Category: Service and Repairs

What to Expect During a Commercial Roof Inspection

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Commercial roofs can be complicated structures, and even when they are well constructed, they can develop hidden problems over time. Regular inspections are critical for extending the life of a roof and preventing roofing disasters, which is why it’s important to find a roofing partner that makes inspections and reporting a key part of the maintenance routine. But, not all inspections are created equal. Quality roof inspectors will go above and beyond, checking things that may be causing hidden damage to your roof. 

A good roofing inspection starts before anyone even looks at the roof. Qualified professional roofers will start a commercial roof inspection with these two steps: 

  • Identifying Active Warranties and Guarantees

    Certain types of roof work can invalidate the warranty of some products. Before performing any work, a good roofer will check this information, as it may influence what types of repairs can be done and can save customers money, especially if parts of the roof are failing earlier than expected.

  • Examine Records and Talk to Occupants

    By examining a building’s records and plans, roofers can figure out what issues they may need to pay close attention to during the inspection. Talking to people who spend their time in the building—residents or employees—might also help identify leaks or other problems.

Once the roofer has a better idea of what to expect, they’ll begin the roofing inspection. A comprehensive roofing evaluation will include: 

  • An Interior Inspection

    Before climbing atop the roof, roofers should walk the inside of the building, looking for water stains, signs of rust, or potential weaknesses. The source of a leak may be from inside a building.

  • Building Envelope Inspection

    The building envelope is the membrane and structure that seals a facility’s interior from the outside. A roofing inspection should include an examination of the building’s structure to ensure there are no defects.

  • Flashings, Edges, and Joint Inspections

    Roof inspectors will pay careful attention to the edges of roofs and where different segments come together. These are vulnerable spots in any roof and can easily crack or collect moisture.

  • Gutters, Drains, and Scuppers Inspection

    It’s critical that water can escape the roof surface. Roofers must make sure that the roof is draining properly and isn’t blocked.

  • Rooftop Equipment and Penetration Inspection

    If your facility has an HVAC unit or any other type of roof penetration, inspectors will need to make sure that the seams are watertight and that the penetrations haven’t damaged the roof surface.

Every building is different, and roofers may need to rely on other tools to properly examine certain types of roofs. These additional services may include: 

  • Infrared Moisture Inspections

    Not all leaks are easily apparent to the naked eye. Using infrared scanners, roofers can identify moisture leaks and cracks that they have missed during other parts of the inspection.

  • Drone Inspections

    Some buildings have roof areas that are difficult or dangerous to reach. Many roofing companies have licensed drone pilots that can take images of the roof while safely planted on the ground.

The most important part of any roofing inspection comes after the roofing inspection is done, with a detailed report about the roof’s condition and suggestions for repairs and future maintenance. This isn’t a report that a roofer should complete quickly in their service truck. Instead, it should be a detailed and well-thought plan. 

Finding the Right Roofing Partner For Commercial Roof Inspections

Because roofing inspections should be a regular part of any maintenance routine, it’s important to find a contractor who will work as a long-term partner. Find a company that schedules bi-annual inspections, and be sure they aren’t recommending unnecessary repairs. A roofing contractor’s goal should be to provide the client with a detailed report to assist with planning for the future. The inspection isn’t meant just to point out emergency defects, but rather to provide long-term solutions to issues that may be underlying or on-going for the client. By providing budgetary costs for maintenance, repairs, and replacement, we allow the client to decide when to “pull the trigger”. 

Our team at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. prides ourselves on professionalism and our industry-leading reporting. If you’re ready to start a maintenance relationship with a company you can trust, contact us today, or see what some of our current customers are saying.

Rooftop Safety Compliance 101

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Each year, around 50 roofers will suffer a fatal fall. In the construction industry, falls are responsible for about 40 percent of all work-related deaths. But, despite these sobering statistics, fall protection is the most violated health and safety standard according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

In 90 percent of the fatal falls that occur, there was not a proper fall-protection plan in place. To stop these preventable accidents and protect from injury and liability lawsuits, it’s important that roofing companies stay up to date on OSHA regulations and that facilities take precautions to protect employees who will be working atop a roof.

Fall Protection Basics

Fall Exposure Risks—The first thing an employer should ask at a work site is if their workers are exposed to the risk of falling. OSHA defines fall exposure in the construction industry as any potential fall of more than 6 feet. Generally, fall exposure on rooftops occurs in five different ways:

  • Roof Access—Many falls occur before anyone even reaches the roof on a ladder or on scaffolding.
  • Roof Edge—A roof’s edge provides the most obvious danger for a fall and can send people down multiple stories to the ground.
  • Obstacles and Openings—Many commercial roofs have skylights or vents that workers can mistakenly fall into.
  • Roof Systems—Many commercial roofs will house important equipment like HVAC systems. Because workers often need access to this equipment, the area surrounding rooftop systems presents a high risk of fall exposure.
  • Navigation—Rooftops with tricky obstacles or low visibility can pose a safety risk to workers.

Preventing Falls—OSHA requires that employers provide fall protection systems for their employees. This includes:

  • Covering holes like skylights or other penetrations using a cover or railing
  • Building guardrails and toe-boards near certain ledges and on lifts
  • Creating warning systems for areas with a fall risk
  • Providing fall restraint systems (like harnesses) when workers will be near edges
  • Securing ladders and other equipment used to access a building’s roof

In some cases, OSHA also recommends the use of fall arrest systems, such as safety nets. In commercial roofing, personal fall arrest systems are also common. These systems use harnesses and some sort of shock-absorbing line to prevent workers from falling quickly to the ground.

Innovation In Fall Safety

Roofing is a constantly evolving industry, and new technology is finding its way into fall safety. While physical barriers, fall restraint, and arrest systems are critical for protecting people on a building’s roof, there is new emerging technology that helps make roofing even safer. 

    • Drone Inspections—The best way to prevent a fall is to keep people off the roof entirely. The use of imaging drones for inspections allows roofers to identify problems or create maintenance plans without ever putting themselves near a dangerous ledge.

Finding a Roofing Partner that Values Safety

No matter how safety-conscious a general contractor or facility manager may be, employees will be at risk if roofers don’t also value safety. It’s important that roofing companies work to protect their own workers while on the job and to install safety equipment on the roof to protect other workers in the future. Here are a few things to check for when vetting a roofing company’s safety regulations.

      1. Does the roofer conduct a Job Hazard Analysis?

        The first step in preventing a workplace accident is to conduct a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). This includes a specific protocol for evaluating fall risks and creating a rooftop safety plan.

      2. Does the roofer follow OSHA standards by providing railing systems, roof anchors, and penetrations?

        OSHA lays out specific building requirements for roofs with skylights to prevent people from falling through them. The agency also requires railing systems for ladders and has specific requirements for roof anchors that can support workers in harnesses. A safety-conscious roofing company should be able to provide engineering and installation for each of these safety requirements.

      3. Does the roofer consider HVAC worker safety?

        Once a roof is built, HVAC workers will likely be the most frequent visitors to a building’s rooftop. Roofers who prioritize safety will recommend a guardrail to protect HVAC workers that will be near a roof’s edge.

      4. Does the roofing company provide safety training to its employees?

        All employees who are going to be working on a roof should receive some sort of safety training. Roofing companies that value safety will often participate in certification classes through OSHA. Another company safety program is the Certified Roofing Torch Applicator (CERTA) program, which teaches workers how to use roofing torches. Though not specifically designed to prevent falls, CERTA and other certifications show that a company cares about safety.

Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. prioritizes safety as our highest concern. To learn more about how we help protect our employees and the importance of maintaining commercial rooftop safety compliance and fall protection, contact us today.

How Drones are Revolutionizing the Commercial Roofing Industry

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

For a commercial building owner, leaks and other roof damage can be an absolute nightmare to locate and repair. To access hard-to-reach parts of a building, roofers often have to use expensive lifts or cranes, and it can take days to fully analyze a large commercial roof.

However, roofing has come a long way through the years with new technology and equipment. Drones are the latest tool to land in the roofer’s equipment arsenal, and they’re revolutionizing the way commercial roofs get repaired.

Drones Work Fast

With a traditional roof assessment, roofers must climb atop the roof and manually search for damage. This process is time-consuming and requires hours of planning to secure the appropriate equipment to keep roofers safe. If the roof has multiple points of damage, roofers must examine each problem area individually.

While traditional roof assessments can take several days, an aerial drone can easily fly over any type of roof and take photos within hours or minutes. In just that short amount of time, drones can conduct an entire building envelope survey without the disruption caused by having a crew on the roof.

Drones Work Cheap

High-end drones are expensive pieces of equipment and learning to pilot one is a specialized skill. But, even a well-trained pilot and a nice drone cost less money than a roofing team and the equipment needed to get them safely atop a roof. Using drones frees up qualified roofers to focus on other parts of their job, making assessments cheaper for the company and the customer.

Drones Are Accurate

Using a drone for roofing measurements and other simple tasks eliminates human error. When paired with special imaging equipment, like infrared cameras, drones can also detect damage that would be difficult for the human eye to spot. Roofing companies can even use machine-learning software to analyze drone images and identify the types of damage, eliminating the guesswork in traditional inspections.

Drones Don’t Get Hurt on the Job

To get their jobs done, roofers often have to climb, balance, or dangle in precarious positions. While good roofing companies always have the best safety equipment to keep their employees safe, falls and other injuries are always a risk with traditional roof surveys. While drones are not immune to damage, a broken propeller is certainly preferable to a broken arm.

Drones Open Up New Possibilities

While drones are becoming more prevalent in the roofing industry, their use hasn’t yet spread into the mainstream. More widespread use of drones could allow roofers to offer cheaper and more frequent inspections. In the future, drones will be equipped with better cameras, opening up even more opportunities for drone roofing.

Having the best technology can give roofers a cutting edge, but expertise and experience still matter. Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has been around for nearly 70 years and has maintained its reputation and quality of service through many shifts in technology.

Learn more about Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.’s drone services and contact us today.

Professional Development: CERTA Train-the-Trainer Certification

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Commercial roofing can be a hazardous business. In addition to working from dangerous heights while installing complicated equipment, many of the tools used during a project should be handled carefully. Torch-down systems are one of the most potentially-hazardous aspects of the job. For this reason, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) developed the Certified Roofing Torch Applicator (CERTA) program to train installers on the safe use of roofing torches. As the need for CERTA training increased, the NRCA was looking for a way to scale their training program.

Investing in Our Employees Through CERTA Train-the-Trainer Certification

Earlier this year, Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. was selected by the NRCA to host its regional Train-the-Trainer Authorization program, which allows roofing contractors (and others) to lead the CERTA class without NRCA’s assistance.

The training was held in advance of NRCA’s International Roofing Expo. More than 40 attendees, including Maxwell Roofing employees and other roofing professionals, spent an entire Sunday learning the ins-and-outs of CERTA Training. As the host, Maxwell was honored to partner with the NRCA, as they provided the knowledge and training for proper roof torching.

“I was fortunate enough to be a part of this event and earned my CERTA Train-the-Trainer certificate,” said David Daniel, Project Manager for Maxwell Roofing. “I got to meet others in the industry and trade best practices,” he adds.

Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.’s Commitment to Employee Development

For the Maxwell Roofing leadership team, employees are family. Whether it’s hosting an employee appreciation event or offering specific professional development opportunities for commercial roofers, we believe that investing in our employees is an important priority.

“Safety and training are key to the future of the industry. Being able to participate in something like this makes me proud to be a part of the team here at Maxwell Roofing,” Daniel affirms.

If you’re looking for a commercial roofing partner in Nashville or Huntsville who values training and continuing education and skills, we invite you to learn more about our services or read how we’ve partnered with businesses like yours.

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.

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.

3 Ways Our Huntsville Team Prioritizes Service

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

For nearly 70 years, Maxwell Roofing has based our business on five core values: quality, teamwork, integrity, professionalism, and service. While many businesses create values only to set them aside to collect dust on the proverbial shelf, our team is constantly striving to find new ways to integrate them into our work every day.

3 Ways Our Huntsville Team Prioritizes Service in Every Project

For our team, service means facilitating relationships to understand client needs and provide an exceptional customer experience. We recently reached out to our Huntsville Service Account Manager, Brian Mecomber, to get his take on what it means for his team to prioritize service for our clients in Northern Alabama daily.

Here are a few specific ways Maxwell Roofing’s Huntsville team works to understand the needs of our clients and provide an exceptional experience through extraordinary service:

  • Rapid response time. Our team recognizes the importance of working quickly to install, repair, or conduct maintenance on all our roofing projects. We’re also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency repairs. In addition to providing priority service through our MAXCare program, our Huntsville team has developed a triage system that allows us to rush to the most serious repairs first.
  • Industry-leading professionalism. The Maxwell Roofing team has more experience and expertise than many others in the commercial roofing industry. Each of our trained roof technicians is a full-time employee, which is something that you don’t often find within the industry.
  • Proactive and open communication about issues and repairs. 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. Our team provides detailed photo reports with our recommended solutions and quotes. We work to ensure you and your tenants know when an issue is fixed. We also work to proactively keep roof warranties intact and address any potential issues before a client’s warranty expires.

Having a local presence in Huntsville has given Maxwell Roofing the ability to build a proven track record of quality service. If you’re looking for a commercial roofing partner in the Northern Alabama area, we invite you to learn more about our services or read how we’ve partnered with businesses like yours.

How to Choose the Right Commercial Roofing Partner in Huntsville

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

No matter the location, when commercial roofing needs arise, customers want a commercial roofing partner that can provide cost-effective and full-service roofing solutions with a level of depth found in reporting, accessibility in the case of emergencies and leaks, as well as quality and reliable roof-management service. From construction to fabrication to service, Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has a trusted reputation of being more than just a commercial roofing contractor. Additionally, with nearly 70 years of history and experience, the Maxell team takes responsibility seriously.

From a local business that originally served Middle Tennessee, Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. officially expanded to Northern Alabama in 2010. With the opening of a satellite office in Huntsville, Alabama, Maxwell’s team serves the commercial roofing demands of the Northern Alabama region and has a highly-regarded reputation in the region as an honest and capable commercial roofing and sheet metal contractor.

For those on the search for the best commercial roofing partner in and around Huntsville, Alabama, here’s a look at some of the unique factors within the North Alabama market, as well as key reasons to choose Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. over the competitors.

A Look at the Huntsville Commercial Roofing Market

What’s unique about the Huntsville commercial roofing market? Maxwell Roofing’s Service Account Manager for its Huntsville office says, “There are not a lot of commercial roofing companies in the Northern Alabama area that focus efforts on roof repair nor have service departments. Most of the companies that exist in the region just want to roof or re-roof.” This opens the door of opportunity, allowing Maxwell Roofing to shine, as the company is a full-service partner for the entire lives of their customers’ buildings. As opposed to being a “storm-chaser” roofing company that’s here today and gone tomorrow, Maxwell is a family-run business that trades on its reputation. As a market leader in quality, documentation, and customer service, the acclaimed Maxwell Roofing legacy remains strong in Huntsville and throughout the Mid-South.

Why Choose Maxwell Roofing?

When making the call on which commercial roofing company to partner with in and around Huntsville, Alabama, Mecomber says, “Maxwell’s attention to detail, competitive urgency, professionalism, and detailed reporting process are just a few of the differentiators that make the company stand apart in the Huntsville commercial roofing industry.” Additionally, every Maxwell Roofing team member is a full-time employee, which is something that you don’t often find within the industry. “Even more, Maxwell’s local presence and accessibility is something that means a lot to our customers,” affirms Mecomber. In other words, when you call Maxwell, you get a quick response, which is not always the standard in the commercial roofing business.

Perhaps atop the list of Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.’s unique differentiators is MAXCare, coined as the most comprehensive roof management program in the industry. Maxwell customers across the Mid-South have affirmed that no other program provides property managers, maintenance supervisors, facility managers, and building owners with more value or a higher level of service, offering cost savings, education, and preventing future unexpected roofing surprises.

Curious to know more about how Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. stands out in the Huntsville and North Alabama commercial roofing market? Contact us today to connect with one of our Huntsville team members!