Roof Management: Timely Maintenance

Contrary to popular opinion, the maintenance-free roof system does not exist. All types of roofs require a certain level of attention. In fact, from the moment of installation, the roofing system undergoes continuous deterioration. Extreme temperature fluctuations as well as rain, hail and wind prevail upon the roofing surface. In short, the elements are the biggest deterrents to the roof system over its service life. Traffic on the roof and the installation of mechanical and other equipment can also cause physical damage that contributes significantly to roofing failures.

Roofs are exposed to the elements 24 hours a day, every day of the year. In summer, the roof surface temperature can exceed 200 degrees F. In winter, the roof surface can be exposed to extensive expansion and contraction due to Florida’s varying winter temperatures. And during many storms, the roof faces winds stronger than any other exterior building components are exposed to.

The most important reason to implement an annual roof maintenance program is to extend the service life of the existing roof system. Comprehensive repairs not only make the roof last longer, but also provide cost savings to the facility executive. A good maintenance program will detect or prevent leaks and other roofing problems. This way problems are addressed at their initial stage, which allows the facility executive  the ability to avoid additional expenditures for such items as deck damage repair and associated costs resulting from typical maintenance practices, which simply respond to leaks.

Development of maintenance guidelines is based on the profile of the roof systems in place. Roof maintenance is like mortgage insurance. A manageable yearly expense could provide the dividend of a roof system that meets or exceeds its anticipated service life. For instance, a 20-year roof system will protect the interior operations of the building for the full 20 years; any service life that extends beyond this time could be considered free money. Every year that the roof system is extended an additional year means the facility executive does not have to spend a substantial amount for remedial roof construction.

Saving Money With Roof Maintenance
Every facility should have an ongoing preventative maintenance program to ensure the full life of the roofing system is reached. What many managers don’t realize is that preventative maintenance will save them thousands of dollars over the life of the roof. If preventative maintenance can increase the life span of the roof just 1 additional year, you break even on the costs. For each additional year the roof is prolonged, the savings multiply. Discover how you can save at www.ramconroofing.com or give us a call today at 877-726-2661.

Your Roof's Best Friend

Preventative Maintenance

There is no better friend to your roof than good, quality and proactive roof care. While yes, the membrane and perimeter metals are designed to last for many years, the sealants and flashings that complete the system simply do not. Most leaks develop from a steady process of deterioration that can be identified early and fixed at a substantially lower expense. Florida’s top building owners and managers recognize this and implement a cost efficient program to eliminate these problems.

 

Pre and Post-Storm Inspections

Extreme weather in Florida is a constant threat. Gale force winds and storm debris can be a serious threat to your roof. Equipment can become damaged, strong winds can dislodge components of the system and vegetative debris can clog drainage areas. It’s smart and effective to ensure your roof is ready for any storm and determine if any damage was sustained after the threat has passed.

 

Quality Workmanship

There are over 5,000 registered roofing contractors in Florida alone. There is not a single day where RAMCON is not asked to visit a facility and correct improper repairs completed by a sub-par contractor. Quality workmanship ensures that a repair is done the right way and endures as an integral component of the roofing system. Remember, all repairs must be completed within the manufacturers specifications to maintain complete warranty coverage.

 

 

The Importance of Roof Maintenance

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 a far more valuable life than if its 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 RAMCON is so effective that some manufacturers 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 projected service life extensions and savings analysis and a put together a customized plan that works for your needs and budget.

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.

Making Roof Choices After Years of Neglect

It’s no secret, over these past few years many of our roof maintenance concerns have been on the back burner. After all, with vacant space abound and lower rents prevailing, it was difficult to justify expenses on proactive maintenance. Unfortunately, the side effect we’ve seen is thousands of problems that could have been prevented if they were identified and addressed earlier. Delaying a costly roof replacement project may not have only been desired, it may have been a financial necessity. As we begin to rebuild and reevaluate for the future, a focus group of our clients said they were reassessing their long-term goals and short-term needs in regards to their facilities’ roofing systems.

Roofs fail for many reasons. 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 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. In addition, maintenance will extend the service life of the roof, thus promoting a key element of sustainability: long service life. Even better, some manufacturers will extend the warranty duration of your roof up to 25% (turning a 20 year warranty into a 25 year warranty) at no expense to you!

In most cases, roof systems protect 95 percent of a building owner’s assets, yet they are a relatively fragile component of a building. 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 in many articles, 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. As you begin to budget for 2014, keep in mind that RAMCON is available to assist you in not only fixing roof leaks, but preventing them before they happen at a fraction of the cost.

Roofing Maintenance With Tight Budgets

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.