What to Expect from Your Commercial Roofer Moving Forward

We would typically speculate on the future of the roofing industry based on fundamental concepts, such as new ideas and technology. In the coming months, though, we must also factor in how COVID-19 has changed our industry and what that means for our customers and their commercial roofing experience. In this article, we’ll discuss what you can expect from your roofing contractor. 

Your Company’s Changing Needs are Important 

The business landscape of Americans has dramatically shifted since the beginning of the pandemic. For example, positions that were traditionally “office jobs” transitioned to remote work—a change that encouraged many companies to be more open to the idea of virtual work environments in the future. Whatever the case may be for your industry, as the business world continues to shift and evolve in the current climate, your company’s commercial roofing needs may change along with it. Discussing those needs with your roofing contractor is crucial to ensure that your buildings are looked after properly.

Your Roofing Contractor Can Shift to Meet Your Needs

Your roofing company will likely, and hopefully, shift their services to meet your ever-changing needs. Maxwell Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc., for example, created our Maxwell Monitors solution to provide customers with flexible roof monitoring options—ensuring that damage does not go overlooked even when customers don’t have the capacity to consider their commercial roofs. 

In our case, we saw that our customers had vacant buildings that needed to be looked after. We also saw customers who had too much on their plates without adding roof maintenance to their lists. Maxwell Monitors was our response to these observations so that we could best serve our customers. Talk to your commercial roofing contractor about what you need during this time so that they can help determine the best way to move forward. 

Your Building’s Roof Maintenance Plan is Still Crucial

No matter what is going on in your business this year or the next, stay true to your maintenance schedule. Neglected roofs can lead to costly damage down the road and can even make your building unsafe for employees or tenants. Your roofing contractor can help you set up a maintenance plan that works for you. 

Innovative Roofing Options are Increasingly Popular

One thing that COVID-19 has not changed is innovation. If your business is ready to build or even replace an older roofing system, it’s an excellent time to think about your next roof. To take your planning to the next level, discuss new options with your roofing contractor, such as environmentally friendly or energy-saving solutions

Your Contractor May Operate More Virtually than Before 

Even if your commercial roofing needs have stayed the same, you’ll likely see some changes to your roofer’s processes to further ensure their teams’ safety. You might notice an increased use of drones, for example, which have become integral to safe roof inspections. You might also notice your contractor discussing your roofing options more over the phone or via video conferencing, rather than during face-to-face meetings. 

To learn more about our Maxwell Monitors service or to discuss roofing maintenance or construction, don’t hesitate to contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! We’re here to help.

How to Discover Top Talent in the Roofing Industry

No matter the industry, discovering top talent is essential to a company’s reputation and success. And, while employers hope that the best and brightest professionals will seek us out, sometimes we have to do some of the necessary leg work to seek out the most highly qualified employees that best fit our companies’ needs. In the commercial roofing industry, good talent is critical to providing customers with the greatest standards in quality construction, careful and efficient preventative maintenance, attentive and detailed service, and clear and timely communication. Even more, it’s essential to find roofing employees who are committed to safety and ongoing training.

So, how do you discover top talent within the roofing industry? Here’s what we’ve learned at Maxwell Roofing from nearly 70 years in the business. We hope these considerations are helpful to you along your hiring journey.

5 Considerations for Discovering the Best Commercial Roofing Talent

1. Education is power.

As with any career field, education is a powerful component of a candidate’s potential to do great work. Though some of the most talented individuals in the workforce are self-taught and have natural abilities to do great work, education reveals a further step toward excellence. If candidates have taken the time to complete training and study industry principles, it gives employers an added peace of mind in trusting that they’re building a knowledgeable team who can speak the roofing industry lingo and answer any customer questions that may arise.

2. Experience is a plus.

While every employer hopes that the individuals who make up their teams are coming to them with at least some level of practical experience for the roles in which they’re applying, we’ve found that a sincere eagerness to learn goes a long way. Whether it’s shadowing a seasoned roofing professional, serving in an entry-level position, or completing an apprenticeship or internship program—nothing will make an employer feel more confident in welcoming someone to their team than experience in the field. However, we’re always impressed with inexperienced candidates who desire to be trained and show a real passion for ongoing learning on the job! 

3. Efficiency is priority.

Beyond education and experience, a roofing employee who demonstrates efficiency is a top trait to look for when adding to your team. Especially in terms of the dangers involved with building and construction safety—and the current safety concerns surrounding COVID-19— commercial roofing employees must prioritize efficiency. Even more, to ensure that maintenance, service, and inspections are done right from the beginning, it’s a must to hire employees who not only value efficiency but can also provide a proven record of it. 

4. Enthusiasm is positive.

No employer wants someone on their team who doesn’t want to be there. So, rather than hiring someone who needs a job, hire someone who wants one. And—more importantly—hire someone who is enthusiastic about working for your company. It’s never a good sign when a potential employee comes asking for a job while speaking negatively about a previous employer or job. Seek out candidates who are passionate about commercial roofing and who want to eat, sleep, and breathe it daily.

5. Effort is purposeful.

Not only should it be intentional that you’re putting in the effort to discover top talent for your company, but any employee who applies to work for you should demonstrate a concerted effort to not only follow your application guidelines but also an effort to prove themselves deserving of working on your team. Pay close attention to applicants who follow up both in the application process but also throughout the interview process. A purposeful effort to getting hired will almost always replicate itself on the daily job!

Always Choose Quality Over Quantity

A company is only as good as the talent they hire. So, make sure you’re not substituting quantity for quality when it comes to growing your roofing team. We’ve seen a lot of industry changes in our company’s six decades of experience, especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the importance of hiring individuals who embody your company’s values and work ethic. If we can be a source of wisdom for you in your hiring process, don’t hesitate to contact us at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! We’re all in this together!

What to Know about Single Ply Roofing Systems and Wind Resistance

When we think about our roofing systems, it’s essential to consider our location and the effect that our area’s weather can have on our roof’s lifespan. High winds are often a culprit of roof damage, and single-ply roofing systems are no exception. This article will explain what a single-ply roof is and what you should know about their wind resistance and potential damage to the roof’s membrane

What is a single-ply roof system?

A single-ply roofing system is a protective waterproof membrane between your roof and the elements. There are two primary types of membranes: thermoset (most commonly Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer or EPDM) and thermoplastic (PVC and TPO). Most of these roofing systems will include the single-ply membrane, a layer of insulation, protective flashing, and a way to adhere the membrane to the building (fasteners, adhesives, or welding). 

What to Know About Single Ply Roofing Systems and Wind Resistance

1. If you are in a high-wind area, discuss your roof’s wind resistance with your contractor.

The concern with single-ply roofing systems is that wind will catch under the membrane and rip it, rendering it slightly or significantly damaged. There are a few different elements to consider: how experienced your contractor is with this type of roofing, how they plan to install the membrane, and how they will maintain your roof to extend its lifespan. Discuss these elements of the process with your roofing contractor to determine how you can get the most out of your investment. 

2. Not all installation methods are the same when it comes to wind protection.

There are multiple ways to install a single-ply roofing system. A few of the most common methods are mechanical fasteners, adhesive, or ballast. The installation method can affect your roof’s wind resistance greatly, so if you’re in a high-wind area, this is a crucial element to consider.

When a membrane is secured with ballast, for example, it is held down with rock. This method can leave your roof vulnerable when the wind is concerned because it can get in under the membrane and tear it. However, there are considerations for wind resistance with any type of installation. If using mechanical fasteners, your roofer will need to ensure that there are enough to hold the membrane securely—as one fastener coming loose means that the others must pick up the slack, increasing the chances that more will loosen. 

3. Single-ply PVC roofing membranes can resist tears better than TPO membranes.

A PVC (polyvinyl chloride) membrane, not to be confused with TPO (thermoplastic olefin), includes what’s called a “weft insertion.” This layer helps to prevent serious tears from high winds. With other materials, the wind can tear a membrane, causing a zipper effect, where the layer will continue to tear further back. However, with PVC materials, the extra protective layer stops the tear. This could be the difference between a quick patch job and a much bigger (more expensive) repair project. 

If you’re looking for a full-service commercial roofing partner, don’t hesitate to contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! We’re here to help.