It can be challenging to keep a close eye on the condition of your facility's roof. Often, it's a case of "out of sight, out of mind" until a leak disrupts your operations. When you are in charge of multiple buildings, things get even more complex. You may be facing drastically different climates or building codes and often have to work with different local roofing contractors. This could bring inconsistency in results and standards, as well as overcomplicated logistics associated with managing multiple vendors. How can you simplify and streamline this process? To find answers, we asked a few commercial roofing industry veterans with decades of experience in both regional and nationwide roofing portfolio management.
Introducing our expert panel for today! We are delighted to have with us the following CentiMark associates: Don Lyter, Director of Service, Global Accounts; Jakub Darling, Western Group Service Director; Steve Houck, National Account Manager; and Christopher Sellers, Southern Group VP of Sales. Get ready for an insightful session with these industry leaders!
Let’s start with the basics. Why is it so important to know the condition of your roof?
Jakub: One of the most important reasons for you to understand the condition of your facility's roof is to stay ahead of potential issues before they become major problems that can damage your facility's contents. It's similar to visiting a doctor - you want to catch things early before they escalate. At CentiMark, we use our preventative maintenance program to get a professional assessment of your roof and address any issues before they become major problems.
I have to start small. What types of roof maintenance and repairs do I absolutely need?
Chris: That's a great question! Something is better than nothing. Just like you wouldn't buy a new vehicle and never change the oil or get the brake pads replaced, you always have to have some sort of maintenance done. So, one of the easiest things you can do is have a visual inspection. Having a highly trained roofer, like a trained CentiMark professional, inspect the roof to identify potential issues can help avoid problems down the line. Taking small steps today can prevent these minor issues from turning into major problems if neglected. Regular inspections can have a big impact on maintaining your roof system.
I just acquired a commercial property. What are my next steps in maximizing my roof's life?
Don: What we always recommend is a three-step process. The first step is to evaluate the roof. The second step is to review the data that you've collected from that evaluation and the third step is to determine the implementation plan for that roof moving forward. With the first step, the evaluation, we really need to get out there and see what's on the roof. It’s important to know the condition of the existing roof system along with all the various components like projections and perimeter flashings. We need to look at the drainage, how the water is being evacuated from the roof, whether there is a roof slope, internal drains or gutters and how they are working. We also need to look at the components of the roof system itself, such as the underlying insulation and structural decking to determine their condition and see if there are any immediate needs to ensure that your roof is in good working order or if it needs to be replaced.
Once we've completed the evaluation, let's go ahead and review all that data. Once you know the condition of your roof, how long it's going to last and what immediate needs you have, you can put an implementation plan in place so we can extend the life of that roof and maximize the value of that asset. For example, if the roof is in good condition, then we look at some kind of maintenance routine for the next several years. We offer three types of roof evaluation tools that follow the process described: a comprehensive roof evaluation, Asset Alert and Portfolio Management.
How do I decide between a comprehensive roof evaluation and the Asset Alert program?
Don: Your roof's condition is crucial. Do you have any urgent needs, such as roof leaks or is your roof nearing the end of its life? In these cases, we recommend having a CentiMark professional come out to conduct a thorough roof evaluation and provide a detailed report to address these issues as soon as possible.
The next step is the Asset Alert program. This is for situations where you may not have urgent issues, but you want to know the current condition of your roof and what to expect in the future. Our Asset Alert inspection involves examining every section of your roof. Your building may have multiple roof types or sections, each aging differently. We assess each section and provide ratings (A, B, C or D) along with a general life expectancy. This gives you insight into your roof's current condition, expected lifespan and any immediate needs to extend its life, maximizing the value of your asset. Another advantage of Asset Alert is knowing when to plan for a roof replacement or major repairs. This can help you avoid unexpected capital spend. By implementing recommendations and preventive maintenance, we can preserve roof components such as insulation or decking potentially reducing the overall cost of a roof replacement by 30-50%. Additionally, this approach minimizes disruptions to your business operations and reduces environmental impact by avoiding unnecessary material disposal. Evaluating and maintaining your roof now can lead to significant cost savings in the long run.
CentiMark’s Portfolio Management Program allows customers with multiple roofs to seamlessly manage all of their roofing needs and projects in an easy, centralized way. How can I determine if the Portfolio Management Program is a good fit for my company?
Steve: I believe that Portfolio Management is a great fit for any company with multiple properties. In my previous career as a buyer for a company with over 600 locations, one of my biggest frustrations was the lack of data. I didn't know what I didn't know, so I couldn't prioritize my spend and help save the company money. Without the data and information to guide your decisions and allocate your resources effectively, you could spend a lot on unexpected repairs that could have been avoided.
Enrolling in the Portfolio Management Program helped us as a company to gain a clear understanding of our assets. Even though I hadn't visited some properties in years, I still had all the current information to make informed decisions. Knowledge is key! Data helps drive decisions. The Portfolio Management Program helps you prioritize your spending. You will know which locations need to be replaced sooner than later and you can proactively figure out what to do instead of reacting.
Chris: Both Asset Alert and the Portfolio Management Program are for anyone who wants to have better control over their spending, make informed decisions using data and benefit from budgeting and long-term planning for a single building, multiple sections or an entire portfolio. They are not designed for a specific audience, but for anyone who needs, wants and has to have a better understanding of their assets in order to make better decisions.
I oversee numerous facilities across North America; how can I enroll in the Portfolio Management Program and what are the associated costs?
Don: Enrollment and starting the process is simple. It all begins with a facility list. We just need to understand the size and complexity of your locations, as well as their proximity to CentiMark offices. After that, we review everything to determine the cost of inspecting all of the facilities. For larger roofs, it is typically one to two cents per square foot. With over 100 offices in North America, we have the capacity to quickly assess all your roofs, provide you with all the data and house it in one centralized location.
Can you share any success stories or notable examples of how customers have benefited from the program and how it helped make their assets last longer?
Steve: Our customer, a carrier company with over 200 terminals, enrolled in the Portfolio Management Program to monitor all its locations. With our assessment of all the roofs and the projected life expectancy for each roof section at all the buildings, along with proposed repairs and maintenance, the customer was able to develop their 5-year capital spend for roofing and maximize their budget. They can now easily oversee and manage their entire roofing portfolio online and access all necessary documentation and estimates. They have a clear overview of their roofing needs and spend throughout North America and take care of every location effectively. Planning ahead and taking proactive measures has resulted in savings and better decision-making.
Proactive measures are what can make or break your budget. A well-maintained roof can last much longer than one that has been neglected. I was on a roof recently at a hotel. Even though it was 24 years old and experienced a lot of foot traffic, the roof was still in good shape because it received regular maintenance and repairs. Another recent example is a manufacturing plant I visited last week with a roof that was over 20 years old. Proactive maintenance allowed them to extend their roof’s life by five years, delaying the need for a costly replacement.
What are the unique roofing challenges big brands face across North America and how can the National Account Program help solve them?
Steve: Managing a large portfolio of locations across the country poses challenges in maintaining consistency. With our National Account Program, you will have a single point of contact for all your roofing needs. Whether you have an issue in Pennsylvania or Washington, you only need to make one call to your dedicated national account team. They will send the right people to inspect the roof and come up with solutions that best fit your needs, effectively eliminating the distance between you and all the roofs you manage.
How does a CentiMark customer track the maintenance and repair history of their roof?
Jakub: We provide a unique customer portal called CentiMark’s Digital Customer Experience (CMDCX). CMDCX gives our customers access to their facility's roofing history, including past and current repairs, roof proposals, warranties and more. This allows you to fully understand your roof's current condition and provides you with all the information you need to manage your facility's roof properly.
Managing commercial roofs, especially for corporations with multiple locations, may seem challenging. We hope we were able to answer some of your questions. Stay tuned for our next #AskCentiMark where we will cover the specifics of roof inspections, various technologies used in roof evaluations and more!
About Our Expert Panel
Don Lyter
Director of Service, Global Accounts
Don has 30 years of experience in the commercial roofing industry. He began as a roofing laborer and has grown his career to become the Director of Service for Global Accounts. His extensive hands-on experience in production, service, estimating and project management enables him to truly understand the needs and challenges of virtually every facility in North America. He is currently focused on streamlining roof management for global brands, ensuring that every building in customers' portfolio, regardless of its location, is taken care of.
Jakub Darling
Western Group Service Director
With 20 years at CentiMark, Jakub has grown from the roofing service crews to the role of Western Group Service Director. He now coordinates national accounts and trains service teams and account managers. Throughout his career, Jakub has worked with various types of roofs and handled every imaginable issue. His extensive experience and practical knowledge make him a reliable leader for any commercial roofing project.
Steve Houck
National Account Manager
Steve brings a unique blend of experience to CentiMark. He offers an advanced understanding of the roofing needs of national brands. Before starting his career in commercial roofing, Steve worked as a buyer for a global entertainment corporation, managing hundreds of facilities from coast to coast. Having been in those shoes himself, he truly understands the unique challenges you face as a buyer and facilities manager responsible for multiple locations. Now at CentiMark, Steve is here to help national brands by providing commercial roofing and flooring solutions with unmatched service.
Christopher Sellers
Southern Group VP of Sales
Chris has been with CentiMark for over 15 years, establishing himself as a leading expert in the roofing industry. Throughout his career, he has worked in various regions across the country, gaining extensive experience with a wide range of commercial buildings. From small farms to military installations and nuclear sites, manufacturers and hospitals, Chris has seen it all. His diverse background equips him with a deep understanding that every company has unique roofing needs and requirements. Chris' expertise and comprehensive knowledge make him a trusted advisor for any commercial roofing project.