When identifying today?s most prevalent single-ply membrane roof systems and their appropriate application methodologies, there are a number of myths surrounding durability, energy saving capabilities and condensation concerns. Take a look at the myths below to see what?s real when it comes to single-ply roofing.

Despite false claims against single-ply roof systems, the myths don?t live up to the facts. See how FiberTite?s roof membranes have a proven track record in all climate conditions across the country by contacting FiberTite.

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Commercial building owners don?t always have experience dealing with roofing projects. They don?t always have established relationships with quality contractors, either. In cases like these, it could be advantageous for a building owner to seek advice from a third party expert.

A roof consultant can determine, without bias, the best roofing system and scope of work for your particular situation based on budget constraints, existing construction, sensitivity of the building?s tenants, and so on. These concrete details often help to give bidding contractors a solid understanding of the roof system and scope of work on which to bid.

Roof consultants are playing an ever-larger role in the construction of commercial buildings; in both new and retrofitting projects. As roofing technology advances, so must roofers, builders, and building owners. The roof consultant plays a valuable role in incorporating all the trade work that goes into creating a watertight building envelope.

5 Situations Where Having A Roofing Consultant Can Be Helpful

• If you aren?t sure if the estimate or proposal you got from your contractor is the right way to go, bringing in a roof consultant can give you peace of mind and ensure that you get the best quality work for your building and your budget.

• If you are under the impression that you need a complete tear off and roof replacement, a roof consultant could possibly point out ways to extend the life of the roof and save you from spending unnecessarily.

• If you?re having trouble choosing a roofing contractor, a consultant can help you find the most qualified roofer for your particular project.

• If you?re tempted to award your project to the lowest bidder, a roofing consultant may be able to point out concerning issues (such as being uninsured or under-qualified) and save you from making a grave mistake.

• A consultant can also be your supervisor, ensuring that an appropriate roof system is installed with good workmanship and according to industry standards.

On the other hand, working with an honest, knowledgeable, and qualified contractor can mean avoiding the need for a third party expert.

When you?re considering various roofing contractors in the area, do your homework. One of the best ways to find out if a contractor has the qualities you desire is to get feedback from their previous customers. You can search local directories for reviews or even get a list of references from the roofer. See if anyone who they?ve worked for in the past had a project similar to yours.

It?s also a good idea to get an understanding of the company?s warranty and insurance information, their standing with the Better Business Bureau, what associations they are affiliated with, and their preferred material suppliers.

The hurricanes of 2017 have been a brutal reminder of the havoc that extreme weather can wreak on families and the homes they live in. Although the DMV rarely takes the brunt of tropical storms the way other parts of the South and Southeast do, Mother Nature can still hammer roofs in our region, from heavy snowfall bringing branches down on homes in the winter to hail and high winds in the spring and summer to nor?easters and other storms in the fall.

When the weather does, however, damage your house, filing a roofing insurance claim might be necessary to pay for the repairs. Missing shingles and damaged flashing should not be left unrepaired, and after a more ferocious storm, the damage may be more serious than what you can see with the naked eye. Fortunately, most homeowner?s policies cover this damage, but the process can be stressful. Here are five tips for filing a roofing insurance claim to make the task easier:

1. Know your policy

Some policies may not fully cover a damaged roof that is older than 10 years. Others may require you to file a claim relatively soon after a roof-damaging event. You should know the particulars of your homeowner?s policy so that you aren?t scrambling as much after a weather event?when you likely already might be a bit frazzled. After a tornado has ripped off your roof isn?t the time to find out what is and isn?t covered.

2. Inspect the damage immediately

After the wind blows through and the rain dies down, go outside to see how your roof held up. Some damage will be obvious from ground level, but you may need to climb a ladder (carefully and not when it?s wet or windy) to get a better look. We don?t recommend climbing atop your roof; if you suspect damage that you can?t easily see (or you don?t feel comfortable on a ladder), call a qualified roofer to perform an inspection.

3. Pictures and descriptions

When you file a claim, the more detailed you can be, the better. Fortunately, in our digital age, you can take pictures and video on a smartphone; don?t be shy when recording the damage. Better yet, before a storm hits, take a series of pictures documenting your whole roof?these photos will provide a valuable before-and-after comparison for the insurance company. Also, be as descriptive as possible when you email your claim or fill out an online form. The more information you can provide, the likelier your insurance company will be to disburse funds that are adequate to cover your losses.

4. Contact your insurance company

This is a no-brainer, but as already alluded to, you don?t want to wait. Your policy may require you to file a claim within a certain period of time; plus, other homeowners may have experienced damage and will be calling the same contractors you will?you don?t want repair delays just because you were late to act. When calling your insurance company, stay as focused as possible (we know, that might not be easy if there?s a gaping hole in your roof), have your policy number on hand, and answer the customer service representative?s questions as thoroughly as possible. If you have the results of a professional inspection and/or an estimate (more on this next), provide that information as well.

5. Pick a trustworthy, knowledgeable roofer

To fix the damage to your roof?whether immediate emergency repairs are required or you can wait a little bit?you will need to tab a reliable contractor to inspect the roof, provide an estimate, and do the job. Beware of roofers who offer a free estimate but want you to sign a contingency agreement, which basically gives them the job (and the subsequent insurance payout) if your claim is approved. Don?t sign anything just to get an estimate.

Another consideration for picking a roofer is finding one with experience working with insurance companies and the claims process. This makes the process easier for you and helps guarantee you receive as much disbursement as possible. After a storm, you want your roof and your home to be fully functional again. An outstanding contractor delivers in your time of need.

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Spring has sprung, and while you may be rejoicing about the ensuing warm weather, don?t forget that your Columbus roofing system still needs a coat ? a roof coating that is. Roof coatings are essential because they protect existing surfaces, enhancing the lifespan of your roof. Longer lifespans will save you a lot of money associated with roof replacement and maintenance costs.

Coatings with reflective surfaces reduce temperatures at and below the roof?s surface and also reflect solar radiation. This not only lowers cooling loads and reduces heat islands in urban areas; it also results in energy savings?which means a cost savings for you. Additionally, roof-preserving coatings help organizations meet sustainability goals by reducing waste sent to landfills during re-roofing projects.

Over the last half-decade, maintenance and engineering managers have made great strides to improve the roof coatings available for your roof system. There are myriad of new products and formulations, in addition to more traditional roof-coating options. Read on to find out which coatings are best for youraColumbus OH roofing system.

Product Selection for Your Columbus Roofing System is Key

Building managers who integrate fluid-applied, weather-resistant barriers and fluid-applied roofing systems must ensure the materials are compatible to create a continuous weather barrier. This process of choosing the most appropriate roof coating has become more challenging due to the increase in choices and performance criteria. To make this process more efficient, building codes are evolving in response to product availability and new research.

Fortunately, products that meet specific standards typically display that information on the label. Managers should look for such markings when evaluating a product to meet a specific need. Some markings indicate whether a coating meets specific standards or has the approval of certifying testing organizations. Among the important standards is the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 6083. That standard measures the coating tested against specific physical performance and physical characteristics for viscosity, elongation, tensile strength, accelerated weathering after exposure to 1,000 hours of testing, permeability, water swelling, adhesion, tear strength, and low-temperature flexibility. If met, this comprehensive set of standards should lead managers to an excellent product for their Columbus roofing system.

The condition of your existing roof should also play a key role in your product selection. If the existing roofing system is failing, for instance, a high-performance roof coating with fabric reinforcement might be the most appropriate choice. If the system is functional, managers must identify project goals. For example, if high reflectivity and potential energy savings are important, then the reflectivity rating or solar reflective index of the coating will be a defining factor during specification.

Consider Waterproofing and Permeability for Your Columbus Roofing System

Creating a waterproof barrier is the primary objective of any Columbus roofing system. Fluid-applied, weather-resistant barriers will assist in this process of weatherproofing, which is vital for prolonging and protecting your Columbus roofing system. These barriers prevent the roof?s intake of water, while allowing the expulsion of water vapor. Replacing sheet goods, these highly permeable, fluid-applied barriers act as air barriers to reduce air leaks and improve energy efficiency.

Traditional roof coatings, such as acrylics, asphalt cutbacks and asphalt emulsions should not be used to provide primary waterproofing for a Columbus roofing system. This is because they are usually more permeable than products that qualify as standalone, fluid-applied roofing membranes. Also, managers should not expect these traditional products to repair leaks without adding supplemental materials and detailing.

On the other hand, high-performance membrane products, such as liquid polyesters, polymethyl methacrylates and hot-fluid-applied rubberized asphalt are standalone roofing and waterproofing systems if installed over an approved roof deck with proper UV protection. Building managers can also specify polyurethanes, silicones and some polymer-modified bitumen products as a primary roofing or waterproofing layer, but they do have limits and cannot fix leaks if installed over badly deteriorated Columbus roofing systems.

Choosing a Manufacturer

Once managers have identified the most ideal product for the Columbus roofing system coating, they must then select a manufacturer. The manufacturers of high-performance coatings often provide lists of trained and approved installation contractors. Additionally, a manufacturer?s technical representatives can provide site observation and quality-control inspections. Warranty considerations are also important, so managers should carefully review warranty limitations and exclusions.

Now You?re Ready for Installation

Proper surface preparation, application temperature, and temperature trend are three important installation parameters to consider.

For fluid-applied roofing or waterproofing over concrete, the temperature should be within the range approved by the manufacturer. Columbus roofing installers should apply these coatings over concrete later in the day, when temperatures are decreasing but remain above the dew-point temperature. Decreasing temperature will prevent moisture within the concrete from rising, which can create blisters or pinholes in the coatings.

However, some roof coatings are water-soluble while curing, so dew in the evening can cause problems if the product has not fully dried. Manufacturers of water-soluble coatings recommend installing the product in the morning, after the surface of existing roofing has dried and temperatures are rising.

With proper planning, quality control during installation, and effective maintenance, applying a roof coating or liquid-applied roofing membrane can have numerous benefits. It can extend an aging Columbus roofing system?s service life, save energy, reduce operating and maintenance costs and contribute to the organization?s overall sustainability goals.

Columbus Roofing Contractors