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September 2023 eNewsletter
In this eNewsletter, we delve into strategies for maximizing your 2024 roofing budget, examine five critical factors for selecting a commercial roofing contractor, explore how a roofing configurator can help you visualize your upcoming project and highlight key items to monitor to ensure the safety and top-notch condition of your facility's floors. Please continue to the articles below!Plan for Success: Your 2024 Roof Budget
Out of sight out of mind, your facility’s roof may often take a back seat to other operational priorities. Yet, allocating resources for it in your annual budget planning can lead to savings in the long run. Overlooked roof damage caused by harsh weather or aging can lead to unexpected expenses and problems such as roof leaks. Preventing such issues starts with learning everything about your roof and planning ahead.
- ✔ Schedule a Comprehensive Roof Evaluation: The initial step in establishing your 2024 roofing budget is to arrange a detailed roof assessment to determine your current roof condition. Often, water intrusion can go unnoticed by an untrained eye until it becomes a visible concern. A comprehensive roof evaluation will provide photographs, a written assessment, repair or replacement recommendations and estimated budget figures. Identifying issues early can prevent them from escalating into more significant problems.
- ✔ Review Roof History: Consider your roof's age, maintenance history and warranty. Discuss warranty extension options with your CentiMark roofing professional.
- ✔ Inquire About Maintenance Plans: Whether your roof is new or aging, regular preventative maintenance and cleaning is essential for extending its life. Removing debris, clearing clogged drainage systems, addressing minor repairs or handling deterioration before it worsens can help you reduce long-term repair costs. Including a budget for a maintenance plan in 2024 will contribute to prolonging your roof's life.
- ✔ Climate and Weather Patterns: Research local weather trends and forecasts for 2024. Extreme weather can affect your roof, so allocate a budget for weather-related maintenance and repairs. The National Weather Service and Climate Prediction Center offers valuable research tools such as Experimental Unofficial Long-Lead Forecasts. To stay informed about the current and upcoming hurricane season, utilize updates and resources from the National Hurricane Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Be prepared for emergencies. Having funds set aside can prevent delays in addressing urgent matters.
- ✔ Materials and Labor Costs: Research the current prices of roofing materials and labor costs in your area. Material shortages, labor shortages and market fluctuations can affect pricing, so staying informed is essential.
- ✔ Roofing Trends and Long-Term Roofing Strategy: Stay up to date on industry trends and innovations. New roofing technologies or sustainable options might be worth considering for your facility. Think about your long-term roofing strategy. Are you planning short-term fixes or a more comprehensive, sustainable roofing solution?
Interested in crafting a long-term plan for your facility? At CentiMark, our objective is to educate you about your building's roof and offer strategies for prolonging its life. Your roofing requirements depend on various factors, including your local climate, the function of your facility, rooftop traffic and more.
When you partner with us for your roof management, you'll receive more than just comprehensive evaluations, repairs, reroofing, 24/7 emergency services and roof maintenance. We'll assist you in developing long-term plans and budgets. Utilizing tools like Asset Alert and Portfolio Management, you can conveniently monitor the condition of all your roofs in one place and access estimates for both time and budgetary considerations up to five years in advance. Our team is here to help optimize your investment in your facility's roof. Need assistance with establishing your 2024 roofing budget? Don't hesitate to reach out to us today!
Five Keys to Finding a Reputable Commercial Roofing Contractor
Your facility's roof is the first line of defense against the harsh elements of nature. Its role in protecting your business assets and your associates is of vital importance. Therefore, when partnering with a commercial roofing contractor, here are five key considerations that should be taken into account to ensure an informed decision is made and your investment dollars are prudently spent:
- ✔ The Contractor’s History: If there is a single point that might indicate the reputation of a contractor, it very well might be the number of years they’ve been in business. Contractors that consistently exhibit poor workmanship and /or customer service typically don’t stand the test of time. Review the company’s leadership team and their collective years of experience - success mostly starts at the top and trickles its way down through the ranks. Additionally, take a look at the percentage of their long term employees - it's usually a good indication of a successful, vibrant company.
- ✔ The Contractor’s Financial Stability: Is the company fiscally sound or is it riddled in debt? Does it have the wherewithal to stand behind a warranty claim if deemed necessary and will they even be in business in the years to come? To get a clearer picture, ask what the company’s annual revenue, net worth, total assets and working capital currently is. Other items to inquire about would be their provision for warranty expense, what their insurance coverage is as well as their bonding capacity. Does the company show positive growth year after year and do they continually reinvest in the training of their workforce while implementing new technologies to stay ahead of the competition?
- ✔ The Contractor’s Safety Plan: In construction,especially roofing, it is imperative to work with a roofing company that makes the safety of its customers and its own associates priority number one. Will the contractor offer a detailed safety inspection of your roof’s work site and develop a comprehensive safety plan for your project? Will the plan be thoroughly communicated to their workers as well as your company? Do their crews have ongoing training in first aid, CPR, OSHA, proper procedures and the proper use of all equipment? Additionally, be sure to inquire about their safety Incidence rate which measures a company's performance as determined by the number of injuries for every 100 employees who work 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year. A contractor with a rate that is lower than the industry average of 3.6 is a huge plus and should be a key component of what you look for.
- ✔ The Contractor’s Backlog: A word to the wise is that a good contractor’s project backlog is typically 6 weeks, so any contractor who promises to start your major roofing project in a week or two should probably give you pause to wonder why they have no other projects in their pipeline. There is typically a four to six week timeline from a purchase order being issued until actual construction begins [weather, environmental conditions and material availability being construction variables]. Once construction does begin, it may take several weeks or months to complete the project depending on the size, scope and complexity of the roof.
- ✔ Ask the Contractor for References: Word of mouth is the greatest form of advertising. When a customer is delighted with the work of a given roofing contractor, they’ll be happy to share the details of their good experience. On the contrary, if a contractor’s work is problematic, negative reviews are sure to ensue, by word of mouth as well as social media. A confident contractor that is proud of his company’s reputation should be happy to provide references, photos and customer testimonials along with addresses and company contacts.
While they may not encompass all aspects, these five considerations aim to assist you in navigating your decision-making process as you seek the ideal roofing contractor to collaborate with, both now and in the future. At CentiMark, North America's leading commercial roofing contractor, we are here for all your commercial roofing needs with unmatched experience and bandwith. When you partner with us, you can rely on our 55+ years of commercial roofing experience, over 100 locations from coast to coast and over 300 skilled crews. Our strong financial stability and commitment to safety ensure your peace of mind on every roofing project you have with us. With a typical six-week project backlog, we prioritize quality over haste.
Choose CentiMark for your roofing needs, and experience roofing solutions built to endure and unmatched customer service. To learn more about our capabilities, background and how we can help you, please visit our About us page. If you are a national brand, please check out this page to learn more about roof portfolio management options and benefits available for you. Need help with your roof? Contact us!
CentiMark's CentiVision: A Visual Approach to Roofing
The commercial roofing industry is no exception in an ever-evolving world of technology and innovation. Here at CentiMark, we took a giant leap forward in July 2021 with the launch of CentiVision, a groundbreaking roofing configurator. This advanced tool marks a significant shift in how our customers engage with their roofing projects. It empowers them to visually explore various roof configurations, gaining a comprehensive grasp of both the current state and proposed solution or replacements. With over two years of successful implementation, CentiVision remains a trusted solution for businesses across North America, eliminating uncertainty in their roofing projects.
Visualizing the Future of Roofing Configurations
CentiVision is a dynamic platform designed to empower customers, enabling them to collaborate seamlessly with the CentiMark sales team. Available for both flat and steep slope roofs, it's a powerful, user-friendly tool that streamlines and enhances the entire roofing process. Here's how CentiVision can help you:
- ✔ Empowering Informed Decisions: CentiVision goes beyond traditional roofing solutions by providing customers with a comprehensive view of their existing and proposed roof assemblies. It breaks down the components, highlighting crucial details that are often overlooked. This information equips you with a deeper understanding of your roof system, allowing you to make more informed decisions about repairs, replacements and maintenance.
- ✔ Defect Visualization: One of CentiVision's standout features is its ability to identify and display roofing defects. It's a powerful diagnostic tool that pinpoints issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. By visualizing these defects, you can better understand the urgency of repairs and better prioritize roofing tasks.
- ✔ Seamless Collaboration: CentiVision fosters collaboration between customers and the CentiMark’s sales team. This collaborative approach ensures that all your concerns and preferences are incorporated into the proposed roofing assembly by a highly experienced roofing professional in accordance with local codes, industry requirements and best practices. It's a game-changer for transparency and customer engagement. Visual configurations can be easily shared through the CentiVision platform or as a PDF document. This flexibility ensures that you can easily access and review your roofing plans from anywhere.
- ✔Safety and Finishing Touches: CentiVision is about more than just the basics. It allows you to add roof safety measures and finishing touches to your project. Safety is paramount in roofing and CentiVision ensures that it's an integral part of the planning process. With CentiVision, you can visualize the finished project and make aesthetic decisions that align with your preferences.
Are you planning your 2024 roofing budget?
Integrating CentiVision into your planning workflow will streamline the prioritization of your roofing tasks and enhance internal documentation with clear, easy-to-understand images of current and prospective roof configurations. Contact us today for support in your upcoming year's budget preparation.Customer-Centric Commercial Roofing Journey
The primary goal of CentiVision is to educate customers and simplify the roofing experience. It's a customer-centric approach that aims to demystify the complexities of roofing projects, providing transparency, visualizations and comprehensive information. With CentiVision, roofing projects become collaborative journeys toward the most optimal solution for your facility.
Preventive Measures: Identifying and Addressing Early Signs of Floor Damage
Paying attention to the state of your commercial floor is vital for your building. A damaged floor may affect your business operations in several ways, here are some benefits to keeping your floor in the best shape:
- ✔ Enhancing Safety: Maintaining even surfaces and addressing cracks and raised edges reduces the risk of injuries and potential liability issues.
- ✔ Optimizing Functionality: Proactive floor maintenance ensures that your space functions at its best, supporting seamless operations and product presentation.
- ✔ Smart Financial Planning: Addressing damage promptly avoids the need for costly repairs, allowing for better budget management.
- ✔ Well-Being and Comfort: Preventing moisture damage minimizes the risk of mold growth, fostering a healthier environment for all occupants.
- ✔ Uninterrupted Productivity: Swiftly addressing floor repairs minimizes disruptions to daily operations, preventing productivity losses.
- ✔ Meeting Compliance Standards: Keeping floors in top condition helps you stay in line with building codes and regulations, avoiding fines and operational interruptions.
- ✔ Preserving Property Value: Regular maintenance safeguards property value, benefiting both owners and tenants alike.
What to look for? Here are some common types of early floor damage to keep an eye on:
1. Spalling:
WHAT IS IT: Spalling refers to the chipping, flaking or breaking of the surface layer of concrete or other floor materials. It often occurs due to wear and tear, heavy traffic or exposure to harsh environmental conditions.- SIGNS: Look for areas where the floor's surface appears to be deteriorating, with small chips, cracks or pits forming. In severe cases, larger sections of the floor surface may be crumbling or breaking apart. Spalling can result from freeze-thaw cycles, chemical exposure and abrasion. It's also commonly seen in areas where de-icing salts are used during winter.
2.Spills:
- WHAT IS IT: Spills can include anything from water and oils to chemicals and food substances. Spills are a common cause of floor damage, especially in commercial and retail settings with heavy foot traffic.
- SIGNS: Stains, discoloration or surface damage can indicate spills. Sometimes, the damage may take time to be apparent but can worsen over time if not cleaned and addressed promptly. Spills can lead to staining, corrosion of certain flooring materials and weakening of the floor surface if not cleaned up and managed appropriately.
3.Moisture:
- WHAT IS IT: Moisture damage occurs when excessive water or humidity infiltrates the flooring material causing it to warp, buckle, stain or deteriorate.
- SIGNS: Mold or mildew growth is another indication. Concrete floors may show staining and deterioration due to their porous nature, compromised seams, leaks and high humidity levels.
4. Uneven Joints:
- WHAT IS IT: Uneven joints refer to the gaps or seams between different sections of the flooring or concrete slabs, becoming uneven or raised.
- SIGNS: Uneven joints may be visually noticeable as raised or disjointed areas in the floor. In extreme cases, these areas can crack or break apart. Uneven joints can result from settling or shifting. They are often exacerbated by heavy loads or traffic in commercial spaces.
Identifying these signs of damaged commercial floors early is crucial to preventing further deterioration and ensuring the safety and functionality of your facility's floor. Regular maintenance, inspections and promptly addressing minor issues can help extend the life of your floor and reduce repair costs in the long run. Check out QuestMark's Online Shop for DIY commercial floor repair products or visit their Amazon store. Need professional repairs? Contact us today and let's get started!