Considering Installing Rooftop Solar Panels? Here’s What You Need to Know

Investors are increasingly steering towards sustainable solutions for their commercial buildings as these solutions increase the value of the property and have other long term benefits. These are also some of the reasons investors are including solar systems in their commercial building structures. The solar systems provide various benefits, some of them being saving environment and energy bills. Though the solar-powered buildings are gaining popularity, they need professional expertise to ensure proper and hassle-free installation of solar panels. There are, however, a few things that you must get checked with your commercial roofing contractor before you begin with the installation process.

1. Condition of your Roof

Before you make your roof solar powered, it is best to check the condition of your roof. Even if it requires a few minor fixes, do them before solar panel installation as it saves you from the extra hassles and cost of undoing the solar panel installation work and then doing it all over again. You can ask a commercial roofing contractor to inspect and fix the roof for any damage or repair anywhere in the roof.

2. Area of the Roof

Area is another important aspect that must be considered before getting the solar panels installed. If your commercial roof is too small to accommodate the required number of solar panels then it is not worth going through the entire process as you’ll not get the benefits you expected out of your investment.

3. Direction of the Roof Slope

Solar panel system must be installed at a specific angle and position to get the maximum power output out of it. The basic idea behind the placement s to ensure the solar panels receive direct sunlight and for a longer period of time. Some professionals suggest solar panel placement facing the West direction while some suggest placing them in the south direction. Consult solar panel installation experts of your area to know in which direction your solar panels must face to get the maximum benefit out of it.

4. Water Drainage System

If it rains in your area then water drainage of the roof is another essential consideration that must be planned before you get the solar panels installed. It is essential to consider water drainage of roof because racking and wire harnesses of solar panels can prevent the water from draining properly. Water pooling on the roof can further create troubles for your commercial structure such as leaks. These problems further require repair for which the solar panels will needed to be removed and reinstalled. To avoid these hassles, share your concerns with your commercial roofing contractor. They will hopefully suggest a good solution to overcome this issue.

Way Forward

Solar-powered commercial buildings are beneficial not only to the investors but also to the environment. The solar panels can add great value to the commercial structure if installed properly. Investors must, therefore, ensure that they hire an experienced and reliable commercial roofing contractor. A professional roofing contractor will know the know-how of the installation process and the challenges of it. The contractor will perform the installation task seamlessly.

Commercial Roof Maintenance: 3 Key Benefits

Ever imagined the condition your car would be in if it didn't go for regular maintenance? It would look rugged and lose its value. The same goes for your roof. Roofing is a major investment that many homeowners overlook by some property owners. Roofing protects your commercial building from the external elements and keeps it safe. Ongoing maintenance is required to identify minor problems before they culminate into a major issue that eventually calls for expensive roof replacement. This why you need to consult commercial construction contractors. This blog lists three key benefits of maintaining your commercial construction. Take a look.

1. Maximize Roof Service Life

After you get roofing done in your commercial construction, schedule at least semi-annual inspection so that you can identify roofing issues and get them fixed right away. Most property owners often fail to understand the benefits of regular inspection in maintaining the proper functioning of roofing systems for longer timeframe. If your roof doesn't leak, do not assume that it is in a perfect state. Always aim to maximize the service life and reduce its life cycle cost.

2. Prevents Moisture Damage

Commercial building owners in the US invest more than $12 billion annually in repairing and re-roofing caused by various types of damages. Developing a regular roof maintenance plan can help prevent most damage and unscheduled capital expenditures. No matter the type of roof, heavy rain, snow, scorching heat, and hailstorm take their toll and your roof ultimately develops leaks. Moisture ruins and degrades the mechanical integrity of the insulation system and corrodes metal components such as metal decks and fasteners, declining its thermal resistance.

3. Protects Warranty Coverage

Most manufactures require the owners to go for roof inspection twice in a year and document the findings. If the owner fails to carry out the inspections, warranty will get void on the basis that the owner is not able to carry out proper maintenance of the roof. Regular maintenance and inspection necessary as they help prevent costly repairs and validate the warranty of the roofing system.

A Word of Advice

Leaks don’t get better on their own, rather the condition worsens if proper maintenance is not done. Studies have shown that a roof gone for regular inspection and maintenance will last roughly double the time of a roof that is not maintained. Regular maintenance keeps the roof of your commercial in an ideal condition t along with proper initial design and installation. If you own a new roof or a roof not been inspected for long, contact a reputable commercial construction contractor and check its condition so you do not face unwanted trouble in future.

5 Warning Signs that Your Residential Roof Needs Replacement

Roofs are one of the most essential elements of a house. Timely inspection and maintenance of the roof is imperative for an enduring roofing system. To increase the longevity of your roof, it is advisable to pay attention to the warning signs and get them fixed before it’s too late. In some cases, however, the damage may be beyond repair and your roof may need a replacement. To determine whether your damaged roof needs repair or replacement, it’s advisable to hire a damaged roof repair service provider. Here’s a a list of five cautionary signs that might indicate that the roof of your house needs replacement.

1. Sagging

A sagging roof is alarming and it could be the result of inadequate spacing, structural failure, or inadequate bracing. Moreover, accumulation of snow, ice, and rain for a prolonged period leads to certain amount of weight on the roof. This may eventually lead the roof to collapse. It is, therefore, advisable to contact a roofing professional to get rid of a sagging roof.

2. Loose or Missing Shingles

A few missing shingles don’t necessarily mean that the entire roof needs replacement. Depending on the number of shingles that are missing and where these have been pulled from, it may indicate leaks and severe damage to your roof. Shingles that are torn or missing makes the roofing system susceptible to water damage and rot. In addition, missing shingles can also start a domino effect caused by wind and rain.

3. Curls and Cracks

As shingles complete their expected lifespan, these tend to curl, split and also lose water resistance. As the harsh ultra-violet rays of the sun can lead to significant damage to the roofing surface, these roof damages usually show up on the southern and western exposures of the roof. Curls and cracks are clear indicators that it is time to re-roof.

4. Dysfunctional Flashing

If you have exposed flashing on your roof especially the area around your chimney, check the area when executing inspection. Loose, cracked or deteriorated sections in and around the joints need to be fixed without slightest delay. Again, leakage or water stains may get infiltrated into your house and lead to structural roofing damage.

5. Leaks

A fairly new roof with a localized leak may only mean that the roofing needs repair and not replacement. However, if there are leaks, stains, or wet spots on the underside of the attic space or roof deck, a new roof is definitely the priority. Opt for a renowned roof leak repair service provider for hassle-free services.

The Bottom Line

Your roof is the first line of protection for your home against several natural threats. It protects your residential and commercial property against harsh sunrays, rains, storms, hails and similar other extreme weather conditions. It is, therefore, important to recognize the potential signs on time. If you need help with your roofing system, there are several roof repair service providers in Dallas that provide premium quality roofing services.

Top 5 Factors that Affect the Cost of a New Roof

Several factors govern the price of a new roof installation. These factors range from the size of the roof to the scope of work required. A professional roof replacement service provider can help you learn more about these elements and determine the cost of your potential roofing. Simultaneously, they can help you grab the best deal and optimise your roofing investment. On that note, here are the top five factors that determine the cost of a new roof. Take a look.

New Roof

1. Roofing Material

Depending on the roofing material, your new roof’s cost can vary significantly. For instance, the cost of a new metal roof can be thrice that of asphalt, the most used roofing material in the US; although metal roofs last almost three times longer than the latter and easy to maintain, besides being eco-friendly.

2. Size of Roof to be Installed

This is the biggest factor that influences the cost of a new roof installation. Roofing contractors charge as per the number of roofing squares to be installed. The more number of roofing squares your roof has, the more will be the cost of installing it Note that one roofing square is 10-by-10-foot or 100 square feet.

3. Size of Roof to be Removed

Although in some instances there’s no harm in installing a new roof over an existing one, ideally, you need to tear-off the existing roof before furnishing your property with a new one. If the materials of the old roof are heavy, the removal process can be time-consuming, and, therefore, attract more labor charges. In addition, the time it takes to dispose the material will also influence labor charges.

4. Pitch or Slope

The pitch is another important factor that can inflate or reduce the cost of your new roof. If the roof has a higher pitch, it will add to the cost of roof installation. Roofs with pitches more than 7:12 (here the number 7 represents the height and 12 its length) are difficult to install, and, therefore, roofing contractors working on it need more safety equipment.

5. Roofing Warranty and Contractor

The type of roofing warranty you chose is another important factor that influences the cost of your new roofing system. A standard roofing warranty, for instance, covers only the workmanship and labor costs of the project. The roofing warranty is, therefore, less expensive than the No-Dollar-Limit option that covers both the cost of labor and roofing materials.

Conclusion

While learning the above factors can help you choose the right roofing solution and optimize your roofing investment, it is also essential to avail insurance cover so that you file a roof damage insurance claim when calamity visits. However, filing a roof insurance claim is not as easy as it sounds, as it requires multiple follow-ups with your insurance company and adjusters. A professional roofing company can help you determine a close-to-accurate cost of your new roofing and assist you file your roofing insurance claim.