Most stores put their Halloween decorations out weeks ago, and some have even stocked their Christmas aisles. While that may be a little early for some shoppers, it’s a clear sign that like it or not, winter is on its way. And if you work in facilities management that means you’ve got some roofing maintenance to do.
- Jun 04 Wed 2025 11:06
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Winter is Coming; Are You Ready?
Most stores put their Halloween decorations out weeks ago, and some have even stocked their Christmas aisles. While that may be a little early for some shoppers, it’s a clear sign that like it or not, winter is on its way. And if you work in facilities management that means you’ve got some roofing maintenance to do.
- May 30 Fri 2025 15:01
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Summer’s Coming: 4 Tips for Keeping Your Building Cool
The days are getting longer, temperatures are creeping up, and you may have even swatted a few mosquitoes. Summer is definitely on the way, and facility managers know that means increased energy costs and a struggle to keep the building cool. Fortunately, you don’t have to cross your fingers and hope for cooler weather. With some proactive roof management, there are several things you can do to help keep your building cool.
- May 30 Fri 2025 14:57
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How Will OSHA’s New Silica Rules Change Roof Safety?
Sometime this spring, OSHA is expected to release new rules regulating workers’ exposure to silica dust. These rules are expected to include two sets of standards, one for general and maritime industries, and one for the construction industry – and they could have a huge impact on your roof safety and standard procedures. Here’s what you need to know:
What is Silica Dust?
Silica is a common mineral that’s found in everything from stones to bricks and mortar. Crystalline silica – a fine dust consisting of particles 100 times smaller than a grain of sand – is produced during activities like cutting, sawing, crushing, drilling, blasting, and replacing asphalt roofing, some of which are very common in roofing. Because the particles are so tiny – they’re often invisible to the naked eye – they’re easily inhaled and often wind up lodged in the lungs, where they cause fluid buildup and scar tissue. According to OSHA, more than two million workers are exposed to silica dust each year, with more than 640,000 being exposed at levels that exceed current standards.
- May 29 Thu 2025 13:55
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Get Down to Basics: LEED Certification and Your Rooftop
Every facility manager has budget constraints, and that means you have to make some choices about priorities. Decisions often lean toward “tyranny of the urgent” – you need a new roof, you need to repave the parking lot, etc. Things like launching sustainability initiatives and becoming LEED certified can seem like a luxury…but they aren’t.
- May 29 Thu 2025 13:50
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How Often Should My Roof Be Inspected?
No matter if your building is brand new, or 100 years old, the roof is one of the most important structural elements. After all, the roof will not only protect the building from rain, snow and hail; it can also either help keep your building hotter or cooler during extreme temperatures. However, if you want to keep this important structure doing its job, you need to consider roof inspection regularly. But how often is needed? Let us discuss.
Twice a Year—Without Fail
The standard rule of thumb in the roofing industry is that you should have your commercial-grade roof inspected twice each year. It is best to have it examined in spring and fall, before entering each extreme season. The reason for this is so the roof will be prepared for the upcoming shift in temperature and potential other dramatic weather ahead. Although it can be challenging to complete this inspection as often as recommended, by doing so you will help prevent damage to your roof from leading to serious problems that can cause leaks and damage to the interior of the building.
- May 27 Tue 2025 14:29
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How Well Do You Know Your Commercial Roof Warranty?
Since there are so many things to consider while choosing a roof system, it's not uncommon for facility managers and building owners like you to feel overwhelmed. One of your most important considerations in this process is deciding on a rooftop warranty. Choosing the right warranty can be challenging, but it can also mean the difference between a minor hassle and a break-the-bank scenario.
You may think that the best warranty is the longest one. However, this isn't always the case. There are several additional factors to consider in choosing the right warranty:
- May 27 Tue 2025 14:25
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5 Critical Maintenance Tips for Your Rooftop Pipe and Equipment Supports
Regular roof maintenance is vital for keeping your roof watertight and preventing expensive future problems. One of the most important things on your roof maintenance checklist should be your pipe and equipment supports. Identifying and troubleshooting problems early will help ensure a long-lasting roof system. To lengthen the lifespan of your roofing system, regularly check your rooftop for the following signs of failure.
1) Sagging pipes and ducts
Flexing or sagging pipes or ducts are a good indication that your rooftop supports are too far apart to bear the weight of the pipe and its contents. The proper spacing of supports depends on the weight of the pipe or duct. You may need to install additional supports or change the fittings to prevent your pipes and ducts from flexing or sagging.
- May 26 Mon 2025 16:31
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Common Challenges with Rooftop Retrofit Projects (and Next Steps)
While 15 years might seem like a long time, building owners know that this average life expectancy for roofing materials and RTUs can fly by quickly. rooftop-retrofit-challenges
That’s especially true when your traditional built-up roof starts showing signs of water damage. Suddenly you’re left with a choice—maintain the rip-and-replace cycle or make an investment in rooftop retrofit projects.
- May 26 Mon 2025 16:27
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Commercial Roof Coating: 101
There are several different types of commercial roof coatings used today, including silicone, acrylic,roof-coating-2846324_1280 aluminum, and polyurethane. They are sometimes referred to as restoration membranes because roof coatings are often applied over existing rooftop membranes, as opposed to being part of a new roof construction detail. They can also be used in partial applications to coat and re-coat parapet walls or portions of a roof.
- May 23 Fri 2025 09:47
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How Rooftop Support Systems Protect Roofs in a Hurricane
The summer season is here, ushering in months of sunshine, vacationing…and hurricanes forming in the ocean. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and this year, it’s especially important to make sure your buildings are ready. According to the Atlantic Defense Fund, hurricanes in recent years have been accompanied by higher storm surges, stronger winds, and more destruction. These storms are becoming stronger and intensifying faster, which is causing hurricanes to become more costly for property-owning businesses and homeowners.
- May 23 Fri 2025 09:43
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How Expecting Unexpected Weather Protects Your Commercial Roof
Commercial building owners plan for expected events. In Texas, we know that summers will be rife with scorching heat. Up north, buildings must be ready for heavy snow. What happens when things don’t go as expected, and damage occurs as a result? Having a sound plan to deal with contingencies is important for all commercial building owners.
Snow in Texas: Preparing for Meteorological Black Swans
- May 21 Wed 2025 14:37
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How to Spot Signs of Roof Damage
Roof damage is not always immediately obvious, but when it goes unnoticed, it can create structural problems and can even devalue your commercial property. Taking care of these problems early can prevent more costly fixes down the road. Identifying commercial roof issues is the first step to getting them repaired.
Knowing what to look for during self-inspections can help diagnose issues and save money with faster maintenance and repairs. In this article, we'll discuss how to inspect your roof, the type of damage that your roof can sustain over time, and how to recognize the signs of this type of damage. When in doubt about the condition of your roof, hire a professional roofing contractor to perform an inspection and recommend repairs.
