Author: MaintenX

A leaking roof is usually cause for emergency maintenance service. If the leak has become bad enough to show through the ceiling, the problem has reached a dangerous level and needs to be remedied immediately. However, some facility managers will put off the repair due to its cost. 

Yes, roofing repairs can be expensive, but they are necessary. If you don’t tend to the issue, it could cause even more costly repairs, or worse, a collapse of the roofing inside the building. This should be avoided at all costs. In addition to the high costs, ignoring a roofing leak could lead to these serious maintenance issues:

You could experience mold growth. 

Mold doesn’t need much to grow. Simply give it water, heat, and a food source and it will spread slowly throughout your building. Food sources in commercial buildings include drywall, wood, and other building materials. Summer is the worst time for a roofing leak to occur because of the additional heat on the roofing. If you don’t take care of the leak quickly, the moisture, heat, and access to food will cause a severe health hazard inside your facility. 

Your building’s structure could be compromised. 

A leak in your roofing could allow water to damage the frame. At first, this will simply cause sagging in the roofline. However, the sagging will encourage water pooling, which will only exacerbate the problem. Eventually, the compromised frame will collapse, and you’ll be left with a very high repair bill. Prevent this from happening by calling your roofing specialist at MaintenX as soon as you notice a leak. 

Your insulation could be damaged.

Roof leaks not only cause damage to the building’s frame, but can dampen and damage your insulation. Most commercial facilities have fiberglass insulation. This type of insulation will become denser and come apart when it becomes wet. This will reduce the effectiveness of your insulation and will add weight that can also cause a ceiling collapse. 

As you can see, roofing leaks are serious business. They should be addressed as soon as they are identified to preserve the structural integrity of your building, as well as maintain a reasonable budget. You don’t want to have to pay for mold removal, insulation, or a ceiling collapse in addition to roof repair. 

MaintenX offers roofing repair, waterproofing, and installation services for facilities in the state of Florida. Contact us today to learn more about the roofing services in your area! 

Roofing is an integral element of the structural integrity of your commercial building. Without a strong roof, your facility will be prone to a host of maintenance issues from leaks to insulation issues, mold, mildew, and everything in between. Proper maintenance is key to preserving a roof’s strength and longevity, but when is it time to skip the maintenance and go straight for a roofing renovation? 

Replacing your roof too late can lead to unnecessary and costly maintenance. A roof that has reached the end of its service life is more expensive to maintain than budgeting for a renovation. However, you don’t want to replace quality roofing if it can be maintained for several years or decades. When in doubt, follow these steps to make the best decision for your roofing. 

Analyze your spending. 

A quick way to see if you should consider roofing renovation is to analyze your maintenance budget. Have you slowly been increasing your roofing maintenance over the years? And are these expenditures reaching unsustainable levels? If you have a sizable budget for roofing repair, you may want to consider putting that money toward a renovation instead. This can easily save you money in maintenance costs over time. 

Ask about the benefits. 

In some cases, a roofing renovation can provide benefits to your commercial facility that your current roofing does not. For example, could you invest in a new waterproof, solar, or high-end roofing material that could add to your cost-savings over time? Talk to your roofing specialist to see if your current roofing can stand the test of time, or if a modern renovation would be in your best interest. 

Contact MaintenX for an inspection and recommendation. 

Before you make any decision, schedule a roofing inspection with your MaintenX roofing specialist. They can pinpoint current and potential problems with your roofing, and recommend either preventative care or renovation options that fit your budget. During the inspection, you may find issues with the current roofing that will influence your decision. Don’t skip this step before renovating or repairing your roof. 

MaintenX provides roofing repair, installation, waterproofing, and preventative care for facilities in 13 states. We have one of the nation’s largest contractor networks that can serve you with the best of care. For more information, contact your local MaintenX team today!

Flat commercial roofing is popular for many reasons. Not only is it aesthetically appealing, but it can reduce costs of installation and provide space for features such as a commercial rooftop HVAC system. This extra space and cost-effectiveness have pushed many commercial contractors to opt for flat roofing over other expensive options. 

While many commercial buildings are made with flat roofs, they pose several challenges in terms of maintenance. Flat roofs are much more prone to pooling, and damage cannot easily be assessed from the ground. Therefore, maintenance issues are more difficult to identify for the facility manager. At MaintenX, we often see commercial roofing that has not received proper care until major issues arise. 

Commercial buildings rely on the roofing to protect the interior from all environmental impacts. In order to better maintain your roofing, look for these common flat roof issues: 

Thermal Cycling

During the summertime, temperatures can vary dramatically between night and day. Flat roofs are directly exposed to the sunlight during the day, but then quickly cool down as the sun goes down. This causes expansion and contraction of roofing material, which can lead to water penetration. When planning maintenance for your roofing, be sure that you either account for this expansion and contraction or install a roofing material that is waterproof and resistant to these changes. 

Accumulation of Debris

It is much easier for leaves, small branches, and other natural debris to accumulate on a flat roof. Not only can this put stress on your roofing, but debris that retains moisture will further encourage pooling. You can avoid this by trimming tall trees on your property and scheduling regular roof cleaning with your local MaintenX team. 

Water Penetration

Flat roofs are much more susceptible to water accumulation and penetration than other types of roofing. This can cause several issues, especially during the summertime. Water penetration tends to lift and peel the roof tiles, leading to blistering at the surface. Water penetration can also lead to mold or fungus growth, or if it damages the flashing, it can cause leaks into the interior of the building. Each of these individual issues can result in expensive repairs if not caught early. 

Flat roofing can be tricky to maintain on your own, but MaintenX makes it easy. Our team of licensed, insured, and experienced contractors will work with you to create a preventative maintenance plan that works for your facility. We help prevent expensive repairs, but are always available for emergency service when needed. Contact us today for more information!

Do you know how long your commercial roofing is supposed to last? Many facility managers would be surprised to find out that the roof their building has now could last twenty, thirty, or even forty years if well-maintained. For many, their roofing is already falling apart or experiencing leaks during rainy days. 

If you are having problems with your roofing, contact your local MaintenX professionals to discuss preventative care. These three steps can help prevent costly damages and extend the lifespan of your roofing, regardless of the material type or current age. 

Schedule a professional inspection. The first step to preventative care is scheduling an inspection with your local MaintenX team. They will be able to safety access the roof and look for cracks, missing shingles, pooling, or other signs of deterioration. Once these are identified, your technician will be able to diagnose the cause of the damage and plan for repairs. 

Plan for repairs and cleaning service. Once you’ve identified the damaged areas of your roofing, your technician can create a plan for quick repairs. The sooner you address the issues in your roofing, the more affordable the services will be. Waiting to fix your roofing issues could result in more serious, and therefore more expensive repair work. You should also plan for gutter cleaning and other roofing maintenance services during this time. By taking care of them now, you could save yourself money, time, and the hassle of a complete roof repair in the future.

Prepare a maintenance schedule. Once you’ve taken care of your immediate repair services, work with your roofing specialist to create a preventative maintenance plan. Preventative maintenance has shown to reduce maintenance costs and extend the service life of commercial structures significantly. By creating a preventative maintenance plan with your MaintenX team, you can effectively reduce repair costs while keeping your roof in service for years to come.  

If you are looking for repair, maintenance, installation, or even waterproofing services for your commercial roofing, MaintenX is the place to go. Our technicians are specially trained to handle commercial roofing work and will be there for you every step of the way.

Contact us today for details!

Commercial roofing jobs are time-intensive, costly, and have plenty of room for error. Without an experienced contractor, a new roofing installation or roofing repair can go awry within a matter of days. This could cost you hundreds of dollars in materials, or could cause maintenance issues later down the line, long after the contractors are gone. 

With a reputable roofing contractor, however, you can rest assured that your commercial facility is in good hands. A properly installed and maintained roof will add to the structural integrity of your building as well as its aesthetic appeal. When searching for a new roofing contractor, look for these four qualities: 

They use every safety precaution. 

Roofing can be hazardous work, especially if you don’t use proper safety equipment. Unfortunately, if things go wrong onsite, there is a chance you could be held liable as the property owner rather than the contractor who did not follow proper protocols. Avid this risk by choosing a contractor that prioritizes the safety of its team. 

They use high-quality materials. 

The right material will make a major impact on the durability and lifespan of your roofing. If the wrong materials are chosen, your roof will see early signs of damage or corrosion. When you talk to your contractor, ensure that they are providing high-quality material options for your construction. 

They are specialized in commercial roofing repair and installation. 

Residential roofing is very different from commercial roofing, but an inexperienced contractor may not know the difference. The same techniques and materials used for residential roofing on a commercial building could result in disaster. While some companies can do both residential and commercial roofing, it’s best to look for a specialist. 

They provide maintenance services.  

From laying waterproof membranes, to long-term preventative maintenance, and everything in between, experienced roofers can do more than just install. Your roofing contractor should be able to provide ongoing cleaning, repair, and maintenance, or at least recommend you to a company that can perform these services. When in doubt, look for a total facility repair company that can perform cleaning, installation, maintenance, and more. 

MaintenX offers best in service roofing repair and maintenance for commercial facilities in 13 states. We are committed to excellence in everything we do, from the initial consultation to the ongoing preventative care. For more information on roofing services,contact us today!

Roofing maintenance is an integral part of our strategy at MaintenX. Many structural issues inside commercial buildings start with improperly maintained roofing. We try to avoid these costly problems by scheduling roofing maintenance services with each of our clients. These services help us to ensure that mold growth, leaks, and other roofing-related issues never cause our clients headaches. 

Unfortunately, not all companies schedule commercial roofing maintenance as our clients do. Improper maintenance leads to roof damage, which in turn causes leaks in the roofing. If you notice a leak, the first thing to do is call your roofing specialist to schedule a repair. Next, you (or your technician) need to identify the exact location or cause of the lea. If you’re unsure, the answer could be one of these three culprits:

The shingles. 

Damaged shingles are the top cause of roof leaks for commercial facilities. Shingles can be damaged by a number of environmental factors, and the older they are the more likely they are to break. You can identify a damaged and leaking shingle if it is corroded, cracked, shattered, or missing. During your repairs, all damaged shingles should be addressed to prevent the problem in the future. 

The flashing. 

Flashing serves to guide water off of the roof and into the gutters. This prevents leaks and damage in areas where the roofing is angled, such as where vents are installed. However, if your flashing is not properly installed or becomes damaged, it can cause leaks of its own. If your flashing becomes loose, damaged, or is missing altogether, you may need to contact your MaintenX roofing specialist for an immediate repair. 

Your rooftop HVAC unit. 

Some roofing leaks are actually not caused by the roof itself. Rooftop HVAC units can leak water or coolant just like any other HVAC system. This can be especially troublesome (and expensive) because you’ll need to schedule both a roofing and HVAC repair. If you believe your rooftop HVAC unit is leaking rather than the roof itself, contact MaintenX for emergency repairs. This problem will only become more costly the longer you wait. 

If you are having trouble with your roofing, contact MaintenX today. We not only provide affordable roofing repair, but can install waterproof roofing membranes to protect your interiors from water damage. MaintenX is your one-stop-shop for all roofing repairs, preventative maintenance, and other facility maintenance services.

Did you know that commercial roofing can last up to 40 years with the right maintenance and conditions? That’s right, one building can maintain the same roofing for several decades if it is well-suited for the structure, is maintained, and suffers from no several weather events. Many facility managers will be surprised to hear this, especially if their roofing is falling apart. But, the power of proper roofing maintenance should not be underestimated. 

Your commercial roofing plays an important part of your building’s structural integrity, aesthetic appeal, and safety during inclement weather. However, these factors will play an important part in whether your roofing adds or subtracts from the overall structure of your building: 

The installation. Choosing a reputable installation contractor is essential in having a roof with extended service life. An inexperienced contractor may miss details that lead to a sagging, leaking, or weak roof structure. Therefore, always look for a contractor who is licensed, insured, and is specialized in roofing installation. 

Roofing materials. Most roofing materials are built to last up to ten years, but not all are made equally. Cheaper roofing material will need more frequent repairs and replacement of shingles. Conversely, high-quality asphalt or metal roofing can last 30 to 40 years when properly maintained. Ask your MaintenX roofer for material recommendations based on your needs. 

Weather-resistance. Some weather events, such as the hurricanes we experience in Tampa, Florida, have no remedy when it comes to roof building. However, some roofing materials are more resistant to snow, rain, or extreme sun exposure. Choose a material and construction plan that will best serve your area’s climate. 

Ventilation and insulation. High temperatures can damage roofing quicker than you might think. Heat can cause warping and cracking of certain roofing materials, so it’s essential to keep your building well-ventilated and insulated to reduce this risk. Proper insulation and ventilation can also help you keep tenants comfortable throughout the year. 

These four factors play an important role in the longevity and strength of your roofing. However, the most important factor will always be your maintenance routine. Even the highest-quality roofing material and installation won’t last if you do not maintain your roofing. Scheduling gutter cleanings, repairs, and annual preventative maintenance checks will help you keep the same roof over your head for decades. 

For more information on roofing maintenance options, contact your local MaintenX team today!

Airflow plays a very important part in creating comfort for your building tenants. Most facility managers pay attention to the temperature in order to reduce costs, but sometimes overall temperature can be misleading. Hot and cold spots created by poor airflow can make guests uncomfortable, and cost you greatly in the long run. 

On the other hand, sometimes you want different areas of the building to be different temperatures. Spaces that aren’t occupied by tenants or customers can be costly to maintain if you keep them cooled or heated the same way you do areas with heavy foot traffic. In these instances, using a smart thermostat to create different temperatures for times and spaces can be greatly beneficial for your budget and HVAC system.

Regardless of the temperature, airflow in your office should be addressed before the hottest summer months arrive. Balancing airflow will improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency, and increase your HVAC system’s overall performance. Below are just a few ways in which you can help maintain better air balance throughout the year: 

Proper sealing and insulation. Air balancing issues often occur due to cracks in the interior of a building or poor insulation. Insulation issues allow cooled air to escape from inside, while cracks and crevices will bring warm air from outside into the building. These issues create areas of inconsistency in temperature. However, your maintenance team can easily fix these problems by caulking and ensuring proper insulation of your building.  

Prevent restrictions in airflow. Make sure your vents are unobstructed by appliances, furniture, or facility equipment to provide maximum airflow to the space. You may not realize it, but a vent that is partially blocked is hindered from properly cooling your office. This can lead to spaces that are warmer or more humid than others. 

Inspect your ductwork. Oftentimes the ductwork in your HVAC system is to blame for uneven distribution of air in an office. Ductwork issues happen for many reasons, so consult with your MaintenX HVAC technician before scheduling any repairs. Typically, if it is a ductwork problem that is causing air balancing issues, your technician can apply a simple solution that will improve overall HVAC efficiency. 

These simple solutions won’t cost much for your facility, but they can make a big impact in air balancing, energy efficiency, and overall HVAC performance all summer long. If you’d like to learn more about your HVAC maintenance options, call your local MaintenX team today!

Summer is the busy season for many businesses. People are traveling and spending more time outdoors, which means more traffic inside your office or storefront. However, no one will want to stay inside your office — neither customers nor employees — if your office space isn’t kept cool. Indoor air quality and temperature play an integral role in customer experience and employee satisfaction. So, let’s talk about keeping your office building cool during those busy summer months. 

MaintenX works with our customers to keep their facilities in tip-top shape. From onsite HVAC repairs to roofing and insulation service, we work hard so that your air conditioning doesn’t have to. However, there are several steps you can also take to lower your energy consumption during peak summer months. Here’s how: 

Maintain airflow, not just temperature. Keeping the air in your office moving improves the air quality and keeps tenants cool at the same time. While maintaining airflow may not lower the actual temperature, it will lower humidity levels and help moisture to evaporate off the skin, making it feel a few degrees cooler than it actually is. This allows you to give your A/C a break rather than running it constantly to keep tenants cool. 

Don’t set the temperature too low. Some people want to keep their offices at a low temperature all year round without setting reasonable expectations for the energy costs. If you instead raise the temperature slightly, you can reduce costs without sacrificing much comfort. Keep in mind, every degree below 78°F can increase your bill by up to eight percent. 

Address insulation. Poor insulation could let cold air escape from your office building and make your HVAC system work harder. If you’re unsure, have a MaintenX technician perform an inspection and recommend insulation services for your building. 

Set one temperature and keep it. Many facility managers don’t realize that changing the temperature based on occupancy can actually increase the bill rather than lower it. It takes more energy to bring a room down to a certain temperature every day than it does to keep it at one temperature consistently. Keep this in mind when setting your smart thermostat. 

Install energy-efficient windows. Windows that are heat-resistant will help you reduce the amount of heat coming from the inside into your office. Reflective window tints and other energy-efficient window designs can drastically reduce the average temperature in a room without A/C. However, if you want to go a more traditional route, simply install some blinds or curtains to keep your office cool. 

You can also have your MaintenX technicians visit your facility to perform preventative maintenance tasks such as changing air filters and making minor repairs on aging HVAC systems. These simple maintenance tasks can really make a difference in reducing your energy bill during the summer. 

For more information about our preventative HVAC maintenance services, contact your local MaintenX team today!

If you take a hard look at your facility’s budget, you’ll likely realize that the biggest recurring expense is energy use. In Tampa, where MaintenX is headquartered, businesses incur significant energy expenses during the summer when the A/C is working hard. From May until October, the HVAC system will be pushed to the max to keep everyone inside comfortable. However, there could be problems within your facility that make the HVAC system work harder than it needs to. 

Small cracks in the walls, windows, and ceiling can cause air to leak out of the building, or for air from outside to come inside. This is an especially big problem during the summer for Florida businesses. Hot air comes in while air-conditioned air leaks out, leaving your tenants and employees uncomfortable and your expenses high. If left untreated, these air leaks could cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year. 

Air leaks can also cause inconsistencies in room temperature. If only one room has an issue, it will be warmer during the summer and colder during the winter than the rest of the building.  While this can sometimes be caused by a problematic HVAC system, the first step should be addressing potential air leaks. Repairing leaks in your building is simpler and less costly than replacing an HVAC system. It can also fix other issues, including pest problems and water leaks in the building. 

A professional HVAC technician can help you identify and create solutions for air leaks. First, they will perform a building inspection to determine if you have air leaks and where they are located. After the inspection your technician can then plan for sealing or caulking services. 

Sealing, caulking, and proper insulation will save your building from losing 25% of its cold air during the summer. Weatherstripping or spray foam can often seal minor air leaks, while caulking is used for more durable or outdoor applications. You may also need to improve your building’s insulation to stop air from escaping in the roof and walls. 

MaintenX offers sealing, caulking, and roofing repair services for businesses in 13 states. As the summer approaches, you want to be proactive in protecting your facility from air leaks. These are inexpensive repairs that can save you hundreds of dollars during the summer. Take advantage of the superior service at MaintenX and get your air leaks fixed today!