Thursday, December 17, 2015

How to Tell if Your Roof is Ready to be Replaced

Your roof is an important part of keeping your building operating smoothly, and unless water is falling through the ceiling with each rainfall, it's tough to know what kind of condition your roof is in. Some roofing problems can be solved with simple repairs, but it’s important to be aware of the signs that it may be time to replace your roof entirely. Wondering if you need to replace the roof on your building? Here are a few ways to tell it's time to invest in a new roof:

Lifespan: On average, commercial roofs typically last somewhere around 20 years before they need to be replaced. With that being said, if you live in an area with extreme heat or cold, snow, or hail, it's likely that your roof will need to be replaced before you hit the 20 year mark. Consider what your roof has had to endure weather wise when making a decision on whether to repair or replace it. If your roof has seen snow storms, hurricanes, or hail, you’ll want to think about replacing your roof before the damage starts to affect other areas of the building.

Rust: Rust is a sign of water damage, and if your roof is rusting, it's also a sign that the protective coating on your roof is no longer doing its job. Once the protective coating is gone, water is able to come in contact with metal on the roof, which is why you begin to notice the rust. Without this protective coating, your roof is likely to begin to leak, causing damage to the interior of your commercial building. The best thing you can do once your roof has begun to rust is replace it.

Leaking: As mentioned above, leaking can be an indicator that your roof is rusting, but leaking can also be caused by a number of other things. One of the main instigators of leaks is curled metal planes. Planes on your commercial roof can begin to curl because of improper installation or, more likely, from exposure to harsh weather conditions. The water damage caused by leaks can lead to problems with the electrical systems in your building and mold. Curled plans can create access for pests and intruders into your building. In these situations, it's best to replace your roof before these problems begin to arise.

Sun: A little natural light in your office can be great... that is of course unless it's coming through cracks in your ceiling! Your roof may not be leaking water when it rains, but if sunlight is leaking through, that's a problem! A worn out roof board can have patches from which daylight is coming in, indicating that your roof is weak. It may not seem like a major problem, but if ignored, it can cause your roof to buckle over time.

Need a professional to assess your commercial roof in Delaware County, PA? Call Matrix Roofing Systems today at (267) 327-4680. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have, and schedule an appointment to inspect your roof.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Matrix Roofing is Moving!

We’re very excited to announce that our office is relocating to Chalfont, PA – just a few miles down the road! As of today, our new address is 200 Highpoint Drive, Suite 201 Chalfont, PA 18914.

Other than the move, you can rest assured that nothing else is changing. You can still reach us at (267) 327-4680; and most importantly our dedication to our clients and our mission will always remain the same.

“Our mission is to provide our clients with reliable information, superior service and quality workmanship at a reasonable and economical cost.”

Need a professional to assess your commercial roof in Pennsylvania? Call Matrix Roofing Systems today at (267) 327-4680. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have and schedule an appointment to inspect your roof.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Roof Safety 101

Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to accessing your roof. Many Superintendents and Maintenance Technicians of commercial properties need to access the building roofs from time to time. We want to make sure, if you’re venturing up on your roof, that you’re safe and follow all of the proper precautions! Below are some safety tips that will keep you and your fellow employees safe when up on a roof.
  1. NEVER go up on a roof alone. Make sure to have a buddy with you in case someone gets hurt or an issue occurs.
  2. ALWAYS survey the scene before walking on the roof. Chances are, if the roof surface looks rotted and cracked, that the deck below is in the same condition and your weight won’t be supported. If there’s ANY doubt, do not proceed. Err on the side of caution and safety and call a professional.
  3. ALWAYS wear rubber soled shoes or boots to help prevent slipping. Roof membrane can be slippery even if it’s not wet. Beware of leaves and other debris that can create slippery surfaces as well.
  4. NEVER go up on a roof during inclement weather. This includes windy days. It may be bright and sunny with not a cloud in the sky but, being on a rooftop on a windy day is just as dangerous as being up there during a thunderstorm.
  5. If you’re using a ladder to access your roof, make sure it is in proper working condition and free of damage and defects. Make sure that the surface it is placed on is level and solid. Always use a ladder stabilizer at the top.
  6. ALWAYS wear a safety harness and make sure that it is tied to a sturdy part of the roof. That way, if you fall you won’t go too far and a friend can pull you to safety.
  7. Be mindful of the tools and supplies that you bring onto the roof. Dropping a screwdriver or hammer or even nails/screws can puncture the roof surface which will result in roof leaks.
  8. Make sure you take all of your tools and supplies with you when you leave the roof. Leaving them on the roof not only poses a tripping hazard for anyone coming onto the roof after you, they can also be blown around by wind or float around during heavy rain which could result in punctures and tears.
Need a professional to assess your commercial roof in New Jersey? Call Matrix Roofing Systems today at (267) 327-4680. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have, and schedule an appointment to inspect your roof.

Reference:
www.safety.com

Monday, June 15, 2015

Roofing 101

There’s more to a roof than meets the eye. Unless you own a building or you work in the construction field, chances are that the only time you give your roof a second thought is when it’s leaking. When that happens, you’ll need to call a professional. Wouldn’t it be great if you could speak their language, understand their lingo and be able to confidently make a decision based on your knowledge? In this post we’ve listed some of the most common roofing terms and definitions used in the commercial roofing industry. Trust us, they’ll come in handy when the need arises.
TPO Membrane (Thermoplastic Polyolefin): A single ply roof membrane, constructed from thermoplastic materials, primarily used in commercial applications on flat and low sloped roofs.
EPDM Membrane (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer): A single ply synthetic elastomer roof membrane, constructed from thermoplastic materials, primarily used in commercial applications on flat and low sloped roofs.
Decking: The bottom layer of the roof that supports the weight of the roof system. The five types of decking are plywood, wood plank, gypsum, concrete and corrugated metal.
Isocyanurate: A foam based thermal insulation that is placed between the decking and membrane.
Cricket: This is a peaked water diverter that's placed between the chimney and large roof projections. It basically helps to move the course of the water around the chimney and projections.
Scupper: Basically, it's a drain that allows water to run out of the side of a building.
Ballast: When the roof membrane is not screwed or glued down, ballast is placed on top of the membrane to hold it in place. The most common forms of ballast are river rocks or crushed stone.
Flashing: "Components used to weatherproof or seal roof system edges at perimeters, penetrations, walls, expansion joints, valleys, drains and other places where the roof covering is interrupted or terminated." (Definition gathered from: http://www.nrca.net/Technical/Search/Glossary?GlossaryTerm=flashing&GlossaryAlpha=&btnSearchGlossary=Search)

Remember, these are just a sampling of the terms you can expect to hear when you’re having roof work done. Visit our blog often to learn the ins and outs of roofs, and how you can keep your buildings in great shape.

Interested in commercial roofing, Montgomery County PA? Please call Matrix Roofing Systems today at (267) 327-4680. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have, and schedule an appointment to inspect your roof.

Resources: http://www.gaf.com and http://www.nrca.net