The Cold and Snow is on its Way – Is Your Roof Ready?

tlm_developer • September 22, 2015

According to the Farmer’s Almanac , Winter 2015-2016 is going to be cold and snowy in the Midwest.

Ok, so that news isn’t really much of a surprise. The point here is that you really don’t want to discover that your roof needs repair or replacement when you’re buried under six or more inches of snow and ice and see the telltale signs of ceiling damage.  Now, imagine that snow and ice melting in a mid-season thaw and what was once a concern has quickly become an emergency for you and your tenants.

Fall is the perfect time to have your roof inspected.  The stresses of torrential rain and extreme heat are pretty much over for the season, and potential problems or issues with your roof can easily be identified and addressed.  Here are some tips regarding roof inspections:

  1. Use an independent roof consultant and not a licensed roofer. Why?  Because an independent consultant has no skin in the game – it doesn’t matter to them whether the roof needs repair or replacement.  A roofer, on the other hand, is looking at a potential opportunity to sell you repair services or a complete replacement roof.  This is not to say that every roofer will try to sell you something you don’t need, but why not use a service designed exclusively to provide you with an accurate diagnosis of the state of your roof?
  2. Most roof warranties require periodic inspections and maintenance to remain valid . Most building owners think that the 20-50 year manufacturer’s warranty on their existing roof will cover them should roof leakage or damage occur.  This is not the case.  In reality, most manufacturer’s warranties only cover damage relating to defects in the roofing materials used – and these can only be enforced if the building owner can prove regular, periodic roof maintenance.  Ideally, roof inspection and maintenance should be performed twice yearly.
  3. Skylights can be particularly problematic if not installed properly and inspected regularly . While skylights can greatly enhance the look and feel of a building’s interior, they also offer significant opportunities for water intrusion.  It is essential that the flashing surrounding skylights be installed properly.  If not, water will find its way into the building where it likely won’t be discovered until significant ceiling and wall damage has already occurred.  Regular inspection of your roof and skylights will quickly identify worn or damaged flashing for repair or replacement before the snow hits.  NOTE: If you plan on replacing your roof, don’t make costly investments in skylight repairs prior to installation, as all skylight flashing will need to be reinstalled to sit properly on the new roof.

Be sure your roof is ready to handle the snow that’s coming this Winter.  The architects, engineers and roof consultants at K2N Crest  offer professional architectural and structural design and evaluation services to building owners and managers throughout Illinois and Hawaii.  www.k2n.com

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Fall Safety: Ensuring Compliance with Updated OSHA Rules

By tlm_developer • July 16, 2018
Falls from heights and on a working surface are among the leading causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths. In recent years, OSHA has updated its rule on Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems (OSHA 1910.27(b)(1)(i) to better protect workers from these hazards—clarifying standards and adding training and inspection requirements. This rule is closely tied to another OSHA regulation requiring that a leading edge 6 feet or more above a lower level be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems. To ensure worker safety and protect people and objects attached to the building from […]

Working in Maui’s Historic ‘Iao Valley

By tlm_developer • June 26, 2018
Some structural engineering projects are just a little more interesting to work on than others. This was the case when K2N Crest was called in to evaluate flood damage impacting the foundational supports for a large water pipe crossing the ‘Iao River in Maui, Hawaii. The ‘Iao River flows through one of the state’s most beautiful parks. It is also the site where one of Hawaii’s bloodiest battles took place when Kamehameha I from the island of Hawai’i fought to unite the islands under his rule in 1790. There were so many slain from both armies during the battle at […]

New Resources Provide New Expertise

By tlm_developer • May 24, 2017
“As our business continues to grow, we’ve increased staff to provide additional expertise in structural engineering and architectural design,” said Don Kimball, co-founder and President of K2N Crest. “Our most recent new hires allow K2N to continue to maintain high levels of service as we engage with a growing client base and participate in more expansive projects.” Kyle A. Cunningham attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned his Master of Architecture-Structures Option. He is an experienced project manager who previously provided asset and construction management support to a large, regional real estate development company. An engineer-in-training at K2N […]