Winterizing & Preparing A Commercial Building for Ice, Snow, and Cold

Winter is almost here. And, for the commercial roofing industry, that means that we’re gearing up for winterizing maintenance and inspections—an integral piece of any long-term roofing plan. We put a great deal of focus on this time of year for a few reasons that we’ll cover in this article. But, the most important reason is that we want to keep undue stress off you and your business—especially stress that is completely preventable. 

By working with your contractor to winterize and prepare your roof for ice, snow, and cold, you can extend your roof’s lifespan and keep your building safe. 

5 Essential Steps to Prepare a Commercial Building for Winter Weather

1. Consider your roof’s surroundings. 

If you see that your building is below tree limbs or other possible hazards, consider that winter elements like snow and ice can make those branches much heavier, causing them to fall. Your roofing contractor may recommend cutting a few of the branches, if possible, to protect your roof from the crushing blow of a broken tree limb. 

2. Schedule your routine inspection. 

At Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., the one piece of advice that you will see in every one of our articles is to ensure that you stay up to date with your roof’s inspections and maintenance. This process will provide you and your roofing company with a good idea of the overall health of your roof and what you could do to extend its lifespan. Seemingly insignificant cracks or loose pieces can seem harmless, but they are far from it, especially as the seasons change. Your roofing contractor can spot those potential hazards and make a plan to take care of them before they snowball into future damage, or even a roof replacement. 

3. Clear all leaves and debris from your roof. 

In our fall checklist, you’ll see that we stress the importance of clearing leaves and debris from your roof’s gutters and drains. That is because when water can’t drain properly, it will begin to pond, especially on a flat roof. Standing water like this is already quite heavy—five pounds per square foot when the water is only standing one inch—and can easily freeze during the winter. Water can get into cracks and crevices of your roof’s membrane and freeze as well, expanding these areas and causing leaks or other damage. Additionally, wet leaves and debris can freeze into large blockages that create further drainage issues all winter long. It is much easier, and more efficient, to clear your gutters and drains on a set maintenance schedule so that you aren’t faced with avoidable damage. 

4. Discuss recommended repairs with your roofing partner.

Your roofing partner will likely recommend minor to major repairs. Discuss your options with them to determine what is best for the life of your roof and integrity of your building—as you want to protect your budget, but most importantly, you want to protect the people inside. 

5. Watch for possible signs of damage. 

Preventative maintenance will help protect your commercial roof in the winter. However, severe weather events, such as heavy snow or ice can damage your roof even when it’s in perfect condition. You and your team must be vigilant in taking note of any irregularities that you see, especially potential leaks. Alert your roofing contractor the moment that you see signs of roof damage to prevent further issues. 

Do you need help winterizing your commercial building’s roof? 

If you need help maintaining your roof throughout the winter, we can help. Don’t hesitate to contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is equipped and ready to schedule your routine maintenance plan, repair damages, and uphold your building’s integrity.

How COVID-19 Has Affected Commercial Roofing in Nashville

The COVID-19 pandemic affected every industry in the country—commercial roofing included. The roofing industry in Nashville went through a tough year. A tornado, derecho, and a pandemic all came together to put our patience and skills to the test. 

Though we were affected, our customers are still in need of inspections, maintenance, monitoring, and construction. Here are a few changes that we have noticed in our company and industry as a whole. 

Customers Now Budget with COVID-19 in Mind

As businesses experienced shutdowns, lower capacities, and employees working from home, they were forced to pause and re-evaluate their budgets. Their priorities inevitably changed, leaving them to consider where their money was going. Of course, there were pressing issues to be addressed first, such as changing operations to comply with regulations and protecting employees and customers. 

For the roofing industry, this meant that fewer projects were being scheduled. This shift proved to be only temporary, however, as companies have now begun to regain their footing. Some were able to take advantage of the government stimulus package, and others have now transitioned—and settled into—their new way of operating. It’s certain that another shift is in store as the pandemic dies down, and business returns to yet another new normal, but one thing rings true: commercial roofing services will always be necessary to maintain the integrity of a building. 

Construction is Moving as Normal, with Safety Precautions

Companies that are now dealing with vacant buildings, as their employees work from home, are taking this time as an opportunity to replace their commercial roofs or complete other large-scale renovations. With fewer people in the building, there are fewer disturbances throughout the workday. When it comes to maintenance services, many companies feared, rightfully so, that neglect could lead to costly damage down the line.

Commercial roofing contractors are taking extra safety measures on the job to ensure that they keep themselves, their teams, and their customers safe and healthy. Teams are carrying bottles of sanitizing solution, wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and completing daily screenings. It’s crucial that we all keep each other’s safety at the forefront of everything we do. 

“Maxwell Roofing’s first priority is to keep our customers and employees safe. Additionally, we strive to always be of service to the customer. The pandemic has provided a new challenge, but our position remains the same,” says Kathleen Maxwell, Vice President of Sales.

We Have Added a New, Modified Service

As customers’ priorities have understandably changed throughout the pandemic, Maxwell Roofing noticed that some companies’ commercial roofing needs are now different, prompting us to design a service that fits their new operations. Many companies have fully vacant buildings at the moment that could sustain damage. Others are running at full capacity and are wholly focused on their teams and customers. And, for those in between, they may be running at lower capacity but have a facility manager on staff that can perform an inspection.  

To provide relief, we now offer Maxwell Monitors—a new, flexible monitoring service to help you look after your building while you’re away or tending to your business. This service includes a downloadable inspection checklist and scheduled inspections to monitor the health of your roof, whatever your current situation. 

“We are adapting to the new needs of the customer and are always open to input for how we can improve our services line. Our attempt to flex with the recent environment is evident in our new program, Maxwell Monitors. This service is a cost-effective approach allowing us to monitor your building, with a contactless option, so you can focus on your business and team,” adds Kathleen.

Roof Inspections, Maintenance, and Construction are Still Essential

The importance of regular maintenance can’t be overstated. While Nashville continues to face challenges, preventative maintenance and timely replacements can protect your building and make your commercial roofing budget stretch further. If you are unsure how commercial roofing fits into your budget, talk to your contractor about how you can modify your service to continue to maintain your roof’s integrity. 

Contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today to schedule your next roofing inspection.

How to Prepare Your Commercial Roof for a Nashville Winter

Harsh winter conditions can spell disaster for an unprepared commercial roof. Even Nashville’s mild winters should be a concern for facility managers who want to keep their buildings in good shape. The shift from a hot summer to a cold winter leads to many changes on a rooftop, and if left alone, a roof can crack in the winter or spring a leak. Here are some tips for roof winterization in Nashville.

Why Worry About Winter?

The most common problem that roofs face in winter is the accumulation of ice. Moisture can build up on a roof during the summer and fall. Sometimes, this water can seep into caulking and roof panels or sit inside drains. When winter arrives that water freezes and expands, cracking the roof and creating clogs and leaks. 

How to Prepare a Roof for Winter

Every roof management program should include a plan for the winter transition. In places like Nashville, where snow is not common, roof winterization is typically focused on debris and moisture removal. While regular cleaning can sometimes be done by a general maintenance team, the cleaning in preparation for winter should be done by a professional so that they can properly inspect for clogs and ensure that all the drains are working properly.

Some roofs will also need small repairs in advance of winter. Small separations of roof panels and cracked caulking provide the perfect places for water to seep in. In winter, this water turns into ice and can cause structural problems in the roof or create a leak.

Emergency Response

Preparing an emergency response plan is also critical for winter. Ice storms can cause trees to fall or quickly fill a roof with dangerous debris. It’s critical to have a plan in place that allows you to respond quickly to these roofing emergencies. Having a professional on-call at all times during winter could save your building extensive damage in an emergency situation.

Prepare with a Management Program

Whether it’s winter or spring, all commercial roofs should have preventative maintenance plans to keep them working for the duration of their expected lives. The best way to do this is through a roof management program with a local roofing company. These programs provide customers with everything from forecast assessments to discounted repairs and roof winterization. Some programs, like Maxwell’s MAXCare® program, also provide 24/7 emergency response services to protect their customers’ roofs during extreme weather.

To learn more about how Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc.’s MAXCare program can help you prepare for winter, contact us today.

Why Nashville Companies Choose Maxwell Roofing for Commercial Roof Replacement

Deciding when to replace a roof is a difficult decision. Facility managers must consider their budget, their long-term plans for the building, and how the roof will be used. But, the most important decision to make before determining how to replace a roof is deciding which company to use.

There are plenty of options for commercial roof replacement but, in Nashville, Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. stands above the rest. Here are just a few of the reasons why customers return to Maxwell again and again.

  • Maxwell’s stellar reputation: With nearly 70 years of experience in Nashville, Maxwell has proven to be the area’s most trusted roofing partner. Maxwell built this reputation through years of over-delivering on their customer’s roofing needs by making themselves available and always producing a quality product.

“When you’re a property manager, and a roofing issue appears, accessibility matters,” said Maxwell customer Steve Horrell, the president of the Horrell Company. “That’s the kind of difference in Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc.’s level of care that has helped them maintain their high-ranking reputation throughout Middle Tennessee.” 

  • Expert personnel: Maxwell treats its employees better than the competition, so it expects its employees to live up to higher expectations. Maxwell’s team is always professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. In the Nashville area, there is no better team for assessing and carrying out a roof replacement.
  • Excellent customer service: Maxwell prides itself on a high level of customer service. While other companies work just to get the job done, Maxwell’s employees strive to ensure that every customer feels as though they are a part of the process. Maxwell employees are willing to walk customers through every step of the roofing process from answering simple questions like, “How much does it cost to replace a roof?,” all the way through technical issues.

“There’s never been a time when Maxwell Roofing has not been on site within 24 hours,” says Terry LeTourneau, the facilities manager of Maxwell customer JLL-Mars. “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.”

  • MAXCare®: How often should a roof be replaced? With MAXCare®, Maxwell’s roof management program, customers get regular roof forecast assessments to answer these important questions. MAXCare® helps customers proactively care for their roof, preventing disasters down the line.

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

  • Full-service roofing services: Most roofing companies put all their focus on roof construction, but Maxwell offers customers a full-service approach with maintenance and fabrication services. Not only can Maxwell replace a roof, but they can produce custom sheet metal pieces to cut down on costs and deliver exactly what each customer needs.

If you’re ready to learn more about how Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. can help with your commercial roof replacement, contact us today.

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

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.

Choosing a Commercial Roofing Partner in Nashville

Choosing a commercial roofer can be complex. There are multiple things you must account for—reputation, experience, and more. When you’re choosing a commercial roofing partner in Nashville, here are four things we think you should consider:

1. How much experience does the company have? How long has the company been around?

Odds are, if a company has been around for a long time, there’s a good reason for it. Beyond that, you’ll feel much more comfortable placing responsibility for one of your most important (and expensive) assets in the hands of a company that’s been proving its expertise for years—not one that is still making a name for itself.

2. Does the company have a Better Business Bureau (BBB) listing?

According to its website, the Better Business Bureau “helps consumers identify trustworthy businesses.” So, the first thing you’ll want to check is whether the company you’re considering is listed on the BBB at all. If it is, see what its rating is. Use your discretion here, but obviously, companies with higher grades are more likely to be trustworthy and reputable than those with lower grades.

3. Review the company’s previous work. What types of jobs has the company done before?

Does the company have case studies or testimonials on its website? Ideally, a company will have pictures and descriptions of previously completed jobs, as well as testimonials from those customers describing how the company helped and why its services were important. A company with no evidence of past work or testimonials from previous customers may not be worth the risk.

4. Is the company a member of the Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors?

The Association’s mission is “to have a positive reflection in the roofing industry by representing exceptional professional licensed roofing contractors who are committed to performing superior work standards.”

To become a member of the Association, members must…

  • Be licensed
  • Be insured
  • Have a drug-free workforce
  • Have a safety program in place
  • Have an office location in the state of Tennessee

So, instead of compiling pages of research, you can simply check the association’s list of members to verify that the company you’re considering operates under sound business practices.

Sure, choosing a commercial roofing partner in Nashville can be a complex process, but our hope is that these tips will simplify the search and make it easier for you to find the roofing partner you can trust.

If you’re interested in working with Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. (which has been around for nearly 70 years, holds an A+ rating on the BBB website, maintains a portfolio of previous work, and is a member of the Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors), just click here to get in contact with us.

3 Ways Our Nashville Team Maintains a Commitment to Safety

Roofing projects are known for being hazardous to the crew and those in and around the building. According to OSHA, 34 percent of construction-site fatalities from 2003-2013 were the result of falls from roofs.

There has been a lot of incredible work done to create policies and procedures for protecting roof workers over the past few decades. However, many of the injuries that occur in roofing are due to complacency.

This reality is what our Maxwell Roofing team works diligently to avoid. We recognize that no one walks on a job site at the beginning of the day wanting to injure themselves. Injuries happen when we fail to recognize new potential dangers or rely a little too much on our skills and experience to keep us safe.

3 Ways Maxwell Roofing’s Nashville Team Maintains a Commitment to Safety

Throughout the lifecycle and maintenance of your roof, those who work on the roof can face many different threats, such as skylights and units close to the roof’s edge. Here are three ways we proactively work to keep safety top-of-mind for everyone involved with one of our commercial roofing projects:

1. We Conduct Job Hazard Analysis on a Regular Basis

Before any roofing project begins, we conduct a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) to survey the project and essentially answer the question, “What are the things that could go wrong?”

This is not required by law; however, more building owners are starting to request it and many contractors submit a JHA as a matter of course. Additionally, we strive to re-visit and re-submit the JHA on a weekly basis to ensure that supervisors are continuously evaluating the conditions on and around the roof.

2. We Equip Workers with High-Grade Safety Devices for Fall Protection & Injury Prevention

Thankfully, the days of lunch atop a skyscraper with minimal safety equipment are behind us. Today, there are a host of retrofit options that make roofs a safer working environment. Through rooftop safety mechanisms like Roof Davits and Roof Hatch Guard Rails, our team has the skill to control these hazards and maintain a safe environment on your roof.

3. In-depth Documentation & Training

Beyond physical protection measures, we recognize that it’s also important and necessary to have robust policies in place for roof safety. Our team has developed policies that dictate how all installations, routine maintenance checks, and repairs should be conducted to create the safest environment possible. We also train each employee on how to respond in real-world situations that commonly lead to injury.

Roofing contractors are faced with dozens of hazards every time they step foot on a job site—from inclement weather to hazardous substances. This is something that everyone in our organization, from the top to the bottom, is mindful of each day. If you’re looking for a commercial roofing partner in Middle Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and their surrounding areas, we invite you to learn more about our services or view some of our recent projects today.

5 Reasons to Choose Maxwell for Commercial Roofing in Nashville

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.