Month: September 2021

Streamline Your Industrial Building Projects with a Reliable Roofing Partner

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Industrial buildings are designed to accommodate streamlined manufacturing processes. So, shouldn’t work on the building itself also be efficient?

When industrial building owners get work done to their facilities, they need it done well, quickly, and in a way that doesn’t impede the important work happening inside. The best way to ensure that an industrial building gets the care it needs is to team up with a reliable roofing partner.

Here are some tips for finding the right commercial roofing company to help your industrial or manufacturing business achieve its goals.

1. Choose reputation.

New roofing companies pop up all the time, but in the commercial roofing industry, only the most reliable and efficient companies last. Choosing a company with decades in business, great customer referrals and a reputation of excellence is the best way to ensure that the work done on your industrial building is the best that it can be. Reputable roofers understand the importance of finishing a job on top and within the budget.

2. Choose quality.

While efficiency and affordability are important in any construction project, industrial buildings need quality materials to ensure they can hold up over time. It’s important to choose a company that prioritizes quality in all that they do. Remember to always consider the value of a new roofing job rather than simply choosing the cheapest sticker price.

3. Choose regular maintenance.

A new roof is only good as long as it lasts. Regular maintenance and frequent small repairs are the best ways to ensure that a roof stays in good condition and lasts its entire expected lifespan. Choose a commercial roofing company that offers maintenance as part of its services and get on a regular inspection and repair schedule immediately after having a new roof installed.

4. Choose full-service.

There are many roofing companies that just pop up for emergency repairs, but the best roofing companies offer services for every stage of a roof’s life. Full-service roofing companies offer everything from design services and sheet metal fabrication to construction, maintenance and emergency repairs. The work that takes place inside an industrial building can be demanding on the roof and only a full-service roofing company has the expertise needed to keep it in great shape for its entire expected lifespan.

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

Does Your Courthouse Need a New Roof? Here’s What You Should Know

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Courthouse roofs often have unique architectural designs or historical significance. But, just like any other roof, a courthouse roof will eventually need repairing or replacing. Dealing with the maintenance on a historical building can be intimidating for many government agencies, but, fortunately, it’s still possible to maintain a building’s character with a new roof.

If your courthouse is aging and in need of repairs or a new roof, here is what you should know:

1. Focus on maintenance first.

The best way to keep any roof functioning is to keep it well-maintained. Before replacing an architecturally complex or historically significant roof, the building owners should see what they can do to retain the materials that are already there. Small repairs or partial replacements can go a long way and help even the oldest roofs outlast their expected lifespans.

2. Weigh material options carefully.

In the event that a courthouse roof does need to be replaced, there are plenty of modern materials that can add benefits to the building. A quality roofing company can help government agencies balance the goal of maintaining a building’s historic character with other important roofing objectives like energy efficiency and durability. New roofing technology can help provide a building with the durability it needs, while still creating a striking look.

3. Give extra consideration to design.

Even in the event that a courthouse roof needs to be completely replaced, good design shouldn’t be sacrificed. Design consultations are included in our custom roof jobs at Maxwell Roofing. Our sheet metal fabrication shop also allows us to recreate unique architectural elements that may not be available through other roof companies.

4. Get on a new maintenance plan immediately.

Following a roof replacement, a government agency’s main goal is going to be to make their new roof last as long as possible. The best way to ensure that a roof lasts as long as possible is to regularly maintain it. Getting started right away with ongoing inspections and continuing with routine repairs is critical to ensure the new courthouse roof lasts for its expected lifespan. 

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

A Lack of Maintenance Could Be Draining Your Budget: Here’s How to Fix It

Posted on by David Maxwell

Paying for commercial roof maintenance may seem like an unnecessary expense for some businesses, but it actually saves companies money over the life of the roof. Businesses that fail to maintain their roofs will experience more emergency repairs and sustain damage over time that can shorten the lifespan of their roof. By investing in routine, preventative maintenance, property managers can stave off major, costly repairs. 

For commercial building owners who have not kept up with maintenance, it can seem overwhelming to get started. Fortunately, starting a maintenance routine is simpler than it sounds. Here are a few steps to get started:

1. Get an inspection.

A commercial roof inspection is the first step in any maintenance routine. Inspections give qualified roofers a chance to look over the entire roof. They check for weak spots, moisture build up, cracks, and leaks. The inspection will help identify any problems that need immediate attention, and it will give the building owner an idea of what may need to be fixed down the line. With this information on hand, a roofer can then advise the facility manager on what needs to be done to keep the roof in good shape for the rest of its life. 

2. Fix the little things.

The main idea behind preventative maintenance is that building owners should make small repairs often in order to avoid major repairs down the line. Fixing a crack, for example, is a simple, cheap repair, but failing to make the repair could lead to moisture build-up that could damage the insulation or the roof deck, which would be a much more expensive endeavor. Following an inspection, building managers should get in order any small things that the roofer picked up on to prevent a major repair down the line.

3. Make a maintenance schedule.

Once all of the small repairs are taken care of, building owners should make a plan to continue maintenance. The schedule will depend on the type of roof, its age, and its condition. The schedule will serve as the basic outline for continued building maintenance and help building owners save money over time.

4. Get on a management plan.

For companies that own multiple buildings, it may make sense to get on a full-service roof management plan. These plans allow building managers to monitor the status of their roofs all in one online portal. It also helps schedule inspections, provides budgeting tools, and gives clients priority access for routine repair scheduling.

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

How We Use Our Values to Build Trust with General Contractors

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

The relationship between a roofing company and a general contractor is the foundation for any successful commercial roofing project. At Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., we have been building and maintaining trusting relationships with contractors for nearly 70 years. 

Our success lies within our company’s core values. By following these fundamental principles, generations of Maxwell roofers have built trust with general contractors. Here’s how:

1. Quality

Maxwell Roofing prioritizes quality above all else on roofing projects. Our company gets great prices on the best materials, and our workers are some of the best in the business. Maxwell has built a reputation based on its consistent delivery of high-quality roofs. General contractors know that they can trust Maxwell to do the job right and produce roofs that are built to last. 

2. Teamwork

In any commercial building, it’s critical that each component is constructed to function as part of the whole. This means that teamwork and communication between different crews on the job site is absolutely crucial. Maxwell Roofing self-performs the roofing jobs, and trains its employees to work well not only within their own teams, but also with other contractors. General contractors know that a Maxwell Roofing crew is going to show up to a work site willing to support all others working on the project.

3. Integrity

Untrustworthy companies don’t last for years in the business. Maxwell Roofing has maintained a loyal customer base because we always do what we say—on schedule. General contractors know that they are choosing a roofer they can count on. Even in a world of supply and worker shortages, Maxwell’s team is up-front and realistic about what they can deliver.

4. Professionalism

Maxwell Roofing employees get the highest level of training and education, and their expertise is unparalleled. General contractors know that their high expectations will be met with our crews and that roofers will always exhibit professionalism and show respect on the job site.  

5. Service

We know that roofing is about much more than just construction. Our service department works to make sure that customers’ needs are met and that they have somewhere to turn when something goes wrong. General contractors can count on the Maxwell Roofing team to help deliver an excellent customer experience.

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

5 Reasons Why Industrial Roof Maintenance is Crucial

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Roofs on industrial buildings must hold up under tough conditions. These roofs may be heavily used, exposed to high temperatures or be exposed to hazards from heavy machinery.

Because industrial roofs face more threats than roofs on any other type of building, roof maintenance is crucial for keeping the roof in a functioning state. Here are some of the major reasons why roof maintenance is so important for industrial buildings.

1. Industrial roofs are frequently under threat.

All commercial roofs face threats to their stability and functionality from weather events or normal wear and tear, but manufacturing and industrial work can cause roofs to deteriorate quicker than on a different type of building that has little foot traffic, few penetrations, or few rooftop equipment pieces on the roof. Preventative maintenance assists with ensuring the roof is in water-tight condition, discovering small deficiencies before they become large issues in order for the roof to last its expected lifespan.

2. Preventative maintenance can help with spotting red flags.

Without regular inspections, roof damage can go unnoticed and develop into serious (and expensive) problems. With all the activity occurring within industrial buildings, a roof can easily get damaged without anyone seeing it. Scheduling regular maintenance gives a professional roofer an opportunity to spot developing damage and stop it before it becomes too serious.

3. Roof maintenance can help protect your investments.

A roof is a building investment, and regular maintenance can protect it and make it last longer. But beyond protecting the roof itself, preventative maintenance also helps protect the interior from the ceiling to the floor. When a roof leak occurs, it can oftentimes result in more clean-up than just the roof, such as damaging equipment or merchandise inside the building

4. Keep rooftop equipment functioning properly.

Moisture, debris, and other problems on the roof can interfere with rooftop equipment like HVAC units. This equipment is often critical to the proper functioning of industrial equipment. Scheduling regular inspections, cleanings, and repairs can help keep roofs clear of material that may damage this type of equipment.

5. Preventative maintenance helps protect workers.

Many industrial buildings have rooftop equipment that workers must access. Roof debris or damage on a roof can put workers in danger of a slip or fall, or possibly extensive damage to the roof system itself. Preventing damage with strict maintenance keeps buildings safe for workers on the roof and inside the building. 

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

How Property Managers Can Lighten Their Loads

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

There’s no doubt that property managers must wear many different hats in their jobs, from dealing with clients or tenants, managing business functions and—on top of everything else—making sure that their buildings function properly. All of these different functions can become too much for one person to keep track of, especially for companies with multiple properties. 

When property managers get into a position with too much work on their plates, they often find themselves reacting to a crisis rather than proactively managing it. This can leave property managers in a position where they are constantly playing catch up, putting out “fires” instead of preventing them in the first place. 

So, when it comes to roof maintenance, here are three easy ways that property managers can lighten their loads.

1. Schedule regular inspections and preventative maintenance.

Roofing problems can create more work for property managers who may have to deal with damages or displaced clients. Instead of waiting for a roofing disaster to prompt a repair, property managers can pre-schedule regular roofing inspections and maintenance. Scheduling maintenance allows property managers to better manage their time and to stave off major roofing problems.  

2. Sign up for a roof management program. 

Roof management programs allow property managers to hand off most of the routine work needed for a commercial roof. These programs help manage warranty issues and create maintenance plans so that property managers can focus on other elements of their jobs. 

For companies with multiple properties, roof management plans like Maxwell’s MAXCare® also provide an easy online portal where property managers can easily access information about their roof for reporting to investors or clients. MAXCare® clients also get access to budget forecasting projections and roofing education tools to help plan ahead for whatever issues may arise.   

3. Consider a roof monitoring program.

Many property managers lack the time and technical skills to regularly inspect their roofs for problems. Monitoring programs like Maxwell Monitors gives property managers the chance to use trained roofers as their eyes on each of their buildings. Maxwell Monitors is great for property managers who need to keep tabs on unoccupied buildings or who lack the staff to regularly check in on each of their roofs. 

Programs like Maxwell Monitors are also flexible to meet the needs of the property managers using them. The monitoring program can be scaled to accommodate everything from basic needs, such as designing a checklist for a non-roofer to check in on a building all the way up to a full-service monitoring and maintenance program.  

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

5 Roofing Questions to Ask Before Starting a Corporate Build

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

For large corporations, a building’s roof is often an afterthought when compared with the busy day-to-day of regular business. Since buildings are rarely the core focus of a corporation’s business, it might be second nature to know what to look for in a roofer.

Before choosing a commercial roofing company for a corporate build, it’s important to ask them a few key questions:

1. How long has your company been in business?

In the roofing industry, reputation is critical to success. Many roofing businesses start up to cash in on a major storm or weather event, but these poorly-run roofing companies don’t last very long. For this reason, the companies that do manage to hang on and stay in business for years or even decades tend to be the best options. Be sure to ask roofing companies how long they have been doing work on corporate roofs. The best, most reputable companies will have a portfolio of happy best customers to show off.

2. Are you local?

Local roofing companies know how to get the best local deals on construction materials and have the best knowledge about what roofs need to stand up to the weather conditions in the area. Even corporations that are based outside of their target construction area should try to keep their roofing projects local in order to get the best service and ensure that their buildings are suited for the local environment.

3. Will this interrupt business?

For roofing repairs or re-roofs, corporate building owners will want to consider whether or not the construction will interrupt business. Be sure to ask roofing companies about their scheduling flexibility. Roofing companies with experience working on corporate roofs will often be able to build some flexibility into their construction schedules in order to keep businesses open as much as possible.

4. What type of roof do you recommend for this business?

A corporation’s primary concern about its building is that it functions well with its business activities. Be sure to ask your roofer what type of roof they recommend for the building. The best roofing companies will offer a variety of options from roofs that offer high functionality for heavy industry to those that offer an attractive design for storefronts. 

5. What is your safety record?

Corporations have reputations of their own to protect. Hiring a roofing company that compromises safety can be a liability for the businesses assets and its reputation. Always inquire about a roofing company’s safety record and ensure that the company follows all OSHA, state and local labor laws before hiring them. Good roofing companies will offer employee training and enforce clear safety protocols in order to protect their workers and their customers.

If you’re ready to get started, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.