Month: August 2023

6 Signs of Wind or Hail Damage on Your Commercial Roof

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Wind and hail can cause serious problems when it comes to your roof. But not all signs of wind or hail damage on your commercial roof are obvious. Different roofing materials show damage in different ways. Even if there are no obvious leaks after a storm, it’s still important to always check your roof after every severe weather event.

Here are some of the things to look out for to see if your roof was damaged by a storm:

1. Dents, divots, or cracks

Soft metal, asphalt, or wood (rare on commercial roofs) may show dents after being struck by hail. These may be isolated spots or they may spread across the entire roof. Damage like this weakens the roof membrane, which can shorten the roof’s lifespan or lead to more immediate problems such as water damage and leaks.

2. Random spots or markings

Even when roofing materials resist denting from hail, the ice pellets may still scuff up the roofing surface. PVC, metal, and other types of single-ply roofs will often show circular marks or black spots after a hail storm. In some cases, these marks may be superficial, but at other times, they could be a sign of damage to the materials themselves.

3. Lifted or peeled-back roofing materials

High wind speeds can pull back roof coverings, displace shingles, or bend metal roof accessories. Wind damage like this makes the component more vulnerable to worse damage in the future. It’s important to repair this type of damage immediately after it occurs.

4. Damage to roofing details

Components like skylights are particularly vulnerable to wind and hail. The damage may be obvious, like a crack in the glass, but wind and hail can also damage the seals or trim of the glass. Building managers should carefully examine all rooftop skylights after a storm and check that they remain watertight. Hail and high winds can also damage roof coping and gutters, affecting their functionality and their aesthetics. These roofing components also must be inspected after a hailstorm.

5. Displaced rooftop equipment

Strong wind can sometimes move rooftop equipment, pulling up solar panels or jostling HVAC systems. The movement may be very small so inspectors should check fasteners to make sure that any rooftop equipment remains safely secured.

6. Leaks

Leaks from storm damage can require extensive repairs or even a roof replacement. Despite the severity of this problem, not all leaks are obvious. Even if water is not dripping into your building, you may find areas where water has slowly gotten into the insulation. Building managers should check for roof leaks or have a roof inspection performed after a storm.

If you’re worried about damage to your commercial roof, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team of experts can help you determine the extent of the damage and work quickly to remediate any problems.

5 Roofing Questions to Ask Before Purchasing a Commercial Property

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

So you’ve found the perfect commercial building for your business. It’s in the right location, and the price is within your budget. Congratulations! But before you break out the champagne, take a moment to assess the building. An inspection can help give you a general overview of the health and the age of the building. While assessing the HVAC, construction, water, and sewer lines are all important steps, you’ll want to pay special attention to the condition of the building’s roof.

An aging roof in disrepair can be one of the most expensive building components to replace or remediate. With a price tag in the tens of thousands, a roof that needs replacement can quickly turn your commercial investment property into a serious financial liability. To prevent that scenario, we’ve put together key questions to ask about the roof condition before you purchase a commercial building. Run through this checklist before you sign the paperwork on your new commercial building.

1. When was the roof built?

If you’re considering purchasing a building, you likely know the year that it was first constructed, but your roof may be newer than the building itself. Be sure to establish a clear timeline so you know when a new roof was put on a building and exactly which materials were replaced.

Sometimes commercial building owners re-roof a commercial building, replacing only the outer materials of the roof membrane and leaving the existing roof deck intact. Knowing the age of both the roof deck and the membrane is critical to understanding the true age of the roof. No commercial roof lasts forever, but knowing when it may need to be replaced could factor into your budget.

2. What material is the roof made of?

While many flat roofs look the same to the untrained eye, the materials used to construct a roof can enormously affect its durability. Knowing the material of a commercial building’s roof can help calculate future maintenance costs and a replacement timeline.

3. When was the last inspection?

Not every roofing problem manifests as an obvious leak. Commercial roofs can have many hidden problems that are only revealed during an inspection by a qualified roofing professional. If the seller has the building’s roof maintained regularly, they should have maintenance reports they can share with potential buyers. They may also have a complete history of inspections and service visits in recent years.

4. How has the roof been maintained?

Commercial roofs need regular inspections and maintenance in order to last for their full expected lifespan. Ask the building seller if they have a roofing maintenance schedule and how often they get routine roof repairs. If the seller can’t produce a maintenance schedule, you may need a more detailed inspection to determine the condition of the roof prior to purchasing.

5. Are there any existing warranties? If so, what are the conditions?

Most roofing materials come with a manufacturer warning in case they fail. In most cases, these warranties have specific conditions that can void the terms of the warranty if they are not followed. Before purchasing a commercial property, you should know which warranties exist and learn how to avoid breaking any warranty terms. A qualified roofing partner can help manage your warranties and ensure that they are properly fulfilled in the event of a roofing failure.

If you are considering purchasing a commercial property and want to know what roofing questions to ask, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team of inspectors would be happy to help.

Maintenance & Preservation: Choosing the Right Roof System for a Historic Building

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Commercial roofing is a delicate process that requires specialists on the job, and this is especially true for work on historic buildings. Historic buildings present particular challenges when they need repairs.

Due to age, roofing for historic buildings may have structural issues or damage. Proper historic roof restoration also requires that the roofers do everything they can to maintain the original architectural style of the building. There is no one-size-fits-all roof system for a historic building. Repairing, re-roofing, or reconstructing a historic building will require the advice of a qualified roofing professional who has extensive experience in buildings from a variety of different architectural eras.

When you’re ready to invest in roofing repairs for your historic building, take the following steps to ensure the strength and integrity of your building’s roof.

1. Get an initial inspection.

The goal of any historic roof restoration is to preserve as much of the original roof as possible while repairing issues and reinforcing the roof. An inspection from a qualified roofer will help determine whether you need a repair or a replacement. A thorough inspection will also identify the material of the existing roof and the level of damage or deterioration the roof has seen over the years.

2. Identify your preservation goals.

When preserving a historic roof, it may not be possible to fully adhere to the design or materials used in the original construction. Building owners should identify the most essential visual elements of the building to preserve during a re-roofing. We’ll be able to guide you through. For one of our clients, a historic bank on Jefferson St. in Huntsville, AL, Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal was able to install a fully adhered roofing system onto the roof deck. This preserved the building’s interior while minimizing changes to the outdoor appearance of the building. Similarly, our work with The Woman’s Club of Nashville helped the philanthropic organization repair the Haley Hall building that is used for events and fundraising.

3. Re-use materials when possible.

Some historic buildings may be constructed of original materials such as clay tiles, slate shingles, and artisan woodwork. Depending on the roofing issue, your roofer may be able to use some of these original materials to echo the historical era of the building. A fabrication shop may also be able to recreate the architectural features of a historic roof.

4. Update where possible.

Preserving a historic building means that you can take advantage of some of the newest roofing technology. It’s a great opportunity to replace elements of the roof with more updated material that aesthetically mimics the original construction.

If you’re ready to learn more about how to protect your historic building’s roof, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our experienced team of roofers has preservation specialists on hand to guide you through the process of repairing your unique roof.

Employee Spotlight: Charles Lunsford

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

There are many ways to start a career in commercial roofing. Several of our employees have joined Maxwell Roofing after spending time in military service or after switching careers to find an industry that fits their skill set, interests, and life goals. A few team members grew up in the industry and have dedicated their entire careers to working on commercial roofs. Charles Lunsford is one of those people.

Journey to Maxwell Roofing

Charles grew up in Dayton, Ohio. He joined the Roofers Union straight out of high school and began working as a foreman at a commercial roofing and sheet metal company in his hometown. In 2017, Charles decided to move to Nashville and joined our team. After a short stint at another commercial roofing company in town, Charles returned to Maxwell in 2021 and has been with our company ever since. 

“What led me to Maxwell was that they are a family-owned company with a good reputation for installing quality roofs,” Charles said, as he reflected on his journey in the industry.

Today, Charles serves as a construction superintendent at Maxwell Roofing, working alongside our management team and field employees on various new construction, reroofing, and maintenance projects across Nashville. 

“What makes my role unique in production is that as a superintendent, you are a linchpin between the field and office employees,” he explained. 

Charles enjoys working with multiple crews each day, making sure each project is progressing as it should. 

What Makes Maxwell Roofing Different

After more than a decade in the industry, Charles realized the culture at Maxwell Roofing is unique. 

“What I love about Maxwell is that they care about their employees,” said Charles.
As a family-owned business, Maxwell Roofing sees our employees as an extension of our family. We take responsibility for their overall well-being and invest in their development to support their personal and professional growth.

Charles is a testament to the fact that a roofing apprenticeship can be a great way to start a successful career in the roofing industry. Today, he lives outside of Nashville with his wife and three kids, enjoying any opportunity he has to go hunting or fishing. 

If you’re interested in learning more about what it’s like to work at Maxwell or start a career in commercial roofing, you can connect with Charles on LinkedIn or explore our current positions and benefits on our careers page.