Friday, September 4, 2015
Thursday, July 9, 2015
5 Leading Causes of Water Intrusion
This is
the time of year building managers and owners start to cringe as we move into
our summer rainy season. You think about the leaks that are going to pop up,
the angry tenant calls and the damages that occur because of roof leaks. Most
of you, history shows, will adopt a ‘leak and respond’ approach. You’ll respond
to problems as they occur. It’s just the way you’ve always done it. But I want
to show you another way to get ahead of this and probably save you money, time,
and frustration. I’ll do it with some simple data.
Last calendar year (2014), RAMCON
technicians responded to exactly 8,420 leaks on 2,118 facilities in Florida.
Seventy-seven percent of the leading causes of water intrusion come from
preventable damage. The remaining 23% of leaks were a result of non-roof
related damage or poor workmanship of other contractors.
Puncture in TPO Membrane |
1. Damage to Roofing Systems – 2,136 Leaks
This
predominately was punctures located within 3 linear feet of either a mechanical
unit or the roof access hatch.
How You Can Prevent it ...
If there is one puncture in the roof, you can bank on there
likely being several. There are two ways to save money in this situation.
First, be proactive and attempt to eliminate them from occurring. Send a letter
to your mechanical vender warning them of potential back charges for damages to
the roof system. Second, it is cost effective to fix all of the punctures at
once, rather than a leak here or there. Small punctures may not leak every time
but they can get exponentially worse over time. RAMCON technicians will save you money by
examining the whole membrane. Then fixing all of the punctures at once
eliminating the frustration, consequential damages, and the expenses of
multiple leak calls.
2. Mechanical Units – 1,803 Leaks
3. Pitch Pockets – 1,116 Leaks
How You Can Prevent This ...
Just look at them. Pitch pockets are simple things in which a visual inspection tells you just about everything you need to know. If the sealant looks low, cracked, or separated from the metal, you can bet water intrusion will occur. DO NOT attempt to seal it with a caulking it will not work. We apply a special ‘cured’ sealer to seal these penetrations. If you see deterioration, have RAMCON come reseal them now. Most manufacturers have new products available that eliminate the need for a pitch pocket and even include it under the coverage of your existing manufacture warranty. If you have, pitch pockets with reoccurring problems ask RAMCON to replace your existing pitch pockets with upgraded products and allow the manufacturer to cover any potential leaks from that point forward.
HVAC Unit |
Higher on the list than you would think? Well,
it’s true. Roof top mechanical units, predominately HVAC units, account for 21%
of leaks we repair.
We Can Prevent This Together ...
As you know, at RAMCON we do what we are best at… roofing.
However, roof system failures are not always the source of leaks. Thankfully,
we have good relationships with just about every mechanical vender in Florida.
When we respond to a leak and the roof is not at fault, RAMCON technicians will
perform a water test to confirm it is the mechanical unit. RAMCON will provide
full documentation the same day, so that your mechanical vender can solve the
mechanical problem. We will take photographs and videos to show the mechanical
vender the point of intrusion. We will even return to the facility with your
mechanical vender if necessary and show them. This year, we need to all work as
a team when it comes to mechanical units.
Pitch Pockets |
3. Pitch Pockets – 1,116 Leaks
Pitch pockets are notorious for leaks because they allow items to penetrate the roof. When there sealant begins to deteriorate, void, or split they will leak. Pitch pockets are a continuous maintenance item that falls under ownership maintenance responsibilities. Do not wait until they leak to perform maintenance checks.
How You Can Prevent This ...
Just look at them. Pitch pockets are simple things in which a visual inspection tells you just about everything you need to know. If the sealant looks low, cracked, or separated from the metal, you can bet water intrusion will occur. DO NOT attempt to seal it with a caulking it will not work. We apply a special ‘cured’ sealer to seal these penetrations. If you see deterioration, have RAMCON come reseal them now. Most manufacturers have new products available that eliminate the need for a pitch pocket and even include it under the coverage of your existing manufacture warranty. If you have, pitch pockets with reoccurring problems ask RAMCON to replace your existing pitch pockets with upgraded products and allow the manufacturer to cover any potential leaks from that point forward.
The roof system has to stop somewhere. This is typically a termination or metal counter flashing that has a seal at the top. Over time, through building movement, general aging, and thermal expansion/contraction, these sealants will deteriorate.
How You Can Prevent This ... The trick to eliminating this situation from becoming a roof leak is to address the problem early. Once moisture gets behind the sealant, it saturates the base flashing, then the roof system, and facility. RAMCON technicians can probe for voids in the counter flashing sealant. Where voids occur we apply a special primer to reseal it accordingly. It is less expensive to fix these problem areas all at once than to nickel and dime yourself fixing a section here and there over the summer.
5. Internal Roof Drains – 512 Leaks
Many facilities do not have internal roof drains but they can be a real problem area. They can leak at multiple areas and it’s not always roof related. About 63% of the time, we found flashing issues and 37% came from damaged pipe seals and deterioration.
Many facilities do not have internal roof drains but they can be a real problem area. They can leak at multiple areas and it’s not always roof related. About 63% of the time, we found flashing issues and 37% came from damaged pipe seals and deterioration.
How You Can Prevent This ...
Preventing internal roof drains from leaking is not always easy. Compounding the issue are leaks from internal roof drains appear worse because water is directed to this point. If you have a history of internal roof drain leaks, we recommend utilizing an improved version of drain flashing. Back in the ‘old days’, we would install a lead sheet with roofing cement that sealed the drain. It was a maintenance nightmare. These days, we can eliminate the old ‘compression seal’ by utilizing a new efficient liquid flashing. RAMCON has responded to less than five leaks at internal roof drains with this new method in place and of those with leaks were the result of physical damage. The best part is the upgrade is put under your roof’s warranty.
Preventing internal roof drains from leaking is not always easy. Compounding the issue are leaks from internal roof drains appear worse because water is directed to this point. If you have a history of internal roof drain leaks, we recommend utilizing an improved version of drain flashing. Back in the ‘old days’, we would install a lead sheet with roofing cement that sealed the drain. It was a maintenance nightmare. These days, we can eliminate the old ‘compression seal’ by utilizing a new efficient liquid flashing. RAMCON has responded to less than five leaks at internal roof drains with this new method in place and of those with leaks were the result of physical damage. The best part is the upgrade is put under your roof’s warranty.
While we can’t stop the rains from moving in, we can control how it effects our roofing systems and our businesses. The facts show these items are on your roofing system and they are leaking. They’ll continue to do so, at an accelerated rate as your roofs progress through their life cycle. What I strongly encourage you to do is get ahead of the curve. The punctures up there will leak. The pitch pockets are starting to void. You have sealants that are giving way. The choice you have is to wait until a leak starts and fix them one at a time, or invest a small amount and have a RAMCON technician fix all of these issues in one visit. National Roofing Contractors Association data shows the average roof leak costs approximately $612.46 to solve in 2014 (nation-wide). Preventing just two leaks more than covers a technician spending a day on your roof solving dozens of potential leaks. It’s a good investment and will make your jobs much easier this summer.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
8 Areas of Quality Control that Make or Break a TPO Roof Installation
RAMCON tests it’s robot welder settings every morning, afternoon, and after any major temperature change throughout the day. We perform practice robot welds on scrap membrane, changing only one variable at a time, either temperature or speed. After the welds have cooled, we cut a one-inch strip across each weld for each change in temperature or speed. Then we perform a pull test. If a cold weld or a partial weld happens those temperatures and speeds are not at the proper setting for the current climatic conditions. Once a full or perfect weld is accomplished, the welding robot is set to the perfect speed and temperature.
4. Probing For Voids
After the seam has cooled, we come back and probe those seams. If a void occurs, we patch it with an unsupported membrane on the same day; ensuring the installation is perfect before we leave the roof.
3. Improper Perimeter & Corner Enhancement
Roof failures are most common at perimeters and corners due to the lack of enhancements.
The most crucial items are:
• Adding the correct amount of additional fasteners to an insulation for full adherence
• The proper number of perimeter sheets for a mechanically attached roof system.
The biggest mistake contractors make is improper installation of attaching perimeter sheets at the corners. Fasteners need to “box” in the corner area. The following pictures show where the fasteners are required to go and which were missing on this project.
4. Base Fastening at Curbs & Penetrations
The end of a membrane (termination) requires termination fasteners and plates. Prior to flashing installation penetrations (pipes, curbs etc.) they must be terminated. Base fastening and termination are typically required regardless of the manufacturer to properly secure the
membrane.
5. "Drain Bolts" Attached Properly
Tightening drain bolts on a roof is one of the most easily forgotten items by contractors. Without tightened drain bolts, water can get into the system or, as shown in the example, can actually lift up and cause a catastrophic failure.
6. Priming "Pitch Pockets" Before Sealing
Pitch pockets must be primed before adding pourable sealer or grout. If it is not primed, it will not stick to the penetrations allowing leaks to develop. Missing this step is a leading source of water intrusion.
7. Cleaning
If a TPO membrane experiences exposure for over 24 hours or gets dirty before welding begins to avoid seam failure clean the membrane. Therefore, it is ideal to do all welding and flashing on the day of installation. The picture shows both a properly cleaned area and an improperly cleaned area. Unfortunately, the un-cleaned seams will fail.
8. T-Joint Patches
There is always confusion over when and where T-joint patches are applied. The first place is at any horizontal transition where the end lap of a roll intersects with the side lap of another roll, or the T-joint intersection. The second place to use a T-joint patch is at a start or stop for the robot. This will ensure there are no voids left eliminating water intrusion. For quality control, we regularly inspect all lap runs and flashings wherever a welded lap terminates at a wall or roof edge.
Quality Control Makes The Difference
When choosing a contractor to install your roof, price certainly is a factor. However, it’s not the only factor. Subpar work is substantially more expensive in the long run and reduces return on investment significantly (not to mention the headaches that come from roof leaks). With RAMCON, you receive a superior installation, by dedicated quality control teams (who know what to look for), and inspects each project without exception.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Spotlight Project - Great Bay Distributors
Spotlight Project
Organization: Great Bay
Distributors
System: Single Ply TPO
Square feet: 263,620
RAMCON Roofing installed six TPO roofing systems on metal decking at Great Bay Distributors new headquarters. The property sits on 96 acres of land located in St. Petersburg near interstate 275. The cold storage facility’s roofing system accommodates a 1.5-megawatt solar array making Great Bay Distributors the largest private solar power installation in Florida. In addition, the roofing system received a 20-year no dollar limit warranty. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the system is projected to offset 90 percent of the building's energy cost after approximately six years.
System: Single Ply TPO
Square feet: 263,620
Monday, April 13, 2015
Experience Modification Rate
EMR evaluates the experience and safety record of a contractor. It is a number used by insurance companies to gauge both past cost of injuries and future chances of risk. An EMR of 1.0 is considered the industry average. It effects a company’s ability to obtain credit and result in higher insurance premiums, which a company may pass on to their clients. Insurance companies look at a number of different factors to arrive at the number but the main component is safety.
Safety refers to the company’s ability to reduce or eliminate work place injuries. Ongoing safety training and continually assessing work methods is the best way to reduce risk to the company and client. RAMCON maintains an industry leading Risk Management program and a .69 EMR.
Experience of the company refers to both the roof technicians and the company. The time the company has been in the industry contributes to the companies EMR. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in just a three-year period, 45% of all roofing contractors were newly formed while 41% of existing contractors had gone out of business.
Safety refers to the company’s ability to reduce or eliminate work place injuries. Ongoing safety training and continually assessing work methods is the best way to reduce risk to the company and client. RAMCON maintains an industry leading Risk Management program and a .69 EMR.
Experience of the company refers to both the roof technicians and the company. The time the company has been in the industry contributes to the companies EMR. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in just a three-year period, 45% of all roofing contractors were newly formed while 41% of existing contractors had gone out of business.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Roof Punctures: Causes & Solutions
The leading source of roof leaks are punctures to the roof membrane. Practically every type of roofing system is susceptible to punctures even multiple plied asphalt roofing systems. The roofing system supports essential facets of the facility like HVAC units, grease traps, exhaust fans, and solar assemblies.
During regular up-keep on these facets roof punctures could occur. Sometimes punctures and damage to the membrane, do not immediately present noticeable damage. If an object slightly punctures the roof membrane; over time the puncture exposes the roof system to the elements, thermal expansions, and contractions. The damage then works its way through the roof surface creating leaks.
TYPICAL SOURCES OF ROOF: PUNCTURES
ROOF TRAFFIC. HVAC technicians, plumbers, satellite providers, etc. often utilize the roof to perform their duties. They may unintentionally drop tools and other hazardous materials that cause damage to the roof membrane.
WILDLIFE. Regardless of the area, animals tend to enjoy rooftops. Birds peck at things, squirrels love chewing on lead products and raccoons scratch at the roof surface.
INCLEMENT WEATHER. Strong storms create wind-borne debris that dislodge mechanical units off service doors, branches, and general litter blown across the roof surface.
PROACTIVE MEASURES
• Install walkway pad protection along heavily traveled routes and around the mechanical units.
• Inform vendors the roof is under warranty and actively monitored.
• Display warning stickers on roof hatch access and on mechanical units.
• On heavily serviced roofs, add thicker roof membranes and/or additional plies to the system to
increase redundancy.
• Educating maintenance personnel on how to prevent damage and what to do if an incident occurs.
• Limiting foot traffic on the system only to qualified professionals.
• Fully secure and attach all items on the roof.
• Trimming excess vegetation and trees around the facility to prevent wind-borne debris.
During regular up-keep on these facets roof punctures could occur. Sometimes punctures and damage to the membrane, do not immediately present noticeable damage. If an object slightly punctures the roof membrane; over time the puncture exposes the roof system to the elements, thermal expansions, and contractions. The damage then works its way through the roof surface creating leaks.
TYPICAL SOURCES OF ROOF: PUNCTURES
ROOF TRAFFIC. HVAC technicians, plumbers, satellite providers, etc. often utilize the roof to perform their duties. They may unintentionally drop tools and other hazardous materials that cause damage to the roof membrane.
WILDLIFE. Regardless of the area, animals tend to enjoy rooftops. Birds peck at things, squirrels love chewing on lead products and raccoons scratch at the roof surface.
INCLEMENT WEATHER. Strong storms create wind-borne debris that dislodge mechanical units off service doors, branches, and general litter blown across the roof surface.
PROACTIVE MEASURES
• Install walkway pad protection along heavily traveled routes and around the mechanical units.
• Inform vendors the roof is under warranty and actively monitored.
• Display warning stickers on roof hatch access and on mechanical units.
• On heavily serviced roofs, add thicker roof membranes and/or additional plies to the system to
increase redundancy.
• Educating maintenance personnel on how to prevent damage and what to do if an incident occurs.
• Limiting foot traffic on the system only to qualified professionals.
• Fully secure and attach all items on the roof.
• Trimming excess vegetation and trees around the facility to prevent wind-borne debris.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Spotlight Project: TopGolf
Organization: TopGolf
General Contractor: ARCO Murray Construction
System: TPO and Standing Seam Metal Roof Panels
RAMCON installed a 2,100 Sq. foot TPO roof system on the main building and 320 Sq. feet of standing seam metal panels on the canopy over the driving range. TopGolf is part of The Estuary development on I-75 and Palm River Road. The project created 1,700 construction jobs. TopGolf hired approximately 400 staff employees.
The golf range (contains 11 targets from 20 to 240 yards) and golf balls are embedded with sensors. Once you hit the ball into a target, the score appears on your dashboard. The venue includes a full restaurant and virtual golf.
TopGolf |
Organization: TopGolf
General Contractor: ARCO Murray Construction
System: TPO and Standing Seam Metal Roof Panels
RAMCON installed a 2,100 Sq. foot TPO roof system on the main building and 320 Sq. feet of standing seam metal panels on the canopy over the driving range. TopGolf is part of The Estuary development on I-75 and Palm River Road. The project created 1,700 construction jobs. TopGolf hired approximately 400 staff employees.
The golf range (contains 11 targets from 20 to 240 yards) and golf balls are embedded with sensors. Once you hit the ball into a target, the score appears on your dashboard. The venue includes a full restaurant and virtual golf.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Issue 80 Crossword Puzzle Information
Answer Key
Across
2. EMULSION In roofing, a coating consisting of asphalt and fillers suspended in water.
3. BALLAST Weight used to protect single-ply roofs or to prevent blow-off of systems, which are not adhered.
5. BLISTER An enclosed raised spot evident on the surface of a roof. They are mainly caused by the expansion of trapped air, water vapor, moisture or other gases.
7. POLYMER A substance consisting of large molecules that which have been formed from smaller molecules of similar make-up.
9. DECK The base surface to which a roof system is applied.
10. KETTLE Equipment used for heating bitumen to a flowing consistency.
11. DUCT A cylindrical or rectangular 'tube' used to move air from either exhaust or intake.
12. HATCH An opening in a deck; floor or roof. The usual purpose is to provide access from inside the building.
Down
1. GALVANIZE To coat a metal with zinc by dipping in molten zinc after cleaning.
4. ASPHALT A dark brown to black, highly viscous, hydrocarbon produces from the residue left after the distillation of petroleum, used as a waterproofing agent.
6. EAVE The part of a roof that projects out from the sidewall, or the lower edge of the part of a roof that overhangs a wall.
8. MASTIC A heavy trowel applied bitumen used for flashings or patch work which remains elastic and pliable.
Across
2. EMULSION In roofing, a coating consisting of asphalt and fillers suspended in water.
3. BALLAST Weight used to protect single-ply roofs or to prevent blow-off of systems, which are not adhered.
5. BLISTER An enclosed raised spot evident on the surface of a roof. They are mainly caused by the expansion of trapped air, water vapor, moisture or other gases.
7. POLYMER A substance consisting of large molecules that which have been formed from smaller molecules of similar make-up.
9. DECK The base surface to which a roof system is applied.
10. KETTLE Equipment used for heating bitumen to a flowing consistency.
11. DUCT A cylindrical or rectangular 'tube' used to move air from either exhaust or intake.
12. HATCH An opening in a deck; floor or roof. The usual purpose is to provide access from inside the building.
Down
1. GALVANIZE To coat a metal with zinc by dipping in molten zinc after cleaning.
4. ASPHALT A dark brown to black, highly viscous, hydrocarbon produces from the residue left after the distillation of petroleum, used as a waterproofing agent.
6. EAVE The part of a roof that projects out from the sidewall, or the lower edge of the part of a roof that overhangs a wall.
8. MASTIC A heavy trowel applied bitumen used for flashings or patch work which remains elastic and pliable.
Keep your Roof-Life-Cycle Healthy.
During the recession of 2008, many begrudgingly postponed maintenance on their facilities to stay afloat. Now the economy is coming back along with growing commercial construction activity. According to CMD group and Oxford Economics, the faster-than-projected economic recovery is pushing material prices higher than general inflation. Alex Carrick of CMD group stated the U.S. economy has been performing better than generally acknowledged since the second quarter of 2014. Eventually, as construction in all sectors rise, labor cost will jump in accordance with the demand. These potential cost increases will focus our efforts on becoming even more efficient in managing our resources.
Roof Life Cycle
Perceptive building owners or facility managers understand the Roof-Life-Cycle (RLC) costs of
maintaining and operating their facility(s). They do not ignore routine up-keep and repair. They
implement a plan to regularly service their roof(s). The RLC is the analysis of alternatives that
influence both pending and future costs. It compares initial investment options and identifies the
least cost alternatives for the life of the roof. The RLC considers material, installation, use,
repair, maintenance, and replacement. The key consideration is the impact of both pending and
future costs. As a current building owner or manager, your facility’s stage within the RLC might be
major roof repairs, replacement, or maintenance.
Proactive vs Reactive Maintenance
Protectively maintained roof systems last an average of 21 years compared to an average lifespan of
13 years for reactive maintenance. Those who react to problems as they occur, pay an average of 25¢
per square foot annually for maintenance. Proactive owners and facility managers who inspect and
repair routinely spend an average of only 14¢ per square foot annually.
The best place to start is to discern the difference between proactive versus reactive maintenance.
If you do NOT have a proactive maintenance plan in place, your plan is reactive. Building Owners Best Practices describes reactive maintenance as a doubled-edge sword. Waiting until something needs repair limits the up-front expenses for proactive maintenance. However, waiting for a leak or other damage to occur reduces the overall life cycle
of the roof system, increasing
Detecting the ProblemIf the facility is in need of some attention because of reoccurring roof leaks, choosing between a quick fix, re- roof, or restoration is a quandary. Finding the root cause of a leak is a multifarious effort. Compare it to locating the tooth causing displaced pain without conducting a physical exam or x-ray. RAMCON provides sophisticated analytical tools capable of detecting the location of the current problems and potential problem areas. Infrared scanning and membrane testing accurately detects the location of unperceived damage. Diagnostic testing can outline the current condition of your roof to determine if roof repair, restoration, or roof replacement is necessary.
The maintenance stage of the RLC means your roof is currently leak free; to keep it that way routine inspection for potential problems is paramount. Implementing a proactive maintenance plan with an authorized roofing contractor that regularly evaluates the roof in accordance to its warranty reduces repair costs and extends the roofs-life-cycle.
Roof Life Cycle
Perceptive building owners or facility managers understand the Roof-Life-Cycle (RLC) costs of
maintaining and operating their facility(s). They do not ignore routine up-keep and repair. They
implement a plan to regularly service their roof(s). The RLC is the analysis of alternatives that
influence both pending and future costs. It compares initial investment options and identifies the
least cost alternatives for the life of the roof. The RLC considers material, installation, use,
repair, maintenance, and replacement. The key consideration is the impact of both pending and
future costs. As a current building owner or manager, your facility’s stage within the RLC might be
major roof repairs, replacement, or maintenance.
Proactive vs Reactive Maintenance
Protectively maintained roof systems last an average of 21 years compared to an average lifespan of
13 years for reactive maintenance. Those who react to problems as they occur, pay an average of 25¢
per square foot annually for maintenance. Proactive owners and facility managers who inspect and
repair routinely spend an average of only 14¢ per square foot annually.
The best place to start is to discern the difference between proactive versus reactive maintenance.
If you do NOT have a proactive maintenance plan in place, your plan is reactive. Building Owners Best Practices describes reactive maintenance as a doubled-edge sword. Waiting until something needs repair limits the up-front expenses for proactive maintenance. However, waiting for a leak or other damage to occur reduces the overall life cycle
of the roof system, increasing
Detecting the ProblemIf the facility is in need of some attention because of reoccurring roof leaks, choosing between a quick fix, re- roof, or restoration is a quandary. Finding the root cause of a leak is a multifarious effort. Compare it to locating the tooth causing displaced pain without conducting a physical exam or x-ray. RAMCON provides sophisticated analytical tools capable of detecting the location of the current problems and potential problem areas. Infrared scanning and membrane testing accurately detects the location of unperceived damage. Diagnostic testing can outline the current condition of your roof to determine if roof repair, restoration, or roof replacement is necessary.
The maintenance stage of the RLC means your roof is currently leak free; to keep it that way routine inspection for potential problems is paramount. Implementing a proactive maintenance plan with an authorized roofing contractor that regularly evaluates the roof in accordance to its warranty reduces repair costs and extends the roofs-life-cycle.
RAMCON is authorized to install all nine major roofing systems and more than 60 subsets. Because of our extensive experience, we are able to tailor a plan that works for any facility. When it comes to dealing with building codes, energy solutions, and various roof systems, RAMCON stays on top of it. We also offer several types of proactive maintenance programs. Please contact your Service Account Manager at 813.663.9667 for information and any other roofing request.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
DIY – IS NOT FOR ROOF MANAGEMENT
SCENARIO: You have a roof leak. Tenants are complaining,
liabilities are increasing and assets are being damaged. You have to
respond…and you need to do it now. What should you do, send a maintenance
technician to repair the problem or call a qualified roofing contractor? How
you choose to respond to this situation is vital. Sure, you could send up a
maintenance technician or facilities engineer. Do they know what to look for?
Are they equipped to solve the problem? Can they determine whether they should
use SBS or APP modified materials or whether the material is PVC or TPO? ALMOST
UNANIMOUSLY THE ANSWER IS NO.
While many materials look and feel the same, they are not
compatible. Apply an APP to an SBS membrane and may cause warranty voids.
Repair a PVC membrane with TPO and you’ll think it sticks…for about a day or
two. Then it will come apart and you are back to square one.
Perhaps the maintenance technician sees a hole in the metal
and of course caulks it. They think they’ve found the point of water intrusion,
not knowing they sealed a weep hole and now you have a condensation issue. Now
a nuance problem is a costly emergency.
With this information in mind, you need a professional roofing
contractor that has the highest standard of safety, quality, service, integrity
and approved by the roofing material’s manufacturer. Resist the urge to send up a maintenance
person and try to do it yourself. There are specific repair processes and
materials used that will ultimately determine whether the repair will last for
a few weeks, or serve as a core component of the roofing system throughout
the duration of its service life.
In fact, when RAMCON does warranty repairs, the repairs
are also included under your manufacturer’s warranty throughout its term. Repairs
completed by unauthorized persons who are not certified by the manufacturer
will not be warrantied, and could put your warranty in jeopardy (read your
warranty carefully). The manufacturer keeps detailed data of all roof repairs completed
on your facility and it’s obvious whether or not repairs were completed to
their specifications. Avoid the ‘leak – fix – repeat’ cycle and let RAMCON do a
comprehensive evaluation at no expense to you.
Comprehensive Roof Evaluation Will:
- Detect developing issues, why they are occurring, and how to eliminate them. How much to budget over the next year for remedial and emergency repairs?
- Budgeting projects for future roof replacements and/or retrofits.
- Recommend cost saving measures that increase the return on investment you’ve made on your roof.
Moving forward is simple. Give RAMCON a call. We have
dedicated customer service representatives and experienced survey teams whose
entire mission is to evaluate your roof’s performance and conditions. We’ll
visit the facility, complete a comprehensive evaluation and provide you with a
detailed roof analysis at no cost.
Our roof evaluation team exists solely to provide you
with the resources you need to make the best decisions possible regarding your
roof. We even warranty every repair we
complete, so you will be set through the entire summer. Let us do the legwork,
and you can reap the benefits of lower lifetime service cost and effective
budgeting.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Budgeting For Roof Expenses in 2015
Building owners and managers, commonly include the cost for roof replacement, and roof retrofit (re-cover major repair/restoration) as capital expenditures. While yearly preventive maintenance and minor repairs are typically expensed during the course of the business year.
Planning for large expenditures are critical elements of the long-term, successful management and operation of most large businesses. Accurately identifying required large expenditures in advance allows top management to factor them into the overall business plan during the planning period.
Budgeting for the next business year is paramount. It is also crucial to identify the expenditure amount with a high level of accuracy. Moderately over-budgeting the cost of a project is generally accepted (even sometimes valued) by top management, if the project comes in under budget.
During our decades of roofing experience, the most common mistakes made in identifying roof
replacement costs include:
Contractors who do not comply with various building codes.
Planning for large expenditures are critical elements of the long-term, successful management and operation of most large businesses. Accurately identifying required large expenditures in advance allows top management to factor them into the overall business plan during the planning period.
Budgeting for the next business year is paramount. It is also crucial to identify the expenditure amount with a high level of accuracy. Moderately over-budgeting the cost of a project is generally accepted (even sometimes valued) by top management, if the project comes in under budget.
Alternatively, with the high cost of roofing materials, under-budgeting project costs especially after approval can result in serious repercussions upon the project initiator. When talking to building owners/ mangers about projects that have come in over budget, it is usually the result of an ill-equipped contractor. They either ignore building codes, neglect insurance requirements, poorly evaluated the existing conditions and/or implemented inadequate design.
During our decades of roofing experience, the most common mistakes made in identifying roof
replacement costs include:
Misidentifying the existing roof system/building components and the condition/function of each.
- What is the existing roof assembly make-up? How are the components attached to themselves and the deck?
- What is the condition of and thermal resistance (R-Value) of the insulation components?
- Can this roof be effectively recovered with another roof system? What type of roof deck exists and what is its condition?
- Does the deck provide structural slope or is slope/drainage presently provided/enhanced by tapered insulation?
Not accounting for non-related roof work.
- Are there obsolete roof fixtures/equipment that would best be removed and deck openings closed?
- Is there roof equipment that need to be raised or remounted on new supports to allow effective flashing height and/or methods to meet Florida’s new code requirements?
- Are there older pieces of roof-mounted equipment that needs replacement?
Contractors who do not comply with various building codes.
- Building codes are “the law of the land” and an owner risks incurring penalties for non-compliance.
- Many building insurance policies have specific rigid requirements owners must follow to avoid cancellation or at a minimum, higher premiums.
Labels:
Budgeting For Roof Expenses
Location:
Tampa, FL 33610, USA
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
YEAR END ROUND UP
In looking back at 2014 and the many accomplishments RAMCON has achieved, 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 race into 2015, we want to thank you for everything you have done to make our progress and success possible. With a strong and motivated team working together, we can make our goals happen. We have not made it to our place in this industry by happenstance or accident. Our success is a direct result of hard work and the trust each of you have placed in RAMCON.
PROJECTS
Last year, we installed approximately 3.4 million square feet of practically every type of roofing system imaginable and our never-ending commitment to quality remains strong. Our crews installed over 400,000 watts of photovoltaic solar systems on multiple facilities, completed numerous high profile projects, including the new Amazon facilities, Top Golf, Bass Pro Shops, hospitals, and military bases. We also worked with hundreds of contractors, thousands of building owners, state, federal and local government agencies.
Last year, we installed approximately 3.4 million square feet of practically every type of roofing system imaginable and our never-ending commitment to quality remains strong. Our crews installed over 400,000 watts of photovoltaic solar systems on multiple facilities, completed numerous high profile projects, including the new Amazon facilities, Top Golf, Bass Pro Shops, hospitals, and military bases. We also worked with hundreds of contractors, thousands of building owners, state, federal and local government agencies.
As with previous years, our Roof Maintenance Department has continued to excel. In 2014, we identified and solved over 14,360 roof leaks. Improved quality and response through efficiencies while decreasing the cost to our clients approximately 6%. On average, our clients received service in less than 12 hours and 97.6% of leaks solved on the first visit. Our clients continue to take advantage of our new roof management application MyRAMCON with over 8,400 logins.
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
RAMCON continues to expand its dynamic workforce to provide you with the best service in the industry. On each project, you receive dedicated project managers to oversee every aspect from design to final inspection. The implementation of highly trained quality control teams ensures that when we complete a project, your facility’s roof system is design to defend you against the elements and last decades. Our Risk Management teams have continued to set the industry safety standard with an above average EMR of 0.69.
RAMCON continues to expand its dynamic workforce to provide you with the best service in the industry. On each project, you receive dedicated project managers to oversee every aspect from design to final inspection. The implementation of highly trained quality control teams ensures that when we complete a project, your facility’s roof system is design to defend you against the elements and last decades. Our Risk Management teams have continued to set the industry safety standard with an above average EMR of 0.69.
OUR PEOPLE
In 2014, we also increased the amount of owners and managers who protect and maximize their roofing investment under our Roof Shield Preventative Maintenance Programs. The program now protects over 5.2 million square feet of occupied facilities. Enhanced training programs ensures we have the best workforce possible with the implementation of the Career Advancement Program (CAP). CAP is an intensive six-month course designed to immerse our technicians into every facets of a project from design, installation, repair, to project management.
In 2014, we also increased the amount of owners and managers who protect and maximize their roofing investment under our Roof Shield Preventative Maintenance Programs. The program now protects over 5.2 million square feet of occupied facilities. Enhanced training programs ensures we have the best workforce possible with the implementation of the Career Advancement Program (CAP). CAP is an intensive six-month course designed to immerse our technicians into every facets of a project from design, installation, repair, to project management.
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 is on you. Once again, thank you for the trust you place in RAMCON ROOFING and have a prosperous 2015.
Monday, February 2, 2015
LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Employees tend to perform better when they have the autonomy to innovate without fear of rejection. The last thing anyone wants to hear is, “… that is a good idea but we don’t do it that way here and you should know that since you work here.”
Conversely, complete autonomy creates fragmented direction with individuals striking out on new initiatives pulling the company’s resources in unprofitable directions. The Harvard Business Review article “Get more Actionable Ideas from Your Employees”, suggest fostering innovation through pro-actively directing and limiting the search for ideas. This simple approach allows the employee to focus their energy on areas that need improvement.
For example, risk management and safety is a top priority at RAMCON. This area is NOT the place to reduce steps or cut corners to improve the bottom line. Focused parameters insure employees our working on the areas that need improvement.
Innovations starts with having the best talent coupled with the right leadership. Meet one of RAMCON’s newest team member Wallace T. Carter Jr. He began working with RAMCON in October of 2014 as a Service Account Manager. Mr. Carter is a Florida native graduating from Land O’ Lakes High School and attended Pasco-Hernando Community College. By the age of twenty-one Carter was running crews as a foreman/supervisor. As a Reroof Manager, he was responsible for over 110 employees installing approximately 3,500 roofs a year.
Carter comes to RAMCON with twenty-four years of Commercial and Residential roofing experience. He chose to work at RAMCON because of its positive reputation and industry experience. He attribute his success in the industry from putting the client first by meeting there budgeting requirements and keeping them informed on services performed throughout the project.
In his off time, he enjoys fishing, boating, scuba diving, motorcycles and most importantly spending time with family.
Friday, January 30, 2015
SPOTLIGHT PROJECT
Organization: Metropolitan Ministries
Project: Miracle Place
System: Built-up Modified roofing
Metropolitan Ministries is always open for assistance from the community. You can help families get on their feet in two ways: donating resources or volunteering your time. Contact them at 813-209-1000.
Project: Miracle Place
System: Built-up Modified roofing
Miracle Place is
three-phase project complex design to expand Metropolitan Ministries’
ability to serve homeless families. The project creates 125 temporary construction
jobs and 24 future permanent jobs.
Phase One:
Miracle Place – Hope & Safety enables the Ministries to serve 99 families
and approximately 250-300 children.
Phase Two: Includes
the Chapel of Hope and the Youth Enrichment Center and gymnasium serving over
100 elementary children, 40 middle and high school teens, and support our
critical after-school programs.
Phase Three: Partnership
School will serve K-5 grades in
collaboration with Hillsborough County Public School’s staff providing
students the opportunity to grow academically, socially and
emotionally.
Phases 1 & 2 RAMCON
installed a total of 32,000 square feet of roof using a built up modified
roofing system over tapered insulations.
Phase 3 is currently under construction, which will include another
15,000 sq. feet. All phases were
constructed to obtain LEED points for the envelope of the building. Metropolitan Ministries is always open for assistance from the community. You can help families get on their feet in two ways: donating resources or volunteering your time. Contact them at 813-209-1000.
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