PHP Roofing Blog

Are you as big of a fan of TED talks as we are? Innovative experts from around the world come to sound off on their ideas in short talks given at TED, which you may remember stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design.

In 2012, Roofing Contractor magazine reported that more than four billion square feet of TPO single-ply roofing had been sold in North America over the previous five years alone. Today, single-ply roofs, whether TPO or PVC, continue to be a popular choice for both contractors and building owners. That popularity has led to a wealth of “best practices” compiled by contractors with years of experience in the field. Here are just a few of their tips:

Hurricane season on the Atlantic and Gulf coast runs from June 1^st through November 30^th each year. The peak of the season tends to be in August and September. What this means for building owners, operators, and maintenance professionals is that it's time to put in a bit of work with regards to building, roof, and equipment supports to make certain commercial buildings are prepared for the potential storms ahead. While every structure will have different steps that must be taken to protect it, we’ve put together a few points you may want to consider as you prepare for potential inclement weather.

No matter if your building is brand new, or 100 years old, the roof is one of the most important structural elements. After all, the roof will not only protect the building from rain, snow and hail; it can also either help keep your building hotter or cooler during extreme temperatures. However, if you want to keep this important structure doing its job, you need to consider roof inspection regularly. But how often is needed? Let us discuss.

Every facility manager has budget constraints, and that means you have to make some choices about priorities. Decisions often lean toward “tyranny of the urgent” – you need a new roof, you need to repave the parking lot, etc. Things like launching sustainability initiatives and becoming LEED certified can seem like a luxury…but they aren’t.

The days are getting longer, temperatures are creeping up, and you may have even swatted a few mosquitoes. Summer is definitely on the way, and facility managers know that means increased energy costs and a struggle to keep the building cool. Fortunately, you don’t have to cross your fingers and hope for cooler weather. With some proactive roof management, there are several things you can do to help keep your building cool.

Maybe you’re a building manager who finally persuaded the owner to invest in a new roof. Or
maybe you’re the owner, and you just signed the check. Either way, you might be reluctant to spend even more money on “extras.” But things that extend the life of your roof and protect your workers aren’t extras; they’re the basics. Along with rooftop walkways, roof access stairs definitely fall into that category. Let’s take a look at why that’s true.

Rooftop equipment and pipe supports take a beating. They’re constantly pounded by everything from temperature fluctuations to wind, rain, snow, and UV damage. And, just like the postal service, they have to come through in all kinds of weather. Most of the time, it’s your standard stuff. But, if your building is in an area prone to extreme weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards, it may take more than the basics to protect your building and its occupants.

Sometime this spring, OSHA is expected to release new rules regulating workers’ exposure to silica dust. These rules are expected to include two sets of standards, one for general and maritime industries, and one for the construction industry – and they could have a huge impact on your roof safety and standard procedures. Here’s what you need to know: 

One of the most critical aspects of engineering a roof design is calculating weight loads. Mistakes can cause catastrophic overloads of pipe supports, employee injuries, or even worse, death. Every roof is different, so there is no magic formula that guarantees the right answer in every situation. But there are common factors that should be considered when calculating roof loads. Here are a few of the most important considerations: