ARTICLES FOR BUILDING MANAGEMENT

good roof maintenance
THE ARGUMENT FOR GOOD ROOF MAINTENANCE

Greg Hlavaty, along with Hal Leland, discuss the importance of a roof maintenance program. This article is derived from a podcast of the same name.  By reformatting this as an article you could miss the fun of the conversation.  Please read and enjoy in its original conversational form. GH –

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TITLE 24 Part 6
Title 24 Cool Roofs, Cool Roof Rating Council, Origin Stories

The State of California, who kind of leads the pack for the whole nation in energy laws and requirements for buildings, started testing roofs in early 2000. They started monitoring buildings with reflective roofs and non-reflective roofs. And what they found after following these buildings that had reflective surfaces on

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Your Gravel Roof – a History of Solutions

Have you ever wondered why they installed them? Then, how to restore them? Let’s go back to the earliest forms of roofing in the early 1900’s with “built up” roofing.  Which consisted of melted asphalt, and they will put it on a roof with layers of reinforcement, (felt). They chopped

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damaged roof deck
Identifying Roof Deck Damage

How can you apply a Fluid Applied Roof System on a roof surface if you don’t know if there is roof deck damage underneath? This is a common question by consultants, building owners and contractors. The common practice is to always tear the entire roof off but that is wasteful

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roof restoration
Roof Restoration Story – A Record Setting Roof

Each day we can follow a roofing project that is installing another layer of protection and reconditioning an existing Western Colloid system. Our founder, Larry Widmer began applying coatings and fluid applied systems in the 1960’s. Throughout the West notable companies like Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, Fred Meyers, TRW, Certified Grocers, Payless,

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fm global Hal Leland
Hal Leland Talks Testing and FM Global

Western Colloid is proud of the quality of the products we manufacture.  We adhere to the strictest standards to produce coatings to meet and exceed the requirements expected in today’s products. We are so fortunate to have a real industry expert working on our behalf. Introducing Hal Leland with some

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Let’s Talk About Maintenance Programs

Western Colloid knows the way to increase your roof’s lifespan and it’s with an effective maintenance plan. Let’s guide you through it. Finding out what your existing roof’s warranty requires in order to keep the warranty in good standing is a great starting point. Next create both a maintenance schedule

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3-Things Your Manufacturer Should be Doing for You

Keys to a Successful Coatings Installation Interested in learning more about fluid applied roofing? Read this eBook and learn the preferred equipment and methods to use. Western Colloid provides invaluable insight in how to use coatings to provide a superior roof to your clients while saving money on labor, products

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The Solar Dilemma: Roof Considerations

Over the last 20 years, solar panel technology has significantly improved and become more cost-effective. Coupled with rising energy costs, green energy incentives and an increasing number of municipal ordinances, building owners and operators have performed solar retrofitting on their facilities with great success. Before considering planning for a solar

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Upgrading for Energy Efficiency, It’s a Thing!

You’ve heard about the benefits of a cool roof. So why wait to replace your current roof, when you can install a cool roof and enjoy the benefits now? The cost of upgrading or restoring your roof with an insulating, reflective roof system will be offset by the cost reduction

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Going the Repair to Failure Route for Your Roof

Many simply coax their roof along until it absolutely must be replaced, however, there are better solutions to choose in order to avoid serious roof repair or failure. Roofers Can Renew, Restore and Recondition Roofs In the Process of Making Repairs? Since most repairs prolong the inevitable, begin treating repairs

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How Are You Currently Managing Your Commercial Roof?

Questions about management styles that building owners and managers should be asking themselves. Roofs are often a building owner’s biggest expense. They require a continuous care plan, with statistics showing that roof maintenance saves money both in the short and long term. What building owners may not know is that

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Surviving the Elements – What a Roof Goes Through

How understanding the environment helps you make the right decisions for your property’s roof. More than any other component of a building, roofs are exposed to damaging environmental elements such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, harsh weather conditions and significant temperature changes. These conditions leave roofing materials subject to deterioration that

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Keep Your Building Dry Year Round

A Great Way to Keep Working in the Winter and Spring The winter and spring months bring along their own unique challenges for roofers and their clients. The biggest challenge is the weather. Cold temperatures, snow, rain and storms are among some of the most difficult and dangerous conditions to

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Understanding Roofing Project Delays

  How Western Colloid can be your secret weapon in supply chain shortages For almost three years now, a trip to the grocery store means running the risk of an item being out of stock. Amid these trying times, we all have had to adjust, going without things that we

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tim ford - labor savings
ROOFING – INVEST NOW TO SCALE AND SAVE

LEARN HOW ONE CONTRACTOR SAVED $11,000 ON MATERIAL ALONE WITH JUST A SINGLE PRODUCT CHANGE, NOT TO MENTION THE LABOR SAVINGS. As Western Colloid’s senior field tech and trainer, Tim Ford spends a lot of time with contractors of all sizes, helping their crews learn how to perform quality installations

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Ponding Water on Your Roof? When is it a Problem?

Assumptions can lead any commercial building owner into believing that excess water on your roof could be from a recent storm however, it doesn’t have to be storm season for it to appear. Air Conditioning units and other roof equipment can cause ponding water, water remaining on a roof for

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commercial roofers having a conversation on site
Common questions about our commercial roof products

As a manufacturer of quality commercial roof products with decades in the industry, here are some of the questions we see the most: Do I need special equipment to install Fluid Applied Reinforced Roofing (FARR) Systems? Luckily, you don’t need any special equipment to install our FARR commercial roof products.

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Want to learn more about Western Colloid products? Watch these!

It’s the quality of Western Colloid products that have helped make us a roofing industry leader. We take pride in what we do and only make the best products possible. To learn more about our Fluid Applied Roofing, Reflective Coating Systems, and Premium Asphalt Sealcoats, watch these videos! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reoqzKpdr2M Company

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roof waterproofing solution
Need a quick roof waterproofing solution? Try this!

Whether a severe summer storm came through your town or an aging roof finally gave out, sometimes you need a quick waterproofing solution! Keep this one in mind in case you need it later:   Roof Damage You may find yourself in need of waterproofing for a number of reasons.

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commercial roof in texas
Case Study: Frito-Lay commercial roof in Texas

When the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters needed a new commercial roof in Texas we were more than happy to help! Read on to see what services we provided this global company. Problems of Original Roof To begin, the company’s original roof was about 32 years old. It was a concrete deck

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green roof system
Looking for a green roof system? Consider a FARR cool roof!

If you’re looking for an energy-efficient, green roof system, read on to learn more about FARR!   Why choose a green roof system? Cool, green, and solar systems are good for many reasons. First, they help the environment. Second, they help with energy costs. Thirds, they help with insulation qualities

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Case Study: Commercial Roof in Arizona

This warehouse had a failing one-year-old roof. So they needed a new commercial roof in Arizona — fast! And we were happy to help them.   Incorrect products caused leaks This failing warehouse roof was metal with acrylic coating. First of all, the application was poor. However, the products used

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Need pavement maintenance? Armor Top can help!

We’re a leader in commercial roofing systems. However, we’re a leader in pavement maintenance, too! In fact, it’s because of our emulsion tech experience that we can create asphalt seal coats and pavement maintenance systems known as Armor Top.   Armor Top is made of non-chemically treated ingredients to create

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What is FARR? Leak-free commercial roofing

What is FARR? It stands for Fluid Applied Reinforced Roofing, and it’s one of the best leak-free commercial roofing products out there!   Seamless, tough, flexible Western Colloid’s FARR systems are lightweight yet tough. Thanks to layers of waterproof asphalt emulsion and tough polyester fabric they can be surfaced with

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commercial roof in california
Case Study: Commercial Roof in California

When Pacific Dental Services was looking to repair their commercial roof in California, we had just the solution.   The Problem Located in Irvine, California, Pacific Dental Services found themselves with over 100 leaks in their 124,000 square foot roof. In fact, the building owners thought that their only option

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western colloid products
4 Tips for Choosing the Best Roofing Manufacturer

Looking for the best roofing manufacturer to meet your needs? There is a lot to consider! Whether you’re a contractor, property manager, or building owner, here are our top four things to look for when you have commercial roofing needs. 1. Look at Past Experience There’s something to be said

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Asphalt Emulsion vs. Acrylic vs. Silicone
Asphalt Emulsion vs. Acrylic vs. Silicone

When it comes to maintaining your roof, roof coatings are an effective way to maximize your investment. They can be applied quickly on top of your existing roof system, limiting the disruption to tenants and occupants. And where many building codes limit the number of full roofs you can install

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roof coatings repair guide
The Ultimate Roof Coating Repair Guide

When it comes to roof coating repair, the steps to fixing a damaged roof coating will depend on the type of coating, its age and the extent of the damage.  Commercial roof repair is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is important to educate yourself and make sure you choose competent

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severe weather roof damage
What to do when severe weather causes roof damage

Source  Your roof goes through a lot: wind, rain, ice, sun. Year after year, it keeps your building and its occupants safe. And while you hope it will last a long time, severe weather like hail and hurricanes can cause roof damage. Repairing roof damage quickly is the key to

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Never Worry About Replacing Roof
Never Worry About Replacing Your Roof Again

Your commercial building is constantly at war, fighting against the elements to keep your tenants and building occupants warm, dry and safe. Maintaining the components of your building envelope like the roof, windows and facade is an ongoing process, and you want to know that you’ve maximized your installation and

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Passive House Net-Zero LEED
LEED vs. Passive House vs. Net-Zero for Commercial Buildings

Source It’s been a challenging year for commercial real estate. With traditional office workplaces changing and tenants struggling to pay their rent, owners and operators of commercial buildings will be facing an increasingly competitive market. As they seek to find stable tenants, these buildings will need to make their value

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Healthcare Buildings Maintenance Checks
Monthly Maintenance Checks to Perform on Healthcare Buildings

Now more than ever, healthcare workers need to know the hospitals and long-term care facilities they work in are in good shape. With emergency rooms and intensive care units at capacity in most states, nothing could be more disruptive than relocating sick patients to deal with urgent building repair. Proactive inspections — including commercial roof maintenance checks — should be part of any conscientious building manager’s operations. As the U.S. continues to fight against COVID-19 outbreaks, these checks are especially necessary for healthcare buildings. 

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TPO Roofs for Boeing
Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Coatings Answered

A comprehensive roof inspection program will help you identify potential issues before they become expensive problems. A neglected roof can mean damaged membranes, moldy insulation and even structural damage. When that happens, you may have no other option but a disruptive and costly full tear-off and replace to remediate the mess.

But if you’re proactive, modern roofing solutions are available that will help you extend the life of your roof — and protect your wallet. Roof coating products can last for decades and will keep your building safe from unwanted leaks and damage.

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Install a Roof Coating to Get More Return on Your Commercial Building

In the current economic climate, it’s likely that we’re going to see a lot of shifts in the commercial real estate market in the upcoming year. As portfolios consolidate and others expand, a lot of properties will be changing hands. If you’re looking at selling a commercial building, you want to know you’re going to get the best return for your investment.

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Never Worry About Replacing Roof
How to Preserve, Repair or Restore Your TPO Roofing System

The business of owning and managing commercial real estate is an expensive one. Buildings are exposed to continuous weather wear and tear, with building envelope systems both slowly degrading over time and potentially experiencing severe damage in extreme weather. Owners not only need to budget appropriately for ongoing preventative maintenance

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Fluid Applied Roof System – Western Colloid
How Roof Coating Can Help You Manage Your Commercial Building’s Budget

While wear and tear is a normal part of a building’s lifespan, a proactive inspection and maintenance program helps identify aging building materials and potential deficiencies. Without these kinds of programs, failing components of the building envelope can lead to water intrusion, mold growth and structural damage. When that happens, your commercial building’s budget goes, often quite literally, through the roof.

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Choosing the Right Commercial Roof Coating for Colorado Weather
Choosing the Right Commercial Roof Coating for Colorado Weather

With your roof so often out of sight and out of mind, it’s easy to ignore it until a problem occurs. But structural damage and mold growth caused by a leaky roof cannot be ignored and can be very expensive to fix. If you’re looking to update your commercial roof in Colorado, you may need to have some special considerations when choosing a solution. 

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STAPLES CENTER VIDEO
Our Favorite Fluid-Applied Roofing Projects in California

As the third-largest state in the United States, California covers a vast geographic area and enjoys varied weather and climates. From high altitudes to the desert, foggy coastlines to endless sunshine and everything in between, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to building materials in California. Building owners

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commercial roofing Nevada
Choosing the Right Commercial Roof Coating for Nevada Weather

For building owners and operators looking to update a commercial roof in Nevada, key factors to consider are weather and energy efficiency. With hot summers and cooler winters, a commercial building in Nevada needs a durable roof system that stands up to thermal shock or temperature extremes and helps manage the energy demand on the building.  

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Cool roofing system for your building
The Benefits of Installing a Cool Roof System

Source  Maintaining a building is an ongoing and cost-intensive process. With so many integrated systems — from your building envelope to your heating and cooling system, from the front door to the roof — keeping your building in good repair can be complex. In addition, today’s property managers and building

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Solar Retrofitting Solutions
The Solar Retrofitting Solution You Need

Source Over the last twenty years, solar panel technology has improved significantly and become more cost-effective. Coupled with rising energy costs, green energy incentives and an increasing number of municipal ordinances, many building owners and operators have performed solar retrofitting on their facility, with great success. Out of Sync Modern

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Getting Your Roof Ready for Winter

Source  As much as we like to joke about it, winter really is coming. It’s inevitable, but it doesn’t have to make life as a building owner difficult. With a little preparation, you can go into the winter months knowing your roof is in good repair and your building is

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How to Fix a Leaky Roof

Source Water damage is one of the biggest problems in building management. Water intrusion can cause mold growth, poor indoor air quality or even structural damage if it goes unchecked.  But fixing water damage isn’t as simple as replacing damaged ceiling tiles and moving on. Building operators must work with

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Is TPO the Best Roof System for Your Industrial Building?

Let’s face it. If your business operates out of an industrial building, then you’re either in the business of making something, storing it, distributing it or some combination of those three. You probably didn’t expect to be in the building maintenance business, too. But if you want to protect your

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Working With Tenants During Roof Tear-Offs
Working With Tenants During Roof Tear-Offs

Keeping your roof in good repair is a critical element of maintaining your building. And after decades of holding back wind, rain, snow, hail and damaging UV rays, you’ll need to eventually replace your roof, which can often be a complex and time-consuming project if you own or manage a

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roof consultants
Commercial Building Roof Repair: Where Do I Start?

Source Repairing or replacing a leaky roof on a commercial building can end up being one of the more costly aspects of owning or managing a commercial property. Ensuring you are taking the right steps to properly repair the roof will save you both time and money – especially if

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How to Update Your Gravel Roof

Is it time to update your gravel roof? It might be! Gravel roofs are long-lasting and UV and impact-resistant, making them great choices for areas prone to hail and rough weather. However, they do need regular inspection and maintenance to last longer and prevent water leaks.    What Is a

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Recoating a Foam Roof: Do’s and Don’t’s

Foam roofs are commonly used in many commercial, industrial and institutional flat roof settings. They do require some ongoing maintenance but the benefit is that they provide an additional layer of insulation. Plus, certain foam roof products are even ENERGY STAR®-rated, which can help reduce ongoing heating and cooling costs

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What is a Colloid?

Colloid Definition: A type of homogeneous mixture in which the dispersed particles do not settle out. Examples of colloids include: butter, milk, smoke, fog, ink, paint, ElastaHyde. Ever wonder how Western Colloid got its name?  It was named after the pride of manufacturing a truly superior product.  The actual Colloid

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pioneer
Overnight Sensation or Roofing Pioneer?

The longevity and resilience of our products prove that the technology delivers superior performance. Let’s face it, this industry is slow to adopt. What we have been manufacturing and promoting for 45 years is now on the forefront of new technology.  We feel like the actor that has been pounding

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RCMA Elects New Board Officers at 2016 Annual Meeting

WASHINGTON, DC (February 25, 2016) – The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA)  hosted more than 100 industry attendees at its 2016 Annual Meeting, February 15-16 in Orlando, Florida. The Association elected a new slate of officers to its Board of Directors and named Greg Johnson, Sherwin-Williams, the recipient of the

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roof maintenance tips
Download our FREE Maintenance Recommendations Sheet!

At Western Colloid 40 years of manufacturing superior roof systems has put us on thousands of roofing projects.  We have seen the difference a maintenance program can make on the life of your roof. Download our 5 Maintenance Recommendations For Preserving The Service Life Of Your Low Slope Or Commercial

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NEW! Miami Dade County Approval

Western Colloid announces it has now received the coveted Miami-Dade Approval for their #790 AFC ElastaHyde ACRYLIC PREMIUM GRADE ELASTOMERIC REFLECTIVE COATING. Among the most difficult product approvals to get is for the Miami-Dade County areas in Florida.  Often, by having this approval you can easily get product approval in

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Cool Pavement Coating Systems
Cool Pavement Coating Systems

Western Colloid’s “ArmorTop” sealcoat product can be produced in cool colors to cool down your parking lot and help reduce the “Heat Island” effect. Our cool colored sealcoat is an economical way to achieve the pavement cool-down that will soon be required by some state and federal agencies. How can

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Cool Colored Roof Coatings

ElastaHyde 720 ARC is available in California Tan and Platinum Gray.  Both colors meet California Title 24 guidelines and are Energy Star® listed. These Cool Colors give you the option of an energy efficient roof coating without having to use white. How can Western Colloid be of Service? REQUEST A

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FM Approved

Western Colloid has received multiple FM Global approvals over BUR, Modified Bitumen, and various Single Ply membranes. The FM 4470 Class 1 approvals employ some of the toughest test methods in the roofing industry. FM 4470 tests for Wind, Fire, Hail, Foot Traffic and watertightness.  Along with the testing, stringent

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How can Western Colloid be of Service?