Ponding Water On Flat Roofs – What You Need To Know
How ponding water affects commercial roofs and what to do about it Commercial roofing systems are prone to all sorts of issues that arise from weather incidences that are often really hard to see with the naked eye. While low-slope roofs, often associated with commercial properties, are constructed to withstand abuse from the elements, they have one particular downside – they’re often out of sight. Ponding water on commercial roofs is considered to be one of the most common threats to roof durability and is attributed to a large number of emergency service calls resulting in flat roof repair. While every occurrence of ponding water is not a telltale sign of damage to come, it should be monitored and addressed as soon as possible. This blog post should inform you of the main aspects to be aware of regarding ponding water on flat roof systems. What Does Ponding Water Mean? Ponding water, often called ‘incidental ponding water’, means that water from events like rainfall has accumulated in puddles on a flat roof system and has not drained away from the building via a drainage system. To a certain extent, every flat roof system is intended to withstand a reasonable amount of ponding water until it eventually evaporates away, leaving the low-slope roof nice and dry. A period of 48 hours of ponding water is considered […]
When Is the Best Time of Year to Replace a Commercial Roof?
If your commercial roof is constantly leaking, whether due to bad weather, snow build-up or wear and tear, you probably need a roof replacement. Also, if you’re spending too much time and money on maintenance and repairs, it’s probable that your commercial roof is dilapidated and needs replacement. Most commercial roofing materials last between 15 to 30 years. So, if you’re getting closer to this time, it’s time to start planning when to replace your commercial roof. Although most commercial operators understand the seriousness of roof replacement, most don’t know the best time to replace a commercial roof. Below we will try and answer this question and explore the best time to replace your commercial roof. The Best Time to Replace Your Commercial Roof In New England, the simple answer to this question is between March to December. As a general rule of thumb, replacement during January and February is not ideal, unless we have a mild winter. Most roofing products can be installed during this time, with technology like heat boxes and heat blankets. However, it is always easier to install a roof when nature is on your side. The biggest downside of a winter installation is the temperature of the roofing materials during the installation. During the colder months, the membrane rolls themselves are cold, making them very tight. Once the warmer weather […]
Extending The Lifespan Of Your New Commercial Roof
How do you extend the lifespan of your new commercial roof? It is a very important question to ask when you make that big investment in improving your property. Get the answer right, and you will get the return you deserve, but get it wrong, and you are throwing money away. Based on its cost and importance, you should care for your commercial roof. A new roof is a new start in protecting your building and putting a lot of old problems behind you. Let’s take a look at how you can extend the lifespan of your commercial roof. Keep roof drains, gutters and scupper boxes clean A significant amount of people fail to keep leaves and debris out of water outlets. This causes drains, gutters, scupper boxes, and other water outlets to get clogged, causing a variety of problems. This can include damaging the underlying insulation, water running over counter-flashing details and into the building, or even water running off the side of the building, which wears down siding work, painting work, etc. Scheduling an annual cleaning from a roofing contractor can keep so many problems from developing. People always ask if they can do this themselves. With basic cleaning, the answer is typically yes if you are capable of doing so, but we can tell you from experience that 99% of people forget. […]
Membrane Formula Change – New and Improved, Inconsistent and Unproven
In the world we live in today, we want everything we buy to be the latest and greatest. Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, car, appliance, or even a kid’s toy, the newest products are what everyone wants and talks about. Even a model of just about any product above a year or two old can be sold for steep discounts in favor of clearing space for upcoming models. However, with most construction products, especially flat commercial roofing products, the opposite is typically true. Why? Probably the biggest reason, in my opinion, is that unlike most consumer items, construction products are something that you will likely live with for decades. Even something as major as a car is typically replaced every 5 to 10 years. Compare that to a flat roof system, which is typically warranted from 15 to 30 years. As a result, product failure or shortcoming is something that you may have to live with for a long time, especially if it isn’t backed up by a strong warranty. This means that for many people who are experienced in construction, they don’t want to be the guinea pig with something that will last such a long time and comes with such a high price tag. Another reason that consistency prevails in the construction industry is that oftentimes, manufacturers will release a new product to […]
Roof Proposals – What to Keep an Eye Out For
Making sense of roofing proposals from different contractors offering varying solutions can be very daunting. Just understanding the myriad of solutions can be difficult enough without adding in products, terminology, etc. What makes it extraordinarily difficult, in my opinion, is when proposals are vague. In flat commercial roofing, there are a few key points to keep an eye out for in a quality proposal. They are: Tear Off or Go Over: If there are two or more roofs, or if the underlying insulation is wet, a tear off is generally required. If one roof is in place and only a few areas are wet, then the wet areas can be replaced on a limited basis. However, in flat commercial roofing, there is a big cost difference between removing the existing roof system and going over it. Therefore, it is very important to know what solution your contractor is proposing. Insulation Thickness and “R” value: Typically, in a go-over application, a minimum of 1” polyisocyanurate insulation or ½” HD polyisocyanurate insulation is used as a separation between the old roof system and the new roof system. However, if a full tear off is being completed, building code typically requires that the insulation be brought back to code. In 2020, this could mean installing 4.5” to 5.2” of insulation, depending on what building code calls for in […]
Heating versus Cooling Your Roof: Which is Better in New England?
Heating versus cooling a flat roof in New England has always been a hotly contested debate. I have been to countless seminars on this subject, and have heard the following arguments: In New England, we are heating our buildings more often than cooling them. On the average building in New England, it’s undeniable that we are heating our buildings more often than cooling them. Air conditioning typically runs consistently from June to August (3 months). On the other hand, heating typically runs consistently from October to April (7 months). As a result, the argument is that we are better off installing a black roof system that heats the roof than a white roof system that cools the roof. The heating benefit lasts for 7 months compared to the cooling benefit, which lasts for only 3 months. The strongest argument that I have heard against this theory is that during the winter, once the snow falls, the roof is white regardless. The black membrane may help melt a small amount of snow, but much like your driveway, once snow builds up, you have a snowy white surface instead of a black surface. This doesn’t happen during the summer, so the cooling benefit is there during the entire season. Rooftop equipment benefits from a cooler surface. During the hottest points of the summer, a black roof system […]
Installing A Greener Commercial Roof For Your Business
Installing A Greener Commercial Roof For Your Business Installing a greener commercial roof for your business will save you money. Isn’t that nice to hear when you are considering your roofing options? The good news continues as the long-term savings can be substantial. Less heat loss, better heat reflection, and more control over running the AC will put more money in the company’s pocket over the years.At Chaffee Roofing we know the benefits of installing a greener commercial roof. Clients appreciate the quality of our work and make use of Chaffee Roofing’s many decades of experience. We use our knowledge of greener roof materials to determine which one will work best on your roofing project. This is why we believe TPO is the best commercial roofing material to enhance your green credentials. Let’s take a closer look behind our reasons. TPO is white and reflects the heat In our New England climate, you could be running the air conditioning from late spring to early fall. Energy use is a big enemy of the environment, and the HVAC is a significant expense in any company’s budget.TPO is available in white, which will reflect the heat. The less heat absorbed from the sun, the less you need to run the AC. This can be significant with a large commercial roof. Also, by reflecting the UV rays of […]