The Youngstown, Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Pittsburgh areas in Northeast Ohio Western Pennsylvania areas are home to several high-profile commercial roofing contractors. One of those companies, Boak & Sons, Inc. is well-known for their high-quality craftsmanship and award-winning service. Sam Boak, president and founder of Boak & Sons, Inc. has based the success of his Commercial Roofing, Sheet Metal and Insulation contracting business on the ongoing training, safety, and attention to detail by his employees during each job. Recently, Sam Boak has come across several roofing projects that show a trend in low quality and is warning commercial roofing customers in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania to be careful about choosing their contractors.
The commercial roofing industry has standards and guidelines set for good roofing practice. These guidelines can be found in The International Building Code (IBC) and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). The NRCA is one of the US construction industry’s trade associations and is a voice in the roofing industry for information, education, technology, and advocacy. The IBC & NRCA serve as a common language for defining quality and establishing performance and safety criteria for the construction industry, but that doesn’t mean all roofing contractors are following these guidelines. “Buyers beware! said Sam Boak. All too often we see poor installation methods being used by roofing contractors which end up costing the customer more in leaks, repairs, reroofing costs, as well as incidental costs to the interior of the building. These additional costs can be tens of thousands of dollars.”
Customers often believe they are covered with their warranty; however improper installation will void the roof warranty. A Manufacturer’s warranty is designed to protect the customer and protect the financial interest of the manufacturer. Once a roof project is complete, an inspection is done to approve the roof warranty – this is only a visible inspection of the roof. Poor workmanship Issues can lie within the roof system and not be detected at the time of initial inspection and can take years to surface. It’s always important to understand your warranty, but what’s more, it’s vital to use a trusted roofing contractor who can provide high quality craftsmanship and install your roof the right way the first time.
Improper design and installation methods are a common reason for many commercial roofing failures. Roofing contractors sometimes pay their employees per square foot on a job, which can lead to those employees rushing to get the job done. Rushing installation with commercial roofing materials can cause gaps, misplacement and inadequate sealing of the membrane, which decreases the lifespan of the roof. It can also lead to leaks and blowoffs, which could cause further damage to the building itself and can potentially damage adjacent buildings.
After installation, there are several identifiable issues building owners can look for. If the materials look uneven or have a “wavy” appearance, this could be a sign that the materials were not installed properly. You may also see gaps in between roof insulation or roof membrane or where the material meets the edge of the building.
“Quality craftsmanship is the core value of Boak & Sons, whether it be in the roof construction, insulation or in any of our other exterior contracting divisions,” said Sam Boak. “That includes ongoing training safety, installation practices and a genuine care for the job being done right. If a company lacks those qualities, it shows in the performance and longevity of the roof. At Boak & Sons, Inc. we set a standard for our customers that has resulted in numerous awards, such as the Carlisle Perfect 10 and ESP Award, Firestone’s Partner in Quality and the area’s only Owens Corning’s Platinum contractor, all of which we’ve earned for our commitment to quality throughout our history. These awards are the result of our commitment to providing our customers with the quality roofing they expect from Boak & Sons. The proof is in the performance and lifespan of the roof and the substantial amount of money our customers save because of our commitment to quality.
Boak & Sons, Inc. also uses their Roof Asset Management program to help commercial property owners protect their investment and provide support and peace of mind to commercial property managers. The program allows the company to track reports, maintenance requests, services and billing charges with ease.
For more information about Boak & Sons, Inc.’s commercial roofing services, visit https://boakandsons.com/commercial-services/commercial-roofing-services/. Call Boak & Sons at 330-793-5646 to speak to a commercial sales representative or to schedule a free estimate.
