Roofer Madness – Presented by CEI Group

Autumn Safety Tips for Construction Companies

October 8, 2024 / Libby Cook

We all know the different safety hazards that can come with each season. Winter brings snow and ice, spring brings crazy tropical storms, and summer brings hot temperatures that cause heat-related illnesses. Autumn brings challenges and conditions, from rainy days and even hurricanes to colder morning temperatures and warmer afternoons. As we enter Autumn, we want to cover some of the possible hazards you can find while working in construction. Stay updated with the latest safety regulations and training to keep you and your crews safe on jobs.

Take precautions in Muddy Conditions

Under rainy conditions, you will most likely encounter mud on a construction site. While mud seems harmless, it can also become a hazard. It increases the risk of slips and falls and makes the ground unstable for equipment. Here are some tips to help prevent mud-related accidents.

Improve Mud Terrain

Set up drainage on your job site to remove some of the mud. In critical areas, consider laying gravel for traction.

Urge Caution on Steps

Remind everyone to wipe their boots frequently, especially before climbing ladders or mounting or dismounting equipment.

Erect Scaffolding Properly

Scaffolding must be erected on a firm foundation and never directly on soft, muddy, or frozen ground. For better stability, use a mud sill. These stable wood planks, placed under the scaffold footings, distribute the weight of the scaffold, keeping it from moving or sinking into the mud. After a storm, always check the scaffolding to ensure it’s still stable before use.

Take Steps to Stabilize Heavy Equipment

Heavy equipment can become stuck in the mud. Even if you’re using a rough terrain forklift, mud can increase the risk of rollover. Tire chains or tracks increase traction in the mud. Heavy equipment mud mats can turn muddy areas into safe access roads. At the end of the workday, hose off equipment to keep mud from caking and jamming machines.

Clear off Leaves

We can all appreciate all the beautiful colors of the trees being changed. However, once the leaves fall, they can cause hazards on job sites. Leaves can hide uneven ground and become slick, increasing the risk of falls. They can also block the air intake or exhaust on equipment. Therefore, properly removing leaves is vital to decrease the risk of accidents.

Store Equipment and Materials

Continuously cleaning leaves and debris from equipment can be annoying and time-consuming. So why not store your equipment in an enclosed space to protect it from storms, leaves, and debris? Portable Storage bins are always a good option when equipment has to stay on the job site.

If you expect a heavy storm (like hurricanes in some regions), take extra precautions by removing and securely storing as much equipment as possible. Move materials into a secure storage area, too. Cover materials and equipment that can’t be moved with a heavy-duty tarp or use tie-downs and sandbags to keep them from blowing away. Take down cranes, scaffolding, light towers, and other equipment that could pose a threat. Board up any windows and doors.

Provide Adequate Lighting

Shorter days mean less daylight. Low light makes it harder to judge objects’ position, shape, or speed and causes eye strain and headaches. OSHA regulations dictate how bright construction sites must be to work safely. Many job site lighting options exist, including string, portable, and towable light towers. However, pick the proper light option for your construction site, follow the setup, and follow the instructions when taking down the lights.

Practice Generator Safety

Due to the risk of electrocution, portable generators and water don’t mix. Don’t operate a generator on a wet surface or in the rain unless your generator has a waterproof canopy. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, use a portable generator only in a well-ventilated outdoor area, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents.

Review your Evacuation Plan

You should have a site-specific evacuation plan tailored to different types of emergencies. Conduct period evacuation drills to ensure workers know what to do in emergencies.

Make Allowances for Cold and Flu Season

Cold season starts in September, and flu season typically begins in October. You should prepare by eating healthy food, taking vitamins, and drinking water and electrolytes.

As employers, you should accommodate employees’ calls out sick and, as hard as it is, encourage them to stay home when sick.

References

United Rentals. “Autumn Safety Tips for Construction Companies.” United Rentals, 24 Aug. 2022, www.unitedrentals.com/project-uptime/safety/autumn-safety-tips-construction-companies. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Overview of National Safety Month

July 2, 2024 / Libby Cook

June is National Safety Month, established by the National Safety Council in 1996. This June, we joined other organizations and the National Safety Council to bring extra attention to safety issues in and outside the workplace. We shared safety tips and facts about safety issues each week, including safety awareness, roadway safety, risk reduction, slips, trips, and falls. In honor of National Safety Month, we wanted to share tips and facts about each issue.

Week 1: Safety Awareness

At CEI, safety is a major focus in all departments. Throughout the year, our employees undergo specific training, and we continuously share tips and facts to help them be aware of the safety risks they face daily in our industry. Safety awareness is important to keep our employees and others around us safe, whether on a job site or in the office.

Week 2: Roadway Safety

For week 2, we shared tips about staying safe on the road.

Stay focused on the road and your surroundings. Never drive distracted.
Do not use your cell phone or any electronic device while driving. If there is an emergency, safely pull off the road or into a “Texting Zone” before using your devices.
Avoid arguments and stressful or emotional conversations with passengers.
Avoid eating or grooming while driving.
Be sure children are properly and safely Buckled in. Properly secure pets in a pet carrier or portable kennel.
Drive sober. Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs and discourage others from doing so.

Week 3: Risk Reduction

For week 3, we discussed some basics of risk reduction plans for any industry. Regardless of your industry, target market, and personnel, you will always face a certain level of risk while operating. This is why you must find ways to reduce your company’s risk. Here are basic steps to approach risk reduction:

Risk Assessment & Identification – Identifying and assessing the risk faced through operations.
Risk Mitigation – Find Practices to minimize or reduce the risks.
Preventive Measures – Look for preventive measures to keep workers safe during operations.
Contingency Planning – Contingency planning gives you a blueprint to follow in an emergency.
Monitoring & Review – monitor your risk reduction approaches and practices to ensure they work.

Week 4: Slip, Trips and Falls

In the last week of National Safety Month, we discussed the risk of slips, trips, and falls in the roofing industry. Slips, trips, and falls account for approximately 20% of all work-related injuries. While the risk is even more common in winter, it can be present in any weather condition (rain, ice, snow, or sunny). Here are some things to remember to prevent daily slips, trips, and falls.

Practice Good Housekeeping – removing clutter that can increase trips and slips is important to keep the workspace safe.
Adequate Lighting – Workers can navigate through spaces better with enough light. Given this, it’s best to place proper lighting in access and egress points such as halls, ramps, stairs, and exits.
Be aware of safety signs and markers- Watch out for safety signs telling you of hazardous space, as well as flagged-off areas that can show areas to prevent you from falling.
Clear the area from snow, ice, and spills- Properly clearing the workspace from slippery elements like snow, ice, or water is important to ensure safety.
Wear proper footwear – Wear Non-slip shoes with good traction to protect workers from static electricity, falling objects, explosions, exposure to hazardous substances, and other risks.
Implement safety plans and protocols- A well-thought-out safety plan cements all efforts to promote fall protection, especially in high-risk workspaces. This plan must include in-depth risk assessments, safety standards and practices, training, regular inspections, equipment guidelines, and toolbox talks.

Recap of National Roofing Week 2024

June 11, 2024 / Libby Cook

June started with a bang as we celebrated National Roofing Week, presented by NRCA. June 2nd through 8th was spent showcasing our projects, community involvement, and hard-working employees. This year, we celebrated a different theme each day: Signature Projects, Charity Projects, Employee Appreciation, Employee Training, and Celebration.

Monday – Signature Projects:

We proudly showcased several impactful projects we completed in the past year. The first of these signature projects is Lake Trust Credit Union in Brighton, MI, a sheet metal and TPO roof project with incredible architectural design. The next project is Edgewood Country Club, a shingle roofing project in Commerce Charter Twp, MI. Lastly, the Catholic Central Stem Building in Novi, MI, is a slate, green roof and paver system project for the Detroit Catholic Central School. Each of these projects demonstrates our expertise and contribution to the communities we serve.

Tuesday – Charity Projects:

Annually, we proudly sponsor multiple organizations that do important work. Some of those organizations include Bennett’s Beavers, Clara’s Hope, Hudson Mills Old Power Club, and Reaching Higher. Additionally, this year, we donated and helped roof a barn at the new Freedom River Veteran Recreational Center in Livingston County, MI. Also, we continue to support Cleary University in many aspects, from academics to athletics. Our commitment to giving back to our community is a testament to our values, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue doing so.

Wednesday – Employee Appreciation:

Our company’s success directly results from our employees’ dedication and hard work. During National Roofing Week, we took the opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to every one of our team members. We showed our gratitude by providing lunch for our entire staff. Pizzas were delivered to around 10 job sites for our roofing and sheet metal employees, while the service, shop, and office staff enjoyed breakfast sandwiches and a small pizza party. Our staff is the backbone of CEI, and expressing our appreciation is a small way to thank them for their continuous efforts.

Thursday – Employee Training:

Training is very important in any industry, especially construction because we deal with dangerous and unique working conditions. That is why a top priority at CEI is to train our staff on safe work practices. Over the past year, our employees have undergone comprehensive training programs, including CPR training, OSHA 30, ladder safety, defensive driving, and RTF and MEWP training. These programs have equipped our employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure their safety and the quality of our work.

Friday – National Roofing Week Celebration:

To wrap up National Roofing Week, we decided to celebrate by gifting our employees National Roofing Week T-shirts designed by Libby Cook. These T-shirts symbolize our pride in the roofing industry and our appreciation for our employees’ hard work. National Roofing Week allows us to recognize the importance of the roofing industry in all aspects while having fun. We are honored to be able to give our employees something to show our appreciation and to celebrate the week.

Heat Illness Prevention: How to Prevent Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion While at Work

May 20, 2024 / Libby Cook

Heat illnesses like heat stroke and exhaustion should not be taken lightly. As roofers, our daily exposure to heat is a significant risk. Roofs, with their ability to absorb heat, can reach temperatures up to 170° F, surpassing the outside temperature. This means that you’re still at risk even if you’re not working directly under the sun. However, the good news is that heat-related illnesses are preventable. Here are some essential tips for keeping yourself healthy and preventing summer heat illnesses!

Types of Heat Illnesses

Heat cramps

Heat cramps are often the first sign of heat illness, resulting in dehydration and a lack of electrolytes. Painful muscle spasming or cramping, usually in the arms, legs, and abdomen, is the most obvious sign of heat cramps and excessive sweating.

Heat Exhaustion

If you are experiencing heat exhaustion, your body is overheating and cannot properly cool due to a lack of salts and fluids. Someone with heat exhaustion will exhibit excessive sweating, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and headache. The excessive sweating associated with heat exhaustion is especially problematic because the body is already dehydrated and cannot replace the fluids lost through sweating, worsening the condition.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious form of heat illness, arising from untreated heat exhaustion or independently.

When heat stroke occurs, the body has overheated to the point where the organs malfunction and shut down. The brain swells, the intestines become more permeable, and the blood vessels dilate, causing blood pressure to drop. On the outside, a person experiencing heat stroke will display a fever, dry and hot skin, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, confusion, agitation, and lethargy.

Extreme cases might even result in seizures or a coma. Note that once a person has reached the heat stroke level, they stop sweating excessively and show dry, hot skin. This is because the body has become dehydrated to the point where it can no longer produce sweat to cool itself down, and it marks a significant progression from heat exhaustion to heat stroke. If you or someone else is experiencing a heat stroke, call 911 immediately, start cooling that person down with water and ice, and remove unnecessary clothes.

Signs Of Heat Illnesses

There are common signs and symptoms to watch while working in extreme heat conditions.

Cramps and fatigue
Headaches
Nausea
Weakness or dizziness
Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin
Elevated body temperature
Thirst
Decreased urine output

If you or someone you see are experiencing these symptoms, take action by:

Give them water to drink
Move them to a cooler area
Cool them with water, ice, or a fan
Remove unnecessary clothing
Do not leave them alone
If in doubt, call 911 or seek medical care

Tips to Prevent Heat Illnesses

Drink water before, during, and after work. Avoid energy drinks or sodas while working in the heat or direct sun, as these can quickly dehydrate you.
Take your break in the shade or cool area. Find a cool, air-conditioned, or shaded area on lunch and breaks. If someone or yourself is beginning to experience heat exhaustion or cramps, it’s a good time to take a break to cool off and rehydrate!
Dress appropriately for the heat. Even if the morning is cooler, wear layers that you can take off for warmer afternoons!
Understand your risks when it comes to heat! Working indoors and outdoors can put you at risk for heat illnesses.

Now that you know the signs and symptoms of heat illnesses, you can better prevent them at work. Watch out for yourself and your crew members during these summer months!

Resources:

Foster, K. (2019, June 19). Heat Illness Prevention: Keeping Your Roofing Crews Safe. AccuLynx. https://acculynx.com/keep-your-roofing-crew-safe-from-heat-illness/

Prevent Heat Illness at Work Ways to Protect Yourself, and Others Ease into Work. Nearly 3 out of 4 fatalities from heat illness happen during the first week of work. (n.d.). https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/3431_wksiteposter_en.pdf

April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April 18, 2024 / Libby Cook

This month, we are bringing awareness to distracted driving. The Hands-Free law recently passed in Michigan, is to prevent distracted driving. Yet it is still important to remind ourselves of the dangers of distracted driving; besides that, it’s against the law.

What is considered distracted driving?

There are three main distractions: Visual, Manual, and Cognitive.

Visual is taking your eyes off the road. Manual is taking your hands off the wheel. While cognitive is taking your mind off the drive.

That means you cannot manually do any of the following on a cell phone or other electronic device while driving, according to the law:

Make or answer a telephone or video call.
Send or read a text or email message.
Watch, record, or send a video.
Access, read, or post to social media.
Browse or use the Internet.
Enter information into GPS or a navigation system.

“Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves all three types of distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near-crashes,” michigan.gov writes.

We must take precautions to reduce distractions while driving. AAA has some tips to help ensure your safety on the road.

AAA’s Top 5 Tips for Helping to Reduce Driving

Before you begin driving, plan your trip, program GPS systems, set mirrors and climate controls, etc.
Familiarize yourself with the features of your vehicle’s equipment before you hit the road.
Use message-taking functions and return calls when you’re stopped at a safe location.
Whenever possible, ask passengers to help you perform activities that may be distracting.
Secure mobile devices and any objects that may move and distract you while driving.

Protect loved ones from the dangers of distracted driving by reminding them to keep their eyes on the road. If your driver is texting or distracted, tell them to stop and focus on the road. Ask your friends and family to join you in pledging not to drive distracted.

Remeber don’t tempt fate, the text can wait. Go Hand-Free!

#JustDrive

March was Ladder Safety Month, but Keep It In Mind Year-round!

April 1, 2024 / Libby Cook

March was National Ladder Safety Month. As we move into April, we wanted to share some ladder best practices and training tips from the National Ladder Safety Month website to keep in mind. Whether using a ladder at home or on a job, remembering safety guidelines and best practices is the best way to avoid potential hazards!

Ladder Training

If a job requires you to use ladders daily, provide proper training to all individuals using ladders. Even if you use a ladder at home, awareness of best practices never hurts.

Educate users on ladder safety guidelines, best practices, and potential hazards.
Instruct users to read and follow all the safety information labels on the ladder.
Promote a culture of safety awareness where workers actively identify and report
ladder safety concerns.

Identify Factors that Can Contribute To Falls

Avoid factors contributing to falls from ladders like – haste or sudden movement, overreaching, lack of attention, improper climbing posture such as standing too high or straddling the ladder, and carrying objects while not maintaining three points of contact.

Best practices are:

Preplan – Inspect and know the hazards within your work environment.
Choose the correct ladder for the job – a self-supporting stepladder or a non-self-supporting leaning, single, or extension ladder.

Setting Up a Ladder

Ensure proper ladder setup with placement on a firm level surface, and use
accessories (levelers, stabilizers, V-rung, etc.) to accommodate any irregular
setup conditions.

Some tips to follow are:

Secure your ladder where possible by tying off, blocking, bracing, or having an
assistant holds the ladder.
Never attempt to move or reposition any ladder while it is occupied.

Setting up a Stepladders:

Fully open and lock spreaders.
Support ALL FOUR feet – no elevated feet.

Setting up Leanable Ladders:

Support at all four corners – both feet and both top rails on firm surfaces.
- Do not rest the ladder against the top rung.
Position at a 75° angle to avoid sliding out:
- Place your toes against the bottom of the ladder side rails and stand erect.
- Adjust the ladder angle to grasp lower section rails at shoulder level with arms straight.
- Only move or reposition a self-supporting extension ladder after retraction and from the ground.
- Never adjust the ladder position or extended length from above.

Climbing a Ladder

Climb slowly and deliberately.

Follow the three points of contact rule – face the ladder and use both hands while
climbing up and down.
Keep both hands free for climbing. Use a towline, tool belt, or an assistant to lift tools
and equipment up to the work area.

Maintaining Balance While Working

Maintain your balance while working and avoid sudden movements.

Lean into or hold onto the ladder to maintain three points of contact.
Keep the center of your stomach between the ladder side rails – do not overreach or
lean so you do not fall off the ladder.
Wear clean, slip-resistant work shoes.

Best practices for Stepladder:

Do not stand on the top step, top cap or straddle the top.
Do not access another surface unless it has been secured from side movement.

Best practices for Leaning/ Extension ladders:

Do not stand on the top three rungs.

Transport and Storage:

Properly secure your ladder during transport to avoid excessive wear and
Loading at the vehicle support points. Store ladders where they are protected from unsafe materials, impact, or corrosion damage.

Check out https://www.laddersafetymonth.com/safety-resources/articles/ for more resources on Ladder Safety.

And remember to be safe while climbing!

Tips for Driving Safely in Winter Weather Conditions

January 16, 2024 / Libby Cook

Cars driving on a highway are stuck in traffic because of a snowstorm.

We all know that winter weather can cause hazardous road conditions. Whether snow, sleet, or ice, preparing yourself – and your vehicle – for the winter weather is vital to making winter driving as easy as possible. We found a few tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for winter weather driving.

The Basics

Most importantly, slow down! Controlling or stopping your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface is more challenging. Increase the distance between you and others ahead so you have plenty of time to stop your car.

Also, don’t crowd a snow plow or travel beside the truck. Snow plows travel slowly, make wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes, and exit the road frequently. If you find yourself behind a snow plow, stay far enough behind it and use caution if you pass the plow.

What to Do in an Emergency?

If your car gets stopped or stalled, be sure to focus on you and your surroundings. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Stay in your vehicle, and don’t overexert yourself.
Let your vehicle be seen. Turn on your emergency flashers, put bright markers on the antenna or windows, and keep the interior dome light on.
Be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow, and run your car just long enough to stay warm. Don’t run your car for long periods with the windows up or in an enclosed space.

Prepare Your Vehicle

Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flasher, and interior lights.
During the winter, you can quickly go through windshield wiper fluid. Be sure to fill your reservoir with “winter” fluid with de-icer before winter snowfall. Also, check your windshield wipers to see if they need to be replaced. Consider heavy-duty windshield wipers!
Make sure your vehicle has enough coolant. If not, check the cooling system for leaks, test the coolant, and drain or replace the old coolant.
Also, it is always a good idea to visit your mechanic to check your vehicle for the basics – oil changes, tire rotations, leaks, and any need for replacements or repairs.

Lastly, before you go out, make sure you gas up, stock your car with essential items – like ice scrapers and emergency kit, and plan your route.

As always, ensure you are safe when driving in extreme winter weather. Go slow and be aware of your surroundings and other vehicles!

References

Insurance Information Institute. (2020). Driving in winter? Be prepared and stay safe | III. Iii.org. https://www.iii.org/article/winter-driving

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2022). Winter Weather Driving Tips | NHTSA. Www.nhtsa.gov. https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips

Looking to 2024 – New Year, New Opportunities, New Work!

January 4, 2024 / Libby Cook

Happy New Year, and Welcome to 2024!

CEI will look to expand and grow this year as new projects, opportunities, and even challenges are brought to us! We want to share a special note from our very own President, Eric Cook, that reflects on 2023 and looks into 2024.

Hello there from the President,

2023 for CEI was one of the best years we have had. We want to thank many people, including a hard-working staff of employees and their families, for helping CEI get there! We were able to work about 18% more hours than last year, thanks to Mother Nature for a big part of that, as well as our estimators, who did a great job getting the work that we needed to be able to do that!

CEI is looking at 2024 and is working towards being able to do the same or even better than 2023. We have lined up a great amount of work for 2024 already and are working hard to find even more. With that being said, CEI wants to thank you for a great year, and we are looking forward to the next trip around the sun with all of you.

Please remember that together, we make CEI Rock!

Happy New Year,
The Prez
Eric Cook

Tips for Rooftop Snow Removal

January 12, 2022 / Joaynna Cook

While most people in cold climates dream of a White Christmas or a big fluffy snow fall for the many wonderful outdoor activities, snow and ice can be dangerous and damage your commercial roofing systems.

With over 50 years of experience, in some of the coldest climates in the United States, CEI knows how imperative it is for building owners to minimize potential damage to their roof systems by preventing snow and ice buildup during the coldest months of the year. If you’re in a cold climate, your commercial flat roof may need to have snow removed a few times throughout the winter. Snow buildup on the roof can cause several issues with the roof and the rest of the building. On the other hand, quick, careless, and improper snow removal done by those that do not know or appreciate the complexities of a roof system can cause a lot of damage to the roof membranes.

To avoid most of these preventable problems, CEI recommends working with a professional roofer who is trained to identify specific safety hazards such as snow covered skylights and equipment. These professionals will put together a winter snow removal plan, tailored to your specific building.

Snow should be removed from a flat roof because it can do the following:

Blocked access to building systems: Snow collection on commercial flat roofs may block access to key building features and systems, including HVAC equipment, plumbing vents, and more. Snow may prevent roof and building systems from functioning properly.
Snow and ice may fall off roof edges: If left, snow or icicles can gather on roof edges and drop down onto the people or property below. Falling snow and ice could cause injuries to staff or members of the public. It may also damage your property. Snow may also cause damage to roofing membranes on lower roof surfaces as heavy loads of snow or ice fall from the roof surface above.

Damage to the drainage system: If snow isn’t removed from the rooftop, it will eventually melt and enter the drainage system. While internal systems are typically warm enough to prevent re-freezing in the pipes, external drainage systems may not be. As ice expands when it freezes, it may damage the drainage system.

Damage to the roofing membranes: The freeze and thaw cycle may damage roof membranes. Snow melts during the day and, as temperatures drop at night, the resulting water freezes into ice. Water may work its way into cracks of the roof membrane, which are then made worse as the water freezes and expands. As this cycle may occur daily, the damage may be serious. It is also more challenging to remove snow that has partially frozen into ice.

Heavy loads of snow: Snow weight can exceed a roof’s weight capacity and cause a collapse. Though this is a rare circumstance it is serious and proper snow management should address this possibility.

There are many negative effects of unmanaged snow on your commercial roof, but you can avoid them. CEI can come out to your roof today, make an assessment and put a plan in place to help avoid any potential problems during the winter months.

Here is what you can expect from with a CEI Snow Removal Plan

Plan for Removal: Snowfall may hide or obscure roof features that are usually visible. CEI will work with your roof plan to map your roof and place flags or other markers to indicate roof features such as skylights, vents and HVAC equipment. These markers will help our roofers stay safe and avoid harming these features as they remove the snow.
Determine Snow Storage: Snow should not be piled on the roof even temporarily. Therefore, the roofers must designate spots on the ground to hold snow. Typically, they will choose spots that are far from entrances and exits, fire escapes and other building features. If your roof is very large, you may need to move the snow off-site.
Start with Safety: There are many safety regulations and rules surrounding working in the cold winter weather. CEI knows all of the relevant regulations and ensures they will be followed.
Bring Equipment to the Roof: Professional roofers will have the necessary equipment specifically geared towards the safe and efficient removal of snow. Without the proper equipment, snow removal may damage roofing materials and roof features.
Remove Drifted Snow: Snow piles from the wind, such as behind HVAC equipment or on lower roof planes must be removed first and foremost in order to relieve stress from these critical areas. Roofing professionals such as CEI may gather snow on tarps or in containers and then have a crane or other lifting equipment remove the tarp or the container from the roof. If the roofers are dumping the snow off the tarp at the edge of a roof, they should first ensure no one has access to the dumping spot. Also, snow typically must be moved from this spot to a safe, permanent location where it is out of the way of those who use the building.
Remove Other Snow: Now the roofers will remove the rest of the snow from the roof. Typically, they will divide the roof into sections and work on each, dumping the snow when the section is finished.
Inspection: Any roofing work should finish with an inspection and snow removal is no different. If a roofer has accidentally damaged the roofing membrane it is best to know now so that the roofer can fix it as soon as possible.

It is not very often that a properly designed and installed roof will collapse from small amounts of snow build-up, but vulnerabilities in the roof, extreme weather, poor design, poor roof maintenance, poor drainage and other unusual circumstances can cause a collapse.

Complete collapse isn’t the only risk of excess snow. Here are some warning signs of building stress/fatigue after a snowfall:

Ceiling problems: A ceiling that appears to sag, or sprinkler lines and sprinkler heads that look lower than normal.
Unusual noises: Creaking, popping and cracking can be a sign of a stressed roof.
Roof member problems: Any portion of a roof or roof truss which sags is a cause for concern.
Drainage problems: Unusual collections of water on the flat roof may be a sign this area has sunken. These sunken spots may only be visible after the snow has melted.
Door and window problems: If a door or window can no longer be opened or closed it may be a sign the roof or walls have shifted under the weight of snow.
Wall problems: Drywall, masonry and other wall materials may crack under pressure from an overloaded roof.

If you discover any of these signs, it is not wise to step onto the roof, not even to remove the snow. Instead, call a professional roofer like CEI to create a snow removal plan that will not increase the odds the roof will take on more damage or ultimately collapse.

Trends that are Driving Change in the Roofing Industry

July 16, 2020 / Libby Cook

In our monthly newsletter, we have been highlighting five trends in the roofing industry that are sparking changes in how we go about roofing. The NRCA presented an article on the topic, and we decide to share with you our thoughts on the subject.

As you can see, the roofing industry is not the same as it was 50 years ago. Multiple advances have happened to the products we use, regulations for roofers, and even in the information needed for bidding. We can’t turn a blind eye to several trends that are forcing change to happen in the industry today.

Trend 1: Extreme Weather

As we experienced in 2018 and 2019, the weather is getting more unpredictable. From hurricanes and tornados to wet and rainy summers to snowy and cold winters, our weather conditions are not what they used to be. Across the broad more extreme weather is taking effect on the performance of roof systems. Hurricanes across the south boards with high winds and heavy rain are a threat. Just in Michigan, we have been experiencing tropical storms with heavy winds and shower along with the winters being below 15 degrees one day, and the next is 45 degrees and wet. High winds are the most concerning because it can pull up roof coverings and expose the roof deck to water.

These quickly changing conditions are forcing the roofing industry to take a look at the old roofing system to make the appropriate modification. The goal is to make roofs more durable and more protective to withstand the unpredictable weather.

Trend 2: Insurance Standards

With the threat from the extreme weather conditions, Insurance companies are influencing how often roof systems are replaced, the type of products that are being installed, and how they are installed on the roofs. Insurance companies are forcing building owners and contractors to install high quality performing roof systems by making better products and installation methods more attractive. Therefore there are fewer insurance claims due to damaged roofs.

“As a trend in 2020 and beyond, you can expect to see IBHS standards and others like them become more common throughout the U.S. and Canada as roofing contractors make them part of their businesses,” Jack Gottesman writes in the NRCA article.

Trend 3: Building Codes

Like insurance standards, building codes are adapting to severe weather conditions as well. State and Local governments are incentivizing more robust, weather-resistant, and efficient roof systems to protect the citizens from damage to their homes and buildings.

They are mandating roof systems that stand up to high wind, heavy rain, and snow. Along with mandating more efficient roofing materials. For example, in California, they require solar-reflective shingles to help with energy use.

Trend 4: Innovative products

With the new building code and insurance, standards come new products to meet them. The roofing materials that offer minimum protection is no longer good enough. Manufacturers are bringing forth products that provide more options. For example, products that a wind-resistant, impact-resistant, and heat-reflective shingles, helping contractors meet demands.

Beyond 2020 manufacturers are bringing new innovative products to the industry that will give contractors the ability to offer higher protection to their customers.

Trend 5: Informed Consumers

One of the most important trend that is shaping the roofing industry and other industries as well- is the fact that consumers are more informed than ever.

For multiple years we haven’t seen significant changes in the buying and selling process of roof systems. During those days, building owners had little knowledge of roofing products and even less interest in them; they simply relied on the contractors. Nowadays, consumers can’t help but be more informed on what products are higher quality and the methods used for installing the roofing systems. With media blowing up everywhere, consumers now are better educated, savvier, and more skeptical.

Back then, consumers were buying the contractors, not the material brands. But consumers are barraged with information on weather conditions, natural disasters, and how to save a few bucks. So the bottom line when it comes down to their roofs, they are going to do some research before making a purchasing decision.

This forces contractors to be informed of the trends in the industry and to make better decisions on their methods and products that are being used or that they recommend.

Despite these constant changes with the industry, one thing has stayed the same: Good looking roofs. Although these trends may be a burden on contractors at first, they are necessary to continue to keep people safe and keeping the building looking good.

The Basics

What to Do in an Emergency?

Prepare Your Vehicle

References

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