Month: July 2018

Your FAQs About Commercial Roofing, Answered

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Building owners and facilities managers often avoid thinking about their roofs unless they have a reason. Typically, that reason ends up being a major leak or failure in the system. When these types of issues arise with a commercial roof, it raises a lot of questions that range from costs to the benefits of regular roofing maintenance. Here are you most common commercial roofing questions, answered.

How long does a commercial roof last?

No roof lasts forever. However, the life of any given roof can be impacted by myriad factors. The ideal lifespan for any roof is 20 years, but not all commercial roofs “live” to see their 20th birthday. During an inspection, experienced roofing professionals can give a fairly accurate assessment, but they cannot provide guarantees and they cannot predict unforeseen events like major storms, freak accidents, neglect from building operators, or an unplanned uptick in activity on the roof. An experienced commercial roofer can provide a relatively accurate estimate of how much life your roof has left, broken down into the following ranges:

  • 1-3 years
  • 3-5 years
  • 5 or more

The best way to keep a handle on the health of a roof is to have an experienced roof inspector conduct regular inspections.

How much will a new roof cost?

Commercial roofing systems are not inexpensive, but cost estimates can range significantly and are based on a number of factors, including:

  • The size of the roof
  • The materials to be used
  • The location of the building
  • The factors contributing to the replacement
  • The amount of time the replacement will take
  • Many other variables

A new roof can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on its size, but the only way to get an accurate estimate is to have a roofing contractor assess the situation first-hand.

A new roof isn’t in the budget. Can a leak be patched?

Yes, you can patch leaks in a roof. However, patches don’t always solve the root cause of a leak, and they won’t correct the damage caused by the leak. If, for example, water has gotten into the insulation layers of the roof, no patch job in the world will save it.

Any time a roof leaks, a professional should be called to locate the leak, diagnose the root cause, assess the damage and recommend a solution. Repairs can often be made, but the only way to determine the effectiveness of a repair is to work with an expert and to invest in regular roofing maintenance.

If you suspect your building needs a new roof, get an inspector there before annual budgets are set, so that money, time and other resources can be allotted for the project.

How can I tell when my roof is in need of repair or replacement?

Leaks are the most obvious sign that a roof is in need of repair or possibly a replacement. However, there are other clues and cues that can indicate that repairs are in order. If the roof changes in appearance in some way from one inspection to the next, a call to a roofer is in order to diagnose the cause.

Regular roofing inspections are the key to staying out in front of repairs. In the same way that people visit the doctor for regular checkups in order to spot potential problems early, commercial roofing inspections and regularly scheduled roofing maintenance will help the roof maintain its integrity for as long as possible.

What documentation should I keep on hand?

Just as you might file away maintenance records for your car or your home, building staff should always file regular roofing maintenance records, starting with the design plans. When there is an issue with the roofing system, documentation will help the contractor find the issue, properly diagnose it and develop an effective solution.

When the facilities team does regular, in-house inspections of the roof, photographs can help keep a record of the way things look. Any potential defects or damage should be photographed and given to the roofing contractor, along with detailed directions on where to find that damage/defect. When taking photographs, always make accompanying notes. For example, “this is a wrinkle in the membrane two feet to the left of the access hatch.” That way, the next time an inspection is done, the wrinkle can be monitored for any changes.

I think I’ve spotted damage on my roof. What should I do?

Any time someone steps on the roof and they think they have spotted damage, defects, weaknesses or potential problems, they should document the location of the issue and the facilities manager should be notified so that he or she can call on a roofing contractor. Time is of the essence when it comes to roofing. Any amount of water that leaks through will accelerate the deterioration process.

Do I really need to call a professional any time my roof leaks?

Yes! Any time water is spotted inside the building, a call to a roofing professional is in order. There are any number of reasons roofs leak, and the only way to stop it from happening again and to understand the extent of the damage is to get an expert on the roof to examine the situation.

When it comes to leaks, damage is almost always the culprit, but workmanship can also be an issue. And when there is one workmanship defect, there are often more. Say, for example, one skylight out of 30 begins to leak and the inspection reveals it is a workmanship defect. That means that the 29 other skylights most likely need the same repair to prevent them from leaking and causing further, major damage to the roof system. When you see a leak or signs of a leak, it’s better to call immediately than to wait for another issue to arise.

No two roofing projects are ever the same. Each roof has unique strengths and weaknesses. The best way to ensure the longest life possible is to partner with an experienced roofing contractor that has a successful track record of working with buildings similar in design and structure, and have them develop a plan for regular roofing maintenance.

5 Reasons to Choose Maxwell for Commercial Roofing in Nashville

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Maxwell Roofing has been in the business for nearly 70 years—and that didn’t happen by accident. We’ve built our business around our reputation for not just getting the job done, but rather getting the job done right—the first time. With the support of our family legacy and guidance from our five core values, we’ve created a business that has become a market leader in quality, communication, and customer service in the Nashville area and beyond.

So, why is Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. the best in Nashville for your roof construction? Consider these five reasons:

1. Maxwell Roofing offers free design services in the planning phase.

We partner with you early in the planning phase to help create a roof design that avoids mistakes and potential problems once the construction phase begins.Oh, and did we mention that we do it for free.

2. Maxwell Roofing does the job right the first time.

People have been saying, “You get what you pay for,” for a long time, and we’ve found that to be true.We don’t pride ourselves on being the cheapest new roof construction service in Nashville, but we do pride ourselves on being the most comprehensive solutions provider.That means we do the job in a timely and correct manner from the outset. As our company president, John Maxwell, explains,“People who want to do business with us do so because we take our work seriously and are confident in our abilities and service.”

3. Maxwell Roofing’s experience speaks for itself.

Businesses that aren’t good at what they do don’t last 60 years.“If you’re in an industry that values reliability, it’s hard to look past longevity,” says John. “When somebody has been doing the same thing we’ve been doing for as long as we’ve been doing it, it suggests we’re doing something right,” he adds. Greg Victor, Director of Facilities at Ensworth School (one of our clients), agrees. “Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.’s reputation is among the best you’ll find, and everybody we’ve worked with on the team is thorough. They work around our schedule (not creating disruptions or distractions during the school day) and are very respectful of our environment. The team has done a wonderful job from assessment to construction to service,” affirms Victor.

4. Maxwell Roofing looks out for your best interests.

All businesses must make money. We don’t hide that fact. However, we will never charge you more when we can save you money.For example:We work with manufacturers to get the most out of your warranties.We offer free design services during the planning phase.We fabricate our own metal in-house to help you reduce costs.If it can save you money, we’ll do our best to make it happen.

5. Maxwell Roofing runs our business on five core values.

Like a northern star, we look to these five core values to keep us on the right path:

  • Quality: Providing an excellent finished product that exceeds expectations.
  • Teamwork: Achieving common goals through open communication, mutual respect, and the support of one another.
  • Integrity: Doing what we say we will do, when we say we will do it.
  • Professionalism: Exercising our expertise and advancing through education and training.
  • Service: Facilitating relationships to understand client needs and provide an exceptional customer experience.

If you’re looking for new roof construction help in Nashville, we’d love to show you why we’re your best option. Just click here to contact us.

3 Tips for Weatherproofing Your Roof

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Drip.

Wait. Was that water?

Drop.

Where is it coming from?

You look up and feel another drop of water land on your face.

For a business owner,this is the beginning of a headache that will likely span weeks, beginning with a drop of water and ending with a check for thousands of dollars leaving your pocket. But, what could you have done? And, how can you prevent this from happening again?

The fact is, all roofs will need repair at some point, but, thereare things you can do to prolong the life of your roof and avoid costly repairs for as long as possible. One of the best ways to avoid excessive repair costs is to make sure your roof is properly weatherproofed. Here are three, simple things to consider when weatherproofing your roof.

  • Roof Structure—Most commercial roofs are flat and can be made of a variety of materials, including bitumen, metal, plastic, foam, and more. Before beginning the process of weatherproofing your roof, you must know what you’re working with. What is your roof made of, and what weatherproofing capabilities does it currently have? Where is it lacking? No matter which type of roof your building has, it will eventually leak and wear down, but determining the structure of your roof and understanding its strengths and weaknesses will give you a clearer picture of what must be addressed during the weatherproofing process.
  • Geography—Where is your business located? What’s the weather like? If you’re located in the Mid-South, you likely experience all four seasons. So, you’ll have to protect against heat and intense sunlight in the summer, as well as freezing temperatures and ice in the winter. To fully understand how to weatherproof your roof, you must know exactly what weather elements it needs to be protected from.
  • Materials for Weatherproofing—Depending on your business’ location, weatherproofing may not be the same thing as waterproofing. To use the previous example, if your business is located in Tennessee or Alabama, you may need heating cables in the winter for ice protection, as well as additional coating in the summer to protect from intense sunlight. If you want your roof to be completely weatherproof, you may need to use a variety of materials to achieve that goal.

There are many variables to consider when weatherproofing your roof, but if you do your homework, it can be a straightforward process. You simply need to understand the material you’re working with and the weather elements you need to guard against.

While the process can be straightforward, some intricacies may best be addressed by a professional. If you’d like some guidance to determine the best way to weatherproof your roof, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. We’d love to help you protect your building and avoid costly, unplanned repairs.

Client Spotlight: Brentwood Baptist Church

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tennessee, who engage the whole person with the whole gospel of Jesus Christ anywhere, anytime, with anybody.

The Client

Approaching its 50th anniversary, Brentwood Baptist Church believes that to know where you’re going, it helps to know where you’ve been. Since its establishment in 1969, the church has seen God do many exciting things within its church body and throughout the community. Among the many inspiring and significant moves of God, the church has witnessed is its growth through seven regional campuses through the Middle Tennessee Initiative. With more growth in sight and a church multiplication mission to establish 100 healthy congregations in Middle Tennessee and beyond, the church body and leadership is enthusiastic to see what God will do in the future.

They currently employs around 120 staff members, including lead pastor, Mike Glenn, who’s been in his role since 1991. Under Glenn’s leadership, the church has grown to a membership of over 10,000. Many things make Brentwood Baptist Church unique, such as its well-known reputation of being a multi-site, multi-cultural congregation that includes the Deaf Church, the Chinese Church, the Hispanic Ministry, as well as its seven regional campuses—Brentwood Baptist Church (central campus in Brentwood), The Church at Avenue South, The Church at Station Hill, The Church at West Franklin, The Church at Woodbine, The Church at Lockeland Springs, and The Church at Nolensville.

The Opportunity

As they prepared for its Lockeland Springs campus merger, they called upon Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. for a roofing repair and maintenance quote, which then led to them calling upon the Maxwell Roofing team for some additional general repair work. “Because of Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.’s timeliness and the inviting relational experience with their company representatives, we quickly liked our service experience, and their team did what they said they would do,” says Eric Pogue, Project Manager. “With Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc.’s trusted reputation and commitment to Middle Tennessee, they were a perfect match for our Middle Tennessee Initiative, which has brought additional facility maintenance and roofing service needs for our regional campuses,” Pogue adds.

Brentwood Baptist needed great working relationships and a company who could be readily available as they add new campuses and maintain current ones. Pogue explains, “We want a roofing partner we can depend on. You can only hope the first phone call will be the only call you have to make when it comes to emergency repairs or leaks. Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has met and exceeded those expectations for us.”

“Since 2015, Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has maintained the partnership, with Maxwell’s team providing the church services ranging from entire roof replacements to preventative maintenance to service calls for leaks or additions and more. Maxwell’s team has serviced all our campuses in some form or fashion. They are accessible, dependable, and personable, which speaks to their high-quality of work,” says Pogue.

The Solution

What makes the relationship with Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal so good for them? Pogue says it’s the genuine working relationship. “I’ve been to several of Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.’s functions, and the Maxwell family (John, Kathleen, and David) and team genuinely care about their customers,” affirms Pogue. They has seen their facilities continue to improve because of the Maxwell Roofing team’s commitment to protect the envelope of its buildings. “It doesn’t matter the amount of work we do inside if we can’t protect it from the outside,” says Pogue.

For other businesses or organizations considering Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.’s services, Pogue suggests giving them the opportunity to provide a quote or perform a service. “The Maxwell difference is very evident once you engage with them,” says Pogue. He also appreciates that Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. is a family-owned company with a strong legacy, which is not something you can always find in the Nashville area. Pogue explains, “Several other roofing companies let us down, didn’t follow up, and required repeat phone calls. Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.’s service aspect is second to none. We weeded out the “no-nonsense” and are proud to now engage with a vendor like Maxwell, who meets our needs in the best ways and with the highest quality.”