TN Roofing Specialist Can Suggest The Right Roof For Your Climate

Did you know that the type of roof that is best for your home or commercial building has everything to do with the climate you’re in? You might think a roof is a roof is a roof, and that there are only two major deciding factors to the type you pick: price point and aesthetics. But there are a lot more functional factors to take into consideration, and to discuss with your TN roofing specialist. A hot, humid climate like we have in the Southeast requires different things of a roof than those in colder climates.

The pitch of the roof has a lot to do with climate. Flat roofs, for example, are popular for how simple and cost effective they are to build. But this style isn’t as effective when covered with a lot of snow or in areas that see a lot of rainfall. Because the precipitation accumulates on top of the roof, rather than sliding off as it would with an A-frame or sloped roof, that weight can cause a lot of structural strain on a building, or increase the likelihood of leaks.Home builders in hot climates tend toward designs with deeper overhangs to produce more shade, while builders in colder or more overcast areas will want less overhang to maximize the amount of natural light that enters a home.

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Tennessee Roofing Company Will Get Your Roof Reindeer Ready!

tennessee-roofing-winter-weather-preparedness

Winter is officially here, even in the southeast. We may have only gotten a few flurries so far, but that should be warning enough that more serious weather could soon be on its way. It’s not too late to perform some basic roof maintenance before you’re in the position of requiring costly repairs. Whether at your home or business, the roof is any building’s first line of defense against heat loss, water damage, infestation from vermin looking for a cozy winter nest, or mold.

The first step is to attend to your gutters. Now that leaves are done falling, it’s time to scoop out whatever accumulated in your gutters and give them a good rinse. Cap your downspouts with wire mesh, if necessary, to prevent clogs, and make sure your gutters are still level and well-mounted so the water flows the right direction and doesn’t pool or accumulate. Also trim back any trees or vegetation that might be scraping the roof, dropping branches or giving pests a path up, or pushing the gutters out of alignment.

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3 Winter Weather Roof Hazards

Winter takes a toll on the roof, especially in harsh climates. Extreme temperatures and weather conditions can create problems that may lead to costly commercial roofing repairs, if not properly maintained. Here are 3 winter weather roof hazards to avoid:

Ice & Snow Buildup

While we may not get much snow down in the south, it has happened. Because most commercial roofing is not pitched, it can allow for the accumulation of rainwater, snow or snowmelt. The winter weather hazard for your commercial roof occurs in climates with below freezing temperatures. When temperatures drop, rainwater or snowmelt freezes and/or refreezes in a freeze thaw cycle, creating an ice dam. The result? The roof may hold a significant amount of weight from water ponding, if not properly drained. Ponding water can severely shorten the longevity of your commercial roof, as it can cause leaks and long-term structural damage.

Wind Damage

Because flat roofs aren’t completely flat (allowing for water run off), there is still a chance for wind damage, just as with any pitched roof. While commercial roofs are tolerable to windy conditions, excess winds can damage the roof, allowing moisture to get underneath roofing materials.

Is your Chattanooga commercial roof ready for winter? Here are three tips to get ready!

Identify leaks sooner than later – Snow and ice buildup can make finding and repairing leaks harder.
Schedule a roof inspection in Chattanooga – Following your detailed roof inspection, we will report any issues for repair.
Repair and prepare – Tennessee Roofing will repair penetrations, curbs, skylights, ducts, and flashings, as needed.

Our Tennessee Roofing professional will check for areas for loose seals, signs of standing water, water damage, or things like rusted flashing and metal fasteners. While defects in flashing and sealant failure at penetrations are the leading causes of leaks, splits in the membrane, separations at seams, ridges, blisters and deterioration are also red flags that must be addressed before it’s too late. Neglecting to repair a damaged commercial roof this winter may lead to building damage, which can be dangerous and costly. Call Tennessee Roofing & Construction to repair and winterize your Chattanooga commercial roof today!

Decorate for the Holidays without Causing Roof Damage

Ready to Razzle Dazzle Your Home for Christmas?

Follow these tips!

Try these tips for hanging your holiday lights to avoid roof damage.

If you’re filled with the holiday spirit, and ready to deck your halls and home with holiday lights or decor, just be sure to go about it safely. Not only could you hurt yourself in the process if you’re not careful, but you could also cause roof damage or other damage to your home or business. Try to keep the following things in mind while you do your decorating this holiday season.

1– Test Your Twinkle Lights

Before you do any climbing on ladders or stringing of lights and garland, check your twinkle lights first. These things are notorious for their fickle nature, and one loose bulb can mean your whole strand is out of commission. So work smart.

2– Safety First

Safety must be your top priority. Test your ladder before use to ensure it’s sturdy and tall enough for you to reach desired areas of your home or building. Secondly, never climb on wet roofing materials or roofs with steep pitches. An injury would surely put a damper on your holiday cheer!

3– Secure Your Lights with Hooks

Never use nails, tacks, or staples to hang your Christmas lights and decorations on your house or roof. These methods of securing your decorations can cause permanent and expensive roof damage, and can even damage siding and gutters. Use hooks to protect your roof!

4– Check the Voltage

Make sure you don’t decorate with larger light bulbs that are 7-volt or higher. These bulbs can potentially overheat and result in a fire. Then roof damage would be only one of many concerns.

Avoid roof damage by hanging your Christmas lights with care using these tips from Tennessee Roofing and Construction.

5– Clean Out the Gutters

Not only are overfull gutters unsightly, but they too can become a fire hazard. Dried leaves and debris too close to warm, glowing holiday lights could be a recipe for disaster. So keep it safe, friends. Clear the gutters while your up on that ladder anyway.

6– Use Outdoor Holiday Lights

Some twinkle lights are made specifically for outdoor use. If you’re decorating outdoors, make sure you are using the right style of lights made to withstand the weather and elements.

7– Remove Decorations Carefully

When the holidays are over, and it’s time to de-Christmas your home or business, make sure to exercise care. Don’t haphazardly yank or rip down decorations and strands of lights. This can cause roof damage. Take your time, and do it right/safely. A fancy holiday display isn’t worth causing expensive damage to your home or roofing system!

All that being said, our team at Tennessee Roofing and Construction wants to wish you the warmest and happiest of holiday seasons! Happy decorating. And if you need any roofing help, you know where to find us.

Protect Your Commercial Roof From Season Hazards

As summer becomes a distant memory and cooler weather sets in, our attention turns to fall roof prep. Here are a few reasons why you should protect your Chattanooga commercial roof and gutters from the changing seasons before winter weather sets in.

At Tennessee Roofing and Construction, we always recommend customers call us for routine inspections of your facility roof as well as periodic maintenance to make any necessary repairs before old man winter hits. Several factors can cause roof damage, but one major concern during this time of year are falling leaves. While colorful, autumn leaves are beautiful, they can wreak havoc on commercial roofing structures.

Commercial Roof Drain Buildup

How could leaves as light as a feather cause so much roof damage? Moisture. From rain and water drainage, wet leaves become a heavy mass that often clogs drains, blocks scuppers and invites mold, fungi and mildew to grow. If not properly removed, leaves can lead to back up, which increases the weight on the roof deck. Did you know that 1 inch of standing water weighs approximately 5 lbs. per inch, per square foot of roof surface assembly? Over time, even a small amount of standing water may damage the roofing membranes, reducing the life expectancy of your roof.

As cold weather approaches, areas of ponding may be at risk of leaks, as water freezes and expands. The additional weight of ice or snow can cause structural damage and expensive repairs, or even roof collapse in areas of poor drainage due to debris.

We recommend frequent checks and prompt debris-removal, necessary to prevent buildup or blockage. Drains and gutters should be cleared in the fall before below-freezing temperatures create frozen blockages from leaf debris.

Tennessee Commercial Roofing – Chattanooga TN

It takes a professional to recognize faulty sealants, flashings, mortar, seams and penetrations. At Tennessee Roofing and Construction, our customers receive quality work and peace of mind knowing your commercial roof is ready for winter. Give us a call today to learn more about services at 423-842-8826.

What Is a Green Roof?

green roof

We know roofs! From roof shingles, metal roofing, roof repair, commercial, and residential… you name it! But there is one roofing trend that hasgained recent attention and popularity in the US: green roofs. These roofing systems are not only green, but living too!

What Exactly is a Green Roof?

Along with environmentally friendly materials, an eco-roof involves growing plants on rooftops, such as a roof garden, in effort to restore the natural footprint that was previously removed during construction. While generally limited to flat rooftops, a green roof can be used on both commercial and residential rooftops. Commercial structures are often park-like for public recreation. One of the most famous American green rooftops is Chicago’s City Hall, which has launched an eco-movement of the urbanized concrete jungle.

Benefits of a Green Roof:

Increase the lifespan of your roof
Reduce energy costs with natural insulation
Avoid the need for complex drainage systems due to absorbed storm water
Mitigate water runoff and sewer overflows
Produce oxygen and provide shade
Recreational area for people and animals
Improves air quality and helps to reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect, a condition in which metropolitan areas emit, absorb, and trap heat due to excess energy consumption.
Promote environmentalism while solving the problems of conventional roofs
Reduce energy consumption that contributes to global warming

Depending on region, climate, and irrigation, a variety of shrubs, grass, and vegetation can be planted to add life to an unwelcoming rooftop. These green roof systems not only make this space more efficient, but also beautiful and useful. But just like any roof, the layers of a green roof must properly accommodate for drainage to protect the structure using advanced waterproofing materials. One such material, Thermoplastic Polyolefin TPO, has membranes that are resistant to high winds and hail damage, which improve long-term durability and weatherability.

Your Roofing Chattanooga Contractors

Our Residential and Commercial Roofing Chattanooga contractors offer advanced roofing solutions to problems that clients may have. TRC provides a quick response and cost effective pricing for repair and maintenance activities for our commercial, hospitality and industrial customers.

Tennessee Roofing & Construction provides roofing services in and around the Tennessee communities of Chattanooga, Hixson, Cleveland, Dayton, Dunlap, Knoxville, South Pittsburg and Kimball. We also service Dalton and Trenton Georgia, and Bridgeport Alabama. Call us at (423) 842-8826 or contact us online for a free roofing and drainage consultation today!

5 Reasons to Call Us for Commercial Roofing in Chattanooga TN

We offer a 2-year performance guarantee for all new roofing installations or roof leak repairs above and beyond the manufacturer’s warranty.
Our skilled professionals roofers are licensed, bonded, and insured for $11 million per project.
Our entire team is commercially trained and certified to meet OSHA and MASHA standards.
Our service is available 24-hours, 7 days a week, to customers within a 250-mile radius of Chattanooga, TN.
We care about building a quality experience and roof for your commercial company.

If you need additional reasons, check out our commercial roofing work that includes Chick-Fil-A, Bi-Lo, Northpark Memorial Hospital, and Fairfield Inn & Suites… just to name a few!

About Tennessee Roofing and Construction

Established in 1994, Tennessee Roofing and Construction is a certified installer of commercial roofing systems and products with a focus on commercial construction, hospitality, and industrial construction throughout Tennessee and Georgia.

Our roofing work includes structural steel, metal stairs & railings, metal buildings, as well as:

GENERAL CONTRACTING SERVICES
INDUSTRIAL ROOFING
COMMERCIAL ROOFING
RESIDENTIAL ROOFING

and MUCH MORE!

For more information about our commercial roofing in Chattanooga TN, we offer pre-construction consulting, as well as engineering and design services. Give us a call today at 423-842-8826 or contact us online to learn more!

Myths & Facts of Fall Protection

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities? Using compliant solutions, such as guardrails and barricades, Tennessee Roofing & Construction of Chattanooga can help you comply with OSHA and ANSI Fall Protection requirements for a safer workplace. Our safety systems are intended to prevent injury from unprotected sides or edges along ramps, walkways, platforms, fixed stairs, or roof edges.

Don’t fall for these four common myths and misconceptions below about commercial fall protection, call Tennessee Roofing & Construction today!

Myth: The Six-Foot Rule provides adequate fall protection safety.

FACT: The 6-foot rule is the idea that no fall protection is required, if work is performed at least 6 feet from a leading edge. This is a myth, according to both OSHA standards.

“OSHA has determined that there is no safe distance from an unprotected side or leading edge that would render fall protection unnecessary.”

Myth: We don’t get on the roof very often.
“I don’t need any fall protection; it’s only going to take me a minute to install.”

FACT: No matter 60 seconds or 60 minutes, OSHA compliant fall protection must be provided when employees are performing construction work on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is six feet or more above a lower level.

Myth: We do not perform maintenance on the roof.

FACT: Not only is this a myth, it is also poor rooftop etiquette. Roofs often require regular maintenance and repair, as they may contain gas lines, HVAC, electrical, piping, and ventilation, not to mention the annual upkeep on roofing and drainage. Each of these activities are potential sources of fall hazard.

Myth: Fall Protection Is Too Expensive.

FACT: After tallying up the legal expenses, any medical expenses associated with a fall, and of course OSHA fines, the cost of installing your commercial fall protection system is far less expensive. See for yourself with OSHA’s Safety Pays Estimator.

Buyers Beware of the Roof

If you are in the process of buying a house, there can be a multitude of “deal breakers” out there that can sink your sale. Buyers, specifically first time home buyers, beware! While the process is lengthy, be mindful not to overlook any potential problem areas on the roof; as it could be costly down the road. Do your homework and fully understand all the quirks of the home you are purchasing. In most cases, your home inspector should identify a problematic roof if there are any visible signs of damage; i.e. dark rings on the ceiling, peeling paint, missing shingles, etc. Note: Buyers beware, the most costly deal breaker often lies on the roof.

Even though a properly-maintained roof can last up to 30 years or more, not all roofs are cut from the same shingle. Whether dealing with an incorrect installation or low-quality materials, you may need to replace the roof much sooner than you originally anticipated.

Before closing day, complete the following:

Ask the seller how old the roof is and for any repair documents or permits that show previous roof repair or replacement.
Hire an inspector to evaluate the condition of the roof and gutters to make sure the drainage system is working properly.
If the home owner has already performed a home inspection prior to going under contract, ask to review it. A qualified real estate agent can guide you through the process, as well as provide specific advice for attaining all inspection documents.

Just because a roof is older, doesn’t mean that the seller will lower the price. However, it is negotiable if the roof hasn’t been properly maintained and if imminent repairs are required. In such case, you can request that the sellers replace the roof as a part of the home inspection repairs, although they don’t have to agree to it. If they refuse to replace the roof or lower the sale price, you have a decision: pay to have the roof replaced or walk away from the house.

It pays to get a roofer to do a proper inspection, either before you make the offer or during the contract phase of the negotiations. Give Tennessee Roofing & Contracting a call today to schedule your Chattanooga roof inspection today!