Tuesday, May 29, 2018

How to Use Silicone for Roof Repairs

If you notice that your roof is leaking or becoming aged, you have a few options: patch repairs, restoration or a full roof replacement. Depending on the size of your roof, it could become costly very quickly to repair or replace your roof system. Luckily, a good contractor will offer you a few roofing solutions.

At West Roofing Systems, we’ve been restoring commercial roof systems to working order while saving facility owners and managers thousands of dollars in repairs and roof replacements. In this article, we will talk about how silicone can be used to save you money on a full commercial roof replacement.

Why Silicone is Useful for Roofing

Silicone is often used in the roofing industry because it is a reliable product that has been proven to last a long time against the weather. When compared to alternatives, such as acrylic, silicone stands up to sun and severe weather without cracking. Silicone can also hold standing water for long periods of time without degrading or leaking.

[caption id="attachment_26338" align="alignright" width="300"] Silicone Restoration Membrane[/caption]

Silicone has many characteristics that make it useful on commercial roofs:

Thoroughly coats the existing roof material
Choice of thickness
Prevents rust
Reflects UV rays
Waterproof
Eco-Friendly
Cost-effective

How to Use Silicone for Roof Repairs

When you have a roof that is leaking, it may not be in your best interest to have a contractor use silicone sealants to patch individual leaks. That process can be time-consuming, and there is a higher risk of leak areas being missed. We often recommend that buildings with a stable roofing system go through the roof restoration process.

Silicone can be used to create a silicone restoration membrane on almost any existing roof system. By applying a layer of silicone across the entire roof, you can eliminate leaks and form a waterproof membrane across the entire current roof system.

There are many benefits to choosing a silicone restoration membrane:

Cost Savings - As long as the existing roof substrate is dry and stable, no roof removal is required, saving you money on labor and materials.

Extended Roof Life - If your roof is in relatively good condition, you can extend the life of your commercial roof by protecting it from the elements.

Reduced Energy Expenses - Silicone roof coatings are often referred to as “cool roofs” due to their ability to keep facilities cool. The bright white color reflects UV rays, saving buildings up to 35% in energy.

Short Project Duration - Silicone coating projects can cut the down project duration up to 30%.

Silicone Restoration Membrane Installation

A Silicone Restoration Membrane (SRM) is a fluid applied silicone coating sprayed directly onto an existing roof system.

[caption id="attachment_26339" align="alignright" width="300"] Roof Preparation for Silicone Restoration Membrane[/caption]

The process of installing a silicone restoration membrane is relatively straightforward:

An infrared inspection is performed to see if there are any wet areas of insulation under the membrane.
After any wet areas have been removed and replaced, the entire roof surface is power washed clean to remove any contaminants.
The seams of the membrane are then reinforced with a self-adhesive tape or mesh and coating.
The silicone coating is sprayed on or roller applied over the entire surface of the roof creating a seamless membrane.
After the silicone coating membrane has been completed, a final inspection will be performed by a third-party or the manufacturer’s representative to verify that all the necessary repairs were performed properly and that the silicone is applied accurately. When the repairs and silicone membrane coating are approved, the warranty is issued.

Silicone Restoration Membrane Success Story

[caption id="attachment_23405" align="alignright" width="300"] SRM on Commercial Roof[/caption]

We had a customer interested in replacing their existing Single-Ply EPDM Membrane roof system with a new EPDM Membrane. While we provided a proposal for the replacement of the existing EPDM roof system, we also gave them an option to apply a Silicone Restoration Membrane (SRM).

The cost of the SRM was 45% of the cost of the full replacement. Additionally, we were able to provide a 15-year full system manufacturer’s warranty and cut down the project time by 30%. It was a very easy decision on their owner’s part for the SRM installation instead of a roof replacement.

Silicone Restoration Membranes are an eco-friendly, cost-effective, alternative to replace your commercial roofing facility. Contact West Roofing Systems today to talk to our expert staff about your future SRM system.

Original Post Here: How to Use Silicone for Roof Repairs

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

How to Spot a Leak in Your Commercial Roof

Nobody wants to see a leak in their roof. Unfortunately, it happens, but the earlier you catch and repair a roof leak, the better your building and wallet will be in the long run.

At West Roofing Systems, we take pride in the new roofs we install and the maintenance we provide to our customers and their commercial, industrial and manufacturing buildings. Our M.a.R.S. (Maintenance and Repair Service) Program is available for new and existing roof systems.

You may have a leak in your commercial roof and not even know it. There are more warning signs of a commercial roof leak other than water inside your building. In this article, we will outline some ways that you can spot a leak in your commercial roof and what to do if you find a roof leak.

Signs of a Commercial Roof Leak

Stained Ceiling or Walls

Whether you have ceiling tiles or other types of ceiling systems in your facility, extended exposure to water will create a discolored area in your ceiling. If the leak is near a wall, the water stains could run down the corresponding wall; if this is the case, there could also be water damage within the wall.

Visible Damage to Roof or Flashings

Many types of roof damage can cause leaks into your commercial building. Most of the time you can catch a roof leak before it enters your building by being vigilant and keeping your roof in good shape. This can be done by signing up for a maintenance plan and having a roofing contractor inspect, clean and repair your roof regularly.

Some signs of damage that can lead to roof leaks:

Standing water from poor drainage – clogged drains will cause water to collect and look like ponds on your roof
Membrane blisters or alligatoring – aged and weathered membranes will look cracked or bubbled
Open seams – the edges of the membrane on your roof can become unsecured
Tears or holes in membranes – whether it’s from something falling on your roof, or someone walking, a tear or hole in your roof can be repaired if caught early
Damaged flashing – the metal flashing around your roof can become unsecured or damaged after severe weather

Odor and Mold

A foul smell in your facility could be a red flag for hidden mold. Mold grows in moist environments, so if water is continually entering your building, there is a high chance that mold could grow and spread. A mold problem in your commercial facility should not be taken lightly as it could cause illness.

Water Dripping or Puddles Inside Your Building

The most sure fire sign of a commercial roof leak is when you can visibly see water entering your building, whether it is a puddle on the floor or dripping above your head. This type of leak could cause damage to not only your roof and building structure, but it could damage equipment and other items inside the building as well.

Higher Energy Bills

If you have a roof leak, it can saturate your insulation before it lets water into your building. In addition to wet insulation, holes in your roof can decrease the insulation factor of your building. When your building cannot retain warm air in the winter or cold air in the summer, it will raise your energy bills to compensate for the loss of insulation.

Read More: Business is saving hundreds of dollars a month on energy bills after a new roof replacement

What to Do If You Have a Leak in Your Roof

Minimize Interior Damage

When you see water flowing into your building, clear the area of people, equipment, and supplies to reduce damage. When the area is clear, collect the water in a bucket or similar receptacle to keep it from collecting on your floor.

Download: My Roof is Leaking: What Caused It and What You Can Do

Mark the Point of Entry

Make sure you mark where your leak is located. Marking the visible leaks is essential for when you talk to your contractors and insurance agents. It’s best to do this while the leak is occurring, because it may be difficult to locate the leak after the area has dried.

Look for More Problem Areas

Hopefully, your leak is only limited to one area, but chances are there are other leaks in your building. Look around your facility for more problem areas. If you have a leak while there is no rain in your area, investigate other causes. Some examples include plumbing or air conditioning units.

No matter how you treat a commercial roof leak, it’s important to remedy the problem before it grows. Even the smallest leak can cause serious problems if not treated. Water getting through your roofing system can cause considerable damage, from mold to structural damage.

If you are looking for maintenance, repair or replacement of your facilities roof, fill out our quote form for your free no-obligation commercial roof quote from our team of experts.

Monday, May 21, 2018

West Roofing Systems is Here “To Build The Best”

Every company has something that drives their business forward. At West Roofing Systems, we have been working on an initiative to identify our company cause and the best way to exemplify our purpose through our employees and into the community.

TO BUILD THE BEST

We believe that West Roofing Systems and our employees are here To Build The Best for our community, employees, customers and ultimately our company. Our employees use this statement every day when making decisions and working with others, “Does this build the best?”

West Roofing Systems is Here “To Build The Best”

We can apply our cause to whatever we are doing in our lives:

To Build The Best Customer Experience.
To Build The Best Relationship.
To Build The Best Roof.

Our cause is built on four main building blocks: Employees, Customers, Community and Company. These are the building blocks that support West Roofing Systems, and we cannot succeed without all four.

Employees

Our employees are hard-working and look out for the benefit of each other and our customers. From leadership and administration to the guys working on the roofs day in and day out, we appreciate all of the dedication and hard work that our employees bring every day. To Build The Best Employees, we are focusing on Teambuilding, Employee Recognition, and Goal Setting.

Kicking off our new To Build The Best Program is our new Employee Recognition Program. All employees are open to nominate their coworkers when they go above and beyond, and the employee who receives the most nominations at the end of the year will receive a free trip!

Customers

At West Roofing Systems, we pride ourselves on our customer-centric service. We believe that an educated, confident customer is able to make the best business decisions. To Build The Best Customers, we are focusing on Business Partnerships, Customer Education, and Active Feedback.

Part of our new To Build The Best Program is to focus on our customers. We are always expanding our online learning center and pushing out educational content to our contacts and help them make the best decisions for their businesses. We are also building partnerships with reliable companies across many other industries to create a network for our customers to build their best facilities.

Community

Everyone has a community. Your community can be where you live, where you work or who you surround yourself with. We believe that it is our responsibility to invest and participate in our communities. To Build The Best Community, we are focusing on Volunteering, Charity and Community Involvement.

We are starting our To Build The Best Program by partnering with Rebuilding Together of Northeast Ohio to help a retired Navy Veteran repair his leaking roof in Cleveland, Ohio. We are also scheduled to attend local touch-a-truck events throughout Ohio to show off our crane to the community.

Company

As we focus on our employees, customers, and community, we believe that our company will be all the better for it. To Build The Best Company, we are focusing on Communication, Safety and Outward Company Image.

Our newest technology investments include issuing new tablets to all foreman and new hire roofers. These tablets house all of the necessary safety and company documentation right at their fingertips, they are also used to quickly fill out reports and to assist in continued education.

We have also pumped up our communication by focusing on correspondence between our three locations by utilizing Skype and video messaging along with the introduction of WRS TV to show around the clock company news and announcements.

What is a Cause Statement?

The days where the only goal for a business is to make money are long gone, companies that are dedicated to a cause connect with their customers. These businesses can be high performing while adding to the greater good of the community.

A Cause Statement is developed to define the core values of a company and give it shape while motivating and guiding employees day to day.

West Roofing Systems assigned a committee to work together developing our company’s cause statement. After a few rounds and collecting feedback from employees, customers and business partners, we were able to identify and share our official West Roofing Systems Cause: To Build The Best.

Famous Cause/Purpose Statements:

3M: perpetual quest to solve unsolved problems innovatively
Walt Disney Company: to make people happy
Mary Kay Cosmetics: to give unlimited opportunity to women
Merck: to preserve and improve human life

We are excited to move forward with our To Build The Best Program and confident that as a subscriber, customer, employee or community member, that you will see our cause in everything we do. So now we ask you: What’s Your Cause?

Post Source Here: West Roofing Systems is Here “To Build The Best”

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

5 Types of Commercial Roofing

When we meet with future clients, they are usually comparing several types of roofing systems. We are always asked: What are the most popular types of commercial roofing? Which is better? Which is more reasonably priced? In this article, we will cover 5 types of commercial roofing.

At West Roofing Systems, we have been helping customers for decades choose the right roof for their building and their budget. We want everyone to feel empowered when they start getting quotes from their contractors. In this article, we break down the five most common types of commercial roofing along with their average costs* and advantages.

Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing

Commercial Roofing Cleveland Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is an eco-friendly roofing option for commercial, industrial and manufacturing facilities. Spray Polyurethane Foam, more commonly referred to as SPF, is a material that is sprayed as a liquid so it can expand into a foam, creating a solid layer across an existing roof.

While SPF roofing is not the most known type of roofing material, the technology has been around since the early 1960s for industrial, commercial, and residential facilities. An SPF roofing system can be used in any climate, and when correctly installed and maintained, can last over 50 years.

For an average 20,000 sq. foot commercial roof, it will usually cost between $4.00 and $7.00 per square foot* in materials and labor to install a typical SPF roofing system. This price range is for an SPF roof of average thickness and building structure.

Spray Polyurethane Roofing Advantages

There are quite a few benefits of SPF roofing systems:

Energy Efficient – SPF delivers thermal, air, and moisture barriers to provide the highest R-value per inch.
Durable – The foam material can expand and contract with the building, decreasing the likelihood of cracks and splitting.
Seamless and Waterproof – The continuous solid surface does not require joints or seams, removing the most vulnerable area for leaking.
Environmentally Friendly – In most cases, there is minimal stripping of the original roof – eliminating the need for costly roof tear-offs and waste. The materials that are used for SPF roofing systems are also environmentally friendly: Zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP), Low in the Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Free from Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Ultra-Low Global Warming Potential (GWP).

Single-Ply Membrane Roofing

[caption id="attachment_25171" align="alignright" width="300"] Single-Ply Membrane EPDM Installation[/caption]

Single-Ply Membrane is a time-tested roofing option for commercial, industrial and manufacturing facilities. Single-Ply Membranes are sheets of rubber and other synthetics that can be ballasted, mechanically fastened or chemically adhered to insulation creating a layer of protection on your commercial facility.

While Single-Ply Membrane Roofing is one of the most well-known types of commercial roofing material, there are several types to fit your budget and facility needs. For an average 20,000 sq. foot commercial roof, it will usually cost between $3.50 to $7.50 per square foot for EPDM and $3.50 to $6.50 per square foot for TPO*, including materials and labor warranty.

Single-Ply Membrane Advantages

If properly installed and maintained, a commercial single-ply membrane roof can last 30 years. There are quite a few other benefits of single-ply membrane roofing systems:

Proven Track Record – EPDM roofing has been used for commercial flat roofing for over years. This amount of time on the market has allowed various laboratory and field studies to be performed and tracked.
Customer Choice of Insulation – Since single-ply membrane roofing does not include the insulation factor, as a customer you have more options to choose from to insulate your facility’s roof.
Class A Fire-Rated – TPO membranes and EPDM can achieve Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Class A fire resistance listings by adding fire retardant chemicals during the manufacturing process.
Reflective or Retentive – TPO is generally white and highly reflective. On the other side of the spectrum, EPDM is often described as “Black Roofs,” due to the natural dark color of the membrane.

Metal Roofing

Metal Roof Restoration Metal Roofing is one of the oldest commercial roofing systems on the market. Most metal roofing systems use corrugated galvanized steel, although other materials such as aluminum or tin can also be used.

Since metal roofing material is rather light in weight, it can be installed right on top of the existing roof. After a metal roofing system is installed, a coating can be added for waterproofing, rust protection, and UV protection.

For an average commercial roof, it will usually cost between $5.00 and $10.00 per square foot* in materials and labor to install a typical metal roofing system. This price range can change depending on the type and style of the metal panels you choose.

Metal Roofing Advantages

If properly installed and maintained, a commercial metal roof can last 40 years. There are quite a few other benefits of metal roofing systems:

Design – Variety of material and color choices.
Stability – Ability to hold up to high winds and snow.
Energy Efficient – Sheet metal can be made from recycled material.
Fire Resistance – Metal panels are less prone to fire damage and do not promulgate fire events.

Shingle Roofing

Commercial Roofing on Church Shingle roofing is mostly known for homes and residential roofing, but shingles are very often used for steep slope commercial roofing applications. Shingles can be made out of a few different materials, including wood, slate, metal, plastic, ceramic and composite material such as asphalt. There are two main types of shingles: Asphalt and Architectural.

Asphalt Shingles: most common, cost-effective shingle on the market used for applications. These roof systems often come with 15 – 30-year warranties on average.

Architectural Shingles: multi-layered and heavier to add durability and weatherproofing to the building. Often comes with “lifetime” warranties.

For an average commercial roof, it will usually cost between $2.50 and $5.00 per square foot* in materials and labor to install a typical shingle roofing system. This price range can change depending on the type and style of the shingles you choose.

Shingle Roofing Advantages

Some benefits of commercial shingle roofing include:

Design – Wide variety of colors and designs
Durable – Some types of shingles are class IV hail rated
Easy Repair – Easy to spot and repair small areas of damage

Built-Up Roofing

[caption id="attachment_23885" align="alignright" width="300"] Tar and Gravel Roofing[/caption]

Built-Up Roofing Systems have been in use in the U.S. for over 100 years. These roof systems are commonly referred to as “tar and gravel” roofs. Built-up systems are installed by alternating layers of asphalt or tar and supporting fabrics directly onto the roof. You can choose the number of layers (or plies) that are installed. The final layer of a built-up roofing system consists of stone or gravel.

For an average commercial roof, it will usually cost between per $5.50 – $8.50 square foot* in materials and labor to install a typical built-up roofing system. This price range can change depending on the materials you choose.

Built-Up Roofing Advantages

If properly installed and maintained, a commercial built-up roof can last 40 years. There are a few other benefits of built-up roofing systems:

Seamless and Waterproof – The continuous solid surface does not require joints or seams, removing the most vulnerable area for leaking.
UV Rays – provides ultra-violet protection.
Low- maintenance – Minimal upkeep needed after installation.

As you can see, there are a lot of choices when looking into a new commercial roof. Each of the 5 types of commercial roofing has their benefits and drawbacks, choosing which one is best comes down to a customer-by-customer basis.

West Roofing Systems, Inc. installs sustainable and efficient roofing systems for commercial, industrial, manufacturing and municipal buildings. In over 37 years, we have installed over 57,000,000 square feet of commercial roofing, and our expert team is ready to help you.

If you are looking for maintenance, repair or replacement of your facilities roof, fill out our quote form for your free no-obligation commercial roof quote from our team of experts.

*Reported costs are not quotes, they are approximate costs. Please contact West Roofing Systems to request a quote and proposal for your roof.

Source Here: 5 Types of Commercial Roofing

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Section 179 Tax Deduction for Commercial Buildings

Are you thinking about investing money into your business? You could not have picked a better time!

A recent change to the Section 179 Deduction, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, has increased the amount of money that taxpayers are allowed to deduct to $1 million on their income taxes as an expense, rather than requiring the cost of the property to be capitalized and depreciated.

As of Jan. 1, 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has expanded the definition of qualified property that is eligible for expensing under Section 179 Tax Deduction; this includes improvements to commercial roofing.

Section 179 Explained

It may seem daunting when you start looking into tax law, but Section 179 is not as complicated as it may seem. Section 179 of the IRS Tax Code allows a business to deduct, for the current tax year, the full purchase price of equipment and off-the-shelf software that qualifies for the deduction.

Simply put, the US government wants businesses to invest in themselves, so if you purchase something for your business that qualifies, you can deduct the full price of that business purchase on your taxes of that same calendar year.

Section 179 Calculator

What Qualifies?

The Section 179 Tax Deduction covers business supplies, upgrades, improvements, and property that is purchased or leased in the same calendar year. Since the deduction was created with all businesses in mind, the list includes purchases that many companies need.

The list of qualifying purchases includes, but is not limited to:

Certain improvements to existing non-residential buildings: roofing, fire suppression, alarms and security systems, and HVAC.
Equipment (machines, etc.) purchased for business use
Business Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight more than 6,000
Computers and “Off-the-Shelf” Software
Office Furniture and Equipment
Property attached to your building that is not a structural component of the building (e., a printing press, large manufacturing tools, and equipment)

Limitations

There are a few limitations to consider with the Section 179 tax deduction:

Dollar Amount – The dollar limitation has changed over the years, but after the most recent update (as of May 2018) the dollar limit is $1 million.

To qualify for the Section 179 deduction for any given tax year, the equipment must be purchased (or financed/leased) and placed into service between January 1 and December 31 of that year.

If a taxpayer places more than $2 million worth of Section 179 property into service during a single taxable year, the Section 179 deduction is reduced, by the amount exceeding the threshold.

The amount allowed as a deduction can’t exceed the aggregate amount of taxable income for the business during that year.

Using Section 179 for Commercial Roofing

While Section 179 covers many purchases and investments in businesses, we are excited to highlight that you can use the newly updated tax deduction for roofing improvements to non-residential facilities. These improvements include roofing repairs, waterproofing and even full reroof projects on existing buildings.

This proves to be an excellent opportunity to take advantage of the all-time high Section 179 tax deduction to solve problems with your roof that have been plaguing your facility.

You can solve your leaking roof problems and be able to write off your contractor bill as a tax deduction …what could be better than that?

If you have been considering some work on your roof system, contact us today to take advantage of this tax deduction!

At West Roofing Systems, we take pride in the new roofs we install and the maintenance we provide for our customers and their commercial, industrial and manufacturing buildings. Our M.a.R.S. (Maintenance and Repair Service) Program is available for new and existing roof systems.

Choosing West Roofing Systems as a turnkey roofing company will provide you with highly trained teams and award-winning service. Our services are flexible and diverse; we can recoat, repair or replace your facility’s roof so that it lasts decades.

Original Post Here: Section 179 Tax Deduction for Commercial Buildings