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When it comes to commercial and industrial building maintenance, regular roof inspections often fall by the wayside. However, at A.H. Sturgill Roofing, Dayton’s premier roofing service, we understand the crucial role these inspections play in the upkeep and longevity of your business infrastructure. A consistent roof inspection schedule can dramatically impact your building’s safety, functionality, and long-term cost-efficiency. Connect with our specialized team at (937) 254-2955 to explore the ins and outs of this critical service and ensure your business’s success.

Unpacking the Importance of Regular Roof Inspections 

Managing a commercial or industrial building comes with unique challenges. Among these, regular roof inspections stand as a priority. Why, you may ask? These checks are essentially the preventive care your building needs, much like the regular health check-ups we have to ensure our wellbeing. Regular inspections spot potential problems early, preventing them from escalating into major, costly repairs. In essence, early detection simplifies problem-solving and saves significant time and resources in the process.

Detecting Signs that Your Roof May Need an Inspection

Several indicators signal that your commercial or industrial roof may need an inspection. Some signs are visibly evident, such as leaks, water stains, or detached roofing materials. Others may be more subtle, like a sudden spike in your building’s heating or cooling costs, hinting at insulation problems. A.H. Sturgill Roofing stands ready to conduct comprehensive inspections, decipher these signs, and provide expert advice to tackle any roofing issues your building may encounter.

A Walkthrough of the A.H. Sturgill Roofing Inspection Process

Our process commences with a simple call or message sent to our team. Our trained experts then conduct a detailed assessment of your roof’s condition, both exterior and interior. The external check involves inspecting for visible signs of damage, while the internal inspection examines the integrity of the underlying structures and insulation. Following this, we meticulously analyze the data, providing you with an extensive report complete with expert recommendations for necessary repairs or preventive actions. We strive to keep you informed about the condition of your roof and the steps needed to maintain its health.

Preventive Maintenance: The Key to Long-Term Business Success

Regular roof inspections form a cornerstone of preventive maintenance for your commercial or industrial property. By facilitating timely repairs and identifying potential future issues, these checks significantly extend your roof’s lifespan and reduce the risk of severe structural damage. This proactive approach not only ensures the safety of your operations but also boosts your property’s value, making regular inspections a wise business investment.

Why A.H. Sturgill Roofing is Dayton’s Top Choice

We at A.H. Sturgill Roofing firmly believe that a well-maintained roof is the bedrock of a successful commercial or industrial operation. Proudly serving the Dayton, OH community, we commit to offering top-notch roofing services designed to keep your business safe and running smoothly. By making regular roof inspections a part of your property management strategy, you place your trust in the best in the industry. Reach out to us at (937) 254-2955 and take the first step towards ensuring a robust, long-lasting roof for your commercial or industrial building. We eagerly look forward to forming a partnership with you to secure the longevity of your business infrastructure.

Trying to decide on a new roof? Are you overwhelmed by the options available? This brief overview of roof systems will help.

Flat Roofs

So called flat roofs are typically not actually flat. The technical term is Low Slope Roofing. Slope is how the steepness of a roof is measured. The rise in inches over the length of one foot is used for Low Slope Roofing. A typical “flat” roof will have ¼” slope, the roof surface will rise by ¼” for every foot you travel away from the drainage point.

There are many types of Low Slope Roofing and slope can be anywhere from 1/16” in 1 ft up to ½” in 1 ft. Dead flat roofs do exist, but modern building code requires minimum ¼” in 1 ft slope.

Low Slope Roofing can be put in two categories. Asphalt Roofing and Single Ply Roofing.

Single Ply roofing is the most common and consists of a single layer of waterproofing membrane, typically over insulation. There are three main membranes used, EPDM (rubber), TPO, and PVC.

Single Ply Roofing

EPDM Roofing

EPDM has been around for a long time and is commonly called rubber roofing. It has a long history and proven track record.

EPDM typically is black in color, although white is available. Black roofs offer superior energy performance where buildings cost more to heat than to cool. The black membrane holds heat in the winter and can reduce heating costs.

EPDM roofs use glues and tapes at the seams and where pieces of membrane overlay the main membrane at corners and edges, and this technology has advanced very far in the last 30 years. A rubber roof is very reliable, easy to repair, and easy to maintain.

However, EPDM gets less flexible as it ages and the membrane will shrink. This can cause issues that need to be repaired.

EPDM is moderately priced, and many different options are available within the category to meet most needs.

TPO Roofing 

TPO is a type of heat welded membrane. Heat welded membranes use hot air to melt the surfaces together and form a weld. It became popular in the US over the late 90s to late 2000s and now has the largest share of the low slope roofing market.

Typically, white, grey, or tan in color and some special colors are sometimes available. White TPO membranes can reduce energy costs in areas where cooling cost exceeds heating cost. The white membrane reflects heat and light and stays cool.

TPO is primarily heat welded either by hand or using a robot. There are also tapes that can be used for certain details, although they have only been available for 10 years or less.

TPO can be prone to cold welds when installed, even with skilled installers. A cold weld is when the membrane appears to have welded, but it has not welded properly and can come apart later. TPO can also be prone to algae growth and needs to be cleaned periodically to maximize the benefits of the reflective roof.

As the roof ages the membrane can be prone to deterioration from chalking of the top layer of the membrane. Chalking is when the membrane deteriorates into fine chalk like dust which is from the wearing away of the surface.

TPO is the least expensive type of low slope roofing and is common on all sizes of buildings and types of businesses.

PVC Roofing 

PVC is also a type of heat welded membrane. It is one of the oldest types of single ply roofing and quality PVC is known for having excellent performance.

PVC also typically comes in white, grey, or tan. White is the most common.

PVC excels at chemical resistance and is the most common choice of roofing for restaurants and many industrial applications. Grease will destroy almost all other kinds of roofing, but PVC is not damaged. Some types of PVC can also be installed on dead flat roofs.

Unfortunately, PVC will become more brittle as it ages and can crack or split. Cleaning can be needed to maintain the reflective properties. Algae growth is also common.

PVC is more expensive than EPDM or TPO. There are also many different options within this category and different types of PVC with varying performance are available.

Asphalt Roofing

Built Up Roofing 

Built Up Roofing, or BUR, consists of multiple layers of felt mopped with hot asphalt and then flood coated with asphalt and either gravel or aluminum coating. Roofing felts are not waterproof by themselves and in this system the asphalt provides the waterproofing while the felt provides reinforcement and support. Typically, 3-4 layers of felt are used.

BUR roofing can last anywhere from 25-40 years or even more. Coal Tar Pitch can be used to install this system on dead flat roofs.

BUR roofs with aluminum coating are required to be re-coated every 5-7 years or the lifespan will be impacted.

BUR has many restoration options to extend the life of the roof, however, they can be expensive to repair, depending on your roof and the type of repair needed.

Though more expensive than most single-ply roof options, BUR roofs are very durable and difficult to damage.

SBS Modified Roofing 

SBS is an asphalt membrane with rubberizer added for flexibility. Unlike felt membranes, which are not waterproof by themselves, SBS membranes are waterproof. They are typically applied with hot asphalt, torch applied, or cold adhesive applied. Typical SBS roofs consist of a base (bottom) ply and a cap (top) ply.

SBS roofing is very durable, lasting from 15-40 years depending on maintenance and manufacturer.

Consisting of multiple waterproof layers, to prevent moisture from penetrating the system, SBS roofs have laps every 3 feet. This means a quality installation is paramount for performance.

More expensive than many other single ply options, SBS roofing has many different restoration/coating options available to extend the system life and improve your ROI.

Steep Roofs

Steep Slope Roofing is when the slope is typically 1:12 or greater. The most common type is asphalt shingles. Metal roofing, slate, tile, and shake are also available options.

Steep Roofs measure Slope by the rise in inches over the length of 12 inches. A typical 4:12 slope roof means the roof rises by 4 inches for every 12 inches you travel from the drainage point.

Shingles

Shingles are the most common type of Steep Roof. Shingles are made of asphalt reinforced with fiberglass and coated with a variety of colors of granules. Shingles come in a variety of types and shapes. The most common are Dimensional Shingles, which get their name from the 3-dimensional appearance they offer which adds depth to the roof.

Shingles do not create a waterproof surface like flat roofs, they shed water onto a subsequent layer of shingles until the water leaves the roof. With a wide range in pricing, shingles average a lifespan of 15-40 years, depending on manufacturer, climate, and environment.

Shingles installed on less than 4:12 slope need full Ice & Water Shield underlayment instead of felt, and shingles should not be installed at all on roofs less than 2:12.

Slate, Tile, and Shake

These types of Steep Roofs also work the same way as Shingles. They shed water onto subsequent layers.

Slate Roofs can last 80-120 Years or more. This is a type of stone that is quarried and comes in a variety of colors and is usually installed in a pattern.

Tile Roofs can last 40-100 Years or more. There are a wide variety of tile roofs including ceramic, concrete, clay, and even composite tiles which contain metal.

Shake Roofs can last 25-35 Years. Shake is typically made from Cedar. Shake requires maintenance every 2-6 years to remove algae and other growth.

All these options are also available in synthetic options instead of using their natural materials.  They are also generally more expensive than either shingles or metal roofs.

Slate and Tile roofs last a very long time when installed properly and all these types offer aesthetic options which are unavailable with shingles.

Metal Roofing

Metal is a popular option for Steep Slope Roofs. Metal is available in a wide variety of types and styles and can also vary widely in performance.

Standing Seam metal panels are one of the best types of metal roofing and use clips or batten strips to hold the panels in place without penetrating the roof panels. A Standing Seam metal roof can last anywhere from 20-40 years.

Exposed Fastener Lap Seam Panels are common on barns, sheds, canopies, and warehouses. This is an inexpensive panel which fastens with screws through the panels. These panels typically last from 15-25 years.

Metal Shingles are also available in a wide variety of styles.

If you prefer painted metal panels, you can anticipate the paint will last 20-30 years on a quality metal panel.

For more information about roofing system options, or to schedule your consultation with our roofing experts, please call A.H. Sturgill Roofing at 937-254-2955.

You are ready for a new roof on your commercial property. But what kind of roofing warranties are available? What is covered by the warranties? Are they worth the paper they are printed on?

There are different kinds of roof warranties. The kind most people might be familiar with is the warranty you can get for shingles on a residence.

Residential Roofing Warranties

Shingle Warranties are Pro-Rated, and the base warranty only covers the original cost of the materials. They usually only cover material failures from manufacturing defects, and not workmanship or labor.

Pro-rated means that the amount covered by the warranty is based on how long into the warranty term the product is when it fails. So, if you are halfway through your warranty term, you will only get 50% of the original cost of the shingles.

Shingle manufacturers have been offering a better warranty with a 5–10-year start period where the warranty does cover workmanship and is not limited to the original cost. After that initial period, they are pro-rated for the remainder of the warranty and back to only material. These types of warranties require that all materials be provided by the shingle manufacturer and be installed by a certified installer.

It is important to understand that Shingle Warranties are for residential roofs, and when installed on a commercial roof the same warranty is usually not available or is only available for a fee.

Commercial Roof Warranties

Commercial Roof Warranties come in a couple varieties. The two most common are Membrane Only, and NDL.

Membrane Only warranties only cover manufacturer’s defects and are pro-rated. They are either free or a small fee. These are typically a 20-year warranty. Defects in the material are very rare in commercial roofing products. Our company has only seen about 4-5 cases in the last 20 years.

NDL stands for No Dollar Limit. This warranty is the industry standard for quality work. NDL warranties are not pro-rated, not limited in dollar amount, and cover materials and workmanship.

A fee based on the square footage of the project is paid to the manufacturer for the warranty. The roof must be inspected by the manufacturer to issue the warranty and the contractor must make repairs as directed by the manufacturer, at no cost to the customer.

Warranty Period can be from 10-40 Years and to get the warranty, the roof must be installed according to the manufacturer’s requirements. This includes minimum requirement for fastening, insulation, and membrane thickness and type.

What is covered by a roofing warranty?

Membrane Only warranties are only for leaks caused by a problem with the material itself. The warranty also only pays for the cost of new material and is usually pro-rated.

NDL warranties cover the cost of repairing leaks due to materials or workmanship. There is no limit to the number of leaks that can be repaired with this warranty. The cost of repairs can even eventually exceed the cost of the original roof. Even if the entire roof fails, if it is due to materials or workmanship the manufacturer will pay to have it replaced.

Wind damage is also included in the roof warranty. The industry standard is a 3 second gust at or below 55 mph. Enhanced wind speed coverage is available up to 120 mph for a 3 second gust if the manufacturer guidelines are met.

Hail damage is usually excluded from coverage. For an additional fee and with using certain materials you can get hail damage coverage that includes damage up to 1-1/2” hail.

Punctures are usually excluded. Whether from a falling limb or a dropped tool. You can pay an additional fee to get puncture coverage which covers a certain number of punctures per year.

Edge metals are only covered under the warranty if they are provided by the roof manufacturer. Only materials provided by the roof manufacturer are covered under the warranty.

Leaks caused by sealants, pitch pockets, or other maintenance items are not covered.

Warranty Claims

It is the owner’s responsibility to follow the maintenance and care instructions to maintain the warranty. This usually includes inspecting the roof annually (does not need to be by a professional), keeping the drains clean, keeping the roof free of debris, and replacing sealants that deteriorate.

If you have a roof leak and you have a roof warranty. All you need to do is call the warranty services number of the manufacturer and they will call the installer and have them come to do the repair. If they find the leak is from a cause covered by the warranty, you will not be charged.

NDL Warranties from the manufacturer are highly recommended for any commercial roof. Not only do they protect the owner by covering leak repairs. But they ensure that minimum standards of quality are met during installation.

Some installers give their own warranties. These are much riskier for the owner. Not only is the manufacturer not going to do an inspection, but there is no guarantee that the company will be around in 10-15 years. Roofing manufacturers are required by law to keep warranty fund reserves and are large national or multinational companies. The risk of getting a bad roof without remedy is much lower.

To learn more about roofing warranties, or to see if your damage is covered by your existing warranty, call A.H. Sturgill Roofing at 937-254-2955 and schedule your consultation with our warranty specialists.