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Roofing and COVID-19

May 6, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on so many local businesses and the good people of New York State. Roofing and construction are considered essential services to the community, but that does not mean everything is quite business as usual for your local roofing contractors right now. We are still providing a totally free roof estimate to all homeowners, but we have had to adapt and overcome a few challenges to ensure we can continue to provide you with a safe and dry roof over your head through these troubling times. We are however very pleased and proud to still be able to provide you with a first rate roofing service, second to none.

What does COVID-19 mean for local roofing contractors?

As a top local roofing contractor operating in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, our very first priority is the safety of our workers and the safety of all our customers. Everyone has been concerned about containment and preventing the spread of the virus. We wanted to find an option where, with respect to the social distancing guidelines in effect, people could get an accurate free roofing estimate without needing to meet up with an estimator. We have already been using the latest technology and satellite imagery for many years to assist us in generating your estimates. Now more than ever, this technology has really come into play to provide our customers with the most accurate, pinpoint estimates ever. We have got our free roofing estimates down to an artform and it is easier than ever before. Our team is still 100% available to you as needed and we will always do our best to accommodate any special requirements you may have.

Our workforce availability, along with the availability of our other associates, has become much more of a logistical issue than ever before. However, we have enough staff and workers on rotation to keep things working at near full capacity. We have sought financing to avoid any lay-offs. Office staff that are able to work remotely have been allowed to do so, but obviously roofing itself is a very hands-on job. We take every precaution with regards to safety and social distancing from the public whilst always maintaining our usual high standard roofing service.

Our supply chains have been minimally impacted but may be operating with slight delays and disruptions. Supply shortages are also a key concern. If your need is urgent, it is very important that you get in touch and book your free roof estimate with us as soon as possible to avoid any delays. We are still very busy right now, alongside dealing with all these extra concerns. You can rest assured that we will keep you apprised of your expected schedule and we will get out to perform your work as soon as humanly possible.

There may also be some increased operating costs during this period which we will continue to consider ways to offset. However, we will always do our absolute best not to pass these additional expenses on to our clients. As a roofing company that offers free estimates, our prices will always be among the most competitive around!

What are the top 5 priorities for local roofing contractors during the pandemic?

Worker and customer safety – Above all else, this must be our number one priority
Communication – Keeping clients, staff and workers informed immediately of anything that will affect them
Be prepared – We must be ready for any potential issues and changes in the workflow. Expect and plan for the worst, but always hope for the best
Coordination – Keeping everyone on the same page (suppliers, work crews, office staff)
Be proactive – Adapt new policies for best practice, refine your workflow, improve existing systems and do everything you can to make the best of the situation

These are troubled times when many local roofing businesses are struggling to stay afloat, but by following these guidelines and keeping true to our company ideals, we know we can hold strong and pull through without letting a single customer down.

We would like to thank all our valued customers for their patience and understanding in this difficult period. For your free roofing estimate, call us at 518-444-ROOF or email info@infiniteroofingny.com. If you have any other concerns, please do feel free to contact us too.

Are You Using The Right Roof Coating?

November 22, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Homeowners and building owners generally spend a significant amount of money on roofing. However, they spend a lot more money when they don’t get the proper roofing for their property. No one likes to waste money, especially when your roof should have been done right the first time. Many people are purchasing a spray-applied elastomeric commercial roof coating because it saves them a great deal of money, especially when applied instead of a full commercial roof replacement. However, as mentioned before, when your roofing isn’t done properly you tend to spend a lot more than you should, especially when you have coated your roof twice. This can be very frustrating and you start to think, “Well, why wasn’t this done right the first time?” How can I make sure that I choose the right roof coating for my building? Below we give you some details about elastomeric roof coatings and we will provide you with the information you need to make a final decision on your commercial roof coating.

Commercial roof coatings often increase the reflectivity, reduce energy consumption and enhance the aesthetics of the roof. So when we talk about elastomeric roof coating, you should know that it is an elastic coating that can be applied to many different types of roofs. With an elastomeric roof coating, your roof is protected and it will seal the underlying roofing material, helping to stop and prevent leaks. The term elastomeric comes from the coating’s elastic quality so that it stretches and moves. The main reason for applying an elastomeric coating is to make your roof more durable. Some coatings are able to make your building cool. Elastomeric roof coatings can be used on many industrial and commercial roof types.

Before making any big decisions about an elastomeric roof coating, you need to look more into several factors about your roof. You need to establish exactly what material is currently on your roof and ascertain what coating will be best suited for the property. A local commercial roofing contractor will be able to tell you if your roof needs a repair, full roof replacement, or perhaps just needs a restoration coating. An experienced commercial roofing contractor will be able to give you the best advice on how to proceed.

When reaching out to a commercial roofing contractor it is helpful to know the approximate size, age and the type of roof. This information will help you and your local roofing contractor to establish if your roof should be lasting longer than it is, and the cost to replace the entire roof if needed. You will want to establish the slope of the roof because this weighs on what type of replacement or repair is available to you. You should also gather as much information about your roof’s history such as: has it been coated? Has it had single-ply roofing materials installed over it? Has it suffered the same problems in the past?

Some of these are pretty basic things that you may know off the top of your head, however, others may require opening up a roof maintenance book or getting on the roof yourself to get the answer. An experienced roofing contractor will have years of knowledge to help you gather all the necessary information to make an informed decision about your roof.

Take into consideration the condition of your roof as well. You may choose the best commercial roof coating but the question is, is your roof a suitable candidate for a roof coating at all? Or do you need to completely remove the roof and replace the roof deck too? If your roof is not structurally sound, no roof coating is a good choice. The building’s location is also a really important thing to consider. Certain climates are more favorable for coating. A dry climate is better for acrylic coatings to be installed, humid and wet climates work better for silicone coatings.

Why is reflectivity such an important consideration?

Light colored surfaces reflect more sunlight than dark surfaces. When sunlight is reflected, less of the sun’s energy is turned into heat. Increasing the reflectivity of your commercial roof will extend the life of your roof and leave your building much cooler in summer, saving you considerable expense on heat regulation. This also means less strain on your HVAC systems and anyone inside the building will be much more comfortable.

Which type of Elastomeric Roof Coating is best for you?

Acrylic Roof Coatings

Acrylic coatings usually have a lifespan of 20 years. Their appearance is typically bright white and provide good reflectivity. Acrylic roof coatings have significant value within the modern property. However many owners often have a limited understanding of the performance of the product and their unique property space. Some negative characteristics of acrylic coatings are that for one it does not stretch out as much as some of the other coatings do, making them susceptible to damage from fluctuating temperatures and ponding water. Another thing is that acrylic coatings usually require a primer and nearly always require two coats. Acrylic roof coatings tend to be more expensive when you consider the additional steps and materials. Some local roofing contractors will tell you that per gallon they are cheaper, however what you need to know is that on any acrylic coating project, with these extra considerations the price can blow up very quickly.

Besides the downfalls of an acrylic roof coating, it is highly reflective. The sun’s UV rays have a minimal impact on the surface material. Acrylic coatings also provide intuitive performance. Therefore, property owners and an installation team don’t have to spend time learning how to integrate the material and the installation work can be performed in a quick time frame. This ensures that owners consolidate their installation costs and minimize the amount of time required to add the acrylic coating to their building structure.

Acrylic roof coatings are among the most cost effective commercial roofing systems within the marketplace. Property owners can save thousands of dollars by having the system installed on their roofing structure. And because they’re durable in most environments, property owners can look forward to achieving long lasting value. When your roofing system becomes dirty, the roof reduces its appeal and limits the value received by the building owner. However, having an acrylic roof coating by a commercial roofing contractor will most likely restore your roof’s appeal because it is exceptionally dirt-resistant and maintains its aesthetic appeal over many years.

Urethane Roof Coating

Urethane roof coatings are another common elastomeric roofing system. It is quite similar in price to silicone coatings, the price usually depends on the specific formulation. Urethane roof coatings usually are chosen because of their durability compared to acrylic and silicone coatings. Urethane coatings don’t offer as much effective reflectivity as silicone or acrylic coatings. A good quality that urethane coatings have is that they offer good protection from ponding water and stay cleaner, resisting dirt more than silicone coatings and acrylic coatings. Urethane roof coatings are most commonly used for sprayed in place polyurethane foam insulation and every other commercial roofing substrate. Without a doubt, a urethane roof coating is one of the strongest and most durable roof coatings on the market today.

When it comes to urethane roof coatings, you should know that there are two different types of urethane coating. They are aliphatic coating and aromatic coating. Aliphatic urethane coatings are UV stable. They also hold color longer, they resist dirt pick up, and are typically used as a topcoat. Aromatic urethane roof coatings are not as UV stable, on the other hand. However, they are less expensive and are typically used as a base coat. Urethane coatings form a highly durable, flexible, seamless membrane layer that is able to withstand the daily expansion and contraction of the roof structure as well as resist ponding water. Therefore, some local roofing contractors would go forward with using this particular coating. Aromatic urethane are less expensive but they are typically used as a base coat. Urethane coatings are more impact resistant than any other commercial roof coatings, making them ideal for use in high-traffic areas.

Urethane coatings comply very well with most traditional commercial roofing substrates including metal, modified bitumen, spray polyurethane foam, EPDM, TPO, and other single-ply membranes. Urethane coatings are highly reflective and UV stable so building owners and facility managers can save a lot of money from reducing cooling costs during the summer.

Silicone Roof Coatings

Silicone roof coatings are the most flexible material available, and they are often chosen for their ability to compensate for a building’s flexing with changes in temperature. They exhibit great UV resistance and protect the surface beneath the coating very well. Silicone roof coatings are often compared to acrylic coatings due to their similar appearance, but in actual fact silicone coatings are very different and not really comparable. They are more expensive per gallon, but for that extra price tag, you receive better reflectivity, better adhesion, no primer required, only one coat, and a 20-year lifespan. As you can see, the two systems are not similar on a per-project basis. Silicone coatings often start out more expensive per-gallon, but as a whole, the project is less expensive. Silicone roof coatings can also withstand ponding water, which acrylic coatings cannot.

Two major concerns with silicone coatings are dirt accumulation and durability. These coatings do pick up a lot of dirt, so they should be used in areas where aesthetics are important. The coatings can be easily power-washed, but they will become dirty and require cleaning again quite frequently. Their durability is also sometimes a question mark, although if you are careful not to drop sharp objects on the roof they should be fine. Another way to avoid the durability problem is to install granules on the roof surface.

Summary

In short, there are many considerations when choosing a commercial roof coating for your property. An experienced commercial roofing contractor like our team here at Infinite Roofing, is well equipped to answer any of your questions and come out to your property and provide you with a thorough assessment, advice and estimate for any work you may require. Give us a call today! 518-444-ROOF

Roofing Safety: Roof Safety Tips

September 13, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Roofing Safety Tips — Infinite Roofing and Construction

Based on OSHA’s fall prevention campaign, they summarize the proper roofing safety practices as “Plan, Provide and Train”, which is something that Infinite Roofing provides to all our work crews. This simply means:

Plan – In order to get the job done properly, roofing contractors need a roof safety plan for each worksite, making sure that they have the proper equipment, material and having the appropriately trained workers. Also, the contractors knowing the pitch of the roof and following the appropriate procedure for a low or steep slope roof. Doing this provides a better and thorough roofing safety plan.
Provide – Roofing Contractors must be trained to have the right pieces of equipment, such as the types of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear.
Train – Roofers must be trained on how to use each equipment that is used for the job. They must be trained in hazard recognition as well as the care and safety of ladders, scaffolds and other equipment that they will be using on the job.

Fall Protection Requirements

Falls are very common when it comes to roofing, they are a leading cause of work-related injuries and deaths to the workers. When a roofer is working six feet or above, this puts each roofer at risk of serious injury or even death if they were to fall. When it comes to Infinite Roofing we focus on those dangers and make sure that we avoid the lack of fall protection or the improper setup that will increase their risk of falling from a height.

Fall Protection Training

Commercial roofing contractors must provide fall protection training for all workers who would be exposed to the chances of falling. The training must be conducted by a person who is competent and has good knowledge within the roofing industry. The information that would be provided should include information on how to recognize fall hazards and the procedures to follow in order to minimize the chances of serious incidents occurring. As a professional roofing contractor, Infinite Roofing always ensures that all our workers follow all steps to ensure they stay safe.

Roofing Safety Practice and Equipment

The best commercial roofing company to hire is one that focuses on safety and is aware of the following:

Ladder Safety & Placement: An experienced Albany roofer will have the proper ladder lengths so that it could be placed against the house at a safe angle. They would also make sure that the ladders are inspected by a competent person for any visible defects on a regular basis. They would take extra care that all footing of the ladder is secured and that the top is tied to prevent any slipping or shifting.
Safety Equipment: Other safety equipment should be used when it comes to roofing, such as using a guardrail system, scaffolding, and fall arrest systems that would include anchorage, safety harnesses and safety lines.
Safety Practices: In the demolition phase, roofing contractors should always protect their workers on the ground from falling debris by controlling how it leaves the roof. According to OSHA, wearing appropriate footwear is a piece of important protective equipment and critical during roof demolition. Workers should also be careful with air hoses and power cords when using nail guns and other electrical equipment.
Training: Roofing is a trained skill that also requires experience to fully master. Therefore, a good contractor will make sure that all their workers have been fully trained in each practice and are completely up to date with any new safety guidelines and standards. The employers must appoint a qualified person to train workers. They need to be provided with ongoing safety training that focuses on that specific type of worksite as well as general roofing safety training. Employers must also appoint a competent person to train workers who construct, disassemble, repair, inspect scaffolds to recognize any potential hazards. Training should also be provided in a language that the workers being trained can understand.

Roofer Tool Safety

When roofing it all comes down to the tools that you are using, therefore, power tools and equipment that is used can be extremely hazardous and can cause severe injuries if used incorrectly. Furthermore, employers can reduce the risk of injuries by simply providing the correct tool guards and trained workers. Which makes a huge improvement in the roofing safety plan.

Power tools such as nail guns, saws, etc. should have the proper shields, guards, or safety attachments that are specified by the manufacturer. Employers must also ensure that each worker using power tools is wearing appropriate eye protection. Therefore, every local roofing contractor should replace a tool guard that is missing or has been damaged in order to provide safety for their workers.

All workers must be able to properly use each tool and that they are properly trained. It is very important to discuss tool safety features, safe operating procedures, and work practices, such as proper body placement. Roofers in Albany must ensure all procedures are carefully followed when it comes down to each tool that is used.

Personal Protective Equipment

With any construction job, every local roofing contractor has a duty to protect its workers from hazards and injuries. However, where the hazard cannot be eliminated by other types of controls such as engineering or administrative controls, the local roofing contractor must ensure that workers wear the appropriate PPE.

The typical PPE used with various roofing tools and equipment is nail guns, generator/air compressor, shingle stripper, tin snips, power saw, etc.

Nail Guns: When using a nail gun, workers must wear protection (particularly eye protection), in order to prevent the nail gun from causing severe, irreparable injury. Also, always avoid carrying it against the body or with a finger on the trigger.
Generator/air compressor: It’s important to wear eye protection and other protection while working near any pressurized equipment.
Shingle Stripper: Always make sure you’re wearing the proper footwear and eye protection.
Tin snips: It’s extremely important to wear work gloves and safety glasses when discarding waste or any scrap metal.
Power saw: Making sure you’re wearing hearing protection, eye protection, and work gloves. Ensuring that guards are placed and functioning properly.

Weather Conditions

During the fall and winter time weather conditions can become very hazardous. Especially when it comes to the high winds, wet weather, and icy conditions. Roofing safety plans become importance at that point. Therefore local roofing contractors should consider suspending any operations in bad weather. Mainly when working on any type of roofing surface that could be slippery when it’s wet, which includes slate, tile, metal roofs. Furthermore, as local roofing contractors, we always do our utmost to promote safety and avoid working in serious weather conditions.

Why is a Fall protection Harness Important?

In order to prevent any falls, using a fall protection harness is the way to go. As mentioned before, falling while working on any roof is one of the most common reasons for roofer injuries. Therefore, when a harness is being used it is carefully engineered to work alongside the lanyard, rope-grab, rope, and roof anchor. Roofers in Albany, such as Infinite Roofing, always make sure that all our workers wear the right equipment, especially harnesses to prevent any serious injuries.

Safe Debris Disposal

All local roofing contractors must consider worker and bystander safety when it comes to selecting a method for handling debris, which is scattered pieces of remains or waste. A common cause of debris from a roof is the removal of old roof shingles before working on a new roof installation. When debris is not managed properly it can result in a trip hazard and contribute to falls. An effective method that professional roofing contractors can use to manage the remains or waste that is on the roof is to use a forklift to raise a collection box to roof level. Therefore, when the box is full, or when the job is completely done, the box would be lowered to the ground without any of the contractors being put at risk. Another common method is to thoroughly cordon off the area where the work is taking place to ensure that nobody wanders into a dangerous area by mistake.

To sum it up

Knowing all safety guidelines and procedures can be very involved and it is very important that local roofing contractors know all safety requirements before they hit that roof. Being properly trained, forming a roof safety plan and knowing what makes each worker safe will make a hazardous job so much safer!