For Exhibitors: Earn Priority Points Automatically

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Each person at your company who includes this tag earns 100 priority points per month from now through September 2025.

To get credit, just forward us one email from each participant showing the updated signature. We will log all the points upfront.

More info here:
https://wsrca.com/page/priority-points

For Members: Every Bit Helps

Even if you are not exhibiting, promoting the Expo helps boost attendance, grow visibility, and strengthen the roofing community. Feel free to use the same signature tag or share WRE 2025 updates with your network. A bigger, better Expo benefits everyone, and your support makes a difference.

Questions about booth selection, priority points, or how to get more involved?
We are always here to help.

Alec Ward
Director of Membership & Trade Show
Western States Roofing Contractors Association

The Grand Opening event brought together contractors, supply partners, local officials, and community members for a festive celebration. Attendees enjoyed a ribbon cutting ceremony, product displays from leading manufacturers, food trucks, door prizes, and special appearances by the Boise State Spirit Squad and mascot Buster Bronco. Representatives from Adler Industrial, the firm responsible for the branch construction, also joined the celebration.

Convoy Supply’s President & CEO, Jean-Marc Sager, shared his thoughts:

“We’re pleased to contribute to the growth of this dynamic community. As our first branch in Idaho, this location represents our commitment to our customers across this region. We’d like to thank everyone for their support and for welcoming Convoy to your city. We look forward to serving you for many years to come.”

Branch Manager Joe Davis added:

“It’s gratifying to see so many families attending our event. You see the kids enjoying themselves and it really brings home what this is all about: building homes, schools, and so much more to create a healthy, vibrant community for future generations.”

The new Nampa location will serve customers from the Western Treasure Valley in Oregon through south-central Idaho, offering Convoy’s full line of commercial and residential building envelope products.

Convoy Supply operates over 40 branches across North America and is a leading distributor of roofing and construction materials for the complete building envelope.

📍 Branch Location: Nampa, Idaho
📨 Branch Contact: Joe Davis – jdavis@convoy-supply.com

WSRCA congratulates Convoy Supply on this exciting step forward and thanks them for their continued leadership in the roofing and building materials community.

Late Friday evening, December 17, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling which gave life to OSHA’s emergency temporary standard ("ETS") which requires employers with 100 or more employees to implement a vaccine mandate policy with a weekly testing option. OSHA’s ETS had been subject to a temporary stay issued by the Fifth Circuit of Appeals. Numerous lawsuits were filed across the country seeking to block OSHA’s enforcement of the ETS. Those lawsuits were consolidated while the Fifth Circuit’s stay remained in place. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals was chosen, by lottery, as the court to hear arguments on whether the stay should be enforced or dissolved. The Sixth Circuit’s decision dissolves the stay allowing OSHA to enforce the ETS.

With the decision from the Sixth Circuit, large employers subject to the ETS will need to scramble in order to meet the requirements of the standard. While the ETS first required compliance by January 4, shortly after the Sixth Circuit published its opinion, OSHA issued a press release noting that, given the uncertainties surrounding the ETS in light of the litigation filed across the country seeking to block its enforcement, it would not begin issuing citations for noncompliance with any requirements of the ETS before January 10, and it will not issue any citations for noncompliance with the testing requirements of the ETS until February 9, so long as the employer is exercising reasonable, good faith efforts to come into compliance with the standard. Employers subject to the ETS who fail or refuse to comply with the standard by these deadlines will be subject to OSHA citations, which, in 2021, equated to $13,653 for a serious violation. The penalty amount will increase beginning in January, 2022.

Immediately after the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision allowing OSHA's enforcement of the ETS, various conservative groups and business groups indicated that the decision would be appealed to the Supreme Court. To date, the Supreme Court has been hesitant to get involved in state and local vaccine mandates, allowing those mandates to remain in place. It remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court will agree to review the decision by the Sixth Circuit, and if so, whether the decision will be affirmed or reversed. What we know for sure is that there will be more to come, and we will be sure to provide you with the information as it is published.

The Sixth Circuit’s ruling has no effect on the current status of what is commonly referred to as the Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate. The Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate remains subject to a nationwide stay following a decision by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. 

Roofing contractors offer tips when trying to improve attic airflow to help the A/C system and mistakes to avoid

Here’s a common scenario roofing contractors say they encounter after finishing an attic inspection and discussing their findings with homeowners. “I recently called the HVAC contractor because the air conditioning system isn’t cooling my house like it should. During the service call, the HVAC contractor suggested adding a power fan to boost the airflow in the attic. The vents I had were just not enough.”

There’s no doubt proper attic ventilation can impact the effectiveness of the air conditioning system. Removing the built-up heat inside the attic that radiates from the sun baking the roof is essential. Otherwise, that heat can transfer into the living space which increases the burden on the AC system.

“I try to preach to homeowners the benefits of an updated attic ventilation system: comfort, reduced cycling on big ticket items -- like the AC system -- lower utility bills,” says Clayton Putman, commercial project manager, Elite Roofing, Denver, CO. “My biggest selling point is comfort and reduced AC usage.”

But here are some common mistakes roofing contractors see in the field as a result of someone trying to help the air conditioning system. In some cases, these mistakes are more problematic than the struggling air conditioning.

More Vents is Not Always Better

While the attic may indeed need more vents, be sure it’s more of the same kind of vents, the same category of vents. Because too often we see mixed exhaust vents on the same roof above a common attic. And what started out as a good idea – give the hot attic more airflow – turns into a problem resulting in inefficient airflow and possible weather infiltration. Here’s why.

There are five types or categories of attic exhaust vents: ridge vents installed at the peak of the roof, gable louvers installed in the gable end of the house, roof-top box vents or roof louvers, roof-top wind turbines and power attic fans either gable-mount or roof-mount. Manufacturers of those vents recommend never mixing or combining any two types on the same roof above a common attic because it results in short-circuiting the system. The 2021 International Residential Building Code says to follow the manufacturers’ installation guidelines. The organization representing the asphalt shingle manufacturers, Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, says do not mix exhaust vent types. For good reason.

Air follows the path of least resistance. Always. It’s looking for the closest opening and easiest path it can take. When two different types of attic exhaust vents are used on the same roof, one of them becomes the intake vent which then reduces the flow of air to the upper region of the attic. Significant portions of the attic below are under ventilated as a result. Furthermore, and much more problematic potentially, the exhaust vent that is suddenly working as an intake vent could be pulling in whatever the air is carrying that very moment – rain, snow, debris, etc.

Adding a power fan to the roof, for example, to give a boost to the wind turbines already in place is a bad idea. No matter how hot the attic is. It would be better to add more wind turbines or switch exclusively to the power fan(s).

Mixed Exhaust Vent Problems

“About 5 years ago, I had a seasoned roofer with me that just started working for our company,” recalls roofing consultant Jerry Becker, Roof Life of Oregon, Tigard, OR. “We walked up to this apartment complex and I noticed that there was a power fan alongside can vents (box vents) and very little intake ventilation. I placed a friendly bet with him stating that I know what the plywood already looks like underneath without looking at it.  He argued with me and said, ‘This roof has plenty of ventilation, look at all the vents up top and it even has a fan!’  So, I told him that the ply wood next to the fan and the closest can vents and up to the ridge is going to be perfect, but as soon as you drop down about a foot from the power fan the plywood will be as black as night. 

“We go inside the attic and what do you think we found? Black microbial growth on the lower section of the roof.  It was so black that it was wet.  It is important not to mix exhaust vent types. It’s bad enough when you do it on a single dwelling home, but that same mistake in a multi-family home is deadly. Think of all the moisture that is created by all the families -- The washer/dryer, dishwasher, sinks, showers, and ourselves!”

Inefficient airflow not only can damage the roof deck, but it can also prematurely age the asphalt shingles. “I see examples of this all the time,” says Trevor Atwell, owner, Atwell Exterior Services LLC, Greenville, NC. “Premature aging of roofing materials, buckled sheathing and signs of rotten wood all due to the moisture and heat being trapped.”

We see it often with ridge vents and a power fan just below the ridge vent or box vents with ridge vents; sometimes all three. We call it the Ventilation Trifecta,” says Tom Picha, vice president, All in 1 Home Improvements, Oswego, IL. “More is good in some cases. Not all.”

“In the winter when freezing rain turns into fine ice particles, I observed several times the lower exhaust vents on the roof becoming intake vents instead of exhaust as designed and drawing in ice particles and snow,” says Steve DuCharme, owner, Innovative Builders Roofing & Construction, Oklahoma City, OK.

“I recall an attic several years ago that had ridge vent and two power fans. They installed two because they were told one wouldn't pull enough heat out,” says Paul Vosen, president, Degenhardt Home Improvement, Madison, WI. “House had no overhangs and the attic floor was insulated with a good vapor barrier. I was there in the rain and both fans were running. The attic was so tight that the power fans were pulling rain in through the ridge vent. Never have I seen that before. Nor have I seen it since, but I never forgot it.”

The most common exhaust mixture our seminar attendees tell us they see is gable end louvers combined with something else. Often the homeowner demands that the roofing contractor leave the gable end vent in place despite the fact a ridge vent is being installed as an exhaust vent improvement. The homeowner’s reasoning: The gable louver adds a decorative touch to the home’s exterior. Solution: Do what Ron Bastian does.

“I’ve noticed snow and wind driven rain coming in a gable end vent which was combined with a ridge vent” says Bastian, owner and president, Bastian Roofing Inc., Richfield, WI.  “We closed up the gable end vent from inside the attic and this cured the problem I was called out for.”  By closing the gable vent from inside the attic short-circuiting is eliminated and the homeowner can still enjoy the cosmetics from the exterior.

“We have witnessed numerous issues related to short-circuiting,” says Shawn Bellis, owner, EPIC Exteriors, Overland Park, KS. “We’ve seen fine wind-driven mid-west snow sucked into the exhaust vents – gable vents mixed with ridge vents for example.”

Check the Intake Vents First

Anytime a homeowner believes that the attic is too hot, or the upper floor of the house is too hot and attic ventilation is suspected as part of the problem, roofing contractors recommend checking two things in this order: the intake vents, then the exhaust vents.

Unfortunately, the most overlooked aspect of the attic ventilation system is the intake vents in the soffit, eaves or low on the roof. No amount of exhaust vents on the roof can overcome the lack of proper intake ventilation, because attic ventilation is a “balanced system” of 50% intake and 50% exhaust.

To remove hot air in the summer and moisture in the winter (the average family of four generates 2-4 gallons of water vapor daily from everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, showering and breathing) from an attic there must be incoming cooler, dryer air into the attic. Together, intake and exhaust vents form a balanced attic ventilation system that also helps to fight ice dams in snow climates by keeping the roof deck temperature even so the snow and ice can melt evenly.

Lack of intake ventilation drives most of the callbacks that we track through our Customer Service. Exhaust vents tend to draw the contractors’ attention. Intake vents tend to cause the trouble. Check the following:

• Are there intake vents at all?
• Are there enough for the square footage of the attic space?
• Is anything inside the attic blocking the intake vents from working (attic insulation, items stored inside the attic, etc.?)
• Have the intake vents been painted over thus reducing their airflow capability?

“Attic ventilation is a two-step process. Proper air exchange inside the attic needs both steps to function properly, says Jeff Barnett, vice president, Barnett Roofing & Siding, Inc., Canton, MI.”

“Intake and exhaust are both needed because they work together as a system, and exhaust is ineffective without supporting help from the intake,” says Putman.

If a non-motorized exhaust vent (ridge vents, wind turbines, roof louvers and gable louvers) is starving for intake airflow it can actually pull air from itself (in testing we’ve seen a ridge vent ingest air from its back side) or from a nearby exhaust vent (a wind turbine or box vent will gladly take air from the wind turbine a few feet down the roofline if intake air from the soffit is not happening). If an exhaust vent is suddenly ingesting air, it could also suddenly be ingesting anything the air is carrying along for the ride: rain, debris, dust, and snow all entering the attic. That’s not what exhaust vents should be doing. Motorized exhaust vents (roof-mount and gable-mount power fans) that are lacking the needed intake air can experience premature motor burnout and pull air from the conditioned living space. Neither one of those situations is desirable.

How Much is Needed?

The amount of attic ventilation needed is based on the attic’s square footage (length x width, floor of the attic). Half of the ventilation should be intake (50%); half exhaust (50%). There are many calculation tools available from various manufacturers (online and smart phone apps) to help figure out how many vents are needed.

If the attic ventilation system is not perfectly balanced with 50% intake and 50% exhaust it’s better to have more intake. Excess intake airflow converts to exhaust on the leeward side of the house. An attic cannot have too much intake airflow. However, if there is more exhaust than intake, that’s a potential red flag described earlier in this article.

What is too Hot?

It’s not uncommon for a homeowner to tell a roofing contractor, “My attic is too hot.” But what is “too hot?” What should the attic temperature be in the warmer months if the balanced attic ventilation system has been calculated, designed, and installed correctly?

Our Customer Service team field calls every summer from unreasonable homeowners complaining that their attic ventilation system is not working right because their attic is too hot, or the top floor of their house is too warm. An attic with balanced ventilation can be expected to have a temperature 15-20 degrees higher than the outdoor temperature peak of day. If it’s 100 degrees in Texas at 5 pm, the attic can be 115-120 degrees. Anything higher than that, we’d want to explore the attic insulation R-level, unusual heat sources, and double-check the attic ventilation system. But please understand, 115-120 degrees is no picnic. Attics are hot. The attic ventilation reduces the heat, but it does not eliminate it.

Article Courtesy of Paul Scelsi of Air Vent Inc:

Paul Scelsi is marketing communications manager at Air Vent Inc. and leader of its Attic Ventilation: Ask the Expert™ seminars (airvent.com). He hosts the podcast, “Airing it out with Air Vent,” and he’s the chairman of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association Ventilation Task Force. He is the author of the book, Grab and Hold Their Attention: Creating and Delivering Presentations that Move Your Audience to Action.

I. Introduction

Designers, contractors, and owners desire watertight roofing and waterproofing systems. Typically, after installation, there are two methods for testing the water tightness of these systems: flood testing1 and Electronic Leak Detection (ELD). Flood testing locates leaks, whereas ELD locates breaches in the membrane. A leak is defined as the actual appearance of water below the deck. A breach is defined as a defect in the membrane that allows surface water to reach the substrate below. In newly installed waterproofing systems, ELD is used as a quality control method to identify breaches so that installers can repair waterproofing deficiencies during or soon after installation. In addition, permanently installed systems can be left in place to actively monitor for moisture intrusion and allow for limited overburden removal and targeted repairs if a future breach occurs. This technical bulletin provides information on:

• Benefits of ELD.
• Requirements to effectively perform ELD.
• ELD testing methods.
• Conductive mediums.
• Fully monitored systems.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE...

Sincerely,

- Western States Roofing Contractors Association

It is with great excitement that the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) announces that the largest regional roofing event in the United States, the Western Roofing Expo (WRE), will be moving back to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, and the breathtaking MIRAGE will be the host of the event. The WSRCA Board of Directors – along with the support from key exhibitors has decided to relocate the WRE to September 21-23, 2021, at the Mirage-Las Vegas.

WSRCA turned a challenging situation - the World Series of Poker, taking over the Rio in the fall, into a wonderful opportunity – moving the WRE to a new venue back on the popular Las Vegas Strip. The Mirage boasts an 89,000 square foot trade show floor, the largest we have ever held at the expo. The WRE will also offer 24 educational seminars, two keynote luncheons, and the Davis Memorial Foundation’s Welcome Event & Live Auction.

In addition to the new WRE venue, the Davis Memorial Foundation is happy to announce that Bear’s Best Las Vegas, a golf experience that brings together 18 of Jack Nicklaus’ favorite holes into one Las Vegas golf course, will be the host of the Foundation’s Bob Porter Golf Tournament. The popular Sporting Clays tournament will return to the incredible Pro Gun Club. Both events, as well as the Welcome Event & Live Auction, will be held on September 21, 2021 with proceeds going to the Davis Memorial Foundation’s Scholarship Fund.

WSRCA has secured sleeping rooms at the Mirage at a great affordable rate of $148 per night during the most popular time of the year in Las Vegas.

WSRCA President, Leo Ibarra said, “I am very excited that we have the opportunity to have an expo this year. Joel and the staff have done an amazing job battling adversity over the last year to bring you the best Western Roofing Expo possible. I understand that over the past year, we did not get the same networking experiences that we are typically lucky enough to enjoy. With that said, I genuinely cannot wait to see you all in person at the Mirage, as well as at some of the great educational seminars that WSRCA will be providing.”

WSRCA leadership has also decided to move future Western Roofing Expo events to the fall through 2026. Starting in 2022, the WRE will be back to its familiar home – the Paris-Las Vegas.

FUTURE WRE DATES AND LOCATIONS:

2021: September 21-23 at The Mirage

2022: September 24-26 at the Paris-Las Vegas

2023: September 23-25 at the Paris-Las Vegas

2024: Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Paris-Las Vegas

2025: September 28-30 at the Paris-Las Vegas

2026: September 27-29 at the Paris-Las Vegas

“WSRCA leadership has been nimble throughout the ups and downs that the pandemic has provided, and the association has come out on top of this situation. We are thrilled to have a new and exciting venue for 2021. The Mirage has a larger convention center, which allows us to hold larger crowds in a safer manner. We are really excited to reconnect the roofing community with each other in September at a really beautiful venue,” said WSRCA Executive Director, Joel Viera.

Registration will open on May 1, 2021. For more information regarding the Western Roofing Expo, please visit WSRCA.com.

Courtesy of: Roofing Contractors Association of California

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The Roofing Contractors Association of California (RCAC) today announced the release of an information handout promoting the contributions the roofing industry makes to California. 

The display piece, which has been distributed to the 120 members of California’s legislature and all members of RCAC, touts the contributions of the roofing industry to the state’s employment and tax base, as well as college scholarship programs, and to the state’s efforts to reduce building energy consumption. 

“Roofing contractors are an essential trade, critical to the protection of our homes, businesses and property,” stated RCAC Executive Director Marc Connerly.  “Not only do roofing workers perform a vital service, but they do so in a trade that can be very hazardous, and in conditions ranging from wind and rain to severe heat.” 

According to the handout, which is sponsored by ABC Supply, Associated Roofing Contractors of the Bay Area Counties (ARCBAC), Independent Roofing Contractors of California (IRCC), and the Union Roofing Contractors Association (URCA), California’s roofing industry includes more than 4,500 licensed roofing contractors and is responsible for the employment of more than 18,000 California citizens, with wages in excess of over $935,600,000.  Roofing trade associations based in California have also contributed more than $1.1 million to deserving students pursuing a college education. 

“As we began researching the data for this campaign, it was very impressive as we aggregated the numbers and began to realize the magnitude of the wage base of the roofing industry and the charitable gifts that have been created through the trade associations supporting this industry,” said Connerly.  “Roofing provides a very good living to those who have made a career in this business, and there are many roofing company owners who started in an entry-level position, then worked their way up to ownership of their own successful companies.  The industry provides that level of opportunity to those willing to pursue a career in roofing.” 

The Roofing Contractors Association of California (RCAC) represents California’s more than 4,500 licensed roofing contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and other businesses providing goods and services to the roofing industry.  The mission of RCAC is the protection and advancement of the California roofing industry in legislative, regulatory and business affairs. 

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Marc Connerly, please contact Brooks Benford at (916) 485-6318 or email Brooks at info@connerlyandassociates.com.

Digital Marketing Trends for Roofing Contractors to Watch Out For in 2021

"Change is a constant," they say. Every new year, newer technologies and techniques surface. Google and Facebook’s algorithms get updates, and what worked last year won’t work again this year.

And as if the normal annual changes due to innovations and updates weren't enough, the novel coronavirus pandemic has also dramatically impacted the state of online marketing trends for businesses globally.

To stay afloat in these trying times, all businesses, including roofing contractors, must remain on their toes to keep up with marketing trends. Easier said than done, right? Thankfully, there are some tried-and-true techniques to get you started.

With 2021 quickly approaching, here are six digital marketing trends you should watch out for to help you keep up with reaching your marketing goals.

1. SEO And Voice Search

Search engine optimization (SEO) is unarguably one of the core strategies of successful digital marketing. More people today who need to find a business make use of search engines and will most likely patronize one of the businesses that show up on top of search engine result pages.

With the development of voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and others, more people now use voice search when they need to find a business. In fact, 55% of US homeowners own some kind of smart device, and 40% of adults use voice search every single day! So, voice search needs to be a part of your SEO strategy.

Imagine if you live in Missouri, and you require the services of a roofing contractor. You'd probably type "roofing contractor in Missouri" or roofing contractor near me" into google but would probably ask Siri or Alexa, "find me a roofing contractor closest to me."

In other words, how people type questions is much different than how they verbalize them.

So, when writing content on your website, make sure you choose keywords based on the questions people may ask when using the voice assistant on their devices. Doing this can improve your visibility, and in turn, increase your chances of converting.

2. Social Media Features

A recent report from Statista shows that the average internet user spends an average of 144 minutes (almost two and a half hours) on social media daily. While you want to put in the effort to create engaging content for your target audience and build your brand, you also want to take advantage of new trends on some of the popular social media platforms.

Colin Detan of Phoenix Roofing Contractors, says “You can take advantage of new features such as Instagram reels or LinkedIn stories to showcase your recent roofing projects.” They can also be a great way to share reviews from previous roofing projects, as clients can tag you to their posts and easily repost them to your stories or make reels out of them. You can also use the catalog feature on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or even WhatsApp to showcase roofing materials and make it easier for people to contact you.

3. Content Marketing For Visual Search

Content marketing is relatively inexpensive when compared with some other digital marketing strategies. Plus, it gets three times more leads than paid search ads.  Because content is evolving, different forms of content keep gaining traction as newer technologies surface.

Many people today use visual search rather than typing a query into Google. Using appropriately tagged images not only increases your chances of showing up in search, but it also appeals to the searcher. In fact, 62% of younger searchers (Gen Z and Millenials) want visual search capabilities. Roofing contractors can leverage this by using high-quality images tagged with descriptive keywords when creating content.

"Ultimately, adding high-quality, searchable images to your content increases your business' chances of reaching more people.

4. Google Business Listing

As a roofing contractor, you most probably know by now how imperative showing up in the local business listing is and how it increases your chances of converting. If you aren’t sure how important local search is, consider this -  46% of all Google queries are searching for local information.

“Having a geographically defined service area on google business listing increases your chance of showing up when people search for roofing contractors near them. It allows people to gain insight about your business as they can see your address, open hours, reviews, and star ratings left by others.” - Jeff Guthrie of Phoenix Roofing Contractors

Showing up in Google's business listing gives your business an edge over its competitors as people are more inclined to trust a business they've read nice things about and can easily find its location. To ensure the information displayed is correct, you will need to verify your google business listing.

5. AI-Generated Responses for Customer Queries

AI, as in artificial intelligence, is changing the entire face of marketing. For roofing contractors and service-based businesses, AI can help you take your customer service to the next level.

A shocking 82% of customers expect answers to their questions to be “immediate.” Furthermore, 90% of consumers rate immediate responses as incredibly important when it comes to service-related questions.

In the COVID-19 era, as roofing contractors fight for work, your attentiveness and quick response time could be the difference-maker that keeps you above water. AI chatbots are a simple solution to allow your potential customers 24/7 answers to their most pressing service and sales questions.

These AI bots are pre-programmed with responses, and they’re getting better and better at sounding like a human on the other end. Most chat AI services are set up to automate responses but can transfer to a real human in predetermined moments. No matter how you set up an AI response bot, providing immediate answers to questions should be a part of your 2021 strategy.

6. Improved Customer Segmentation

If you’re already segmenting your customers, you’re ahead of the curve. If you aren’t - 2021 is a fantastic time to start. Segmentation is simply the process of breaking your customers into groups so you can market to them more effectively. In today’s highly competitive market, customer segmentation is crucial.

You can segment your customers on a variety of factors. Some of the most popular types of customer segmentation include demographics, high value vs. low value, psychological and behavioral factors, customer status, and more. Segmenting just makes sense since doing so increases your marketing conversions by up to 200%.

As a roofing contractor, you can segment your potential customers into your budget-conscious homeowners and your quality-conscious homeowners. In other words, break your potential customers into those homeowners who are looking for the cheapest roof possible and those who don’t care as much about price but who want the highest quality possible. Why?

Because how you sell your services to these two groups will be dramatically different. You can email, advertise, and personalize all your marketing efforts based on your customer segmentation. Doing so will dramatically improve your marketing and sales efforts. Essentially, by breaking your customers into segments, you can target them and market to them better. 

Final Thoughts on Developing a Marketing Strategy for your 2021 Roofing Business

To keep your roofing business thriving through 2021 and beyond, you have to be proactive with your digital marketing strategy. If you watch out for and take advantage of the six trends above, you should be well on your way to a successful year.

Remember, many roofing contractors are behind when it comes to digital marketing. So, if you can stay on top of what’s trending, you’ll be poised for success. 

Article Courtesy of Jeff Guthrie of Phoenix Roofing Contractors

Tampa, FL, March 8, 2021 - The Cotney Capital Corporation, a private equity and venture capital company designed to accelerate growth in the roofing and construction industries, is pleased to announce its launch. In addition to offering investment options for growing companies, Cotney Capital also has a revolutionary incubator program designed to partner emerging companies in the construction sector with mentors that will guide them on the path to success.

“When I surveyed the private equity and venture capital markets for construction start-ups, I did not see another company that would be able to combine the resources that we have at our disposal with the decades of experience in the industry. That singularity of focus allows our investees and mentees to gain a competitive advantage. I recognize that the industry is at a tipping point where it must embrace technology to survive. My goal with Cotney Capital is to invest and mentor the future of construction,” said Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Capital.

Participants in Cotney Capital’s incubator program will receive hands on training on go-to-market strategies, operations and controlled growth and scaling, among other things. In addition, Cotney Capital has the legal resources needed to assist in any corporate transaction involving a participant’s business.

“I am excited to be a part of Cotney Capital,” says John Kenney, Chief Innovation Officer of Cotney Capital. “In addition to my 45+ years’ experience in the construction industry, I have helped develop many cutting-edge technology solutions for clients that have increased efficiency and accelerated growth. I look forward to being the tip of the spear and working with the bright minds of our future.”

For more information about Cotney Capital, please go to www.cotneycapital.com.

Why is recruiting so damned difficult? You've landed that big job, but now you don't have the crews to do the job, and so the rush to find people begins.

Where do you source them? How do you filter the right candidates? How will you find time to recruit and train? They've signed the contract, but now you have doubts about whether they will perform the job without having to be handheld the entire time.

It's a contractor's worst nightmare.

Recruitment remains one of the biggest challenges facing the construction industry. A recent study by the Arizona State University found that 90 percent of U.S. roofing contractors faced labor shortages over the past year.

We hear a lot about how “the labor market is suffering right now,” or “there’s a shortage of qualified labor.” Maybe those things are true, or, at the risk of providing an unpopular opinion, maybe those are also excuses?

How then do some companies attract and hire such a high calibre of workers?

There are two main reasons I see where contractors fail: they either don't invest enough time and money into recruiting; or they haven't fine-tuned their hiring skills and processes (and feel under the gun to hire, so anyone will do)!

If you haven’t choked on your coffee yet thinking, “we don't do that,” take a quick look at how much you spent on recruiting and hiring over the past few years, and how many times you were left scrambling at the last-minute trying to find someone.

Attracting rockstar talent requires similar skills to going in search of your customer. You need to:

● Know exactly who you’re looking for
 
● Know where they are and how to grab their attention
 
● Connect with them and tell them about your company values
 
● Sell them on why working for you is a no-brainer
 
● Assess whether or not they are the right cultural fit before making a final commitment
 
Outdoor retailer Patagonia is a perfect example of a company that has nailed the recruitment process. They actually have a waiting list of people who want to join! Why? Because the culture they have created to take care of their people, customers, and the planet appeals to their target staffing audience. Early on in the business, Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard, determined that it costs $50,000 to replace an employee in lost productivity, headhunter fees, and training. So yea, that wasn't going to happen. He set about to create a happy and productive workforce by “hiring the people you trust, who are passionate about their job, passionate about what they’re doing. [The ones you can just] leave alone, and they’ll get the job done.”


But not everyone has access to a talent acquisition team. For most small businesses, recruitment falls into your hands, the owner, or a member of your family.

So how do you go about attracting and hiring great staff, when you're juggling so many other balls?

Here are my five top tips to recruiting rockstar talent:

1. Take some time out of the office to think about what your ideal candidate would look like. Creating a profile to better understand what you are looking narrows it down – and alerts you to the red flags. What characteristics fit in with your team? What skills do they need? What don't you want?

2. Create a job posting that outlines what your ideal candidate would be looking for, not what you’re looking for. It has to grab their attention among the countless other roofing ads on places like Indeed, Craigslist, Facebook, etc. An ad that starts with, “Looking to get nailed? Are you a roofer who wants to feel empowered?” That will attract far more eyeballs than, “Skilled Roofer Wanted for physically demanding work.” It doesn't have to be that in your face of course, but you get the idea. The more creative, the better.

3. Prescreen. This will save you so much time in the long-run. A conversation call will eliminate the duds. You can tell a lot about someone by asking simple questions like: What about your current or past experience makes you a great fit for this role? What type of work environment do you prefer? What appealed to you about our company? If they have potential, it's time to sell to them to ensure they want to turn up for the next interview!

4: The behavioural interview. This will be either face-to-face (post COVID of course) or over Zoom/Skype etc. This is usually an hour and is a chance to dig deeper. You don't need to reinvent the wheel. There are plenty of examples online of suitable questions that will help you better gauge the candidate. Remember, their past behaviour shows you your future results. The best candidates will interview you as much as you interview them.

5: The onboarding process. It's not a done deal yet. New hires are leaving companies within their first six months at an alarming rate: In fact, 17% leave in the first week. Why? Because they feel neglected, overwhelmed, underappreciated, and underqualified. Take a little extra time to train someone during their first few months and you will reap the benefits in the long run.

A sample of the BTA Ideal Candidate Profile tool that we’ll be sharing along with other templates in our webinar: Attract & Hire Rockstar Staff; the #1 Challenge in Roofing register here.

Ultimately the goal is to not only attract rockstar staff, but keep them. In the words of BTA member and the winner of BTA's 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year, Nestor Tarango of Solar Energy Works (who managed to fill 20 roles within a short period): “Hiring is easy on the labor side when you have built a good reputation as it gives you good labor pool. It's a dream when you have a waiting list to come onboard.”


To learn more and gain access to plug-and-play templates, sign up for our Attract & Hire Rockstar Staff; the #1 Challenge in Roofing webinar on March 4: https://www.btacademy.com/wsrcarecruit/

The Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) has postponed its Western Roofing Expo (WRE) to the fall of 2021. The Western States Roofing Contractors Association Board of Directors – with the support from key exhibitors has decided to move the WRE to October 3-5, 2021 at the RIO All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
 
In addition to 55,000 square footage for the trade show floor, the WRE will also offer 24 educational seminars, two keynote luncheons, golf and sporting clays tournaments and a live auction to help support the Davis Memorial Foundation’s scholarship fund. WSRCA has secured sleeping rooms at the RIO and at the Paris-Las Vegas at great rates during the most popular time of the year in Las Vegas.
 
WSRCA President, Leo Ibarra said, “I am very excited that we will get the opportunity to have a Western Roofing Expo this year. The WSRCA staff has worked extremely hard to make sure we are putting together a show that will be social and help us remain safe at the same time. I cannot wait to see everyone there and I know a lot of us are looking forward to continue the networking that comes along with being part of such a great association. I hope all of you will join us for this year’s expo, and as always, the great educational seminars that WSRCA is known for providing. I am looking forward to October at the Rio and hope to see you all there!”
 
WSRCA leadership has also decided to move future Western Roofing Expo events to the fall through 2026. Starting in 2022, the WRE will be back to its familiar home – the Paris-Las Vegas.
 
FUTURE WRE DATES AND LOCATIONS:
2021: October 3-5 at the RIO All-Suites Hotel & Casino
2022: September 24-26 at the Paris-Las Vegas
2023: September 23-25 at the Paris-Las Vegas
2024: September 29-Oct. 1 at the Paris-Las Vegas
2025: September 28-30 at the Paris-Las Vegas
2026: September 27-29 at the Paris-Las Vegas
 
“Having a safe and successful Western Roofing Expo experience is always at the forefront of our decision-making process. We feel much more confident in providing a safe environment in October, rather than June. We also feel we will be able to deliver a more fruitful return on investment for our attendees and exhibitors later this year, after a larger segment of the population has had a chance to be vaccinated and will be protected from COVID-19. We are excited to permanently move to the fall, when the weather in Las Vegas is optimal, and the roofing trade show schedule isn’t as crowded” said WSRCA Executive Director, Joel Viera.
 
For more information regarding the Western Roofing Expo, please visit WSRCA.com.


Sincerely,

- Western States Roofing Contractors Association

It’s still too fresh. Several weeks into the New Year is not enough time to put proper perspective on the year 2020 was, and what its lasting implications will be. Without a doubt, the last 12 months will be remembered as a watershed moment for the world, and in roofing. 

The year started with so much promise: record attendance at regional and international trade shows; surging sales revenue in both residential and commercial sectors; and a bevy of new innovations in technology designed to improve efficiency while on the roof, and company management while contractors are off it. 

The COVID-19 pandemic not only slowed that momentum, it brought the roofing industry to a virtual halt — seemingly overnight — until essential-worker status came into play. Even then, contractors and the manufacturers and distributors that serve them needed to adapt quickly to a whole new world where selling, managing workforce, and meeting customer’s health-and-safety expectations all needed redefining. 

As Roofing Contractor itself evolved during the crisis, our mission to help the roofing industry transition into this new era endures. Again with the expertise from Clear Seas Research — the survey and research arm of RC’s parent company, BNP Media — RC circulated our annual survey to roofing contractors around the country last fall. 

The survey set out to measure the pulse of an industry deemed essential in the face of the worst health crisis in more than a century, yet still challenged for survival amid a lingering economic crisis. 

Our key findings are shared below in our annual State of the Industry Report, sponsored by Cotney Attorneys & Consultants. We encourage everyone to learn more with their experts in our exclusive State of the Industry webinar Feb. 18.  

Residential Resiliency

Residential roofing continues to stay strong despite the pandemic and the economic recession it caused. Of those respondents who identified as primarily residential, the median revenue in 2019 was $500,000 to $999,000. A total of 32% had revenue between $250,000 and $999,999.

As a testament to this resiliency, 49% of residential respondents said they expect their 2020 annual sales to increase compared to 2019. Of them, 13% said they expect it to “greatly increase.” This could be attributed to the fact that, due to the pandemic, people were unable to go on vacations and had to work from home. In doing so, they had more time to notice problems with their roofs and sought the help of contractors.

When considering sales for 2021, three-fourths (75%) expect an increase compared to 2020. This optimism is fueled in part by the potential for business to shift toward normalcy with the distribution of the COVID vaccine. For others, it's likely due to 2020 being an unprecedented year that caused major drops in revenue, meaning 2021 can only be better.

However, considering 85% of residential roofers believe their total sales volumes will increase over the next three years, it’s more likely that the roofing industry expects to rebound from the past year and continue to grow from there.

“The way we look at it is you always must adjust to the times. We were fortunate enough to make it through 2008 and it’s looking optimistic that we will get through this COVID-19 situation stronger than ever,” said Cory Varao, general manager of Fraser Construction Company in Mashpee, Mass. “We are constantly learning about new products, new ways to market and making general policy changes to help move the company forward. I think this is one of the keys to success and I look forward to adapting in the future.”

Roof replacements remained the main source of revenue for residential roofing contractors at 31%, compared to repairs and new construction (both at 13%). Drilling into this further shows steep-slope asphalt shingles continue to be the top revenue generator. On average, shingles accounted for 28% of the contractors’ revenue. Around 43% said they saw increases in steep slope sales from 2019 to 2020, while 65% expect those sales to grow in 2021.

When looking ahead to the future, however, residential contractors anticipate that metal roofing will experience the most growth in sales. In 2020, 18% of revenue came from metal roofing for residential roofers. More than half of respondents said they expect metal roofing to grow from 2019 to 2020, and 68% anticipate metal sales to increase in 2021.

As for the types of metal roofs, residential contractors are more likely to install metal shingles, tiles or slate than their commercial counterparts, though architectural standing seam continues to be the most popular metal system.

“Metal roofing, once relegated to barns and sheds, has seen an increase in popularity in recent years,” writes Brian Haraf, vice president of Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation. “Customers may have some sticker shock when comparing metal to the pricing of traditional roofing, but the benefits far outweigh the costs.”

Following metal roofing and steep-slope asphalt roofing, residential contractors anticipate single-ply roofing to grow in 2021 (56%), followed closely by polymer/synthetic roofing asphalt (55%) and low-slope asphalt (54%). The area residential contractors expect sales to increase the least is spray polyurethane foam (37%), though the survey only gathered a small sample size of contractors that use it.

Challenges in Residential Roofing

There are some hurdles residential contractors will need to clear to see sales and revenue grow. In last year’s report, the lack of a qualified workforce topped the list of challenges contractors expected to face in 2020. Thanks in part to the pandemic, other concerns are keeping residential contractors awake at night.

The most common challenge residential respondents expect to face in 2021 is lowball pricing and bidding wars (54%), followed by increases in building material costs (49%). The aforementioned lack of qualified workers is of concern to 45% of residential contractors. Bryce Curtis, director of Yellowhammer Roofing in Alabama, said “Chuck-in-a-Truck” roofers that bid low weren’t as prevalent in 2020 due to the pandemic, but they’re likely to make a comeback.

“What hurts the roofing industry are your competitors. We would rather have a licensed, insured competitor beat us out 10 times out of 10 than somebody that rolls up in there that does roofing in the spring, flooring during the fall and cabinets in the winter,” Curtis said. 

The need for qualified workers caused an increase in the use of subcontractors to complete field labor by 17% in 2020. Despite this, residential contractors say that 59% of their jobs are completed by full-time workers versus 29% by subcontractors.

“We have amazing team members that are crucial to our success, but finding them among the less effective employees has been a challenge,” said Johnny Marvin, co-owner of Striker Roofing in Texas. “We’re trying to bring on as many people as we possibly can.”

An increase in labor costs isn’t helping matters either. The majority of residential contractors who responded say they have less than 10 employees in their business, but all respondents reported their labor costs jumped by an average of 16% in 2020. 

To try and find good help, residential contractors rely mostly on employee referrals (73%). Paying employees well and providing bonuses are the main methods they use for retention, followed by offering benefits.

When training the employees they do hire and retain, direct training is the preferred method of residential roofing contractors, with 85% saying they train in-house and on the job. Despite this, only 45% of residential contractors have a formal training program. Another 7% say they don’t offer training.

Unlike their commercial counterparts, residential contractors aren’t turning to other sources for training. Just under a quarter (24%) utilize training provided by manufacturers, while 17% use training from industry associations.

When it comes to safety training, 31% of residential contractors hold weekly safety meetings, while 38% prefer it to be a monthly issue. Around 66% of respondents say they supply all safety equipment to workers, while another quarter only provide some of it.

Commercial Conditions

Last year started very strong for commercial roofing contractors in dozens of markets around the country. Roughly half of survey respondents (45%) indicated sales were up over 2019, and only 34% anticipated slight decreases in sales due to the pandemic.

Single ply roofing was the dominant product preference with 91% of respondents. Among those contractors, 38% reported using TPO, followed by EPDM (30%) and PVC (18%). Metal was the second most popular roofing system category at 77%, followed by coatings (68%), low slope asphalt (59%) and steep slope asphalt (50%).

More than half of the roofers using metal said sales remained the same in 2020 and only 18% said sales increased greatly. Coatings appeared to grow the most, as 42% of contractors said sales increased in 2020. 

While some relied on existing backlogs and accelerated project timelines because buildings were empty, other roofing contractors characterized their financial performance as strong and encouraging. Davco Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., in Charlotte, N.C., added two dedicated business development positions and a marketing manager who are focused on opening doors and increasing revenue.

“Although we were crippled by the global pandemic, we were able to maintain growth while increasing overall profit margins because we were able to be more selective about the work that we targeted,” said President Daniel Davis. 

The positive outlook wasn’t isolated. A strong majority of commercial roofers (68%) said they expected sales to increase again this year, with 11% of respondents anticipating sales to increase greatly. Just 14% of contractors felt sales would slightly decrease in 2021, and 7% expected great losses. 

Of those expecting sales increases, more than half said it would be in single-ply systems, and 53% anticipated a spike in metal jobs.

In terms of challenges — outside of the pandemic — commercial contractors bucked a trend. Safety enforcement for employees and government regulations were out of the top five of perceived workforce issues, at 20% or less.

Instead, contractors were concerned most with the lack of qualified, skilled labor (61%), and lowball bidding (48%). Increased costs of building materials, the overall weak economy, and insurance and healthcare costs rounded out the top five.

Storms and Supply Struggles

As previously mentioned, an increase in building material costs is one of the top issues commercial and residential contractors expect to face, with nearly half of respondents expecting it to be a factor in 2021. Gleaning from the experiences of 2020, it’s understandable. Lockdowns around the globe caused a ripple effect that slowed product manufacturing and distribution, which coupled with a record-breaking storm season, hit contractors hard right during peak season. 

“The supply and demand issues during peak season were particularly challenging this year. We understand and feel the effects of that with our contractors,” said Scott Schumacher, vice president of strategic marketing for Owens Corning Roofing. “Our approach will always be to communicate with contractors honestly and realistically, so they can do the same for their customers.

“Entering 2021, we do not anticipate repeating lost production time due to the pandemic.”

In a virtual town hall hosted by the National Roofing Contractors Association, Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) Vice President Reed Hitchcock said as of October, shingle manufacturers reported that they were running at full capacity to help resupply contractors.

“I wish I had the crystal ball on this one,” said Hitchcock. “In talking to our members, there is some anticipated demand slowdown coming with the fourth quarter and the first quarter coming up.”

Single-ply roofing took a hit during the pandemic, according to the Single Ply Roofing Industry, while the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) reported production of coatings was at an all-time high.

“We always find that the coatings actually can extend the life of the roof, and I think that because of COVID — financial costs on the residential and commercial side — I think owners are looking at more opportunities to save long term,” said RCMA Executive Director Dan Quinonez.

Proactive communication between contractors, distributors and manufacturers proved key in managing product availability, said Mike Jost, chief operating officer at ABC Supply Co.

“The nearly 800 locations within our network have always worked closely together, but it’s been especially advantageous to help contractors get the materials they need,” said Jost. “If one branch doesn’t have the product, we’re able to lean on others to move material around.”

The supply shortage and the level of concern regarding it is largely due to the pandemic, but the blame can also be placed on an unprecedented 2020 storm season.

The Atlantic hurricane season became the most active on record and the fifth costliest season. A total of 31 depressions were recorded, all but one of which became a named storm. Twelve of the named storms made landfall in the U.S., breaking the record of nine recorded in 1916. In total, the hurricane season caused an estimated $51 billion in damage.

2020 was the fifth consecutive above-average season since 2016, and if the last few years are any indication, contractors should brace themselves for yet another heavy storm season in 2021.

Louisiana was among the hardest hit areas by hurricanes. By the time Hurricane Zeta struck Louisiana in late October, it was the fifth hurricane to tear apart buildings in the state. Even contractors who were not working in the hurricane-swept areas were feeling the squeeze on labor and supplies.

“Contractors from all over the country are coming to Louisiana and down to the coast to work, so material has been extremely hard to come by,” said Mike Warren, director of operations for Roof Crafters in Hammond, La.

Though the work proved to be difficult due to jobsite delays and supply issues, it was also plentiful, giving many roofing contractors a boost in what was otherwise going to be a tough year.

During this record-breaking hurricane season, the Midwest experienced a derecho — a straight-line windstorm — in August, with winds hitting 140 mph. The storm caused an estimated $11 billion in damages, flattening entire fields of crops and ripping apart roofs and buildings of every size.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa took the brunt of the storm, causing $7.5 billion in damages from the winds and tornadoes. When snowstorms hit the area in October, contractors were left scrambling to help people recover before winter truly set in, reporting labor shortages and supply line struggles. 

Christina Bible, director of operations for Options Exteriors in Minnesota, said they had to ship shingles from South Dakota to use in Iowa. But the silver lining, Bible says, is that between the derecho and supply shortages, multiple customers are now looking into the viability of metal.

“There has been some interest in homeowners transitioning from asphalt roofs to metal roofs,” she said. “The type of devastation down there was just so great the shingles didn’t even matter, it was actually whole roofs being blown off, but we have been doing some more metal roofs.”

Intense weather wasn’t the only hazard roofing contractors had to deal with in 2020. Wildfires across the West Coast affected thousands of families and caused billions in damage. California alone saw $12 billion in damage, leading many roofing contractors to consider more durable options for the future.

“As we witness the horrible destruction wildfires have and are causing, the more we can do as an industry and community to help homeowners protect themselves against these increasing threats, the better,” said Renee Ramey, Metal Roofing Alliance executive director.

Business Climate 

If acquisitions are any measure of a prosperous business climate, then roofing is starting off 2021 in positive fashion. Several major moves were formally announced around the New Year:

• Multinational building materials manufacturer LafargeHolcim acquiring Firestone Building Products for $3.4 billion.
• Beacon sold off its interior product business, consisting of 81 branch locations to American Securities Inc. for $850 million.
• Innovative Chemical Products (the ICP Group) announced the acquisition of Leeson Polyurethanes, a leading U.K.-based manufacturer of polyurethane adhesives and coatings used in a variety of sectors and markets.

The climate proved good for contractor acquisitions as well. Tecta America — which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2020 — continued its growth with a handful of additions throughout the year. Company leaders said the pandemic hasn’t slowed down their acquisition strategy, which is more about finding the right company that fits their model, rather than timing. 

“It’s part of who we are, part of our culture, and when we buy companies we buy the best ones out there,” said President and CEO Dave Reginelli. “We’re not looking for turnarounds, we’re looking for solid companies with strong performance with the same features we care about.” 

As in any given year, assessing the state of the roofing industry in 2021 will depend on several factors — known and currently unknown. However, it’s clear that this year will be different for three specific reasons regardless of market, business size or service specialty. 

COVID-19 Vaccinations: The rollout of multiple COVID-19 vaccines at the end of 2020 was slow and cumbersome, a problem President Joe Biden’s administration pledges to fix — and quickly. They’ll have to if there’s any chance to return to normalcy as infections and death totals surge nationwide. 

New Leadership: Vaccinations are just the beginning. The Biden administration already proposed another broad pandemic relief package, and promised a major emphasis on infrastructure and clean energy. While those present opportunities for roofers, the impact on business regulations after four years of a federal scale back remains to be seen. 

Wicked Weather: Predicting long-term weather patterns for any particular region of the country is futile. But given the strength and volatility of recent storm seasons, there’s no reason to believe roofing contractors should expect anything less in 2021. 

It’s still too fresh. Several weeks into the New Year is not enough time to put proper perspective on the year 2020 was, and what its lasting implications will be. Without a doubt, the last 12 months will be remembered as a watershed moment for the world, and in roofing. 

The year started with so much promise: record attendance at regional and international trade shows; surging sales revenue in both residential and commercial sectors; and a bevy of new innovations in technology designed to improve efficiency while on the roof, and company management while contractors are off it. 

The COVID-19 pandemic not only slowed that momentum, it brought the roofing industry to a virtual halt — seemingly overnight — until essential-worker status came into play. Even then, contractors and the manufacturers and distributors that serve them needed to adapt quickly to a whole new world where selling, managing workforce, and meeting customer’s health-and-safety expectations all needed redefining. 

As Roofing Contractor itself evolved during the crisis, our mission to help the roofing industry transition into this new era endures. Again with the expertise from Clear Seas Research — the survey and research arm of RC’s parent company, BNP Media — RC circulated our annual survey to roofing contractors around the country last fall. 

The survey set out to measure the pulse of an industry deemed essential in the face of the worst health crisis in more than a century, yet still challenged for survival amid a lingering economic crisis. 

Our key findings are shared below in our annual State of the Industry Report, sponsored by Cotney Attorneys & Consultants. We encourage everyone to learn more with their experts in our exclusive State of the Industry webinar Feb. 18.  

Residential Resiliency

Residential roofing continues to stay strong despite the pandemic and the economic recession it caused. Of those respondents who identified as primarily residential, the median revenue in 2019 was $500,000 to $999,000. A total of 32% had revenue between $250,000 and $999,999.

As a testament to this resiliency, 49% of residential respondents said they expect their 2020 annual sales to increase compared to 2019. Of them, 13% said they expect it to “greatly increase.” This could be attributed to the fact that, due to the pandemic, people were unable to go on vacations and had to work from home. In doing so, they had more time to notice problems with their roofs and sought the help of contractors.

When considering sales for 2021, three-fourths (75%) expect an increase compared to 2020. This optimism is fueled in part by the potential for business to shift toward normalcy with the distribution of the COVID vaccine. For others, it's likely due to 2020 being an unprecedented year that caused major drops in revenue, meaning 2021 can only be better.

However, considering 85% of residential roofers believe their total sales volumes will increase over the next three years, it’s more likely that the roofing industry expects to rebound from the past year and continue to grow from there.

“The way we look at it is you always must adjust to the times. We were fortunate enough to make it through 2008 and it’s looking optimistic that we will get through this COVID-19 situation stronger than ever,” said Cory Varao, general manager of Fraser Construction Company in Mashpee, Mass. “We are constantly learning about new products, new ways to market and making general policy changes to help move the company forward. I think this is one of the keys to success and I look forward to adapting in the future.”

Roof replacements remained the main source of revenue for residential roofing contractors at 31%, compared to repairs and new construction (both at 13%). Drilling into this further shows steep-slope asphalt shingles continue to be the top revenue generator. On average, shingles accounted for 28% of the contractors’ revenue. Around 43% said they saw increases in steep slope sales from 2019 to 2020, while 65% expect those sales to grow in 2021.

When looking ahead to the future, however, residential contractors anticipate that metal roofing will experience the most growth in sales. In 2020, 18% of revenue came from metal roofing for residential roofers. More than half of respondents said they expect metal roofing to grow from 2019 to 2020, and 68% anticipate metal sales to increase in 2021.

As for the types of metal roofs, residential contractors are more likely to install metal shingles, tiles or slate than their commercial counterparts, though architectural standing seam continues to be the most popular metal system.

“Metal roofing, once relegated to barns and sheds, has seen an increase in popularity in recent years,” writes Brian Haraf, vice president of Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation. “Customers may have some sticker shock when comparing metal to the pricing of traditional roofing, but the benefits far outweigh the costs.”

Following metal roofing and steep-slope asphalt roofing, residential contractors anticipate single-ply roofing to grow in 2021 (56%), followed closely by polymer/synthetic roofing asphalt (55%) and low-slope asphalt (54%). The area residential contractors expect sales to increase the least is spray polyurethane foam (37%), though the survey only gathered a small sample size of contractors that use it.

Challenges in Residential Roofing

There are some hurdles residential contractors will need to clear to see sales and revenue grow. In last year’s report, the lack of a qualified workforce topped the list of challenges contractors expected to face in 2020. Thanks in part to the pandemic, other concerns are keeping residential contractors awake at night.

The most common challenge residential respondents expect to face in 2021 is lowball pricing and bidding wars (54%), followed by increases in building material costs (49%). The aforementioned lack of qualified workers is of concern to 45% of residential contractors. Bryce Curtis, director of Yellowhammer Roofing in Alabama, said “Chuck-in-a-Truck” roofers that bid low weren’t as prevalent in 2020 due to the pandemic, but they’re likely to make a comeback.

“What hurts the roofing industry are your competitors. We would rather have a licensed, insured competitor beat us out 10 times out of 10 than somebody that rolls up in there that does roofing in the spring, flooring during the fall and cabinets in the winter,” Curtis said. 

The need for qualified workers caused an increase in the use of subcontractors to complete field labor by 17% in 2020. Despite this, residential contractors say that 59% of their jobs are completed by full-time workers versus 29% by subcontractors.

“We have amazing team members that are crucial to our success, but finding them among the less effective employees has been a challenge,” said Johnny Marvin, co-owner of Striker Roofing in Texas. “We’re trying to bring on as many people as we possibly can.”

An increase in labor costs isn’t helping matters either. The majority of residential contractors who responded say they have less than 10 employees in their business, but all respondents reported their labor costs jumped by an average of 16% in 2020. 

To try and find good help, residential contractors rely mostly on employee referrals (73%). Paying employees well and providing bonuses are the main methods they use for retention, followed by offering benefits.

When training the employees they do hire and retain, direct training is the preferred method of residential roofing contractors, with 85% saying they train in-house and on the job. Despite this, only 45% of residential contractors have a formal training program. Another 7% say they don’t offer training.

Unlike their commercial counterparts, residential contractors aren’t turning to other sources for training. Just under a quarter (24%) utilize training provided by manufacturers, while 17% use training from industry associations.

When it comes to safety training, 31% of residential contractors hold weekly safety meetings, while 38% prefer it to be a monthly issue. Around 66% of respondents say they supply all safety equipment to workers, while another quarter only provide some of it.

Commercial Conditions

Last year started very strong for commercial roofing contractors in dozens of markets around the country. Roughly half of survey respondents (45%) indicated sales were up over 2019, and only 34% anticipated slight decreases in sales due to the pandemic.

Single ply roofing was the dominant product preference with 91% of respondents. Among those contractors, 38% reported using TPO, followed by EPDM (30%) and PVC (18%). Metal was the second most popular roofing system category at 77%, followed by coatings (68%), low slope asphalt (59%) and steep slope asphalt (50%).

More than half of the roofers using metal said sales remained the same in 2020 and only 18% said sales increased greatly. Coatings appeared to grow the most, as 42% of contractors said sales increased in 2020. 

While some relied on existing backlogs and accelerated project timelines because buildings were empty, other roofing contractors characterized their financial performance as strong and encouraging. Davco Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., in Charlotte, N.C., added two dedicated business development positions and a marketing manager who are focused on opening doors and increasing revenue.

“Although we were crippled by the global pandemic, we were able to maintain growth while increasing overall profit margins because we were able to be more selective about the work that we targeted,” said President Daniel Davis. 

The positive outlook wasn’t isolated. A strong majority of commercial roofers (68%) said they expected sales to increase again this year, with 11% of respondents anticipating sales to increase greatly. Just 14% of contractors felt sales would slightly decrease in 2021, and 7% expected great losses. 

Of those expecting sales increases, more than half said it would be in single-ply systems, and 53% anticipated a spike in metal jobs.

In terms of challenges — outside of the pandemic — commercial contractors bucked a trend. Safety enforcement for employees and government regulations were out of the top five of perceived workforce issues, at 20% or less.

Instead, contractors were concerned most with the lack of qualified, skilled labor (61%), and lowball bidding (48%). Increased costs of building materials, the overall weak economy, and insurance and healthcare costs rounded out the top five. 

Storms and Supply Struggles

As previously mentioned, an increase in building material costs is one of the top issues commercial and residential contractors expect to face, with nearly half of respondents expecting it to be a factor in 2021. Gleaning from the experiences of 2020, it’s understandable. Lockdowns around the globe caused a ripple effect that slowed product manufacturing and distribution, which coupled with a record-breaking storm season, hit contractors hard right during peak season. 

“The supply and demand issues during peak season were particularly challenging this year. We understand and feel the effects of that with our contractors,” said Scott Schumacher, vice president of strategic marketing for Owens Corning Roofing. “Our approach will always be to communicate with contractors honestly and realistically, so they can do the same for their customers.

“Entering 2021, we do not anticipate repeating lost production time due to the pandemic.”

In a virtual town hall hosted by the National Roofing Contractors Association, Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) Vice President Reed Hitchcock said as of October, shingle manufacturers reported that they were running at full capacity to help resupply contractors.

“I wish I had the crystal ball on this one,” said Hitchcock. “In talking to our members, there is some anticipated demand slowdown coming with the fourth quarter and the first quarter coming up.”

Single-ply roofing took a hit during the pandemic, according to the Single Ply Roofing Industry, while the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) reported production of coatings was at an all-time high.

“We always find that the coatings actually can extend the life of the roof, and I think that because of COVID — financial costs on the residential and commercial side — I think owners are looking at more opportunities to save long term,” said RCMA Executive Director Dan Quinonez.

Proactive communication between contractors, distributors and manufacturers proved key in managing product availability, said Mike Jost, chief operating officer at ABC Supply Co.

“The nearly 800 locations within our network have always worked closely together, but it’s been especially advantageous to help contractors get the materials they need,” said Jost. “If one branch doesn’t have the product, we’re able to lean on others to move material around.”

The supply shortage and the level of concern regarding it is largely due to the pandemic, but the blame can also be placed on an unprecedented 2020 storm season.

The Atlantic hurricane season became the most active on record and the fifth costliest season. A total of 31 depressions were recorded, all but one of which became a named storm. Twelve of the named storms made landfall in the U.S., breaking the record of nine recorded in 1916. In total, the hurricane season caused an estimated $51 billion in damage.

2020 was the fifth consecutive above-average season since 2016, and if the last few years are any indication, contractors should brace themselves for yet another heavy storm season in 2021.

Louisiana was among the hardest hit areas by hurricanes. By the time Hurricane Zeta struck Louisiana in late October, it was the fifth hurricane to tear apart buildings in the state. Even contractors who were not working in the hurricane-swept areas were feeling the squeeze on labor and supplies.

“Contractors from all over the country are coming to Louisiana and down to the coast to work, so material has been extremely hard to come by,” said Mike Warren, director of operations for Roof Crafters in Hammond, La.

Though the work proved to be difficult due to jobsite delays and supply issues, it was also plentiful, giving many roofing contractors a boost in what was otherwise going to be a tough year.

During this record-breaking hurricane season, the Midwest experienced a derecho — a straight-line windstorm — in August, with winds hitting 140 mph. The storm caused an estimated $11 billion in damages, flattening entire fields of crops and ripping apart roofs and buildings of every size.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa took the brunt of the storm, causing $7.5 billion in damages from the winds and tornadoes. When snowstorms hit the area in October, contractors were left scrambling to help people recover before winter truly set in, reporting labor shortages and supply line struggles. 

Christina Bible, director of operations for Options Exteriors in Minnesota, said they had to ship shingles from South Dakota to use in Iowa. But the silver lining, Bible says, is that between the derecho and supply shortages, multiple customers are now looking into the viability of metal.

“There has been some interest in homeowners transitioning from asphalt roofs to metal roofs,” she said. “The type of devastation down there was just so great the shingles didn’t even matter, it was actually whole roofs being blown off, but we have been doing some more metal roofs.”

Intense weather wasn’t the only hazard roofing contractors had to deal with in 2020. Wildfires across the West Coast affected thousands of families and caused billions in damage. California alone saw $12 billion in damage, leading many roofing contractors to consider more durable options for the future.

“As we witness the horrible destruction wildfires have and are causing, the more we can do as an industry and community to help homeowners protect themselves against these increasing threats, the better,” said Renee Ramey, Metal Roofing Alliance executive director.

Business Climate 

If acquisitions are any measure of a prosperous business climate, then roofing is starting off 2021 in positive fashion. Several major moves were formally announced around the New Year:

• Multinational building materials manufacturer LafargeHolcim acquiring Firestone Building Products for $3.4 billion.
• Beacon sold off its interior product business, consisting of 81 branch locations to American Securities Inc. for $850 million.
• Innovative Chemical Products (the ICP Group) announced the acquisition of Leeson Polyurethanes, a leading U.K.-based manufacturer of polyurethane adhesives and coatings used in a variety of sectors and markets.

The climate proved good for contractor acquisitions as well. Tecta America — which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2020 — continued its growth with a handful of additions throughout the year. Company leaders said the pandemic hasn’t slowed down their acquisition strategy, which is more about finding the right company that fits their model, rather than timing. 

“It’s part of who we are, part of our culture, and when we buy companies we buy the best ones out there,” said President and CEO Dave Reginelli. “We’re not looking for turnarounds, we’re looking for solid companies with strong performance with the same features we care about.” 

As in any given year, assessing the state of the roofing industry in 2021 will depend on several factors — known and currently unknown. However, it’s clear that this year will be different for three specific reasons regardless of market, business size or service specialty. 

COVID-19 Vaccinations: The rollout of multiple COVID-19 vaccines at the end of 2020 was slow and cumbersome, a problem President Joe Biden’s administration pledges to fix — and quickly. They’ll have to if there’s any chance to return to normalcy as infections and death totals surge nationwide. 

New Leadership: Vaccinations are just the beginning. The Biden administration already proposed another broad pandemic relief package, and promised a major emphasis on infrastructure and clean energy. While those present opportunities for roofers, the impact on business regulations after four years of a federal scale back remains to be seen. 

Wicked Weather: Predicting long-term weather patterns for any particular region of the country is futile. But given the strength and volatility of recent storm seasons, there’s no reason to believe roofing contractors should expect anything less in 2021. 

ARTICLE COURTESY OF ROOFING CONTRACTOR'S MAGAZINE

Here is a recap: In Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota, voters cast their ballots to decriminalize recreational marijuana, now making it legal in 15 states. Mississippi and South Dakota voted to legalize medical marijuana, joining 33 other states that had already legalized it. In addition, Oregon made it legal to possess small amounts of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines (but selling the drugs is still illegal). The state also voted to create a program for distributors of psilocybin, the main ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms. Washington, DC, also decriminalized psilocybin.

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Sincerely,

- Western States Roofing Contractors Association

Courtesy of: Philip Siegel
Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman & Siegel, P.C.,
 

The short answer to this question is that federal law allows private employers to require vaccinations as a condition of employment.  It is anticipated that the law will not treat the adaption of a COVID-19 vaccination policy any differently.  Indeed, the EEOC has now opined that the COVID-19 vaccination itself is not a medical exam.  This means employers can require the vaccination as a condition of employment, although employers need to be mindful of employees claiming an exemption from the vaccination policy based on health-related or religious reasons.  Employers who will be administering the vaccination to their employees will also need to clear another hurdle. Consequently, the rule does come with exceptions. 

Building owners have many options when it comes to maintaining, repairing, or replacing their low-slope roof. One cost-effective option is to apply a maintenance coating system over an existing roof. If applied to a suitable low-slope roof membrane, a maintenance coating system can extend the useful service life and improve the overall performance of the roof membrane. Roof coatings can also be applied over a new roof to extend the manufacturer’s warranty and the expected useful life of the system.

This technical bulletin provides information on: 

• determining if an existing low-slope roof membrane is a good candidate for a maintenance coating;
• selecting an appropriate coating system; and
• preparing a substrate to receive a coating system.

These factors are all critical to the successful performance of a new and maintenance roof coating system.

Despite COVID-19, Western Roofing Contractors Did All Right

By: Marc Dodson, Editor

Our annual survey of roofing contractors resulted in positive comments about the state of the Western roofing industry. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, according to our readers, this past year was good for business and the outlook for the 2021 Western roofing market is looking better. Additionally, architects are also reporting an increased amount of work on the boards, so there are more projects on the horizon.

Once again, the biggest problem roofing contractors face is finding enough trained workers, or workers willing to be trained in the art of roof application. This ongoing problem of not enough boots on the roof is limiting the growth and future of the industry.

From the Rooftop

What do Western roofing contractors have to say about this past year and what they see on the road ahead? Here are a few of their responses.

Leo Ibarra, Blue’s Roofing, Milpitas, California, and current Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) president, notes, “Overall dealing with the pandemic has been OK. It’s definitely more to think about in regards to safety. Safety should always be put at the top of the list. Our office staff has been working from home as much as possible and working fewer hours when we are in the office. Precautions had to be tightened up in the field due to the unknown. Production has not been affected too much, but anytime you have tighter regulations it will affect productivity a little.

“Our company is still working only on commercial projects. We are slightly down, but we do have a good backlog going into 2021. It appears a lot of contractors are concerned going into 2021, but we will continue to be optimistic. We’re hoping to get back to some type of normal in 2021, but only time will tell.”

Travis Nelson, Brown Roofing Company, The Dalles, Oregon, and former WSRCA president, says, “Like everyone, we have had to work hard this year to adapt to working during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. We work in more than one state, and each state has had different requirements, and each state has had different approaches to locking down. It has been a challenge for our workforce to learn the new and evolving rules and practices. Each day, we have had less time to work on actual roofing since we have had to add many steps to our normal safety procedures. Also, it was hard at first trying to get everyone to take the new rules as seriously as the state and the company would like. As time went by and a culture was in place, it became easier to manage around the COVID-19 safety requirements.

“We have found that our residential to commercial roofing work percentages stayed the same in 2020. Demand for both stayed the same despite the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each had similar challenges and also unique challenges. Working around homes meant working around people’s families, while commercial projects many times meant working around general contractors or other sub-contractor trades. As far as commercial projects, each entity or trade had similar needs and requirements for working safely, but sometimes they were different in the approach or in how important the various rules and procedures would be to them. We had to adapt often to match the needs of others as well as the requirements of the various states in which we work.

“Due to a slower work pace in 2020 and some lost time to employee quarantines, we are needing to push 2020 work into 2021. We feel like we have a good backlog going into 2021, but we cannot help but think that the demand will slow at some point due to political changes that we know are coming, as well as the ongoing and worsening pandemic this winter.

“We have heard of supply issues that might dictate which products we will be using more often and which we might use less. Some of these supply issues seem to be driving up prices, so that may also cause us to choose certain products over another. We may also pivot to more effort spent on repairs and maintenance if supply problems or a slower economy become a reality.

“I have a feeling our Oregon economy will be similar to other areas of the Western region. However, it has been harder to find out what is happening in other states due to less contact with other roofing professionals. Without meetings and expos, it is hard to know how everyone is feeling about this year and the coming year.

“This has been a very stressful year for families of our employees and for our staff, just as it has been in the general population. Therefore, I really feel we need to pay close attention to the overall mental health of our workers and staff, as well as with the necessary safety procedures.”

Brad Baker, Professional Roofing, Bellevue, Idaho, and former WSRCA president, states, “This past year has been the worst and best of times for 2020. Older relatives have passed away and you couldn’t even go to funerals with more than 20 people. COVID-19 has been a cruel and lonely disease for the people affected. On the bright side, Idaho has been ranked as the number one U-Haul® destination this past year and the West Coast people have been coming in droves from California, Washington, and Oregon. Our local area for custom housing is out two years and sub-contractors can’t keep up with the building going on. Life is good, but the stress level is up and there has to be a happy medium. Hopefully the COVID-19 vaccine will help keep us alive to roof another day.

Bill Baley, CI Services, Irvine, California, and former WSRCA president, notes, “Business was still fairly strong this year. The biggest change was the lack of face-to-face meetings with customers and a bit slower decision making from customers. After that, we of course had to spend extra money on disinfectants, masks, gloves, etc. for office and field staff. Plus extra care about social distancing and allowing people to stay home when health was questionable all cost money, but needed to happen.

“We had a few of our crew either get infected with COVID-19 or were with someone infected, which required quarantine time for those workers. Luckily, we shifted personnel as needed and got through it.

“Our commercial business was the same as always. Whether it will be up or down in 2021 is the million-dollar question for everyone right now. The recent election could change things a lot. We need to wait and see. We’re praying for another strong year, assuming the vaccine gets out and works. As far as using different products go, business offerings may change a little, with more focus on repair and maintenance, but we think our current system and manufacturer focus should not change.

An Arizona roofing contractor who wished to remain anonymous states, “COVID-19 has not impacted us much. We had a few projects get delayed, but only two that got cancelled. Construction as a whole remained strong. We are hoping to be up in 2021 because in Arizona we had a record hot and record dry 2020. If we can have more normal weather and more economic recovery, we should have a stronger 2021. Manpower is still a problem.”

Sam Chamberlin, D&D Roofing, Sparks, Nevada, notes, “COVID-19 definitely slowed our business in 2020. We expect business to improve in 2021. We won’t be changing our business strategy. I expect our area will rebound during the second half of 2021. I think Biden will screw all business people.”

Andy Clarke, Global Roofing Group, Phoenix, Arizona, says, “2021 is our 50th anniversary and we are excited for the new name change to Global Roofing Group to better represent our ever growing presence around the country, and not just the Southwest. We have recently opened offices in Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah, this year.

“COVID-19 has effected our workforce, but mostly from missed time. Once anyone has either tested positive or has reason to be concerned enough to be tested, we send them home. We also have to send home anyone else that has been directly in contact with that person to contain the spread. We have lost complete crews off of jobs for several days working through COVID-19 tests and quarantines. Earlier in the year, we were very proactive and had 75% of our staff working from home, typically from the accounting and sales part of the company. Operations and production did not have this liberty for obvious reasons. Everyone returned to the office over the summer after the numbers in Arizona had settled down, but we still have strict policies of no unnecessary visitors or large in-person meetings. Everything is virtual, including all our leadership trainings. We also had to cancel our annual Safecon event, in which we host over 350 of our employees for a full day, as required by OSHA. This year we are going to be doing that virtually, which we don’t feel has the same personal impact as doing it together as a company.

“Fortunately, the pandemic has not dramatically impacted our overall volume. However, we have seen some decreases in the multifamily and reroof market in the commercial arena, but that is also typical in an election year and there has been no rain to speak of for the last six to eight months, so it is probably a combination of all of these things.

“We will continue to grow in 2021 mostly due to our efforts in large national projects that we have excelled in and as we have opened other branches in other markets. We’re just not seeing as much reroof for the time being so it’s really only affecting our steep-slope division.

“We know unemployment is high, but we still can’t find people that want to do roofing. Overall, it appears the economy is holding up, but we will see more once the new president and Congress is in place and what kind of policy changes will happen that may or may not be business friendly.

“We have seen several product cost increases over the last couple of months and labor continues to be unstable, so we don’t see that getting any better. We will know more if tax increases come or if there are any change of regulations.”

Johnny Zamrzla, Western Pacific Roofing, Palmdale, California, and former WSRCA and National Roofing Contractors Association president, states, “Business is good. Unfortunately, with trying to work under the changing local and state COVID-19 restrictions, it makes it even harder. I’m on the board of one of the hospitals in our area, and elective surgeries have dried up. They’re not busy, but people don’t want to go to a hospital unless they have to. The county built 632 emergency beds at the fairgrounds and none are being used.

“Our residential business is outstanding. All shops are busy and we just hired new workers, but it’s tough to get employees. Since people can work remotely, they’re moving into vacation homes or remodeling. We have difficulty getting permits, also lumber and metal prices have gone up.

“We’ve expanded into metal buildings and more online marketing. We’re also traveling to jobs less by making use of drones and other services. Right now, there’s an excess of brick-and-mortar office and retail spaces. More people are shopping and working online. That’s probably not going to change once we’re clear of this pandemic. It’s a whole new world with a different set of challenges and opportunities.”

Ron Lloyd, Kokua Roofing Services, Kailua, Hawaii, says, “Safety has always been a priority at Kokua and we start each day on a project with a safety meeting. With COVID-19, we now have had to implement more safety measures to include daily temperature checks of the folks on the job. In addition, we have had to invest in more PPE for our employees. From a service prospective, interisland travel restrictions have made our ability to be nimble more complicated.

“The Kokua team is always looking for ways to be more efficient and effective. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has affected the speed in which we can complete projects while maintaining the quality our customers expect. Between travel delays and the additional safety steps we are taking, we are not performing at our usual optimal level. However, our business has always had a healthy and diverse portfolio of projects, and that has not changed. Despite the challenges we have all faced, I feel confident that business will continue to grow in 2021. While it’s hard to project how things are going to shake out location by location, it’s my estimation that our Hawaii economy will remain in line with the rest of the West.

“With more and more people continuing to work from home, we have seen a surge in our roof maintenance and service work, and our reroof business. Whether it’s residential because folks are home and realizing things about their house they may not have had time to address, or commercial properties that are temporarily empty, allowing time to address building issues without disturbing occupants.”

Wendy Marvin, Matrix Roofing, Vancouver, Washington, notes, “Due to the pandemic, we’re down about $750k this year, mostly from the shutdown during April and May when things were super slow, and the delays in installations, shipping and manufacturing issues, and staffing problems contributed. We definitely have a backlog and could easily hire about ten workers now; we just can’t find them. After the initial shock of everything and the chaos of moving to remote working, we’ve fared fairly well. Additional resources from the government would surely help, as we were poised in February to begin building out on our new facility and have been stuck in permitting for seven months. With the material costs skyrocketing, we’re looking at alternatives now.

“Overall, COVID-19 was a good time to do some introspective work, which we accomplished. Our company will emerge stronger and more nimble, which is good.

“Our workforce has been super impacted here by COVID-19. Work is slow due to additional precautions and inspections. There’s a slowing of performance as we have periodic scares of contamination and people have to take the mandatory 14 days off, even though they have no symptoms. We never had to do layoffs, which are good, but overall everyone is taxed and tired of the stresses of this disease.

“We definitely moved closer to our residential customers and away from bidding bigger commercial jobs, which are easier to manage and less risk. We completely shut down our government bidding due to cash flow issues.

“We may change our mix of materials and products, most likely due to massive changes in manufacturing. We do not want to run around right now, but if something isn’t available, we have to find alternatives. We’re putting more resources into our remodeling department, hoping to capture more work during roofing’s slow time. It’s worked so far.

“The economy is really uncertain. Talk of massive company closures in our farming industry could greatly impact the state of Washington. Real estate is up, but we’re already at a home shortage and our city government permitting agencies have been inept for a long time. They’re trying to hire more people now, but most likely too little too late for Clark County and Southwest Washington. We can’t build the homes fast enough. We’re trying to be prepared for when the moratorium on evictions ends. This could be another foreclosure boom, and work from realtors as lenders tighten requirements.

“Hopefully our industry partnerships and lobbying organizations can get the idiotic tariffs shut down, and the sooner the better, especially on lumber. We’ve watched plywood go from $14/sheet to $37/sheet now. It’s absolutely absurd.

“We have to form alliances to get our hands on some of these displaced workers. In our state we have Workforce Southwest Washington, who has federal funds to place displaced workers. Our industry doesn’t know about this. We need marketing. We need to get them to see our industry as a viable and fairly stable work option. We need to get moving on this ASAP.”

Pete Schmautz, Star Roofing, Phoenix, Arizona, and former WSRCA president, says, “Due to COVID-19, we are having to do more up-front screening of employees before entering jobsites. This has ranged from health questionnaires to temperature checks. Many general contractors and jobsites are beginning to require quarantine periods for anyone suspected of having COVID-19. It has definitely slowed production.

We anticipate 2021 being the same or down slightly from 2020’s numbers. We do not anticipate using different products, but we strive to increase our reroof percentage. We expect that our economy will fare better than some of the states in the West that have, again, implemented lockdowns.”

Steve Nash, Waterproofing Associates, Mountain View, California, states, “2020 has been an extremely challenging year. We were shut down for a few months early in the year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All work ceased except public works. We shifted our focus to public works only to have new criteria of essential public works added to the list. Each job required a designation of deemed essential, which very few public agencies were willing to specify for fear of liability. Once we were able to resume working, we needed to put our COVID-19 protocols together, which required daily certification of jobsites, temperature checks, health screening questions, disinfection of tools, and wearing masks.

“Overall, 2020 has been a year of protecting our people and business with a goal of living to fight another day. Having accomplished our short-term goal of survival, we look forward to 2021. We expect there to be a pent-up demand for our services once businesses resume normal operations with the distribution of the vaccine.”

Stan Robinson, Pacific West Roofing, Hubbard, Oregon, notes, “With COVID-19 ever-present, we’ve been requiring masks be worn in vehicles, in the office, and at the shop. We’ve kept the same work force other than a few losses due to non-illness reasons. We had one employee contract COVID-19 and they were quarantined for the time needed. We test anybody who comes in our office and document their temperature and recent activity to determine whether or not they were around anyone with symptoms. Our job performance time has not changed.

“There have been less commercial opportunities due to jobs being shut down or postponed. We are a minor player in the commercial world anyways and only choose owner-operated buildings with maybe a few property managed commercial condominiums. We feel that 2021 will take a jump in volume by at least 10% to 15% and look forward to increasing our crew sizes this next year.

“We are pretty convinced that the mix of products we have now are solid and don’t plan to make a change in product brands but possibly adding additional not ordinary products such as rubbers and plastics slates shakes tile.

“I can only speak for the Portland, Oregon, market when I say most of my fellow contractors feel it will be a strong year, regardless of the presidency, merely on customer demand. I’ve heard no different information across the West speaking to my fellow contractors and other cities and states.

“I don’t think many of the roofing contractors feel an extreme difference when there’s a change in presidency or parties and only can speak to the demand of the public, even though we keep an eye on the TV for things happening such as Portland being completely under attack by ANTIFA, yet the market increases.”

Misty Stoddard, Rainproof Roofing, Anchorage, Alaska, says, “Figuring out how to work as an essential company during this pandemic has proven to be challenging at times for sure. From creating a daily online COVID-19 health questionnaire that is easily and quickly executed and also easy to track from a management perspective, to having a mitigation plan filed with our state and figuring out everything in between when working on site for general contractors. As a company we have definitely taken on the mind-set of if this is what it is let’s do it the best we can. Our employees have been extremely flexible during this process and an integral part of being successful during these strange times. Planning and communication has never been more important than it was this year.

“Our mix has remained fairly normal for our company with a 70/30 commercial/residential split. It’s hard to project what 2021 will look like when we could have never imagined that we would still be dealing with as long as we have. Government shutdowns and mandates will play a huge role in what the coming year looks like.

“Alaska often trails behind the lower 48 when it comes to economic swings, whether they are up or down. Again, with the current pandemic, it appears economically each state will be at the mercy of their elected officials. Government shutdowns and mandates will clearly have an impact as we head into 2021. It’s likely the commercial real estate market could potentially experience wide-spread vacancies from restaurants, bars, and small businesses that are no longer able to operate as a result of these shutdowns, and of course, that will affect our market as those building owners will be unable to maintain their properties at the same level.”

Stoddard sums up the feelings of many with, “The current COVID-19 pandemic has been a good reminder of how important it is to invest in our people, how we react in times of hardship are a true indicator of character.”

Courtesy of Western Roofing Magazine

From Sir Elton John to Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra to Bruce Springsteen, the historic Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California, has seen some of the world’s most supreme talents grace its stage. Built in 1928 and completed two years later, the iconic amphitheater is modeled after famous Greek temples, and is one of the nation’s most beloved outdoor performance venues.

In 2015, the City of Los Angeles embarked on a multiyear off-season renovation and rehabilitation endeavor to improve the visitor experience, add contemporary amenities for performers, and address multiple historic areas of the venue that were in need of rejuvenation. The final stage of the four-phase renovation included replacing the Greek Theatre’s iconic green glazed clay tile roof and skylights in order to incorporate seismic and mechanical upgrades.

The existing tile was cemented in, and a site inspection deemed the tiles unsalvageable. After careful consideration, which centered on finding high-quality products that could withstand ASTM testing and a rigorous production timeline, the architecture team at Page & Turnbull, Los Angeles, decided on MCA® Clay Roof Tile, a leader in the clay roof tile industry. MCA developed and produced four unique types of Greek tiles for the reroof project, including a top tile, pan tile, ridge tile, and small ridge tile. Replacing historical or older tiles can be challenging, but MCA’s expertise in the clay tile arena allows historical institutions and landmarks to preserve their original looks.

The new Greek Theatre roof employs a structural concrete deck, with fiber-reinforced plastic and epoxy on top, followed by two layers of SOPREMA® self-adhered base and cap sheet, ICP Polyset® AH-160 roof tile adhesive, and an assortment of MCA Clay Roof Tiles. Poylset AH-160 is a complete solution for roof tile attachment, both clay and concrete. It is a two-component, low-pressure polyurethane adhesive that attaches to each individual tile, ensuring it has a wind and weather-resistant bond. Polyset AH-160 is stronger than screws, nails, wire-tie systems, or other mechanical fastening systems that can damage the underlayment or roof deck.

ICP Group has a Masterworks hands-on training program in which contractors become qualified Polyset applicators. Best Contracting, Gardena, California, the general contractor and roof installer on this project, underwent this training and understands the unique advantages of using Polyset roof tile adhesive. “To be able to recreate a historical aesthetic in a modern way is amazing,” expressed Lauren Busichio, project engineer, Best Contracting. “Polyset allows roofing professionals superior holding power and additional walkability,” said Max Miller, vice president, roofing, ICP Building Solutions Group. “We invest in our contractors.”

“There are not too many installation systems available that can meet extremely high wind and seismic conditions, guarantee zero penetration to the membrane, and provide great time and labor-saving methods all in one,” said Yoshi Suzuki, president and CEO, MCA Clay Roof Tile.

The most challenging part of this project for MCA Clay Roof Tile was the quick turnaround. They had to make all the tiles within 3-1/2 months, which was an intimidating task. MCA rose to the challenge, however, and manufactured all of the tiles within the desired timeframe, assuring that the project would remain on schedule. All of the tiles were produced by MCA’s casting process, meaning each tile was casted in molds and fired, glazed, and fired again. With each field pan tile weighing approximately 45-50 lbs., the process is one that requires scientific preciseness and attention to detail.

The process involved plaster molds that were filled with liquid clay slip, tightened with bands, stood upright, then filled again to the top. As the clay slip settled into the molds, the air pockets escaped, which required the second fill, to the top, to fill any voids. “This was by far the most laborious task because of the size of the tiles,” explained Dustin Chin, district sales manager, MCA Clay Roof Tile. After each mold was filled, they were set for 24-48 hours, depending on their size, before being removed and put on custom racks to dry. Once dry, they were fired in the kiln, glazed, then fired a second time.

“Matching color tends to be a timely process, with the key being to tweak each glaze so that the color remains stable while still being correct,” said Chin. “Color is very important for roof tiles, and getting it perfect is the most important part of the fabrication.”

The Greek Theatre was recently bestowed the 2020 Preservation Design Award for Rehabilitation from the California Preservation Foundation, as judged by a jury of top architecture, engineering, and planning professionals. “Nothing about this project was off the shelf, including the tiles,” said John Lesak, principal, Page & Turnbull. The Greek Theatre renovation project showcases an impressive preservation endeavor, and the building continues to honor its legacy as one of the premier entertainment venues in the world.

Courtesy of Western Roofing Magazine

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Our dear father and husband, Vernon John Farrow, Jr., passed away peacefully on January 4, 2021 at the age of 79.  Vernon is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Norma, his 3 children, Kevin, Kathy and Brandon and his 16 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Vernon was born in 1941 in Holbrook, Arizona. He lived in Hawaii, California, Colorado and finally retired to Gilbert Arizona. In 1960 he married his high school sweetheart Norma Farrow, Miss Mesa AZ. 

He impressed anyone who knew him with his wit, astounding roofing and political knowledge, integrity, sense of humor and always being sharply dressed. Vernon was very competitive and endeavored to win at anything he participated in.  He love to play softball and was an avid golfer and often ran on the golf course.  His enthusiasm for life was contagious.

Over the years Vernon participated in many roofing associations. 1960’s he worked for Owens Corning Roofing and Insulation as well as the City of Mesa, AZ as a Civil Engineer and Draftsman. From 1970 – 1980 Vernon was the Johns Manville representative in Arizona and Honolulu, Hawaii and Corporate Headquarters in Denver Colorado.  1982-1987 he worked with Thermo Materials in San Diego and became a convert to cold fluid applied roofing systems.  1987-2015 He owned operated Farrow Manufacturing, Inc. providing commercial low slope roofing products. He was often involved in local city politics and had a deep passion for political history and government.

Vernon was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He was loved by all and enjoyed serving others.  Some of Vernon’s greatest accomplishments were within the walls of his own home.  Vernon was a natural and captivating teacher and mentor to many.  His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will be eternally blessed by his wisdom and many truths he taught. We will miss his advice, competitiveness and deep love of family and friends. We are comforted by the knowledge that families are forever.

RCS Influencer Wendy Marvin says that the past year has made her company stronger heading into 2021.

Let’s start by talking about how we got to thinking about 2021.  2020 brought in unprecedented challenges for all business owners.  COVID restriction, new health requirements, government and state mandates. . . all of it enough to put established companies out of business.   

After the initial shock of the complete shutdown (Washington was one of only three states considering construction “non-essential”) we regrouped and put ourselves to work.  We mobilized our team both internally and externally.  We, overall, were very transparent about the fears we were currently facing.  Instead of running, our team rallied and got to work figuring out how we’d stay in business.   

Surviving the shutdown 

Previously we had worked hard at establishing good relationships not only with our community Chambers, but also with our industry organizations.  Because of this, we received good counsel during this time.  We were able to change, document and move on.    

We had also done a good job creating brand awareness and trust in our community of customers.  Lucky for us, even during the most difficult times, the phones kept ringing.    

Later, after it became apparent that the “short-term” restrictions weren’t going away, we again got to work on planning our future in the uncertain world.  

Turning goals into milestone 

We used our “down time” to solidify our core values and goals.  Looking at who we were as a company and who we wanted to be to our customers.  We completed this in a VTO document though the company philosophy of Traction®.  This was an important first step. 

We also used Traction® to break apart our goals into “milestones” which were easier to see and accomplish than our BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). 

The other work we continue to do is based on a few principles we gleaned during Zoom calls called:  

Keep, Stop, Start. 

• Keep:   After carefully evaluating our current business we decided what was working well.  We’re looking at ways (even while working remotely) to keep doing what we do best.  For Matrix, this was Client Satisfaction, Quality Work and Authentic Relationships.  Due to this crystallization of who Matrix is, we’ve unearthed additional ways to engage our customers in conversations, to answer questions for them and to give them ways to trust us more (by being prepared with narratives or documentations for them).   

• Stop:  Our review brought several things to light that no longer complimented our successful business future.  Things maybe we’d been doing for years, but were cumbersome, or inefficient.  Efficiencies in particular became a BIG focus of ours as our staff split into those working in the office and those working remotely.  

• Start:  Other things floated up that were new for our company, but were easily added for increased production, or efficiencies.  We started with our end goal – added in the steps to get there and then added assignments based on who needed to accomplish those steps.  Overall, not a huge add to our current system – we wanted to be strategic and not overload our already stressed group.  There were however, several small things that made a big impact.  One bigger shift was the hiring of a new, local, IT provider to assist us better in the new challenging work environment.  We also looked at new ways to support our employees during this difficult time.  We were looking for more ways to recognize positive interactions.  For more ways to celebrate when we can’t gather in person.   

First in customer contact wins the race 

We first heard this on one of the many seminars we attended.  Due to our core values, this one really resonated for us.   
 
Having been our focus since inception – we expanded and really delved into what a customer needs from their company contractor, and how we best could provide those needs to elicit happy referrals.  Especially now, customers are looking for well-prepared companies.  Ones that have a plan or can at least provide documentation that they’ve thought through the difficulties involved in face-to-face transactions.  Especially if those transactions involve being inside of the customer’s home.  Ultimately customers are looking for people they can trust.   

Looking ahead to 2021 

So, none of us have any clear pictures of what 2021 will bring.  We are busy.  The phone is still ringing.  We’re very thankful for that.  2020 brought us an unintended break which allowed us to do the following work: 

• Work internally on the structure of our organization so we can grow by creating more efficiencies.   

• Creating strategic partnerships with companies that excel at things we’ve struggled with for years.  Things like marketing, financial analysis and IT.   

• Focusing on making data-driven decisions, not guessing and hoping things will work.  The margins for error have narrowed too much to allow this in the next few years.   

• Worked hard to try to “normalize” the changes we’ve faced.  The initial shock is over, now we’re just gathering data and staying nimble in our company to allow us to react.   

• Rallying TOGETHER to be ready when the next pivot happens.  We know more is coming, and we’re strong seeing it through - together.   

ARTICLE COURTESY OF: ROOFERS COFFEE SHOP

2020 has been a hard year for everyone. Navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult both personally and professionally. The primary focus of Western States Roofing Contractors Association during 2020 was to drive greater value to our members, when they needed timely resources more than ever. 

In today’s challenging environment, our members are looking for ways to help themselves become better roof technicians, navigate through challenges safely and legally, as well as becoming better businesspeople. WSRCA believes that by complimenting sound technical roofing research along with prudent business practices, we will continue to lead the industry, as we have for the past 47 years!

Below, please find the information that WSRCA feels is currently changing the face of roofing, not only in the west, but across the country in 2020: 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

• Technical Bulletin No. 2020-LSII-1ed. - Design Considerations Related to White and Light-Colored Membrane Low-Slope Roofs
• Technical Informational Letter No. 2020-II-1 - Recent Activity by ASTM Roofing & Waterproofing Groups
• Technical Bulletin No. 2020-IILS-1ed. - Roof Wood Sheathing Susceptibility to Moisture
• Technical Informational Letter No. 2020-II-2 - Update on Recent Activity by ASTM Roofing & Waterproofing Groups
• Technical Bulletin No. 2020-LSII-1ed. - Moisture in Concrete Decks

CONTRACTORS COUNSEL - LEGAL NEWS & UPDATES

• Never Sign an OSHA Witness Statement
• New I-9 Form Just Released
• WEBINAR: COVID-19 Legal Challenges & Union Agreements
• COVID-19 Master OSHA, Construction & Employment Law FAQ's
• WEBINAR: Ever-Changing Legal Issues with COVID-19 and How to Work Through the Crisis
• Restructure Your Payment Terms to Survive the COVID-19 Crisis
• 5 Tips for Working in the Summer Heat
• Cheat Sheet for Employee COVID-19 Exposure
• Roof Deck and Mold Disclaimer Contract Provisions
• Navigating Delay During the Coronavirus Outbreak
• Critical Contract Provisions

SAFETY & HEALTH

• COVID-19 Resources Page
• COVID-19 and Roofing - Navigating the New Normal in Workplace Safety
• WSRCA Mobile Safety Solutions
• WSRCA Hi-Visibility T-Shirts
• WSRCA Safety Field Cards - English & Spanish
• WSRCA Safety Toolbox Topics

BUSINESS RESOURCES

• Sales Coaching - Responding to COVID-19: Navigating Construction & Service Sales
• WEBINAR: Commercial Sales - Going from Contact to Contract in a Virtual World
• WEBINAR: Identify & Reduce Social Engineering Attacks
• Don't Play Politics with Your Portfolio
• Breakthrough Academy - Business Webinars for WSRCA Contractor Members
• WEBINAR - Breakthrough Academy: Scaling to 8 Figures - How to Build Your Annual Strategic Plan to Dominate 2021
• Member Survey - Tell WSRCA What You Value & Need!
• Apply to Become a Board Member of the WSRCA

'A VIEW FROM THE HILL' - LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

• Special Report on Coronavirus Assistance - Federal Legislation & Administrative Actions as of April 6, 2020
• WEBINAR: A View From the Hill - 2020 Legislative Updates
• Presidential Memorandum to Defer Employee Payroll Taxes
• Biden Administration Preview

"ROOF TALK": ARTICLE FORUM & BLOG

• Roofing Contractors - the FAA Wants To Track Your Drone
• Roofing Ranks 4th Among Most Dangerous Jobs in the United States
• State of the Industry 2020: Report and Survey
• Brace Yourselves, Coronavirus' Impact on the Roofing Industry Will be Felt
• Roofing Contractors Keep Working in Peak Season Despite Sharp Spikes in Temperature, COVID-19
• Cool Under Fire - Leo Ibarra Leads Blue's Roofing & WSRCA Through a Year of Unprecedented Change
• Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) Announces Innovator of the Year - Scott Riopelle, Interstate Roofing

VIRTUAL WESTERN ROOFING EXPO 2020

• Virtual Western Roofing Expo
• Virtual Western Roofing Expo - Video Channel with Exhibitor Demonstrations
• WEBINAR: Virtual Western Roofing Expo - Opening Session
• WEBINAR: Surviving Uncertain Times
• WEBINAR: Top 5 Employment Issues in Roofing
• WEBINAR: Construction Contract Provisions
• WEBINAR: Issues Currently Affecting the Roofing & Waterproofing Industry
• WEBINAR: Davis Memorial Foundation - Scholarship Award Ceremony
• WEBINAR: A View From the Hill - 2020 Legislative Updates
• WEBINAR: Leveraging Partnerships with Manufacturers to Benefit Roofing Projects & Reduce Your Liability
• WEBINAR: A Retrospective Review of Code Changes from 2000-2018/21
• WEBINAR: Put it in Writing! Essential Policies for Every Employee Handbook
• WEBINAR: Performance Analysis of Aged TPO Membranes
• WEBINAR: Predictable Revenue
• WEBINAR: Retrofit Single-Ply Roofs Installed over Existing Metal Roofs: Wind Uplift and Industry Concerns
• WEBINAR: Simplifying OSHA Requirements for Rooftop Fall Protection
• WEBINAR: Significant Changes Between the 2015 and 2018 IBC and IRC Affecting Roof Assemblies
• WEBINAR: Prepare Your Low-Slope Roofing Projects to Meet the 2021 ICC Codes
• WEBINAR: How to Get Women on the Roof - Successful Strategies and Case Studies
• WEBINAR: The Top 10 Employment Law Mistakes Commonly Made by Roofing Contractors (and How to Avoid Them)
• WEBINAR: Proactively Address Moisture in Roof Assemblies
• WEBINAR: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls When Scaling Your Company
• WEBINAR: To Bid, or Not to Bid: That is the Question
• WEBINAR: OSHA Inspection & Citation Process
• WEBINAR: Three Roofing Projects Gone Wrong
• WEBINAR: Business Succession Planning in Construction: An Essential Tool in Your Toolbox
• WEBINAR: Roofing, Labor Shortage and Embracing Diversity, Technology and the Next Generation
• WEBINAR: High Wind Uplift Requirements for Tile Roofing - New Rules with ASCE 7-16
• WEBINAR: WSRCA Young Roofing Professionals - How to Attract and Retain Young Roofing Professionals to Your Business
• WEBINAR: Virtual Western Roofing Expo - Closing Session, Awards, and Nominations

DAVIS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

• "Name Your" Scholarship Award
• Become a Partner for the Future & Help Support Higher Education
• Apply Today for a $5,000 Scholarship!

We also wanted to take the opportunity to thank our members for renewing this year, our exhibitors for supporting the first ever Virtual Western Roofing Expo, and our donors for contributing to the Davis Memorial Foundation’s scholarship program. 2020 has been extraordinarily tough, especially for associations, as many rely heavily on in-person events and have had to pivot towards online offerings to stay relevant.

THANK YOU to everyone who supported WSRCA in one way or another this year. Your loyalty and support has allowed us to continue to provide roofing contractors with a member benefits package tailored to their needs. We are looking forward to a happier and healthier 2021!


- Western States Roofing Contractors Association

Protecting First Responders with Vinyl Rib Roofing in Lincoln City, Oregon

By Melissa Lee, Marketing Communications Manager at Duro-Last, Inc.

Lincoln City sits on the central coast of Oregon and is known for having over seven miles of pristine beaches that welcome thousands of vacationers every year. Incorporated in March 1965 as a result of uniting the neighboring communities of Delake, Oceanlake, Taft, Cutler City, and Nelscott, Lincoln City is home to an estimated 9,000 residents. At the heart of this coastal community is the small but mighty North Lincoln Fire and Rescue District #1, staffed almost entirely by volunteer firefighters and a dedicated team of 16 full-time administrative personnel.

North Lincoln Fire and Rescue District #1 is comprised of six stations that provide emergency support to Lincoln City and its surrounding communities. The Bob Everest – 1400 Station is one of the larger facilities in the district, housing Engine 1407, Ladder 1455, Rescue 1438, two water rescue response vehicles, and Reserve Engine 1405.

In 2018, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue appealed to the community for support with Measure 21-183, which provided funding for both equipment and badly needed upgrades to the Bob Everest station. In addition to the local funding request, which was ultimately approved, the district was also able to secure an Oregon Infrastructure Authority Grant, which provided for seismic upgrades to the facility.

Emerick Construction Company of Tualatin, Oregon, was awarded the general contractor role for the project, which included the addition of office space to allow administrative staff to be housed in one location, an enclosed space to house firefighters’ gear, reconfiguring crew quarters with new dorms and bathrooms, repairing kitchen and living areas, and a variety of other upgrades including the roofing system. Portland, Oregon, architect firm Mackenzie drew up plans for the existing 13,900 sq.ft. facility, specifying shingles and approximately 10,000 sq.ft. of 24 gauge standing seam metal panels for the roof.

Through an open bidding process, Nail It Roofing Company of Oregon City, Oregon, was awarded the roofing system portion of the project through Emerick Construction Company. Upon review of the drawings, the Nail It Roofing team knew that the standing seam metal was not going to be a good solution for the 1-1/2:12 low-pitch portions of the roof. Working closely with the architect and general contractor, they evaluated a different solution more suitable for the high winds and precipitation common in Oregon coastal communities.

While a variety of products were reviewed, the Nail It Roofing team proposed the use of the Duro-Last® Vinyl Rib roofing system. Featuring a PVC membrane and separate vinyl ribs that are heat welded to the installed membrane, this system provides an aesthetically pleasing watertight solution where traditional standing seam roofs aren’t practical.

“The architect envisioned the standing seam roof on the lower sloped portions of the project, so we had to find a solution that matched that vision as closely as possible while knowing that it would perform well in the long run,” explained Nail It Roofing Company president Rodrigo Quintanilla. “It took some back-and-forth to make sure everyone was comfortable with the change, but the Duro-Last Vinyl Rib system was ultimately approved and incorporated into the plans.”

Once the Nail It Roofing team received the green light to move forward with the new plans, they were able to begin installation almost immediately. With attic insulation already in place, they installed vapor barrier and 1/4” DensDeck® Prime cover board over the 5/8” plywood deck before adhering the dark gray Duro-Last 50 mil membrane. Dark gray vinyl ribs were then added every 18 inches, giving the appearance of a standing seam metal roof.

With an average crew of six, Nail It Roofing completed the membrane portion of the roofing system in approximately four days. “It actually took us a little longer than it normally would for a project this size,” said Quintanilla. By the time their team was able to install the membrane, the weather had turned cold. As with any coastal community during the winter months, precipitation and ice became a bit of a challenge. “There were days that we had to scrape down the ice from the previous night’s rain before we could begin installation for the day,” he continued. “It got a little labor intensive at points, but the material itself was wonderful to work with, especially under those circumstances.”

Despite the challenges that the Nail It Roofing team faced, they were happy with the installation. “We are extremely happy that we were able to work with the general contractor and architect to modify the plans for the vinyl rib system,” Quintanilla said. “The color options and support that Duro-Last offered were the ideal solution to everyone’s wants and needs.”

Once installation was complete, Nail It Roofing Company provided North Lincoln Fire and Rescue District #1 with a 20-Year NDL Warranty for the Duro-Last Vinyl Rib system. “From the feedback that we have received, it’s safe to say that everyone was very happy with the outcome. The roof looks great, the vinyl rib system complements the dark shingles well, and it still provides the clean aesthetic typically found with traditional standing seam roofs. Not only that, but we were able to deliver a solution that offers the district long-term peace of mind with a warranty to back it up.”

Courtesy of Western Roofing Insulation and Siding

Making A Cool Home More Comfortable

WEDGE ROOFING BRINGS STYLISH OLDER HOUSE INTO 21ST CENTURY

Developer Joseph Eichler and his Eichler Homes Inc. built approximately 11,000 single-family homes in California from 1949-66, mostly in the northern part of the state, and it’s easy to see why their innovative, California-cool design proved popular with homeowners.

Designed to bring the feel of the outdoors into the home, the typical Eichler house features glass walls from floor to ceiling, post-and-beam construction, large skylights, an open floorplan and an expansive atrium. The influential style became known as "California Modern," which now seems like a misnomer given that many of these midcentury homes still lack the modern comfort of air conditioning.

In recent years, one family in San Rafael had hired Petaluma-based Wedge Roofing to install roofs on several properties, so when it came time to upgrade their own Eichler home, they knew just whom to call.

For Wedge Roofing, the task was to help bring the home into the 21st century. Not only was there no air conditioning, but the original integral radiant heating system installed within the concrete-slab floors had failed due to water leaks in the inaccessible pipes. For several years, the family had resorted to using electric space heaters to warm individual rooms.

With winter approaching late last year, the family decided that it needed a modern HVAC system, so it hired an HVAC contractor to install hundreds of linear feet of small-diameter, highvelocity ductwork on the roof.

Given the home’s distinctive style, the homeowner wanted the roof to retain its original aesthetics, without large, above-roof ducting strewn about and visible from the street. So, Wedge Roofing was hired to essentially encase that ductwork in a new roof, creating a uniform surface about 8 1/2 inches above the original roof surface.

On similar projects, after the HVAC contractor completes the ductwork, Wedge Roofing would spray polyurethane foam over and around it to conceal it and create a flat roof surface. But in this case, the homeowner and HVAC technician were concerned that heat from the SPF application could damage the ductwork. Consequently, Wedge Roofing would have to use 328 sheets of closed-cell, 2.5-pound rigid foam insulation board to envelope each piece of ductwork on the 3,500-square-foot roof.

The sheets measured four feet by eight feet, and only 20 percent of them were installed as is, without needing to be individually carved or shaped to fit around ductwork. That fill board, including some pieces cut down to less than two square feet, was glued into place using low-rise foam adhesive.

The boards were two inches thick, so Wedge Roofing had to repeat the process of gluing boards in place three times to create a new surface six inches above the old one. After the final layer was applied, workers used masking tape to cover the seams between pieces of fill board.

Fortunately, Wedge Roofing’s finish carpenter, Eric Carreno, was onsite making structural modifications and curb installations for a new, electrically powered Rollamatic skylight, which can be opened and closed with the push of a button. His help in cutting the fill board into perfectly sized pieces proved invaluable, said Gary Harvey, general manager of Wedge Roofing.

"His layout skills in measuring and designating where to cut were worthy of fine craftsmanship associated with cabinetmaking," Harvey said. "After all the detail work was done, this application still required a one-inch-thick rigid polyisocyanurate cover board to be set in low-rise adhesive to provide a nice, smooth surface on which to spray."

Given that the roof was a spider web of trip hazards, Wedge Roofing used perimeter warning lines around the edges of the roof and the large skylight opening, and supervisors held a meeting each morning to reiterate the need to watch where literally every footstep landed on the rooftop.

"Our greatest fear was that we would inadvertently puncture or damage some minute section of the hundreds of feet of ductwork," Harvey said. "We tested the HVAC system prior to work commencement along with the contractor, and then we tested the system at the completion of the cover board and, finally, at the completion of our roofing project. We are happy to say there were no punctures or damage to the HVAC system or ducting."

Next, the crew used a Graco E-30 integrated spray foam machine with a Graco Fusion Air Purge gun equipped with a low-rise foam adapter kit. Workers sprayed 1.5 inches of Evercell 3.0 closed-cell, 2.7-pound SPF from Everest Systems. Harvey said one challenge involved spraying SPF directly onto rigid polyisocyanurate, which tends to pinhole and blister due to its construction with a paper backing.

"We sprayed a half-inch flash pass across the rigid insulation in the areas that pinholed or blistered, and then we would scuff or abrade it by lightly dragging a tear-off shovel across it or even scuffing it with our feet, which yielded a very suitable surface to spray to," Harvey said. "A small amount of cleaning and prepping was required, and then you could spray to it like any other surface."

The final step was to break out the Graco GH 933 Big Rig gas hydraulic airless sprayer and the Graco XTR-7 airless spray gun. The crew applied 2.5 gallons of GE Enduris 3500 silicone coating from Everest Systems along with C-93 gray granules supplied by Beacon Roofing Supply.

Wedge Roofing used nine workers in total, including members of its carpentry, demolition and preparatory teams simultaneously on the first two days of the project, which allowed the company to finish the job in six days instead of the projected seven or eight. The family moved back into the home just in time for Christmas, making for a happy holiday.

After almost a week of prep work and one day of spraying, Wedge Roofing had created a beautiful roof with a sky-high R-value of 49, ensuring that the home will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

"Underneath the roof surface there is an incredible amount of plumbing lines and air-conditioning ducting, so to just simply look at it and think, ‘Wow, that’s a great roof,’ doesn’t take into consideration all of those components and the all the work that got you to that point," Harvey said. "Normally, the roof is just a roof, but in this case, it was so much more. We were proud to be chosen to protect and upgrade this timeless home."

By: Nick Fortuna

Article Courtesy of SPRAYFOAM PROFESSIONAL

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE...

The award recognizes a roofing contractor who contributes to the advancement of the roofing industry.

Courtesy of: RT3ThinkTank.com

York, Pennsylvania, December 8, 2020 –- Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, awarded the 2020 Innovator of the Year award to Scott Riopelle, the owner and CEO of Denver, Colorado-based Interstate Roofing. The award was announced during the virtual 2020 Best of Success Conference.

“It’s clear that Scott is an early adopter and eager to integrate the latest technologies into Interstate Roofing,” stated Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, Award Task Team Leader and RT3 Board Member. “To eliminate any chance of bias, our panel of judges did not know the names of the persons or companies that they were reviewing. They ranked nominations based solely on the technological information provided on the nomination form.”

According to the nomination, Scott was one of the first contractors to adopt using EagleView measurement reports as a standard in his business, as well as Xactimate and Scope Assist. “Technology is the new future in the roofing industry,” stated Scott. “By providing aerial and mobile access in seconds it is going to save time and be more cost effective for the jobs. I will never forget the first time I saw Xactimate. I was blown away by how far we have come in the last decade.”

Scott shared that Interstate Roofing has begun using virtual reality and augmented reality in their business. “This technology speaks to the new generation of contracting salespersons. It has increased our retention base by allowing multiple avenues of education, while providing another way to evaluate the skills of a contractor before we finalize a contractor agreement or put them in the field blindly. What this caused is a more loyal base of employee and contractor alike,” he explained.

He also is willing to share knowledge and help others in the industry, often presenting and educating other contractors, even competitors on how to implement technology into their businesses. “Due to the pandemic we have been forced to look at digital technology from a different perspective. I see the challenge and accept it as a good thing. It is not always about growing more jobs but defining the good jobs from the bad ones and keeping the crews safe,” he said.   

Interstate Roofing is a member of the Colorado Roofing Association, National Roofing Contractors Association and Scott serves on the board for the Western States Roofing Contractors Association. Interstate Roofing is rated in the highest tier with manufacturers such as Owens Corning, Versico, Boral Steel, GAF and CertainTeed.

Congratulations to Scott Riopelle and Interstate Roofing on being named the 2020 Innovator of the Year.

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About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry.  RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses.  With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.

Strategic planning; two words that can strike fear into even the most seasoned roofing entrepreneur. We get it. We've been there.

But as we stare 2021 in the face, there's no better time than the present to break down the barriers that may be disabling you and your business, and build a plan that will help you knock those goals out the park . . . no matter what 2021 has in store.

Ah yes, time; that's one thing us contracting entrepreneurs never seem to have enough of.

It's easy to fall into the trap of getting bogged down in the day-to-day running of a business, and put off planning your year ahead for “another day.” But by setting aside time now you will save yourself time in the future, and, according to research, double your chance of success.

Getting started, that's the hardest part. So where exactly do you begin?

LOOK BACK TO MOVE FORWARD

There is a great saying that an arrow can only be shot forward by pulling it backwards; similarly your business can only move forward if you take the time to look back at the successes and failures of 2020.

As business owners we never stop learning; while every win is a success, it's the failures we learn from.

Now is the time to review the performance of your entire business over the past year. What would you do differently if you could go back 12 months?

Look at your strengths, your weaknesses, the opportunities ahead and the possible threats (SWOT).

What makes you nervous about 2021? What does risk look like for your business?

No-one could have imagined back in January that a pandemic would have shifted the world in the way it did, but those who had a plan in place that considered economic fluctuations were better equipped to ride out the storm.

RIGHT, TIME TO GET THE PLAN IN MOTION

With those lessons in your pocket, you're ready to figure out the future direction of your business.

Time to unplug for the day-to-day. Get away from the daily grind, heck, go for a ride, a run, anything just to clear your mind. Now, let's get this done.

A strategic plan should have goals and targets that will ensure your long-term success. Set strategic landmarks and you will have everyone on your team pointing in the right direction. No stragglers here.

What about future challenges? No-one can predict the future, so why bother planning? It's true that we don't have a crystal ball, but a strategic plan isn't about creating a roadmap that outlines your every move, but instead have a system in place with an end goal that will keep your business on track.

As part of your strategic plan, consider these points:

•Annual budget

•Sales booked and produced revenue plan

•Organizational structure

•Employment agreements

•Reporting systems

•Your Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) for 2021 (time to dream, and dream big)

(A snapshot of the Strategic Planning template that BTA uses to work with their members - and a FREE resource that will be given away in their webinar. Adapted from Hamish, H. (2002). Mastering the Rockefeller Habits.)

In our BTA’s Session: Building Your One Page Strategic Plan (December 3, 2020) (register here) we go over these points and the systems you need in greater detail, because going it alone can seem a little overwhelming. It's all about breaking it down into digestible chunks.

As an industry, roofing contractors are extremely resilient. While we faced short-term challenges this year, data is showing that a rebound is expected in 2021, with US roofing demand predicted to edge up to 253.0 million squares in 2024. Let's be prepared, no matter what lies ahead.

Register for the upcoming BTA webinar: Building Your One Page Strategic Plan

Danny Kerr started Breakthrough Academy in 2015 to help other contracting entrepreneurs grow their company’s profitability, while taking back control of their time. Breakthrough Academy is currently working with over 300 business owners across the continent, managing over $900 million worth of revenue, and was rated as Canada’s 106th fastest startup by The Globe And Mail’s Report on Business in 2020.

Leo Ibarra Leads Blue's Roofing and the WSRCA Through a Year of Unprecedented Change

Courtesy of: RoofingContractor.com

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Gaylord Blue, founder of Blue’s Roofing, dreamed of starting his own roofing company shortly after moving his family west from El Paso, Texas, to the San Francisco Bay area roughly five decades ago. He started out learning and perfecting his trade with a large company — Alcal Specialty Contracting — and in 1973 branched out to form his own roofing business focused on values he held dear: hard work, integrity and doing the job to the best of your ability. 

Though long-gone from the day-to-day operations of the company, Blue’s founding values still ring true almost half a century later, and they’ve helped establish its reputation as one of the best commercial roofing and waterproofing specialists in the West.

Blue’s is a full-service roofing contractor company with a portfolio of landmark projects that spans across northern California. Dedicated solely to the commercial market, roughly 80% of its operations are new construction and 20% are restoration or reroofs. Though the company had humble beginnings, it carved its niche while the industry underwent transformative changes in the late 1970s. That evolution hasn’t stopped, with specialty areas now including below-grade WP, split slab WP, coatings, grout injection, tile, BUR and modified roofing. 

“He’d be very proud of where we are,” said son Tim Blue, current company president. “He was an old tar-and-gravel roofer and we’ve come a long way.”

Now with 70 full-time union employees, the focus on those values that have made Blue’s successful have arguably never been more important. When 2020 began, Blue’s was gearing toward another banner year in terms of business.

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the U.S. before spring, much of the early focus was on New York and the East Coast. But the disease was spreading fast in California, requiring some of the harshest shut-down orders implemented across the country. Like much of the roofing industry across North America, Blue’s benefited from a relentless push for “essential worker” designations, and crews started getting back to jobsites with new COVID-19 safety protocols. 

Ultimately, California was hit hard by the virus, carrying the largest number of infections in America, and third-highest number of deaths at the time of publication. Compounding the health crisis was a looming economic freefall and unprecedented wildfires raging across California. The situation called for a calming voice and level-headed leadership. Meet Leo Ibarra.

Keeping Cool

Ibarra was first exposed to the trades by a neighbor who was a superintendent for a roofing company, and joined Blue’s Roofing in 1991. After about a decade of on-the-job learning in the field, he helped Blue’s transition to more waterproofing specialties and the company began carving its niche in a bustling market driven by the tech bubble and institutional clients with capital projects.

His calming demeanor, ability to tackle problems, and willingness to learn left an impression early on in a company that has historically brought people up to the office from the field.

“Leo started with us as an apprentice, journeyman, and then foreman. And he always had a drive for more knowledge,” Blue said. 

Ibarra showed his passion for roofing and his leadership potential when Blue took him along for a six-month crash course on managing jobsite operations in San Francisco. Blue said he was managing multiple jobs within walking distance in the city, and they’d meet regularly with general contractors and superintendents to keep projects on schedule and manage expectations. 

“Leo was able to get the feel for what our philosophy was. How we treated our customers. When we stood firm and when we didn’t,” Blue explained. “I also got a good, strong feeling for him.” 

Blue — like his father, a long-time believer in the power of professional associations — nominated Ibarra for a spot in one of the initial Future Executives Institute (FEI) classes operated by the National Roofing Contractors Association. The impact it had on his career and professional devotion to improving the industry can’t be overstated, Ibarra said. 

“When you’re coming from outside the family, having these opportunities in a family business is not all that common and I knew that if they came my way I’d make the most of them,” Ibarra said. “That program was pretty much the point where I knew that Tim Blue had other things in mind for me, and not to just be part of the office, but take a leadership role.” 

Ibarra began making his mark by revamping Blue’s safety program.

Blue’s Roofing uses estimators to bid projects and project managers that oversee jobs once they’re awarded. Crews are split between roof production and service. Being a union company, the focus on safety is crucial to earning and keeping jobs, and is regularly monitored. Ibarra said a risk management company performs bi-weekly safety audits. 

The company established Blue’s Safety Committee, which is comprised of company employees at every level, including executive management, office staff, warehouse personnel and field crews.

“We try to keep everyone involved and ask for input,” Ibarra said. “Giving people the opportunity to critique empowers them.”

As a former project manager with the company, Ibarra said not overloading supervisors and finding ways to maximize individual strengths also helps. 

Blue said that he and his sister — Tricia Blue, a co-owner with a vital role in office operations — appreciate how Ibarra’s attitude has permeated the company culture. 

“He listens. He doesn’t overreact, doesn’t yell, doesn’t scream at the people who work for him and he hears both sides,” Blue said. “We have a pretty harmonious group here and getting input from employees of Leo’s caliber has allowed us to be successful.”

Right Guy, Right Time

Feeding off his FEI experience, Ibarra became heavily involved with the  Western States Roofing Contractors Association  (WSRCA), and was sworn in as president in June 2019 for a one-year term. Due to the COVID-19 crisis and significant transitions within the organization, he was asked to stay on for another year. Only Chuck Chapman has served a two-year term in the association’s history.

“Leo is the right person for the privilege of a second term. He’s very democratic in his leadership style, is very thorough with researching solutions and does his due diligence before presenting issues to the group,” said Joel Viera, a long-time WSRCA staffer who took over as executive director in August. “He does a great job of identifying the strength of each member of the team, and leans on each specialized member for input during the research phase of any issue.”

Viera also said Ibarra speaks softly and carries a big stick when it’s time to make tough decisions. That became clear as the WSRCA grappled with how to proceed with the Western Roofing Expo, its signature event, amid the health and safety concerns brought by COVID-19.

“Leo’s leadership was so important to navigating through COVID-19. Every day we would get different predictions, new rules, and muddied timelines for whether the WRE would be able to take place,” he explained.

Ibarra led a task group focused on transitioning from an in-person event in Las Vegas to a  virtual expo  — the  first of its kind  in the roofing industry .

Taking on a second year as president continues a long-standing connection between Blue’s Roofing and the association. Founder Gaylord Blue served as WSRCA president in 1983, and many other company employees have been actively involved in leadership and serve on committees to help solve problems impacting the roofing industry. It’s a natural fit, Ibarra said.

“My intent from the beginning was to help and run the association the same way we run our business,” Ibarra explained. “I don’t micromanage. I think when you have good people involved you allow them to use their creativity and work ethic to propel the association forward.”

As for making tough decisions when the pressure’s on, Ibarra said it’s a matter of perspective.

“I’m a firm believer that pressure is what you make of it,” he said. “Control what you can control, and if you can’t control it, you try and manage it the best you can. Our philosophy is if there’s an issue, it’s not about pointing fingers. Let’s figure out a way to fix it.”

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Record-Setting Reroof

Massive Multifamily Complex Reroofed After Hailstorm in Denver, Colorado 

In 2016, a joint partnership of property developers purchased The Breakers Resort apartment complex in Denver, Colorado, for a record-shattering $350 million, the largest multifamily acquisition in Denver’s history. Reimagined as Tava Waters, the luxury residential complex underwent extensive refurbishments and beautification measures to freshen up the 20-year-old property. This included painting the interior and exterior of the units and buildings, adding new amenities, and revamping the community pool. Popularity amongst Denver residents skyrocketed following the residential facelift, and people flocked to the coveted apartments.

The refurbishments went smoothly overall, but the Tava Waters’ roofs would prove to be a bit tricky, as Denver can be privy to some devastating weather events. A particularly nasty hailstorm in July 2019 incurred some notable hail damage to the Tava Waters roofs across its 143 buildings. When it came time to choose a contractor to repair the damaged roofs, Tava Waters’ ownership already knew who they could rely on. Aspen Group of Englewood, Colorado, was familiar with the sprawling property, as they were contracted to paint the exterior of over 1,500 units after the historic acquisition and have consistently been brought back for various repairs and maintenance. Tava Waters’ leadership trusted Aspen Group to know and understand the massive amount of moving parts that this community required to get the job done right.

Founded in 2012, Aspen Group has quickly risen to be known as one of the premier commercial and multifamily general contractors in Colorado. The company’s niche is exterior reconstruction with a heavy emphasis on roofing. Proud of its reputation for overachieving in the service department, Aspen Group goes out of its way to deliver a superior product to its customers. Aspen Group worked closely with the insurance adjusters to establish the scope of work, and it ended up being the largest hail claim that any of the contractor’s vendors or clients has ever been a part of.

From the beginning, Aspen Group and Tava Waters’ ownership agreed that a complete GAF roofing system would be the best option for this massive project. As a GAF Master Elite® Contractor, Aspen Group is a member of a prestigious factory certification program that provides ongoing training to roofing contractors and assures customers that their roofs will be completed with the utmost expertise.

The project called for an incredible 11,000 squares, including shingles, hip and ridge caps, starter strip shingles, self-adhering underlayment, and vents. GAF’s Timberline® HDZ™ Shingles were used on the roofs and provide stylish beauty alongside unmatched protection and durability. By using GAF’s proprietary color blending and enhanced shadow effect, the architecturally stylish shingles emulate a genuine wood-shake look. Timberline HDZ Shingles use GAF’s innovative LayerLock™ Technology and Dura Grip™ Advanced Sealant, which provides resilience, strength, and exceptional wind-uplift performance. Aspen Group also installed GAF Pro-Start® Eave/Rake Starter Strips, which are made with a high-quality, properly positioned adhesive applied at the factory to help prevent shingle blow-offs at the eave and rake areas of the roof. GAF Seal-A-Ridge® ridge cap shingles were also used, which help protect Tava Waters’ residents against leaks at the high-stress areas of the roof, the hips and ridges, while also complementing the overall look of the surrounding Timberline HDZ Shingles.

GAF’s WeatherWatch®, a mineral-surfaced leak barrier, was installed on the vulnerable areas of the roof. It self-seals around fasteners and helps protect against wind-driven rain and ice dam infiltration. Finally, GAF Master Flow vents were installed to help remove excess heat and moisture from the attic, which helps protect the roof system against premature deterioration. The Tava Waters roof system is protected by GAF’s Silver Pledge™ Limited Warranty, one of the best in the industry, including a limited WindProven™ Warranty with no max wind speed limitation.

The project was slated to begin in March 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic put a wrench in the plans and the reroof was put on hold. When Aspen Group was able to get up on the roofs in July 2020, they were tasked with completing the repairs under the original timeline, and they are set to be fully completed in November this year. It was a hefty task, but clear communication, unparalleled professionalism, and high-quality products have made the project go smoothly. Averaging 1,000 squares per week, Aspen Group is ahead of schedule to complete the reroof on time. This repair schedule also includes over 100,000 linear feet of gutter replacement.

“With so much uncertainty about our world going on at that time, we weren’t sure how the project was going to unfold,” said Scott Ryan, a partner at Aspen Group. “Thankfully, with impeccable communication, our incredibly skilled crew, and top-of-the-line GAF products, we have been able to stay on track to meet our project completion deadline and get the job done right.”

Not only was this roof repair project a challenge for Aspen Group because of the sheer size of the Tava Waters community, but scheduling issues and uncertainty regarding the global pandemic made the process particularly tedious. However, by relying on the tenets of professionalism that Aspen Group is founded upon, as well as high-quality, reliable GAF roof components, the large-scale exterior project will be completed as planned.

Article Courtesy of Marcus Dodson at Western Roofing Magazine

Dealing with Different Jobsite Conditions

by Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law

(Editor’s Note: Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Construction Law, is dedicated to representing the roofing and construction industries. Cotney Construction Law is General Counsel for the Western States Roofing Contractors Association and several other industry associations. For more information, contact the author at (866) 303-5868 or go to www.cotneycl.com.)

Ideally, when a roofing contractor enters into an agreement with a homeowner, all the conditions of the contract are clearly outlined and understood. These conditions are generally stated in the various contract documents, including the plans, specifications, general conditions, and supplementary provisions. With the information that is provided, the contractor assumes that the project can be constructed in the manner described. This is based in a large part on the assumption that the conditions at the jobsite are essentially the same as they have been represented.

Unfortunately, the actual conditions at the jobsite are not always as they have been described. When this occurs, the costs of construction can be expected to increase, and the contractor should be entitled to an equitable adjustment in the contract amount. This is one of the reasons why contractors should include a differing site conditions clause in their contracts in order to deal with these unforeseen circumstances and ensure the risk of this occurrence is evenly distributed among the parties.

A differing site condition is an unknown, hidden, concealed, or latent physical condition encountered at a site that differs materially from the reasonably anticipated conditions. An example of dealing with a differing jobsite condition is when a roofing contractor begins work on a project by removing the old roof and notices that the structural integrity of the roof was compromised. The contractor then notifies the property owner that additional work is going to be needed to correct the problem. Once the contractor invoices the owner for the cost to cover the additional work that was completed, the owner then refuses to pay for the change order because the owner believes that this work was within the contractor’s original scope of work and thus does not have to pay anything extra since it was included in the original contract price. This situation happens far too often to roofing contractors and they may be liable for the extra cost if they do not have a differing site conditions clause in the contract or they still might be liable if they do not take certain steps when dealing with differing jobsite conditions.

It is becoming a common practice for most contracts to include a differing site conditions clause, which is meant to allocate the risk of conflicting, inaccurate, or incomplete information furnished by the project owner. Although contractors often have no opportunity to discover concealed conditions before executing a contract, they sometimes unknowingly assume the risks of such hidden conditions and may be held liable for the additional cost depending on the language set forth in the contract. Many owner-drafted contracts require contractors to accept responsibility for unanticipated costs that may result from differing site conditions. Therefore, before signing a contract, it is important to examine it thoroughly for such clauses and changing these clauses, so the duties and obligations of the contractor are limited.

If a contractor finds that the site conditions are different after signing a contract, there are steps that can be taken to decrease the risk of bearing the full cost of any additional work. First, the contractor should stop work and immediately inform the property owner of any differing site conditions that they were not aware of before signing the contract. The owner should then have an opportunity to investigate the condition. Next, if the owner agrees to any additional work to fix or repair the existing jobsite issue, the contractor should get the agreement in writing and have the owner sign it. Once a contractor has incurred extra costs due to a differing site condition, it is critical that they keep a good record of these costs in case a dispute arises later.

No one wants to deal with an unforeseen condition on a project, but sometimes the issue is inevitable. Differing site conditions have the potential to significantly impact the project schedule and budget, making it crucial for a contractor to take cautionary steps before and after signing a contract. Some of these steps include performing a thorough investigation of the jobsite before construction begins, reviewing the contract carefully to determine the contractor’s scope of liability on this issue, notifying the property owner of any differing site conditions, and getting their signed written approval before any extra work is carried out that is not included in the contract. These methods are by no means a guarantee to ensure that a contractor does not bear any extra costs from a differing jobsite condition but can help reduce liability in case litigation ensues.

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With construction projects being suspended or terminated for convenience across the United States, roofing contractors are routinely faced with having to make claims for either additional time and/or costs as a result of delay to avoid costly liquidated damages provisions for missing scheduled completion dates. Owners routinely insert disclaimers and limitations of liability clauses in contracts that may limit or bar a contractor or subcontractor’s ability to collect additional compensation for work performed because of unexpected conditions and delay.

Owners frequently insert “no damages for delay” provisions in construction contracts to prevent a roofing contractor (and any subcontractors) from obtaining additional compensation for delays that have been experienced on a project. Under the typical “no damages for delay” clause, the contractor or subcontractor is entitled to additional time, but not compensation for extra costs, incurred as a result of delays. Such clauses can be effective whether the delay is caused by the Owner, or by an act of God, such as COVID-19, unless contractually provided otherwise.

The standard “no damages for delay” clause typically provides something similar to the following:  CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE...

Courtesy of: Kenneth Klein, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
WSRCA Technical Advisor


Ideally, installation of roofing should occur over a dry substrate, during dry weather and with no rain in the forecast. However, depending on the size and complexity of the project, construction schedules, and inclement weather, roof systems, in many instances, are not installed when substrates are dry. We acknowledge that many issues are not under the control of the roofing contractor. It needs to be made clear to the General Contractor that their role is to turn over a roof substrate that is suitable to accept a roofing system, and this suitability includes providing wood sheathing at an acceptable moisture content which may require providing temporary protection until the roofing subcontractor commences their work.

When the roof deck is plywood or OSB sheathing, the roofing contractor must take additional precautions prior to installing the roofing system. They must ensure that the roof deck has reached an acceptable moisture content and consider that the roof system, to be installed, will prevent moisture damage and deterioration of the roof sheathing.  CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE...

Western States Roofing Contractors Association


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1. Employee tests positive
2. Employee exhibits or reports the symptoms (but has not tested positive)
3. Employee has been “exposed” to someone who was COVID-19 positive or symptomatic at the time of the employee’s exposure

1. Employee tests positive

The CDC recommends:

A. Employee self-isolate until the following criteria are met (2 different categories of COVID-positive employees):

1. Employee with symptoms (plus a positive test) must self-isolate until the following three criteria are all met: (1) 10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared; (2) employee has gone 24 hours with no fever without using fever-reducing medications; and (3) employee’s other COVID-19 symptoms are improving.
2. Employee without symptoms must simply self-isolate for 10 days.

B. Employer should clean the area, tools, equipment, etc., that the employee used.

C. Employer should determine whether any other employees were exposed to the sick employees (exposure = within 6 feet for 15+ minutes); if so, employer should notify those other employees of their potential exposure (without identifying the sick employee) and follow the protocols set forth for #3 below (exposed employees).

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Knowing how to work safely in hot weather can help prevent heat stress injuries and heat stroke. Below are 5 tips for working safely in the summer heat:
 

1. Appreciate the Risks
The official start of Summer – and with it, ferocious heat – was on June 20th. Construction workers, especially roofers, are uniquely susceptible to heat-related injuries due to the nature of the trade. Excessive heat can cause severe injury and even death.

2. Plan for heat-related hazards and supervise closely
Management should implement plans and procedures for work in high heat environments and clearly delegate duties to on-site supervisors. Namely, someone on each construction site should be trained and designated to: (1) identify heat hazards, (2) recognize symptoms of heat illness, (3) administer first aid; and (4) activate emergency services when necessary.

3. Take special care to protect new workers
Approximately 50% of heat-related deaths occur on employees’ first day. New workers must acclimate to the heat before they can take on a full workload. Use the 20% Rule: new and returning workers should only work 20% of their first day, and an additional 20% each day thereafter. During their first two weeks, workers must take more frequent and longer breaks and be closely monitored for signs of heat illness.

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This is an update on recent activity by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and specifically by the ASTM Committee D08. ASTM is an international organization that develops and publishes voluntary technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.  ASTM’s membership includes manufacturers, academics, consultants, and users.  ASTM Committee D08 focuses on roofing and waterproofing and promotes knowledge, research, and development of consensus standards related to materials and roofing and waterproofing systems. The July 2015 Technical Information Letter No. 20150-01 further explains the work that ASTM does related to roofing and waterproofing application standards and the importance of following these standards to achieve the expected roofing and waterproofing performance. The update below summarizes the recent activity by ASTM Committee D08 at the bi-annual meeting that occurred in December 2019. 

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Western States Roofing Contractors Association

356 Digital Drive
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
(800)725-0333 Toll Free
www.WSRCA.com
www.WesternRoofingExpo.com


Not a Member of WSRCA?  Click to Join!

Courtesy of: RoofingContractor.com

Art Aisner & Chris Gray

Roofing contractors looking for any semblance of a “normal” summer season just can’t seem to catch a break. Just as they geared up for a busy summer after a spring slowdown spurred by the coronavirus outbreak, spikes in the potentially-deadly disease threatened a second wave of shutdowns in states with robust construction markets. 

Almost half of the country was adding cases at rates above their spring peaks by mid-July, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Georgia, Nevada and Texas. As of Aug. 10, the U.S. saw roughly 5 million cases — adding 54,590 cases from the previous day — and 161,284 deaths. In Florida alone, health officials reported the highest daily increase of COVID-19 deaths, seeing 9,194 new cases and 132 more deaths as of July 14.

Along with those increases, roofers also dealt with record heat. Triple digits were not uncommon in parts of the Deep South and Southwest, and high humidity in many areas made it worse. At one point last month, more than 70 million Americans from the shores of the Gulf Coast to the hills of the Mid-Atlantic were under excessive heat advisories. August is also shaping up to be hotter than average on both coasts.

When protecting workers during the heat, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suggests the following:

•  Water, rest, shade. Workers should drink water every 15 minutes and take frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.

•  Check the heat index. A rule of thumb is that workers need extra protection when the heat index is 80 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

•  Know the symptoms. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include fatigue, thirst, heavy sweating, slurred speech, dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness and seizures.

Heat vs. COVID-19 Protection

The issue many roofing contractors are running into stems from trying to adhere to standard heat protocols while protecting against COVID-19 with face masks. In some states, wearing a mask is mandatory to help prevent the spread of the virus. Mandatory face coverings can be anything from a bandana to a cloth mask, though contractors can also utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) like N95 masks and respirators.

Studies have shown that, even when wearing PPE, people experienced raised body temperatures and feel warmer.

“You can’t really make the guys that are working on the roof wear masks because it’s so hot outside, and they’re drenched in sweat and they’re already breathing hard,” said Will Miller, owner of Priority Roofing in Dallas. “It’s like putting a mask on a marathon runner — that can make them pass out more than anything.”

COVID-19 is also hampering water intake, as contractors hesitate to frequently remove face masks to take a drink. Some employers are even eliminating communal aspects like water stations to maintain social distancing.

This puts contractors in a tough bind, forcing them to choose between protecting against the heat versus COVID-19. Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Construction Law, said his offices have experienced a notable increase in calls related to heat illness over the past month. He’s recommending roofers do their best to be compliant with COVID-19 safety protocols, but definitely mandate water breaks.

“Heat is an absolute killer,” he said. “What we surmised… is that these places that require mandatory masks, there’s a lot of crew people that are wearing these masks, and they may not be the proper types of masks, they may not be breathable. They’re increasing the ambient heat that is blowing back in your face.”

Contractors Supporting Their Communities

Shamrock Roofing and Construction in Lenexa, Kan., expanded its “Roof 4 a Hero” contest to active first responders, meaning police, fire, EMT or healthcare workers could be entered to win a free roof.

“This year, given the COVID-19 pandemic, we have opened this opportunity up to first responders, who now more than ever are putting their lives on the line every day to serve our communities,” said Garen Armstrong, president of Shamrock Roofing.

In Warren, Maine, Horch Roofing dedicated $200 from every residential asphalt or metal roofing contract signed in June and July to the Good Shepherd Food Bank to bring food security to families. They hit and exceeded their $10,000 goal in July.

“We believe strongly in working with local organizations to end hunger and with the need growing daily, we felt that Good Shepherd, with its reach across the state, was the best way to get food to where it is needed the most,” said Horch President Peter Horch.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Design Considerations Related to White and
Light-Colored Membrane Low-Slope Roofs

INTRODUCTION

Many jurisdictions require (and some recommend) the use of white and light-colored roof membranes (i.e., Cool Roofs) that meet specific solar reflectance and thermal emittance values. These Cool Roofs help reduce urban heat island effects and overall heat gain within the building, which equate to overall energy savings by reducing cooling costs during the summer months. A large amount of documentation exists showing the benefits of Cool Roofs for specific climatic conditions. However, an unanticipated result of using a Cool Roof is that there have been occurrences of condensation forming under the roof membrane leading to, in some instances, deterioration of wood deck substrates. The previously submitted WSRCA Technical Bulletin 2019 LSII-1 – Potential Condensation for White and Light-Colored Roof Membranes  outlines a thorough analysis and potential consequences of using Cool Roofs in some climates and for some building occupancy types.
 
This technical bulletin relates the previously submitted information in terms of good design practice. We provide a brief explanation of the evolution and benefits of Cool Roofs, issues that WSRCA members have observed (including conditions that can increase moisture vapor accumulation under Cool Roofs), and design considerations to prevent these conditions from occurring in the future.

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Western States Roofing Contractors Association

356 Digital Drive
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
(800)725-0333 Toll Free
www.WSRCA.com
www.WesternRoofingExpo.com


Not a Member of WSRCA?  Click to Join!

The Western States Roofing Contractors Association is proud to announce the appointment of Joel Viera, CAE, to serve as the association’s Executive Director. “We are very much looking forward to having Joel lead the next chapter for WSRCA,” said Leo Ibarra, President of the WSRCA Board. “Joel is very deserving of the position and has everyone’s full support. We know how big a part he has played in the success of the Association over the years,” added Mike Wakerling, WSRCA Board of Director.
 
Joel will begin his role as Executive Director at WSRCA on August 1, 2020. Joel has 19 years of knowledge and experience with WSRCA, where he recently served as the Director of Expo and Events. In his 19 years at WSRCA, Joel has a well-rounded resume within the organization. He has been Trade Show Coordinator, Director of Member Services, Director of the Davis Memorial Foundation Fundraising Events, and Director of the Western Roofing Expo. “I know with Joel’s experience in the trenches he will offer a new perspective on things and has the right attitude to lead WSRCA into the future for many years,” said Andy Clarke, WSRCA Board of Director.
 
In May of 2019, Joel became a Certified Association Executive (CAE) through theAmerican Society of Association Executives (ASAE). The CAE credential is a marker of a committed association professional who has demonstrated the wide range of knowledge essential to manage an association in today’s challenging environment. Joel also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from San Jose State University. During his free time, Joel volunteers his time coaching youth sports and giving back to his community.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to become the Executive Director of WSRCA. It is my dream job,” said Joel Viera, “I am looking forward to bringing energy and enthusiasm, a fresh perspective, and my passion and love for the association to the dedicated team of staff and volunteers at Western States. Together, we will continue to build upon WSRCA’s successful history of connecting and educating the roofing community.”


Western States Roofing Contractors Association
 356 Digital Drive
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
(800)725-0333 Toll Free
www.WSRCA.com
www.WesternRoofingExpo.com

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert L. Porter, WSRCA’s 19^th President. Bob battled MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) for the past 20 months and sadly succumbed to the illness last Friday night, May 29, at his residence in Broomfield, Colorado. Bob was a legend and an icon to the western roofing community. He had a sense of humor and love of life that made him a joy to be with.

 
Bob was born on January 24, 1949 in Greeley, Colorado. He graduated from Greeley Central High School, class of 1967. Following graduation, he attended the University of Northern Colorado earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts. While attending college, Bob married his high school sweetheart Sharon in 1968. They celebrated over 51 years of marriage.
 
After college, Bob worked at Douglass Roofing in Greeley. In 1987, he and Mark Gustafson successfully opened Front Range Roofing Systems Inc. Upon his retirement in 2001, Bob and Sharon moved to The Villages in Florida. It is there where he pursued his passion for golf and enjoyed the benefits of retirement. They returned to Colorado in 2012 to be closer to family.
 
Bob was a member of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association, serving on the Board of Directors beginning in 1979. He served as the association President in 1990-1991. He was inducted into the WSRCA Hall of Fame, the association’s highest honor, in 2007. He continued his love for the roofing community after his retirement by becoming Chairman of the Trustees for the Davis Memorial Foundation from 2010 to 2014. In 2014, he was awarded the WSRCA Outstanding Service Award for his dedication and service to the Davis Memorial Foundation. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $525,000 in scholarships to students from the roofing and waterproofing industry.
 
Bob was a dedicated Christian man and supportive member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, unconditional loving father, and supportive friend. His loving personality and contagious smile will be missed dearly by all those he touched. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; two daughters, Julie and Kimberly; two grandchildren, Hunter and Marly; two brothers, Richard and Gary; two nephews and one niece.
 
Bob will be lovingly remembered by so many people who had been honored to know him. Let us keep Bob’s family and friends in our thoughts and prayers as they go through most difficult times. Bob will be terribly missed by his friends at the Western States Roofing Contractors Association and the roofing community. May Bob Rest in Peace.
 
In lieu of flowers, funeral donations may be sent to Saint Jude’s Hospital for Children in Robert L. Porter’s name.
 

 “I had the great pleasure of working with and getting to know Bob while he was the Chairman of Davis Foundation. He was kind enough to ask me to follow him as the Chairman after he retired. I learned a lot from Bob during that time and I am proud to carry on his legacy. Without Bob’s years at the helm of the Foundation it would not have become what it is today. For those of you that were lucky enough to have known Bob you know that he was a really great guy. He was funny, kind, smart and compassionate. He loved to play golf and I had the privilege of playing numerous rounds with Bob. He always had a smile on his face and was never bashful about kicking my butt but oddly enough I felt good about it afterwards!! Bob did capture the Holy Grail of golf a few years back when he scored a Hole In One. Bob has moved on to a better place and is whole once again. He will be missed but his legacy will live on. Thank you, Bob, for sharing your life with us!!”
-Chuck Chapman
Tecta America Arizona, Phoenix, AZ
WSRCA President 2008-2010
 
“We purchased Front Range Roofing Systems, from Bob and Gus (Mark Gustafson) July 24, 2001.  We only worked together for just over a year, once the purchase was complete, Bob moved on to other interests, he did however change my life forever, in two huge ways: Selling the company to us, he and Gus carried the majority of the note and it allowed us to build what we have today, Thank you Bob!! WSRCA – when I first got on the Board and he was Chair of Davis (the only time we were really face-to-face after the sale), he made sure I got to meet everyone on the Board and positioned me to be a participant from day one – those introductions and relationships I have at WSRCA, is what makes it great – Thanks Bob!!  Most importantly his willingness to give back to industry, struck me in a way that I still carry today – Thank you Bob!!!”
-Michael Trotter
Front Range Roofing, Greeley, CO
WSRCA Board Member
 
“Bob gave a lot to the industry, to WSRCA, and the Davis Memorial Foundation. He served on the Board for many years and then served as President of WSRCA in 1990-1991. After he sold his business and retired, he continued to serve by being on the Davis Memorial Foundation for many years and serving as Chairman of the Foundation. Not many would give of their time when they have retired but Bob did since he believed in what the Foundation stood for and wanted to see it succeed. Bob was a good man who always had a smile and enjoyed being around people. WSRCA and the Davis Memorial Foundation have benefitted from his contributions.”
-Frank Lawson, Jr.
The Lawson Roofing Company, San Francisco, CA
WSRCA President 1985-1986
 
“I was fortunate to associate with and get to know Bob Porter who was truly one of the nicest men and possibly the nicest man I have ever known. He had a great sense of humor, he seemed always be sharing a smile, he was the true definition of a gentleman and a great leader who was easy to follow. I simply cannot imagine Bob in sickness and in a diminished capacity, he always seemed bigger than life with unbounded energy and zest for whatever he was involved in. He will be greatly missed and although I grieve his passing from this life, I am relieved that he is no longer suffering.”
-Dan Cornwell
CC&L Roofing, Portland, OR
WSRCA President 2004-2005
 
“I will miss Bob's smile and laugh which seemed to be with him at all times. He travelled far to give back so freely to the industry. Great person and role model for many, including myself.  I pray for comfort for his family and friends.”
-Travis Nelson
Brown Roofing Co., The Dalles, OR
WSRCA President 2011-2012
 
“Bob Porter and his family ushered me into my initial service on the Board of Directors for the Western States Roofing Contractors Association 20+ years ago. Like a true fellow roofing industry family member, he provided me with his wisdom and guidance. I will never forget this, and Bob will always be a part of my life. I will miss him dearly. Rest in Peace, Bob.”
-Kyle King
James King Roofing, Lynnwood, WA
WSRCA President 2002-2003
 
“My deepest condolences to Sharon and their family. Bob and Sharon’s love of family, our industry, and the Davis Memorial Foundation are a testament to many. When Bob left the hospital for hospice at home a few weeks ago, I could only think of all the laughter and fun spirited energy when selling Davis Auction tickets at Expo relentlessly! A true gentleman and contributor to WSRCA and Davis! I am better for having known Bob the past 25 years. He was a very straight forward and professional customer, an industry friend, a fellow Davis Trustee and most importantly a valued personal friend with whom I have many joyous memories.”
-Keith Sanders
GAF, Parsippany, NJ
Davis Memorial Foundation Former Trustee
 
“Bob was a wonderful, helpful, and always friendly person.  He was on the board when I purchased Western Roofing in 1984 and championed to help continue the association between the magazine and WSRCA.  He was a real mentor to me, keeping me up to date on the industry… he did not have to, that is just the way he was, always helpful, with a positive attitude and a smile.  I will never forget Bob’s warm smile, his laughter, and his dedication to the industry.  I feel I’m a better person for having known him.”
-Marc Dodson
Western Roofing Magazine, Reno, NV
Davis Memorial Foundation Former Trustee
 

Sincerely,

Western States Roofing Contractors Association

356 Digital Drive  Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Local: 650-938-5441  Toll Free: 800-725-0333

Brace Yourselves, Coronavirus’ Impact on the Roofing Industry Will be Felt

Courtesy of: Trent Cotney - Cotney Construction Law, LLP | WSRCA Legal Advisor; RoofingContractor.com

With almost 3,500 cases in the U.S. and more than 175,000 worldwide, the novel coronavirus (referred to in the medical community as COVID-19) has quickly become a global threat, not only to individual safety and health, but also to economies and businesses. Originating in Wuhan City, China in December 2019, the virus has rapidly spread to over 100 countries around the world. As more cases are confirmed by the day, the U.S. roofing industry is already experiencing the effects, and must brace itself for the challenges to come.

Preventative Measures for Employers

As COVID-19 continues to spread, it’s crucial for employers to implement safety protocols designed to prevent the spread of the virus among employees. Given the relatively low number of cases confirmed in the United States compared to the rest of the world, most American workers are not considered to be at significant risk of contracting the virus at the time of publication. Nevertheless, employers need to be aware of procedures for navigating the health and well-being of their employees while ensuring employee’s rights are not being violated. Given the lack of experience the American workforce has dealing with large-scale pandemics like COVID-19, there is very little case law or statutory authority for employers to rely on in these situations.

Luckily, OSHA has recently taken the opportunity to remind employers that existing OSHA standards apply to protecting their workers from the coronavirus, including, in particular, OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment standards, 29 C.F.R. 1910 Subpart 1, and the General Duty Clause, 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1). OSHA also noted that its Bloodborne Pathogens standard, 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030, is not directly applicable in regards to coronavirus protections because the virus is not transmitted through blood, but it does offer a framework that may help control some sources of the virus including exposure to bodily fluids.

OSHA has also created a webpage dedicated to providing employers information on the spread of COVID-19, the possible consequences it could have on the overall health of your employees and company, and on establishing standards and guidelines for preventing transmission should one of your employees become infected.

Another good resource for employers is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s advisory opinion on “Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace," which offers guidance on the responsibility of employers amidst a public health crisis. The advisory opinion suggests that an employer’s ability to question an employee about their health — while generally prohibited — may be broader during a pandemic like COVID-19, citing examples where doing so may be appropriate. Some examples of these situations include requesting information from employees who return from travel about the locations they visited and any symptoms they may be experiencing resulting from such travel, requiring employees exhibiting flu-like symptoms to have their temperature taken prior to returning to the jobsite, and allowing employers to use their discretion in sending an employee home who exhibits flu-like symptoms on the jobsite.

However, these additional measures can only be taken when the employer, based on objective, factual information, determines that the employee poses a “direct threat” — or a significant risk of substantial harm — to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace. Additionally, despite more lenient restrictions, employers must be careful not to violate their employees’ rights under the ADA, FLSA or Title VII. Keep in mind that any information received by an employer as a result of these inquiries must remain confidential and an employer may not take adverse employment action (termination, demotion, etc.) on grounds that an employee is suspected of or is diagnosed with COVID-19. The purpose of these guidelines is solely to ensure the safety and health of your employees and business, rather than punish employees who may become infected.

Impact on Supply Chain

While the U.S. roofing industry has not yet been affected to the extent of some other countries, the impact of the virus on Chinese production has been devastating for global markets and construction supply chains. Mass public quarantines, curfews, and travel restrictions implemented to help fight the spread of the disease have crippled Chinese manufacturing and shipping sectors, among others. In the roofing industry in particular, the most drastic effects have been on the manufacture and supply of solar roofing systems, with production grinding to a halt in the most affected areas of mainland China — where 60%-70% of the world’s solar roofing panels are manufactured.

However, it’s not just solar roofing materials that are likely to see a decline in production due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. Production of aluminum, plastic, slate, timber and rubber have all declined worldwide since the early weeks of the outbreak — mainly due to the lack of workforce and transportation stoppages plaguing much of Asia. One area that has been hit particularly hard by the virus is China’s Shandong Province, which is not only home to some of China’s largest aluminum manufacturers, but also produces more than 90% of the world’s collated roofing nails.

The most recent estimates suggest that manufacturing plants in the region are currently operating at just 30%, and some project the workforce shortages will continue for the foreseeable future. Some American roofing contractors have already implemented four to six week delays on projects due to this material shortage. It’s not a matter of if, but when the effects will hit your roofing business, how extensive they will be, and how long they will last.

Among the ramifications U.S. roofing companies can expect to begin feeling, if they haven’t already, include higher costs and price fluctuations, material shortages, logistics breakdowns, order cancellations, and extended delays in product fulfillment and shipping. All of that ultimately leads to slower project completion times and potential legal squabbles with both suppliers and project owners down the road. Roofers are urged to begin preparing for these effects now by evaluating their own supply chains from end to end to pinpoint vulnerabilities, identifying potential alternative supply sources, preparing for costs to soar, and making sure they have adequate provisions in their contracts to protect themselves from the increased costs, supply chain delays and interruptions due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Force Majeure Clauses

One of the ways contractors can seek to protect themselves is by including a “force majeure” clause in their contracts. It’s a provision that allocates the risk of performance if performance is delayed indefinitely or stopped completely due to circumstances outside of a party’s control that makes performance impossible, inadvisable, commercially impractical, or illegal. It also provides notice to the parties of the types of events that would cause a project to be suspended or that would excuse performance.

The purpose of the provision is to relieve a party impacted by the force majeure by extending, temporarily suspending or terminating the contract due to unexpected and unavoidable events such as “acts of God,” including severe weather events, earthquakes, landslides, and wildfires. It also covers certain man-made events like riots, wars, terrorist attacks, explosions, labor strikes, and scarcity of energy supplies. To be classified as a force majeure event, the event must be beyond the control of the contracting parties, it cannot be anticipated, foreseeable, or expected, and the event must be unavoidable.

Without a force majeure clause in place, in some jurisdictions, both the owner and contractor would share the risk, but in many others, the risk falls on the shoulders of the contractor. Thus, anything that cannot be anticipated while drafting the contract and factors that could impede progress should be negotiated between the parties and addressed via a force majeure clause.

When seeking to limit exposure, contractors must be specific and clear in their contract language when defining the scope and effect of a force majeure clause to protect themselves from unexpected liabilities. The following elements should be addressed in a force majeure clause:

• What events are considered force majeure?
• Who is responsible for suspending performance?
• Who is allowed to invoke the clause?
• Which contractual obligations are covered by the clause?
• How is the inability to perform determined?
• What happens if the event continues for an extended time period?

For companies that already have force majeure clauses in their standard contracts, it would still be wise to review those provisions to make sure they provide clear, comprehensive, and adequate protections for the company and consider whether terms such as “widespread epidemic,” “pandemic,” and/or “public health emergency” should be added. Courts will often interpret the clause based on what is specifically listed in the contract. Contractors should also review the terms of their existing force majeure clauses in preparation for potentially needing to invoke them for coronavirus-related issues, as many times force majeure clauses contain requirements, such as providing written notice within a certain timeframe and mitigating some of the damages caused by non-performance.

Price Acceleration Provisions

In light of the wide-ranging and potentially long-lasting effects posed by the coronavirus epidemic on construction supply chains worldwide — and specifically, overseas suppliers of roofing materials — contractors should also consider adding terms to their contracts to protect themselves from labor and material price increases in the form of a price acceleration provision. A price acceleration provision generally provides that the roofing contractor may adjust the contract price to reflect the revised actual cost of the labor and materials. Assuming the contractor is using its own labor force, there may not be a significant enough increase in labor costs to warrant an adjustment of the contract. As a result, the price acceleration clause is usually limited to increases in materials over the course of a project.

Price acceleration provisions typically require the contractor to provide the prime contractor or owner with evidence supporting the claim for additional compensation through documentation of the cost increase. Price acceleration clauses also sometimes contain a termination for convenience provision that may allow the contractor to escape a contract if the cost of materials has increased exponentially or the materials themselves have become difficult or impossible to find. This last component is generally disfavored and often removed from the contract by prime contractors and owners because of the uneasiness they have with the idea of a termination for convenience.

Nevertheless, it’s still a worthwhile option to propose in order to provide the contractor with the utmost protection caused by substantial unexpected increases in the price and availability of materials. Below is an example of a standard price acceleration provision that contractors should consider adding to their contracts:

If there is an increase in the actual cost of the labor or materials charged to the Contractor in excess of 5% subsequent to making this Agreement, the price set forth in this Agreement shall be increased without the need for a written change order or amendment to the contract to reflect the price increase and additional direct cost to the Contractor. Contractor will submit written documentation of the increased charges to the Prime Contractor/Owner upon request. As an additional remedy, if the actual cost of any line item increases more than 10% subsequent to the making of this Agreement, Contractor, at its sole discretion, may terminate the contract for convenience.

A roofing contractor may find it difficult to include a price acceleration clause in its contract with a prime contractor because both the owner and the prime contractor are looking for fixed prices prior to the start of the construction. In that situation, the roofing contractor may want to consider buying and storing materials prior to the start of construction to avoid the increases in prices that are expected to occur once the full force of the coronavirus-related disruption to China’s roofing industry supply chains begins to be felt in earnest in the U.S.

Roofing contractors may also want to request a deposit to purchase the requested materials depending on the nature of the job.  To the extent that a subcontractor adds a price acceleration provision to their contract, the subcontractor should consider requesting that the prime contractor also add a similar provision in its contract to allow the prime contractor to seek additional funds from the owner for any labor or price acceleration that occurs.

Conscientious Bidding

Roofing contractors should also be cautious and use common sense when providing firm bids for contracts for projects that may not begin construction for several months from the time the proposal is submitted. Under these circumstances, the contractor faces additional exposure for any increases in the costs of labor and materials caused by the negative impacts of the coronavirus on the roofing industry following the bid process. Therefore, estimating those jobs thoughtfully, appropriately, and perhaps more conservatively can potentially make or break a roofing contractor. At least for the time being while the extent of the repercussions of the coronavirus on the market are not yet known, and for many months to come until the epidemic is under control and global supply chains and economies begin to normalize.

Since there is no current vaccine for the coronavirus and the number of infected individuals continues to rise every day, no one can say how long it will take for the virus to be contained and the economy to normalize. So now’s the time for roofing contractors to take steps to mitigate their risks and protect themselves from the wide-ranging and potentially calamitous effects that are expected to continue hitting the U.S. construction industry once the aftershocks from the virus’ impact on China’s manufacturing and supply lines make their way here in full force. 

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Cotney Construction Law will be hosting a webinar on the Coronavirus to go over the specific contract provisions you need to combat COVID-19. OSHA policies and dealing with employees from an HR perspective will also be discussed.

Part II will discuss legal issues with growing your business, how to scale up and scale down quickly and effectively and the Standard Operating Procedures needed to dominate the industry.

Featuring Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Construction Law and John Kenney, COO of Cotney Construction Law. If you are a Cotney subscription member, you will receive complimentary access.

WSRCA Members can use discount code "WSRCA10" to receive a $10 discount on registration.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

The leadership of WSRCA takes very seriously the safety and health of its members, and the attendees, and exhibitors at our Expo.  As such, we have a contingency plan in place, with timelines, to help mitigate any disruption to the Expo that may be caused as a result of cancellations due to government or Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) edict.

Please stay tuned for further developments on this issue.  Until notified, the Western Roofing Expo, Paris-Las Vegas on June 7 – 9, 2020, remains open for business. 

Thanks for your consideration.

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Western States Roofing Contractors Association

356 Digital Drive  Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Local: 650-938-5441  Toll Free: 800-725-0333

Web: WSRCA.com

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Courtesy of: RoofingContractor.com

The start of the New Year also marked the beginning of a new decade in roofing, and for the most part, roofing contractors from across the United States are feeling optimistic about the state of the industry, according to RC’s exclusive annual survey.

As we have for the past dozen years, RC and Clear Seas Research — the survey and research arm of RC’s parent company, BNP Media — reached out to roofing professionals across the country to collect their perspectives on the residential and commercial markets in 2019, and to gauge their prospects for the year ahead.

The annual RC State of the Industry research study aims to identify current issues and emerging trends in both the commercial and residential sectors by asking the men and women dedicated to the profession. This online research initiative also focused on capturing the industry perspective on 2019’s successes and challenges, while keeping an eye on the years to come.

This exclusive study took a deep dive into the residential and commercial sides of the North American roofing industry, as roofing contractors shared with us their business experiences in 2019. For this research initiative, roofing contractors were defined as those working for companies generating more than 50% of their overall annual revenue from commercial or residential projects — whether that be in roof replacement, repair or new construction.

These contractors are predominately male (86%), with a median age of 50, representing mostly residential roofing companies. The majority of them in both residential (64%) and commercial (46%) indicated they were in corporate management or executive company leadership. The data showed the companies these roofers represent were mostly from the South (38%), followed by the Midwest (27%), the Northeast (18%) and West (17%). The median reported revenue for 2019 among all responding roofing contractors is between $1 million and $1.9 million.

Each respondent received a $15 individual incentive to participate.

Sales Forecast

It’s difficult to measure the health of any industry without monitoring sales, which is where this year’s survey began. More than two-thirds of all respondents indicated an increase in 2019 sales from the previous year, and an even higher proportion said they expect growth in 2020 and the next three years.

Overall, roofing contractors in both residential and commercial sectors overwhelmingly agreed that sales were likely going to increase and they were consistent with each other. Roughly 78% of commercial roofers said total sales volumes will increase in 2020, and 82% anticipated sales growth through 2022.

About 75% of residential roofers said sales will grow in 2020, and 78% anticipate that trend to climb steadily over the next three years.

The healthy surge in sales is impacting roofing contractors in certain markets irrespective of size.

Brent Zimmerman, owner of Champion Roofing in Altoona, Penn., reported $1.1 million revenue in 2018, with 20 full-time employees. The family-owned and operated company finished 2019 on target with a projected revenue of $2.5 million and added two crews and two salesmen.

“This is an amazing accomplishment. Just proves that hard work pays off!” said Zimmerman, who said he launched a roof repair team, increased local advertising and zeroed in on customer referrals last year. “We’re a fast growing company. We’ve expanded into nine more counties, doubled all of our SEO efforts, AdWords and TV advertising.”

Coming off consecutive record revenue years in 2017 and 2018 — largely due to storm work, Wortham Bros. Inc. in Dallas experienced a slight dip last year with less destructive weather incidents. However, the company’s 200 employees still generated more than $29.5 million by actively growing market share in the new construction and roof replacement spaces.

“Roofing contractors that rely on Mother Nature to produce revenue will be very inconsistent unless they chase storms. Wortham, on the other hand, has a revenue stream if the hailstorms hit or not,” said Co-owner Jacob Wortham. “So our warranty actually means something. We won’t close our doors or move away just because a storm doesn’t hit.”    

The survey data suggests there’s even more optimism on the commercial side of the industry. Commercial roofing demand in the U.S. is expected to grow by at least 1.6% per year over the next several years, with a value as high as $8 billion.

Those projections have Timothy Dunlap, president and CEO of CentiMark Corp., feeling confident about the next decade, and that the top roofer on RC’s 2019 Top 100 Roofing Contractors List ($670 million) remains on course to become the first billion-dollar roofing company in the country.

“We were fortunate to experience continued sales and revenue growth across the entire organization,” said Dunlap, who credited increasing customer share with repeat clients and organic growth of new business for the continued year-over-year revenue gains.

“We believe that 6-7% increases allow for healthy and sustainable growth to offer comprehensive services for our customers and provide best-in-class quality roofing,” he added.

As far as products are concerned, nearly three-quarters (69%) of residential roofers said they currently install single-ply roofing systems, and 44% said they expect to see single-ply sales to grow in 2020.

Steep slope asphalt shingles continue to dominate the market, as expected, but manufacturers are paying close attention to demands for higher performance, extended or enhanced warranties and eye-catching products.

“Without a doubt, amid widespread increases in extreme weather across the continent, performance products are really driving the market right now,” said Scott Campbell, IKO Industry’s vice president of sales for the West. “The development of performance products that can withstand high-wind and high-impact weather events is an emerging trend for the industry. At the same time, customers’ desire for curb appeal has not diminished, driving demand for a shingle that demonstrates high impact and wind resistance without sacrificing its visual aesthetic.”

The same number of residential roofers (69%) said they now incorporate metal roofing into their service offerings, and 62% said they expect metal sales to grow this year. Another 39% of respondents indicated coatings sales should also grow this year.

In commercial roofing circles, 71% said single-ply sales will increase this year, and 67% singled out metal as a leading product category for growth. Coatings sales (52%), steep slope asphalt shingles (50%) and low slope asphalt (49%) rounded out the top five.

Workers Wanted

The roofing industry’s workforce woes continued throughout 2019 and show no concrete signs of slowing down this year.

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) estimates there are roughly 40,000 roofing-related positions that could be filled to meet demand, but nowhere near that amount of viable candidates to fill them.

According to the survey results, 65% of all roofing contractors found the lack of qualified workers to be the industry’s biggest challenge. Commercial roofers appeared to feel more of an impact, as 72% said it was their top concern, compared to 62% of residential roofers. More than half of both residential and commercial roofers identified lowball pricing and bidding wars as the next greatest challenge, followed by price increases of building materials (38%), rising healthcare and insurance costs (34%) and government regulations (21%).

The shortage is also having an impact on how companies define their employees. The majority of residential contractors said more than half of all field labor is performed by full-time employees while and 37% is done by subcontractors. About 12% of work is completed by part-time workers, the data showed.

The contrast is starker on the commercial side, where 72% of work is performed by full-time workers, and 23% is completed by subs.

Overall, about 60% of all respondents said their use of subs was consistent with 2018, but 33% said they saw an increase. The reasons varied, with cost, heavy workload, specialized projects and lack of qualified full-time workers at the top of the list. 

Efforts are underway to try and stall or reverse the trend (see ProCertification Update column on page 76) but they take time to implement and yield results. To their credit, roofing contractors aren’t sitting idly by. The vast majority of survey respondents said they rely on referrals from other current or former employees (73%), followed by referrals from family members (66%). Online job postings, social media recruitment and traditional newspaper advertising rounded out the list.

In order to retain employees, 62% said they incentivize with bonuses and increased wages. Another 28% said they provide benefits, and 10% identified creating a friendly work environment and ensuring enough available work as top retention tools. Providing training rounded out the top five at just 8%.

When it comes to training, 86% of all respondents said they provide in-house and on-the-job training, but less than half (48%) have a formal in-house training program. Specific to safety, more than half of all companies that responded hold weekly safety meetings, while two-thirds provide training at least once a month. About 70% of companies provide all safety equipment, while 10% indicated all safety tools are the worker’s responsibility.

Overall, the data showed roughly 44% of contractors rely on manufacturer training and another 26% utilize training from professional roofing associations and organizations.

Those numbers should get stronger as the workforce shortage forces manufacturers to focus on boosting not just the quality of their products, but overall customer engagement.

“Across the country, we’re seeing increased interest in products that can make roofing crews more efficient,” said Mike Jost, COO of ABC Supply Co. Inc. “The labor shortage is still a concern, so products and systems that can get jobs done faster or require less labor are becoming more popular.” 

Playing Politics

Efforts to improve the overall perception of roofing — both within and outside the industry — are also gaining momentum. Regional and national certification efforts, like the NRCA’s ProCertification, are underway and growing. Organizers of Roofing Day III — the industry’s largest national fly-in lobbying effort — are expecting a large turnout in Washington, D.C. on April 21-22.

Participants will be advocating for progress on key industry issues like immigration reform, funding for career and technical education programs, and innovations in energy-efficient technology.

NRCA CEO Reid Ribble, a former congressman from Wisconsin, is also planning to maximize election-year interest in politics by declaring a “month of action” this August. He said the NRCA plans to invite every lawmaker on Capitol Hill to a roofing company in their district while on the campaign trail.

While much of nation’s focus will be trained on the presidential race, roofing contractors should pay attention to congressional races that could impact more of their day-to-day operations, said longtime roofing industry lobbyist Craig Brightup. He said Republicans are poised to add seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, though gaining a majority is a stretch. So too is the likelihood of Democrats flipping control in the U.S. Senate, he said.

While there’s bipartisan support for career and technical education, the volatile nature of the relationship between congress and the Trump administration will continue to hamper a deal on immigration. That could change with expected rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court later this year, as well as any dramatic changeover at the White House.

“We won’t know until Nov. 3, but if there is (a change in presidential power), it would have a major impact on the roofing industry,” Brightup explained. “The roofing industry should focus on which candidates have the most realistic platforms for economic growth and which special interest groups are supporting them.”

Regardless of the outcome in November, all of the roofing industry’s efforts combined are beginning to make a difference.

“The roofing industry has always been a great place to earn a living and build a career, but it appears that we are getting better at projecting a positive image,” Jost said. “We’re doing this by spending more time and resources on marketing and by investing in technologies that will be attractive to the workforce in 2020. This gives us hope that we’ll be able to attract even more qualified candidates into our industry.”

Talking Technology

Of all the technology available to contractors, cloud services and computing are the most used in the industry, followed by drones and on-the-job mobile devices or wearables. More specifically, the software that respondents currently use the most are estimating (55%), followed by enterprise or accounting (46%) and aerial measurement (44%).

This is a contrast to last year’s results, which showed drones being the most currently used technology. Members of the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of roofing professionals striving to find and promote technology solutions in the industry, believe this is a sign that companies are leaning toward increased project management and inter-company communication.

“Building envelope measurement is widely used, drone services are now common, but the true value is when all of these tools to connect with each other,” said Anna Anderson, RT3 board member. “True value comes when integrations are available through open application programming interfaces.”

Only 26% of respondents said they currently use drones. However, nearly a third (30%) said they plan on adding drones to their repertoire in 2020, making it the most wanted technology in the survey. Another 7% said they plan to adopt drone technology in the next three to five years.

Respondents use drones on an average of one-third of their projects. When using drones, they use them primarily for taking before-and-after photos and videos (94%), followed by capturing marketing photos and videos (81%). Other uses include inspections (67%), gathering measurements (44%), and thermal inspections (29%).

“We are seeing the use of aerial imagery not only become adopted throughout the entire roofing industry, but the number of uses and benefits are really bringing value,” said Ken Kelly, president of Kelly Roofing in Bonita Springs, Fla., and RT3 board member. “As this technology is just now reaching critical mass, it’s likely more innovation will continue to revolutionize the industry.”

In following last year’s trends, 56% of contractors said they don’t plan on adopting virtual or augmented reality technology, but 10% said they plan on bringing it into the fold within the next two years. This is due to roofers realizing they can use it both for marketing and training purposes.

“A specific technology that excites us is augmented reality headsets and communication apps,” said Tom Whitaker, president of Harness Software and RT3 board member. “These represent the best opportunity to leverage the experience of older workers to train and manage a new generation.”

One area that is slowly gaining traction is artificial intelligence (AI). As contractors continue to collect data using various software and CRMs, that data can be put to good use. That data, when plugged into AI, can be used for project planning, risk management, quality control, and even suggest potential clients. More than half said they don’t plan on using AI, but 12% said they’ll likely add it to their business in the next year or two.

Conversely, roofers aren’t as ready to adopt robot technology. Almost three-fourths (70%) of respondents said they have no plans to use robots in their business model, which is up from last year’s 67%. Biometrics is another area the majority of roofers have shied away from with only 6% currently using technology like fingerprint and retinal access, while 65% said they have no intentions of using it.

Overall, technology will continue to remain an integral part of the industry, and those that embrace it can expect to see continued success into the future despite battling a labor shortage.

“The reduction of an available workforce requires roofing companies to become more efficient, therefore streamlining rooftop administrative and labor processes is top priority,” said Steve Little, president of KPost Roofing & Waterproofing in Dallas. “In the end, this is still a ‘people’ business and taking care of your ‘people’ results in a sustainable business.”

Conclusion

Survey data shows there’s a lot for roofing contractors in either residential or commercial markets to look forward to this year, and a few years beyond. Fears of an economic slowdown, costs of materials, new regulations and the uncertainty with immigration policy are keeping even the most optimistic roofing professionals guarded when trying to describe what the roofing industry will look like a decade from now.

With technological innovation on the rise, and the total number of skilled workers still on the decline, 2020 may be a critical year for roofing contractors of all sizes as they anticipate changing weather patterns, political turmoil and some correction in market conditions.

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The information contained within this article is comes from: Clear Seas Research 2019 Roofing Contractor State of the Industry Report. A total of roughly 22,000 roofing professionals were invited to participate in the research which fielded from Oct. 24-31, 2019 through Clear
Seas Research. The full report includes the responses from 197 U.S. roofing contractors. To purchase your copy of this report please visit:

www.clearseasreasearch.com/reports/industries/aec.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Courtesy of: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OSHA.gov

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There were 5,250 fatal job-related injuries in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a slight increase from the previous year. While no job is completely free of risk, most jobs are relatively safe. Yet there are quite a few professions that are far more dangerous, and where the risk of dying is more than 10 times higher compared to the average American occupation.

Roofing came in fourth among the 25 most dangerous jobs in the country, due to a higher rate of fatal injuries and risks from falling and working outside in hot weather.  Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, found that roofing is one of four professions in which the annual rate of fatal incidents was 50 or more for every 100,000 full-time employees.

Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, accounting for over 3,500 fatalities between 2003 and 2013. Falls from roofs accounted for nearly 1,200, or 34%, of the fall deaths during that period. Roofers encounter many hazards on the job, including hazards associated with working at heights and from ladders, power tools, electricity, noise, hazardous substances, and extreme temperatures. Unless these hazards are controlled by the employer, roofers risk serious injury, illness and death. To protect workers on roofing jobs, employers must identify the hazards present and take steps to address them.

OSHA Standards Top 10 Frequently Cited During Inspections of Roofing Contractors (NAICS 238160) Rank by Number of Citations Issued Categories Standard:

1. Duty to have fall protection 1926.501

2. Ladder safety 1926.1053

3. Fall protection training requirements 1926.503

4. Eye and face protection 1926.102

5. General scaffold requirements 1926.451

6. General safety and health provisions 1926.20

7. Head protection 1926.100

8. Hand and Power Tools 1926.502

9. Ladder training requirements 1926.1060

10. Hazard Communication 1926.59 which refers to 1910.1200

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 these laws were put into place “To assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health...”

For additional guidance on what OSHA requires for protecting roofing workers, click here.

- Western States Roofing Contractors Association

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All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Courtesy of: Roofing Contractor Magazine

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On Dec. 31, 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published “The Remote ID Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).” According to a posting on the FAA website, www.faa.gov, “The Remote Identification proposed rule provides a framework for remote identification of all UAS (unmanned aerial systems) operating in the airspace of the United States. The rule would facilitate the collection and storage of certain data such as identity, location, and altitude regarding an unmanned aircraft and its control station.”

The publication of the NPRM started the clock on a 60-day period for public comments. I’m not going to get into all the details, which are numerous, but will simply share with you that I’m concerned about this new remote identification rule as it relates to roofing contractors operating UAS (also referred to as drones).

While the FAA cites safety and security as the key motivations for establishing new rules for small unmanned aircraft operating in the nation’s airspace, they’re lacking in hard data to demonstrate that there’s a problem. I do know for a fact, however, that using UAS for making measurements and roof inspections is far, far safer than climbing ladders and walking roofs.

The new rules, which are also said to be needed to enable “beyond visual line of sight” (BVLOS) flights and unmanned aerial delivery services, will make it very difficult for small individual operators, such as your roofing business, to operate a UAS. It will require an Internet connection to your UAS and that UAS will have to be equipped to transmit its location (geo-location, altitude, etc.) to the FAA or its authorized agents.

In my opinion, making rules for the emerging uses for BVLOS shouldn’t require remote identification for virtually everything flying in the commercial realm and most everything in the world of the remote-controlled hobbyist. BVLOS operations will likely, at least for the foreseeable future, be dominated by large companies delivering goods as well as medical and public safety interests.

The equipment required to support the proposed remote ID would likely not be onerous for these large operators, but would make it difficult and expensive for operators of one or a very small fleet of UAS. The idea of drone-delivered goods is intriguing, but roofing contractors are operating UAS to make their work safer today.

Should the FAA move forward with their proposal after the 60-day comment period, it will take three years for it to go into effect. This would supposedly allow enough time for UAS manufacturers to gear up to install new equipment that will provide the interface required to remotely identify your UAS.

You may wish to read up on the proposal and submit your comments to the FAA. There are several ways to do this, but you must act by March 2, 2020. Start by going online to www.faa.gov and do a search on “UAS Remote Identification.” I submitted my comments online and I urge others in the roofing industry to do likewise. My comments, along with the others, may be found online at regulations.gov.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Courtesy of: Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law

The foundation of California’s immense economy is based upon three industries: entertainment, technology and tourism. These industries heavily rely on “gig workers,”, individuals who provide paid services to multiple companies simultaneously and who have traditionally been classified as independent contractors. This structure is very similar to the model used in the construction industry. As California modifies the state employment regulations, construction contractors are wondering how the new “gig worker” law affects their day-to-day business operations and, more importantly, their bottom-line. The change will affect millions of workers statewide, but the good news is the law will likely have little effect on the construction industry right now. While the legislation, Assembly Bill No. 5 (“AB 5”), narrows the definition of “independent contractor”, subcontractors in the construction industry are exempt.

AB 5 seeks to stop the misclassification of workers and grant more individuals eligibility for standard employment benefits such as union memberships, health insurance and an hourly wage. AB 5 exempts specified occupations from application of the new definition and regulation. There are a wide range of exempt occupations such as licensed insurance agents, registered securities dealers, real estate licensees, and those performing work pursuant to a subcontract in the construction industry. It is important to note that this exemption does not apply to subcontractors providing construction trucking services, and those individuals have a separate set of regulations under the law. AB 5 establishes that the exempt individuals performing work pursuant to subcontracts in the construction industry are governed by S. G. Borello & Sons, Inc. v. Department of Industrial Relations (1989) 48 Cal.3d 341 (“Borello”). Borello provides an eleven-factor balancing test which weighs the totality of the circumstances and was the test used in California prior to AB 5.

In addition to requiring the Borello test, AB 5 establishes seven additional requirements. The seven requirements are: (1) the subcontract is in writing, (2) the subcontractor is licensed by the Contractors State License Board and the work is within the scope of that license, (3) if the subcontractor is domiciled in a jurisdiction that requires the subcontractor to have a business license or business tax registration, the subcontractor meets the requirement, (4) the subcontractor maintains a business location separate from the contractor’s business location, (5) the subcontractor has the authority to hire and fire other individuals to provide or assist in providing the services, (6) the subcontractor assumes financial responsibility for errors or omissions in labor or services as evidenced by insurance, legally authorized indemnity obligations, performance bonds, or warranties relating to the labor or services being provided, and (7) the subcontractor is customarily engaged in an independently established business of the same nature of the work performed. If the contractor demonstrates that all seven are met, then the individual will be considered an independent contractor.

As other states decide whether or not to follow California’s lead, AB 5 will have an impact nationally. It is too soon to tell how this will impact the national construction industry long term, but for now, it is safe to say that AB 5’s current effect on the construction industry is minor and your company should continue its business as usual.

Author’s note: The information contained in this article is for general education information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation. 

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Voting open now through Nov. 1 to reward Veteran homeowners. 

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 Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (Nasdaq: BECN) (“Beacon”) today revealed the 10 finalists in its first annual Beacon of Hope contest, a nationwide contest awarding deserving Veteran homeowners with new roofs. The public can vote for their favorite finalists now through November 1, 2019. Five winners will receive new roofs from Beacon, and five runners-up will receive $1,000 to help complete necessary repairs.

“We received dozens of stories about Veterans facing hardships including financial issues, unemployment, health-related issues and so many more,” said Jamie Samide, Beacon’s Vice President of Marketing. “Beacon of Hope was created to give back to our Veterans who could use some assistance with a basic necessity: a safe place to live. We hope the public is inspired by their stories and will help us in our efforts to provide these Vets with a ‘Beacon of Hope’.”

The Beacon of Hope contest finalists include (in alphabetical order):

1.  Lori Lee A. – Turner Falls, MA

2. Galen A. – North Port, FL 

3. Donald A. – Redford, MI 

4. John B. – Albuquerque, NM 

5. Madison B. – Woodbury, MN 

6. Betty F. – Suffolk, VA 

7. Robert H. – Bremerton, WA 

8. Rodney O. – Plant City, FL 

9. Michael S. – Overland Park, KS 

10. Ralph S. - Church Hill, TN  

Beacon will announce the winners and runners-up on Veterans Day. To learn more about the Beacon of Hope contest and read the official contest rules, visit http://go.becn.com/beaconofhope.

About Beacon Roofing Supply 

Founded in 1928, Beacon Roofing Supply is the largest publicly traded distributor of residential and commercial roofing materials and complementary building products in North America, operating over 500 branches throughout all 50 states in the U.S. and 6 provinces in Canada. Beacon serves an extensive base of over 100,000 customers, utilizing its vast branch network and diverse service offerings to provide high-quality products and support throughout the entire business lifecycle. Beacon also offers its own private label brand, TRI-BUILT, and has a proprietary digital account management suite, Beacon Pro+, which allows customers to manage their businesses online. A Fortune 500 company, Beacon’s stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol BECN.

To learn more about Beacon and its brands, please visit www.becn.com. 

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Courtesy of: Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law
WSRCA Legal Counsel

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Greetings WSRCA Members,

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), more colloquially known as drones, are the topic of conversation in multiple industries and are used in a variety of different applications. From delivery of a kidney to a transplant recipient to aerial photography, drones have a wide variety of applications. While drones are already being used on construction sites across the country, not many have stopped to ask what potential risks are associated with this use.

Drones provide a number of obvious benefits when used on a construction site. They can be used to decrease the amount of time it takes to complete a survey of the site and can be used to monitor progress on busy construction sites. Despite the clear advantages provided by drone use, contractors must be aware of the potential liability from using drones on a job site.

As drone use increases so does the risk that an accident may occur from using drones on construction sites. In September 2018, a drone performing an inspection of the Millennium Tower in San Francisco lost GPS signal and crashed to the ground. In January 2018, a pilot crashed a drone into a crane while performing a survey of a construction site in the UK. While these accidents did not result in substantial property damage or personal injury, they highlight the potential risks associated with using drones to perform surveys and other job site inspections.

It is not difficult to imagine a scenario where, as in the previous drone crash examples, a pilot loses signal or fails to properly pilot the drone causing the drone to crash and injure an individual standing beneath it. In 2014, a man was killed on a construction site when a one-pound tape measurer fell from a building striking him on the head. An average light-to-middle weight drone weighs in anywhere from 5 pounds to 50 pounds, more than enough to cause lethal injury to anyone struck by one falling from the sky.

The first step to ensure drone use on a project site does not result in any personal or property damage is to verify the person piloting the drone has the required qualifications. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) requires the drone pilot to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate or be under the direct supervision of a pilot who does have the Certificate. Potential pilots must pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test covering topic areas such as regulations relating to drones, emergency procedures, and aeronautical decision-making and judgment.

Second, and working hand-in-hand with the first step, employers must follow the requirements found in the FAA’s “Small UAS Rule 107.” Part 107 provides operational limitations that include a limit on drone weight; line-of-sight requirements; flight responsibilities; and other important limitations employers need to be cognizant of.

Third, employers should consider whether the benefit of using a drone on the project is worth the potential liability stemming from an accident and whether the employer’s CGL policy covers accidents related to drone use. Many insurers require employers that employ the use of drone technology on job sites to abide by the FAA rules and regulations governing drones. Failure to abide by the FAA guidelines can result in your insurer denying coverage for any accident stemming from drone use.

It's clear that drones provide construction employers a brevity of potential benefits, however employers should ensure proper guidelines are in place to prevent personal or property damage on project sites. Employers should further evaluate, in light of the potential benefits, whether drone use is in its best interests.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

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Teams from both companies have dedicated their time and resources to the two-week-long project, which is set to be completed by early September. IB Roof Systems donated all the materials and products for the project, while (WSRCA Member) Antis Roofing and Waterproofing generously offered to provide the labor at no cost.

“IB Roof Systems is honored to have supported the incredible work being done at Thomas House Family Shelter,” said Jason Stanley, Chief Executive Officer, IB Roof Systems. “Through the involvement of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, IB’s Contractor of the Year, we were able to provide top-tier roofing materials for safe and secure homes for the families being served by Thomas House Family Shelter.”

Charles Antis, the Founder and CEO of Antis Roofing and Waterproofing, continued, “Thank you IB Roof Systems for providing a complete roofing system for Thomas House Family Shelter! Thank you, Natalie Julien and her team, for building the model to lift families from homelessness on the way to their highest selves. Your stories inspire us. It is our pleasure to keep you safe and dry with our partnership with IB!”

The new roof is a major step towards the property’s official opening. The property will act as an expansion for Thomas House Family Shelter, increasing their capacity from 16 to 24 apartment units to house homeless families with children.

About Thomas House Family Shelter

For over 30-years, Thomas House Family Shelter has served the community by providing a safe, supportive environment and the resources necessary for homeless families with children to remain together while empowering them to become independent and self-sufficient. With a success rate of 90%, Thomas House Family Shelter continues to their impact by working with over 100 local community partners and over 175 dedicated volunteers annually.

To learn more about Thomas House Family Shelter, visit: thomashouseshelter.org.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Courtesy of: Trent Cotney — Cotney Construction Law, WSRCA Legal Counsel

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Roofing season is well underway, and your crews are likely beginning to feel the heat; both literally – from the summer sun – and instinctively – from an ever-growing backlog of work. However, sooner-or-later the weather and economy will render full roof replacements temporarily unrealistic for both your workers and your customers. When this occurs, your outfit cannot afford to sit idle as your competitors find ways to profit. Alternatively, you should consider offering servicing and maintenance options for you customers.

If you decide to offer service contracts as an option for your customers, your company will essentially agree to make repairs after a request has been made. Essentially, your company will be “on call.” A service contract should define the types of repairs that fall within its scope, dictate that the relationship is exclusive in the sense that the customer must come to your company when the customer’s roof is in need of repair, and whether payment is due upon completion of a repair or upfront. A service contract could enable a small crew of your workers to stay busy during the slow season, while not overcommitting your entire outfit should repairs become necessary during peak season. Additionally, a service contract can provide your customer with the peace of mind that any necessary roof repairs will be completed in a timely fashion by a reliable contractor.

By offering maintenance contracts as an option for your customers, your company will essentially agree to ensure that the customer’s roofing system is working in the proper manner by inspecting the roof system on a regular basis. The maintenance contract should define the specific types of maintenance included, the term of the agreement, and at what interval inspections and necessary maintenance actions will take place; for example, a 3-year term with bi-annual inspections and maintenance occurring in the spring and fall. Again, this could provide your company with steady work opportunities without encumbering your entire operation.

Both of these options can supplement your standard warranty and can be marketed to your customers as a form of value engineering; whereby you demonstrate that servicing and maintaining the roof during its lifecycle will save your customer money by increasing the roof’s longevity, and decreasing replacement costs by ensuring that the customer’s roof remains in a condition that accommodates issue-free roofing work. As the roofing industry becomes more and more competitive, incorporating service and maintenance offerings into your business model can help set your company apart from its competitors.

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Trent Cotney is the founder of Cotney Construction Law, a law firm that specializes in roofing and construction law. He is also Legal Counsel to the Western States Roofing Contractors Association. 

As a Member of WSRCA, you'll receive the following:

• 15-Minute FREE consultation with the Cotney Construction Law Firm.

• Legal support on all aspects of construction litigation and arbitration.

• CCL specializes in OSHA defense, lien law, bond law, and bid protests.

• CCL also specializes in construction document review and drafting.  CCL routinely represents contractors in the roofing industry.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) recently announced its technical committee assignments for the upcoming 2019-2020 year.  These committees are comprised of contractor members that focus on current and continuing problems and trends in all aspects of the roofing market – including low-slope, steep-slope, waterproofing, safety and industry issues.  Each committee is dedicated to improving roofing — by keeping tabs on vital issues that affect the industry — and helping fellow WSRCA contractor members stay in-the-know!

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INDUSTRY ISSUES:

*Brian Butler, Chairperson, Wayne’s Roofing — Sumner, WA
*Mike Trotter, Vice-Chair, Front Range Roofing Systems – Greeley, CO
*Mike Wakerling, EC Liaison, General Roofing Company – Oakland, CA
Joel Viera, Staff Liaison, WSRCA – Morgan Hill, CA

*Tom Asbury – Summit Roofing Service – Manteca, CA
*Chris Bowman – Collins Roofing, Inc. – Lehi, UT
*Tyler Canaday – Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing – Sacramento, CA
*Chuck Chapman – Tecta America Arizona – Phoenix, AZ
*Dan Cornwell – CC&L Roofing – Portland, OR
*Ron Lloyd – Kokua Roofing Service – Kailua Kona, HI
*George Madsen - Madsen Roofing Company – Lacey, WA
*Everett Martin - Empire Roofing, Inc. – Billings, MT
*Bruce Radenbaugh - Bilt-Well Roofing & Solar – Los Angeles, CA
*Pete Schmautz - Star Roofing – Phoenix, AZ
*Nick Smith - AAA Roofing by Gene – Riverside, CA

*voting member

—GUESTS—
Sean Asbury – Summit Roofing Service – Manteca, CA
Leon Clark – ABC Supply Co. – Tempe, AZ
Scott Lelling – Polyglass USA – Deerfield Beach, FL
Tim Hart – Duro-Last Roofing – Grants Pass, OR
Paul Hitesman – Capitol Roofing Service – Sandy, UT
Mike Swartzer – IB Roof Systems – Irving, TX
Charles Trotter – Front Range Roofing Service – Greeley, CO
Shane Wakerling – General Roofing Company – Oakland, CA
Rob Worthing – Allana Buick & Bers – Palo Alto, CA

LOW SLOPE:

*Chuck Chapman, Chairperson, Tecta America Arizona – Phoenix, AZ
*Mike Trotter, Vice-Chair, Front Range Roofing Systems – Greeley, CO
*Rob Winkle, EC Liaison, RAM Roof Management – Thousand Palms, CA
Tom Papas, Staff Liaison, WSRCA – Morgan Hill, CA

*Tom Asbury – Summit Roofing Service – Manteca, CA
*Austin Barnhardt – Quality Roofing & Sheet Metal — Bozeman, MT
*Chris Bowman – Collins Roofing, Inc. – Lehi, UT
*Brian Butler – Wayne's Roofing – Sumner, WA
*Tyler Canaday – Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing – Sacramento, CA
*Andy Clarke – Roofing Southwest – Phoenix, AZ
*Dan Cornwell – CC&L Roofing – Portland, OR
*Nathan Graaf – Artisan Roofing – Kalispell, MT
*Kris Hitesman – Capitol Roofing Service – Sandy, UT
*Jackson Johns – National Roofing Company – Albuquerque, NM
*Wendy Marvin – Matrix Roofing – Vancouver, WA
*George Madsen – Madsen Roofing Company – Lacey, WA
*Steve Nash – Waterproofing Associates – Mountain View, CA
*Bruce Radenbaugh – Bilt-Well Roofing & Solar – Los Angeles, CA
*Stan Robinson – Pacific West Roofing – Tualatin, OR
*Pete Schmautz – Star Roofing, Inc. – Phoenix, AZ
*Nick Smith – AAA Roofing by Gene – Riverside, CA
*Mike Wakerling – General Roofing Company – Oakland, CA

*voting member

—GUESTS—
Leon Clark – ABC Supply Co. – Tempe, AZ
Paul Hitesman – Capitol Roofing Service – Sandy, UT
Neil Nichol – CNA – Bettendorf, IA
Mike Swartzer – IB Roof Systems – Irving, TX
Charles Trotter – Front Range Roofing Systems – Greeley, CO
Shane Wakerling – General Roofing Company – Oakland, CA
Rob Worthing – Allana, Buick & Bers – Palo Alto, CA

STEEP SLOPE:

*Bruce Radenbaugh, Chairperson, Bilt-Well Roofing & Solar – Los Angeles, CA
*Ron Lloyd, Vice-Chair, Kokua Roofing Service – Kailua Kona, HI
*Stan Robinson, EC Liaison, Pacific West Roofing – Tualatin, OR
Chris Alberts, Staff Liaison, WSRCA – Morgan Hill, CA

*Tom Asbury – Summit Roofing Services – Manteca, CA
*Brian Butler – Wayne's Roofing – Sumner, WA
*Dan Cornwell – CC&L Roofing – Portland, OR
*Nathan Graaf – Artisan Roofing – Kalispell, MT
*George Madsen – Madsen Roofing Company – Lacey, WA
*Everett Martin – Empire Roofing, Inc. – Billings, MT
*Wendy Marvin – Matrix Roofing – Vancouver, WA
*Valorie Miller – Jim Brown & Sons Roofing – Glendale, AZ
*Travis Nelson – Brown Roofing Company – The Dalles, OR
*Mike Wakerling – General Roofing Company — Oakland, CA

*voting member

—GUESTS—
Leon Clark – ABC Roofing Company – Tempe, AZ
Marc Dodson – Western Roofing Magazine – Reno, NV
Paul Hitesman – Capitol Roofing Service – Sandy, UT
Brent Robinson – Pacific West Roofing — Tualatin, OR
Shane Wakerling – General Roofing Company – Oakland, CA
Rob Worthing – Allana, Buick & Bers – Palo Alto, CA

WATERPROOFING:

*Andy Clarke, Chairperson, Roofing Southwest – Phoenix, AZ
*Tyler Canaday, Vice-Chair, Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing – Sacramento, CA
*Bruce Radenbaugh, EC Liaison, Bilt-Well Roofing & Solar – Los Angeles, CA
Sofia Pulido, Staff Liaison, WSRCA – Morgan Hill, CA

*Tom Asbury – Summit Roofing Service – Manteca, CA
*Chris Bowman – Collins Roofing, Inc. – Lehi, UT
*Brian Butler – Wayne's Roofing – Sumner, WA
*Leo Ibarra – Blue's Roofing Company – Milpitas, CA
*Jackson Johns – National Roofing Company – Albuquerque, NM
*Everett Martin – Empire Roofing, Inc. – Billings, MT

*voting member

—GUESTS—

Dan Blue – Blue's Roofing Company – Milpitas, CA
Leon Clark – ABC Supply Co. – Tempe, AZ
Scott Lelling – Polyglass USA – Deerfield Beach, FL
Paul Miller – AVM Industies – Canoga Park, CA
Charles Trotter  – Front Range Roofing Systems – Greeley, CO
Rob Worthing – Allana Buick & Bers – Palo Alto, CA

SAFETY & HEALTH

*Steve Nash, Chairperson, Waterproofing Associates – Mountain View, CA
*Stan Robinson, Vice-Chair, Pacific West Roofing – Tualatin, OR
*Kris Hitesman, EC Liaison, Capitol Roofing Service – Sandy, UT
Alec Ward, Staff Liaison, WSRCA – Morgan Hill, CA

*Austin Barnhardt – Quality Roofing & Sheet Metal – Bozeman, MT
*Ron Lloyd – Kokua Roofing Service – Kailua Kona, HI
*Wendy Marvin – Matrix Roofing – Vancouver, WA
*Valorie Miller – Jim Brown & Sons Roofing – Glendale, AZ
*Travis Nelson – Brown Roofing Company – The Dalles, OR
*Pete Schmautz – Star Roofing, Inc. – Phoenix, AZ
*Rob Winkle – RAM Roof Management – Thousand Palms, CA

*voting member

—GUESTS—
Marc Dodson – Western Roofing Magazine – Reno, NV
Darin Douglas – M3 Safety – Spearfish, SD
Hans Matheus – Eagle Roofing Products – Rialto, CA
Kyle Matheus – Matheus Safety Services – Fresno, CA 
Patti Matheus – Matheus Safety Services – Fresno, CA
Melissa Mulligan – M2C Consulting Services – Phoenix, AZ
Neil Nichol – CNA – Bettendorf, IA
Brent Robinson – Pacific West Roofing – Tualatin, OR 

Greetings WSRCA Members,
 
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is instituting a handful of new rules that took effect on July 15, 2019. The overarching goal of these updates is to streamline processes, decrease paperwork, and preserve funds. The final rule will lead to fourteen standards revisions related to record keeping, construction, and more. OSHA believes that companies in the United States will save up to $6.1 million annually as a result.  In this article, we will discuss these upcoming changes and explain how they will reduce the burden on employers.

COMPLIANCE MADE EASY
It might feel like OSHA is constantly lurking in the shadows, waiting to lash out against employers who fail to maintain absolute compliance, but their real motivations are much less sinister. OSHA wants all contractors to facilitate a safe project site. The citations and penalties incurred along the way are meant to improve safety. While OSHA is concerned with maintaining workplace safety nationwide, they’re also looking for ways to streamline compliance and lessen the burden on contractors.

CHANGES PENDING
This notion is best illustrated by OSHA’s recent move to scrap some proposed changes to its current lockout/tagout standards. Since the proposed changes had a high chance of increasing the burden on employers, the agency decided to hold off. Instead of reinventing the wheel and throwing employers into a frenzy, OSHA has decided to implement a series of distinct rules regarding lockout/tagout. OSHA is even encouraging employers to speak out to let them know if proposed rules are going to do more harm than good. OSHA must take a balanced approach. When new rules are too stringent, it throws off our industries and creates other problems. When new rules are too lax, it leads to more injuries and potential fatalities. 

OVERVIEW
Not all of OSHA's rule changes apply to the construction industry. For example, redacting feral cats from the definition of vermin isn’t going to have any serious repercussions for contractors. However, contractors should be aware of the following:

• Employers must now post latitude and longitude data (or other location-identification information) on project sites with poor cell service.
• The minimum breaking strength for lifelines has been reduced from 5,400 pounds to 5,000 pounds.
• To preserve privacy, employers are no longer required to include their workers’ Social Security numbers on certain forms.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Greetings WSRCA Members,

As a follow-up to the Western Roofing Expo Seminar “Roof Wind Speeds: ASCE 7, Uplift Ratings & Warranties” Brian Chamberlain of Carlisle Construction Materials is releasing his PowerPoint presentation to the WSRCA membership for their roofing design library.
 
An ongoing issue that frustrates the industry as a whole is the confusion in how a roofing assembly will meet the building code, will meet an uplift rating, and be warranted based on local wind speeds. Since local wind speeds is the common factor in all three, an understanding of how wind speed is used associated to each needs to be clarified. This presentation focuses on the process, from uplift to warranty.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Authors: Kandi Hamble and Ashley Rannikar

Company: Art Unlimited - brings Life to marketing. Providing roofing contractors and business owners digital marketing services since 1982.

On one side of the fence, people are struggling to find jobs. On the other side, employers are struggling to find qualified employees to fill those positions. Skilled trades have been especially hard hit. They are fighting against misconceptions and struggling to show the value they offer not only our communities but those who work the job.

When the recession started in 2007, it is estimated by the National Association of Home Builders that 70% of skilled laborers left the trade in search of a more stable career. Now that things are looking up, how many of those 70% have returned to the trade? Less than half. This is a brutal hit to a booming industry and economy. Additionally, Memphisdailynews.com reports that only one skilled tradesman enters the workforce for every five who retire.

In the face of these two obstacles, how can companies combat the hiring crisis? We believe the answer is to be a company worth working for - not just a paycheck, but a business who genuinely cares about your employees and improve their quality of life.

Everything you do sends a message. Here are three ways to overcome hiring obstacles from the inside-out:

• Know your company purpose

• Create your company personality

• Change perception about your company

Know Your Company Purpose

As humans, we all look for purpose. We want our lives and our work to mean something. Time is our most valuable resource, and we want to spend it wisely. Knowing this, how does purpose fit into the jobs we choose? Purpose plays a major role, and while it may not always be crystal clear, it affects everything from how you feel about your job to how you interact with coworkers and customers.

Let me introduce to you two identical construction businesses in the same market.

Company 1 is a thriving company with a solid employee base. Turnover is rare, though they are almost always hiring because business is growing. People in the community know and trust this company.

Company 2, on the other hand, is struggling. They are always hiring because turnover is high. People inwardly groan when they see the company is working on something around town. Skilled people only work there if they are desperate.

What do you think the difference is between Company 1 and Company 2? The difference is in the leadership team.

• The owner of Company 1 knows his purpose in the community. He is there to make it a better place to live and work. He knows his employees are a big part of making this happen.

• The owner of Company 2 is frustrated by how difficult it has become to keep his business afloat. He takes his frustration out on his employees. He has lost sight of his purpose, why he started his business in the first place. He knows the owner of Company 1 and wishes his business could be thriving so well. But where does he start?

Do you think the owner of Company 2 can turn around his business? We KNOW he can! Let’s look closer at the owner of Company 1:

• He sees his company as an integral part of his community. He has a purpose and is constantly sharing it. His work shows him carrying out that purpose.

• His employees know the purpose of their work. They have ‘bought into it’ by working at Company 1. Each day is purpose-filled, which gives them the determination to see even the hard days through. They know the end result is improvement not only for the company but for their community.

Keeping this in mind, how can the owner of Company 2 –and you– use purpose to change the view of your company? How do you define your purpose? Here are four questions for you to answer for yourself. There is no right or wrong answer.

1. What service do you provide? This may seem rudimentary, but it is important! How do you serve others through your company? This can help define your purpose. (example: We repair or replace roofs.)

2. How do you provide your service? This could also be phrased: How do you treat your customers? What emotions do you want to evoke when your trade, your company, your brand is seen around town? What needs to happen to change this? (example: We communicate and care about those we work for. People are happy to see us.)

3. What does your company offer the community? How do the services you supply help improve your community? What value do they give, either to individual families or the community as a whole? (example: New or repaired roofs keep families safe and their homes protected. This makes the community look good.)

4. How do you give back to the community? This goes above and beyond selling your services. Think about how you can help your community through volunteering, donations, or education.

Defining your purpose is just the first step in changing the perception of your company. Keep in mind this will take time. At first, you will need to be very intentional about injecting your purpose into each decision. As time goes on it will become easier until you suddenly realize you are living and breathing your company's purpose in every action.

It all starts with you. By defining your purpose, how you improve your community, and how you treat others, you will bring change to your company. This will seep into your marketing and out into how the trades are viewed.

Create Your Company Personality

Did you know companies can have personalities? Going back to Companies 1 and 2, they each had different personalities based not only on who their leadership was, but what the purpose was.

Employees at both companies work hard, but at Company 1, they have fun doing it. A comradery has been built through teamwork and shared experiences. Coworkers are even doing things together outside of work hours. They feel valued by their employer.

At Company 2, employees work hard, get a paycheck, and go home to crash for a day or so before doing the grinding work all over. They feel like a number and unvalued. They don’t get along with co-workers and definitely don’t see them outside of work.

Which company would you work for?

One thing which defines your company personality is your core values. Having core values documented will work with your purpose to provide a code of conduct for your employees. Company culture and personality grow out of core values in action. They answer these six questions:

1. What is it like to work at your company? Do you have consistent hours and fair compensation? Do you provide the resources needed for completing jobs? Do employees know what to expect when they start their first day of work? Do job seekers have a good idea about what they will encounter when they apply for a job?

2. How do you treat your employees? Do you treat each employee fairly and with respect? Do you publicly appreciate and privately instruct on improvements? How do you show them they are not just working to make someone else a buck or two? Do you take responsibility for mistakes and work to make them right?

3. How do you expect your employees to interact with others? This includes coworkers and people they meet throughout the course of the day. If they are working out in the public, they become advertising for your company and the trade they are working in. Anyone in the area will see and hear how they interact with each other.

4. How should customers expect to be treated? Your customers will have expectations of how they want to be treated. Do your values and theirs align? Do your actions reflect your words? Practice what you preach!

5. How are you involved in your community? What value do you add, aside from creating jobs? How do you pour into your community? Do people recognize you as a respectable business and get behind your work?

6. How are you consistently showing your core values? From your online presence to in-person interactions, you need to deliver what you say you will. Consistency in all you do is critical to changing the labor crisis.
   
   

Keep your core values short, direct, and to the point. They must be easy to remember and act on. Putting these values into action will help you build trust with those who interact with your company. Stick to your core values and eventually everyone who comes into contact with your employees, property, services, website, and marketing will know what you stand for.

Change Perception About Your Company

What is the perception of the trade you work in? Changing the perception of the trades –and your company– may be one of the biggest ways to combat the hiring crisis. “Young adults often see vocational jobs as a grueling line of work offering no career advancement or financial and job security,” says the Washington Post.

In the quote from the Washington Post above, we see three major misconceptions to overcome. Grueling work, also often seen as undesirable hard work geared towards men only. Lack of career advancement and job security. Lack of financial security. How can you change these perceptions? Knowing your purpose and having a defined personality is a good start.

How can you get new people to buy into the trades? Drawing in a fresh perspective is always a great way to shake things up and make improvements, no matter the industry. How can you invite women into the trades? They have unique viewpoints and skills which can be a valuable asset to make the trades even stronger. On the flip side, if your employees are miserable working for you they will communicate that and this battle is already lost.

Thinking about career advancement and job security, how can the perception surrounding this be changed? If these jobs are considered low skill, changing the perception could be as simple as hosting workshops where interested people come to learn more about the job. Doing special training at your local high school could spark students’ interest while also giving them basic required skills. This could also help close the gap of gaining skills which may seem inaccessible. The costs of training and receiving lower pay as an apprentice may be doable for a young person out of school, but with a family comes greater responsibility.

What does financial security mean? This is different in each part of the country. Each day, millions of adults trade our valuable resource of time for a piece of paper which allows us to live in our homes, put food on the table, and clothe our families. It gives us the resources to get to work, church, school, and do fun things. If we worry about the paycheck we get, it affects each part of our lives – including our job. If the trades are seen as lacking in financial security then a large chunk of potentially great employees will not even consider such a career change.

Take a good, hard look at how your actions are affecting the trades. Your action - and inaction - speaks louder than words in changing perceptions. It all starts with you! Think about the message you are sending through your past and present employees. Treat them well, be clear on what you expect from them and from yourself.. Build a solid digital presence with consistent messaging in your website, job ads, and social media. Add in traditional media such as billboards, flyers, and newspapers. With each of these components, send a consistent message about working in the trades. Live and breathe your core values.

Everything you do sends a message. What message are you sending?

Kandi Hamble is the content editor at Art Unlimited. She produces great informative & educational content on a monthly basis for her clients’ websites & blogs. She loves improving her clients’ online presence through thoughtfully-crafted & individualized content. For more information, contact Art Unlimited, www.artunlimitedusa.com

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As a follow-up to the Western Roofing Expo seminar “Top 5 Immigration Issues for Roofers” Cotney Construction Law/WSRCA Legal Advisor Trent Cotney is releasing the USCIS Form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification to WSRCA members, as well as a helpful checklist.  Employers are required to have Form I-9 on file for all employees, whether they are U.S. citizens or not.
 
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, federal law requires every employer that recruits, refers for a fee or hires an individual for employment in the United States must complete a Form I-9.

This is required for citizens and non-citizens. On the form, an employee must attest to his or her employment authorization. The employee must also present his or her employer with acceptable documents evidencing identity and employment authorization. The employer must examine the employment eligibility and identity document(s) an employee presents to determine whether the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and to relate to the employee and record the document information on the Form I-9.

The list of acceptable documents can be found on the last page of the form. Employers must retain Form I-9 for a designated period and make it available for inspection by authorized government officers.

The updated form replaces a version that was issued in 2016. The new form expires on Aug. 31, 2019.


• Download the I-9 Form Here

• Download the I-9 Checklist Here

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Courtesy of: Alexander Acosta — U.S. Secretary of Labor


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With National Prescription Take Back Day last week, the Department of Labor released new informationon what we have learned about the opioid crisis and how we are improving our effectiveness in overcoming its challenges.

In 2017, President Donald Trump’s administration declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency and directed all executive agencies to use every appropriate emergency authority to minimize the devastation. Since 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs’ (OWCP) has dedicated significant resources to stem the abuse, misuse, and proliferation of opioids to protect 2.7 million federal workers from harmful opioid prescription practices.

The use of opioids to treat injured federal workers continued, virtually unchecked, until 2017. The capability to monitor dose level and duration by the department was not even available until operational changes were instituted that year. Since we started this effort, a series of successes can be attributed to the implementation of a four-point strategic plan: (1) effective controls, (2) tailored treatment, (3) impactful communications with employees and providers, and (4) aggressive fraud detection.

The strategic plan’s core is a process where the department continuously gathers information and analyzes data. The results yielded great progress:

• 51% decline in new opioid prescriptions that last more than 30 days;

• 59% decline in claimants prescribed a morphine equivalent dose (MED) of 500 or more;

• 31% decline in claimants prescribed a MED of 90 or more;

• 30% decline in overall opioid use; and

• 24% drop in new opioid prescriptions

A recent study highlights the unique challenges facing a legacy population of injured federal workers who have been prescribed opioids over an extended period of time. Specifically, the study showed that nearly 1 in 4 injured workers in this group had been prescribed a high dose of 90+ morphine equivalent dose. This is important because the higher the opioid dose, the higher the risk for misuse and overdose death. Higher doses, greater than 100 MED, have more than two times the risk relative to lower doses. Additional risk factors, including the use of extended-release opioids and the associated use of certain interacting medications, were also identified.

The legacy challenges needed to be confronted. All federal injured workers with a prescription of 90+ MED underwent extensive individual case reviews. Treating physicians were contacted and, as needed, nurses were assigned. Our goal was to work with the medical provider and injured worker to provide opioid treatment where needed, reduce the opioid risk level, and assist in securing the benefits needed for pain management. These efforts are continuing with second level reviews currently being conducted by a clinical team of pharmacists.

Tapering an addictive drug takes time and there are a host of interacting factors to consider, yet as the statistics prove, the intense focus produced a real difference. This effort is not the federal government deciding what is best for patients. Rather, the federal government is acting as a responsible employer by caring about its workforce and ensuring that employees are getting the treatment and support needed for what can be a challenging recovery.

We are committed to (1) engaging individual employees and (2) analyzing the effects on the employee population as a whole. To win this battle, we must embrace a strategy that pursues accurate information, continuously evaluates that information, and invests the time necessary to find the right, healthy solutions for individuals struggling with opioids.

Alexander Acosta is the 27th U.S. secretary of labor.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

 Art Unlimited, a fast-growing digital marketing and web design company in Minnesota’s Northwoods, just announced their new form-verification WordPress plugin, the FormTester 365. It’s designed to automatically test a website’s Gravity Forms every day and send a verification email to ensure they’re still delivering correctly.  With the eServices industry revenue growing by 18.5% annually, it’s time the busy business owner had a reliable, economical solution to stop losing online leads.

“How many times a year do we hear, ‘I tried to contact you, but your website form was broken.’? And how many more times do we not hear anything at all, because that customer has given up completely?” said Anna Anderson, CEO at Art Unlimited. “The FormTester 365 gives companies and customers the assurance that their website forms are working every single day.”

Once the Formtester 365 is installed, business owners can look forward to filing a single email every day (or even every week) and knowing their forms are working perfectly. No lost customers, and no lost time on manual form submissions.

It’s now more essential than ever for companies to know they’re not losing valuable leads through something as simple as a broken bit of code or a plugin update gone wrong: at least 49.7% of companies state their online forms are their highest converting lead generation tool!

A few of the FormTester’s earliest testers said, “It’s just like a morning alarm that goes off and lets us know that all is well,” and “We know every morning our leads, payments, and customer questions are coming through correctly.”  

When a business installs the FormTester 365 plugin to their website, it finds every page with a form and sets up automated testing for it. Each form is tested daily, and business owners receive a weekly report. They are notified immediately after any failed submissions.

The FormTester 365 saves companies the headache of losing leads and the inconvenience of running a manual form check every day—instead, they’ll be able to focus their energy on improving the content and methods that get people to fill out those forms in the first place.

You’re probably already over-checking your email: it’s time to make it worthwhile.

Art Unlimited is a team of digital marketing professionals who strive to maintain a balance within the constantly changing trends of the industry. Their goal is to ensure that their clients’ businesses succeed.

If you would like more information about the FormTester 365 or are interested in becoming a beta tester, please visit formtester365.com or email team@formtester365.com.

Courtesy of: Ryan Groth — Sales Transformation Group, Inc.,

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The top 100 list provided by Roofing Contractor Magazine is really a special honor to achieve. When looking up and down the list each year, I recognize market leaders who I know are doing certain things better than everyone else. To be fair, the top line isn’t everyone’s measure of success for building their roofing business.  However, if you’re looking to become the best operator you can possibly be, just look at this list and you will notice a group of professionals that are inspired by the others on the list and are driven to innovate and share what they’ve learned to grow – which helps the industry grow. It’s a great honor to be on that list if you’re a roofing contractor. So, if you’re looking to find a way on the list or want to find yourself higher on the list, here are five steps you can take to help you get there.

The first step that your company should take is to designate a leader to oversee sales, after all the list is about the top line number. The “Sales Manager” is one of the Roofing industry’s most underfilled positions, however when filled properly it can be like switching out a four cylinder for a V8 engine for your company. Finding a good sales manager can be difficult, but with using the right tools you can identify the right competencies for the job.  From my experience working with several top 100 roofing contractors, grabbing a sales leader from a different industry can serve very well because they are used to more developed sales structures, which translates very well in roofing. However, be sure to screen them by using tools like I recommend – candidate assessment tools for example from Objective Management Group based in Boston, MA is a great way to identify Sales competencies. The biggest competencies that you’re looking for in a Sales Manager are: desire for sales success, commitment to do whatever it takes as long as it’s moral and ethical, the right outlook about themselves and your company’s future, taking responsibility (the opposite of excuse making), accountability, motivation, recruiting and coaching. Roofing technicalities are the easy part, they can learn that over time. Chances are, you as the owner have plenty of technical expertise, what you likely lack is the sales competency – which is where the Sales Manager comes in.

The second step you should take is making service and preventative maintenance a top priority. The reason I say this is that service repairs take the least amount of time to close, which makes the sale easier. When you can more easily sell to someone it’s more likely you will sell to many more people, which means you have a low barrier to entry to build many relationships and have a chance to provide a great experience for the client. It’s only when someone has worked with you can they refer you, and it’s only when you have referrals and repeat business do you build more and more trust in your market. If you know me already you’ll know that I preach that the big work comes naturally when you’re consistently focusing on the small work. As service revenue goes, construction revenue should go accordingly. Make sure that when you focus on service, also lock them into a preventative maintenance plan so that they only see your truck arriving at their property for years to come. At this point, you’ll be their trusted advisor and will be able to develop the scope and perhaps cut right through any red tape that could cause you to get your bid shopped out and must compete more heavily on price.

The third step you should take is to get a grip on your sales pipeline. Too often do I see in the roofing industry a “bid it and forget it” mentality. First, they jump right into the presentation of the bid upon invitation without slowing the process down to ask great questions and listen. The only question that most roofers ask when they get to a lead is “where’s your leak”? They don’t learn what is the real problem that’s a compelling reason to buy. The best management of the sales opportunity is when there’s urgency discussed before gathering the real qualification questions, like what they think a roof costs and their decision criteria and timeline. Too many times do I see the roofing industry have “happy ears” which describes contractors getting all excited about an opportunity and not having healthy skepticism. In fact, Objective Management Group has data of over 3,000 specialty contractor sales people and the findings say that we are in the bottom 11% in consultative selling and qualifying competencies out of 1.8 million sales people around the world. Our industry really stinks at managing the pipeline, but if worked on it can pay huge dividends. I’ve seen it occur myself while working with many of the top 100 roofers on this list.

The fourth step you should take is to get a sales pipeline CRM program. Did I just say a curse word, CRM? AH!!! Yes, you need to be able to see what’s going on in your future sales opportunities anytime you want. However, if you really want to see revenue grow then you should score each deal in the pipeline and hold everyone accountable to the appropriate expectations to drive more pipeline. Each deal should be followed up on until a decision is made along with a status of when the decision will be made.

The fifth and final step you should take to help you get on the top 100 list is to set goals. Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time sensitive. You should really consider what is it that you want to achieve and to reverse engineer what it’s going to take to achieve it. It would really help if your sales manager and you came up with a compensation plan that matched these goals and held your sales people and estimators accountable for performing these activities. I also want to be clear with something, just because you don’t have a true “salesperson” right now, doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate these things. One of my favorite lines is “on the way to perfect, you pass up a lot of good”. The principle that I take from this (and teach my clients) is to get started, and don’t expect perfection right away. Tiger Woods said recently in an interview when talking about Lebron James, “anyone can be great for a week, a month, a year. But can you be great for a decade, two decades? What Lebron is doing is unbelievable because he’s doing it for such a long time.”  In closing, you should think about getting on the Roofing top 100! But do what Tiger says, be on there for a long time. Can you stay on there for five year, ten years, twenty years? I hope you can.

Good selling,

Ryan Groth

President — Sales Transformation Group, Inc.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

WSRCA Member Art Unlimited, a web design and digital marketing company in Minnesota’s Northwoods, just released their newest website solution, Decider 2.0. The software allows roofing contractors the ability to give potential customers a project estimate, before scheduling an in-person appointment. The flexibility of Decider 2.0 gives roofing contractors the freedom to customize their Decider 2.0 with the specific products they use, pricing, and company branding.

“Through our experience in the roofing industry, we have observed that customers hesitate before reaching out to a professional contractor, leaving them with unanswered questions about pricing and logistics,” said Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited. “We developed the Decider 2.0 to help serve that project specific information to the customer, narrowing the gap between the contractor and the consumer.”

Estimating the cost of a roofing project comes with a multitude of variables, which is one of the primary reasons roofing contractors are apprehensive to attempt project estimates, before doing an on-site visit. In order to accommodate such variances, the Decider 2.0 is programmed to display project estimates based on specific measurables like house size, roofing material, and manufacturers, all which impact the sum total of the project.

When a customer walks through Decider 2.0, they are given multiple options for material and price based on what the contractor offers. When the customer reached the end stage and completed their project, they get a detailed summary listing the materials they selected and the relative price estimate. This is also sent to the contractor when the customer fills out the contact form. The customer can request a time to discuss their project at this time.

Art Unlimited is a team of digital marketing professionals who strive to maintain a balance within the constantly changing trends of the industry. Their goal is to ensure their clients’ businesses succeed.

If you would like more information about Decider 2.0, please visit Art Unlimited’s website at www.artunlimitedusa.com or email info@artunlimitedusa.com

by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group LLC

On March 7, the U.S. Dept. of Labor (DOL) released a proposed regulation to update the salary-level test for determining when a “white collar” employee is exempt from earning overtime. The Obama Administration issued a regulation in 2016 that would have doubled the salary level from $23,660/year ($455/week) to $47,476/ year ($913/week), but it was halted by a federal judge in a challenge led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the basis that the threshold was so high it made the duties test no longer relevant and thus was beyond the statutory authority of the Secretary of Labor. That decision is currently on appeal in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals while the Trump Administration proposes a more modest update to the overtime regulation, which was last adjusted in 2004.

The proposed rule raises the threshold to $35,308/year ($679/week) and, as advocated by business organizations, reverts to methodology used in the 2004 rule that focused on the 20th percentile of full-time wage earners in the lowest income region of the country (identified as the South) and the retail industry as the baseline. It also makes no changes to the duties tests and has no auto-update feature, both of which are key points for business as well. However, the regulation does seek comments on conducting regularly scheduled rulemakings to update the salary threshold.

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Courtesy of: WSRCA Legal Advisor, Cotney Construction Law

In 2016, OSHA published its final rule amending 29 C.F.R. § 1904.35 to add a provision prohibiting employers from retaliating against employees for reporting workplace injuries. Since then, employers within the roofing and construction industries have been hesitant to conduct post-accident drug testing for fear of violating the new rule.

Employers can now breathe a sigh of relief as OSHA recently clarified its position on workplace safety incentive programs and post-incident drug testing. The good news is that employers are still permitted to conduct post-incident drug testing and implement safety incentive programs to promote workplace safety and health.

Specifically, OSHA stated that permissible drug testing includes: random drug testing; drug testing pursuant to state and federal laws; and, most importantly, post-accident drug testing to determine the root cause of the incident that harmed or could have harmed employees as long as the testing is not limited to the employees who reported injuries. Employers should now feel comfortable conducting post-accident drug testing of employees so long as they do not target the specific employees who reported the accident and instead test all those whose conduct may have contributed to the accident.

Further, OSHA clarified its position on incentive programs stating that positive action taken under a program that rewards workers for reporting near-misses or hazards is always permissible under the rule. OSHA also clarified its stance on the more controversial rate-based programs, (i.e., providing bonuses to employees for injury free months of work) stating that they are permissible under the rule as long as they are not implemented in a manner that discourages reporting.

Therefore, as long as employers implement adequate precautions to ensure that employees feel free to report injuries, OSHA will not take negative action against the employers for negative action against employees (i.e., withholding of bonus). Adequate precautions include: inventive programs to go along with rate-based programs that reward employees for reporting hazards in the workplace; and training programs that reinforce the employee’s right to report and not face employer retaliation.

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Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Construction Law, is an advocate for the roofing industry, General Counsel of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors (TARC), National Women in Roofing (NWIR), and several other local roofing associations. For more information, contact the author at 866.303.5868 or go to www.cotneycl.com.

 All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Yet, even with such high numbers and importance on referrals, less than 10% indicate that  they have a process to grow their word of mouth referrals in a much more predictable  fashion.

Most business owners tell me that their way of getting more word of mouth referrals is to  ask, however in discussions, they quickly find that asking never works. It puts the person  asked in a very difficult and uncomfortable situation of being forced to respond.  So let’s dig  into what really does work!

1. Start with a caring mindset. Word of mouth referrals are a byproduct of caring. They  are a direct result of you putting forward information and care toward others. When  you care for others, they recognize you in ways that you don’t ask for. They will  actually tell many more people about your caring nature and why they should do  business with you! When you show up constantly for others, they want your business  to be a success, as such, they refer you! You can asses how well you care about  others through a free self-assessment at www.ICanCareMore.com

2. Over Deliver - Find ways to over-deliver with your customers, partners and referral  sources. There are a number of ways to do this, including quality, time of delivery,  amount of communication, and many more.  Each business is unique in how they  operate their respective business, so you need to take a look at your business and see  how you can over-deliver in ways that are meaningful to your customers.  Consider  how you deliver your product.  Are there ways you can give your customer something  memorable?  When your product or service is a roof, that might be tough, but you  can find ways to stand out, be unique, and over deliver. In fact...I challenge you to do  just that! 

3. Listen - Listening is key to getting more referrals. When you listen to others, they  notice, because your gifts, your care, your words, and your actions show clearly that  you know them well and that you listened to them. Often when I am conducting  workshops or seminars around the country we get knee deep into the weeds of  listening and we talk about multiple ways that you can listen.  The two most common  ways to listen are with your ears and your eyes. The ears are what we know and are  used to, but the eyes, that’s a whole different approach.  Using your eyes, to listen to  what people are sharing on their personal and professional social media channels.  These posts tell you a story about who they are, and what they are about.  Using this  information you can effectively connect with these contacts on a more deeper level  and with much more intentionality.

4. Surprise - When you surprise your contacts (both customers and non-customers) you  leave an impression that is memorable, resulting in a story.  It’s these stories that  others share and creates word of mouth referrals. Consider ways that you can  surprise people, whether it’s in your operations, delivering, communication, or simply  just when they haven’t heard from you in a while, you appear, full of joy and  recognizing them!  I’ll never forget the time that I read an article by a friend, and  buried in that article was a single sentence professing her love of chocolate covered  bacon. I immediately bought some for her and shipped it to her. She then posted all  over social media about the surprise gift. Not only was she pleased that I listened to  what she was saying in her article, but she was completely surprised!  Finding ways  to surprise others is so rewarding!  I highly recommend it and it does, in fact, produce  more referrals. It did for me!

5. Non-Self Serving Acts - When you can do things for others with no intention of  gaining anything in return, it shows. The recipient will never feel like they are being  manipulated into a sales conversation, and this is key!  When you put the focus on your contact and you do things in service of them, it’s a win-win for all! One example  of how I achieve this is I give away books that I believe are helpful to others in  growing their business. This shortlist of books (4 of them) were powerful for me and  help me start, run, grow, and ultimately sell my business.  I order multiple copies of  these books and keep them on my bookshelf for easy mailing. When I ship out a  book, I write a custom note in the cover, making it personal and sharing with the  recipient why the book was helpful for me. 

Finally, stay in touch. With all 5 of these keys, what is most important is that you stay in  touch with your contacts, constantly touching base and letting them know that you are there  for them, sharing information with them, and being available.  Showing up in others lives is  keys to getting more word of mouth referrals. If you stay in touch, without asking for sales  you will get more referrals. 

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Courtesy of WSRCA Legal Counsel: Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law

Early last year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the start of an all new approach to its safety inspections—through drones. Since its introduction, at least nine inspections were conducted with camera-enabled drones. Of these nine inspections, the majority were used due to hazardous circumstances on-site such as a recent collapse, fire or explosion.

Drone usage during safety inspections provides OSHA with a quick and detailed view of an employer’s facility, and possibly a more expansive view of what might have been seen by an in-person inspector. While this might be good for OSHA as it significantly cuts down time needed to perform such an inspection, employers should be wary of the ramifications.

The good news? Drone usage for OSHA’s safety inspections doesn’t come without restriction. In an eight-page memo addressed to its regional administrators on May 18, 2018, OSHA laid out the guidelines and procedures it must adhere to in order to use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“UAS”) a/k/a drones. One established limitation on this type of inspection is employer consent. This means that employers have the right to say no to the little robot flying above your worksite. But is “no” really the best answer?

Although employers have a 4th Amendment right to object to the expansion of an overbroad search, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should deny OSHA the ability to inspect your site through drone usage. By making this objection, OSHA is then required to obtain a search warrant to inspect your property. This objection, only delaying the inevitable, might not be worth getting on OSHA’s bad side. Instead, see if you can work with OSHA to create a limit in the scope of the search and participate in the drone flight planning, which in turn will help address concerns regarding the expansive view that comes with drone inspection.

Another concern to watch out for is the possibility of OSHA being granted its request for a Blanket Public COA from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This Blanket Public COA will allow OSHA to use drones anywhere in the country. If granted, it is unclear how the employer consent will play into this, if at all.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Courtesy of: George Daisey — The Dow Chemical Company

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Installing or restoring a roof can be a tremendously complicated endeavor. There are single ply membranes, roof systems, coatings, concrete, metal and many more variations to choose from, which leads anyone to ask what substrate do I choose? To add further complexity, within the coatings option alone there are a variety of product types available: silicone, acrylic, polyurethane, and asphalt? Each presents notable features, strengths, and weaknesses to consider.

ROOF COATINGS MARKET OVERVIEW

The roof coatings market in the Unites States is a growing, vibrant market. According to data from the US Census Bureau combined with Dow internal analysis, it’s estimated the total US Construction Market is valued at approximately $1.1 trillion. Roofing is a little over 1% of that total which still represents a staggering $14 billion value. Within the scope of roofing, is a bright and shining market called roof coatings. The roof coatings market is rapidly approaching 6% of the total roof market with a value of approximately $780 million (see Figure 1.). There are many factors contributing to this growth but I will mention just one: the ever-aging building inventory. As buildings get older it becomes more common that two roof systems have already been installed and doing a third roof system either means tearing the first two completely off and starting over, or applying a maintenance product like a roof coating. In terms of cost savings and less impact on the environment, roof coatings win that debate almost every time.

In terms of growth, all three of these market segments can be described as healthy and growing. The same sources of information describe the total construction market growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The $14 billion roofing segment is growing at 5.2% CAGR, and the roof coatings segment is humming along at a 4.7% CAGR. Compare this to the US GDP (Gross Domestic Product) which during the same period grew at a modest 2.4% CAGR. During that same period the US GDP was valued at $17.9 trillion; the US Construction market represents over 6% of the total US GDP. All these numbers simply show that these markets are large, vibrant, growing and poised to continue delivering advancements.

In fact, if we look at data spanning 2011 through 2016 we see the US roof coatings market growing at a rate of 5.2% CAGR, and that rate appears to be steadily increasing year over year. Starting from a total market value of $653 million in 2011, the growth rate has steadily increased on average to reach an annual growth rate in 2016 of 7.8% CAGR.

The two fastest growing segments in the roofing market are Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) membranes and roof coatings (see Figure 2.). The tightening regulations on energy efficiency and lowering Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have fueled demand for energy-efficient and low VOC products like TPO membranes and roof coatings.

Roof coatings show steady growth but indicators express the fastest growing portion of the roof coatings market is in higher performing coatings. It is easy to drive volume with lower cost products, but when growth is seen in higher value portions of a segment, there is good news for all parties. This means the customer is moving towards higher performing products that will deliver more value and longer service lifetime. The contractor is able to capture more value by selling and installing higher value products, and the manufacturer is also benefiting by offering the contractor higher value and higher performing products.

WHY CHOOSE A ROOF COATING

With so many choices for roofing, why would you choose a roof coating? There is no one answer to this question. Roof coatings come in many varieties not limited to water-based, solvent-based, reflective, non-reflective, thick-film, thin-film, white, black and all colors in between. Where do I start?

First, let’s answer the question posed above; why choose a roof coating? The first answer that often comes to mind is sustainability. In the United States alone, more than 251 million pounds of waste finds its way to landfills and nearly 40% of that waste comes from construction projects1. According to a Construction and Demolition Recycling article published in March 2018, global construction waste will double from the 1.3 billion ton total in 2012 to 2.2 billion tons by 2025. Identifying volumes of particular waste products is often difficult due to the variety of classes assigned to waste products; although certain roofing materials like shingles, asphalt and concrete are often mentioned in published waste studies.

If we truly want to offer sustainable products that make a difference to our environment, roof coatings are a great way to accomplish this objective. The application of a roof coating can extend the life of an existing roof and minimize the need to tear off a roof and send those materials to a landfill. In fact, whether the roof coating installation is new or retrofit, regularly scheduled recoating of that roof can reduce the need to landfill the original roofing assembly and lead to a viable solution for that roof. Looking for a sustainable solution? Then roof coatings are your answer!

How about sustainability from the standpoint of energy consumption? Energy efficiency is becoming more important to everyone. From the building owner dealing with utility bills to the occupants dealing with comfort level of the built environment, energy efficiency and performance of buildings is important. One of the most impactful jobs I ever participated in was a production facility where the building owner needed eight HVAC units to cool the building and office areas still never reached below 76 degrees. The roof was a black surface and the owner hired a contractor to convert the roof to a reflective surface by applying a reflective roof coating. After the installation, the owner stated that he was able to shut down three of the HVAC units and maintain a comfortable 72 degrees in the office spaces. That’s a win for everyone involved from contractor to owner to occupant.

Climate change is a hot topic almost everywhere you go, from construction sites to conference room meetings; even to your social media conversations. Everyone is talking about climate change, the environment and our planet. We all want to live better. Whether you believe reports of global warming, global cooling, and climate change or subscribe to none of it, constructing sustainable buildings and saving energy enables us to build a better future. Roof coatings can be a huge part of any sustainable, energy efficient building design project.

A building owner or other key decision-maker is often confronted with the choice of maintenance versus capital investment for a roofing project. A capital investment often means the cost of that roof installation is depreciated over many years; whereas a maintenance project can often be deducted in the same tax year. Most roof coatings installations fall under the maintenance category which allows the building owner to deduct the costs immediately. Note, tax laws change frequently; always check with your tax advisor to verify. This life cycle cost analysis compares two roof maintenance scenarios to demonstrate the value of roof maintenance.

Easy – and quiet – installation is a winner and roof coatings can deliver this in almost every situation. When a tear-off and complete roof assembly installation is done, there is often major disruption of building activities as well as areas around the building. Large trucks hauling materials in and waste out.

Sections of the parking lots cornered off to allow for trucks and materials to be moved and stored. Let’s not forget the dust and debris generated during construction. But many roof coatings jobs can be done in “stealth mode.” Buckets, drums or even totes of roof coatings can be delivered to a job site and transported up to the roof without many people aware that it is happening. I’ve personally been on jobs where the buckets are transported up a service elevator to the roof and the occupants do not know the roof is being coated!

We choose products because we want them to perform well. Roof coatings not only protect the existing roof and extend its service life, but roof coatings can deliver measurable performance. A roof coating may offer one or more of the following performance benefits: extended service life, water resistance, waterproofing, enhanced solar reflectivity and/or thermal emittance. Often, a roof coating enhances the appearance as well be transforming a dingy, dirty roof into beautiful colors ranging from basic white or black to a variety of highly decorative shades.

Selecting a roof coating for its variety of benefits is a first step. Now comes the hard part – which type of roof coating do I choose? Let’s explore some of the most common options on the market today, including their benefits, challenges and typical service life.

ACRYLIC

Acrylic roof coatings can be based on 100% acrylic or styrene-acrylic copolymers. Focusing on 100% acrylic roof coatings, these coatings offer excellent durability as well as the following typical properties: UV resistance, good permeance, dirt resistance, water resistance, and abrasion resistance. Acrylic coatings are water-based, easy to apply, easy to cleanup, and cure times can be tunable from several hours down to several minutes. Acrylic coatings are often installed as coating-only, but a growing sub-segment of acrylic coatings is as part of a liquid-applied membrane. Those familiar with acrylic decorative paints are familiar with a wide color palette, but for roof coatings that can vary. Steep slope thin film roof coatings can be supplied in a diverse color palette, but low slope elastomeric acrylic roof coatings are limited to white or light pastel colors. Deeper colors in these elastomeric coatings are possible to formulate but these colors often do not hold pigment as well, which leads to other technologies being used when deep colors are required. Acrylic roof coatings are limited to good weather conditions during installation because they are water-based. Excessive humidity or extreme temperatures can limit the success of an acrylic roof coating installation. Constant exposure to ponded water is also challenging for most acrylic roof coatings, resulting in impaired adhesion, blistering and delamination. However, the formulating space for acrylic roof coatings is wide; hence coatings can be formulated into anything from an economy coating up to an exceptionally high performing, durable coating. This variety makes acrylic roof coatings a great choice for the contractor looking for anything from an economical, low service life roofing solution up to a multi-decade lifetime roofing solution.

STYRENE-ACRYLIC

Styrene-Acrylic copolymers are a subset of the acrylic roof coating technology and should be treated separately. At a fundamental level, the styrene monomer is not as UV stable as the acrylic monomers used in roof coatings. Combining styrene with acrylic monomers to form a styrene-acrylic copolymer can deliver good performance properties; however, notably high performance is difficult to achieve versus the juggernaut of acrylic-acrylic copolymer interactions. In the roof coatings market, styrene-acrylic coatings are usually found in the economy space or in the lower warranty products. The good news is that styrene-acrylic roof coatings do have some notable performance properties, including excellent adhesion to metal and concrete and re-coats over existing acrylic roof coatings.

SILICONE 

Silicone roof coatings are all the buzz in the roof coatings industry. These coatings are not water-based and come in either low solids (~67%) or high solids (~98%) formulations. Silicone roof coatings are extremely resistant to water absorption, with some products literally having 0% water absorption according to standard ASTM D471 tests. The silicone polymers used in these coatings are UV light stable, do not degrade when exposed to sunlight, and thus offer one of the highest service life guarantees of any coatings option per installation. For commercial roofing, ponded water areas are the most challenging space on a roof for any coating, but silicone roof coatings are specially designed to perform well in those high moisture situations. A few challenges do exist for silicone roof coatings; including the need for primers over most surfaces, poor asphalt bleed resistance, difficulty to recoat, and low abrasion resistance. However the long service life and water resistance make the silicone roof coating a popular choice for low slope commercial roofing. Due to the slippery nature of the surface on a silicone roof coating, they are often not recommended for steep slope roofs.

POLYURETHANE 

Polyurethane (PU) chemistry delivers some noteworthy properties versus the coatings already discussed. A PU roof coating will often offer exceptionally high tensile strength and elongation versus other technologies. In situations where high tensile strength, toughness and chemical resistance are desired, PU roof coatings are an excellent choice. Adhesion and water resistance are often very good with PU roof coatings. It is important to note that PU coatings can come in either aromatic or aliphatic type chemistries. Only the aliphatic type are UV stable and offer long-term durability. These coatings are solvent-based and do need specialized spray equipment separate from either silicone or acrylic.

ASPHALT

Asphalt coatings are the oldest technology discussed in this article. The use of asphalt can be traced back to the ancient cultures like Greece and Babylon2. In fact, the earliest known use of asphalt dates back to around 615 B.C. when King Nabopolassar paved the streets of Babylon with asphalt and burned brick so he could have easy access in and out of his palace. In modern day roof coatings, asphalt coatings come in a variety of forms. There is traditional hot mop asphalt where the solid asphalt is heated and melted before being rolled or broomed onto a roof. Newer versions of this black color coating are in emulsion form where the asphalt is emulsified in water either through mixing with surfactants or high pressure processes. Further differentiation is between traditional black asphalt coatings and the newer silver or reflective asphalt coatings. Both in solvent and water-based emulsion form, the reflective asphalt coatings fit in a niche space between non –reflective and highly reflective roofing products. Hot mop asphalt and cold-applied asphalt emulsion are often applied to the roof as the waterproofing layer. With their near-zero permeance and hydrophobicity, there is no better waterproofing coating for roofing than asphalt coatings. These basecoat/primer coatings can then be top-coated with reflective aluminized asphalt or acrylic roof coatings. In some cases, the desire is to have a black surface so the asphalt coating is the final coat as well. The reflective aluminized asphalt coatings have good solar reflectivity and low thermal emissivity giving them a significant energy value proposition. Lifetime expectancy of aluminized roof coatings have improved over earlier incarnation of the technology due to improved formulation quality and refinement of the aluminum flake. In climates or situations where both very high reflectivity and emissivity are not desired, the moderate energy performance of the aluminized roof coatings can be the best choice.

SEBS 

Styrene Ethylbutylene Styrene or SEBS coatings are solvent-based coatings that offer excellent water resistance and very low permeance. Often SEBS is positioned against acrylic roof coatings as having an extended season of use; not as subject to the cold temperatures encountered in the shoulder seasons. SEBS coatings can be described as super-hydrophobic and will have a moderate service life versus silicone or acrylic roof coatings. The challenges for SEBS coatings include high VOCs and limited color option; typically only sold in white according to leading distributors of the product.

POLYUREA

Polyurea roof coatings are a very small percentage of the roof coatings market, but they offer an excellent property balance and can be the right choice for many roofs. Polyurea roof coatings are great waterproofers, have excellent chemical, abrasion and corrosion resistance and have an extended application season versus water-based systems. Some of the challenges are high VOCs and the reactive chemistry. An acrylic roof coating will dry by evaporation of water typically over a few hours, whereas the polyurea chemistry is reactive causing the coating to cure in a matter of seconds. The applicator must have a high skill set to spray this type of coating. Exterior durability is moderate, but long service life is never the driver for polyurea coatings; it is usually the chemical resistance or waterproofing properties that drive the use of polyurea.

PVDF

Polyvinylidene Fluoride or PVDF coatings are different from the previously discussed coatings in many ways. First, they are not applied to commercial roofs in thick films. Often a PVDF roof coating is applied at 2 to 4 dry mils thick. The cost per pound of a PVDF coating is much higher than other technologies, but is counter-balanced by the performance it can deliver in a thinner film. The benefits of PVDF over other coatings include improved dirt pickup resistance, long-term reflectivity, long-term durability, water repellency and mildew/algae resistance. Colors are no challenge for PVDF as they can be supplied in a diverse color palette. The main challenge is balancing the hardness and toughness of the PDVF coating versus the flexibility of the elastomeric basecoats often applied before the PVDF coating. PVDF coatings have advanced over the years and though earlier versions suffered from cracking issues, newer offerings have improved their crack resistance. It is always a challenge to apply a hard, rigid coating over a soft flexible coating, which must be understood by the contractor/applicator.

CONCLUSION

There are a diverse variety of roof coating technologies available in the North American market. Each roof coating technology has its noteworthy balance of properties and features that need to be understood by the buyer and user to determine the best option for intended use. Beyond roof coating product properties, type of substrate, service life, maintenance planning, sustainability benefits, and cost are considerable factors to help the coating chosen to meet the needs of the job.

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1 Mike Hower, Marketing Communications Manager, Carbon Lighthouse, 2013

2 https://actionasphalt.net/storied-history-asphalt-pavement/

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Courtesy of Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law

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Per OSHA’s publication in the Federal Register on November 9, 2018, the requirements for crane operator certification will take effect on December 10, 2018, and the requirements for employers to evaluate/document crane operators will take effect on February 7, 2019.

Further, OSHA stated that the new crane operator certification will be limited to certification based on equipment type and that OSHA will not be enforcing the requirement that certifications identify a lifting capacity for the certification. This decision was made in order to maintain current industry practices and avoid confusion on construction projects. The decision and effective dates mean all crane operators must be certified by December 10 of this year and all employers must begin evaluating and documenting the evaluations by February 7, 2019.

While testing organizations, such as the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), are not required to issue certifications rated by lifting capacity, they are still permitted to do so. Crane operators will need to ensure they meet the minimum operator requirements outlined in the rule, 29 CFR 1926.1427. The rule requires employers to ensure crane operators receive training, evaluate operators for their ability to safely operate crane equipment, and document the evaluation.

In sum, employers and crane operators must act fast to ensure they both meet the new criteria set forth by OSHA. Exactly how OSHA will enforce the new requirement is yet to be seen but employers should be ready and have guidelines in place for project inspections.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Courtesy of: Rebekkah Anderson, WiseElephantConsulting.com

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While running a business, it can take time to get to the root of a problem. To speed up the investigation process, we've compiled five signs that your roofing business might need more accountability!

1. Your Overhead is Through the Roof

Pun not intended, but you can still roll your eyes if you feel the need. If you find that your bookkeeper is starting to raise squiggly eyebrows at some of the numbers you've been pushing out, you might have an accountability problem. You might also have an even bigger problem if you are still running all of the numbers yourself and haven't had a chance to hire an accountant. Getting a regular accounting audit with improvement recommendations can help you know where your overhead is getting too large.

The roofing industry has pretty great information about profit margins, vertical returns, and industry growth metrics to benchmark your business against. Don't let it all come out in the tax season.  You could find there are many missing receipts, mis-documented paperwork, or adjusted estimates that didn't get turned in correctly to be invoiced out to customers.

Last year, I heard a roofing contractor say their team had to squeeze to make payroll because they had lots of customers, but $1.5 million in accounts receivable heading into the Christmas season! A good accountant pays for him or herself! Use them to find where your business procedures need more accountability.

2. You Keep Losing Good People

This is especially true for those of you who are trying to grow. You see someone with potential, they start to shine, and as they hit their prime, they leave or burn out. This could be because the rest of your team is de-motivating them to succeed with lack of accountability.

If you team doesn't have accountability metrics to see who is performing well and who is not, it's hard to reward those who are doing it right. If you don't have a great incentivization structures built in place for your new and old staff, you will see your good people slowly leave as they realize their work isn't valued.

Those that do stay, realize they don't have to work as hard because no one else is giving it their all. This leaves you with the sub-par team and higher overhead. Don't wait till you lose your best crew members to keep people accountable.

3. Your Team Appears Unmotivated

This might come through as having no sense of urgency. Your team doesn't really understand why it's so important to the homeowner to show up on time or to leave early. You keep getting requests for personal days off, and it's like pulling teeth to get people to show up for make-up days! This doesn't come as a surprise to many roofing contractors today. You might be blaming it on the new generation's work ethic, but your team is disengaging.

Keeping your team accountable to show up, have great service, and come through for the customer means setting performance metrics in place for each team member and individual. Have clear expectations and clear ground level requirements. One business owner I know created tiers of excellence rewarded by a 25 cent hourly bonus for each tier of excellence. The first tier started with just showing up to work on time and in a clean uniform.

Whatever is your biggest struggle and most important to your roofing business' future should be in your first tier incentive before being eligible for further incentives. Keeping your team engaged through accountability means your business will be more profitable.  Gallup reports 22% higher profitability and 21% productivity for workers who were engaged in the workplace.

4. Customer Complaints & Negative Reviews Take Up More Than 1 Hour a Month

If you're handling more than an hour a month of negative feedback from your customers, managers, project leads, digital reviews, (or community even), you have an accountability problem.

Your team should be responsible to represent themselves and your roofing business well wherever they go. If you wear the company logo, you wear the company values. This accountability needs to happen at all levels of the company internally and externally.

Many times, this is an area roofing contractors don't equate with an accountability problem, but your customers will tell you otherwise if you listen! They know pretty specifically what it was that made them upset with your business if you take the time to ask. Did I mention that if you solve this one you will gain about a 90% level of trust within your local area? With 88% of customers trusting online reviews almost as much as a personal referral, you can't afford to lack accountability.

5. You Have a Low Lead to Customer Conversion Rate

This is absolutely an accountability problem.  No matter how many times your sales team tells you the marketing team didn't give them quality leads, or your just aren't getting enough leads period, you have accountability as an issue.  It could be where you're spending your marketing budget, it could be a sales person refusing to ask for the sale, or it honestly even be how your front office person answered the phone today!

A low conversion rate means your customers are going with someone else or refusing to buy, AFTER they became a business lead.  You must track all parts of your customer's life cycle and measure it against benchmarks in order to know where the accountability problem lies.

A low lead to conversion rate is probably the hardest problem to overcome as a roofing business (because there are so many moving pieces involved), but the most financially rewarding problem to fight. Did you know that in the construction industry the average sales conversion rate is 22%? I was actually a bit shocked by this one!

Creating strong accountability systems within your roofing business will save you from mistakes, give your more time, limit frustrations, and keep your best team members for the long haul. If you need help knowing where to start, give us a call! Wise Elephant Consulting helps roofing contractors save money and grow their businesses strategically.

Later this month, we'll be out in Denver exhibiting at Colorado Roofing Association's annual trade show. Be sure to stop by our table (located right up front) to learn about the benefits of WSRCA Membership, and how they can save you time and money!

Since 1985, CRA's annual Table Top Trade Show has been a low cost opportunity to make great new contacts with over 1000 installers, builders, architects, manufacturers and applicators of roofing products and services.

ATTENDEES

The show  is a great chance to catch up on the latest industry trends, to make important contacts with suppliers and to compare existing products and services. The trade show offers a great networking opportunity for you to make and reaffirm business and personal contacts while educating you and your employees on the newest in Colorado’s roofing industry.

Admission is Free, but we do ask that you register in advance. 

Member CIUs = 1 per person.

FREE PRE-SHOW SEMINAR | 10AM TO 11AM

Collecting Payments on Construction Projects

All businesses want to get paid for the work that we do. As a contractor, subcontractor or construction company, you are solely responsible for putting the necessary measures in place to ensure you are paid promptly. This course provides a description of the methods contractors can use to collect amounts owed on construction projects. In particular, the course addresses key contract provisions; construction lien law basics; & private, state & federal payment bond claims.  Co-Presentors: Danielle Maya and Dillon Fulcher.

Seminar Cost:            Free

Seminar Start Time:   10:00 a.m. 

Seminar Room:          Forum Room #3

 Seminar Beverages Sponsor: 

It has come to the attention of WSRCA’s Low-Slope and Industry Issues Committees that the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) is continuing to be adopted by more jurisdictions in the Western U.S. Please be aware that there are changes in the 2018 edition of IBC’s Chapter 15 for Roofing and its companion Chapter 16, which relates to wind-uplift resistance. These changes adopt, and requires use of the relatively new 2016 edition of the American Society of Civil Engineers “ Minimum Design Loads And Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures” – (ASCE 7- 16 Standard) to determine wind-uplift design pressures for roof system attachment/securement. These changes are relatively complex, and Contractors may want to contact the Roofing Manufacturer for direction regarding roofing attachment (e.g., mechanical fastening schedules) or securement (e.g., low-rise foam adhesive bead size and spacing schedules). Contractors may also desire to carefully consider the potential affects (e.g., increase) with some materials, and labor for any additional mechanical attachment, foam adhesive, or other related roof securement needed.
 

Executive Summary:

Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) believes that it is important to alert you to the value of being aware of changes to the code, as not knowing could have a dramatic effect on the success of any roofing or reroofing construction business.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE...


Western States Roofing Contractors Association
356 Digital Drive - Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Local: 650-938-5441  Toll Free: 800-725-0333
Email: info@wsrca.com

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Not a Member of Western States RCA?  Click Here to Join!
or call Toll Free 1-800-725-0333

By Rick Duncan, Ph.D., P.E.,

Technical Director, Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA)

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The sustainability focus in buildings has shifted lately to one on energy performance. Not only have building codes become more stringent, with a much greater emphasis on energy efficiency, but many incentives have been introduced and made available to owners, providing them with tax credits and savings for the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar onto their homes and projects.

Increasingly ambitious movements, including Passive House and Zero Net Energy (ZNE), are also gaining in popularity as immediate issues like climate change, and the catastrophic effects of it, are top-of-mind and ever present in the news.

Even though ZNE is a bigger energy goal than what is currently highlighted for many structures, architects, builders and owners are increasingly integrating sound energy practices in their buildings. As a key component of the building enclosure, roofing systems tend to transfer (i.e. lose) significant amounts of energy if not properly designed or well maintained. Thus, it is unsurprising that they are a key focus in buildings designed to minimize energy use.

Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) and Photovoltaic (PV) systems are now, more than ever, utilized together on the roof as a complete solution for energy savings. SPF reduces demand for the energy generated by photovoltaics, which can make a significant difference in ZNE buildings. When combined, they provide a joint solution for the generation of renewable energy, the conservation of heating and cooling energy, and, ultimately, the elimination of the structure’s dependence on fossil-fuel consuming electricity sources.

Regardless of whether ZNE is the end goal, SPF and PV integrated in roofing are an ideal combination for many structures, providing unparalleled return on investment through energy cost savings, as well as numerous additional benefits. However, contractors should be mindful of some important installation considerations when looking to join these two powerful systems on the roof of a building, to ensure highest possible performance and lifespan.

PV System Overview

PV cells are the basic unit used to convert light to electricity. Many PV cells are bundled together to make a PV panel, or module. PV panels are grouped electrically to create a PV string. And depending on the system size, two or more strings are combined to create a PV array.

The dominant type of PV panel used with SPF roofing is cSi, or crystalline silicon. cSi is a typically rigid panel with glass frame and metal frame and may be applied, unlike other dominant PV panel types, via rack installation methods.

A photovoltaic system includes many components in addition to the panels. Components include racks, rails, rooftop attachment devices, grounding systems, wiring and wiring harnesses, inverter(s), and connection to the main electrical panel. Components may also include control modules and storage batteries for off-grid PV system installations.

Photovoltaic panels must be handled and maintained with caution. Electricity is produced when a single panel is exposed to light, however, because a panel is not part of a circuit, that electricity will not flow until the circuit is complete. A worker may complete the circuit by connecting the two wires from the backside of a PV panel.

When maintaining a PV system, it may become necessary at some point to disconnect or remove an individual panel from a string or an array. The whole system must be shutdown properly as a precautionary measure to prevent shocks from occurring to workers and arcing between electrical connections. This “shutdown” procedure must be followed with precision as part of a lock-out/tag-out program and is provided by the inverter manufacturer. Under no circumstances should SPF contractors ever disconnect or decommission a PV panel or system unless they are trained and qualified to do so.  

Rooftop PV Installation Types for Use with SPF

Rooftop PV systems can vary significantly in size. Large footprint buildings can employ PV systems rated from 50 kW to 1000 kW or larger while residential rooftop PV systems are commonly 3 kW to 5 kW solutions.

Rooftop PV systems may be installed either on racks or adhered directly to the roof surface. When looking to combine PV with SPF, it is generally not advised to adhere or place the PV panels directly onto the roof surface. Solar heat as well as water can accumulate between the PV and roof coating and can negatively impact coating performance.  Moreover, panels applied directly to a low-slope roof will, in nearly all cases, not optimally align with the sun, which will reduce energy production. 

Non-penetrating rack systems may be placed directly on a rooftop and held in place with ballast. Racks may also be installed with penetrating supports that require flashings. Each type provides advantages and disadvantages. For example, ballasted racks may block water flow and affect drainage, while penetrations require leak and maintenance-prone flashings. SPF is unique in that it easily self-flashes around penetrating supports.

Design Considerations

Rack-mounted arrays with penetrating attachments are fairly lightweight at two to three pounds per square foot, and ballasted arrays add four to six pounds per square foot. With the latter however, more ballast is utilized at the perimeters and corners of a PV array. Thus, localized loading from ballast may reach as high as 12-17 pounds per square foot, which must be considered. Most SPF roofing systems have a compressive strength of 40-60 psi. 

PV panels add weight to a rooftop and this must be factored into the design and installation. Existing structures should be analyzed by a structural engineer to determine if the additional weight of the PV system is acceptable.

Additionally, roofs are required by codes to provide “live load” capacity, a measurement, which includes people, snow, and other temporary weight-bearing scenarios that may occur. The weight of a PV system is typically below the live load capacity, however in the absence of a structural analysis, the live load capacity will be reduced by the addition of the PV system. A final consideration is whether a PV installation will create new locations for drifting snow, which may add considerable weight to a roof, and must be factored in.  When determining key considerations for wind load and fire safety, best practices require deferral to the PV supplier.

Drainage on rooftops is important for safety of the structure and longevity of the roof. PV arrays often have many points of contact with a roof, and these are possible locations that will block or slow drainage.  PV racking should be positioned to minimize ponding water, and/or include methods such as notched pads to allow drainage under points of contact, especially for ballasted systems. 

Photovoltaic panels convert approximately 15-20 percent of light to electricity, leaving the remaining unconverted energy to be released as heat. Additionally, PV panels are more effective when their temperature drops. It is for each of these reasons that the majority of rooftop PV installations are designed to encourage airflow under panels, which reduces the temperature of the panels, improves conversion efficiency and releases heat effectively. Photovoltaic panels installed 4 to 5 inches above the roof will not change the temperature of the roof and, instead, provide shade to the surface of that roof. This additional shade may extend the life of SPF roof coatings.

Service Life and Maintenance

Ideally, a roof system, whether SPF or another material, and the PV system should have the same expected service life.  Removal (decommissioning) and reinstallation (re-commissioning) of a PV system is costly, and the cost should be weighed relative to the residual service life of the existing roof and cost of roof replacement or recoating at the time of PV installation.  Ballasted, rack-mounted PV systems are difficult, if not impossible, to reroof (or recoat) under and around.  Elevated racks with adequate space beneath may be able to be left in place when reroofing.  A PV system that covers, for example, 10% of the rooftop will be easier to relocate during reroofing than a PV system that covers 75% of the rooftop.  Building owners should be advised of future reroofing and maintenance costs with roof-mounted PV systems. 

The life expectancy of the SPF roof system should align with the service life of the PV system, and coatings factor in as they can extend the life and improve performance of SPF on the roof.

Roof systems used as platforms for PV systems must be tough and durable, and generally speaking, SPF has greater compressive strength as density increases. Higher density SPF systems may be preferred, especially when ballasted support systems are used. 

An SPF system will be stressed during the installation of the PV system and coatings and granules will help protect the roof during this time, and during scheduled maintenance. Because a roof surface below PV panels will likely not dry as fast as non-covered portions, coatings that stand up better to standing water and biological growth should be selected.  Installation of PV systems on SPF roofing will inevitably create additional foot traffic. It is important to protect heavily trafficked areas with additional coating and granules or walk pads. The cost to do so is low and will protect the service life of the roof.

All roof mounted PV systems should be inspected and maintained at least twice a year. Wiring, attachment points and flashings should be inspected and cleaning of the top surface of the PV panels may be required.

To maintain and service the roof and PV system, workers must be able to access both. PV systems should not block access to drains, penetrations, flashings, mechanical units or other rooftop equipment. Similarly, PV systems should be installed so maintenance workers can access wiring, inspect panel-to-racking connections, and properly clean top surfaces without stepping on PV panels.

Summary

In closing, while there are many considerations to the application of PV systems in combination with SPF roofs, the complete energy generation and conservation solution provided by the two integrated systems performs notably well. The energy cost and earth saving benefits are both undisputable and hard to ignore.

About the Author

Rick Duncan, Ph.D., P.E is the Technical Director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), the industry’s leading organization representing contractors, material and equipment manufacturers, distributors and industry consultants. The SPFA promotes best practices in the installation of spray foam and offers a Professional Certification Program to all those involved in the installation of the product.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

All 85,000+ square feet of exhibit floor space for the Western Roofing Expo 2019 has been reserved in record time, over six months before the floor even opens!  Held June 9-11 at the Paris Las Vegas, the exhibit floor has officially SOLD OUT.  Fast becoming known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, the Western Roofing Expo features a two-day trade show, 20 educational seminars, an amazing welcome party & lively-silent auction, unbeatable networking, and live product demonstrations every hour.

If you missed your opportunity to reserve a booth, contact WSRCA today and get on the 2019 wait list.  There's still a chance to be here!

Western States Roofing Contractors Association
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Not a Member of Western States RCA?  Click Here to Join!
or call Toll Free 1-800-725-0333

Roofing professionals face a myriad of challenges when assessing a reroofing project. Each facility is different and so is its roof. But one challenge that can be easily overlooked is what happens on the inside of the facility when work is being done on the roof outside.

It is well-known that dust and debris can easily find their way into a facility while reroofing is taking place. Dirt, metal shavings and pieces of roof deck are all potential contaminants. Even in the case of a simple overlay, the movement of the crew on the roof can disturb existing dust on the interior high structure areas. It is important that all project participants and customers understand the potential risks to the inside of the building and what their options are to avoid them.

If the facility does not seem to be sensitive in nature, it may seem acceptable to skip this step in the planning process. Regardless of the upfront perceptions around offering interior protection, many commercial/industrial roofers and roofing consultants have determined from experience that not unlike an insurance policy, professionally installed dust and debris containment is worth the time and investment.

This is because sensitive products are not limited to food, beverages and pharmaceuticals. Anything being manufactured, stored or displayed can be impacted by the introduction of reroofing dust and debris.

And the risk is not limited to products. If people will be inside the building throughout the reroofing activities, interior protection provides an extra level of assurance about their safety. Many times, a business cannot close or stop production during reroofing, making an ongoing clean up schedule impossible. Interior protection allows the work to continue safely without disrupting operating schedules.

So how does interior protection work? In the case of reroofing, a suspended cover is hung below the roof deck to capture falling debris. It is generally a reinforced poly that when installed properly, is fully sealed around any penetrations to avoid dust infiltration. In addition, many providers offer added material options such as antimicrobial, antistatic and flame resistant. The suspended cover is installed prior to the roofer beginning the tear off and is removed by the interior protection provider post-project.

If during the project planning, it is determined that interior protection could be beneficial, the next step is to contact a provider. Like any contractor in the construction business, an interior protection provider should have specific qualifications. The installation team should be OSHA certified, lift certified and professionally trained to install the solution. Ideally, they should have the ability to work with your project schedule and have a project manager readily available to address questions and concerns. Most importantly, their suspended cover solution should meet NFPA 13 in order to avoid compromising the fire sprinkler system.

Fire sprinklers are usually located in the same area where the suspended cover is installed. This would normally create an impairment. However, the interior protection industry has options to avoid this challenge. It is important to choose a provider that has the ability to install a solution that meets NFPA 13, allowing the fire sprinklers to function as designed.

By introducing interior protection upfront, any confusion or misgivings about the interior of the building is avoided. Throughout the project duration, customers can continue to utilize their facility without worrying about negative impacts to their products or daily operations. Ultimately, dust and debris containment not only contributes to overall success of the reroofing project but it gives the customer peace of mind.

Dana Whedon
Marketing Manager
TuffWrap® Installations, Inc.
www.tuffwrap.com

 
TuffWrap® Installations, Inc. is an innovative dust and debris containment company providing interior protection solutions to a variety of industries undergoing construction projects. Protecting our clients, their products and their brands from dust and debris is our priority.

Congratulations to our 1st winner of the WSRCA Sign-In Raffle, Carrie Galera of Tacoma Roofing & Waterproofing! Just by signing into the WSRCA Member Area, Carrie was automatically entered into our raffle and is now the winner of a $100 Visa Cash Card!

A year after passing “green roof” law, Denver suddenly the focus of 20-year “cool roof” debate

New law would force affected property owners to choose between creating green space, installing solar panels and saving energy.  

Courtesy of: The Denver Post  

The days of sprawling black roofs in Denver may be ending — but they won’t go quietly.

The Denver City Council will decide Monday whether to create a “cool roof” law for the city. The big hope is that requiring reflective, light-colored roofs on large buildings would lower ambient temperatures, fighting back against the city’s heat-island effect. “It’s not groundbreaking in Denver, but it’s one of the biggest” of the new cool roof laws, said Kurt Shickman, executive director of the Global Cool Cities Alliance.

“They’ll join a small number of big cities.” The change would affect new construction and reroofing projects for buildings over 25,000 square feet — not your typical home renovations. The new law also would force affected property owners to choose between creating green space, installing solar panels and saving energy. And, for once, many developers are looking forward to a new rule: It would replace the “green roof” law that voters approved last year, which would have required more costly rooftop gardens. The proposal has the support of green-roof organizer Brandon Rietheimer.  

Roofers vs. reformers

But even this smaller change has put the city in the middle of an ongoing debate between roofers and reformers. The council on Monday is likely to hear from industry representatives who say that the cool-roof mandate is an oversimplified approach for a complicated problem.

“Mandating a single component of a roofing assembly is just not what is good design practice,” said Ellen Thorp, associate executive director of the EPDM Roofing Association, which represents manufacturers of EPDM, a rubber membrane for roofs.

The trade association argued in a letter that cool roofs can cause two major problems in colder climates like Denver’s. First, they can purportedly accumulate moisture. Second, they are meant to retain less heat, which means heating bills can be higher. “Some of the best roofs on the market really were not going to be allowed, period,” said Jeff Johnston, president of the Colorado Roofing Association, who says that much of his Steamboat Springs business is still focused on dark roofs.  “Why eliminate it?”  

Attempting to adapt

The reason is simple, according to Katrina Managan, the city staffer who coordinated the roof revision. “The reason to do them is to adapt to climate change,” she said.

Denver could see a full month of 100-degree days in typical years at the end of the century, according to projections from the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization for a “high” warming scenario. And the impact will be worse in urban areas, where dry, unshaded rooftops and pavement are baked by the sun and heat the air around them. Urban environments can average up to 5 degrees hotter than the surrounding rural areas, and the difference can be much greater at times, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Cool roofs address part of that problem: They reflect the sun’s energy away and stay up to 60 degrees cooler than traditional roofs, the EPA reported. “It will save Denver a tremendous amount of money. It will create a huge amount of benefit through cooling. And it will set the example,” Shickman said. “It really does add to the argument that says we really should be considering this for almost all of our big American cities.”

City research found that the cool roof mandate would be more effective than the green roof initiative in combating heat, since the green roof requirement only covered parts of rooftops.

The bottom line?

Major cities began adopting cool-roof requirements nearly 20 years ago, with northerly Chicago among the first. It’s been joined by Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York City and Los Angeles, among others, according to GCCA. Much of the southern United States is now covered by the requirements, and San Francisco in 2017 adopted the first “green roofs” requirement.

“We’ve been in an epic fight between the industry and those of us on my side who are trying to push this forward,” Shickman said. Thorp, the EPDM Roofing Association representative, pointed to research to argue that Denver should proceed cautiously. Because cool roofs don’t get as hot, they can accumulate more condensation, which requires specialized designs to combat.

And she said that a cooler roof could mean higher heating costs and thus more carbon emissions in colder Denver. She acknowledged that the law would hurt sales of EPDM: Competing materials are cheaper and more popular for cool roofs. But she said that her clients also make those other materials. “They’re going to make the sale one way or another,” she said. Shickman countered that the companies are more heavily invested in EPDM, and therefore have a financial motivation to lobby against cool roofs.

Other materials “have been eating the lunch of EPDM,” he said. Thorp declined to disclose sales figures for the companies, but said the organization’s “primary driver” was to give roofers options. Cool roofs are already popular A city poll of roofers found that about 70 percent of new roofs in Denver are “cool.” “What we’re tending to find is most companies now are wanting to go to a light roof,” said Scott Nakayama, director of operations for Denver-based North-West Roofing.

“The amount that they’re going to save, as far as heating and cooling bills, tends to stand out.” His company has been installing about 20 light-colored roofs per year, and hasn’t encountered any of the issues raised by the EPDM Roofing Association, he said. Shickman points to this apparent lack of complaints as evidence that a well-designed cool roof can avoid moisture and other issues. They do come at a cost premium: Cool roofs can cost about 1.5 percent more than a traditional roof, according to city-commissioned research by Stantec, the engineering company.

Thorp said that estimate is too low. If the law is approved, it could take several years before it starts to have a regional effect, since roofs generally only need replacement every 20 years.

The rest of the details Under the change, developers of new builders can choose among the following options.

·       Install green space on the building or on the ground.

·       Pay for green space somewhere else.

·       Install renewable energy or a mix of renewable energy and green space.

·       Design the building for 12 percent energy savings compared to city standards, or achieve 5 percent savings plus green space.

·       Achieve either LEED Gold or Enterprise Green Communities certification for green design.

Existing buildings will have similar types of options, with different details.  

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

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Courtesy of: OSHA.gov

BACKGROUND

Falls from heights and on the same level (a working surface) are among the leading causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths. OSHA estimates that, on average, approximately 202,066 serious (lost-workday) injuries and 345 fatalities occur annually among workers directly affected by the final standard.

OSHA’s final rule on Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems better protects workers in general industry from these hazards by updating and clarifying standards and adding training and inspection requirements. The rule affects a wide range of workers, from window washers to chimney sweeps. It does not change construction or agricultural standards.

The rule incorporates advances in technology, industry best practices, and national consensus standards to provide effective and cost-efficient worker protection. Specifically, the rule updates general industry standards addressing slip, trip, and fall hazards (subpart D), and adds requirements for personal fall protection systems (subpart I).

OSHA estimates this rule will prevent 29 fatalities and 5,842 lost-workday injuries every year.

The rule benefits employers by providing greater flexibility in choosing a fall protection system. For example, it eliminates the existing mandate to use guardrails as a primary fall protection method and allows employers to choose from accepted fall protection systems they believe will work best in a particular situation — an approach that has been successful in the construction industry since 1994. In addition, employers will be able to use nonconventional fall protection in certain situations, such as designated areas on low-slope roofs.

As much as possible, OSHA aligned fall protection requirements for general industry with those for construction, easing compliance for employers who perform both types of activities. For example, the final rule replaces the outdated general industry scaffold standards with a requirement that employers comply with OSHA’s construction scaffold standards.

The rule phases out a 1993 exception for the outdoor advertising industry that allows “qualified climbers” to forego fall protection. At least three workers have fallen from fixed ladders under this exception. One of them died. The final rule phases in the fixed ladder fall protection requirements for employers in outdoor advertising.

FALL PROTECTION OPTIONS

The rule requires employers to protect workers from fall hazards along unprotected sides or edges that are at least 4 feet above a lower level. It also sets requirements for fall protection in specific situations, such as hoist areas, runways, areas above dangerous equipment, wall openings, repair pits, stairways, scaffolds, and slaughtering platforms. And it establishes requirements for the performance, inspection, use, and maintenance of personal fall protection systems.

OSHA defines fall protection as “any equipment, device, or system that prevents a worker from falling from an elevation or mitigates the effect of such a fall.” Under the final rule, employers may choose from the following fall protection options:

• Guardrail System – A barrier erected along an unprotected or exposed side, edge, or other area of a walking-working surface to prevent workers from falling to a lower level.

• Safety Net System – A horizontal or semihorizontal, cantilever-style barrier that uses a netting system to stop falling workers before they make contact with a lower level or obstruction.

• Personal Fall Arrest System – A system that arrests/stops a fall before the worker contacts a lower level. Consists of a body harness, anchorage, and connector, and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a suitable combination. Like OSHA’s construction standards, the final rule prohibits the use of body belts as part of a personal fall arrest system.

• Positioning System – A system of equipment and connectors that, when used with a body harness or body belt, allows a worker to be supported on an elevated vertical surface, such as a wall or window sill, and work with both hands free.

• Travel Restraint System – A combination of an anchorage, anchorage connector, lanyard (or other means of connection), and body support to eliminate the possibility of a worker going over the unprotected edge or side of a walking-working surface.

• Ladder Safety System – A system attached to a fixed ladder designed to eliminate or reduce the possibility of a worker falling off the ladder. A ladder safety system usually consists of a carrier, safety sleeve, lanyard, connectors, and body harness. Cages and wells are not considered ladder safety systems.

ROPE DESCENT SYSTEMS

The rule codifies a 1991 OSHA memorandum that permits employers to use Rope Descent Systems (RDS), which consist of a roof anchorage, support rope, descent device, carabiners or shackles, and a chair or seatboard. These systems are widely used throughout the country to perform elevated work, such as window washing.

The rule adds a 300-foot height limit for the use of RDS. It also requires building owners to affirm in writing that permanent building anchorages used for RDS have been tested, certified, and maintained as capable of supporting 5,000 pounds for each worker attached. This mirrors the requirement in OSHA’s Powered Platforms standard.

LADDER SAFETY SYSTEMS

Falls from ladders account for 20 percent of all fatal and lost work-day injuries in general industry. The new rule includes requirements to protect workers from falling off fixed and portable ladders as well as mobile ladder stands and platforms. (The ladder requirements do not apply to ladders used in emergency operations or ladders that are an integral part of or designed into a machine or piece of equipment).

In general, ladders must be capable of supporting their maximum intended load, while mobile ladder stands and platforms must be capable of supporting four times their maximum intended load. Each ladder must be inspected before initial use in a work shift to identify defects that could cause injury.

Fixed Ladders – Fixed ladders are permanently attached to a structure, building, or equipment. These include individual-rung ladders, but not ship stairs, step bolts, or manhole steps. The new rule phases in a requirement for employers to have ladder safety or personal fall arrest systems for fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet, and phases out the use of cages or wells for fall protection under the following timeline: Starting in two years, all new fixed ladders and replacement ladder/ladder sections must have a ladder safety or personal fall protection system. For existing ladders, within two years, employers must install a cage, well, ladder safety system, or personal fall arrest system on fixed ladders that do not have any fall protection. Within 20 years, all ladders extending more than 24 feet must have a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system.

Portable Ladders – Portable ladders usually consist of side rails joined at intervals by steps, rungs, or cleats. They can be self-supporting or lean against a supporting structure. The final rule will be easier for employers and workers to understand and follow because it uses flexible performancebased language instead of detailed specification and design requirements. Under the revisions, employers must ensure that: rungs and steps are slip resistant; portable ladders used on slippery surfaces are secured and stabilized; portable ladders are not moved, shifted, or extended while a worker is on them; top steps and caps of stepladders are not used as steps; ladders are not fastened together to provide added length unless designed for such use; and ladders are not placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain added height.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

The rule adds a requirement that employers ensure workers who use personal fall protection and work in other specified high hazard situations are trained, and retrained as necessary, about fall and equipment hazards, including fall protection systems. A qualified person must train these workers to correctly: identify and minimize fall hazards; use personal fall protection systems and rope descent systems; and maintain, inspect, and store equipment or systems used for fall protection.

When there is a change in workplace operations or equipment, or the employer believes that a worker would benefit from additional training based on a lack of knowledge or skill, then the worker must be retrained. The training must be provided in a language and vocabulary that workers understand.

TIMELINE

Most of the rule will become effective 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register, but some provisions have delayed effective dates, including: • Ensuring exposed workers are trained on fall hazards (6 months), • Ensuring workers who use equipment covered by the final rule are trained (6 months), • Inspecting and certifying permanent anchorages for rope descent systems (1 year), • Installing personal fall arrest or ladder safety systems on new fixed ladders over 24 feet and on replacement ladders/ladder sections, including fixed ladders on outdoor advertising structures (2 years), • Ensuring existing fixed ladders over 24 feet, including those on outdoor advertising structures, are equipped with a cage, well, personal fall arrest system, or ladder safety system (2 years), and • Replacing cages and wells (used as fall protection) with ladder safety or personal fall arrest systems on all fixed ladders over 24 feet (20 years).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information on OSHA’s rule on walking-working surfaces and personal fall protection systems can be found at https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3903.pdf. OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs, including technical assistance about effective safety and health programs, workplace consultations, and training and education. For more information on other safety-related issues impacting workers, to report an emergency, fatality, inpatient hospitalization, or to file a confidential complaint, contact your nearest OSHA office, visit www.osha.gov, or call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

Courtesy of: Trent Cotney and Travis McConnell

Cotney Construction Law
866.303.5868 | tcotney@cotneycl.com

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) controversial rule regulating exposure to respirable crystalline silica (silica) took effect on June 23, 2016. Enforcement of the new standard began on September 23, 2017 for those working in the construction industry, and on June 23, 2018 for the general industry.

The key provision with the greatest impact on the roofing industry is the stricter permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica. Silica is a common mineral found in concrete, brick, mortar, and other construction materials. Workers may be exposed to silica when performing tasks, such as: cutting masonry, operating jackhammers, drills, grinders, or using other heavy equipment. In the roofing industry, silica exposure commonly occurs as the result of cutting, crushing, drilling, or blasting cement roofing tiles. Yet, other common roofing activities may also lead to employee exposure.

OSHA’s new exposure limit reduces the allowable silica exposure from 250 to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over a traditional eight-hour shift, a limitation that is five times lower than what was previously required for the construction industry. This degree of change in the regulatory standard is unprecedented for any industry. As a result, contractors will be required to comply with more burdensome rules mandating air monitoring procedures, use of respirators, medical examinations, testing, equipment maintenance, and will frequently be required to purchase new equipment which is compliant.

The rule requires employers to limit workers’ exposure to silica and provides two compliance options: follow Table 1 or implement alternative exposure control methods. Table 1 consists of 18 construction-related activities and details engineering controls, as well as the specific conditions which would require employees to wear respirators. For example, Table 1 requires that contractors use a saw equipped with an integrated water delivery system when using stationary masonry saws to cut material containing silica. When using a handheld drill to penetrate material containing silica, Table 1 requires contractors to use a drill with a dust collection system filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a filter-cleaning mechanism (along with other requirements).

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...

Author’s note:  The information contained in this article is for general educational information only.  This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

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Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Construction Law, is an advocate for the roofing industry and General Counsel of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA).  For more information, contact the author at 866.303.5868 or go to www.cotneycl.com. 

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

WESTERN STATES ROOFING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
356 Digital Drive
Morgan Hill, California 95037

Please make a note of our new location.  The office will be closed from November 5th until November 9th, re-opening on Monday November 12th.  All of our contact information will stay the same.

Over the last eight years, our team at FCS has had the opportunity to work with thousands of successful roofing contractors. Not surprisingly, many of them have stated that their continuous growth was a direct result of increasing their service and repair work while also providing an exceptional customer service experience.

Recognize the Need for “Free”

These successful roofing contractors all understood one thing – that in order to have a steady pipeline full of prospects for their sales team and increase their service work, they needed to offer free, no obligation roofing inspections to get those customers in the door first.

Roofing companies that offer free inspections end up getting much closer to their potential customers – a lot faster. And, they are starting off the relationship on the right foot by positioning themselves as an advisor, identifying current and future problem areas on their roof right from the start.

It’s important to keep in mind that some activities that may currently be unprofitable can pay off in the long run if the customers are good long-term prospects. Sales efforts in 2018 will have a long-term impact on sales and profitability in 2019 and beyond.

Provide Detailed Inspection Reports

One of the ways to stand out from the competition is to provide a detailed roofing analysis report upon completion of the inspection. An Inspection Report instantly gives you more credibility and will also allow the prospective customer to make an informed decision on their roofing work – without having to set foot on the roof. These reports will provide the condition of the roof’s membrane, flashings, perimeter edge and fascia, expansion joint covers, pitch pockets and penetrations.

Inspection Reports should also indicate the exact locations in addition to describing and prioritizing the roof work needed (emergency vs. remedial) with any related costs and photos. These reports can also be used in preparing and submitting requests for warranty repairs.

Offer Ongoing Service Agreements

Your Inspection Reports should also ALWAYS be accompanied with an ongoing roof maintenance plan recommendation or Service Agreement which will maximize the capacity and longevity of their roof.

By offering customers ongoing Service Agreements, you create “sticky” relationships whereby customers stay loyal and continue to generate predictable revenue.

Consider offering a dedicated Service Agreement that includes a 2-hour emergency arrival time and locked-in rates that they can incorporate into their roof’s maintenance budget.

Get Ready for More Inspections

As the demand for your roofing inspections grow, you need to be able to manage them efficiently and offer an experience that keeps your customers happy. Here are some ways to be more efficient and profitable:

• Follow-up with inspection inquiries ASAP as they may be requesting a free inspection from multiple companies in the same day.
• Track your inspection results and see how they measure up (i.e. how many new customers do your free inspections yield?).
• Create a template for your Inspection Reports in which you can include photos, date stamps and canned recommendations for each deficiency.
• Create a template for your Service Agreement in which you outline the various roof maintenance options you offer.
• Store and track warranty information.
• Go paperless by granting your customers online access to project management tools that help them track job progress, expenses, costs and historical information for budgeting and future reference.
• Provide automated inspection and service/repair status updates via text or email.

Looking for an easy to use inspection tool?

WSRCA is pleased to announce a new money-saving membership feature for members: the WSRCA Member Discounts program!

Thanks to the generosity of WSRCA Manufacturer and Service Provider Members below, all WSRCA members now have access to exclusive discounts specific to the needs of roofing professionals.

Sign into your member account and start saving on roofing products and related services today! And don't forget, members who sign into their account from now until 12/31/2018 are automatically entered into our monthly drawing for $100!


Sincerely,

Western States Roofing Contractors Association

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or call Toll Free 1-800-725-0333

Ask any active WSRCA member, and they'll tell you the same thing:

Courtesy of: OSHA.gov

Re-roofing exposes workers to the hazards of demolition work at heights. With the proper fall protection, the risk of serious falls can be substantially reduced. This fact sheet highlights some of the hazards workers encounter during re-roofing and lists some practical methods employers can use to protect workers who replace roofs. The fall protection methods in this fact sheet may not be suitable in all situations. Employers are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable OSHA requirements.

Risks During Re-Roofing

Workers replacing roofs risk permanent injury or death from falls while they demolish old roofs and install new roofing material (for example, shingles, tiles, or slate). Even experienced roofers are exposed to unpredictable fall hazards caused by uneven sheathing, sudden gusts of wind, loose roofing materials, and surfaces that become slick when wet. Taking appropriate fall protection measures reduces risks and saves lives.

The employer must provide a training program for each worker who might be exposed to fall hazards. The program must enable each worker to recognize the hazards of falling and train each worker in the procedures to follow to minimize these hazards. For fall protection training requirements, refer to 29 CFR 1926.503. In all cases, employers must evaluate the hazards and take measures to reduce the risk of falls.

More than one-third of fall deaths in residential construction are caused by falls from roofs.

Safe Roofing Practices: Important Steps

Before beginning the job, focus on identifying fall protection needs. Survey the roof to determine if there are pre-installed anchorages available that can be used. If not, then plan immediately to identify those systems needed to protect workers from falls and have them in place before the workers report to the job.

Reducing Risks: Determining Structural Integrity

Many workers have been injured when the roofs they were working on collapsed from under them. Employers must determine the structural integrity of the roof and take all necessary precautions to protect the workers before the job begins (29 CFR 1926.501(a)(2)). If workers notice signs of structural deterioration (for example, dry rot), a competent person should evaluate the area.

Other considerations for a safe construction site:

• Guard against falls through skylights or other roof openings. Use a guardrail system, a personal fall arrest system (PFAS), or a protective cover that will support two times the weight that may be imposed on it at any one time. For additional information on protecting workers around skylight and other roof openings, refer to 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4) and 29 CFR 1926.502(i).
• Appropriate footwear is important personal protective equipment on any construction site, but it is critical during roof demolition. A nail or shingle-removal tool injury can cause a worker to lose concentration and fall.
• Workers should be careful of air hoses and power cords for nail guns and other electrical equipment. If a worker steps on one, hoses and cords can slip underfoot and lead to falls.

Staging Material

Loose material and hand-held equipment can create tripping hazards on the roof surface. To minimize exposure to fall hazards, employers can stage materials so that workers on the roof have quick and safe access to them. While handling material on the roof, the worker should hold the material on the side of his or her body that faces the down-sloped edge to prevent being struck by the materials if they are dropped. Material can also be staged so it cannot slide off the roof edge and potentially strike a worker on the ground. Slide guards can help to keep material from sliding off the roof. Establishing a restricted area around the perimeter of the project can also keep workers out of the danger zone where debris, tools or materials may fall to the ground. The area should be posted with signs that warn of the potential hazard.

Protect Workers on the Ground

During the demolition phase, protect workers on the ground from falling debris by controlling how debris leaves the roof. Consider using an all-terrain forklift to elevate a disposal box to the roof level. This method makes cleanup after the job particularly easy.

Using the Right Equipment

Employers must provide roofers fall protection equipment that meets OSHA requirements whenever they work 6 feet or more above a lower level. There are fall protection systems available that can provide roofers the flexibility they need during demolition and roof installation. Some are more efficient than others because, in many cases, the employer can use the same system for both processes. Each phase of roof replacement has different challenges, but the risk of falling remains constant. Contractors may be able to protect their workers using the following equipment:

• Personal fall arrest systems;
• Guardrails; or
• Ladders.

Note: Fall protection requirements for residential construction work performed on ladders are in Subpart X, not in 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13).

Providing Fall Protection for the Whole Job

Personal fall arrest system: A PFAS is a tool available to roofers during replacement jobs. In fact, a PFAS is the system of choice for many roofers. However, a breakdown in any component of a PFAS could be disastrous for a worker. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on selecting, installing and using PFAS components correctly. Some PFASs include special elevated anchor assemblies that permit the system to protect workers even when they stand near the anchor locations. Certain anchorage assemblies rotate or offer extension arms to improve mobility and prevent lifelines from contacting the roof surface. This is particularly useful during roof demolition when a line could catch on a nail or debris.

Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)

A PFAS is designed to safely stop a fall before the worker strikes a lower level. It includes three major components:

1. An anchorage to which the other components of the PFAS are rigged.
2. A full body harness worn by the worker.
3. A connector, such as a lanyard or lifeline, linking the harness to the anchorage. A rip-stitch lanyard, or deceleration device, is typically a part of the system.

Horizontal lifeline: An engineered horizontal lifeline system, when used as part of a PFAS, is another way to increase the area in which a worker is protected. Install the system following the manufacturer’s instructions and under the supervision of a qualified person. Horizontal lifelines must be designed to maintain a safety factor of at least two (twice the impact load). For requirements for horizontal lifelines, refer to 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(8).

Rope grabs: Instead of attaching themselves to a fixed anchor, workers may be able to use adjustable rope grabs, another available component of a PFAS. This inexpensive and very popular system is the fall protection system of choice for many roofers. Rope grabs allow workers to adjust the length of the lifeline and can be useful when workers are moving about the roof frequently. The anchored ropes can be as long as necessary, making this form of fall protection highly versatile. Roofers who use rope grabs need to constantly take up the slack out of the line. Too much slack could allow a worker to free fall more than six feet off the roof if they slip. Training and monitoring are critical to the safe use of rope grabs.

Fall Restraint: While fall restraint systems are not mentioned in OSHA’s fall protection rules, OSHA will accept a properly utilized fall restraint system instead of a personal fall arrest system when the restraint system is rigged so that the worker cannot get to the fall hazard. In effect, (if properly used) the system tethers a worker in a manner that will not allow a fall of any distance. A fall restraint system is comprised of a body belt or body harness, an anchorage, connectors, and other necessary equipment. Other components typically include a lanyard, and may also include a lifeline and other devices.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions or consult a qualified person to ensure proper installation of anchor points. Fall restraint may be a viable way to provide fall protection in situations in which the employer has concerns about the adequacy of available anchorage points for fall arrest equipment.

Temporary guardrails: Removeable guardrail systems can offer roofers effective protection when installed around the roof perimeter. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions or consult a qualified person, as defined by 29 CFR 1926.32(m), for proper guardrail installation. This person could be the owner, the supervisor, or any other worker who has extensive knowledge, training and experience with fall protection and is able to solve problems relating to fall protection. For requirements requirements for guardrails, refer to 29 CFR 1926.502(b)- Guardrail Systems.

Other considerations: Some employers have found success in eliminating fall hazards by using scaffolds and aerial lifts when site conditions permit their use. Fall protection requirements performed on scaffolds and aerial lifts can be found in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L – Scaffolds.

Attaching Anchors

OSHA requires that anchors for PFASs be able to hold at least 5,000 pounds of weight per person or maintain a safety factor of at least two (twice the impact load) under the supervision of a qualified person. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions or consult a qualified person when installing anchors to ensure they are strong enough to hold the sudden weight of a falling worker. OSHA believes that anchorages available on the market will meet the strength requirements if they are installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions, with the right number of properly sized nails or screws through the roof sheathing and into one or more roof trusses.

When choosing an anchor to use for fall protection, employers have a number of options; for example,

• Peak anchor: At the top of the roof, peak anchors are typically solid, non-moving pieces secured to the trusses underneath.
• Permanent D-rings: Inexpensive D-ring anchors can be attached to the truss frame; they can be left permanently on the roof for future use.

Install an anchor above the area being built: Choose an anchor that is appropriate for the type of roof and anchor location. Depending on the roof design, the best location might be at the peak of the roof, directly over a truss.

Consider leaving anchors in place: Where practical, employers may consider leaving anchors in place. This can make the current job simpler and reduce the burden for roofers in the future.

Written Fall Protection Plans

When working at heights of 6 feet or greater, if the employer does not use ladders, scaffolds, aerial lifts or fall restraint systems and can demonstrate that it is not feasible or would create a greater hazard to use conventional fall protection equipment (guardrails, safety nets or PFAS), the employer must develop a written site-specific fall protection plan in accord with 29 CFR 1926.502(k). The plan must be prepared by a qualified person. This person could be the owner, the supervisor, or any other worker who has extensive knowledge, training and experience with fall protection and is able to solve problems relating to fall protection.

The site-specific fall protection plan must document, for each location, why the use of conventional fall protection equipment is not feasible or will create a greater hazard. The plan must also describe the alternative methods that the employer will use so that workers are protected from falls. Workers and their supervisors must be trained on the proper use of those other fall protection methods.

Conventional fall protection equipment can reduce or eliminate the chances of a fatal fall. Otherwise, a written site-specific fall protection plan ensures that protection continues, even when conventional fall protection methods are determined to not be feasible.

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OSHA Standard:

29 CFR 1926 Subpart M – Fall Protection

Available online at www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10922.

OSHA Residential Fall Protection Web Page: www.osha.gov/doc/topics/residentialprotection/ index.html.

OSHA Compliance Guidance:

Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction – STD 03-11-002 (dated 12/16/2010)

Available online at www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=4755.

State Plan Guidance: States with OSHA-approved state plans may have additional requirements for Residential Roofing. For more information on these requirements, please visit:www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/statestandards.html.

Help for Employers: OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to highhazard worksites. On-site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards and assist in establishing injury and illness prevention programs. To locate the OSHA Consultation Program nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/consult.html.

Almost every OSHA area office has a Compliance Assistance Specialist to assist employers in complying with OSHA standards. To find the Compliance Assistance Specialist nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit: www.osha.gov/html/RAmap.html.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

By: Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law

8621 E Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd, Tampa, FL 33610
866.303.5868 | tcotney@cotneycl.com

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According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a confined space is one that is large enough for an employee to enter fully and perform assigned work, such space is not designed for continuous occupancy, and is limited or restricted in means of entry or exit. Some examples include tanks, storage bins, silos, and underground vaults to name a few. A confined space is determined to be a permit-required confined space if has one or more of the following: potential hazardous atmosphere; material with potential to engulf an entrant; can cause entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls/floors sloping downward, or any other serious safety/health hazard.

In order to better understand the allocation of responsibility under OSHA’s confined space standards, it’s helpful to understand the definitions of the parties involved with the permit space.  A competent person is one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.  A controlling contractor is the employer that has overall responsibility for construction at the worksite.  A host employer is the employer that owns or manages the property where the construction is taking place.  The entry employer, which is a new term to the standard, refers to any employer who decides that an employee it directs will enter a permit space; in other words, this may be a roofing contractor, whether a contractor or subcontractor.   An attendant is an individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who assesses the status of authorized entrants and who must perform duties specified by section 29 CFR 1926.1209.  An entry supervisor refers to the qualified person responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry as required.

Before beginning work on a worksite, a competent person must identify all confined spaces and permit spaces.  If the worksite contains a permit space, the roofing contractor must inform exposed employees and the controlling contractor of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by, each permit space.  If employees will not be entering permit spaces, the roofing contractor must take measures to prevent those employees from entering.  If employees will enter a permit space, the roofing contractor must have a written permit space program.  The OSHA website provides an example program for reference.

Before operations begin, the host employer must coordinate with the controlling contractor and provide information about the location, hazards, and precautions taken with regard to the permit space.  The controlling contractor must communicate that information to and coordinate with each entity which may enter the permit space or whose activities may result in a hazard in the permit space.  The controlling contractor must ensure that multiple entry employers do not create hazards for each other.  The entry employer must inform the controlling contractor of the permit space program that it will follow and the foreseeable hazards in each permit space.

As part of the permit space program, each entry employer must:

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE...

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Author’s note:  The information contained in this article is for general educational information only.  This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Construction Law, is an advocate for the roofing industry, General Counsel of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors (TARC), and several other local roofing associations. For more information, contact the author at 866.303.5868 or go to www.cotneycl.com. 

Greetings WSRCA Members:

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

During the past few winters, WSRCA Member Contractors in varying areas of the western U.S. have reported an increasing number and intensity of winter-time icedam formation and resultant damage at various buildings in the western states.

INTRODUCTION:

This Bulletin’s discussion of ice-dams, along with guidelines and suggestions for mitigation of ice dams, is focused on steep-slope roof systems in general and primarily on ventilated (i.e., theoretically vented, so “cold-in winter”) watershedding steep-slope roof systems. These ventilated/cold watershedding steep-slope roofs are frequently, though not exclusively, found on single-family and multi-family residential construction. These ventilated steep-slope roofs are also found on light commercial (e.g., dental and medical clinics, etc.) and some institutional buildings (e.g., schools, community centers, etc.). This document also considers ice-damming on warm (i.e., non-vented, but compact insulated) watershedding steep-slope roofs, which are frequently found with cathedral-ceiling or vaulted-ceiling construction on multi-story townhouses, other split-level residential, smaller scale commercial, and on many churches, and some other institutional projects.

THE ICE-DAM CYCLE:

Ice-dams are the naturally occurring eave edge refreezing of snow-melt water, typically at or upslope from the exterior wall line of a building. The subsequent repetitive back-up and refreezing of snow-melt along downslope roof perimeters and eaves is typically the initiator of melt-water (i.e., snow and/or ice melt) intrusion through layer(s) of watershedding roofing systems.

Five (5) stages of ice-dam formation are depicted and explained on the following pages. For reader clarity, the roof type sometimes used in heavy snow and ice climates have large Field-built ridge vent systems as is depicted in the following drawing excerpted from WSRCA’s Cold-Weather Tile Manual, Detail No. CWT10.

Thus, during a sub-freezing spell, a primary key to minimizing ice-dams is the reduction of snow-melt, which in turn may be mitigated by keeping the entire roof system or assembly below freezing temperature(s).

CONDITIONS AFFECTING ICE-DAM FORMATION:

Several controlling elements should be deliberated when considering steep-slope roof design or reroofing and the mitigation or “control” of ice-dams. Among the numerous items to be considered are:

• The climate the project is located in;

• The roof slope;

• The type of roof assembly (e.g., cold-ventilated roof or warm-compact insulated roof);

• The primary roof covering (e.g., asphalt shingles, tile, metal roofing, etc.);

• The roof design and vented or non-vented;

• Component configuration;

• Insulation;

• Ventilation;

• The building heating system;

• Potential air infiltration;

• The roof’s details and the layout of the roof including the related roof transitions (e.g., valleys, clerestory roof elevation changes where drifting can occur, etc.) and intersections (e.g., chimneys, skylights, plumbing vents, other roof penetrations, etc.).

Climate Considerations:

While technical resources are available for estimating the likelihood of ice-dam formation in various geographic locations, an empirical indicator is the history of ice-dam problems in the climatic location and/or region of your project. The long-term weather and climatic data, the experience and knowledge of local contractors, experienced roof designers, workers and building departments are the start to anticipating ice-dams and the potential means and methods to mitigating icedams and their affects.

Other climate-related factors include the effect of night-time clear skies, which accelerate the rapid cooling of roofs and refreezing of daytime melt-water, the orientation of the project roof, local topography and anticipated snow depths. Clear night-time sky radiative cooling often causes refreezing of snow-melt when freezing temperatures may not otherwise occur or be as severe on overcast or cloudy nights. Roof slopes oriented to the south experience greater snowmelt due to day-time solar radiation. Conversely, ice dams on roof areas oriented to the north may endure longer and prolong ice-dam issues. Local topography and wind patterns affects depth of snowdrifts, or inversely, snow scour. Counterintuitively, snow has some insulation capacity so that deep snow cover may adversely ‘warm’ (i.e., 33 degrees F) the roof deck of warm/compact roof assemblies. In addition, deep snow may block individual roof vents and ridge ventilation openings of cold/ventilated roof assemblies, thus accumulating attic heat, melting the snow cover and contributing to ice-dam formation.

Roof System / Roof Assembly Configuration:

Roof Type – As noted above, two general types of steep-slope roof assemblies may be considered concerning ice-dams: Cold/ventilated roof systems; and Warm/insulated compact roof systems. The physics of heat in these two roof types affects ice-dam formation. Cold/ventilated roof assemblies, if sufficiently ventilated, may allow less snow-melt because the sub-freezing air temperature in the ventilated roof cavity or space (e.g., the attic) keeps the roof sheathing, underlayment and primary roof covering (e.g., asphalt shingles, etc.) below freezing also. Warm/compact roof assemblies, in contrast, despite thick insulation, eventually conduct enough heat to melt snow cover.

Roof Configuration – Complex roof layouts or configurations can make for complex behavior of ice-dams. Interestingly, valleys, hips, overhanging eaves, closed or open soffits, headwalls, sidewalls, skylights and other roof elements can contribute to the complex behavior of internal heat flow and air movement, the success of ventilation air pathways, heat conduction and snow depth, including the effects of wind-driven snow drifting, which all can affect ice-dam

formation and severity. Interior elements, such as vaulted or cathedral ceilings, chimneys, the location of heater and heat registers, and others, can also significantly affect heat conduction and ventilation and so affect ice-dam formation and severity.

Extensive overhanging eaves warrant special caution because of the increased probability of upslope melt-water refreezing over large eave areas and the consequent likelihood of widespread damage. Short eaves, such as where fascia project only an inch or two for a ventilation gap, are near to the building’s heat which tends to keep melt-water in liquid state. Reaching the gutters, melt-water tends to refreeze because of freezing air on three sides: above, outboard and below. Longer eaves, projecting as much as several feet beyond the heat of the exterior wall, are that much more removed from the building’s heat and enveloped in subfreezing air that causes refreezing, ice dam build-up, resulting in water intrusion and damage.

Some have observed the formation of ice dams at extended eaves located above dark color south facing walls where solar heat builds-up below the eave. At compact insulated roof assemblies, some have chosen to extend the insulation through the eaves in order to minimize daytime heat transfer to the snow pack above the eave. To the contrary, some roofing contractors have reported skepticism of the function of insulated eaves for compact insulated roof assemblies as they have observed ice dam problems occurring during more severe winters. The several variables of orientation, solar radiation versus cloud cover, amount of insulation, daytime versus nighttime temperatures, mild versus severe climate patterns, and ventilated versus compact roof assembly indicate the topic of insulated eaves may be a subject for further examination.

Heat and Insulation – Insulation does not prevent the conduction of interior-generated heat through roof assemblies or into roof cavities and attics, but rather slows down the transfer of heat into the roofing system. Thicker insulations and higher thermal resistance (i.e., R-value) may minimize ice-dam formation during shorter duration freezes, but eventually allows snowmelt during longer periods of exterior freezes. As noted above, thick snow, which is a mild insulator, may affect the location of the melting plane within a roof’s snow cover. For example: a foot of lightweight fluffy snow may add insulation value of R-10 to more than R-20, above the roof covering. As a result, on warm/compact roof assemblies, the 33-degree or higher melt temperature may occur within the snow cover rather than on the surface of the roofing. Thermal bridging through fasteners, sandwiched sheet metal flashing flanges, and other non-insulation components may also contribute to the duration and volume of snow-melt and/or refreezing affects.

Air Infiltration – Air mass is able to transport many times more heat than is typically conducted through insulation. Therefore, air “leakage” from interior spaces (e.g., through unsealed can lights, kitchen range and/or bathroom exhaust fan ducting air leaks, etc.) into attics and roof assemblies may have a greater effect than insulation on snow-melt. Air exfiltration from building interiors into roof assemblies is more likely a concern in older roofs and older buildings, which are less airtight. Newer roofs are more likely to be ‘tighter,’ some of which may include an air infiltration barrier or vapor retarder. Vapor retarders may also perform as air barriers.

Vapor permeability of roofing materials plays a lesser, indirect role regarding ice-dams. A lowperm (i.e., vapor permeability unit of measure) rated ice-dam protection membrane installed above well-ventilated and properly insulated attic likely presents little, vapor/condensation issues, but achieving the “well ventilated and properly insulated” is difficult with some buildings. A low perm, ice-dam protection membrane above a warm/compact roof assembly, however, is sequentially misplaced as a potential vapor trap, which may cause condensation within the warm/compact roof assembly.

BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS & RELATED DATA:

The 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) requirements for ‘Ice Barrier’ read similarly. For water-shedding roofs, ice barrier is required in regions where there has been a history of ice forming along the eaves causing water backup. Roofing contractors, roof designers and building owners should confirm the specific requirements for ice barrier with their local building department.

Ice barrier, per both the IBC and IRC, is required from a line 24-inches upslope of exterior walls to the lowest edges (e.g., to the fascia) of roof surfaces. It is prudent roofing practice to base this 24-inch upslope measurement from the interior face of the exterior wall. While WSRCA prefers the term ice-dam protection membrane, contractors, designers and owners should be aware of the I-Codes’ synonymous term ‘ice barrier.’ Ice-barrier, as defined by ICodes, is a minimum of two layers of asphalt saturated underlayment cemented together, or “self-adhering” polymer-modified bitumen sheet membranes.

IRC Figure R403.3(2) Air-Freezing Index an Estimate of the 100-Year Return Period, a nationwide contour map of freezing temperatures, may help identify ice-dam prone regions. A footnote indicates, “It is used as a measure of the combined magnitude and duration of air temperature below freezing.” Thus, it might be used in conjunction with NRCA recommendations, below. IRC Table R403.3(2) Air-Freezing Index for U.S. Locations by County compiles similar data in tabular form.

Industry Benchmark Guidelines:

WSRCA recommends ice-dam protection membranes “in cold climates where snow and ice are common” and “in areas of significant snow accumulation.” WSRCA further recommends icedam protection membrane “should be installed in all potential ice damming locations such as along downslope eaves in valleys, around chimneys, crickets, around roof penetrations, and up rake edges. At downslope roof edges it is recommended to extend ice dam protection membrane upslope a minimum of 24-inches inside the interior face of the exterior wall.” This means covering more than just the lowest 24-inches of eaves upslope of the fascia or gutter. Rather, cover all roof areas from the fascia/gutter line, upslope across all overhanging eave areas and exterior wall areas, then continue upslope 24-inches measuring from the interior face of the exterior wall.

NRCA recommends that ice-dam protection membrane be installed in locations where the average temperature for January is 30 degrees Fahrenheit or less. NRCA provides a map of such areas. Further, NRCA recommends ice-dam protection membrane be installed a minimum of 36-inches upslope of the outer wall’s interior line when the roof slope is less than 4 in 12.

In all cases, conservative judgement should be exercised while conforming to, or exceeding, the most rigorous requirements or benchmarks, whether Code, WSRCA, NRCA or others.

SOLUTIONS:

Solutions to ice-dam problems may best be interpreted as ventilation, ice-dam control or mitigation rather than complete prevention of ice-dams. Because of the broad variety and types of the current steep-slope watershedding roofs, existing as well as those yet to be designed and constructed, in conjunction with the variety of [micro-] climate conditions, the industry should understand that there are no universal and absolute solutions to ice-dam prevention.

For new roof projects, detailed design attention should be given to ventilation, insulation, icedam protection membrane, the membrane’s extent (e.g., distance upslope, potential number of plies, etc.), and whether there are or are not overhanging eaves. For existing roofs and reroofing projects, ice-dam protection membrane is a practical strategy of ice-dam control or mitigation of moisture intrusion and damage. WSRCA members should encourage clients to consider several strategies in addition to ice-dam protection membrane: retrofit of ventilation, sealing and airtight taping of interior penetrations that would otherwise allow interior air and heat leakage into the roof cavity, and the need for insulation review and upgrade or retrofit, or replacement in addition to ice-dam protection membrane(s).

Ventilation – Optimal ventilation, with regard to ice-dam mitigation, keeps the roof deck and roofing system below freezing, during periods of exterior freezes, by flushing air through, and thus heat out, of the attic or roof ventilation cavity. Venting of attics and cathedral ceiling roof cavities, utilizing downslope and companion upslope venting is the most common means for ventilation of steep-slope water shedding roof assemblies.

Historically, attic ventilation requirements prescribed by building codes were based primarily on condensation-related concerns – for example, roofs with vapor retarders are allowed less ventilation (1:300 ratio) than those without a vapor retarder (1:150 ratio). Ventilation for ice-dam control, however, is grounded on larger openings and cavities for moving larger volumes of sub-freezing exterior air into downslope eave (e.g., intake) vents, through the roof cavity or attic and out upslope roof vents (e.g., exhaust) or ridge vents. Whether for ice-dam control or condensation control, it is good basic roof design practice to balance eave ventilation intake-air openings in approximately 50-50 ratio with ridge or upslope exhaust-air openings. (See WSRCA Bulletin concerning roof ventilation.)

Cathedral ceiling roof assemblies, with ceilings attached directly to the underside of sloped roof rafters or trusses, are special cases of ventilated roofs. Research concerning roof ventilation for effective control of ice-dams on cathedral ceiling roof assemblies (see references) indicates that the necessary vent opening size and vent space above the insulation is related to the amount of roof insulation, roof slope and length of the slope. The research indicates that much larger openings and larger cavity height above the insulation is necessary-beyond that required by codes—for effective condensation and/or ice-dam mitigation. Vented nail-base insulation panels, though conceptually similar to “vented” cathedral ceiling roof assemblies, typically do not provide nearly sufficient ventilation and air-flow for ice-dam mitigation and condensation control in all such roof configurations.

Warm/compact steep-slope roof assemblies conduct heat through insulation over time and narrow closed cavities or spaces are susceptible to condensation, and contribute to ice-dam formation. Properly sized ventilation cavities, such as can be constructed with over-framing assemblies, located above a compact insulated roof assembly, can provide the ventilation necessary to move sufficient air under the elevated roof sheathing and thus reduce the likelihood of snow-melt and mitigate ice-dams.

Ice-Dam Protection Membrane / Ice Barriers – Both the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) indicate that a history of ice-dam formation is prudent criteria for deciding to install an ice barrier (the IBC and IRC term) or ice-dam protection membrane (WSRCA preferred term) in roof assemblies. The IRC, however, requires ice barrier if adopted or specifically specified by the local building department in Table R301.2(1) the Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL DOCUMENT...

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REFERENCE DOCUMENTS:

• WSRCA/TRI Tile Roofing Manual for Cold Climates, 1998, Reprinted 2005.

• Air Vent Inc. Attic Ventilation: Tips and Answers from the Experts December 2016.

• CertainTeed Shingle Applicators Manual, January 2011.

• Fryer, Mark; Brown, E. Staples; Design of Ventilated Attic Spaces for Buildings in Cold Regions; State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Division of Planning and Programming Research Section 2301 Peger Road Fairbanks AK 99701, January 1986.

• State of Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities; Roofing Standards Manual, February 1986.

• Tobaisson, Wayne; Tantillo, Thomas; Buska, James; Ventilating Cathedral Ceilings to Prevent Problematic Icings at Their Eaves; Proceedings of the North American Conference on Roofing Technology September 1999, Toronto, Ontario.

• Holladay, Martin; How It Works: Ice Dams; Fine Home Building, December 2015 / January 2016.

• Holladay, Marin; Preventing Ice Dams; Fine Home Building, May 2011.

• Rupar, Maciek; Ice Dam Busting: Eradicating Ice Dams Begins Below the Roof Deck; Professional Roofing, June 2012.

• Hoffman, Jeffrey; An Ice Dam Analyzed; Journal of Light Construction, March 2010.

• Ireton, Kevin; Venting the Roof; Exterior Finishing Fine Home Building, June 2010.

• WSRCA Steep-Slope Committee; Laminated Shingles & Water-Shedding Roof Systems for Lower Slopes, January/February 2010.

• ARMA Asphalt Roofing Residential Manual Pages 47-48 Eave Flashing for Ice Dam Protection, 2006.

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LEGAL  DISCLAIMER

All rights reserved.  All content (text, trademarks, illustrations, reports, photos, logos, graphics, files, designs, arrangements, etc.) in this Technical Opinion (“Opinion”) is the intellectual property of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and is protected by the applicable protective laws governing intellectual property. The Opinion is intended for the exclusive use by its members as a feature of their membership. This document is intended to be used for educational purposes only, and no one should act or rely solely on any information contained in this Opinion as it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or construction engineer with specific project knowledge. Neither WSRCA nor any of its, contractors, subcontractors, or any of their employees, directors, officers, agents, or assigns make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party’s use (or the results of such use) of any information or process disclosed in the Opinion.  Reference herein to any general or specific commercial product, process or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by WSRCA. References are provided as citations and aids to help identify and locate other resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that WSRCA sponsors, is affiliated or associated with, or is legally responsible for the content reflected in those resources. WSRCA has no control over those resources and the inclusion of any references does not necessarily imply the recommendation or endorsement of same.

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In our continuing efforts to provide Members with the highest level of cost-effective and cutting-edge benefits, WSRCA proudly announces our new legal partnership with Trent Cotney and Cotney Construction Law (CCL).

Led by Trent Cotney and a growing team of construction attorneys, Cotney Construction Law (CCL) is a progressive law firm dedicated to fighting for the roofing industry throughout the Western States and beyond. Nationally, CCL is recognized as a one-stop shop for roofers with legal experience in all areas of construction law. With the knowledge, experience, and passion to level the playing field for clients, most of their attorneys have backgrounds in construction, ranging from work as estimators for structural contractors, roofers, overseas manufacturers of construction products, and supply house distributors.

With nationwide offices and licensure in 18 states, Cotney Construction Law has developed into an industry leader throughout the country, participating in the construction industry on a policy and educational side, sharing information through events and resources, and uniquely representing the roofing industry as a legal and business partner.

Florida Bar board certified construction lawyer, Trent Cotney, president, established the firm in 2012. Growing up with a family who worked in construction and personal experience in the industry as he made his way through school, Cotney says his focus was on creating a business whose sole purpose was properly serving the customer, and specifically representing the industry side.

To ensure a unique and relevant understanding of the industry, most of the 19 attorneys the firm now employs, along with key staff, come from construction backgrounds. “When I sit across the table from someone at another firm who does construction law, I know they’re smart, but I also know that there are very few who have had their hands dirty so to speak, actually working in the field.”

Cotney specifically hires people with backgrounds in construction because they know the industry from a business side and can better relate to clients about the nuances of their business and legal matters. “Construction is in all of our roots. An ethic of hard work, an understanding of the people and of the work, it is part of who we are and will always be the basis under which we operate.”

The firm advocates for the industry and works as general counsel for Florida associations including the Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), Florida Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Contractors Association (FRACCA) and the Florida Irrigation Society (FIS). Last year the firm donated more than $120,000 in pro bono time for industry-related work and has donated tens of thousands personally to construction associations.

Other support for the industry includes assisting with the formation of the National Women in Roofing organization that launched early in 2016 and whose members now number in the hundreds, and two scholarships established to support young people pursuing careers in the industry. “We try to give back to the industry personally and professionally, through time, talent and treasure,” says Cotney.

Cotney has developed and shares his expertise in OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) defense and has published an Amazon best-selling book titled OSHA Defense for the Construction Industry. The firm was also named Lawyer Monthly’s OSHA Defense Law Firm of the Year (2015-2017).

The team represents clients ranging from small, family-owned operations, to publicly-traded companies. Cotney speaks at various state and national construction association events on topics such as construction contracts, employment and immigration issues, contractor licensing and collecting payments on projects

The firm is a full-service construction law firm and handles all aspects of construction law, immigration and employment issues, business planning and formation, and creditor’s rights and bankruptcy. “We are fortunate enough to have been recognized by our peers and the industry for our service and professionalism,” says Cotney, referencing the lengthy list of honors and awards both he and the firm have won including the Gold Circle Award for service from the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA 2014), Lawyer Monthly’s OSHA Defense Law Firm of the Year USA (2015-2017), and Florida Super Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers (2016, 2017).

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: Political News

By: Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group LLC

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President Trump’s actions on federal regulations have worked so well that there’s basically been a freeze on new regulations while older ones are repealed or pared back.  But an exception is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which has continued to pursue an Obama-era regulatory agenda.

One of the standards drafted under President Obama that went into effect in the Trump Administration is the silica rule.  This rule shouldn’t have become effective for construction last year, because the Permissible Exposure Limit and Action Level are too low and work requirements and engineering controls are unrealistic in many situations.  Thus, OSHA says it will publish a Request for Information to start fixing the rule, but the enforcement moratorium is over and OSHA inspectors are issuing silica citations.

Another dubious policy from OSHA is its proposed rulemaking to revise the electronic injury and illness reporting rule that was issued by the Obama Administration and formerly known as the Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses rule.  OSHA’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would modestly lighten the reporting burden for employers, but is silent on issues that most concern the business community and actually adds a controversial new disclosure requirement.

OSHA issued the original Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses rule in 2016 and it required establishments with 250 or more employees to electronically submit to OSHA recordkeeping data on the 300A, 300 and 301 forms.  The rule also required certain establishments with 20 – 249 employees to submit their 300A forms based on a list sorted by the North American Classification System that includes construction.

In addition, OSHA added a “whistleblower” provision that employers must post a “reasonable” policy on how employees are to report their injuries and safety violations.  Furthermore, the rule’s preamble states that most safety incentive and post-accident drug testing programs would be considered “unreasonable” and in conflict with the statute’s anti-retaliation (whistleblower) protections.      

On July 8, 2016, the National Association of Manufacturers and other business groups sued OSHA, targeting the impact on safety incentive and drug testing programs under the whistleblower provision.  On Jan. 14, 2017, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and another set of business groups filed a second lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma seeking a permanent injunction of the entire rule.

Both cases are stayed to allow the Trump Administration time to determine how to respond and OSHA must submit updates every 90 days to the court in Oklahoma.  But OSHA’s new rulemaking is so minimal that plaintiffs might reactivate the lawsuits.

The NPRM would change reporting requirements for establishments of 250 or more employees to just 300A forms, but it’s silent on the whistleblower provision and scrubbing sensitive information from submissions before posting on the OSHA website.  And it would add a controversial new requirement that establishments must include their Employer Identification Numbers (EIN) on their submissions.

In the meantime, employers should have submitted 300A forms electronically to OSHA by July 1, 2018.  Also, on April 30, 2018, OSHA clarified that employers in state-plan states where the state has not yet issued a companion regulation still must meet the federal requirements.  Finally, in 2019 and annually thereafter, the 300A form must be electronically submitted by March 2.              

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: Political News

By: Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group LLC

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President Trump’s actions on federal regulations have worked so well that there’s basically been a freeze on new regulations while older ones are repealed or pared back.  But an exception is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which has continued to pursue an Obama-era regulatory agenda.

One of the standards drafted under President Obama that went into effect in the Trump Administration is the silica rule.  This rule shouldn’t have become effective for construction last year, because the Permissible Exposure Limit and Action Level are too low and work requirements and engineering controls are unrealistic in many situations.  Thus, OSHA says it will publish a Request for Information to start fixing the rule, but the enforcement moratorium is over and OSHA inspectors are issuing silica citations.

Another dubious policy from OSHA is its proposed rulemaking to revise the electronic injury and illness reporting rule that was issued by the Obama Administration and formerly known as the Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses rule.  OSHA’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would modestly lighten the reporting burden for employers, but is silent on issues that most concern the business community and actually adds a controversial new disclosure requirement.

OSHA issued the original Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses rule in 2016 and it required establishments with 250 or more employees to electronically submit to OSHA recordkeeping data on the 300A, 300 and 301 forms.  The rule also required certain establishments with 20 – 249 employees to submit their 300A forms based on a list sorted by the North American Classification System that includes construction.

In addition, OSHA added a “whistleblower” provision that employers must post a “reasonable” policy on how employees are to report their injuries and safety violations.  Furthermore, the rule’s preamble states that most safety incentive and post-accident drug testing programs would be considered “unreasonable” and in conflict with the statute’s anti-retaliation (whistleblower) protections.      

On July 8, 2016, the National Association of Manufacturers and other business groups sued OSHA, targeting the impact on safety incentive and drug testing programs under the whistleblower provision.  On Jan. 14, 2017, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and another set of business groups filed a second lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma seeking a permanent injunction of the entire rule.

Both cases are stayed to allow the Trump Administration time to determine how to respond and OSHA must submit updates every 90 days to the court in Oklahoma.  But OSHA’s new rulemaking is so minimal that plaintiffs might reactivate the lawsuits.

The NPRM would change reporting requirements for establishments of 250 or more employees to just 300A forms, but it’s silent on the whistleblower provision and scrubbing sensitive information from submissions before posting on the OSHA website.  And it would add a controversial new requirement that establishments must include their Employer Identification Numbers (EIN) on their submissions.

In the meantime, employers should have submitted 300A forms electronically to OSHA by July 1, 2018.  Also, on April 30, 2018, OSHA clarified that employers in state-plan states where the state has not yet issued a companion regulation still must meet the federal requirements.  Finally, in 2019 and annually thereafter, the 300A form must be electronically submitted by March 2.              

Courtesy of: Gregg Wallick, President & CEO, Best Roofing

Gregg Wallick, President and CEO of Best Roofing, who serves South Florida’s commercial, industrial, and multi-family housing communities, was invited to present at the Western Roofing Expo in Las Vegas in June.  As a first-time attendee, Gregg chose “Roofing is a Team Sport,” a presentation about the four predictable growth hurdles that every company will encounter and how to move your company from an idea to a reality. 

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Roofing is a Team Sport

As your business grows, you will need more people, more locations and bigger databases.  And, of course, you can never run out of cash!  But, as you go through the pains of growing, you will find predictable growth hurdles every company must transition through. As you approach each hurdle, remember to avoid the Vicious Circle. 

Plus, remember that the only constant is change!  

Hurdle #1 ($1M revenue and 10 +/- full time employees)

At first, you will think that being an owner is going to be fun -- and then you realize chaos and confusion becomes the norm and you start to feel that:

·       Nothing gets down unless you do it;

·       You become too sales focused;

·       You’re 100% people dependent;

·       You’re always chasing cash and, worst of all,

·       You are working 12 hour days,

·       You own the company and it doesn’t pay much!

The only way to get past the first growth hurdle is to learn how to delegate.  It takes skills like delegation and leadership to get your business to the next level.

Hurdle #2 ($10M revenue and 75 +/- full time employees)

The second growth hurdle is to build a management team.  Your team needs a complimentary set of skills in order to succeed.  You must hire a:

·       “Get Work” person (your sales leader)

·       “Do Work” person (operations leader)

·       “Administer Work” person (administrative leader)

As you build your management team, you need to build an organizational chart and define roles and responsibilities in an effort to bring order to your team.  Once these factors have been defined, departments start to take shape, business cards are ordered, and then formal compensation plans must become a reality. 

One of the most important things to remember is leadership positions require people who can solve complex problems.  Always consider promoting from within and beware of the “Peter Principle” (promoting someone to their level of incompetency).   Building a solid management team around sound company principles takes time.  Be patient and don’t get discouraged.    

Hurdle #3 ($30M revenue and 175 +/- employees)

The third growth hurdle is planning and administration.  In order to succeed and grow, disciplined processes and procedures must be clearly defined.  Once that is done, you will need to implement a multi-platform computer system and establish budgets.  And, most importantly, get serious about job costing to measure performance and hold people accountable.  When these factors are in place, profit sharing emerges.

Solid management teams use KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) monitor performance and ensure everyone has a full understanding of what to do and not do.   Sharing management resource books will help grow and guide your leadership teams and manage their expectations.  Make sure you have a solid sales automation tool.  My favorite is FollowupCRm.com

Hurdle # 4 (every company always deals with this)

The fourth growth hurdle is “Transition” -- who is going to replace whom? 

Bench strength is a critical piece of the puzzle in growing your company.  Good leaders are talent arrangers.  If you always play, “what if” and cultivate talent, a smooth transition within the company can be achieved.  We must always be recruiting.  

So, how so do you get from idea to reality?  You will need to follow these four steps:

Step 1. Identify your hedgehog concept.  (Read “Good to Great” by Jim Collins)

Step 2. Paint your picture.  Take the time to spell out your dreams.  Be very specific about each department. 

 Step 3. Identify priorities – What gets measured gets done!  Pick 3-5 “must-do’s’”.  If these 3-5 tasks get done, you will see great progress.

 Step 4. Cascade communication into a rhythm by holding.  Nobody ever over communicates.

In summary, in order to get your idea to become a reality, you will need to:

·       Establish a rhythm of communications;

·       Identify and execute your top priorities;

·       Paint your picture and share your dream;

·       Get alignment of your culture and strategy; and

·       Identify your vision and concept.

Final thoughts as you start your journey, it is your responsibility to remember that:

·       A Leader sets the pace,

·       A Leader confronts the problem, and

·       A Leader never ignores the human factor.

Greetings to Members of Western States Roofing Contractors Association:

Introduction:

WSRCA’s Industry Issues Committee is responding to reports from Member Contractors in the Western U.S. by preparing the following Information Bulletin regarding on-roof fires that have been caused by static electrical sparks during the application of single-ply membrane roofing using solvent-based adhesive.

Executive Summary:

Solvent-based adhesives may release fumes when their pails/containers are open and during application that can be a potential fire hazard during specific conditions and/or situations. A spark is all that is required, under certain conditions, to ignite such fumes. During dry outdoor ambient conditions, sparks can be caused by static electrical discharge. These three conditions can come together during a single-ply roofing installation and unexpectedly start a fire. Reports from the field indicate that this has been the case for more than one contractor recently, especially when weather conditions have been conducive to static electricity.

Reports from the field indicate that when relative humidity is very low, whether it be during cold, dry weather, or hot and dry weather, static electrical charges can build up during insulation roofing application. Most reports have involved steel roof decks and faced polyisocyanurate roof insulation and single-ply roofs. Static charges can be created when weather conditions are right and rigid foam insulation boards are slid or dragged across each other, when membrane sheets are moved over the installed insulation or over other thermoplastic roof membrane sheets, and just from walking on the insulation or insulated roof. If static charges have accumulated, spark(s) may occur when the metal bar of the adhesive roller or applicator handle touches the metal adhesive pail or container, or even when a worker’s skin or hand touches metal. Sometimes these sparks result in ignition of adhesive fumes and/or the adhesive itself during application. There are measures to be taken to help prevent the build-up of static charges, such as: by confirming that the existing building or building-under-construction is grounded, by taking care regarding how materials are moved and placed on the roof, wearing all cotton rather than synthetic clothing, walking carefully without shuffling, grounding equipment being used on the roof, just to name a few.

However, reports from the field where fires have occurred indicate that it is very important that the crew understand how to respond to and extinguish on-roof fires as soon as possible when they occur. It is also important for the contractor to be aware of the weather conditions that may ead to static build-up. Cold and dry winter weather is commonly associated with static build up, but if relative humidity is very low build up can also occur during hot, dry weather.

We note that this issue is not being discussed much in the roofing and waterproofing industry. However, please be aware that the issue of static-electric spark problems is mentioned by the manufacturers of adhesive application equipment, it is also referred to in OSHA bulletins, and has been mentioned in articles published in NRCA’s Professional Roofing magazine. Thorough descriptions of the problem as it relates to single-ply roofing, however, are lacking, and detailed solutions have not yet been presented.

Background Information:

This issue has come to our attention solely through reports from the field. To date, the information we have is mainly from three (3) different WSRCA Member Contractors working in the Western U.S. However, the popularity of insulated single-ply roof systems in the Western U.S. creates a growing potential for this problem to occur, and WSRCA wants to be sure it’s members are aware of the potential hazard and can then be better prepared to prevent the potential for fires on their projects, as well as be prepared to minimize the potential damage to persons, property and potential lack of calm-handling of the situation and/or potential injury to unaware roofing technicians.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE...!

By: Larry Oxenham, Senior Advisor, American Society for Asset Protection

There are many financial and legal myths that circulate through society. A belief in these myths may result in serious problems. In a commencement address at Yale University, President John F. Kennedy taught, “The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie—deliberate, contrived, and dishonest—but the myth—persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.” Mark Twain echoed this thought when he said, “It isn’t what we don’t know that kills us, it’s everything we know that ain’t so.”

Myth 1: I Will Never Get Sued

If you own a business, you have exposure to many types of lawsuits even if you personally have done nothing wrong. For example, if someone injures themselves on your property (even if he/she were trespassing), you as the property owner would be liable for damages through what is called premise liability. Last year the average premise liability verdict was $2,001,754—and an award of $2.5 million or more was just as likely as an award of $50,000-$99,999.

Businesses also have exposure to employee liability. You could be sued for workplace accidents, negligent entrustment, wrongful termination, gender bias, racial bias, sexual orientation bias, religious bias, sexual harassment, and racial harassment. A lawsuit for any of these items could result in a multimillion dollar judgment. For example, one employee received an award of $86.7 million to compensate him for an accident at work that left him paralyzed (Miraglia v. H & L Holding Corp.).

Owning a business and not having protection against lawsuits, would be like living in an earthquake, hurricane, or flood zone and not purchasing the necessary insurance to protect your assets. Once the disaster hits, it is too late to buy insurance. Likewise, once a lawsuit hits, it is too late to set up the needed legal structures. You need to have them in place before the disaster hits. Once a lawsuit is filed against you, the transfer of assets to protective legal entities may be interpreted as “fraudulent conveyance” and can be unwound.

Therefore, it is essential to have the legal structures for lawsuit protection and prevention in place before you are sued. If you are not properly structured, it only takes one lawsuit to lose everything.

Myth 2: I Should Operate My Business as a Sole Proprietorship

Many attorneys and accountants recommend that their clients operate their business as a sole proprietorship because of the simplicity it presents when they file their tax returns. However, there are two major problems with operating as a sole proprietor. First, while a sole proprietorship allows a person to deduct most business expenses, there are tax deductions and reduction strategies that apply to S-Corps and C-Corps which cannot be used as a sole proprietor. The second major problem is that a sole proprietorship provides little protection against lawsuits. If your sole proprietorship is sued, all of your business and personal assets could be taken to satisfy the judgment. Even if you are sued personally as a result of a car accident or injury at your home, all of your business assets are at risk of being taken.

Myth 3: A Corporation Protects My Assets from Lawsuits

The corporation is a good management and tax reduction tool, but it is a poor lawsuit protection tool. If your corporation is sued, all of the assets (with equity) owned by your corporation can be taken to satisfy the judgment. The corporation does provide some protection of personal assets with what is called the “corporate veil.” The corporate veil is supposed to prevent a creditor from going after personal assets to satisfy a business debt. However, the corporate veil is often pierced, enabling your personal assets to be seized to satisfy a judgment against your business.

Myth 4: Asset Protection is Not Possible

We live in a very specialized world. For example, doctors specialize in a specific area of medicine (orthopedics, radiology, cardiology, etc.). There is no difference in the legal world. There are specialists for every part of our legal lives. There are attorneys who specialize in patents, family law, bankruptcy, personal injury, prosecution, estate planning, etc. Asset protection is a highly specialized area of law. A survey by the American Bar Association showed that less than one percent of attorneys claimed asset protection as their specialty. As a result, most attorneys and accountants are unfamiliar with the strategies and tools available to protect 100% of your business and personal assets from being seized in a lawsuit.

Myth 5: I Should Put My Assets in My Lower-Liability Spouse’s Name

One of the strategies recommended by less-than-experienced advisors, is to put assets in a lower-liability spouse’s name. This may provide a modest amount of protection in the event of a lawsuit, but there are four significant drawbacks to this strategy. First, it must be realized that courts carefully scrutinize conveyances between relatives and can invalidate the transfer of property regardless of when the conveyance took place. Second, your spouse may be declared an implied officer in your business and be named in a lawsuit. Third, your spouse could get sued personally. For example, if your spouse were involved in a car accident and someone was killed, a lawsuit would most likely follow; and every single asset in the spouse’s name would be at risk. Finally, having assets in your spouse’s name can cause serious problems in the event of a divorce.

Myth 6: I Only Need a Single Entity (LLC or Corporation)

Typically, a combination of entities will be the best course to take, rather than the use of one corporation or LLC. Most advisors are unaware of how to gain the best tax advantages and ensure 100% asset protection through the use of multiple entities. To ensure your assets are protected, you must separate your safe and risky assets into separate legal entities. The strategy of using multiple entities will minimize taxes and protect 100% of your assets.

Myth 7: Liability Insurance Will Protect Me Against Lawsuits

You may feel you are protected from lawsuits because you have liability insurance; however, insurance is like a hospital gown—you only think you are covered. Liability insurance does provide some protection against lawsuits, but it is limited in its coverage. Juries often will award judgments in excess of liability insurance coverage. Exclusions in your policy may also result in your insurance company denying coverage and leaving you liable. As judgments have increased over the years, some advisors simply tell professionals to get more liability insurance. This is problematic, as larger policies are costly and often serve as homing beacons for trial attorneys, who look for the deepest pockets in which to reach.

Conclusion

The authors of the book The Millionaire Next Door did an extensive study of millionaires to find the determining factors that resulted in a high net worth. The research concluded that hiring high-grade financial advisors was directly related to the propensity to accumulate wealth. An attorney who specializes in asset protection is one high-grade advisor business owners need. An asset protection attorney will ensure you avoid the myths in this article and will ensure your assets are properly structure for lawsuit protection, tax reduction, and estate planning.

Larry Oxenham is presenting “What Every Insurance Agent Needs to Know about Lawsuit Prevent, Tax Reduction, and Estate Planning Strategies” on Tuesday, October 17^th from 8:45 to 10:45 am at the IIABSC's Annual Convention at the Marriott Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach. 

Courtesy of: Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law

Tel: 866.303.5868 | Email: tcotney@cotneycl.com

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Never Sign an OSHA Witness Statement

During any OSHA inspection, the Compliance Safety and Health Officer (“CSHO”) will more than likely take witness testimony from crew members that are on site. This CSHO will hand-write the interview answers and ask the employee to sign the witness statement. Most employers and employees do not understand their rights during an OSHA inspection and do not know that they are not required to sign witness statements. This article explores OSHA’s interviewing process, the use of witness statements by OSHA, and suggests alternatives to signing a witness statement.

Everyone has the right to counsel.

First and foremost, it should be noted that any member of management, including officers, directors, and owners have the right to have counsel present during any OSHA interview. In addition, any supervisory employee is also considered part of management, and therefore has the ability to have counsel present during the interviews. When OSHA inspects a job site, supervisory employees such as crew leaders, foremen, superintendents, and/or project managers should assert their right to have counsel present before giving any testimony to OSHA. In other words, the supervisor should state their name, position and assert the right to counsel. This will give the individual an opportunity to discuss the alleged violations with management and counsel prior to being interviewed. It will also allow management and counsel to be present during the interviews. Generally, these interviews occur at counsel’s office or OSHA’s area office rather than the job site, thereby limiting exposure to additional potential violations.

With regard to crew member interviews, management and counsel for management generally cannot be present during non-supervisory employee interviews. However, if the employee requests that counsel be present for the interview, OSHA must allow counsel to be present.

What will OSHA ask?

During the interviews, OSHA will ask a variety of questions regarding safety training and job site specific acts or omissions. For example, common safety training questions include how to properly tie off, use personal protective equipment (“PPE”), properly install anchor points, properly tie off ladders, knowledge about hydration and water breaks, knowledge regarding risks associated with swing radius, inhalation of chemicals and/or silica, as well as other potential hazards.

The job site specific questions will focus on the who, where, when, what, and how. In particular, employees will be asked questions regarding training they received and commands they received on the date of the incident. For example, the CSHO will ask whether employees were instructed to tie off on the date of the inspection, whether supervisory employees inspected the crew members during construction, and the reason(s) why employees were not tied off (even if they were). OSHA often asks whether employees were not wearing fall protection because they were told to complete work at an accelerated pace or to meet certain schedule obligations. If an employee answers in the affirmative, it could be damaging to the employer.

Written witness statement.

While the testimony is being taken, the CSHO will be drafting a witness statement, which generally contains self-serving declarations for purposes of prosecuting the employer. No one is required to sign a witness statement.  Both supervisory and non-supervisory employees can refuse to sign witness statements. This leaves the CSHO with only his or her own notes, which can still be used as evidence, or the CSHO can still contact the local Area Office and ask that it issue a subpoena requiring that the employee’s testimony be taken under oath. This delay in obtaining testimony may be beneficial for the employer because it will allow the employee to have the opportunity to think about his or her answers and be in a better mindset for purposes of providing testimony. It also gives the employee the chance to speak with counsel and/or management if he or she wishes to do so.

Obviously, regardless of when testimony is provided, all employees must always tell the truth. However, even a slight postponement in giving testimony can provide an employee with enough time to properly collect his or her thoughts, and ensure that he or she gives truthful testimony, while remaining alert enough to detect and avoid the onslaught of “Gotcha!” questions OSHA loves throwing at unsuspecting witnesses.

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Author’s note: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Construction Law, is an advocate for the roofing industry, General Counsel of Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors (TARC), and several other local roofing associations. For more information, contact the author at 866.303.5868 or go to www.cotneycl.com.

Courtesy of WSRCA Member: Broadly.com

As a roofing company, you are always looking for more ways to get more customers. Marketing for roofers can seem like a daunting task, especially when you are a one-man operation or your company doesn’t have a marketing person.

A lot of contractors across the Western United States will tell you that word of mouth marketing leads to some of the best customers. Now with the power of the internet, 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation.

This is the reason why getting online reviews can be such an important part of a roofers marketing strategy.

Below are tips on how to ask for online reviews and how to handle those reviews. If you have questions or need help managing reviews we are happy to show you a demo of our online review software.

Infographic by Broadly.com - Online Reviews for Construction

By Kenneth S. Grossbart
Abdulaziz, Grossbart & Rudman

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The subject of Arbitration has been discussed by me in previous articles. This article again addresses the concept of Arbitration but with a twist.

Arbitration is an alternative form of resolving disputes. It is an alternative to the filing of a lawsuit and proceeding with your case through the court system. Arbitration is a very popular form of dispute resolution and oftentimes is faster and cheaper than going through the court system.

Arbitration is a consensual process which means in order for the parties to arbitrate a dispute all parties must consent to having the matter arbitrated. Oftentimes that consent comes in the form of an Arbitration Clause that is contained in the contract between the parties. In this set of facts, Company A signed an Advertising Insertion Order with Company B. The Order included an agreement to arbitrate all disputes. During the course of the relationship between Company A and Company B, Company A accumulated an unpaid balance with Company B. Company A filed a Demand for Arbitration seeking damages in the amount of the unpaid balance. Company B agreed that they signed the Order but claimed that the Order was unenforceable because Company A’s products were fraudulent. Regardless of the claims of Company B, Company B voluntarily participated in the Arbitration and in fact asked the Arbitrator to issue an Order requiring one of the parties to post a Bond. Company B later rescinded its participation in the Arbitration proceedings when the Arbitrator declined to issue the Order. The Arbitrator ultimately found for Company A and the trial court confirmed the Arbitration Award. Company B challenged the Arbitrator’s jurisdiction arguing that he did not consent to arbitrate the dispute.

The matter was reviewed and ruled upon by the appellate court. The appellate court confirmed the lower court’s ruling finding that the parties did in fact consent to Arbitration. The appellate court found that Company B’s conduct and participation in the Arbitration showed that he clearly and unmistakably consented to Arbitration. First Company B did not object to Arbitration, they willingly participated in the Arbitration proceedings, availed themselves of the Arbitrator’s authority when asked to have the Arbitrator rule upon the posting of a Bond and thereafter tried to rescind his voluntarily participation after the Arbitrator denied the request. Thus the court found that Company B’s actions constituted clear and unmistakable evidence that he consented to the Arbitration proceedings.

The take away from this set of facts is that if you challenge the jurisdiction of an Arbitration Tribunal, it must be done at the beginning of your case. You cannot temporarily participate in the Arbitration proceedings and then at some point in time when you don’t like how the Arbitration is proceeding attempt to back out. Courts will consider your participation to constitute a clear and unmistakable evidence of your consent to arbitrate.

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Kenneth Grossbart is recognized as one of the foremost authorities in California construction law. Over the past 35 years, Ken has become a respected speaker on Mechanic’s Liens and other construction related issues. Abdulaziz, Grossbart & Rudman provides this information as a service to its friends & clients and it does not establish an attorney-client relationship with the reader. This document is of a general nature and is not a substitute for legal advice. Since laws change frequently, contact an attorney before using this information. Ken Grossbart can be reached at Abdulaziz, Grossbart & Rudman: (818) 760-2000 or by E-Mail at , or at ksg@agrlaw.com

June / July ‘18

www.agrlaw.com

Courtesy of: Trent Cotney — Cotney Construction Law

 Tel: 866.303.5868 | Email: tcotney@cotneycl.com

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 Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter, it is becoming apparent that Marijuana is here to stay.  While many states have legalized Marijuana for both recreational and medicinal purposes, what is unclear are the potential liabilities for an employer whose employees are actively using the drug, particularly at work.  Questions arise such as can you require that your employees don’t use marijuana at all?  Due to the inherent dangers involved in the roofing industry, an employer has real and justified reasons for not wanting his or her employees to be under the influence while on the job.  Unlike alcohol, testing for marijuana has a way to go and as more and more states legalize the drug, the issues already present will only be further complicated.

Currently 30 states and the District of Columbia have legalized either recreational or medicinal use of marijuana. During the 2016 election cycle, California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada joined Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Vermont is the first state to legalize recreational marijuana through state legislature and the law went into effect on July 1, 2018.

While certain states allow recreational and medicinal marijuana use, the drug is still illegal at the federal level. This divergence between state and federal law creates a variety of unique issues for employers.  Due to marijuana being illegal at the federal level, those working under a government contract or for a federal employer are prohibited from using marijuana in any way (even if it is for medicinal purposes). This prohibition extends to both on site use as well as off-site/at-home use. Accordingly, under federal law, the roofer employer has the ability to fire an employee for failing a drug test under the aforementioned federal work conditions.

If you’re an employer working under a federal contract, then the law is quite clear. Handling marijuana usage for roofers on private and state projects, however, is quite hazy (no pun intended). Two of the biggest issues still up in the air include: employees arriving to the job under the influence of marijuana, and zero-tolerance drug policies.  A number of other state courts have upheld employers’ right to continue to implement zero-tolerance policies. This results in employers likely being able to continue to enforce their zero-tolerance drug policies.

Since marijuana use impairs an individual’s motor functions, employers who have employees who operate machinery, vehicles, or other type of equipment will certainly not want them doing so under the influence of marijuana. Further, there is not presently a method for testing whether an individual is currently under the influence of marijuana. Drug tests simply show that the individual has used marijuana within the past 30 days (the length varies by different testing methods). These are further reasons to continue to drug test employees and enforce zero-tolerance policies when it comes to on-site safety.

While other state courts have upheld an employer’s right to discipline employees for failing a drug test for marijuana use, employers should still be wary of how courts will respond to the implementation of both recreational and medicinal marijuana laws. Further, state legislatures and other administrations have stated they will continue to provide updates and guidance on how marijuana laws will affect roofing employers/employees.

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Author’s note: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Construction Law, is an advocate for the roofing industry, General Counsel of Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors (TARC), and several other local roofing associations. For more information, contact the author at 866.303.5868 or go to www.cotneycl.com.

Cotney Construction Law (CCL),a leading national law firm for construction, specialty trades, and OSHA law,is pleased to announce that Daniel Auerbach, Virgil Tray Batcher, Hilary Morgan, and Anthony Tilton have been named partners of the firm.

(Left-to-Right) Dan Auerbach, Virgil Tray Bather, Hilary Morgan, Anthony Tilton

“Each of these attorneys epitomizes the diverse talent our firm offers,” said Trent Cotney, CEO of CCL. “Not only have they demonstrated superb legal capabilities, but they have also shown that they are committed to both their clients and the construction industry as a whole.”

Daniel Auerbach’s practice areas encompass construction litigation and various transactional matters. Specifically, Dan focuses on contract review and drafting, contract negotiation, bond & lien law, building code violation defense, construction defense litigation, OSHA defense, bid protests, and contractor licensing defense. He currently serves as General Counsel for the Space Coast Licensed Roofers Association and the Treasure Coast Roofing and Sheet Metal Association.

Virgil Tray Batcher joined Cotney Construction Law in 2012 and represents clients in all aspects of construction law including lien law, bond law, construction defect litigation, OSHA defense, and licensing. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Tray worked in the construction industry as an estimator for a multi-million dollar structural contracting company. He currently serves as General Counsel for the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association.

Hilary Morgan focuses her practice on all aspects of construction law, including lien law, surety bond law, litigation, arbitration, construction defects, contract review and drafting, delay claims, bid protests, design professional liability, corporate law, and administrative law. Hilary serves on Associated Builders and Contractors National Young Professional Committee and is currently General Counsel for National Women in Roofing.

Anthony Tilton practices in all areas of construction law. He works primarily on matters relating to OSHA and licensing defense. This includes the management and development of safety and health strategies. Anthony is also a Certified Building Contractor and has been involved in the industry his whole life – he has done framing, floor installation, remodels, site supervision, and served as safety officer for various construction companies. Anthony is General Counsel for the Tile Roofing Institute.

About Cotney Construction Law

Cotney Construction Law is a national law firm that provides representation for general, roofing, HVAC and specialty contractors. Experienced in the representation of businesses and professionals in construction disputes and transactions, Cotney is a well-known advisor and legal counsel in the construction industry. The firm’s practice areas include construction law, litigation, arbitration, contract review & drafting, immigration, employment, OSHA defense, licensing defense, bid protests, lien law, bond law and alternative dispute resolution. The firm has Florida offices in Tampa,Orlando, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Ft. Lauderdale, as well as locations in Denver, Grand Rapids, Houston, Mobile, and Nashville. For more information, visit www.cotneycl.com.

Courtesy of: OSHA.gov

FALLS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CONSTRUCTION. In 2016, there were 370 fatal falls to a lower level out of 991 construction fatalities (BLS data). These deaths are preventable.

Since 2012, OSHA has partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) - Construction Sector on the Fall Prevention Campaign to raise awareness among workers and employers about common fall hazards in construction, and how falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs can be prevented.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — It was back to fabulous Las Vegas and the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino for the Western States Roofing Contractors Association’s (WSRCA) Western Roofing Expo 2018. Known for bringing all the elements of the roofing and waterproofing industry together, the Western Roofing Expo experienced a record-breaking turnout over the duration of three days in Las Vegas. 

According to registration statistics - 4,039 convention-goers converged for the 2018 show, setting the highest attendance figure in the Expo’s 44-year history! Roofing professionals from throughout the West were on hand to experience action-filled events including the annual sporting tournaments, welcome party and auction, exhibit floor, live product demonstrations, and live shingling competition called The Roofing Games™. There was a great overall sense of industry camaraderie this year, and many of the people we talked to called it the best Western Roofing Expo they’ve ever attended. 

Davis Memorial Foundation

Founded in 1997 in memory of Larry and Mary Davis, the Foundation's mission is to support higher education, particularly as it relates to the development of a well-educated construction industry. Scholarship awards are granted every year to high school, undergraduate and graduate students throughout the country. To raise money and awareness for these scholarships, events like the Welcome Party & Lively-Silent Auction, and annual Golf & Sporting Clays Tournaments have been established by the Foundation. 2018 Scholarship Winners The requirements for these scholarships aren’t easy.

Applicants must submit letters of recommendation from teachers and mentors, official transcripts from High Schools or Universities, and a Q&A written application to be considered eligible. For the 2018 academic year, the Davis Memorial Foundation awarded (20) $5,000 scholarships in 2018 to the following outstanding students for a grand total of $100,000!

Jordan Fatemi (Mira Costa High School), Riley Govan (Pomona High School), Lauren Barker (Oregon State University), Roman Goff (Trinity High School), Sarah Mason (Lake Oswego High School), Taylor Fatemi (Mira Costa High School), Blake Norrid (Texas A&M University), Branden Clark (Brigham Young University), Ivy Rivas (UC Davis), Jonah Dionne (Rocklin High School), Koby Ramage (Redwood High School), Maria Vielma (University of New Mexico), Salvador Garcia (UC Berkeley), Spencer Winkle (Cal State University San Bernadino), Tess Robinson (San Juan College), Ashley Moore(Orange Coast College), Beverly Pittman (Columbia College), Cassandra Gascon (Hemet High School), Pedro Negron III (Fullerton College), and Ryland Phillips (Arizona Connections College). Congratulations to all for your hard work and commitment to higher education – the Davis Memorial Foundation wishes you all the best of luck in your bright futures!

Golf & Sporting Clays Tournaments

The annual Golf Tournament was held bright and early at in southern Las Vegas at the Revere Golf Club. 104 participants came out to play the challenging Lexington Course at the club. Across the valley, the annual Sporting Clays Tournament was also held concurrently at the Pro Gun Club in Boulder City. The course was maxed out with 72 participants, who also had a great time on the challenging desert terrain and windy conditions. A very special thank you to our Tournament Title Sponsor: Beacon Roofing Supply/Allied Building Products - and all of the other prize donators and participants who help make the Davis Memorial Foundation’s tournaments a yearly success.

Welcome Party & Lively-Silent Auction

Later that evening hundreds gathered back at the Paris Hotel & Casino, as Foundation Chairman Chuck Chapman and fellow Trustee Bill Baley emceed the Welcome Party and Lively-Silent Auction, sponsored by GAF. Fantastic donated items such as hunting trips, vacations, electronic merchandise, jewelry, and of course, roofing-related products were all on display for attendees to bid on. The night was a huge success, raising $65,302 in a matter of hours, and this amazing support could not have been achieved without the generous support from members like you! A special thanks to Davis Memorial Foundation Trustees Heidi Ellsworth, Greg Bloom, Travis Nelson and Tom Papas for making the Lively-Silent Auction such a success. Also — a big shout out to Hans Matheus of Eagle Roofing Products for his hard work and dedication becoming the 2018 ‘Wrangler of the Year’. Hans brought in 17 new WSRCA Members to the Association, and was recognized for his efforts with the one-of-a-kind custom made belt buckle. On behalf of the entire Davis Memorial Foundation, its Trustees and Staff – and most importantly the scholarship recipients – thank you for your continued support!

Seminars & Trade Show Floor

Every year, the WSRCA puts on a diverse educational program designed to keep roofing contractors ‘in-the-know’ on vital roofing topics affecting the industry. On both Monday and Tuesday, the seminar portion of the Western Roofing Expo was held prior to the opening of the floor. As you can see, all seminars were very well attended this year. For the opening of the trade show floor on Monday, current WSRCA President Don Fry, along with incoming President Tom Asbury, were on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon. Once open, the trade show remained a bustling center of activity until the final closing hours. The exhibit hall featured over 200 local, regional, and national companies displaying their latest products and services, many available only in the Western market. The vast majority of the exhibitors were extremely pleased with the outstanding attendee turnout…and as you can see, the exhibit hall was packed!

Annual Luncheon with Entertainer - Roy Firestone

Winding down the convention on Tuesday June 12th, multi-talented entertainer Roy Firestone made a guest appearance at the Annual Luncheon, sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products. He showcased his amazing vocal skills with his song and impersonation routines. He was quite the entertainer, and it made for a relaxed atmosphere heading into the final portion of the Expo.

WSRCA Board Member of the Year

Immediately following the luncheon entertainment, WSRCA presented its annual awards. Board Member of the Year went to Steve Nash - Waterproofing Associates in recognition of his tireless work last year improving the Association. A huge congratulations to Steve, and thank you for all that you do for Western States!

The Roofing Games™ 2018

As the trade show floor began its final events of the year that Tuesday, Western States Roofing Contractors Association and Malarkey Roofing Products once again hosted the shingling competition known as The Roofing Games™. Participants competed against one another in a timed installation of a Malarkey® roofing system on a small wooden deck — and were judged on accuracy, aesthetics, workmanship, and of course - speed. Nate Holland of Holland Roofing in Anchorage AK was the 2018 winner with a time of 2:04. To all the participants, fans in the crowd, and especially Malarkey Roofing Products - thank you for making this such a fun event!

Thank You!

From everyone here at Western States and the Davis Memorial Foundation - the entire Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Associate Advisory, Trustees and Staff – we would like to thank you for your continued support and for making the Western Roofing Expo THE premier roofing event in the West. Next year, the Western Roofing Expo 2019 will once again be hosted at the Paris Las Vegas from June 9-11. Mark your calendars now, and we’ll see you next summer!

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Greetings to Members of Western States Roofing Contractors Association:

Executive Summary:
As the roof-mounted photovoltaics (PV) industry continues to expand with new products and attachment systems routinely getting introduced as the next best thing, it is imperative that roofing industry associations, such as the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) take a leading position and remain keenly involved to provide clear direction and recommendations for proper integration of PV systems with various roofing assemblies. WSRCA believes coordinated collaboration between the roofing and solar photovoltaic industries is paramount for shared success.

Within the collaborative environment, one of the main questions to ask as a PV system is first being considered is: "What is the condition of the existing roof system"? It may not be appropriate to install a PV system unless the anticipated life expectancies of the systems are coordinated with installation of a new roof system or a new roof covering (e.g., shingles, membrane, tile, etc.) as well. You do not want to install a new photovoltaic system over an old roofing system, only to realize a few years later that a new roof is needed and the PV system must be dismantled and removed in order to reroof. The warranty status of, and the remaining service life of an existing roof membrane system, and new Building Code requirements also need to be evaluated early in the PV system design process.

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Regulatory and Tax Reform Update

By: Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group LLC

When President Trump took office, he signed Executive Orders 13771 and 13777 to cut federal regulations.  EO 13771 says no new rules can be issued without cutting two existing regulations, and EO 13777 put White House monitors in the agencies to enforce deregulation efforts.  As a result, the 2017 Federal Register contained 61,308 pages of regulatory actions, which is the lowest count since 1993 and a 36% drop from 95,894 pages in 2016, the highest level ever recorded.

Unfortunately, one of the rules finalized under President Obama that went into effect under President Trump is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) silica rule.  However, the federal government’s Spring Regulatory Agenda was released in May and an OSHA entry announces it will publish a Request for Information (RFI) to revise the construction silica standard’s Table 1 engineering controls.  

Though publication of the RFI in the Federal Register is probably a few months down the road, OSHA’s commitment to do an RFI could ultimately lead to a reopening of the rule.  This positive development is a result of negotiations with the Construction Industry Safety Coalition, which is also working with OSHA to develop a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the rule’s complex set of requirements. 

OSHA also appears not to be aggressively enforcing the rule while negotiations are ongoing, at least in Fed-OSHA states, and hopefully President Trump’s pick to head the agency, Scott Mugno, will soon be confirmed by the Senate in order to be involved in the RFI before it’s published.

On the tax reform front, it bears repeating that IRC Sec. 179’s new expensing provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are a big victory for the roofing industry and WSRCA members.  In fact, WSRCA members can have their cake and eat it, too!   

Sec. 179 allows businesses to purchase needed equipment and write-off the full amount, or a major portion of it, on their taxes for that year.  Qualifying property includes certain vehicles and virtually all construction equipment and machinery.  But, an even bigger breakthrough for the roofing industry and its customers is that Sec. 179 qualified property now includes improvements to nonresidential roofs!

The new limit on the total amount of Sec. 179 property a business can purchase each year before the deduction is totally phased-out is $2.5 million, and the annual limit for the deduction is now $1 million.  As such, a roofing contractor can use Sec. 179 to buy qualifying business equipment and then sell a commercial roof to a property owner who can write-off up to $1 million in the year the roof is purchased.  And the $1 million annual deduction and $2.5 million maximum business investment limits are permanent and indexed for annual inflation starting in 2019.

Also, don’t forget the IRC Sec. 168(k) Bonus Depreciation Deduction, which has been raised to 100 percent for qualifying property.  This generally covers property with a depreciable tax life of 20 years or less and the IRS is expected to clarify eligibility for full bonus depreciation in June.

The Western Roofing Expo will also take place in June, and I look forward to seeing you at the Legislative Luncheon on Monday, June 11, where I’ll be joined once again by NRCA CEO Reid Ribble to discuss these and other industry issues. 

Relatively significant developments within the industry’s waterproofing standards may potentially affect Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) Member Contractors, as well as Member Designers of waterproofing systems, and perhaps some of our Manufacturer Members. Over the last decade or so ASTM’s Waterproofing Subcommittee D08.22 has made some rather significant advances in publishing several new standards. ASTM has also made changes to a number of existing waterproofing and waterproofing-related standards.

WSRCA members should be aware that if an ASTM standard is referenced in a project specification, the Contractor under contract for that work is typically required to comply with the requirements of the standard. It is also important to note that if current or future Codes governing a project reference an ASTM standard the design, materials, applications, and testing is to comply with the requirements of that standard. If an ASTM standard is referenced in the documents governing your project you are accountable for knowing the standard and performing construction according to the requirements of the referenced standard(s).

Some of the new standards, and changes to existing standards, if referenced by Project documents or amended into your state or locally adopted Code, could impact waterproofing contractors in ways that not everyone may be aware.

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Almost all your employees travel for their job, whether it is to your office, to a jobsite, to make sales, etc. Therefore, it is important that as the employer, you understand what travel time is compensable – meaning, when must travel time be paid time and count toward overtime.

Travel between home and work is not compensable, as long as it is within the “normal commuting area.” This is true whether the employee works at a fixed location (e.g., office) or different jobsites. If you require employees to report at a meeting place to receive instructions or pick up tools, travel between the meeting place and the jobsite is compensable. Travel between jobsites during the workday is compensable. When determining if travel time is compensable, it makes no difference if the employee is driving a company vehicle or a personal vehicle.

There are many strategies for reducing the payroll cost of travel time. For instance, you can pay employees a lower payrate for drive time than worksite time. You can also institute a written policy establishing a broad scope of what is considered the employee’s “normal commuting area” and limiting paid travel time to drivers rather than passengers. Moreover, some of your employees (e.g., outside sales) may be exempt from certain wages laws and not entitled to paid travel time. It is important to consult with a labor and employment attorney to reduce your payroll expenses and protect against potential wage and hour liability.

Author’s note: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation. Regulations and laws may vary depending on your location. Consult with a licensed attorney in your area if you wish to obtain legal advice and/or counsel for a particular legal issue.

About the Author: Benjamin Briggs is an attorney in the Tampa office of Cotney Construction Law.  He specializes in labor and employment matters. Cotney Construction Law advocates for the roofing industry, serves as General Counsel of FRSA, TARC, RT3, TRI, and NWIR. For more information, contact the author at 866-303-5868 or go to www.cotneycl.com

As relayed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there’s good news for contractors that use the H-2B seasonal worker program in the omnibus bill (Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, H.R. 1625) that was signed by the President last week: (The H-2B program allows U.S. employers or U.S. agents who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary nonagricultural jobs.)
 
The omnibus bill contains H-2B language that gives the Secretary of the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) the discretion to raise the H-2B cap for the remainder of FY18.  This language mirrors language that the Chamber and other business coalitions succeeded in obtaining in the FY17 omnibus bill.  As in the FY17 bill, the DHS Secretary, in consultation with the Labor Secretary, could allow for a total of 129,547 H-2B workers in the U.S. for this fiscal year.  Business coalitions including the Chamber will work with DHS to help implement this desperately-needed cap relief more quickly than last year and hopefully DHS will also provide more than 15,000 additional visas to H-2B employers this fiscal year.
 
In addition to the H-2B cap relief provisions, the omnibus appropriations bill provides other meaningful provisions that impact H-2B employers: 

• The bill still prevents the executive branch from enforcing the corresponding employment and 3/4 guarantee provisions that were included in the 2015 Interim Final Rule (IFR) issued by the Obama Administration. 
• The ability of H-2B employers to use private wage surveys for the purpose of meeting the program’s requirements is maintained, and;
• The bill continues to provide H-2B workers with a 10 month work season.

Fiscal Year 2018 ends Sept. 30 and contractors who use the H-2B program are encouraged to be prepared to utilize the higher cap as soon as it’s implemented.

Did you know that as a WSRCA member, your membership provides you with complimentary technical advice from one of the most qualified professionals in the roofing and waterproofing industry? Whether you have a question about how to properly install, maintain or repair a specific roof system — or want advice on a current project, WSRCA members can contact our Technical Advisor for direct assistance.

To our members, technical advice is valued at $1,775 annually!*

* WSRCA conducted four qualitative research focus groups sessions throughout the western states (Phoenix, Los Angeles, Portland and the Bay Area) The dollar value listed is an average 'ROI' estimate by WSRCA members averaged over those sessions.

Regards,


Alec Ward | Director of Membership
Western States Roofing Contractors Association
275 Tennant Avenue, Ste 106 - Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Local: 650-938-5441Toll Free: 800-725-0333

FOLLOW-UP ALERT BULLETIN — No. 2018-II-1 — Visible Knit-line Affected & Facer Irregularities in Rigid Polyisocyanurate Foam Roof Insulation

WSRCA continues to monitor the observed quality of shipments of polyiso rigid foam insulation delivered to Members job sites over the last year or so, subsequent to WSRCA advising the roofing industry of concerns with knit-line attributed grooves and facer irregularities in the insulation. This Follow-up Bulletin is an addendum to our previous technical bulletin about this subject, and includes additional recommendations encouraging Roofing Contractors to be proactive in their approach to ordering and receiving rigid polyiso foam insulation. Following is a brief review of several key points communicated in the “2017 WSRCA Technical Bulletin - Knit-line & Facer Irregularities in Rigid Polyisocyanurate Foam Roof Insulation Bulletin No. 2017-II-1”.

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By: Brian P. Chamberlain — Carlisle Construction Materials

INTRODUCTION

In today’s market we find significant focus from building owners on sustainable and durable roof installation. To accomplish this goal, building owners look to designers to specify durable products, supply qualified installers, and have material manufacturers offer long-term warranties. The first two conditions can be controlled and monitored to make sure that the installation is verified to have the proposed quality. The roofing warranty is looked upon by building owners and specifiers as a way to get a guarantee that these first two conditions are met. It’s very similar to an architect specifying a white membrane roof with the expectation, without any true consideration, that white membrane will help save energy associated to the operation of the building and in turn reduce the carbon footprint of the building. Unfortunately, without fully understanding how geography plays a major role in energy performance, the specifier may not design the roofing system to offer true energy performance and inadvertently increase other concerns. Studies have shown white membrane roofs need to be designed according to the building location geographically 1 . With the same consideration, it should be understood that warranties are tools to assist in selling of roofing manufacturer’s products and may not be an indicator of durability.

1 Samir K. Ibrahim, “Sustainable Roof Design: More than a Black-and-White Issue”, RCI - Building Envelope Technology Symposium, San Diego, CA, 2009

To understand this fully, we need to review how roofing material manufacturers promote warranties and then review the fine print of what they are covering within the language of the warranty.

DURABLE ROOFING ASSEMBLIES

The basic premise of a long-term warranty can be seen by how a manufacturer’s specification promotes sustainable assemblies. One of the first products we find typically required for longer term warranties is thicker membrane. Where shorter term warranties allow the use of thinner membrane such as 45-mil thick, longer term warranties are published with thicker membranes such as 90-mil thick. There is significant data to show that thicker membranes are superior to thinner membranes. For comparison, Figure 1 shows the results of a Federal Puncture Test with non-reinforced EPDM. The EPDM membrane with a 90-mil thickness has a 60% increase in puncture resistance over a 45-mil membrane.

Figure 1

Another indication of durability can be found by testing roofing materials within the Xenon Arc Weathering Test (ASTM G 155). In Figure 2 the results for a reinforced TPO membrane can be seen based on kJ/mÇ. The 80-mil thick reinforced TPO has 42% greater weatherability than a 45-mil thick reinforced TPO.

Figure 2

These results can be then compared to the proposed building location based on expected radiant exposure to determine the minimum design consideration. But just like building codes, to offer a durable long lasting assembly, the designer should go above the minimum. In most cases, the designer will find this parameter already required by the roofing materials manufacturer.

Figure 3

As membrane thickness is promoted by manufacturers through longer term warranties, other components of the roof assembly are promoted above the typical shorter term warranties. The splicing of EPDM membranes are specified to be either wider seams with tapes or factory applied tapes, while thermoplastic membrane assemblies promote overlayment of the seams with additional welded products. Longer term warranties promote factory manufactured flashings, such as pipe seals and premade curb flashings. Multiple layers and thickness of insulation are important to reduce energy costs in the long term and performance of the building. A single layer of insulation may assist in the initial sale of the assembly, but the typical gap left behind with energy loss could be significant over the long term as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4

As technology improves products, they are promoted for longer term warranties. New insulation facers have been developed that offer moisture, mold, and wind uplift resistance. Figure 5 shows the typical uplift results between a fiber board, a standard black paper facer on polyisocyanurate, and a fiberglass coated facer on polyisocyanurate.

Figure 5

Manufacturers try to take into account foot traffic and unusual weather conditions that a roof assembly may experience over a long term warranty, so their roofing specifications include cover boards or higher compressive strength insulation to offer additional durability.

Besides warranties promoting thicker membranes, superior cover boards/insulations, and pre-fabricated accessories, there are incentives that can be included within the warranty, such as accidental puncture coverage, hail coverage, and reflective stability, if promoted enhancements by the manufacturer are specified. Some warranties will include other components, such as skylights, photovoltaic arrays, walking decks, and garden roof materials. In the case of the photovoltaic arrays, walking decks, and garden roofs, a membrane roof assembly’s components are specified to handle these additional uses of a roof area. If specified properly the manufacturer can include overburden removal and replacement within the warranty coverage, giving the owner the peace of mind that if a leak should occur, the investigation will not cost him anything additional.

WIND SPEED WARRANTY COVERAGE

Warranties also promote higher wind speed coverage and often incorporate cover boards, higher compressive strength insulation, and higher fastening density of the insulation to deal with long term performance. At times the specifier will find that the metal edging, which is the first line of defense against any wind storm, must be pre-manufactured and has been tested following the criteria within the ANSI/SPRI ES-1 and exceeds the International Building Code (IBC) standards. In higher wind locations, “Storm Strips” (a row of securement around the perimeter) might be suggested with the consideration to minimize storm damage.

For mechanically fastened assemblies, longer term warranties are available by specifying reduced spacing between rows of securement to increase uplift performance and fatigue on the roofing membrane. When special wind conditions are necessary for a warranty, an air barrier may be installed below the insulation on a steel deck to assist mitigating the interior pressure from the uplift, adding to the overall performance from wind.

WARRANTY LANGUAGE

This effort by a manufacturer to specify thicker membrane, better insulation, durable accessories, and incentives for additional coverage with a longer-term warranty increases the manufacturer’s reputation to the building owner in a positive manner. The building owner in turn assumes that the manufacturer’s warranty is an indicator of responsibility by the manufacturer and the relative life expectancy of the roof system. Unfortunately, warranties are used more as a marketing tool to assist in selling of roofing materials so even though a long-term warranty is preferable, the owner needs to review and understand what the warranty is actually offering as coverage.

After researching numerous published warranties and the phrases within, some warranties with equal duration do not match up with coverage. How many times have we heard, “Your 20-warranty requires additional components unlike your competitor? Isn’t all 20-year warranties the same?” Though the length of the warranty could be important, how each warranty is worded for coverage could be different allowing one roofing manufacturer more flexibility to deviate from the published specification by substituting lower performing products to have a more competitive advantage. To make sure the roofing installation has the same quality installation from either manufacturer, it becomes necessary for a building owner to understand what a warranty covers beyond the duration.

Once a building owner is convinced to read what is within a warranty, it can be difficult for the building owner to interpret the language. One of the reasons this is a problem is because warranties are written by the membrane manufacturer’s lawyer. The lawyer’s goal is to limit the liability of the membrane manufacturer. To make sense of what the building owner is actually receiving as coverage within a warranty, we need to focus on specific parts within a typical warranty.

Warranties are most often broken down into two parts. The first part is what the warranty covers which is typically referenced as the “roofing system”, defined as membrane, insulation, fasteners, flashing, and whatever additional components the manufacturer sells associated with the project. In my research I have found that the definition of “roofing system” can be altered. In one warranty the definition of the “roof system” was limited to just the roofing membrane without referring to any other associated purchased materials. Even though the warranty is titled Roof System Warranty the coverage only included the membrane, which is very similar to a material warranty. Though there is nothing wrong with a manufacturer defining a roofing system this way it can be misleading.

As mentioned, the first part also lists what else may be included under the coverage of the warranty. Sometimes a manufacturer does not sell a specific product required for the assembly, but is unwilling to lose the sale of their assembly, so they list these products on the warranty so as not to be excluded from the sale. This offers the flexibility necessary to keep the manufacturer in the prospect of winning the project. At the same time, they may list products that they do not cover, or the opposite simply not list such products at all, leaving the building owner with a potential hole in his expected coverage. An example would be a membrane manufacturer has the ability to sell all the components of an architecturally specified installation except for the asphalt required for insulation attachment. In this case, the manufacture may be willing to take the responsibility for the asphalt by listing this component on the warranty. If the manufacture does not want to cover the performance of the asphalt he may still offer the warranty, but list the asphalt as excluded from the coverage. Or the manufacturer will offer his warranty, but simply not mention the asphalt at all within the warrantable components. Again, none of the above is wrong, but it does reinforce the need for a building owner to read and understand the warranty coverage.

The second part is most often called “Terms, Condition, & Limitations” of the warranty. This section of the warranty can include numerous phrases that should be looked at closely to understand what is being offered. In this section, the membrane manufacturer offers details on how he will assist in paying for repairs. Some of the most common phrases have been “pro-rated”, “limited to original cost”, and “no-dollar limit” financial coverage. “Pro-rated” starts off with the original cost of the installation and then that amount is reduced a percentage each year based on the duration of the warranty. “Limited to original cost” limits the manufacturer’s financial responsibility to the initial cost excluding any inflation that could happen over the long term. “No-dollar limit” is the original cost with the inclusion of inflation. To see the difference between the two, Figure 6 shows an example of a 25-year pro-rated warranty versus a 20-year no-dollar limit warranty. Even though the duration of the longer warranty is 5 years, upon a catastrophic failure occurring at the 14th year the replacement cost to building owner is more than the original cost of the roof system. In this case, duration did not equal coverage.

Figure 6

In addition to how the warranty payment will be handled, the second section of the warranty includes the wind coverage. Wind speed coverage is a moving target. Historically, roofing system warranties did not offer this type of coverage. When it was thought to assist in the sales of the roofing system, warranties began to use words such as “Gale Force Winds”. The definition of this term can be found on Figure 7, a portion of the Beaufort Wind Scale.

Figure 7

Referring to Figure 7 one might be surprised to see that there are four different “Gale” type winds. The term “Gale Force Winds” referenced in some warranties is considered to be defined by the manufacturer as “Fresh Gale”, offering coverage up to 39-46 mph wind. Though the industry accepted this concept, owners demanded to know what the exact wind speed number might be, so some warranties started to actually list the wind speed as “not to exceed 55 mph”, which we can see on Figure 7 is “Strong Gale” wind coverage. When longer term warranties were introduced, they included an option of possible higher wind coverage, so 72 mph was offered, which is one mile per hour short of a hurricane.

With the introduction of wind coverage, building owners and specifiers have become confused about how this might relate to building codes 2. The bottom line is that they have no relationship to each other. The International Building Code does not require a wind warranty on roofs, only that they meet the allowable uplift pressures determined and calculated by using the ASCE 7. In this same respect other components such as structural walls, decking, etc. must also meet this calculated pressure, but none offer wind speed warranty coverage. Since this is the case, a warranty wind speed is not based on ASCE 7 or the ANSI/FM 4474 uplift rating test. Warranty wind speeds are typically based upon the manufacturer’s installation experience and the demands of the market.

2 Marty Gilson & Brian Chamberlain “Roofing Warranty Wind Speed Coverage versus Local Building Codes, Local Wind Speeds, and FM Global: Solving the Mystery,” Northern Illinois CSI Link, May 2007.

In an attempt to reduce misunderstanding roofing manufacturers can offer warranty wind speed coverage in miles per hour that equal the local wind speeds as published by the ASCE 7. It is important to remember that the ASCE 7 is referenced under the Performance or Quality Assurance section of a bidding specification, while the warranty wind speed needs to be listed in miles per hour in the Warranty section. If the requested wind speed coverage is not in the Warranty section, the contractor will bid the project at the minimum wind speed warrant coverage offer by the manufacturer. Typically when this is discovered, the roofing system has been installed and may no longer qualify for the higher wind speed warranty.

Values are nominal design 3-second gust wind speeds in miles per hour (m/s) at 33-ft (10m) above ground for Exposure “C” category

Figure 8

Though manufacturers include higher wind speed coverage if requested, the wording of their standard coverage can be worded to limit their liability, while at the same time offering the illusion that they are covering more. An example of this would be not listing the miles per hour in the warranty but using words like Gale Force Winds (39-46 mph). Another example would be calling out wind coverage up to “Beaufort Scale #8” (39-46 mph). In both cases, the miles per hour coverage is hidden by words and must be clarified.

Besides wording, where the wind speed is measured can be creative. Most warranties are measured at “Ground Wind Speed”, which is 33-ft or 10 meters from the ground surface, the same height at which airports measure wind speed. Some warranties have the phrase “Rooftop Wind Speed". The higher the roof area, the greater the wind speed, so if you are considering wind speed coverage, ground wind speed offers better coverage on a higher building. As an example, if the building is 30 to 40 feet high there is practically no difference in the coverage, but it can make a huge difference on high rise roof areas. In Figure 9, a 300 ft high roof area with a rooftop wind speed of 80 mph, the ground wind speed would be 55 mph, while a ground wind speed of 80 mph would actually cover winds up to 118 mph for the same building.

Figure 9

EXAMPLES OF WARRANTY LANGUAGE

The examples that follow are sample warranty wording that was discovered on different membrane manufacturer’s website samples.

In one manufacturer’s 30-year System Warranty, the financial liability of the manufacturer was “limited to the original cost”, so if the roof system cost $100,000 that would be the maximum the manufacturer would pay, not including inflation. In addition, it was listed in the warranty that the owner pays for two inspections every five years in addition to any cost for repairs required by the manufacturer. This warranty did not list any wind speed coverage, so we can assume that if the roof system is damaged by any wind greater than zero, it is not covered under the warranty. And finally this warranty was “non-transferable”. Though most schools and government buildings typically will never transfer ownership, a warehouse or office building could change hands within the 30-year duration of the warranty, leaving the new building owner with no coverage at all.

A 25-year warranty sample found on the web began by stating that this warranty only covered the membrane. If deterioration of the membrane was discovered, the manufacturer’s responsibility is to ship and replace “defective” membrane. The cost to the manufacturer was limited not to exceed the original cost of the membrane and shipping to the building site. Though it did offer wind coverage up to a full gale force winds (46 mph?) it was clear that it did not include any failure of the substrate under the membrane or failure of any other roofing components. How would wind cause the deterioration of the membrane? As a final note, the membrane manufacturer stated it would not cover the workmanship by the installer.

Another long term warranty (20-year) requires the building owner to schedule inspections with the manufacturer after 2, 5, 10, and 15 years at the owner’s expense. It did publish wind speed coverage less than 73 mph, which the Beaufort Wind Scale defines as being the lowest miles per hour for a hurricane. This warranty again was “nontransferable” and the coverage was “pro-rated”, so a $100,000 roof installation would loss coverage year after year.

One manufacturer published their warranty including similar language (“nontransferable” and “limited to the original cost”), but this 20-year warranty offer wind coverage with “gales excluded”. Returning back to the Beaufort Wind Scale, we see that gale force winds begin at 32 mph, so in reality, this warranty only offered coverage up to

31 mph.

Though there are many more warranty versions, this last one I offer is called a 20-year System Warranty and for the first 10 years has coverage is very similar to a “nodollar-limit” system warranty. But in the body of the warranty it states that after 10 years, the warranty becomes a “pro-rated” material warranty (labor not included) and lists the actual percentage of coverage. The Figure 10 below gives you an idea of financial assistance offered by the manufacturer, assuming the original installation cost $100,000.-.

20 Year Warranty % Coverage Cost of Installation $100,000.-

1st – 10th Year 100% Total System $100,000.-

11th Year 80% of Material $12,000.-

12th Year 60% of Material $9,000.-

13th Year 40% of Material $6,000.-

14th – 20th Year 30% of Material $4,500.-

PHRASES TO LOOK FOR

When assisting a building owner in the design of the roofing system to achieve the goal of durability, knowing the type of wording to look for in the warranty can be invaluable. Here are a few phrases that may be encountered:

• System Warranty: Where a Material Warranty will only cover the sheet good of the roofing system, a System Warranty typically is defined as covering all products installed offered by the manufacturer and includes the labor to install the referenced materials.

• Is the warranty transferable to a new owner upon the sale of the building or is there a limitation and stipulation that should be reviewed based on the owner’s plans for the future?

• Wording within the warranty may require the building owner to pay for periodic inspection by the roofing material manufacturer, including any costs associated to repairs found necessary during those inspections.

• A notation of maintenance required by the building owner, if not performed by the building owner could void the warranty. Though the above are some of the terms that should be reviewed closely below is some of the more favorable language that should be included.

• The warranty offers “full coverage” that includes labor to install and repair if necessary and material costs.

• “No Dollar Limit”, so if a catastrophic problem occurs and it is at the fault of the roof system, replacement of the roof system will cost the building owner nothing.

• The warranty should be “transferable” and there should be clarification of the cost and inspection requirements.

• Look for “wind coverage”, which should be listed in miles per hour and where the wind speed is measured should be specified.

• Depending on the building owner’s needs, possible additional coverage, such as hail, accidental puncture, or reflectivity should be included. This type of coverage is available but is not typically included in standard warranties. The building owner must have these needs referenced in the warranty section of the building specification.

In conclusion, the assemblies specified in association with a long term warranty do offer durable options for the building owner. They promote thicker membranes, stronger substrates, and better combined assemblies to match the length of the warranty and expectations of the building owner. Unfortunately, the published warranties need to be reviewed closely to make sure they match what is being offered.

One way a specifier could assist the building owner would be to review the warranty section of the proposed architectural specification to make sure some of favorable phrases listed earlier are incorporated in this section. Another would be to require a sample copy of the proposed warranty to be included with all bidding documents, so coverage can be reviewed along with cost. If anything within warranty wording seems amiss based on the building owner’s needs, clarification can be requested in writing from the manufacturer to clear up any confusion.

Keep in mind, if one manufacturer’s coverage is different than his competition, he can offer an assembly based on his warranty liability, the result could be a more cost competitive system with the building owner unaware of the potentially loss of warranty coverage. With this information, the specifier can guide the building owner away from using warranties as design criteria and focus on quality materials, proper assemblies, and verifiable workmanship.

References

Karen Warseck, “Roofing Warranties: Always Read the Fine Print,” Building Operating Management, February 2008.

Chuck Marvin, “Roof Warranties Moving Past Clichés,” Interface, April 2011.

Samir K. Ibrahim, “Inside the NDL,” PowerPoint Presentation, February 2006.

NRCA, “Roofing Warranties,” http://www.nrca.net/consumer/warranties.aspx

Republished with permission.

Courtesy of: Cotney Construction Law

The abundance of storm damage from the 2017 hurricanes has brought to light an important and costly lesson for contractors repairing the damage where insurers are involved: be careful not to cross the line between being a contractor for the insured and being the insured’s negotiator with its insurer.  The case of Lon Smith & Associates, Inc. v. Key, No. 02-15-00328, 2017 WL 3298391 (Tex.App.-Fort Worth, Aug. 3, 2017) highlights this issue.

In Lon Smith & Associates, the Keys retained Smith to repair their hail damaged roof through a contract that authorized Smith to “pursue [the] homeowners [‘] best interest for all repairs, at a price agreeable to the insurance company and [Smith] and further provided that “[t]he final price agreed to between the insurance company and [Smith] shall be the final contract price.”  The final contract price agreed to between the Keys and Smith was $33,769.50, however, insurance proceeds only covered $18,926.69, leaving a substantial balance owed by the Keys.  After the Keys failed to pay the difference, Smith brought suit and obtained a default judgment.  Separately, the Keys brought suit against Smith, asserting that the contract violated Texas Insurance Code section 4102.051’s prohibition against a corporation acting or holding itself out as a public insurance adjuster in the absence of a license. See Tex. Ins. Code Ann. § 4102.051(a) (West Supp. 2016). Accordingly, the Keys claimed the agreement was illegal, void, and unenforceable. See id. § 4102.207(a), (b) (West 2009).  In essence, the Keys asserted (and the Court agreed) that the contract was void- meaning that any money paid to the contractor would have to be disgorged, or given back.  But it did not stop there- the Keys sought and obtained class certification to join as plaintiffs “all Texas residents who from June 2003 through the present signed agreements with [Smith]” that contained the same language.  Several similar suits are also making their way through Texas courts as of the writing of this article.

Based upon the lessons of Smith, if you are a roofer or any type of contractor involved in restoration work where insurance is involved, you should have your contracts reviewed by an attorney familiar with these issues.  Aside from the contract language, it is also important to remember that actions speak louder than written words –meaning, even if your contract doesn’t have language like the Smith contract but you are getting involved in negotiations with your customer’s insurer, you are likely crossing the line into adjusting.  Sadly, you may face the same results.  To that end, make sure you contact counsel that can help you navigate the minefields associated with this type of work.  If you do work outside of Texas, note that many states have enacted similar restrictions, so find out beforehand what type of restrictions exist.

Author’s note: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation. Regulations and laws may vary depending on your location. Consult with a licensed attorney in your area if you wish to obtain legal advice and/or counsel for a particular legal issue.

The labor shortage within the construction industry has left roofing companies competing for qualified workers while trying to retain existing talent. Because your employees are a significant investment, especially when considering the time and money it costs to train them, it is important to develop a plan to keep your best workers. In this article, our construction lawyers list three ways roofing companies can retain their best workers.

CREATE A REWARDING WORK CULTURE

A key to developing and retaining great workers is to create a work culture that recognizes and rewards employees for their contributions and loyalty. Ideally, your employees will soon come to view employment with your company as a career rather than “just a job.” To do that, your team members must be able to see a path to growth and advancement within your company. Employees are more likely to stay when they know there is an opportunity to both become better at their job and advance to the next level. To the extent possible, companies should strive to promote from within, which rewards deserving employees and motivates the other employees to earn similar promotions. Companies also benefit from establishing a program that publicly recognizes high-performing or long-tenured employees. Almost everyone appreciates being recognized for his or her contributions; and when a company takes the time to publicly thank deserving employees, that can go a long way in fostering morale and loyalty at little or no cost to the company.

COMPENSATION AIMED AT RETENTION

Ultimately, people work for a company – any company – to be compensated for their work. Companies should start by offering employees fair compensation and benefits, and create a plan that includes compensation incentives for those who stay with the company and work hard. These incentives can include any combination of raises, bonuses, accrued vacation time (even if unpaid), accrued paid time off, and even potential stock options. Ideally, employees who have been with the company for some time will view their time with the company as an investment that is beginning to deliver dividends, whereas taking a job with another company would be starting over from the ground level. It is one thing to offer competitive pay, but structuring compensation so that employees understand they are in line for increased pay and benefits by remaining with your company can go a long way toward retaining those employees.

USE SURVEYS AND INTERVIEWS TO GET FEEDBACK

Use surveys, interviews, and an “open door” policy to hear from your staff and identify their needs. Performing exit interviews with employees who choose to leave can help identify possible areas of improvement and limit future losses.  Similarly, it is important to learn why employees choose to remain with your company, and what it takes to keep them with your company. This entire process can be invaluable toward developing a successful retention plan, as it helps the company identify what its employees value most, what the company is doing well, and where improvement may be needed. Emphasizing employee feedback also helps your workforce believe that the company values their opinions and wants to consider their interests when making business decisions.  

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Trent Cotney is an advocate for the roofing industry, General Counsel of FRSA, TARC, RT3, WCRCA, and PBCRSMA, and Board Certified in Construction Law by the Florida Bar. For more information, contact the author at 813-579- 3278 or go to www.cotneycl.com.

by: Todd Miller - Isaiah Industries, Inc.,

Todd Miller is President of Isaiah Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of specialty residential metal roofing. His personal website, www.asktoddmiller.com, is a great resource for answers to your questions about roofing and ventilation.

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Why is there reason to be concerned that residential metal roofing products are specified and used properly? First of all, the metal roofing industry continues to enjoy rapid growth. Current market share is estimated at 14% of the roofing market and, depending upon where you live and exactly what sector of the roofing industry you serve, you may feel like the market share is considerably higher than that. This is much higher than 15 or so years ago when market share nationally was only around 2%.

So, what is driving this growth? Increased awareness is playing a big role. A rising tide raises all ships. Property owners see more metal roofs and they want to become a part of the trend. They read about metal roofing on the internet and see photos of beautiful roofs. Once they learn about some of the other benefits of metal roofing, they don’t want to miss out on those either. I think that what we’re seeing in metal, especially in the residential arena right now, is part of an evolution toward better building materials that has always existed and is going to continue to occur.

Those benefits that property owners appreciate include durability, wind resistance, and fire safety. We’re also seeing metal being selected for its low weight compared to other roofing materials, especially on older structures. There is also great interest in the energy efficiency of metal roofing, this being driven heavily by the federal tax credit that, for several years, was in place for reflective metal roofing. And, in general, homeowners really like the green benefits of metal roofing including not only the energy efficiency but also the recycled content of the metal, the 100% recyclability of the products at the end of their life, and the ability in many instances to install metal roofs over old shingles.

As a part of this increased use of metal roofing, we’re seeing more manufacturers and also more contractors entering the arena. And all of those new players come with some learning curve still ahead of them. Even the most experienced of us are always learning. That’s why education and information are so very important.

Many roofing contractors are interested in metal right now. In fact, if you go to just about any roofing contractor’s website, or look at the lettering on their truck, there is some mention of metal. Yet almost every day I hear of stories of contractors advertising metal who can’t answer the questions about metal roofing that are posed to them by architects or homeowners. It’s also not uncommon for me to hear that if a prospective customer asks them about metal, they just downplay it and steer them instead toward their “bread and butter” product, whatever that might be.

Property owners are also increasingly intrigued about metal roofing yet, with them, there’s something even more dangerous going on than just lack of information and not knowing where to go for education. The worst thing about property owners is that they assume all metal roofs are the same. Sadly, they don’t even know what to look for nor what questions to ask! So, they are often going along with recommendations from their contractor or their lumberyard or big box, even though they don’t really understand the product being sold to them. Their expectations may be way too high, sometimes leaving them badly disappointed when the product doesn’t look or perform as they had expected.

So, the end result of this lack of good training, good information, and appropriate resources is two things:

1)    Products are being used incorrectly – they are being used on jobs and in ways for which they were never intended to be used; and

2)    Products are often being installed incorrectly – fastened wrong, cut wrong, flashed wrong -- you name it. All of these are bad things that lead to unhappy customers.

So, that brings us to this topic of specifying the best possible option for every metal roof installation.  Because it’s a bit like eating an elephant where you have to do it one bite at a time, I will review what’s available in metal roofing today including where it works and where it does not work.

There are numerous key considerations that must be considered on each and every project where a metal roof is being considered. Keeping these things in mind as the project is evaluated will allow the best metal roof option to be called for.  Before we start digging into product details and limitations, let’s take a look at some of the Key Considerations when recommending a particular metal roof. These are the very important things to be aware of on every project before you decide which product will be best for that roof.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Roof Geometry.  Are your salespeople – those out helping property owners assess their needs and determine an appropriate solution – experts at considering the overall shape or configuration of a roof? Are they trained and looking for things like flared gables – where the roof is wider at the top than the bottom? Are they thinking about water and potentially even snow and ice that will shed from upper roofs onto lower roofs? Are they looking for non-90 degree hips? Have they ever brought in contracts for jobs with complex things on them like eyebrow windows or barrel dormers … and they’d not really given any thought to how time consuming the proper installation of those areas will be? All of these things play huge roles in making sure the proper product is being specified and that the contractor has the resources to carry out the project specifically – meaning that the contractor is getting paid enough to do the job well. Being able to assess and evaluate roof geometry and how metal roofing will work with that geometry is critical.

Water Flow. This is another big one. You may think you’re doing great by specifying a snap lock standing seam with a 1.875” tall seam but then completely miss the 25’ rafter length on a second story that is going to drop all of that water onto a first floor roof, making it all land in one 15” wide standing seam panel on a 3:12 pitch. Do you know how many times I’ve been consulted on roofs where they couldn’t track down a leak and it was just because they had way too much water flowing down one standing seam panel, and it’s flooding out? When evaluating roofs and recommending roof systems, as I am sure you have all heard before, you must think like a rain drop.

Air movement. This is especially critical in areas with high wind potential. Most folks in the roofing industry know that the side of the roof that takes the brunt of uplift pressures in a severe wind event is not the side of the roof that faces the wind – it’s actually the back side of the roof which gets the effect of wind rushing over the roof and curling around on the back side, trying to lift the panels off the roof. Sometimes the geometry of the roof also contributes to high uplift areas in certain places.  So, how do you deal with that? Well, in some cases, you can consider increasing fasteners or something in the areas that are most likely to have damage from high winds. Regardless, a roof must be built to sustain the winds it will endure. Understanding those wind dynamics is critical.

Attic Ventilation. While ventilation usually has more to do with how the roof is installed than what product is being installed, it’s still a critical consideration. Here are questions that your estimator or salesperson should be thinking about on every project. Are there special ventilation needs here beyond what is even required by code? Is there animal confinement going on? Do they have a lot of house plants? Ventless gas stove? Wet crawlspace or basement? Once you consider those, then you can begin to investigate … does the ventilation meet code? Is it evenly balanced between intake and exhaust or perhaps even a little pressurized in the attic due to a slightly higher level of intake? Do you need to add exhaust vents to the roof? Do you need to include a package with intake vents, or clean the insulation back from their intake vents? I don’t need to tell you about the number of lawsuits out there pertaining to mold in homes and other buildings. If you leave a home without proper ventilation, even if it was that way when you arrived, you’re at risk if mold develops in that structure and the homeowner and their insurance company start suing anyone and everyone who have ever touched that house. And, let me give you an extra warning here … let’s say the structure is not vented per code but they have never had a condensation problem before. Can a metal roof, if vented the same as the previous roof, cause problems that did not exist before? Actually, yes, it can.  Because the metal roof will drop the roof deck temperature a couple of degrees from what it was previously, condensation might occur that did not occur before. And if that building is made more air tight in the future such as by adding a house wrap or new windows or doors, that will increase the amount of moisture that ends up in the attic, again increasing the risk of condensation occurring.

Trees Around The House. The first thing that trees around a house tell you is that there will be leaves or pine needles on the roof. So, as the roofer, how will those leaves and needles get off the roof without damage to the roof or without having them clog up your roof system? This is where specifying a roof system with only open valleys comes into play. If you install a roof system with closed valleys designed to carry water beneath the roof’s surface, those concealed waterways are going to clog up with debris and there are going to be major problems on the job. Rotted out eaves and other things.

What is another thing that trees tell me?  That the roof is going to be prone to tree sap, or at least airborne fungus. So, I am going to want to specify a metal roof that has a coating on it that’s as resistant as possible to dirt and fungus. Otherwise, in a few years, you’re going to have a very unhappy customer and a situation that is a black eye for the metal roofing industry.

Aesthetics. Nine times out of ten, if you send me driving down a neighborhood street and tell me that there is a metal roof on a home on that street, I will be able to tell you which house it is on long before I can see the roof.  How can that be?  Because most metal roof customers care very much about the aesthetics – the beauty – of their homes. So, I will recognize the house based upon the landscaping, the manicured lawn, or perhaps a fountain or other lawn statuary.

So, if you have a prospective customer who cares about how their home looks, what are you going to do? Pull out the samples of your prettiest product. Maybe use Visualizer software from your manufacturer to help them see what their home will look like after the roof is completed. You’re going to do all you can to prove to them that their home will look phenomenal with your roof.

Here’s another interesting thing on aesthetics. I was contacted recently by a homeowner who was very unhappy that their contractor had sold them what they felt was an ugly metal roof. And they were so upset that they were trying to put a dollar amount on how much this ugly metal roof (and it really was not appropriate looks-wise for their home) was decreasing the value of their home so that they could deduct that from their final payment on the roof.  They were playing with a number around $9000 when they contacted me.

Energy Efficiency. A big part of Needs Analysis with a property owner should focus on whether they’d like to make their home more energy efficient and, if so, how they’d like to accomplish that. Generally speaking, if they want to save energy in the winter, that is done by increasing the insulation on top of their home’s ceilings – holding the heat in. If the attic is vented according to code, which helps to prevent ice dams on roofs in the winter, then once that heat reaches the attic, it is exhausted out. Summer energy efficiency is achieved through reflecting heat away from the home, using thermal breaks to stop conductive heat transfer from the roof into the attic, and then, finally, by using ventilation to get rid of any heat that does make its way into the attic. Metal roofing meets these criteria well through the use of heat-reflective finishes, the integration of thermal breaks (small air gaps) between the metal roof and the roof deck, and by integrated ventilation. The thermal breaks I have mentioned work much the way the small airspace works between two pieces of glass in a thermal pane window. They stop conductive heat transfer.  Metal shingles usually have an integrated thermal break. Vertical seam metal roofs can accomplish a thermal break by being installed on battens, if the product allows for that, or sometimes by using special clips that lift the panel slightly up off of the roof deck.

Weather Extremes.  If you live in a hot climate, you will want  to offer metal roofs with heat reflective coatings. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, you’re going to do special things to prepare for wind events. In an area with lots of seismic activity? A low weight metal roof may be appropriate. Ice and snow – again, you will be looking at ventilation and at a roof system that won’t trap ice on the roof. You set yourself apart from your competitors, serve your customers with excellence, and ensure successful roofing projects by strongly considering the weather dynamics before recommending one metal roof type over another.

Other key considerations. When I train salespeople how to sell metal roofs, I teach them how to help homeowners set their Purchasing Criteria for the new roof. What are the homeowners’ hot buttons? What do they care about?  What benefits will raise the value of the roof enough in their minds to justify the price? Is it durability, energy efficiency, added home value, beauty? Something else? What are the things they really want to accomplish with their roof investment? This is all determined very purposefully during the Needs Analysis part of your in-home presentation and, once you know these things, you can tailor your presentation to really build value in these areas. These things also become a critical tool that you will use when it comes time to close the deal because, as they weigh their decision, you can remind the property owners of the Purchasing Criteria they set, and what it will take to meet those goals.

Maybe this all seems like a lot to think about on every job. Maybe it seems like a lot to expect of your salespeople each time they meet with a prospective customer. But, is it really? I mean, after all, what are the risks if we don’t evaluate and assess these things – as well as many other things – in order to propose the roof system that will best serve the structure and its owners? Here are the risks. They aren’t small.

Worst case is you install a system that fails. Now, keep in mind, for most property owners, a metal roof is a significant investment. You do something that causes leaks to start popping up – perhaps even leaks that were never there before, and you have one unhappy customer. Worse, yet, what if those leaks are over their grand piano? Or their new gourmet kitchen? Anyone ever been there before? Anyone ever hear of an unhappy customer hitting social media and Ripoff Report to try to “take down” a contractor.  I hope you have never experienced any of those things but, if you have, you know that it gets real ugly real fast. So, one risk to not properly evaluating the job and then recommending the right system is failure—call-backs, repairs, perhaps even replacement. Because, I have to tell you something – if you install a metal system on a roof that is flat-out inappropriate for that home or other building? There’s no fixing it … no amount of spit shine or elbow grease is going to make that metal roof that was intended for a 3:12 pitch roof work on even a 2.8:12 let alone a 1.5:12.

Next thing, of course, is an unhappy customer. Let’s say that what goes wrong is, by some miracle, something that you can easily fix. Even after the repair, you probably still have an unhappy customer. And, what’s more, because the metal roof was so unique, all the neighbors were watching. Now, they know that you messed up, too! Word travels fast, doesn’t it? And, an unhappy customer can easily mean you don’t get paid, you end up in court, and you don’t get referrals from that job! Worst case, just one messed up, ill-advised, improperly-specified metal roof, and you can create a situation that ruins a market for metal roofing for several years!

Okay, none of us wants any of that to happen, do we? So, in order to make sure that the right metal roof product is being used on each and every job, here are key things to consider:

            The various profiles, or looks and style of metal roofing

            Fastening and attachment Methods

            Ventilation

            Metals

            Coatings

By understanding the above things fully, then, based upon what you figured out during that earlier evaluation, you can know what sort of metal roof will be best for the project you’re on.

Let’s discuss Profiles first – the general designs or style of metal roofs. How a metal roof looks impacts the aesthetics of the project but it goes way beyond that as well. There are peculiarities of each style of metal roof which must be considered. One of those things is that every metal roof has a minimum required pitch. Do not ever install a metal roof at a pitch lower than that recommended by its manufacturer! Sadly, I see this done all the time – people think they can beef up the underlayment or do this or that in order to get by at a lower than required pitch.  Don’t do it!  Even if the homeowner begs you and says “pretty please with a cherry on top” and promises they will never hold you liable. Don’t do it. Minimum pitch requirements are there for a reason. They are serious. Manufacturers would love to sell product for all roof types but, in some cases, it just doesn’t work. You can’t fool a raindrop! And, as for that homeowner who promises to never hold you liable? He or she will be the first one to hold you liable!

I do want to make a quick general statement before we dig into Profiles. Some of the profiles we will discuss are structural, meaning that they can be installed without solid decking beneath them. They can be installed over battens or purlins. Most of the profiles we will be digging into,, though, are architectural, meaning they must be installed with decking. This should go without saying but never install an architectural panel – pone of the panels that requires decking – without decking.

One more thing I will say, for residential applications, even if you are installing a structural metal roof, I really, really, really urge you to have solid decking as a part of the system. The problem is that, inside of homes as well as some other structures, we create a lot of moisture in of a relatively small space. We create moisture from cooking, doing laundry, taking showers, house plants – all kinds of things. That amount of moisture, even if the attic is vented per code, can still be enough to raise air humidity levels to the point where condensation occurs if the cold back side of the metal roofing is directly exposed to the warm, moist attic air. This is the risk with structural panels on homes. Again, my advice, never install a metal roof on a residence or other small, moisture containing building without having solid decking in place.

So, I want to break Metal Roofing Profiles down into two general categories and then we will take a look at the fifty thousand or so sub categories. Those two general categories are Vertical Seam and Modular Panels. Vertical seam panels only run vertically on the roof, and generally will not have any horizontal seams or laps. Modular panels on the other hand, usually have horizontal seams as well. And these are the panels that often are designed and fabricated to look like shake, shingle, slate, or tile.

Let’s look at Vertical Seam panel profiles first. I will break them down into sub-categories.

The first sub-category is Exposed Fastener. These panels are sold in a variety of profiles. Common profiles include 5V Crimp, R Panel, and PBR Panel. They are defined by their consistent vertically running corrugations. The fasteners used in them are typically screws with a rubber washer and a cap head. Because of the fact that they are direct screwed to the roof rather than a series of interlocking panels, these are extremely wind resistant products. The down side is that the exposed screws can have problems over time, such as the fasteners backing out, the washers cracking and failing, or the screw holes wallowing out or elongating, also causing the panels to loosen. This type of panel has no allowance vertically for the metal’s natural expansion and contraction with temperature changes. So, the impact of that movement is borne by the fasteners and the fastener holes. This will impact the roof’s wind resistance as it ages as screws can loosen or even break and the fastener holes wallow out. These panels usually are steel and are rarely made from aluminum because of aluminum’s higher expansion rate. The aesthetics of these products are sought after for certain jobs but are not real common on higher end homes.

I mentioned 5V as a common Exposed Fastener profile. That particular panel and its distinctive look is very much associated with coastal Florida and island areas. Really, the wind resistance of these sheets directly screwed to the roof versus other metal roofs with any sort of interlock speaks for itself. However, the lack of allowance for expansion and contraction is a negative for these panels, and jeopardizes wind resistance in the future. Additionally, because these are what I call “entry level” metal roofs, meaning they are on the low end of the scale as far as price, we end up seeing a lot of lower grade steels and coatings work their way into these panels. I also sometimes see secondary metal – metal that’s been rejected for quality purposes – finding its way into these panels. In that case, it’s important to understand metals and coatings so you know what you’re getting.  Exposed Fastener panels also just have an overlap on their sides.  So, they are not going to be as water resistant as some other panels with more aggressive interlocks panel to panel. Sometimes in these panels, though, butyl tape or butyl sealant will be used in the overlaps to enhance the water resistance.

There is also a hybrid version of these panels which are tile profile exposed fastened panels. These panels run vertically and have exposed fasteners but they also have horizontal steps pressed into the panels to simulate the look of clay tile courses. The horizontal steps actually serve a very beneficial purpose. They help to take up the metal’s expansion and contraction so that thermal movement is not borne entirely by the fasteners and fastener holes. Each course or step acts like a little accordion if you will, meaning these panels do not have the fastener problems that we see with panels that do not have these steps.

Now, contrasting with Exposed Fastener products, the rest of the vertical seam panel types we are about to cover have concealed fasteners.

First, let’s look at standing seam roof systems, and we’re going to break it down into two categories – snap lock and mechanically seamed. Snap lock panels are exactly what they sound like – the vertical seams snap together. There are actually two types of snap lock panels. One is traditional which consists of hidden clips to secure the panels to the roof deck. The other is called a nail hem panel.  It’s called that even though it is usually applied with screws. When I describe this particular profile, the best thing I know to say is to think of vinyl siding that runs vertically up the roof instead of horizontally on a wall.

The hidden clip version of snap lock, when properly installed, has full allowance for expansion and contraction, making it ideal for roofs with long rafter lengths. Additionally, the clip helps support and provide additional wind resistance to the seam itself.

The nail hem version, on the other hand, has slotted holes for the fasteners. It is critical that crews installing nail hem panels be properly trained in regards to driving in the screw fasteners. The screws must all go into the middle of the slots and they must not be torqued down so tightly as to prevent the expansion and contraction of the roofing panels. If the screws are not placed properly or if they are driven in too tightly, ripples, known as oilcanning, will be forced into the panels.

The clipped standing seam panels can usually be used down to 2:12 pitch while the nail hem panels usually require a 3:12 pitch. This determination is primarily a result of the height of the seams. The clip-fastened version can have sealant in the seams as well for extra protection. One thing to keep in mind in regards to any vertical seam panel with sealant in the seams – you’re going to have real problems if you ever try to take the panels apart. So, if there is any advance thought that a roof might ever have to be modified, perhaps to add onto or remodel the structure, you will later wish that it did not have sealant in the seams.

These types of standing seam are commonly available in both steel and aluminum. It is not unusual for them to be available with the high end PVDF finishes and also with the runner-up super polyester finishes. These panels are available with different seam heights though generally the clip fastened panels will have higher seams than the nail hem panels. Clipped panels will have seam heights typically from 1.25” to 2” and nail hem panels will have seam heights usually less than 1.25”. The height of the seam determines how much water each panel can handle before it floods out and water penetrates the lock. For this reason, again, clipped panels with their taller seams will be preferred for longer panel lengths and also for that scenario I mentioned earlier where a higher level roof may be dropping water into one or two panels of a lower roof.

The remaining type of clip fastened standing seam is a mechanically seamed standing seam. These metal roofs are designed for low pitch applications. When these pans are first installed on the roof, there is no lock to the seam. The pans are installed and secured using clips. Then a seaming machine is run down the length of the seam to create a watertight lock. In old days, rather than use a seaming machine, they would use crimping tools in order to crimp the seams shut by hand. Sometimes mechanically seamed panels will have sealant in the seams as well. This is the style of metal roof that is commonly installed on large commercial and industrial buildings. Mechanically seamed standing seams can often be used at roof pitches as low as 0.25: 12.

That covers the vertical seam panels.  Let’s move on to modular panel metal roofing profiles.

Modular panels come in a variety of sizes and styles. Many but not all of them have concealed fasteners and many but not all of them have interlocks on all sides of the panels. We often see these panels used for residential applications. One thing about residential applications is that the homeowners typically care about longer term warranties. So, most manufacturers of these panels use higher end coatings and finishes rather than “budget grade” coatings.  These allow them to offer more aggressive warranties.

Modular panels almost always require a minimum 3:12 roof pitch and, in a few cases, 4:12. Keep in mind that if you install a modular panel that has a 1” formed thickness at its downhill edge, and it’s a 12” high panel, then that panel is creating a negative 1:12 pitch all by itself.  If you installed it on a 1:12 pitch roof, the panels are sitting flat on the roof deck – not a good way to get water off of the roof, is it?

One thing to keep in mind on modular panels is that they can take some extra care for walkability. The formed thickness lifts the metal up off of the roof deck and, whether the panel is steel, aluminum, or copper, that does mean some extra care must be taken when walking the roof in order to prevent causing visible damages. Generally, that extra care is in the form of walking on the areas of the panel which are closest to the roof deck.

If a homeowner has roof areas where they walk frequently, perhaps to wash dormer windows or put up Christmas lights or something, many of these panels have optional foam inserts that fill up the airspace with a high-density foam. That helps allow the panels to be walked on. Now, a couple of things to keep in mind. Some of these panels are heavily textured so that can help mask the appearance of minor indentations, far better, really, than what happens on many vertical seam panels where every indentation can be quite visible. Additionally, as is the case with all metal roofs and in contrast with most other roofing materials, these products will maintain their impact resistance and walkability as they age.

As I mentioned earlier, there are some different fastening and locking systems with these panels. Most modular panels do have concealed fasteners but a few have exposed fasteners. We see this primarily with some tile profiles and some of the older stone-coated steel systems designed to be installed over battens. Additionally, while most modular panels have interlocks on all sides, some have overlaps on the sides.  I would caution you again to think about water flow.  If a roof is designed such that water may flow or be pushed sideways across the roof as it flows down the roof, you do not want that water running into a side overlap between the metal roofing panels.

Let’s cover metals now. There is so much to be discussed here but we’re going to focus primarily on the differences that may make you want to use one metal rather than another metal on a particular project. But, I will still provide some basic details as well.

The steel used in roofing is typically either galvanized or Galvalume. Both of these metals have carbon steel at their core. They then have a corrosion-resistant metallic coating that has been applied to both sides of the steel to keep it from rusting. In the case of galvanized, that metallic coating is primarily zinc. In the case of Galvalume, that metallic coating is primarily aluminum.

For some folks, this raises a question of curiosity. We hear a great deal about the possibility of electrolysis or a galvanic action occurring when two different metals come in contact with each other. Why doesn’t this occur when we place, for example, a coating of aluminum on top of steel? The reason is that, in order for a galvanic reaction to occur, there must be a catalyst introduced. That catalyst is commonly a salt or water.   As long as the aluminum completely covers the steel, no pin holes or scratches or wear marks, then a catalyst can’t be introduced between the two different metals and no galvanic reaction occurs. This is one reason why, with both galvanized and Galvalume steel, it is very critical that care be taken to not scratch the surface of the metal and to touch up any scratches that do occur.

There are different grades of both galvanized and galvalume steel. The grade is based upon the thickness of the corrosion resistant coating on top of the steel. G90 is a common grade of galvanized steel used in metal roofing. The 90 refers to the fact that 0.90 ounces of galvanization has been applied to every square foot of the metal. There are lower grades of galvanized steel being used including G60 which is common in the agricultural market. Please realize that, when you use a lower grade steel, you are shortening the expected life of the product.

In Galvalume, AZ 50 is a common grade for painted metal roofing. For Galvalume roofing that just has a clear acrylic coating on it, AZ 55, which has 10% more metallic coating for corrosion resistance, is common. One thing to keep in mind, when you hear about clear or acrylic coated galvalume, is that the clear coating has a life expectancy of less than 10 years before it will be washed away – probably more like 5 – 7 years.  Once that occurs, it is only the aluminum coating that prevents the steel from rusting. 

As a warning, if you encounter a steel roofing material and the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. It is either a lower grade steel, with a shorter life expectancy, or it is steel that has been rejected by another supplier and then re-sold as secondary metal. Sometimes that secondary metal can conveniently lose the “secondary” tag as it flows through producers and distributors.

Something to be aware of is the Metal Construction Association Certified Metal Roofing program. This is a program that some manufacturers have become a part of. Through this program, those manufacturers are able to certify that their raw material, and hence the metal roofs they form from that raw material, are of a certain quality level. They have QA procedures in place, for example, that allow them to track their raw material on every project back to its source, and ensure that secondary metal was not used. This program also looks at the coatings used on these products and is a great way for contractors to assure their customers of the quality of the product being sold to them.  There is both a Standard and a Premium level of certification through the MCA program.

So, back to galvanized and Galvalume. Why would you want to use one product over the other? The aluminum used on Galvalume erodes away at a slower rate than does the zinc used on galvanized steel which is good. But, zinc has a better ability to self-heal any scratches as well as cut edges.

Think about this, both the factory cut edges and the field cut edges on any steel roof expose a bit of carbon steel. It is so critical that your installers always cut steel with a shearing action that leaves a sharp, crisp edge rather than with, say, a sawing action that leaves a jagged edge. You want as little of that raw carbon steel exposed as possible.

When it rains, zinc molecules from the exposed galvanization coating on the cut edge go into solution with hydrogen from the water. Those zinc molecules are then deposited on the raw edge of the steel, protecting it from further exposure to the elements. Something similar happens to minor scratches that occur as well in the surface of the steel.

However, whereas this is what zinc molecules do, aluminum does not do this. Therefore, in the Galvalume coating, there is some zinc to try to accomplish this cut edge protection. But, there is not as much zinc to do it as there is with galvanized steel.

So, again, Galvalume wears better ultimately but it doesn’t self-heal cut edges and scratches as well. Keep in mind that, as far as the ultimate wearability of the two metals, if they have a paint finish on them, that paint finish has to completely wear away before the metal itself is ever exposed and this becomes a potential issue. So, that means the most vulnerable spot is indeed the cut or factory edges of the metal.

Bottom line, if you’re in a highly abusive, harsh environment, or if you want a product that can survive without a paint finish, Galvalume is preferred. However, if you’re more concerned about cut edge protection, if you’re concerned about scratches on the metal, or if you’re concerned about doing a lot of forming of the metal which could potentially stretch the paint finish and expose the steel, galvanized is the better choice.  Most vertical seam products that have minimal forming to the metal and minimal exposed cut edges, therefore, will be made from Galvalume. But, when you get into heavily formed modular steel panels such as shake and tile profiles where the metal is being stretched and contorted and where you have more cut edges because of the many smaller panels, galvanized is usually the metal of choice.

Aluminum is another metal option. It is more expensive than steel so it won’t reach the price point of a steel roof. It also inherently isn’t as strong as steel. In areas prone to real severe hail or extreme heavy snowloads and, in particular on buildings with snow loads that cascade from higher roofs onto lower roofs, steel can be a very good choice. But, aluminum can be more easily formed than steel, and it is completely rust resistant. So, we see aluminum as a great material for products that are more decorative and have a lot of forming done to the metal. Additionally, we see aluminum in harsh coastal environments or areas subject to severe acid rain, because it won’t rust.  To help give strength and support to the final roof system, we will see aluminum panels sometimes having those foam backers installed beneath it that we discussed earlier. One thing we do not typically see is aluminum being used in unpainted form. Unpainted aluminum is very difficult to form because the top surface tends to get very grabby or sticky.

Next, there are some exotic metals available as roofing. Copper and zinc are the two most common. Both can make great roofs, though they do have higher price points than steel and aluminum.  Copper is very good even in corrosive environments. As you know, it will change color over time, turning dark brown originally and then later developing the characteristic verdi gris green color. The green patina will cause run off streaks any place it touches, and actually the anti-microbial effect of copper (and zinc) ions may leave clean streaks on the roof. So, when you install a copper roof, you need to think about run-off control. For example, if you let copper run off into aluminum gutters, eventually the aluminum will sacrifice itself to the copper through galvanic action, and corrosion will occur. Also, if the copper runs across stone, stucco, etc., it will leave deposits of copper in the form of green streaks on that material. Some property owners may like that, and others may not. It is something that you as the roofing specifier must discuss with them before they make their roofing choice.

We are seeing more zinc being used as roofing. Very common in Europe for hundreds of years, zinc is not inexpensive but it can make a great roof. We’re seeing it specified a lot on public use and government buildings. One critical thing about zinc is that moisture trapped against the surface of the zinc is its enemy. So, commonly with zinc roofs, there is a spacer material used behind the roofing to promote drainage of any condensation or other trapped moisture. Even though it may seem like overkill to have this spacer, it is used because moisture trapped against the zinc will cause rapidly damaging corrosion to the zinc. Zinc producers will encourage these spacers even if a protective coating has been directly applied to the back side of the zinc itself.

Let’s move on now to the coatings that are typically on metal roofs.  The attributes of the various finishes will strongly impact what finish you want on any particular job.

First, let’s talk about paint coatings. Wet paint consists of three basic things and dry paint consists of two basic things. The three components of wet paint start with the solvent – that is what makes it wet. Next are the pigments, often called the solids – that is what gives the paint its color. And finally, the resin – that is the “glue” if you will that holds the pigment in place and also holds it to the base metal. Dry paint, then, has just pigments and resin because the solvent – the wet stuff – has been evaporated out of it.

Various paint chemistries, therefore, are defined most easily by their pigment and by their resin -- the stuff that gives it color and the stuff that makes it all stick together.

So, if the two primary items are resin and pigment, there are two things that happen to the paint as it ages.  One is that the resin breaks down. As the resin breaks down, the pigment starts to be exposed to more ultraviolet light and, worst case, the pigment starts to chalk. Did you ever run your hand down the aluminum siding on grandma’s house and get all that white stuff on your hand? That is because the resin has started to break down and, as a result, the pigment is being lost. So, you want a resin that resists breaking down, especially if you’re in a harsh weather environment with lots of sun because sun is very damaging on resin.

Next, you want pigments that do not change color quickly. Again, the resin helps protect the pigment but that will only take you so far.  Pigments used in metal roof coatings today generally fall into two categories – ceramic pigments which are man-made, and organic pigments which come from nature. Believe it or not, this is one area where man has excelled over nature. The man-made pigments perform far better than the natural pigments.

The two most common paint systems being used in metal roofing today are polyesters and PVDF, which stands for polyvinylidenefluoride. Both of these coatings are applied when wet to the metal while it’s still in coil form through a process called roll coating or coil coating. So, yes, these products are painted before the fabrication work is done on the metal. In the roll coating process, done at speeds from 250 to 750 feet per minute depending upon the particular production line, the metal is cleaned first, followed by a chemical pre-treatment that prepares the metal surface to accept paint. A primer is then applied and baked on followed by the top coat – the color coat – which is also baked on.  You have perhaps seen a few multi-colored coatings and those usually have a print coat on top of the color coat and often, for extra protection, a clear coat on top of that. Clear coats are also common on some of the higher end finishes including metallic colors. Clear coats do extend the life of the paint system through extra protection.

Let’s look in more detail at the polyester coatings first. Polyesters are named for the resin that is used in them. They have proven to be good over the years but eventually the resin does break down and chalking occurs. As this happens, the pigments are exposed to more ultraviolet light and so they begin to fade. The paint manufacturers have developed a higher grade of polyesters called super polyesters and basically what they have done with these is require them to use only ceramic, or man-made pigments.  That boosts the performance considerably. In fact, some folks have made claims that, after five years of exposure, the performance of these coatings is not far off that of the highest grade of coatings, the PVDF coatings. However, weatherization studies taken out to year 10 and beyond do show a marked drop off in performance of even the super polyesters. As the resin breaks down, we start to see chalking and also color loss.

Now we come to PVDF coatings. The resin in these coatings is from the mineral fluorite which is a very hard translucent green stone. The mineral is ground up to powder consistency and, because it has thermoplastic properties, it can be used in coatings. There is nothing even on the horizon today that out-performs these paint resins for their ability to remain solid and resist wear and breaking down as they age. To control the quality of these coatings, only certain paint producers are licensed to buy and use the PVDF resin.

In order to use these resins, a paint producer must use only ceramic pigments – the man-made pigments. So, these coatings are ensured of both the best resin and the best pigments for the best performance. By the way, the vast majority of the ceramic pigments have now been tweaked to be “cool colors” – so that they reflect radiant heat even in darker colors. This is what allows these coatings to meet Energy Star standards.

So, which do you want when specifying a painted metal roof? Polyester coatings or PVDF? I have a personal clear preference and it is based upon the quality of the PVDF coatings. However, there is a price difference between the two. If you’re in a mild environment meaning moderate amounts of heat, sunshine, and rain, and the property owner is not calling for top performance and the best possible warranty, polyester coatings can fit the bill nicely. However, in most situations, the PVDF finishes are going to meet the needs of even very demanding climates and clients.  The PVDF chemistry provides the slowest erosion rate and the best fade resistance. I want to add, too, if the project is calling for a specialty finish such as a very bright, vibrant, saturated color like a red or a blue, or if the coating is a metallic, there is no doubt that the PVDF coating is what you will want.

I will add here that we are starting to see some work being done in metal roofing with PVDF coatings in powder form rather than the wet-applied coatings we have been discussing. These powder finishes are applied electrostatically and baked on after the metal roofing has been formed.  The powder coats allow for texture to be built up on the surface of the metal and they also can allow for the blending of multiple colors.

There is another type of metal roof coating that we see being used, primarily on modular shake, shingle, and tile, and that is what we call a stone coating. Stone coatings are similar to the aggregate stones used on asphalt and fiberglass shingles, except they have been applied to a steel base. Like the powder coatings I just mentioned, the metal is fabricated first, and then cleaned, an adhesive is applied, and then the stones are applied, followed by a clear acrylic overglaze.  Stone coated steel products, for consumers, create a nice bridge from asphalt shingles to metal. They have a great look and can include blended colors.

I want to now touch on a couple of additional things and provide you with some resources for your ongoing research.

First, I touched on this earlier – flared gables. These are common on log homes as well as some California and chalet designs. The ridge of the roof is wider than the eave.  This situation can be tricky for some metal roofs.  So much water – and debris – flows into the gables as it runs down the roof that it overwhelms many typical gable trims. So, what you need for these applications is a special flared gable trim. Not all metal roof manufacturers offer this, so you need to know that before specifying a particular metal roof for a flared gable.

Next, let’s talk quickly about solar attachment. I have never seen a metal roof that could not have solar panels attached to it. However, many of them will require fasteners through the metal roof, very similar to what is done with asphalt shingles.  The primary exception is clip fastened standing seam panels. For these systems, the brackets for the solar panels can be clamped to the raised seams, with no fasteners penetrating the metal panels. If someone knows they will add solar to their roof in the future, standing seam would be a great option, even if they choose to use standing seam only where the solar panels will be installed, and then perhaps use a more decorative metal shingle or something on the rest of the home.

Finally, I can’t say a ton about this because warranties vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer but it’s important to know what sort of warranty will meet your customer’s needs best. How long of a warranty? Prorated or non-prorated? Transferable or not?  These are all great questions … make sure that you know the warranties of the products you are selling.

This article has covered a great deal. Here’s the bottom line, though … if you’re going to be selling and installing metal roofs, make sure that those salespeople or others in your company who are helping to select and specify metal roofs understand as much as possible about the various metal roof systems and why one is superior to another for certain applications. They need to be able to help select the best product design, metal, and coating for each and every application.

The good news is, there are resources available to help with this education. First, align yourself with a quality metal roof manufacturer or two and take advantage of any and all training they offer. Next, here are some trade associations and other things that may help you.

Residential Metal Roofing Executive Report is published twice a month and it is full of help in marketing, selling, and installing metal roofing. I write many of the articles for it. You can subscribe free online at www.executive-report.com.