Services
Visual Roof Inspections
Save Money with Periodic Visual Inspections
Periodic visual inspections can increase the service life of a roof assembly by informing a building Owner of deficient conditions and repairs needed. If an Owner completes the identified repairs and continues a regular inspection program, they can maximize the effective roof service life and thereby reduce the roof’s life cycle costs.
Our qualified roof inspectors walk the entire roof area identifying and photographing all observed deficiencies and documenting what they find on a roof plan. The roofing expertise of our inspectors allows them to find not only the obvious roof deficiencies, but also the not-so-obvious, which could eventually cause significant problems and possibly premature failure.
A report is then generated which documents the information gathered and recommends corrective actions to the cited deficiencies and identifies required maintenance procedures to lessen further deterioration of the roof system. The report also provides estimated budgets for all the recommended roof repairs. A roof plan is included in the report to show an owner where and how often the deficiencies occur. If requested, RCA will contact local roofing contractors and coordinate repairs that may be required.
“An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure”
The cost of a visual roof inspection compared to the cost to replace a roof, or portion of it, prematurely is a very wise investment. To realize the maximum service life of existing roofing systems, we recommend this procedure for all building owners.
Infrared & Nuclear Moisture Surveys
Save Costs with Moisture Surveys
Water infiltration is one of the roofing industry’s most common and costly problems. Roof leaks can lead to a breakdown of insulation, loss of insulating properties, structural deck deterioration and property damage; all of which cost building owners billions of dollars every year. This often results in complete removal and replacement of all roofing materials; in many situations these replacements may have been premature to the potential service lives of the installed roofing systems.
Moisture surveys can determine if, where, and to what extent detrimental moisture has compromised a roofing system. By making this determination, a building owner may have more options regarding corrective actions. A moisture survey can save an owner significant cost by allowing him to replace only the damaged areas of roofing rather than the entire system. Moisture surveys can also be a valuable tool to verify if a new roof installation has been installed and completed without moisture compromise.
Here at RCA, we utilize two types of non-destructive moisture surveys: infrared and nuclear.
Infrared Survey
RCA utilizes FLIR thermal imaging cameras to perform infrared roof moisture surveys. With these thermal imaging cameras, we can see where moisture is trapped within the roof system. The survey is performed after sundown to allow thermal differences or “anomalies” to occur once the air and roof surface temperatures reach a state of equilibrium.
During the day, moisture within the roof insulation is heated and then it retains that heat into the night longer than the dry insulation. This results in thermal anomalies (areas that are warmer) that can be detected by our infrared cameras. These anomalies are then considered as suspect wet areas and are outlined on the roof surface with spray paint. Roof cores are taken in both dry and suspect wet areas to verify the instrument readings. Finally, the locations of the anomalies and the test cuts are marked on a roof plan.
Nuclear Survey
A nuclear moisture survey provides accurate mapping of moisture concentrations (by density) within a roofing assembly. RCA utilizes Troxler roof moisture gauges for the nuclear surveys. We begin by marking the intersecting points of a 5′ x 5′ grid pattern on the entire roof surface with paint or chalk. A reading is then taken at each grid point with the nuclear gauge, and it is recorded on a roof plan marked with the same grid. Once all the readings have been recorded, the technician then takes a roof core in the area with the highest numeric reading to determine if moisture is present. If moisture is found, then additional roof cores are taken at lower readings until dry roofing is found. Finally, a histogram (or bar graph) of all the numerical readouts is developed. This histogram enables RCA to determine what percentage of the roof area is affected by moisture intrusion.
Don’t let the word ‘nuclear’ scare you. These gauges are all fully contained and all our personnel that use them are thoroughly trained in their use and transport. RCA is properly licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for transport and use of the devices, and we perform regular leak testing as required by our licensing.
Roof Repair and Replacement Design Documents
RCA utilizes Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, and Adobe software for all design projects. To serve you better, we can provide all documentation of specifications and design drawings in digital format for your records. We can also save a few trees by posting bid documents and construction administration files electronically.
RCA draws upon its years of roofing experience as well as industry resources for the design and detailing of roof repair and replacement projects. We utilize information available thru International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC), NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association), SPRI (Single Ply Roofing Industry), SMACNA (Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Organization), The National Slate Association, as well as other industry organizations and various roof system manufacturers.
Accurate Roof Drawings and Details
Our roof plans are drawn to scale with all rooftop penetrations indicated and roof drains located. If the replacement system requires tapered insulation, the tapered system is designed and indicated in an additional plan. Detail drawings typically reflect the industry standards for the chosen roof system. Most of our details are drawn in an isometric format to provide better clarity and understanding of the installation requirements and intent.
Unique Specifications for Every Project
The specifications are prepared to include all circumstances and requirements which may have an impact on the specific project, i.e., deck replacement, additional drainage capabilities, interior protections, etc. This approach is designed to maximize protection for the building Owner and Contractor. The ‘front end’ or general requirement sections include all the pertinent information for the general administrative requirements including project time frames, insurance and bonding requirements, site or building limitations, payment stipulations, project close-out requirements, etc.
Our goal is to provide the building owner with a complete set of documents which clearly outlines the project logistics as well as the roof system requirements so that when bids are received, they have an ‘apples to apples’ comparison to review when making their decision.
Document Review & Billing Services
Let RCA Be Your “Second Set of Eyes”
RCA can review your roof project documents to ensure that they meet industry and manufacturer’s standards. There are hundreds of roofing systems on the market today, so it is difficult to keep up with them all. Particularly if you are a design professional who is looking at other building systems as well. Our project managers can review the roof specifications and drawings to look at roofing application, detail requirements, warrantability and overall design consistency. We can also provide quality control in the documentation and ensure a precise and consistent Scope of Work for contractors to bid on.
When it’s time to put your project out for bids, RCA can assist with distribution of the documents as well as development of an invited bidders list. As a specialty roof consulting firm, we recommend only solvent and quality roofing contractors to building owners. This helps ensure that successful project execution can be achieved. Our extensive involvement with several major roofing materials manufacturers allows us access to the premier roofing contractors in the country.
Making sense out of multiple bids to replace your building’s roof can be difficult, especially if the bids are not ‘apples to apples’. RCA can help you perform a scope review and make an educated decision regarding the best option for your roofing needs. We compare the bids to the Scope of Work to help you determine which proposal best meets your budget and the specific needs of your facility.
Project Management & Construction Administration
Managing Your Roof Project from Top to Bottom
When you look at your completed roof system all you are seeing is the finished product. There is much more to the installation below the surface and behind the scenes that only Project Management and Construction Administration can assure was done correctly to give you the best possible roofing installation from the ground to the roof and start to finish.
Project Management & Construction Administration
RCA can provide project management to track your roofing installation to ensure that it’s installed in accordance with the contract documents, to troubleshoot any issues that may arise due to unforeseen conditions, and to verify that the Owner is getting the quality job that they are paying for.
RCA can review the contract documents, submittals, schedule of values, change orders, pay requests, etc. We can participate in the Pre-Construction and progress meetings and conduct the Substantial Completion and/or Final Inspection.
Whether it’s maintaining the “paper trail” or providing the “boots-on-the-roof”, RCA can help. Our project managers can be the liaison between the Owner/Architect and the Roofing Contractor. Let our personnel help you follow your roofing project from the bottom to the top.
Quality Control Inspection
Quality Control Roof Inspection Service is recognized by the roofing industry as a vital component of successful Roof Construction Management. Many vital areas of a roof installation are not visible for inspection upon completion and many times are already covered over before periodic site inspections can be made.
Full-time Quality Control Inspection provides a set of ‘eyes’ during all phases of the installation. Critical areas such as fastening patterns of underlying insulation, mopping techniques, or glue application and drying times can be monitored for compliance with the contract documents and manufacturer’s standards.
Count On RCS and Our Trained Roof Inspectors
RCA’s roof inspectors are trained to observe all phases of a roof installation to ensure the best quality and workmanship is achieved. Prior to the start of work, our inspectors are provided specifications, drawings, shop drawings and submittals. The inspector’s attendance at the Pre-Job Conference with respective contractual parties allows a thorough understanding of the system installation, set-up areas and anticipated internal disruptions. The inspector generates Daily Roof Inspection Reports which delineates material and installation compliance and documents any unforeseen contingent items to the contract. Non-compliance issues are immediately addressed with the roofing contractor, design professional or building owner to ensure proper installation of the specified roofing assembly.
Roof System Database Development
Tracking Your Roof Needs Over Time
RCA has developed a management database which can track an Owner’s roofing information and help determine what the facility needs will be in the next year, the next five years or in the long range.
After RCA’s field personnel survey the roofs of your facilities, all the information is entered into our Data Management system – including PDF copies of the Auto CAD generated roof plans. Each building record can then be updated as periodic inspections are performed. Reports are generated with various levels of prioritization. With the building specific information and the prioritization reporting, an Owner has all the information they need to make well educated decisions regarding their roofing management and expenditures.
This information management database provides accurate, consistent information. Whether you manage just a few buildings or hundreds of buildings, our database can organize, track, and prioritize your roofing needs and budget requirements.
Roof Maintenance Programs
“An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure”
The cost of a Visual Roof Inspection is minor when compared to the cost to replace a roof, or even portions of a roof, prematurely. To maximize the service life of a roof system and realize the full potential of its “Life Cycle”, we recommend this program to all building owners.
Annual Roof Inspections
We recommend annual inspections (as a minimum) for every roof system. Far too often, the cause of a roof failure is the absence of proper maintenance and inspection. Something that starts out small and very repairable when left unchecked, can turn into a very major roof problem. Periodic visual roof inspections and routine maintenance to deficient conditions can increase the long-term service life of any roof assembly.
During an annual roof maintenance inspection, our qualified roof inspectors walk all roof areas while documenting all observed deficiencies with photographs, a written report and field generated roof plans. This information can then be entered into our Data Management system which can be tracked on a regular basis. An AutoCad generated roof plan is then developed locating all deficient conditions. Upon request, RCS will contact qualified local contractors to coordinate getting all required repairs completed.
Warranty Claims Assistance
Let RCA Investigate Your Problematic Roof
RCA has aided numerous building owners as well as manufacturers to investigate roofs that have been experiencing persistent problems. We have worked with several of the major roof system manufacturers to help them ascertain the nature of issues that create warranty claims.
Whether your roof system has workmanship, design, or material defects, we can determine the cause and provide a recommended approach to correct the problem.
Our non-destructive roof investigations can also help determine if a roof leak has compromised the integrity of the roof system. If so, RCA can also determine how much of the system has been affected.
Forensic Investigation & Expert Witness
A significant portion of construction related litigation in the United States is due to moisture issues in the building envelope – in particular, the roofing.
Unfortunately, some roofing installations develop problems very quickly after installation, or even worse – they were not installed properly to begin with. Our project managers and field personnel can help determine the cause of an Owner’s roofing issues. RCA utilizes both non-destructive and deconstructive methods to pinpoint roofing problems. Our forensic investigation services can identify the causes of the moisture infiltration and provide clear, detailed information to document the problems and recommend corrective actions.
Our Principals Can Help with Your Litigation
RCA can also assist an Owner whose roofing related problems are heading toward or have made it into litigation. Our principals have assisted with hundreds of litigation-based projects. We have experience with mediation, deposition, and actual litigation. Our principals have been certified as expert witnesses in local and state proceedings.
RCA has been involved as a consultant in numerous projects involved in litigation from small local cases to national class action suits involving thousands of plaintiffs. We feel strongly about the expertise that we can provide to clients with problem projects; however, our goal is to assist Owners with developing the ‘least painful’ method of solving their roofing related problems.