Over the Top

Advice from a Quality Assurance and Service Manager

Submitted by Deveny Coryell, Editor, Coryell Roofing & Construction

Having a relationship with a roofing company that has an outstanding quality assurance and service manager is a good way to save time and money. Coryell Roofing has one of the best in the business! Marcus Borchers has been with the company ten years: he is knowledgeable, skilled, and dependable. I asked Marcus if he could give helpful advice to administrators who want to maintain their roofing systems more efficiently to make those maintenance budget dollars stretch a little farther. Here are his suggestions:

Keep a log of whomever steps foot on your roof.

The log can be kept beside the door hatch to the roof or with the maintenance supervisor. The log should require the date any person is on the roof, his name, the company he is with, and his purpose for being there. If your building begins to leak and a weather incident or the natural aging of the roof is not the cause, a careless worker may be responsible, and the repair bill could belong to them.

Have your roof inspected every six months.

An inspection will detect potential problems that often go unnoticed until you discover a leak in your building. Catching a problem early is most often a real money saver. An inspection will also give you an idea about repair and replacement expenses that might be in your future and help you budget for them.

Build a paper log for your roof.

This log will document the findings of inspections as well as any repairs or maintenance you do. If you have to file an insurance claim, this record of your roof's condition at all times can help with the insurance claims process.

Through the years, Marcus has seen a lot of damage due to carelessness. He has seen systems gouged by dragging cords with sharp-edged hooks across a roofing system. He has seen punctures in the roof’s surface from sharp rocks embedded in workers’ boots. Marcus has seen old, retired mechanical equipment left on a roof. As strong winds blow these units and parts across a roofing system, they puncture and tear the surface. Without regular inspections, facility owners are often unaware of what is on their roofs.

Your roofing system is an investment only you can protect. Keeping a log of who is allowed on your roof, having 6month inspections, and keeping a paper log of your roofing systems condition are ways to protect your investment and save you time and money. Invest in a relationship with a roofing company whose quality assurance and service manager cares about the integrity of your roofing system and about your bottom line.