Finding a Commercial Flat Roof Contractor for Repairs & Maintenance
March 27, 2021
A commercial flat roof will require a commercial flat roof repair that commercial flat roofers provide; that is a given. Commercial flat roofing is one part science and one part art when the work needs to be done with expertise and professionalism. Integrity Roofers is the only company you need when repairs or alterations to roofing systems need to be made. They have the right mix of skills, experience, and attention to detail that every company needs when roofing work is required.
Hiring A Commercial Flat Roofing Contractor
Hiring a flat roofing company can be complicated, but when you add some sweat equity and sound judgment to the mix, the right decision will come to pass. Roofing issues will always arise as the roof is exposed to the elements. Take a look at a number of companies; information is essential, and the more you have, the easier the decision becomes.
Find the Right Roofing Company.
Issues demand solutions, and if a roofing company has less than say, 10,000 hours on the job, you aren’t getting a seasoned roofing company. There are no shortcuts to experience and the knowledge it brings to any business. Ask the contractor how long they have been in business. A good rule to follow is to look for at least five years of service in the industry; that way, you know your roofer is competent.
Also Read: How to Find a Commercial Flat Roof Contractor
Roofing Inspections
Before any repairs can be made, a thorough inspection that details the roof’s flaws is essential. As the owner of a building, you need to know what you are up against, and the contractor must have an effective plan to remediate the problems they have encountered. He should issue a report, complete with digital evidence indicating where the faults are and tell you about the techniques and materials needed to repair the problems. Areas that of significant importance for the inspection include the HVAC system, windows, any masonry, and leaks that may be prevalent in the roofing system. A simple repair is all you need when these problems are discovered, and fixing them immediately saves money on more extensive repairs later.
Also Read: Does Your Business Need a Commercial Roofing Inspection?
How to Deal with Larger Roofing Issues
Flashing or seams on a roofing system will fail from time to time, and you can experience pooling on the roof if the pitch is slightly off. When these problems are at the core of your roofing work, there are many different materials that can be used to combat the situation. EPDM, PVC, TPO, metal, asphalt, elastomeric, PUF, and solvents can be used to upgrade or repair your roof.
Programs and Packages Offered by A Contractor
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Hiring a commercial roofing contractor to do regular roof inspections is one way to get ahead of the repair curve. Inspections done in the spring and fall will prepare you for any problems, and the work can be done by the onset of the winter months to protect your building. Another area to keep in mind is a maintenance program- repairs and inspections – that are made within a confined period of time to keep your roof in excellent shape while avoiding costly repairs to your building. Most maintenance programs work through a fee for service – billed monthly or yearly – where repairs are made at no cost. One thing to keep in mind, the repairs must fall in the allotted repair schedule, so you must be aware of the restrictions when entering into an agreement with a contractor.
Guarantee and Warranty
These two items should be a matter of fact, and if they aren’t offered without hesitation, it should tell you that you aren’t dealing with a reputable company. A guarantee for labour should span at least five years, and the materials should have a much longer shelf life. Be aware that incorrect installation or roofing practices will void any product warranty, so ask the contractor what those details are and how he intends to satisfy them.
What to Avoid When Hiring A Contractor
Not Doing Your Research
You want to get a good idea of who you are dealing with when you about to spend thousands of dollars with them. Reputation is everything in any business, and you want to know that your roofing contractor has a sterling one. Use third parties that have solicited the company in the past; they will tell you everything you need to know about the contractor you are evaluating.
Another method to validate your roofing company is to find their physical address. Keeping an office adds to their credibility. Insurance and licensing should be top of mind when selecting a contractor; you will know instinctively if the quote is low. That will tell you that the contractor is cutting corners. Warranties are essential for large repair jobs; make sure you understand them going in and ensure that the contractor is installing the product correctly. If they don’t, the warranty for materials is void.
Working with An Unprofessional Flat Roof Contractor
Professional roofers value their business name, and the results they create for customers will lead to a high level of customer satisfaction. Taking the time to identify the problems and engage in the solutions with care and expertise is what you are looking for in a commercial roofing contractor.
Skimming Over the Quote and Contract
When you get the contractor’s quote, make sure that you have gone over it with a fine-tooth comb. Scheduling is a big issue, and you want to know the timeline that will be the roof repair. How the work will be completed is another aspect of the job, as are the materials and the techniques used for the work. Next are the financial aspects of the contract. How much you need to put down, what amount of time the job will take, are you paying by the hour, and conditions that would call for contract termination should be spelled out.
Roofing 101
As a business operator, you know that maintenance will be part of any operation for a commercial structure. Keeping that fact in mind will tell you that your roof will demand attention. It must. If you value your building and business relationships with your tenants, they need to be protected from eventualities, like a roof failure. Then, the challenge comes, how do you hire a contractor to provide the work you need that will be the kind of quality you are looking for when hiring a trades company.
Signs That Indicate Your Roof Repair Wasn’t Done Correctly
Problems will come to light when you haven’t made the right choice, and we will outline some of the issues that will arise when a commercial roofing job has gone off the rails.
Your Previous Problems Are Not Solved
Problems that continue are one sign your roof repair hasn’t gone as scheduled. And the weather will tell you. Rain that continues to leak into your facility is the sign that roof repair, while complete, was unsuccessful.
The Contractor Was Not Experienced Enough to Handle Your Issue
Using contractors who don’t have the level of expertise necessary to deal with your problem is the next problem that you will encounter. An incorrect solution will lead to other issues, and that exacerbates your situation.
The Contractor Was Careless
If the work wasn’t done conscientiously, damage to other areas of the roof would be a given. Your chimney was improperly sealed, a skylight didn’t get the right amount of sealant to close off openings, or an eavestrough has been damaged due to haste, complete the trifecta of shoddy workmanship.
The Repair Work Looks Wrong
We trust our judgment in many cases, and looking at a roof repair is one way to determine if the work was done correctly. If the repair doesn’t look like it should, chances are it hasn’t been done well.
The Contractor Has Poor Reviews
Be sure to do your homework before you sign-off on a contractor. We all have a digital age footprint, and poor work and bad results will follow a contractor. Make sure you know the contractor’s work and observe them during the repair work. If they don’t look like they are using tried and true roofing methods, they aren’t, and it will be to your detriment.
Our Name Says It All at Integrity Roofers.
Our team is highly qualified, and they have years of experience working on some of the most challenging problems a roofing system can throw at a contractor. Once we have completed your roofing work, our seal of approval, along with a workmanship warranty and product warranty, will be our parting gift to you.
When roofing problems plague your building, reach out to the GTA’s best roofing company, Integrity Roofers. For a professional inspection that comes with a quote, contact our office at 647 953 9365, and don’t forget to ask about our maintenance plan.
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