PHP Roofing Blog

Silicon is the second most abundant element in our Earth’s crust, making it a frequent component of many construction materials including soils, clays, sands, cements, mortars, stuccos, and stone. It is not inherently dangerous as pure silicon, however a particular molecule of silicon can be lethal when inhaled: silicon dioxide. Silicon dioxide, also called silica, or known as quartz, is the major constituent of sand and is highly toxic in dust form. Freely breathing in finely divided crystalline silica can in fact cause such fatal diseases as silicosis, lung cancer, and some autoimmune diseases in high enough concentrations. Three types of common construction practices, for example, including sandblasting, cementing, jackhammering and/or rock drilling all expose a construction worker to this unique breathable threat.

Roofing professionals will tell you that roof lifespans are typically based on averages. This is a function of location. But some materials will outperform others in any given place. The following guidelines are designed to help you make your roof perform to the very best of its potential, no matter where it may be.

By now most of us in the building and design industry have heard of green roofs and know roughly what they are – a rooftop garden system (either extensive or intensive) and most of us have at least heard of blue roofs – a rooftop water storage system (either active or passive). But when considering both types, you may need to compare a blue roof to a green roof for your upcoming project.

 Thanks to the rise of new cost-effective “cool” materials and “cool” techniques (cool = reflects more sunlight), the building industry finally has some scientifically sound ways proven to moderate energy use over the course of a new or even an existing building’s lifetime. Energy savings mean cost savings. According to the EPA, the costs of choosing a cool roof coating or membrane can be somewhat comparable to the upfront cost to a non-cool roof, but cool materials provide better payback through substantial net energy cost savings and longer life expectancy.

Roof replacement is sometimes a necessary expense for your business if your employees, customers, and products are in danger of being injured in a collapse. However, this service comes with a high price tag, so you want to make sure that you can save some money while still receiving a quality job. Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to get the best deal on your roof replacement.

When designing a school building, all safety and security measures must be taken into account in order to protect the lives and property of its occupants. In addition to limiting access to the campus through doors or gates, integrating security checkpoints into the flow of traffic and installing bollards where necessary, there are more recondite means of ensuring the integrity of the building and the safety of its users.

The summer season has arrived, and with it come additional health hazards in your work environments. Each year, thousands of workers exposed to extreme heat and/or humid conditions die or become ill from heat stress and other heat related illnesses. For this reason, it is important to be mindful of the signs and symptoms of heat stress and protect your (and your colleagues') health this summer. This is especially important while working in extreme environments such as rooftops, where there is little to no shade available for workers.

Regular roof maintenance is vital for keeping your roof watertight and preventing expensive future problems. One of the most important things on your roof maintenance checklist should be your pipe and equipment supports. Identifying and troubleshooting problems early will help ensure a long-lasting roof system. To lengthen the lifespan of your roofing system, regularly check your rooftop for the following signs of failure.

Since there are so many things to consider while choosing a roof system, it's not uncommon for facility managers and building owners like you to feel overwhelmed. One of your most important considerations in this process is deciding on a rooftop warranty. Choosing the right warranty can be challenging, but it can also mean the difference between a minor hassle and a break-the-bank scenario.

No longer are construction projects top-driven by a single person directing the activities of all. Instead, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) strategies integrate the interests and risks of the owner, architect and contractor into a collaborative team effort to more fully harness the talents and productivity of each separate project element.