Cleanliness and Aging
The frequency and intensity of precipitation, along with the slope of the roof, will affect the cleanliness of coatings over time. As with other white surfaces, white coatings can discolor and darken slightly after several years of service. Generally, a small decrease in reflectivity occurs over time, depending on several factors. Wind-blown dirt and dust can decrease the reflectivity of white coatings, depending on the coating’s age and regional climate characteristics. To prevent this, your roof can be re-coated periodically, which is significantly less expensive than the original coating.

Whether you are looking for a reflective coating to reduce the energy costs of your facility, are seeking valuable LEED points or are looking to extend the life of your system, trust the professionals at RAMCON. We’ll be able to put together a solution, utilizing the right coating for the job and at the right price.

White, Green and Cool - Maximizing the Value of Solar-Reflective Roof Membranes

2010-08-16T08:03:00.000-04:00

Roof systems are an important element in green, sustainable architectural solutions. One of the more-interesting concepts in energy efficiency is the “cool roof,” also sometimes known as a “white” or even “green” roof. The terms are not really interchangeable -- the cool roof concept is specifically defined by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) as a roof membrane (single-ply, built-up, or modified bituminous), field-applied coating or other type roof cover, such as sheet-metal, with both a specified initial solar reflectivity and an “aged” reflectivity value. But the basic concept -- reflecting the sun’s heat, absorbing and then emitting solar radiation -- is well established.

Cool roofs are definitely green (to the extent that they are sustainable and minimize adverse environmental impact) and may contribute to interior comfort while reducing energy expenditures, but they are not the vegetated or garden-surface variety of the term “green roof.” Green roofs are also commonly designed with high insulation R-values.

The cool roof idea has been around for several decades, but it has gained importance with increasing environmental concerns. Building codes feature stricter standards regarding R-values and roof materials (e.g., thermal resistance value must be 20 or greater), while environmental issues add a social awareness element -- cool roofs can enhance your reputation.

Caveats for Cool
Cool roofs, if properly maintained, can also reduce energy costs, thus beneficially impacting an owner’s bottom line. There are some caveats regarding cool roofs, however.

Roof surfaces should be positively sloped to minimize the accumulation of dirt in low spots and to likewise aid in “self-washing” during normal rain. Cool roofs are particularly appropriate for warm, sunbelt-style climates like ours with greater demands for cooling rather than heating, especially for buildings with minimal thermal roof insulation.

Targeted Maintenance
Even where a cool roof is initially effective, targeted maintenance, which is often overlooked, is still necessary for the roof to remain clean and reflective so that it can stay cool and efficient throughout its life cycle. Dirt, soot, sediment and similar substances will still settle on a cool roof to some extent making the roof darker and less efficient over time. We must invest some time, effort and money in monitoring the roof’s condition and performing cleaning or repairs as necessary. Otherwise, energy-efficiency declines and cool roof benefits are largely lost.

Management Specialists
The best way to ensure proper maintenance of cool roof systems is our MyRAMCON Star Program (Preventative Maintenance Programs). Our programs include predictive modeling of where problems may occur, a database of various roof systems for comparison purposes, and “what-if” simulations to forecast the impact of various interventions (modify, repair, replace). We can also advise on upgrades from conventional to cool roofs, perform feasibility studies and prepare you for the challenges of altering the existing design.

Are cool roofs a cure-all for environmental and energy-efficiency challenges? No. But combined with an appropriate sustainable roof system design and an intelligent use of a MyRAMCON Star Plan through its life cycle, a cool roof can be greener and more cost-effective than other conventional alternative systems.

Roofing Trends: Protective Planning

2010-08-09T08:55:00.000-04:00

For decades, “keep it off the roof” has been the mantra of knowledgeable building owners and managers. The first and perhaps most effective method for extending the life of a roof system has been to keep it free of mechanical equipment and superfluous items while also limiting unnecessary foot traffic. However, the growing popularity of alternative energy sources has given the roof a new role to play. Increasingly, roof systems are also being looked at as a platform for energy production through the installation of solar energy systems. We know, as a leading solar installer, that the roof surface has become too valuable a space to be left under used.

As a consequence, roofs are being called upon to be the base support for other functions independent of its traditional purpose. These other functions need to be designed and integrated into the roof system. In order to meet these dueling demands in the most effective manner, it is necessary to understand how best to marry the two together to ensure a sustained level of high performance.

Coexisting With Solar Energy Systems
While much attention in recent years has been paid to vegetative roofs, we’re seeing, and anticipate, a larger shift towards a significant growth in installation of solar energy systems.
Once the roof has been chosen to support energy producing components, you should immediately start a matrix of those functions, their design, construction, and maintenance requirements. We can help and coordinate all factors under one program. For instance, solar systems must provide proper clearance above the roof membrane to enable maintenance or repairs below, and it should be spaced to allow for access between units.

Protecting The Roof
A roof that will serve as a platform needs to be designed for heavy foot traffic and for access to both the roof and the equipment it supports. The key is to understand installation sequencing. With platform roofs, the need is to prevent damage throughout the installation of equipment—solar arrays for example. The roof surface is impacted not only by foot traffic but also material packaging, tools, materials, as well as workman setup and construction. We’re one of very few contractors experienced in these procedures.

It’s important to understand the need for proactive and continuous maintenance, given the fact that the roof is performing multiple functions. This maintenance, as well as the first several years of climatic cycling, can affect the roof systems. Proactive and specified roof maintenance for the first year is always factored into our solar projects. This allows us to attend to minor items before they manifest into larger concerns—ones not covered under warranty.

Once completed, the system needs to be managed and documented. We offer leading preventative maintenance programs for all systems under our MyRAMCON Star Program.

Overview
Roof systems today are being asked to perform many more functions than their predecessors, and these should be designed in a way that reflects emerging needs. Taking a holistic approach to roof system design, construction, and management results in watertight performance while supporting other activities, such as solar production. For many facilities, the roof is, or will become, a valuable contributor to its aesthetic and energy performance. Making sure RAMCON is by your side will ensure your project is a success.

Roofing Trends: Protective Planning

2010-08-02T08:59:00.000-04:00

For decades, “keep it off the roof” has been the mantra of knowledgeable building owners and managers. The first and perhaps most effective method for extending the life of a roof system has been to keep it free of mechanical equipment and superfluous items while also limiting unnecessary foot traffic. However, the growing popularity of alternative energy sources has given the roof a new role to play. Increasingly, roof systems are also being looked at as a platform for energy production through the installation of solar energy systems. We know, as a leading solar installer, that the roof surface has become too valuable a space to be left under used.

As a consequence, roofs are being called upon to be the base support for other functions independent of its traditional purpose. These other functions need to be designed and integrated into the roof system. In order to meet these dueling demands in the most effective manner, it is necessary to understand how best to marry the two together to ensure a sustained level of high performance.

Coexisting With Solar Energy Systems
While much attention in recent years has been paid to vegetative roofs, we’re seeing, and anticipate, a larger shift towards a significant growth in installation of solar energy systems.

Once the roof has been chosen to support energy producing components, you should immediately start a matrix of those functions, their design, construction, and maintenance requirements. We can help and coordinate all factors under one program. For instance, solar systems must provide proper clearance above the roof membrane to enable maintenance or repairs below, and it should be spaced to allow for access between units.

Protecting The Roof
A roof that will serve as a platform needs to be designed for heavy foot traffic and for access to both the roof and the equipment it supports. The key is to understand installation sequencing. With platform roofs, the need is to prevent damage throughout the installation of equipment—solar arrays for example. The roof surface is impacted not only by foot traffic but also material packaging, tools, materials, as well as workman setup and construction. We’re one of very few contractors experienced in these procedures.

It’s important to understand the need for proactive and continuous maintenance, given the fact that the roof is performing multiple functions. This maintenance, as well as the first several years of climatic cycling, can affect the roof systems. Proactive and specified roof maintenance for the first year is always factored into our solar projects. This allows us to attend to minor items before they manifest into larger concerns—ones not covered under warranty.

Once completed, the system needs to be managed and documented. We offer leading preventative maintenance programs for all systems under our MyRAMCON Star Program.

Overview
Roof systems today are being asked to perform many more functions than their predecessors, and these should be designed in a way that reflects emerging needs. Taking a holistic approach to roof system design, construction, and management results in watertight performance while supporting other activities, such as solar production. For many facilities, the roof is, or will become, a valuable contributor to its aesthetic and energy performance. Making sure RAMCON is by your side will ensure your project is a success.

Benchmark the Way to an Energy Efficient Facility

2010-07-26T08:40:00.000-04:00

For many, the term “benchmarking” may conjure up images of nightmarish hours spent sifting through spreadsheets and data to fulfill another corporate fad. But in reality, benchmarking is critically important, offering the clearest road map for making energy efficiency improvements.

To be competitive in the commercial market, you need to know what the rest of the industry is doing. “If I have 70 buildings and I can’t benchmark the properties first and see where the opportunities are, it’s very difficult to know where to focus the capital and human resources,” says Padavano, whose company is responsible for 5 million square feet of space.

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is a free web-based tool that allows facility executives to do just that. In fact, we have not found anything that comes close to the resources that EPA has built into the ENERGY STAR Program.

To use the tool, data such as facility size, energy use, occupancy and zip code are entered into the Portfolio Manager, which then produces a rating from 1 to 100. The rating shows how a building stacks up against similar buildings across the country, based on a national survey of buildings conducted by the Energy Information Administration. A score of 75 or better is required to earn the ENERGY STAR Label for Buildings. We tested this and found that if you have all of the needed information, the actual process can take less than 20 minutes. The challenge can be gathering the energy information, if you don’t have it readily available.

Using the Tool
There are several ways to ease data collection. Those who have large portfolios can use the “master account” feature to allow local staff to enter and update individual building information so facility executives can see results across the portfolio at a glance.

All of this makes it easier for facility executives to generate their ENERGY STAR ratings. But that number is really just the beginning. The focus shouldn’t just be on getting a label. Don’t be frustrated. A low rating may have the best opportunities for efficient building improvement and energy savings.

Savvy building owners and managers use the rating as a tool to make continuous improvement. If you get a 60, we can provide you with resources to set targets to find out how you can improve your energy performance.

How?
Operating strategies can have a big impact. We’ve seen buildings that have improved their score by 10 or 20 points by operating strategies alone, if not more. In a portfolio, ENERGY STAR offers value because it shows where the best performing buildings are. Once operational improvements are made (and verified by watching monthly or quarterly ENERGY STAR scores), it makes sense to work on low-cost upgrades first, followed by larger upgrades. For example, replacing the lighting with a more efficient system could reduce a building’s heat load.

The starting score provides an indication of how easy it will be to improve efficiency. Buildings with scores under 50 will respond well to just operational changes. Scores between 50 and 74 suggest buildings may require equipment upgrades as well as operational improvements. We’ve developed strategic partnerships to allow us to further assist you, providing energy saving solutions that allow you operate more efficiently and save thousands.

Lessons in Roof Maintenance

2010-07-19T08:08:00.000-04:00

With today’s busy schedules, it is easy to forget some of the most important aspects of facility management. The roof is one of the building’s most valuable assets. Not only does it protect the building, but it also safeguards all of the vulnerable occupants and sensitive materials within the structure.

Roof maintenance is often abandoned or never planned in the first place. Since the roof is not something people notice every day, it can sometimes be neglected—until a leak occurs. And if a perforation in the roof is the cause of the leak, the repairs may end up being costly for the organization and inconvenient for building occupants.

In order to protect both interior and exterior assets, it is imperative for facility managers to set up a maintenance program that will keep the roof clean and at maximum performance. Maintenance programs can be a crucial factor in extending the life of the roof.

The Roof’s Condition
Many managers are responsible for multiple buildings; they cannot always visit every location. Not knowing what condition the roof is in can lead to problems in the future. But a good maintenance program will provide facility professionals with a clear picture of the condition of their roofs.

With a maintenance program in place, the facility manager can have a detailed report of the roof on at least a yearly basis. In some RAMCON programs, you’ll receive up to four roof reports per year. The type of facility, age and needs of the building dictate how many times per year the roof needs inspection.

The first thing the maintenance report should provide is a detailed description of the roof. This report should not only include specifics on the roof and rooftop equipment, but it will also have a computer aided drawing (CAD) of the rooftop and photos that highlight any areas of concern. Additionally, this update should include repairs that need immediate attention to keep the building watertight and recommendations for future work to extend the life of the roof. While it is being inspected, the roof should also be cleared of any debris, and the gutters should be swept to keep them working properly and routine maintenance tasks completed.

Having the roof inspected at least once a year gives the facility professional peace of mind that the assets protected by the roof will remain safeguarded. Upon receipt of the analysis report, you will have a clear picture of the status of your roofing system.

Implementing a roof maintenance plan also has benefits beyond keeping the roof in working order. If the roof is under warranty, there is likely a requirement for maintenance stated within the documentation.

Failure to service the roof could result in this coverage being voided. Implementing a roof maintenance program will ensure the roof remains covered under the manufacturer’s guarantee.

Choosing A MyRAMCON Star Plan
Facility professionals confer with RAMCON to discuss what type of plan is needed for the roofs they maintain. Your RAMCON representative will work with you to develop a customized solution for your specific system that meets both your needs and budget. The process is painless and simple - and, in the end, provides significant savings to the building owner. RAMCON’s Star Plan programs are proven to extend the life of your roofing system, reduce lifetime maintenance costs and save the owners thousands.

Stretching Roof Life

2010-07-12T08:13:00.000-04:00

Assessing and Repairing Roof Leaks and Damage

2010-07-06T08:10:00.000-04:00

In a time of economic uncertainty, replacing a roof is not always a viable option, regardless of the number of leaks, because often the money is just not there. Still, water intrusion must be stopped and the interior of the building must be protected. Repairing the roof becomes an attractive alternative to re-covering or replacing the existing system. But there are some things to think about before trying to repair the roof.

One approach that is often taken is to call RAMCON to come and fix the leaks. This is certainly effective. However, sometimes the problem is that repairs are just not enough or may be the wrong approach entirely.

The first step should be to find out what you’ve got. If you have a warranty, the warranty will tell you who the manufacturer is and what kind of roof system is installed. If you don’t have a warranty or you can’t find it and you do not already know what kind of roof you have, RAMCON will show you. We’ll determine the roof assembly, approximate age and condition of the roof.

If the roof can be repaired, we’ll provide a exact costs to fix the existing problem and get you taken care of. Like always, we warranty all the work we perform for one year. However, there are times that additional repairs are not justified, and often may cause more harm than good. If this is the case, we work with you to provide the accurate costs for recovery or replacement.

It is essential to ensure that leaks are really coming from the roof. Not all leaks come from the roof membrane. They can be a result of problems with parapet walls, windows, rooftop mechanical units, plumbing or other sources that disguise themselves as roof leaks. Once these have all been eliminated as the source of leaks, the rest of the roof is subject to leak investigation. In general, most leaks occur at penetration and base flashings rather than the field of the roof. Look for cracks, scrapes, blisters, punctures or cuts in the membrane. Check seams to be sure they are adhered and watertight. Check for erosion of the membrane, especially around drains and downspouts. Once the probable leak locations are identified, a certified RAMCON technician can make a permanent repair to protect the system.

Hurricane-Proof Your Roof

2010-06-28T08:58:00.000-04:00

The way we protect our building from the weather depends on where it is located. Here is Florida, our eyes are focused on the ocean. With the 2010 Hurricane Season now in full swing, and the impact of Hurricanes Ivan, Andrew, Katrina and Rita are not easily forgotten.

Walt Rossiter, of the National Hurricane Center, describes a school building he investigated in southern Florida following hurricane Andrew. “The school was of masonry construction and built like a fortress,” he said. “It was built around an interior courtyard, and most of the building’s windows faced this courtyard — there were very few on the exterior walls. But the roof ended up in the parking lot. I believe that, if the roof had stayed on the building, the school would have passed the storm largely unscathed.” Rossiter’s story highlights a crucial fact about roofing performance during big storms: A roof system’s ability to withstand gale-force winds often determines how well the rest of the facility survives.

What Can Go Wrong?
Imagine a hurricane has hit and now the facility’s roof is in the parking lot. What caused it to fail? Typically, there is no quick answer. There are as many ways for roofs to fail as there are roofing systems. But when roofing systems fail, they usually do so at areas most susceptible to uplift: the perimeter, corners, along seams, and at rooftop accessories, such as vents, satellite dishes, or A/C units. Rossiter says that weak areas of attachment are the leading cause of roof damage. “Recently, a high wind event we investigated revealed damage and failure due to a gutter edge,” he says. “The gutter and components above it were blown back onto the roof along with four feet of roofing at the edge.” Even though the gutter was attached properly to the wood blocking, the blocking attached to the structure itself had failed. Further investigation revealed that the blocking had been attached at spacing greater than 12 inches using nails. “The blocking was most likely installed by another trade and not confirmed to be attached to meet the same uplift resistance as the roof, roof edge and gutter,” Rossiter says. The good news for the affected facility was that a perimeter attachment strip of the roofing system stopped the wind damage from migrating further than four feet from the gutter edge.

If A Hurricane Hits
The perfect storm is coming and you did not get a roof inspection or prepare. Now what? “You pray,” says Rossiter. All joking aside, a roof should be adequately secured well ahead of a hurricane’s arrival. Nevertheless, some last-minute checks should be made on the rooftop. Act before hurricane season, because vital resources often become scarce. Also before hurricane season, call RAMCON to get a roof inspection. They provide a detailed inspection and report that covers all the bases. Roof defects should be repaired, and all rooftop equipment should be reviewed to ensure there are no loose parts. Make sure that the equipment is functioning properly and well attached to the structure. In particular, you should physically check equipment screens, access doors, exhaust fans and roof drainage components. Make sure that removable panels are tightly secured to equipment. Clear paths and drainage so as not to impede water flow. Loose or compromised material should be taken off the roof. As much as possible, you should review the area surrounding the building. If you see a dead tree limb or a loose sign near your roof or on a neighboring building, remove those windblown hazards before the storm season approaches.

Taking corrective action now can reduce a facility’s susceptibility to storms — and protect the roofing system when a hurricane arrives.

Roof and Hurricane Preparedness

2010-06-21T09:28:00.000-04:00

With hurricane season coming into full swing at the end of the month, most facility managers and building owners in Florida have one eye on the news hoping that another 2004 hurricane season is not upon us.

Rather than wait until a storm is on the radar and there is little to no time to prepare, now is the perfect time for managers to think about their roofs. A study from The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) and information released by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) examine the weaknesses in roofs during hurricane conditions and outline the necessary steps to prevent severe damage in the future.

The Causes Of Roof Failure
Installation practices are often the reason that roofs do not perform. The RICOWI study examined roofs after the 2004 season, which included the destructive hurricanes Charley and Ivan. Its findings revealed the defects in installation. “Failure of roofing systems resulted from vulnerability at the perimeter and punctures and tears from debris,” says David Roodvoets, wind event coordinator for Houston, TX-based RICOWI. “The attachment to the deck could not resist the loads created when the perimeter securement failed, which led to progressive loss of membrane coverage.”

The study found that roofs designed after 1992’s devastating Hurricane Andrew performed well unless there were installation problems. These include internal pressurization from openings (typically created by failed accessories); perimeter detachment; and corrosion issues. As Andre Desjarlais, member of the RICOWI team, clarifies, “If you can’t hold the edge down, no matter what kind of roof you have, the whole thing is going to come down. The issue of fastener corrosion was seen over and over again.” When high speed winds entered buildings through these spaces, roofs were compromised.

Preparation For 2010
Careful installation practices can make a significant difference in a roof’s hurricane preparedness. According to the RICOWI study, nearly 95% of roof failures were caused by poor workmanship and substituted materials. We’ve seen, on occasion, nails from local hardware stores were used in place of proper fasteners. The question you should ask yourself now is this: “Is my roofing system prepared for a hurricane?

The Good News
If you’re unsure or have doubts, you really should call RAMCON to come and perform a comprehensive inspection. We offer free inspections and reviews for all our clients and will provide you documentation about that status of your system. We’ll help you document a dry roofing system which will aid you with your insurance company should a roof become damaged during a storm.
Our technicians will review the roof assembly, assure that all the rooftop units are secured and there are no weak spots in the system. We’ll identify missing fasteners, voids and punctures and much more so you can know your system is ready.

Vote For Most Ugly Roof Award 2010

2010-03-17T14:49:00.000-04:00

Vote for The Most Ugly Roof Award 2010 from our top 10 finalist.

Roof #1

Roof #2

Roof #3

Roof #4

Roof #5

Roof #6

Roof #7

Roof #8

Roof #9

Roof #10

Picking A Cool Roof: SRI Index Is Key

2010-03-16T13:50:00.000-04:00

Most roofing industry experts agree that a cool roof is one that exhibits a combination of high reflectivity and high emissivity. But the questions have always been how high is high and what combination of the two yields the most benefit?

One way to make a decision is to use the Solar Roof Index (SRI) to evaluate a cool roof. The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED 2.2 uses SRI as a way to evaluate a cool roof. LEED version 2.2 is the first national specification to use a relatively new measure of reporting a cool roof’s properties. LEED 2.2 sustainable sites credit 7.2 states that to receive one point, building owners should use a roof with a Solar Reflective Index (SRI) of 78 over at least 75 percent of the roof’s surface for roofs with slopes less than 2:12.

SRI is a unit developed by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. SRI incorporates reflectivity and emissivity properties into one, easy-to-read, standardized measure so that roof buyers won’t have to scratch their heads and try to figure out if a high reflectivity and low emissivity is better or worse than a medium reflectivity and high emissivity.

SRI is calculated with a complex formula spelled out in ASTM E 1980 and is a scale of 1 to 100 that is a measure of a roof’s combined thermal properties. It is defined so that a standard black (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) is 0 and a standard white (reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90) is 100. But some hot roofs can have negative values, and some white thermoplastics and white roof coatings have scored as high as 104 to 110. SRI as a method for reporting cool roof data will probably take a little while to catch on. Most manufacturers still report separate emissivity and reflectivity data in their literature, but the Cool Roof Rating Council, an organization that verifies and labels cool roofing products has begun using the measure, while retaining reflectivity and emissivity measurements.

Different roofing technologies have different SRI values. Asphalt coatings for example have aluminum pigments added to asphalt cutbacks and emulsions to give coatings solar reflectance index (SRI) values of 21-30 on a scale of 0-100.

Acrylic elastometers on the other hand, a new-generation coatings, have a highly reflective surface, often with an SRI greater than 100. Most highly reflective acrylic elastomers are white, and workers can install them over existing bituminous or non-bituminous roofing. Acrylic elastomers typically are specified at 12 mils for five-year warranties and at 20 mils for 10-year warranties. Some manufacturers specify up to 40 mil applications.

Explained: Cool Roofing System Rebates

2010-03-09T16:12:00.000-05:00

Getting Started
As hard as you might try, it’s just not possible to ignore a roof. In the long run, the roof will always make its presence felt, sometimes in very inconvenient ways- just ask the hospital that had its surgical suite damaged by a leaky roof.

It can be hard to win capital dollars for roofing even in the best of times (that hospital roof failed during a much stronger economy). But roofs in sad shape simply cannot be ignored. If a roof is already a candidate for replacement, re-covering or re-coating, savvy facility executives should go the extra mile and consider cool roofing options.

There are plenty of reasons why. For one thing, some utility providers offer incentives to spur users into purchasing cool roofing systems. A roof that’s both reflective and emissive can provide a range of benefits for the entire organization. A cool roof can significantly cut heating and cooling loads. It can also act as a shot in the arm for public relations efforts.

Finding Help
When it comes to justifying cool roofs in a today's tough economy, rebates from gas and electric utilities are among the surest bets. Generally speaking, the utilities pay back a certain percentage -usually about $.20 on the dollar — after installation and documentation. “Utilities are looking for ways that they can reduce capacity,” says William Kirn, chairman of the technical committee of the Cool Roof Rating Council. “It’s a form of demand-side management, since cool roofing has been shown to push back peak-demand energy use.” A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available to owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001. Deductions up to $.60 per square foot can be taken for measures that meet the criteria for any one of three building system: the building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling systems. These tax deductions are available for systems “placed in service” from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013.

Finally, there may be financial incentives to facilities that are voluntarily built to the rating systems for green or sustainable building systems — such as Green Globes or the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

On your next project, consider the 'cool roof' option. Discover more by visiting www.ramconroofing.com

Preventing Mold from a Roof Leak

2010-02-24T11:00:00.000-05:00

Pardon the pun, but we’re often flooded with calls to repair roof leaks stemming from pouring rains and heavy winds . As these roof leaks continue, building owners and managers have expressed concern about mold growth. There are a few simple steps you can take to prevent your recent roof leak from turning into a mold nightmare.

Immediate Actions When You Have a Leak:
1. Diagnose the source of leak. We can’t tell you how difficult this can be at times, as diagnosing water intrusion is a tricky art and science. My best advice to you is this: don’t bias yourself to one conclusion as to the source of leak. Rather, investigate all potential sources and even replicate the leak (if possible) to ensure you are attacking the correct problem.

2. Have the leak fixed first. There is no sense attempting to dry out the affected area if water is allowed to continue to enter the home.

3. Determine the extent of water damage. How much water damage is there before I need to call a professional water extraction company? A quick tip: If you can’t dry it yourself within 48 hours—it is time to call a pro. After that time period, your chances of developing a mold problem skyrocket.

4. Dry out the area completely. Fans, additional ventilation and dehumidifiers are particularly helpful. If drywall has been soaked to the point where it is sagging or mushy—cut it out and get it out of the house.

Next Steps to Prevent Mold:
1. Reduce indoor air humidity. Get a hydrometer and monitor the area—strive to achieve 35% humidity or less if possible. Turn off the winter humidifier if you have one. The inconvenience of being shocked from static electricity as you move about your home will be far less than the mess caused by a mold remediation project.

2. Improve ventilation. Air exchange in your home is critical to help remove moisture.

3. Prevent the leak’s recurrence. If any mold growth began, future leaks with subsequent water intrusion will only reactivate mold growth.

Maintaining Roof Data Electronically

2010-02-16T10:31:00.000-05:00

Prior to performing field investigation work, facility executives should implement a data recording and filing system. It does little good to invest in extensive data collection in the field unless that information can be readily recalled and expanded in subsequent years. When recording data, be sure to include the following: Roof Warranties, Inspection Reports, Repair Logs and Invoices. This provides easy access in the event of a roof emergency.

While information compiled from records and surveys can be kept manually or electronically, electronic management makes it easier to recall, review and report data. Keeping your data electronically allows facility executives to maintain detailed records for each roof section, including the warranty and repair information over a long period of years to provide for scheduled maintenance and repairs.

Our Solution to this Problem
We’ve instituted an innovative online roof management system, MyRAMCON.com which allows our preventative maintenance customers 24/7 online access to their roofing system information. With MyRAMCON, we upload all inspection reports and photographs and maintain a document archive includin your warranties, repair logs, lifetime maintenance costs and more for your convenience and comfort. We also provide innovative tools such as savings calculators, taxes/rebate information and much more. Leaving your roofing system in the hands of the professionals at RAMCON will assist in protecting your warranties, extending the life of your roof and save money while you are at it.

Try the Demo For Yourself
Visit www.MyRAMCON.com, click ‘Log Into Portfolio’ on the menu bar and use the login name ‘demo’ and password ‘demo’ to discover all the tools and information MyRAMCON brings to the table for yourself.

RAMCON is Committed to Environmental Stewardship

2010-01-25T11:08:00.000-05:00

Sustainability means adopting practices that help RAMCON meet the needs of the present without compromising the world’s ability to meet the needs of the future. As a company, we are committed to being a leader in environmental performance. RAMCON's commitment to sustainability is aligned with our corporate commitment to creating shared value for everyone we touch - today and tomorrow.

Our Green Roofing operations ensure that preserving natural resources and minimising waste have become an integral part of the day-to-day activities. RAMCON’s commitment to sustainability is aligned with our corporate commitment to creating shared value for everyone we touch – today and tomorrow. Preserving natural resources and minimizing waste have become an integral part of all RAMCON Operations as we work to build a better future for tomorrow.

Energy is our top priority, whether saving with efficiencies or creating with photovoltaics. Over the past years, RAMCON has committed ourselves to be a driver in the Green construction revolution. We aim to reduce the amount of energy we produce and to ensure that we provide our customers with roofing systems to do the same. We aim to promote and share energy conservation methods with contractors, owners, managers and the local community. For more information on our Green Operations, visit RAMCON Green and Sustainable Roofing Operations.

The Leak Triangle

2010-01-25T10:07:00.000-05:00

For leaks to occur, three things are required: water, a hole or path through the cladding, and a force to move the water through the hole. Take away any one of these three elements and there will be no leak. Obviously, if there is no water or path, there will be no leak.

Less obvious is the role of 'Force'. If no force exists, then even if water and a hole are present, there will not be a leak.

The five forces that move water through a hole are gravity, kinetic energy, surface tension, capillary movement and pressure difference. We can't eliminate the forces of nature, but we can work to deal with their effects.

Gravity is overcome with flashing and by allowing drainage to the exterior at the bottom of a cavity. Putting a cover over an opening controls kinetic energy. For example, we shut the window when it starts to rain. Putting a drip on ledges controls surface tension and capillary movement is stopped by adding a chamber - a capillary break. Pressure difference is caused largely by wind pressure and is controlled by adding an air barrier to the wall.

The Leak Triangle: Remove any element and there will not be a leak.

Roof Management Decisions

2010-01-21T13:20:00.000-05:00

Rare is the organization in which roofing funds flow like water. Most maintenance and engineering managers face the quandary of too many roof problems for the money available. The problem might well be a lack of money, but it could it also be the lack of a coherent roof management plan.

Most managers in commercial and institutional facilities agree, in theory, that regular inspections are an essential part of a roof asset management program. They also would recognize and agree with the basic roof management tenet that regular inspections and routine maintenance reduce ownership costs, reduce leak frequency and severity, extend roof life, and reduce management inefficiencies.

But, in practice, by the time many organizations think about starting a roof management plan, they need a roof replacement program. The opportunities to maintain and repair have been supplanted by the obligation to fund and implement roof replacements.

If organizations can extend the life of each roof under management one year, they break even on the roof management plan costs. If they can extend each roof by two or three years, the plan can reduce roof expenditures by a multiple of its costs.

So why don’t all organizations have a viable roof inspection and maintenance plan? Is it inertia or a fear of the unknown? It’s hard to fathom. What is that even a minimal plan is better than no plan. The best advice for managers is to get started now.

Action Steps to Take
It’s time to call RAMCON to get up on the roofs and perform a condition assessment. No roof can be managed appropriately without first knowing the roof’s history and then understanding its current condition. Managers can best obtain current roof condition by scheduling this roof assessment.

How often an organization needs to perform various tasks associated with a roof PM program depends on the roof’s age and condition, environmental influences, rooftop traffic, occupancy sensitivity, size and roof accessibility.

The information gathered during an inspection does no good if it sits on a shelf accumulating dust. Managers need to study the information, as it will help identify opportunities to make repairs, conduct maintenance or anticipate re-roofing. Formulating a plan will help managers communicate better with upper management, the roofing contractor and maintenance staff.

Perhaps the most important goal of all is to avoid having a roof replaced before its design life is reached or having to perform emergency repairs at the least opportune time. To avoid letting a good roof sit neglected and doomed to early failure, managers can begin the effort with a well-devised roof inspection and maintenance plan.

Photovoltaic Technology and Benefits

2010-01-11T12:08:00.000-05:00

Photovoltaic technology has been around since the late 1950’s, when it was used to provide electric power for earth-orbiting satellites. Photovoltaic (PV) or solar cells are semiconductor devices that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. When grouped together and electrically configured into modules, they can be used to power any number of electrical loads. Today, PV modules are being used as a power system for both residential and commercial uses and are rapidly be installed with roof systems on buildings as well as being interconnected to utility networks.

Installing photovoltaic systems can not only reduce your overall utility costs, but may offer economic opportunities such as state rebates or Federal tax incentives. RAMCON provides the ability for nearly all of our roofs to be installed with photovoltaic systems, which allow the roof area to be used to produce reliable, affordable “green” power for businesses, schools, hospitals, and federal agencies.

Features and Benefits

Eligible for LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits. Photovoltaic systems can add up to 3 direct points depending on the energy supplied to the building.
Eligible for a Federal Business Energy Tax credit of 10%.
State Incentives California, Florida, Hawaii, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey are states that are currently offering either tax relief or rebates for photovoltaic systems.
Offset the high cost of peak-power usage. Customers can generate their own peak-power electricity converting a traditional roof top liability into an energy producing asset.
Recovers capital investment because the Federal Government, along with some State Governments, offer a five-year accelerated depreciation incentive for companies installing solar roofing systems. This significant incentive can generate an attractive ROI for clients in most situations.

Learn more at www.ramconroofing.com/photovoltaicscenter.htm

The Guide: Vegetative Roofing Systems

2010-01-04T14:59:00.000-05:00

One sustainable storm water management technique which continues to grow in popularity in Florida is the application of green roof technologies. This involves replacing or supplementing a traditional roofing material with vegetation. The vegetation prevents the rain from quickly running down the roof surface and offsite. Water instead percolates through soil and feeds plants in the process. The vegetative roof system provides a storage component and enhances the quality of runoff through natural filtration. In general, the system is composed of a waterproofing layer, a soil layer, and a plant layer. A vegetated roof is obviously easiest to create on a minimal slope, but it can be created on surfaces with a pitch of up to 45° with large trees, shrubs, and other landscapes. Vegetative roofs require irrigation and drainage systems to maintain the garden, which can add considerable load to the roof.

In contrast to the intensive design, extensive roof systems are primarily built for the environmental benefit. They typically use only inches of soil depth and contain small, hardy plants and thick grasses which are accessed for maintenance. Additionally, loads to a building are between 15-50 lbs per square foot. The blocks are usually a heavy gauge container with about 4” of soil supporting a low-growing plant species. A pad is fastened to the bottom of the block to protect the roof surface and allow controlled drainage through the unit. The typical weight of the system is 12-18 lbs per square foot. The cost of a green roof system can vary considerably depending upon the type of installation and factors such as the overall size, plant selection, depth of growing medium, use of irrigation, and accessibility options. It is important to note that, while green roof technology does typically require a greater initial investment, the system can significantly extend the life of the roof and reduce the heating and cooling costs of a building.

As with many sustainable management practices, one must look at a life-cycle analysis to truly compare the costs. Thousands of property managers and construction professionals are instituting Vegetative ‘Green Roofs’ on their facilities across all of Florida.

RAMCON maintains a complete line of vegetative roofing solutions, as well was photovoltaic (solar) and highly reflective systems for lifetime roof savings. Learn more about vegetative roofing systems online at www.vegetativeroofing.com

Four Ways to Save Money with Your Roof

2009-12-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

A roofing system isn’t the most glamorous part of your building, but it’s one of the most important investments you can make. While the need of a quality roof is readily apparent, protecting your building envelope from the elements, many building owners and managers do not fully recognize that choosing the right system, with the right options, can greatly reduce your expenses and save you thousands of dollars. We’ll discuss four proven methods for saving money with your roofing system.

Insulation
Insulating your roofing system is one of the most ideal choices for any project and is used in approximately 60% of all new commercial construction applications. Installed under the membrane as a part of the roof assembly, polyiso insulation board offers high-energy efficiency through the highest ‘R-Value’ (a measure of thermal resistance) per inch versus other insulation materials. Choosing and installing insulation at a element of your roof assembly will save you thousands throughout the lifespan of your roof.

Reflective Coatings and Membranes
Dark covered roofing surfaces as significant contributors to the ‘Heat Island Effect’. Much of the heat generated by absorbing the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is also transferred to the building interior. In our hot Florida environment, this increases your demand for power as the air conditioning system labors to maintain a comfortable climate. Study after study demonstrates that a reflective membrane or coating, a ‘cool roof’, produces energy savings, a more comfortable work environment and more importantly, a sustainable roofing solution that can prolong the life of a roofing system with proper maintenance and eliminate the necessity for expensive roof tear-off and replacement.

Photovoltaics
Also known as a solar roof, takes the power of the sun and turns your roofing investment into an energy-producing asset. A photovoltaic roofing system will reduce your energy costs and your reliance on the utility grid, providing substantial savings. The result is a system that protects the building interior from the elements while generating power for its electricity needs. Not only can you save money on energy costs but often you can also sell excess solar power into the local electrical grid. With significant tax rebates and accelerated depreciation, photovoltaic roofing is revolutionizing your roof.

Preventative Maintenance
Perhaps the best way you can save money with your existing roofing system is with proper, proactive preventative maintenance. You chance the oil in your car right? Well, preventative maintenance for your roofing system is similar, and your roof is a much larger investment than your car. By fixing little problems before they become big one (and expensive), you can add years to the life of your roof, post ponding a re-roof operation, reduce maintenance costs and reduce the possibility of water intrusion and consequential damages. Visit www.myramcon.com/preventativemainte ance.htm to discover how much you may be able to save with Preventative Maintenance.

Conclusion
A roof is a basic necessity for buildings of every type. By using any of these proven steps (or combined for a multiplier effect), you have the ability to save thousands of dollars with your roofing system and may qualify for substantial local, state, federal tax benefits