You probably know where this topic is heading if you have any ladders going up to the roof or connecting roof areas. Many times in my career, I’ve had to refuse to use a fixed ladder because they are “questionable”. Safety is the highest priority, but it’s difficult to be safe when the ladder is too short, rungs are broken, and bolts are pulling out of the wall. Consider replacing those old ladders, cages, hatches, and railings with new, OSHA-compliant ...

Roof replacements can be messy. Disruption of the facility and the people inside the building is a legitimate concern and can delay a roofing project until the “right” time. Roof replacement budgets can also delay a project. What to do? Consider a roof coating restoration instead of tearing off that old roof. The roof coatings available today are not just painted. They are waterproofing membranes (acrylic, urethane, or silicone) applied directly to the existing roof system and come with standard warranties ...

Your roof is most notably impacted by direct sunlight. During the summer, the temperature of the air is warmer, and your roof’s total sun exposure is extended. The daily sequence of temperature variation can create stress points where roof components connect to each other. Routine roof system inspections should include checking on these areas of concern and advising when repairs are necessary. Any type of major storm is a concern for your roof.  Following a large storm, it is highly ...

We’ll be blunt because this is a topic that is discussed every hour (if not more!) in the roofing industry. Materials are currently in short supply…period. As of today, most membranes and insulations have lead times of 10-12 months. However, don’t be discouraged! There are options for temporary roofs to keep that project moving. Also, Cole Roofing does have a substantial material inventory to complete several different roofing assemblies today. And Cole Roofing’s Service Department will see you thru any ...

Water is heavy and can be destructive. Buildings typically don’t like unnecessary weight. Roofs don’t like ponding water. Water will take the path of least resistance, so that means slope! Tapered insulation typically consists of polyisocyanurate or expanded polystyrene insulation and can be installed under your new roof membrane to slope and divert water directly to drainage assemblies. Proper slope and drainage prevent unnecessary water weight from sitting on top of your building and provide fewer chances for water to ...