What is the Urban Heat Island Effect?

An urban heat island (UHI) is a metropolitan area which is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas. The phenomenon was first investigated and described by Luke Howard in the 1810s. The temperature difference usually is larger at night than during the day, and is most apparent when winds are weak.

Seasonally, UHI is seen during both summer and winter. The main cause of the urban heat island is modification of the land surface by urban development which uses materials which effectively retain heat. Waste heat generated by energy usage is a secondary contributor. As population centers grow they tend to modify a greater and greater area of land and have a corresponding increase in average temperature.

Monthly rainfall is greater downwind of cities, partially due to the UHI. Increases in heat within urban centers increases the length of growing seasons, and decreases the occurrence of weak tornadoes. The UHI decreases air quality by increasing the production of pollutants such as ozone, and decreases water quality as warmer waters flow into area streams, which stresses their ecosystems.

Mitigation of the urban heat island effect can be accomplished through the use of green roofs and the use of lighter-colored surfaces in urban areas, which reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat.

 

Keep An Eye On Your Roof

From careless HVAC technicians to tricky warranties, roof problems can spring from a myriad of sources, and there’s no single solution that guarantees the roof will survive these trouble spots. However, keeping a careful eye on the roof and not letting small problems fester into big ones are important steps toward long roof life.

Scheduled roof inspections and maintenance are the best ways to avoid the most common roofing problems that facilities executives face, say roofing experts. Roofs should be inspected at least twice a year, in the spring and fall. They should be looked over again after contractors work on the roof or after a hurricane, hail storm, lightning strike or ice storm.

"Routine maintenance is a good investment," says Luther Mock, president of the Roof Consultants Institute (RCI), an association of professional roof consultants, architects and engineers who specialize in roof systems. "It can prolong the life of the roof."

Scheduling an inspection or maintenance for your roof is as easy as picking up the phone. Simply call RAMCON at (877) 726-2661, speak with one of our customer service representatives. They will gladly schedule your inspection and answer any questions that you may have.

It's Time For Your Semi-Annual Roof Inspections

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.

It's Budget Time....Again!

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:

1. Exactly what type and how many roofs are on each property.
2. Will the pace of needed repairs accelerate and how fast?
3. Are certain areas of the roof experiencing greater problems than others?
4. Is there trouble brewing up there, and can it be prevented?
5. How many years will the roof last?
6. How much should be budgeted for emergency repairs?
7. How much should be budgeted for preventative maintenance?
8. 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:

1. Detailed captioned photographs visually showing the entire roofing system.

2. Report of conditions of the field and flashing areas of the roof.
3. Professional estimates in years of the roofs remaining serviceable life.
4. Exact figures for anticipated yearly maintenance, roof replacement options (if necessary), and preventative roof maintenance items.

Here at RAMCON, we can help you feel more secure in the preparation of your budget. Give us a call at (877) 726-2661 and we’ll work directly with you, providing inspections, recommendations and accurate budget numbers at no expense to you. It’s all in an effort to help our clients make the best roofing decisions possible and add to their bottom line.