PHP Roofing Blog

If you’re in this business long enough, you’re going to see any number of seemingly minor mistakes result in disastrous consequences. Businesses are under constant pressure to control costs, so it’s easy to understand why a building owner or facilities manager might try to save a few dollars. But, all too often, cutting those corners winds up costing far more than it would have to do the job right in the first place.

The time is finally here: roof replacement time. Whether it’s because of postponed maintenance, storm damage or just the natural end of your roof, it’s something all building owners and facilities managers have to deal with eventually. One of the first questions almost everyone asks is, “how much will it cost?” That’s not an easy answer because there are so many different factors involved. Here are some of the most important ones:

The OSHA inspector who unexpectedly showed up at your site just wrapped up the closing conference and left the property. Now you’re sitting there with a bunch of notes about citations the inspector plans to file and wondering what to do next. Here’s what you need to know after an OSHA inspection:

When summer temperatures soar, roofing maintenance is not on anyone’s list of fun things to do. But the many factors that can damage a roof don’t take the summer off, so you can’t, either. You do, however, have an obligation to offer your workers as much protection as you can. While there are no specific OSHA regulations that cover heat-related illness, several companies have been cited under the General Duty Clause, which requires employers to provide safe working environments. 

Your roof support system is only as good as the materials used to build it. Since roof supports undergo constant exposure to the elements, protection from corrosion is essential. The process that protects roofing materials from corrosion is called galvanization. There are a few different ways to accomplish it, but the methods do produce somewhat different results. And, when it comes to roof support systems, those differences matter.

A knock on the door for an OSHA inspection is about as welcome as a call from the IRS. OSHA visits can make even the most conscientious contractor break out in a cold sweat. To make them ever more stressful, almost all are unplanned. You can have an inspector show up at your site for a number of reasons, ranging from an employee complaint to a routine inspection. In addition, any accident that results in a death or serious injury (three or more employees requiring hospitalization) will likely prompt an inspection. Here’s what you need to know: 

No matter how big or small your facility is a roof is a huge investment – one you don’t want to repeat any sooner than necessary. If you consider the cost of a new roof, even one extra roof replacement during the life of your building can cut into your profitability. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to extend the life of your roof as long as possible.

Green roofs are not new. In fact, the concept extends all the way back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But the move toward sustainable roofing systems and environmental responsibility has cast them in a new light. Companies everywhere, especially in urban areas, are investigating the benefits to see whether a green roof would be a good investment for their company. They’re discovering that there are quite a few benefits.

Rooftops are inherently dangerous places. The reports are out there: Falls from high places are one of the most common accidents in the workplace. These falls can also be extremely costly. According to OSHA, the incurred claims costs of falls from elevation average approximately $54 million per year. Medical care accounted for roughly 2/3 of those benefits.

Your rooftop does a lot more than protect your business from the elements. Your roof can be a platform for HVAC units, vents, antennae, satellite dishes, elevator equipment, skylights, and, for some businesses, even a meeting space. Because rooftops can be such busy places, roof walkways are an important part of protecting both your roof and the people who use it to do their jobs. But you don’t want to turn the entire rooftop into a walkway, so the question becomes where exactly do you need them most? In short, anywhere you need to protect the roof or ensure roof safety for your workers.