Thursday, October 22, 2015

The Breakdown: Your Fall Roof Inspection



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Your fall roof inspection needs to be detailed and thorough. Anything less can’t guarantee to help keep your loved ones and your valuable property protected throughout the punishing winter weather ahead. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you should expect in your fall roof inspection.

GET READY
  • For best results, have the file containing your roof documents and data regarding repairs handy for your roof inspection pros to review. That will give your team the best possible foundation to anchor their findings upon.

THE PHYSICAL INSPECTION:

  • SURFACE REVIEW
A physical inspection of the roof’s surface, making note of areas with previous water ponding and surface deterioration, new shaling ballast, amount of dirt and debris, membrane and sealant condition.

  • SEAL CONDITION
The seal condition between the roofline and walls, typically a weaker area more vulnerable to leaks.

  • FLASHING, SCUPPERS, STRAINERS, PARAPETS
Flashing, as well as the other three when in existence, are common places for compromised seals to occur leading to roof leaks.

  • GUTTERS
Gutter failure can quickly lead to foundation or exterior siding and trim damage.

PREMATURE WEAR
  • Are any areas wearing prematurely, and if so, why?

DAMAGE BY INSTALLERS
  • This is a key service to the homeowner. It is not uncommon for service professionals and installers to inadvertently cause damage a rooftop. Most often, they are either not aware of the level of damage their work has caused, or have not appropriately informed the homeowner of the damage and the proper chain of liability. A common example of this is roof damage and leaks caused by poorly installed rooftop air conditioning units. Repair for this type of damage can be extensive and costly. That’s why the discovery of this in an inspection has the potential to save the homeowner thousands and thousands of dollars.

CLEANING & DEBRIS REMOVAL
  • The inspector will assess the need for roof and gutter cleaning and debris removal.

PREVIOUS STORM DAMAGE
  • Locate previous storm damage caused by hail, blown debris or wind uplift.

FULL LEAK & DRAINAGE ASSESSMENT
  • Inspector will review entire roof thoroughly for any and all leaks, as well as review frequent points of drainage trouble. All issues are noted.

SECURITY RISKS
  • Unlocked or insecure access points, such as hatches and skylights are noted.

WARRANTY REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
  • A thorough review of findings will be documented, and needs for warranty repairs and maintenance will be noted along with professional recommendations.

AFTER THE INSPECTION

You will likely have some decisions to make. A new or well-maintained roof in excellent condition may need no additional service beyond roof cleaning and debris removal. If you discover you need roof repairs or restoration, it is possible that there are a number of different approaches you may take based upon things like budget and age of the roof. Your Nashville roof inspector will explain these options to you in detail, giving you their best professional opinion on each. This is an ideal time to schedule any needed repairs, as harsh winter weather will soon be upon us.


Have more questions? Mike Ragan Roofing has answers!
For all your Greater Nashville roofing inspection, repair, and restoration, the team at Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal has the knowledge, experience and dependability you need. Whether  your needs are Nashville commercial or residential roofing, call  Mike Ragan and crew at (615) 274-9445. We look forward to serving you!



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Thursday, October 8, 2015

What to Look for in a Commercial Roofing Contractor


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Finding the right Nashville commercial roofer for the job.


When you’re looking for a Middle Tennessee professional commercial roofing contractor for your commercial roofing installation or replacement, it’s important you find the right Nashville commercial roofing contractor for the job. Your commercial building roof is a primary asset. A poorly constructed roof or the use of inferior materials can lead to major losses.

At Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal, we want you to feel confident, knowing you have found the Nashville commercial roofing contractor that’s right for your project. The key is knowing which questions to ask. That’s why we’ve put together a shorthand list of questions to guide you in your search. Take some time to review them. When you’re done, you’ll be well prepared to find the best pro commercial roofer for your needs.

Q. ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
  • Consider the intended use of the property. Will the roof:
    • Be WEIGHT-BEARING?
    • Bear FOOT TRAFFIC?
    • Is AESTHETIC APPEAL vs. SIMPLY FUNCTIONALITY desired?
    • Is CLEANING/MAINTENANCE desired?
    • Are WALKWAYS for service wanted?
  • Property to be held by the owner or prepared for resale?
  • Special climate considerations?
  • Special applications desired (ex: cool roof coating or insulation)?
  • Local building code and commercial roof installation specifications
  • Budget & funds availability?
  • Preferred start date?
  • Project deadline?

Q. ABOUT YOUR CONTRACTOR
  • Licensed and insured?
  • Length in business locally and reputation?
  • Level of expertise in commercial roofing?
  • Similar roofing projects?
    • How well have they performed over time?
  • Knowledgeable in the latest technology for commercial roofs?
  • Are they manufacturer certified to install your specific type of roofing for this project?
  • Warranties
    • Warranty on labor (generally 1-5 years)?
    • Warranty on materials (generally 10-30 years)?
    • Any additional manufacturer warranty?
      • What does each warranty include?
      • What is excluded in each warranty?
      • What conditions lead to warranty nullification?
      • Set dollar amount for future roof repair or no dollar limit (NDL)?
  • The Quote
    • Does it include regular inspection and maintenance?
    • If yes, does “maintenance” include (Ex: snow removal)?
      • Will the materials warranty be voided if regular inspections are missed?
    • If not included, what is the cost estimate for maintenance & repairs?
      • Can any repair or maintenance be done by property holder’s people without voiding contractor’s warranty?


More questions? Mike Ragan Roofing has answers!
When you need professional commercial roofing, the team at Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal has all the knowledge, experience and dependability you need. For all of your Greater Nashville commercial roofing needs, call  Mike Ragan and crew at (615) 274-9445. We look forward to serving you!



For special offers and updates from