March 2025 Roofing and Flooring eNewsletter
With spring showers on the horizon, this edition of our eNewsletter offers insights and practical tips to help you prepare. From securing roofing services early to addressing post-winter damage and seasonal floor maintenance, discover strategies to keep your building in top shape while staying on budget.
Beat the Spring Rush: Secure Your Roofing Project Now to Avoid Delays.
Spring is almost here and the roofing season is about to kick into full gear. As we already know, this year may bring some challenges, including labor shortages and potential cost increases due to inflation, raw material price fluctuations and tariffs. Whether you need roof repairs, a full reroof or are in charge of a new construction project and looking at your roofing options, planning ahead is critical to maximizing your budget and meeting deadlines.
First, let’s take a quick look at the process of roof repairs and commercial roof replacement and why, in some cases, it can take longer than expected. Any roofing project starts with a thorough evaluation of your facility’s roof to assess its condition, needs and challenges, all to determine whether your current installation is actually meeting the operational demands of your facility.
From there, the process of identifying the best solution begins. Do you need repairs? Will applying a roof coating help you stay watertight? Is replacing the roof a more financially sound option rather than constantly battling new leaks due to its age and condition? Will your project be completed in phases, starting with immediate repairs and leading to a full replacement later?
Every facility’s roof is unique and these decisions depend on factors like the roof’s age, the type of operations in your building, whether regular maintenance has been performed, local climate conditions and more.
If a roof replacement is unavoidable, your project could take up to 20 weeks or more, depending on the size and complexity of your roof. Why so long? Because permits need to be obtained, materials need to be ordered and delivered and safety plans need to be put in place. A good contractor typically has a backlog of at least six weeks. Once construction begins, challenges like bad weather can impact your timeline. Plus, certain business operations may limit when roofing crews can work, adding another layer of scheduling complexity.
Now, let’s factor in seasonal changes. If your facility’s roof has taken a hit from snow and freeze-thaw cycles over the winter, it’s definitely worth a closer look. Winter weather can take a toll on your roof system, whether it’s the added weight from heavy snow and ice, thermal shock from freeze-thaw cycles or ice dams. Even a small crack or weak spot can turn into a bigger problem over time as melting snow seeps in and then expands when it refreezes. Winter is tough on any commercial roof, so addressing potential issues before spring showers roll in is key. Just because your facility isn’t experiencing an active leak right now doesn’t mean one isn’t developing overhead.
Now, throw in labor shortages with potential material cost increases and the impact of winter weather on your commercial roof and we've got the perfect storm. How can you navigate these conditions more effectively? Here’s a quick checklist to help you out.
✔ Know your roof:
Schedule a free, comprehensive roof inspection now. The sooner you understand the condition of your roof, the sooner you can prioritize tasks and allocate your budget.
✔ Schedule your roofing projects as soon as possible:
Once you have your inspection report, don’t wait to book your repairs or replacements. The sooner you get on the schedule, the more control you’ll have over pricing and timelines.
✔ Sign up for a preventative maintenance plan:
Properly maintaining your roof can make or break your budget. Ignoring your roof can shorten its life and lead to expensive repairs or an early replacement. In fact, more than 25% of roofing expenses are related to unplanned repairs, costs that could have been avoided. Preventative maintenance plans will help extend the life of your roof, catch minor damage before it escalates into a larger problem and, in many cases, are required to comply with your roof warranty terms.
✔ Explore roof safety products:
Staying compliant and reducing the risk of accidents is key when your team or contractors access your roof.
Commercial roofing emergencies can lead to significant costs, especially with material cost increases, shortages and backlogs. Stay on top of your budget and timelines by following the checklist. Ready to assess your facility’s roof and map out a game plan for the year? Contact us today to get started.
Snow is Gone, What's Left Behind?
Phew, what a winter! Violent storms, snow on the beach and wild temperature swings from coast to coast, we have seen plenty of the unexpected. But one thing we can expect is the impact this winter had on our commercial buildings, especially the roofs that battled heavy snow and ice, high winds and thermal shock from freeze-thaw cycles.
Now that we (hopefully!) have that behind us, it's time to assess the damage. With a busy roofing season ahead and summer storms just around the corner, post-winter roof repairs and maintenance are a must. So, what issues should you be looking for?
✔ Roof drainage issues and ponding water:
High winds can bring debris build-up and ice dams can clog gutters and downspouts disrupting proper water flow, putting your roof to the test. After a winter like this, your facility's roof may need some immediate repairs or maintenance to prepare for the upcoming storms. Proper drainage is critical because ponding water is the first step toward leaks and other damage.
✔ Damaged seams, flashings and weakened roof materials:
Extreme temperature swings put your roof system under constant stress. The repeated expansion and contraction, combined with the freezing and thawing of snow and rainwater, can turn minor damage into major issues over time. These cycles weaken seams, flashings and other critical components of your roof. Additionally, trapped moisture beneath the membrane can lead to blisters and bubbles, compromising adhesion and causing further deterioration.
✔ Wet insulation:
Water intrusion, whether from damage caused by temperature swings or ponding water, can ruin your insulation and reduce its effectiveness. Wet roof insulation can lose up to 40% of its original thermal resistance. This leads to higher heating costs in the winter and higher energy bills during hot summer months.
✔ Major roof system failure:
You can't miss this one! A roof collapse from excessive snow and ice is a real risk if it isn't properly cleared during winter. Snow and ice are heavier than they appear. Just one inch of wet, dense snow weighs 1.66 lbs/sq.ft. Left unchecked, snow and ice can put immense pressure on your roof system. Eventually, the weight can stretch your roof's capacity to the limit, causing sagging or even collapse. Hopefully, this isn't something you've had to deal with this winter. But if timely snow removal was missed, it's crucial to check your roof's integrity now to prepare for summer storms and the coming winter.
As you can see, winter weather can significantly damage your facility's roof. Once the snow melts, it is essential to inspect your roof for any signs of damage and make necessary repairs before spring showers and summer storms test your roof's integrity. Just because you don't notice any active leaks, doesn’t mean problems aren’t developing above your head. Schedule a free, comprehensive roof inspection with #TeamCentiMark to evaluate your roof's condition and identify any post-winter damage early on. We recommend inspecting your commercial roof at least twice a year, during seasonal changes and after major weather events.
To keep your commercial roof in good condition, preventative maintenance is key. It helps extend the roof's life by addressing minor issues before they turn into costly repairs. Ready for a post-winter tune-up? Contact us today!
Floor Care for Spring: Preparing Your Facility for the New Season.
Snow, ice, de-icing chemicals and freezing rain are now in the rearview mirror, but they may have left a lasting impact on your facility's floor, parking lot, sidewalks and exterior surfaces. A proactive approach to seasonal maintenance will help protect your facility and extend the life of your floor.
The Winter Trifecta: Time to Restore Your Floor from Snow, Salt and Dirt:
Winter's wear and tear doesn't disappear with the last snowfall. Foot traffic and vehicles have likely tracked in mud, ice, snow and de-icing chemicals, despite your best cleaning efforts. Sand, debris and salt can:
✔ Etch your polished concrete floor
✔ Seep into VCT seams
✔ Cause abrasions on other flooring types
What's the next step? Start with a free comprehensive commercial floor inspection to assess the damage and determine what's needed, whether it's repairs, resurfacing, deep cleaning or protective treatments.
Customizing Your Spring Cleaning Plan by Industry:
Every facility has unique flooring challenges, from heavy foot traffic to exposure to chemicals and heavy machinery. Here's how to fine-tune your spring floor care strategy to keep up with the specific needs of your industry.
Manufacturing and Warehousing
Heavy machinery, forklifts and constant foot traffic take a toll on concrete and epoxy floors. Spring is the perfect time to:
✔ Repair surface damage
✔ Reapply coatings
✔ Polish concrete
✔ Refresh safety line striping and demarcation areas
Planning for a holiday shutdown in the summer? Larger flooring projects requiring minimal traffic, such as resurfacing or repolishing concrete, should be scheduled now to avoid delays.
Retail and Grocery Stores
Your floor plays a major role in the customer experience. After the recent holiday rush, take time to:
✔ Repair cracks and surface wear
✔ Clean up any stains
✔ Restore safety and accessibility
✔ Improve your store's appearance with floor rejuvenation
Need professional flooring solutions? Explore our floor rejuvenation services, floor maintenance plans or shop DIY commercial-grade flooring products to keep your store looking its best.
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
Safety and hygiene come first in medical environments. Your VCT floor may require deep disinfecting and seam resealing to maintain compliance. Check out our Strip and Wax services that will help you:
✔ Remove dirt, old coatings and traffic wear
✔ Apply multiple coats of wax for protection
✔ Improve moisture and stain resistance
For a flawless finish, we can complete a final burnish within 24-72 hours after application.
Office Buildings
After winter, high-traffic areas can look dull. A deep clean and floor rejuvenation will restore the polished, professional appearance. Thinking about an upgrade? If your carpets look worn, consider polished concrete or other modern flooring options that offer durability, style and easy maintenance.
Schools and Universities
With spring break approaching, now is the time to:
✔ Complete overdue floor repairs
✔ Refresh high-traffic areas
✔ Upgrade to urethane flooring in kitchens, locker rooms and hallways for better durability and easier cleaning
Taking a proactive approach to seasonal maintenance keeps your facility safe, efficient and looking its best.
Checking Your Exterior Surfaces:
Winter's temperature swings can wreak havoc on pavement, sidewalks and other exterior surfaces. When snow and ice melt on your parking lots or sidewalks, water seeps into the tiniest pavement cracks. When temperatures drop again, water refreezes and expands, pulling those cracks wider. With each cycle, the damage worsens. After a harsh winter, your pavement may show:
✔ Cracks
✔ Potholes
✔ Chipped concrete
These hazards aren't just an eyesore. They also pose safety and accessibility concerns. Now's the time to take action. Check out our traffic solutions and DIY repair products to keep your exterior surfaces safe, durable and ADA compliant.
Need guidance? These how-to videos will help you repair exterior surfaces and address ADA compliance:
Let's Do Spring Cleaning Right!
Winter may be behind us, but its impact on your floor and exterior surfaces can linger if left unaddressed. A proactive approach to seasonal maintenance not only extends the life of your facility's floor but also enhances safety, compliance and aesthetics.
Whether you need repairs, resurfacing, protective coatings or deep cleaning, now is the time to act. Schedule your free commercial floor inspection today and ensure your facility is ready for the season ahead. Need in-house training to help your team maximize the life of your floor? We’ve got you covered!
Spring Roof and Floor Maintenance Checklist.
Check out this Spring Roof and Floor Maintenance Checklist, a comprehensive, downloadable resource designed to help commercial property managers prepare their roof, floor and exterior surfaces for the changing season. This easy-to-follow quick guide features a checklist for each area, from roof inspections and repairs to floor maintenance and exterior surface care. It includes practical steps, helpful videos and links to additional resources like CentiMark and QuestMark blogs, DIY shop and professional training services. Whether you're looking to complete essential repairs, refresh safety measures or stay up-to-date with the latest maintenance best practices, this infographic will ensure your facility is in top shape for spring.
Need help? Contact us!
Please complete the form below if you have any questions about the articles or your facility's roof or floor!