Roofing News

In the roofing industry, standing seam metal roofs are typically classified as being either architectural or structural. Architectural metal roofs are those you can see from the ground on steep-sloped buildings. They are designed to look good on the building. Structural metal roofs are more functional and are installed on low-slope commercial buildings, directly onto the purlins over an open space.

Structural standing seam roofs are designed to be watertight and can provide protection from the elements for many years. However, eventually, Mother Nature takes her toll and the roof’s integrity can be compromised. Thermal expansion and contraction pull at seams and fasteners. Snow, rainfall and ponding water can eventually cause rust and corrosion to form and holes to appear.

If your structural metal roof is showing signs of age, you might be tempted take care of problems with a complete roof replacement. This will address your problems – until they begin again, because the new metal roof will have the same vulnerabilities as the old roof. This method is also costly, involves the use of heavy equipment, and is disruptive to a building’s normal operations, often exposing the building contents to the elements while work is performed.

At Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation, we recommend a roof retrofit, not a replacement. We will install a new single-ply membrane system right over your existing metal roof. It can be installed at a fraction of the cost of a replacement metal roof (without interfering with your building activities), and is a better long-term solution than sealants, coatings and foam. Contact us today for an estimate.

Heading into the warmer spring months with winter finally melting away, there are a few matters you should take care of as a homeowner and/or business owner.

Gutters

Before the spring showers return, make sure your gutters have survived the winter and there is not a pile-up of debris. It is important that the rain can easily flow through the gutters to be properly rerouted. If gutters are blocked, water damage on the ceilings/walls of your home or business is more likely to occur.

It is also important to check how secure your gutters are installed. The screws can sometimes become loose with the winter wind/ice resulting in the gutters moving away from the roof. This could also potentially cause water to seep into the walls of your home/business.

 

Limbs/Moss

Clearing away any limbs that could be scraping your roof is a great task to check off the spring checklist. This also helps to eliminate the environment that promotes the growth of moss. Moss can be detrimental to roof health and it is critical to keep a close eye on those problem areas.

We hope these helpful tips will get you on the right track for a worry-free spring! As always, if you have any further questions, contact us at 989-575-0190!

With so many roofing companies to choose from, finding the best option can seem like a project in itself. There are many different criteria to be satisfied when searching for the right company and we’ve come up with 9 critical points to look for.

1. They actually work in your area. Contacting a company that is not local or that isn’t willing to travel to your area to work is time wasted!

2. They are licensed and insured. Hiring an unlicensed or uninsured contractor could result in an unsatisfactory outcome or serious liability.

3. They properly train their employees. Formal training is not required in typical shingle roofing, but most commercial roofing takes extensive training procedures!

4. They provide a free estimate. You do not want to pay a contractor without any work being done so this avoids overestimating and overcharging.

5. They provide a written estimate. A free estimate loses its charm if you still don’t know what exactly it is you’re paying for. This helps customers in the budgeting process and provides clarity.

6. They have testimonials from previous clients. These reviews provide insight into the quality of the job, and what is expected of you as a homeowner.

7. They take pride in the material they use. If a contractor is hesitant to discuss the material, that indicates they are not fully confident.

8. They can provide insight into their warranties. All roofers should provide warranties and ideally should cover the labor and the materials.

9. They are open for communication throughout the process. Whether it’s a 1- or 2-day repair or weeklong project, the ability to communicate after hours is critical in the event that something goes wrong.

How does Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation Systems, Inc. “check the boxes”?

GLR has been servicing the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Michigan for decades! We are both licensed and insured and our employees complete extensive in-class and on the roof training. If you decide you are interested in working with us, we swiftly travel to the site and provide a free written estimate. We work with Duro-Last commercial membrane (who provides incredible manufacturer warranties) and we will continue to stand with Duro-Last for the duration of our time in the roofing business. Customer satisfaction is extremely important to us and we are more than happy to share testimonials/reviews. Our doors are always open for clients to come in and ask questions, and we are only one call away from keeping you WARM AND DRY!

We hope you found these insights useful and keep in mind that these can translate into all forms of construction. Call us today for your free estimate: 989.575.0190!

Common frustrations come in all forms this time of year, and a frequent problem people face is a leaking roof. In many instances, these leaks are easily fixed and typically do not result in a total roof replacement.

Taking care of these issues sooner rather than later is necessary to ensure the leak does not get progressively worse.

While residential roofing is not one of our core services, we get a lot of questions regarding leaking roofs and wanted to provide this important information! Some causes of your leaking roof might include:

Worn Flashings

When a roof has any type of protrusion (chimneys, vent pipes, etc.), there is an opportunity for water intrusion and flashings help to prohibit this. Flashings are thin pieces of material that redirect the flow of water from entering in between the edges of the roof and protrusion. When these flashings become worn, they become permeable and ineffective.

Although we do not specialize in shingle roofing, these flashings are also used on Duro-Last applications for any circular protrusions.

Ice Dams

If you find your roof is leaking in the winter months, you are most likely faced with an ice dam. This occurs when snow melts and the water collects on the edges and refreezes. To prevent ice dams from forming, make an effort to clean the snow off your roof in a timely fashion!

Skylights

Although it’s not extremely common in Northern Michigan, homes with skylights are especially susceptible to leaks if the sealant becomes loose or is improperly installed. Leaks can also occur if the glass in the window is cracked.

Obstructed Gutters

Whether you are a do-it-yourself type of homeowner or choose to hire someone to help, making sure your gutters are free of obstructions is important in preventing roof leaks. If water isn’t freely flowing away from the roof, it can potentially become backed up under your shingles. If a leak is occurring near a gutter, this might be the case.

Condensation in the Attic

We featured an article about the importance of attic insulation and sometimes, the effects of not properly insulating/ventilating can translate into what homeowners believe is a leak in the roof. If condensation is gathering in the floor of the attic, it is common to seep down into the ceiling and lead people to believe that it’s a complication with the roof.

Wear and Tear

All in all, your roof can become worn over time with regular maintenance procedures. While shoveling your roof is important to limit ice dams, this activity can cause wear and tear. To ensure this is the problem, call a roofing specialist to perform an inspection.

 

 

Duro-Last, it’s the top of the line!

Duro-Last , a leading name in commercial roofing, stands at the pinnacle of roofing technology in our ever-evolving modern world. The dynamism of commercial roofing technology underscores the importance of staying ahead through continuous education and training.

To guarantee the highest quality installation, Duro-Last commercial roofing mandates certification for contractors. At Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation Systems, Inc., we prioritize ongoing education and ensure that our team attends annual training seminars. These sessions cover various aspects of the roofing process, including general installation and manufacturing operations.

The knowledge acquired from these seminars is disseminated to all our employees, fostering additional safety measures, increased efficiency, and the ability to deliver a superior finished product to our clients.

Duro-Last takes its commitment to education further by offering in-shop training sessions during the off-season, providing 1 to 2-day proficiency training for experienced contractors, and implementing top-notch retraining programs.

Collaborating with Duro-Last offers additional advantages. The manufacturer facilitates a robust support system with nearly 75 quality assurance technical representatives available to address any queries. This collaboration ensures that our questions are answered promptly, our needs are met, and our crews receive the necessary support.

Whether it’s through no-fee in-shop training, proficiency training, or retraining programs, Duro-Last is dedicated to enhancing the skills of contractors, and we, at Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation Systems, Inc., align ourselves with this commitment.

For those interested in working with us or seeking further information, feel free to contact us at 906-647-2916 or via email. Elevate your roofing experience with the top-of-the-line expertise offered by Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation Systems, Inc. in collaboration with Duro-Last.