High Level Decisions for Facility Management

Rarely do you see the type of organization in which roofing funds are so readily available that they flow like water. Most maintenance and engineering managers face the quandary of too many roofing problems and not enough money available. Combine this with a lack of a coherent roof management plan, and many organizations find themselves overwhelmed with roofing issues.

Most managers in commercial and institutional facilities agree that regular inspections are an essential part of a roof asset management program. They would also 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, by the time many organizations think about starting a roof management plan, they actually end up needing a roof replacement program. The opportunities to maintain and repair the roof have been supplanted by the obligation to fund and implement roof replacements.

If an organization can extend the life of each roof under it’s roof management plan by one year, then 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? 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 today so that we can perform a condition assessment of your roofing system. No roof can be managed appropriately without first knowing the roof’s history and then understanding its current condition. Managers can best obtain the current conditions of there roofing systems by scheduling this roof assessment.

The information gathered during an inspection will do no good though if it sits on a shelf collecting dust. It is imperative for managers to be proactive with their roofing systems and this information. 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 also help managers communicate better with upper management and owners, and it 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 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 at 877-726-2661. Get started today and be on the road towards proactive roof management.

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.

Don’t Wait ‘Til It’s Too Late!

Most maintenance and engineering managers face the quandary of too many problem roofs for the money available. The problem might well be a lack of money, but it could also be the lack of a coherent roof management plan.

Most managers in commercial and institutional facilities agree that regular inspections are an essential part of a roof asset management program. They also 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 obligation to fund and implement roof replacements has supplanted the opportunities to maintain and repair. If organizations can extend the life of each built-up 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 inspection and maintenance plan for their built-up roofs? Is it inertia or a fear of the unknown? The reasons are hard to fathom, but what is certain is that some plans never get started. Also certain is that even a minimal plan is better than no plan. The best advice for managers is to start now.