Month: January 2019

5 Ways Maxwell’s Commercial Roofing Service Stands Apart in Nashville

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Many people think commercial roofing is a product-based industry. A business or organization needs to purchase a roof—and a commercial roofing company provides the product.

However, Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. is a service-based company. In fact, it’s one of our core values. As a Nashville-based commercial roofing company, we recognize the importance of facilitating relationships to understand client needs and provide an exceptional customer experience. Over the years, our commitment to providing exceptional service for every client is one of the primary reasons businesses choose Maxwell for commercial roofing in Nashville.

Here are five specific ways our commercial roofing service stands apart in Nashville—along with a few testimonials from Nashville-based business leaders.

1. Superior Response Time

Our team recognizes the importance of working quickly to install, repair, and conduct maintenance on all our roofing projects. We work quickly. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for emergency repairs. In addition to providing priority service through our MAXCare program, we have developed a triage system that allows us to rush to the most serious repairs first.

Here’s a testimonial about Maxwell’s superior response time:

“There’s never been a time when Maxwell Roofing has not been on site within 24 hours. They always make us feel like we’re the most important customer, which gives us a peace of mind when potential roofing issues might occur.” – Terry LeTourneau, Facilities Manager at JLL-Mars

2. Consistency

A company with integrity will not only stand by their work, they’ll also have your best interest in mind during each stage of a project. This is a principle we take seriously at Maxwell Roofing. We are involved from start to finish, and you can expect the same experience every single time.

Here’s a testimonial about Maxwell’s consistency with projects and partnerships:

“At SFM, we take a lot of pride in finding the right fit and want to make sure our customers feel good about working with a vendor. Maxwell Roofing is always responsive and gives a fair bid.”– Ryan Brant, Business Development Manager at SFM

3. Communication

We don’t want any of our clients to be surprised or confused about any of the roofing issues or repairs that are being done. At Maxwell Roofing, we make it a priority to keep our customers informed every step of the way. We are committed to helping our clients assess potential problems and forecast for the longevity of their facilities’ roofs.

Here’s a testimonial about Maxwell’s proactive communication with clients:

“It’s better to know any potential roofing problems or needs upfront than have surprises throughout the year. As a facilities guy, you can’t always use who you want to use, but with Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., we got lucky.” – Greg Victor, Director of Facilities at Ensworth School

4. Industry-Leading Reporting

Anyone can tell you that a section of a roof needs to be repaired, but when you’re spending money to fix a critical portion of a building’s structure, you deserve to know what the damage is, why the repair is in order, and how the fix will be made. Our customers are consistently surprised by the level of depth found in our comprehensive reporting.

Here’s a testimonial about the industry-leading reporting Maxwell provides on every project:

“Since Horrell Company is a part of the MAXCare program, the Maxwell Roofing team does an annual update for us, which is extremely helpful because we have partners who want to see the latest roofing surveys. MAXCare sets Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. apart from their competitors.” – Steve Horrell, President at Horrell Company

5. Diversity of Skills

We expect our customers to have a positive experience every single time. We hold ourselves to a standard that accepts nothing less. That’s why we’re committed to educating and equipping our employees with the skills they need for every part of the job.

Here’s a testimonial about the diversity of skills that Maxwell cultivates to meet every need:

“Since 2015, Brentwood Baptist Church and Maxwell have maintained a 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.” – Eric Pogue, Project Manager at Brentwood Baptist Church

Maxwell Roofing is Here to Serve You

Are you looking for a commercial roofing company in Nashville with a proven track record of quality service? Contact our team today to learn more about Maxwell’s commercial roofing services. We’d love to hear more about your project and explore how we can best serve you.

4 Things That Can Go Wrong During a Re-Roofing Project

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

A complete re-roofing is a huge undertaking. It’s an extensive amount of work for a roofing company, and, as long as the project continues, your building is exposed to the elements. Because re-roofing is such an intensive process, there are a variety of things that can go wrong. Here are four things you should be aware of when planning to undergo a re-roofing project.

1. Inclement weather during the re-roofing.

One of the biggest risks during a re-roofing project is rain. Generally, rain is an inconvenience, however, during a re-roofing project, it can be disastrous. Since the “guts” of your roof are exposed during the process, prolonged rain exposure could cause saturation of the roof’s decking or insulation, which could then require repairs before completing the re-roofing. A reputable commercial roofer will choose a time of year for the project when the risk of precipitation is as low as possible.

2. Failing to get a thorough inspection before beginning the re-roofing.

On a project as extensive (and expensive) as a complete re-roofing, surprises are unwelcomed guests. For example, if you’ve already budgeted thousands for a re-roofing project, the last thing you want to hear is: “Well, when we got up there, we noticed some unexpected damage. If you want us to fix it, we’ll need to discuss a new quote.” That’s why it’s important to have a thorough inspection performed before any re-roofing project. This way, the roofer knows exactly what he’s required to do and will have the materials and labor on-hand to perform that task as quickly as possible. Surprises don’t just add to the bill, they add to the timeline, too, further increasing the possibility of inclement weather exposure, as noted in the first point above.

3. Going with the lowest bid.

“You get what you pay for” is a cliché, but it’s true. Often, the lowest bid on a project is not coming from the best company. That said, the most expensive bid on a project is not a guarantee of quality, either. The bottom line is this: During a re-roofing, you are not only spending a significant amount of money, but you’re also making a decision that could affect the next 20-50 years of your facility. Resist the urge to make such a huge decision based on cost alone. Find a reputable roofer with extensive work history and a penchant for doing quality jobs.

4. Materials left around the job site.

While it may seem immaterial in comparison with the other items on this list, roofing materials scattered around a job site can be a real hassle for employees. Can you imagine walking into work, putting in a hard day’s work, then coming out the door to find you have a flat tire due to a roofing nail you ran over when parking that morning? Issues like this are often avoided by heeding the advice in point number three above and choosing a reputable vendor.

A re-roofing project is a huge undertaking, worthy of your utmost consideration and thought. Use these four tips to avoid some major pitfalls of such projects. If you’re interested in learning more about how Maxwell can help guide you through an extensive re-roofing project, just click here to contact us.

New Roof vs. Roof Repair: Which Should You Choose?

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Should you repair your current roof or have a new one installed altogether? It’s a decision many facility managers face, and it’s not an easy one. But, there are a few factors that can help you decide which option makes more sense for your facility. Consider these eight questions when making your decision:

1. How old is the roof?

In most cases, if your roof is approaching 20 years old, it’s nearing the end of its lifespan. That doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to fail around that age, but it does mean that, if you’re faced with a costly repair to an aging roof, you should consider complete replacement as a viable option.

However, if your roof is still relatively young and has only suffered minor damage, repair may be the most cost-effective solution. As a general note, the type of material used for your roof’s construction affects its maximum age, which, in turn, affects whether you should lean toward repair or replacement.

2. How much of the roof is damaged?

As a general guideline, if over 25% of the roof is damaged, your money will be better spent on a complete replacement. Although it may cost more, if the roof is not already brand-new, you’ll benefit from newer (and higher-quality) materials that are less likely to cause headaches in the near future. However, if less than roughly 25% of the roof is damaged, and the roof is not nearing the end of its lifespan, a repair can make perfect sense.

3. How long do you plan to stay in the building?

If you intend to stay in the facility for years to come, a completely new roof could be a wise investment that helps you avoid future repair costs. But, if your intended stay is short-term, it might make more sense to pass the roof replacement cost to the next tenant.

4. What is the roof’s history?

In addition to the age of the roof, pay attention to the number of repairs the roof has needed to this point. If the roof is relatively young but has needed several repairs, it could be an indication that the roofing material is low-quality or that it was installed improperly.

On the other hand, if the roof has been in use for over 10 years and has needed relatively few repairs to this point, it can be an indication of quality materials and installation. If that’s the case, it may be worth it to stretch the life of the roof with repairs instead of tearing it off and installing a completely new roof.

5. How healthy is the roof’s membrane?

The membrane is the roof’s most important defense against the elements. If the roof’s membrane is healthy, it has a healthy foundation. The more damaged the membrane, the higher the possibility of damage to the materials underneath. Extensive damage to the roof’s membrane may be a sign to consider replacement over repair.

6. How healthy is the insulation?

Wet insulation can lead to structural damage, a decrease in air quality (due to mold and bacteria), and can even decrease energy efficiency. If the insulation is wet, it’s an indication the damage has surpassed the roof’s membrane—and that’s bad news. As previously mentioned, if damage to the insulation and/or membrane is significant, a replacement may make more sense than a repair.

7. Where is the building located? And, how urgent is the repair?

If your building is located in a climate that experiences significant precipitation or extreme weather for certain parts of the year, this can have a huge effect on your decision to repair or replace. If the repair is urgent and the forecast predicts rain, snow, or extreme weather for the foreseeable future, a complete replacement would unnecessarily expose your building to the elements. You may have no choice but to go with the repair until the weather allows further evaluation.

8. What is the promise of the repair?

How much mileage can you expect from the repair? What are the odds you’ll need to perform another repair within the next few years? These things are affected by the extent of the damage as well as the history and age of the roof. If you’re just placing a metaphorical band-aid on a problem that will continue to occur, a complete roof replacement might make more sense.

Ultimately, the decision to repair or replace a roof can be a difficult one, based on many factors with a wide degree of variance. The smartest choice, when facing such a large decision, is to consult a roofing professional for an inspection.

If you want to learn more about how Maxwell can help guide you through the big decision of whether to repair or replace your roof, just click here to contact us.

Preparing Your Roof for a North Alabama Winter

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

With average lows between 32°F and 35°F between the months of December and February, North Alabama winters, while not comfortable, are generally mild.

But, however sporadic they may be, freezing temperatures and snowfall can represent real risk to your commercial roof if it’s not correctly prepared.

Here are four ways you can prepare your roof for a North Alabama winter:

1. Perform an inspection of the roof before winter officially begins.

Ideally, this inspection will be performed by a professional, as they’ll know the exact signs to look for and may be able to point out potential roof health issues before they occur.

The professional roofer will look for visible cracks or seams in the roofing material, cracks in the roof’s caulking, structural damage to flashings, and gaps or punctures anywhere on the roof’s surface, including the edges, to avoid potential leaks or wind uplift.

This step is important in all climates, but it’s crucial here in North Alabama, as the heat of the sun can cause expansion, drying, and/or cracking of the roofing material that may prove hazardous when the roof material cools and contracts.

2. Clean, clean, clean.

Structural integrity isn’t the only risk factor for your roof in inclement weather. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for any branches, debris buildup, or foreign objects on your roof’s surface.

While these objects may not have caused any damage yet, their presence presents a risk to your roof during inclement weather, as they can either puncture the roof’s membrane or, in the case of debris, it can collect moisture from fall rain or winter snow. The more moisture the debris retains, the bigger chance for mold or rotting.

This also means cleaning your gutters, as clogged gutters may keep water from cleanly flowing off the roof. The risk here is that the water will end up pooling on the roof itself or flowing over the gutters onto the walls of the building.

3. Examine the insulation.

It’s easy to think the only function of insulation is to keep us warm. And, while that’s true, it also helps prevent a major winter weather roof problem: ice damming.

Ice damming is what happens when improper insulation allows heat to transfer to the roof, where ice or snow melts into water, then flows to the gutters and edges of your roof. It then refreezes, leading to added weight that could damage the gutters or pull them away from the roof itself.

4. Make a plan.

Despite our best efforts, sometimes roofing emergencies occur, whether it’s due to a falling branch or an unexpected spell of extreme weather.

Create a plan for what you’ll do if you experience a roofing emergency during the winter months. Do you have a relationship with a roofing company that performs emergency services? Do you have a budget for emergency roof repairs? Who is responsible for identifying roof damage and contacting the emergency repair team?

Preparing your roof for winter in North Alabama is not a complicated process, but it does require planning and work—and, it’s much easier when you have the guidance of a professional.

If you want to learn more about preparing your roof for the winter and how Maxwell can help keep your roof in tip-top shape despite lower temperatures, click here to contact us.