SAFETY FIRST – Field Operations will be Closed from March 21 to 24, 2016 for Empire Roofing Safety Fest 2016

At Empire Roofing, we recognize that in order to uphold our highest standards of safety for our employees and customers, a program of continuous safety improvement must be maintained.

Says President Ken Gascoigne, “Every day that my employees return home safe to their families is a successful day.”

commercial roof safety

For the past 11 years, we have closed the Empire Roofing offices for our annual week long “Safety Fest”. This year, our field operations will be closed from March 21 to 24.

During this year’s Safety Fest, our in-house safety instructors and roofing trainers from Firestone Building Products will be holding safety and roofing seminars and training sessions for all of our field employees.

“Our courses, classes and seminars change and grow with the roofing trade each year. Construction is a constantly evolving industry and we are striving to set a new standard for safety each year,” explains Safety Coordinator May Bchouti.

Topics explored at Safety Fest will include fall arrest, propane handling, aerial lift, first aid, material handling, injury and illness prevention, working with hot asphalt, fire prevention, proper use of personal protective equipment, fundamentals of roofing and much more.

Roof Safety

Roof work usually brings with it a series of safety-related challenges. About one in three fatal falls are related to a fall from heights. Prior to the commencement of any roof work, there is a rigorous safety evaluation that typically involves consultation with the client for any known safety issues or concerns as well as checking for signs of damage or corrosion.

Fall protection plans are routinely discussed and implemented. Employees usually employ safety gear such as fall restraints, guard rails and safety nets. Openings in the roof are barricaded, covered and labelled. There are set safety procedures for loading materials onto the roof and equipment is routinely checked for potential problems.

Safety is our Top Priority

With our employees and customers in mind, our safety program remains our highest priority. Empire Roofing prides itself in its professional work as well as it safety record. A company’s performance is tied to its safety record. The safety record is measured by how many injuries occur per 100 (full time) employees.

“Our impeccable safety record and culture of safety awareness is directly reflected in the number of loss time accidents and medical aids in the history of our company,” says Toronto Branch Service Manager Nada Tayar.

Empire Roofing takes responsibility for the safety of its employees as well as for its valued clientele. Safety plans and protocols are regularly reviewed with both employees and customers. All safety measures and protocols are designed to meet or exceed OSHA requirements.

All Empire Roofing employees must undergo a certification program in safety and are required to pass the exams in order to be certified. They must also take part in regular classroom training safety sessions conducted by safety specialists. Scheduled and non-scheduled inspections are conducted on site and managers conduct regular meetings with staff to discuss any safety issues that may arise at a job site. Accident trends, potential problems and post-inspection reports filed by safety inspectors are common topics of discussion during these safety meetings. Empire Roofing subcontractors are also required to familiarize themselves with our safety program. Contractors usually sign a form acknowledging that they have understood and will abide by the company’s safety policies.

Working Together: Early Assessment and Cost-Saving Measures

Company owners and managers should continually monitor their roofs for any potential signs of trouble.

Empire Roofing staff are trained to conduct a proper roof analysis to determine what actions need to be taken to remedy any existing or potential problems that are found.

Early assessment and detection is crucial to tackling issues before they happen. The result will be significant cost savings.

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Treating The Roof Estimate Like a Job Interview

Treating The Roof Estimate Like A Job Interview

Hiring a commercial roofing contractor entails many steps, but the first step, the estimate, should be treated like a job interview. It is always a good idea to obtain at least three different bids from roofing companies. Adding a new flat roof to your building is a big investment, which also makes it a big risk, so you want to make sure you find the best fit.

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The information roofing contractors provide and the way they act during the estimate process will provide you with a good indication of their overall professionalism, communication skills and level of experience.

The roofers’ bids should include the outline of the project, from start to completions dates. It should also include cost of labour and materials, warranties for materials, cost for permits, if required, and details about cleanup and removal of construction debris.

It is the responsibility of each roofing company to provide you with information regarding their qualifications, licensing, insurance, warranties and payment options. Don’t hesitate to ask roofing contractors questions or to ask them to clarify any conditions or clauses that you don’t understand.

Some questions you can ask the roofing company include:

How long have you been in business?

Do you have a list of references?

Do you have liability of insurance? Ask to see the certificate.

Can I have a breakdown of the costs?

Do you offer material warranties?

Do you offer a lien waver? A lien waver is a document from a contractor to a claimant stating that payments have been received and that any future lien rights to the property (of the owner) will be waived.

Is your company certified by a product manufacturer, such as Firestone Building Products?

How do you communicate with your roofing customers throughout the job?

How will the property be maintained throughout the roofing job?

It is also a good idea to do your own research. Look up the roofing company credentials online. Do they have their own website? Read customer reviews and testimonials and find out what their status is with the Better Business Bureau (A ratings are what you’re looking for). Use online resources to verify whether the roofing businesses have a valid business license, roofing license and current workers’ compensation insurance.

Request a quote from Empire Roofing for your TPO, EPDM, PVC, Built Up Roof, Modified Bituman Roof, Flat Roofing or Green Roofing, and if you have any questions, contact us today.

 

 

 

RECOVER, REPAIR OR REPLACE?

Recover, Repair or Replace?
Solutions for Damaged Commercial Roofing

While most commercial roofing systems, when properly designed, installed and maintained, are meant for long-term performance, many can and will develop problems during their lifespan. But, no matter how damaged the roof, there are options to correct problems with a commercial roof. Before it can be determined which solution is best suited for a commercial roofing problem, it’s important for commercial roofers to identify a few key factors about the building and the state of the roof damage.

Harris Jordan Investments - Toronto - AFTER

Many issues such as the nature and location of the building, long- and short-term use of the building, occupant requirements, type of roofing system in place, roof insulation and potential moisture problems have to be addressed. Once a commercial roofing company has identified the building requirements and the physical issues affecting roof performance, the decision to recover, repair or replace the roof can made based on the following criteria.

Recovering a Commercial Roof
In the instance that a roof has been properly installed and is in sound condition, the option to recover may be the most effective solution. This may be the case primarily if a roof has good insulation and has not been recovered before since a roof can only be recovered once. Recovering a roof is also more cost-effective and less disruptive than a full roof replacement. Extended or new warranties may also apply when recovering a commercial roof.

Repairing a Commercial Roof
If the roof damages are minor, they can easily be repaired or coated to extend the life of the roof. This is the best solution if the roof membrane and insulation is in good condition and if the building owner would like to keep costs to a minimum.

Replacing a Commercial Roof
If the nature of the roof damage is too extensive to recover or repair, full roof replacement may be the only option. As a rule of thumb, if 25% or more of a roof is damaged, it is best to replace it. Another reason to replace the roof may have to do with the insulation, if it is too wet or not up to par. Other factors to consider when looking into a full roof replacement include the owner’s long-term plans for a building, lower maintenance costs, energy savings and taking advantage of the latest technologies and roofing materials.

 

DON’T WAIT FOR SPRING TO RE-ROOF

From Lambs to Lions – Don’t Wait Until Spring to Re-Roof

March came in like a lion for those who live in southern Ontario, thanks to the hazardous and significant winter storm that came walloping in, dumping approximately 25 cm of snow over Toronto and other areas. If you’re waiting until spring to get that new roof or roof repairs done, better think again. Spring may be a few weeks away, but according to weather forecasts, old man winter may still have a parting shot or two before month’s end. Now, if your roof isn’t in bad shape, this really shouldn’t be an issue. But, if your roof is in need of repair, the inclement weather will only make matters worse.

flat roof snow

We want spring to get here just as much as you do. However, if you wait for March to go out like a lamb before you get any roof work done, there’s a chance those problems will go from lambs to lions. Here’s why you should avoid the costly mistake of waiting until spring, whenever it decides to make an appearance at this rate, to re-roof:

1. WINTER ROOFING IS COMMON

Most people assume that re-roofing shouldn’t be done during the winter months. And, who can blame them? Our winter weather is harsh on roofs and it’s risky and more challenging to perform repairs on a roof during significant snowfalls and extreme cold. However, the seriousness of the roof situation can sometimes outweigh the risk of doing the job in the winter.

Empire Roofing is highly experienced in winter roofing and maintenance. If you suspect there is a problem with your roof, get in touch with us before it’s too late. The structure of your building and the safety of your employees may be compromised. Always remember, your roofing system is your first line of defence against the elements. Avoid any risks, our professional roofing crew will brave the winter elements to ensure your safety.

2. AVOID FURTHER DAMAGE

Winter may be the season of stillness, but it is also the season when all is hidden. When it comes to your roof, this means that just because you don’t see a leak, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t one. Often commercial, industrial or flat roof leaks go undetected until they cause major damage to your building. Water could be collecting or running down the interior of your walls. When the snow melts during the spring thaw, these roofing leaks could become a major issue and you could end up having to repair or replace more than your roof.

Bite the bullet and call Empire Roofing. We’ll get that roof leak repaired before you experience any interior or structural storms.

3. DIFFICULTY FINDING CONTRACTORS AND HIGHER PREMIUMS

The spring roofing rush could mean longer waiting times and difficulty finding commercial and industrial roofing contractors. With increased demand, some roofing companies and roof suppliers may have to turn down work or hire sub-contractors to keep up with all the work, which could end up having an impact on the overall quality of the work. You could also end up paying higher premiums, with prices seeing a rise of 10% or more during the spring. Meanwhile, your roofing issues will just worsen and cost you more to repair.

If you require roof repairs, a roof inspection or roof maintenance before the spring thaw, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Empire Roofing. Our professional, experienced and tireless roofing crew is always ready to ensure that your safety comes first and take pride in serving commercial and industrial properties with our state-of-the-art equipment.