How to Clean and Maintain Your Roof

How to Clean and Maintain Your Roof; NRCA Responds to a Recent Article about Roof Maintenance Recommendations

“How to clean and maintain your roof,” an article originally posted by Networx.com Jan. 23, provided advice for homeowners regarding how to maintain their roof systems. The article in its entirety is posted below.

http://www.fox4news.com/story/27923333/how-to-clean-and-maintain-your-roof

Contrary to the article, NRCA does not recommend homeowners access or walk on roofs, and property management personnel should only access roofs if they have the experience and proper equipment to do so safely. For typical residential roofs, an inspection can be performed from the ground or a ladder to access the roof system’s edge. A ladder should extend at least 3 feet above the roof line and should be tied off at the roof edge. If an inspection reveals maintenance or repairs are needed, NRCA recommends an experienced roofing contractor be promptly retained to perform the work.

In addition, NRCA does not recommend homeowners remove snow from roofs. A roof covering may be damaged by dragging objects across the roof’s surface. Also, when attempting snow removal from the ground, snow often remains on out-of-reach parts of the roof. If a roof has a history of ice dam formation, removing snow from the roof may relocate ice dams outside of areas along the eave typically protected by an underlayment.

NRCA also does not recommend scrubbing a roof surface to remove moss because scrubbing likely will damage the roof covering. Scrubbing may dislodge granules from the surface of asphalt shingles, erode wood shingles and wood shakes or damage the finish on metal panels. Moss removal should be handled by experienced professionals who can provide references and proof of insurance. Dark roof stains produced by algae are only a cosmetic issue and algae does not “eat your roof” as the article states.

When installing copper or zinc strips, compatibility with existing flashings should be considered. Runoff from copper strips will accelerate corrosion of steel flashings; runoff from zinc will accelerate corrosion of copper flashings.

Finally, a new asphalt shingle roof system will shed granules initially. These granules are loosely held on the surface of shingles and will fall off. This is typically when homeowner may notice a significant amount of granules in gutters or in the driveway, and there is no reason for worry.

NRCA recommends roof system inspections, evaluations and repairs be conducted by a professional roofing contractor. For additional information about roof system maintenance or to find an NRCA member contractor, www.everybodyneedsaroof.com.

Snow Retention System

SNOW SHOULD ONLY FALL ONCE! Snow often accumulates on a sloped roof. When temperatures go above freezing, the snow accumulation melts. Without snow guards and/or gems, the result can be dangerous as the built up snow and ice slides and falls to the ground, and that extraordinary heavy amount of snow could fall onto a person. Help protect your property, your employees and your customers by installing a Sno gem or Snow Guard system. These can be installed on almost all sloped roof surfaces. Let us help provide solutions for your falling ice and snow problem. Here at Diamond Roofing, we have installed several snow-retention system projects and highly recommend to all of our past, current, and future customers.

See story below about a snow-retention system designed specifically for a new elementary school in Ohio.

Providing a safe and healthy environment for students is clearly a high-ranking consideration in the construction of an elementary school. Architects for the Alton Hall Elementary School in Galloway, Ohio, recognized the need for snow retention and specified the Sno Barricade from Sno Gem Inc. to be attached to the standing-seam roof.“We specified the Sno Barricade because of its proven durability and performance,” says Mike Parkinson, associate project manager at SHP Leading Design of Cincinnati. “We’ve used the Sno Barricade on dozens of projects. I can’t remember the last time it wasn’t on one of our projects. The system is designed specifically for each project by Sno Gem. With the design criteria, they run calculations for the project and prescribed a two-rail system around the entire roof to protect the occupants from potential sliding snow and ice.”

With a layout of the standing-seam metal roof, considering slope, length of run, panel width, annual snowfall and other factors, Sno Gem calculates the best snow-retention solution. “Every metal roofing layout is different and each one requires its own calculations,” notes Jim Carpenter, vice president of Operations at Sno Gem. “Our calculations are based on results obtained from extensive testing of our clamps. In addition, we always apply a 2-1 safety factor when calculating a snow-retention system, essentially meaning each Sno Gem recommendation is always twice as strong as the intended system.”

Employing a 2-to-1 safety factor accounts for unusually strong snow storms—the so-called “one in a hundred year storms.” It’s an inexpensive insurance policy against a rare occurrence.

For the Alton Hall Elementary School, the Sno Barricade was prescribed by Sno Gem. Rush Architectural Metal Erectors Inc. of Washington, Pa., installed 1,850 linear feet of the Sno Barricade around 100 percent of the perimeter of the building. R.A.M.E. also installed the Barricade Plate on Alton Hall. The Barricade Plate is an accessory designed to hold back thinner amounts of ice and snow that could pass beneath the bar. The Barricade Plate is installed on the upslope side of the bar in the middle of the panel. It’s held in place by a tek screw, not visible from the ground. Like the Sno Barricade, the Barricade Plate is available in a color to match any roofing panels.

“Sliding snow and ice is a dangerous problem building owners don’t have to deal with any more because of engineered snow-retention systems,” adds Albert Rush, owner of R.A.M.E. “The Sno Barricade attaches easily and securely without penetrating the panel, so it doesn’t compromise any roofing warranties. The addition of the Barricade Plate provides peace of mind for the occupants, as well as the school district.”

What is the right roof color to help lower energy costs?

How Rising Demand Charges Make the Case for White Roofing

There has been much trade press the past year arguing how far south a black roof will yield energy savings. Their main point is that black roofing has a winter warming benefit. However, the winter sun is not very warm, and many of the calculations assume that commercial buildings are heated with electricity, which is usually not the case.

So, what is the right roof color to help lower energy costs? Much of the modeling understates the case for white roofing, but electric demand charges are changing that perception, since they can increase an electric bill by three times. Whether you’re designing a building or managing a facility, it’s important to understand demand charges—and white roofing is one way to keep costs under control.

Utility companies have to worry about two things when supplying a region—how much power they have to supply each month or quarter, and how to manage peak demands. Think brownouts in California during a summer afternoon, when everyone’s air conditioning is cranked up. If a lot of power is used one hot afternoon in July, the electric company will charge at a higher rate all month long. They focus on the high demand charges that occur in a short period of time and will penalize a building owner for it.

Andre Desjarlais who works at Building Science Research Group Leader, at Oak Ridge National Labs describes two customers—both with the same monthly power usage of 2,500 kWh, except one of them paid over three times more than the other. How is this possible? Let’s take a look at the math:

(Credit: Department of Energy)

Even though both customers used the same total power, Customer A used it within a short window of time and was charged $1,775. Customer B spread out their demand and paid just $515—a third as much.

Sounds convincing, but all bills aren’t that simple. In fact, they’re actually very complicated to figure out, since they often don’t even mention demand charges. Desjarlais provided an example of how this looks on a typical utility bill:

(Credit: Department of Energy)

Look closely at the “Time of Use Detail” section. There are three charges based on actual usage: peak, partial-peak, and off-peak times of the day. Below that is a similar set of charges based on the actual rate of use, where demand charges account for 45% of the total bill! This shows the importance of checking these charges, especially since they rise faster than base charges.

A Californian example by Desjarlais shows demand charges climbing up by 30% over three years:

(Credit: Department of Energy)

Demand charges are an electrical phenomenon, and will be largest during the summer months when AC usage is at its peak. However, there are ways an architect or building manager can combat these extra costs:

• Add additional insulation.   Since insulation saves on both summer and winter charges, it always generates an improvement, regardless of geography.
• White roofing can have its biggest impact in lowering peak demand and, therefore, in lowering demand charges. This is true even for well-insulated buildings.
• Time the start-up of load-intensive equipment (such as refrigerators and air conditioners) to prevent spikes, and of building energy management software to avoid simultaneous operation of HVAC units.
• Use a professionally installed cool, reflective roof such as GAF’s EverGuard TPO or GAF TOPCOAT^® roof coating to reduce a building’s cooling needs and demand charges.
• For the building designer: by lowering AC demand with white roofs, the unit can be downsized. This will lower demand charges even further and reduce upfront capital costs—a true win-win.

To learn more about how to choose the right color roof for you and have electrical savings, give Diamond Roofing a call at 620-225-2622 or 785-537-8008.

Built-Up Roofing Systems

Built-Up Roofing Systems

• Less Puncture Resistant
• Excellent Weather-ability
• Resists Rooftop Abuse
• Time Honored System

This traditional roofing system incorporates the application of multiple layers of insulation boards with the base layer mechanically attached into the substrate with subsequent layers placed in hot asphalt. Multiple plies, alternating fiberglass felts and hot asphalt, are then applied. The system is finalized with either a flood coating hot asphalt, hot asphalt & gravel, or a modified cap sheet.

Roof Integrated Solar Energy

The Growing Solar Industry Demands Certified Solar Roofing Professionals™ Perform Installations

During my years in the roofing industry and as a photovoltaic (PV) professional, I have noticed several issues that often arise during rooftop PV installations.

• It is important to spend time with customers, ensuring they are educated and informed before choosing a PV system for their project, and to provide regular progress reports and follow-ups through projects’ duration.
• Installers must understand and implement proper safety practices for rooftop work and should have experience with the hazard exposures of roofing environments.
• Quality products that fulfill the applications’ needs and specifications must be installed.
• Attention to installation details is a fundamental aspect of successful solar installations.
• The dynamics of the current solar market require diversification, qualification and excellent service to meet PV project demands.

Roof Integrated Solar Energy™ Inc.’s (RISE™) Certified Solar Roofing Professional (CSRP™) credential certifies solar roofing professionals for knowledge about critical roof system construction and maintenance practices necessary to support successful rooftop PV installations. Achieving the CSRP credential matched our company philosophy of ensuring a roof-mounted PV installation will not adversely affect a roof system’s performance.

As a member of the first group who earned a CSRP, I understood the benefits to my company and, more importantly, what this would mean to my customers. Becoming a CSRP and being recognized by an independent organization, provides credibility and a competitive advantage in the growing and demanding PV marketplace.

Roofing contractors with a CSRP credential can assure homeowners, business owners, architects and developers that a PV project is up to the task. Consumers expect and deserve to know that all aspects of a project are being addressed to achieve a successful integration of PV and roofing systems. By choosing a CSRP, a homeowner or building owner will know a PV installation will be handled by the most capable professionals.

Once earned, there are several requirements to maintain the CSRP credential, including continuing education to stay up to date with the latest in PV and roofing technologies, and engaging in professional activities such as presenting at industry trade shows or other public forums.

These requirements provide career enhancement, ensure customers that a roofing contractor is well-informed about the fast changing solar industry, and is capable of meeting their expectations and demands.

Solar roof systems that are not properly installed can result in leaks, fires and inoperable systems—all of which harm the roofing and solar industry’s reputation. An installation by a CSRP can address these issues upfront, helping to avoid incurring additional expenses, as well as other economic losses from an inoperable PV system.

Often, it is said good business practices go a long way, and I have found this to be spot on. I have always been proud of the work my company provides its customers. And earning my CSRP credential fostered a stronger desire to reach for higher standards in the roofing and solar industries. I know that by being a CSRP, I am ensuring my customers’ rooftop PV installations will continue doing their primary job: protecting buildings from the elements

 For more information regarding Solar Roofing, give us Diamond Roofing a call today at 620-225-2622 or 785-537-8008 to speak to one of our roofing experts.

OSHA Requirements

OSHA requirements for reporting fatalities and severe injuries took effect Jan. 1

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule requiring employers to notify OSHA when an employee is killed on the job or suffers a work-related hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye took effect Jan. 1 for workplaces under federal OSHA jurisdiction.

The rule requires employers to notify OSHA of work-related fatalities within eight hours and work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations or losses of an eye within 24 hours. Previously, OSHA’s regulations required employers to report only work-related fatalities and in-patient hospitalizations of three or more employees.

All employers covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act—even those exempt from maintaining injury and illness records—are required to comply with OSHA’s new severe injury and illness reporting requirements.

To report these incidents to OSHA, employers can call their nearest area office during normal business hours by clicking here; call the 24-hour OSHA hotline at 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742); or report online at www.osha.gov/report_online.

For more information about the new rule, visit www.osha.gov/recordkeeping2014.

Construction industry’s resolutions for 2015

More than half of all Americans make New Year’s resolutions. It seems natural at the end of a year and the beginning of a new one to make a pledge to pursue healthier or more productive habits. There is no reason construction professionals shouldn’t take advantage and set positive goals for 2015. Here are a few New Year’s resolutions worth consideration by members of our industry whether you are a CEO, owner, skilled craft professional, or brand new construction apprentice just starting a career.

Roof Maintenance Tips for Property Managers

Roofing problems, if unaddressed, can cause headaches for property managers.

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.”

John F. Kennedy repeated this astute statement in a speech in 1962, and property managers should make it part of their daily work mantra.

A roof can be one of a building’s biggest financial investments and something that is easy to protect and neglect. Roofs receive a constant beating from a variety of sources: extreme weather, structural movement, foot traffic, damage from accidents, and a lack of maintenance. Worst case scenario, repairs left completely ignored can lead to the need for a total replacement. The key is to detect a problem sooner rather than later, before problems become serious.

A well-maintained roof is your first defense to help ensure a secure and worry free property. These tips for maintaining your building’s roof can help save you untold time and expense.

Proactive Inspection and Repair

Roof inspection and consistent maintenance are critical in maximizing a roof’s lifespan and should typically be done on a yearly or bi-yearly basis. The National Roofing Contractors Association, recommends at least two roof inspections every year: one in the spring and one in the fall after the extreme weather of summer and winter. Additionally, it is recommended that you have your roof inspected after any damage, such as construction, fire, or a serious storm.

These are the key elements of an inspection:
•Regardless of shingle type, check for splits, cracks, and missing shingles.
•Regularly clean gutters to prevent leakage and back-up. Heavy, clogged drains can cause stress on the structure of the roof. In winter, ice and snow is the problem, and in the summer, a heavy, clogged gutter can put strain on a roof, but is also the perfect breeding zone for mosquitos.
•Check for debris behind skylights, valleys in the roof, pipes, and any other penetrations.
•Check vents and fans.
•Make sure all seams and joins are secure and that sealants and flashings are in tip top shape.

Consider Your Climate

Location, location, location. This theory applies to more than just real estate sales. For your building’s roof, every season offers it’s own special challenges. From summer storms, to heavy winter snow falls, to leaf pile-up in fall, it all adds a different stress element.

Here are some climate-specific roof problems to consider:
•Vermin and pest control: Termites, squirrels, raccoons, and birds would all love to take up residence in your roof. Block small entry holes and remove new residents as quickly as possible.
•Rain and humidity damage: Heavy rain and consistent humidity are mold’s best friends and can lead to structural damage and tenant allergies. If water damage does occur, remedy the situation quickly and ensure that no materials have permanent damage.
•Heavy storm damage: Driving wind and rain can loosen tiles, start leaks, and cause trees to fall. Do a scan after every storm.
•Snowfall weight damage: A heavy snowfall can put added pressure on the structure. Have a company that offers snow removal services at the ready.
•Sun damage: Excessive sun can shorten the life of many roofing products like sealants. Make regular checks to ensure seals are doing their job.

Work with A Roofing Professional

Extending the life of your roof is the ultimate goal, but in many cases manufacturers require a verifiable roof inspection and evidence of follow through on recommended maintenance to keep roof warranties in full effect. Inspections can be performed by the building owner, but it is usually preferable to seek the expertise of a professional roofer.

A professional roofing company will create a customized inspection and maintenance program tailored specifically to your needs in order to protect your investment. They will analyze roof traffic patterns and check roof materials and mechanics.

Upon completion, a roofing expert will provide you with a detailed report outlining any issues. These reports can subsequently be used as a source of information for valuing your property and setting future budgets.

Also be sure to select the services of someone with experience in your building’s type of roofing system and materials and check to see if the company belongs to any roofing associations. You should also ask for references and check ratings with the Better Business Bureau.

These tips from DisaterSafety.org on How to Choose a Professional Roofer from the start are also helpful.

Make a Checklist

These simple monthly tasks will protect you in the long run.

1. Take routine photos so you can easily monitor any roof changes.

2. Have a disaster plan. Who will you call the moment something goes wrong? When it comes to your roof, the damage can increase exponentially with every moment lost.

3. Be conscious of who’s up there. It’s been shown that approximately 40% of all roof problems occur because of human error. For example, workers going on your roof for window washing or HVAC repair can unknowingly cause damage.

4. Encourage your tenants to inform you of any problems or leaks they encounter immediately, even if on the outside of the building. Help them help you.

A solid roof maintenance and repair plan helps landlords and property managers to avoid major problems by identifying and fixing them before they get out of control and costly, as well as to maintain good communication with tenants and residents, reducing potential legal liability.

Maintaining Clean Gutters and Drains in the Fall

In the last few weeks, we’ve talked a lot about the importance of inspecting your facility roof, performing periodic maintenance and making vital repairs before cold weather sets in. Today, we’re going to focus on just how damaging natural debris can be. All those beautiful autumn leaves can wreak havoc on a facility roof.

Debris Buildup and Unintended Consequences

All it takes is a little moisture and those feather-light leaves biodegrade into a soggy, heavy mass that clogs drains, blocks scuppers and invites mold, fungi and mildew. If not promptly removed, leaves and debris can lead to backed-up water, which increases the live load on the roof deck. Standing water, just 1-inch deep, adds five pounds per-square-foot of live load on the roof assembly. Over time, standing water can leach the pliable properties out of some single-ply membranes, reducing flexibility and the life of the roof.

In the winter, ponding becomes critical when pooling water freezes and expands, forcing its way into tiny cracks or under flashings. Additional ice weight can cause structural damage and expensive repairs, or – in extreme cases – even roof collapse.

Vigilance Reduces Risk

Maintenance crews should be trained to look for leaves and other debris around drains and scuppers. During the fall, frequent checks and prompt debris-removal are necessary to prevent buildup and blockage. Areas of standing water could indicate blocked drains. Partially blocked drains allow water flow, albeit sluggishly, so even if you don’t see standing water that doesn’t mean you don’t have a drainage problem. Staining of the roof’s surface could indicate previous ponding, which is also a red flag. Not every problem caused by leaves and other debris is apparent to the untrained eye so it’s vital to have a qualified roofing professional take a look.

Drains and gutters should be cleared now — before frigid temperatures can turn soggy leaf debris into frozen blockages.

Professional Inspection

In addition to disposing of leaves and debris, a qualified roofing specialist will water-test both internal and external drains and inspect gutters and downspouts. While he’s at it – he’ll check the little things that can escape the notice of a maintenance crew, such as examining strainers to ensure that they are in place and that the bolts holding them are secure. It takes a trained eye to recognize early problems with sealants, flashings, mortar, seams and penetrations. Gutters and downspouts should be checked for sagging, loose connections and broken or missing fasteners.

Semi-annual inspections and regular maintenance is the key to long roof life. At Diamond Roofing, we take pride in helping our customers get the most for their roofing dollar. For the peace of mind that comes with knowing your roof is in the best possible shape going into winter –  give us a call today at 785-537-8008 or 620-225-2622.

Preventative Maintenance: Why Do It?

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1. Facility managers should prioritize preventative maintenance in order to preserve any manufacturer or company warranties covering their roofs.

2. Emergency repairs simply cost more, by some estimates as much as 50% more, than maintenance bills.

3. The longevity and durability of the roof in question is increased substantially when basic maintenance and proper care occur regularly.

As building owners gear up for another wild autumn, it is important to recognize that when rain and variable temperatures follow sustained high temperatures, small holes and cracks do often form in roofing material. Little remarked, “The ice stores from last winter combined with the sweltering heat from this summer is going to cause a real mess this fall on those roofs that haven’t been maintained. Cleaning drains and removing debris that could possibly block scuppers and overflow drains are high priority service items during a preventative maintenance call. The weight of standing water destroys the integrity of a roof’s structure. Even just an inch of water standing in a puddle 10 feet by 10 feet weighs roughly a quarter of a ton.”

Tackling these problems while they are still small in scope yields repair bills that are also minor and an assurance that, come what may, the roofing system will stand up to the hail and high winds Mother Nature hurtles at it. Alternately, waiting for the roofing material to degrade to the point water actually leaks into the building yields heftier repairs, billed at a premium since rush jobs always cost more. Owners and managers must accept maintenance costs as a healthy and necessary aspect of property caretaking.

To learn more about Diamond’s Roof Max preventative maintenance program, give us a call today to speak to one our roofing experts 785-537-8008 or 620-225-2622.