It can be challenging to keep a close eye on the condition of your facility's roof. Often, it's a case of "out of sight, out of mind" until a leak disrupts your operations. When you are in charge of multiple buildings, things get even more complex. You may be facing drastically different climates or building codes and often have to work with different local roofing contractors. This could bring inconsistency in results and standards, as well as overcomplicated logistics associated with managing multiple vendors. How can you simplify and streamline this process? To find answers, we asked a few commercial roofing industry veterans with decades of experience in both regional and nationwide roofing portfolio management.

Introducing our expert panel for today! We are delighted to have with us the following CentiMark associates: Don Lyter, Director of Service, Global Accounts; Jakub Darling, Western Group Service Director; Steve Houck, National Account Manager; and Christopher Sellers, Southern Group VP of Sales. Get ready for an insightful session with these industry leaders!

Looking for a cost-effective way to extend the life of your roof? You've probably heard about roof coatings. These liquified polymers are becoming increasingly popular with various commercial facilities because they can restore and waterproof your existing roof system, delaying costly reroofing for many years. The seamless application provides a unique advantage, allowing you to protect non-uniform roof surfaces and reinforce weak points quickly, for a fraction of the cost of a roof replacement. Additionally, their high UV stability, reflective nature for improved energy efficiency and lower environmental impact make them a great option for a roofing solution as they prevent the need for a roof tear-off and reduce waste. There are so many benefits but are there any downfalls? Let's delve into some common concerns and misconceptions surrounding commercial roof coatings that we encounter in the field.

Wow, this summer's weather has not been easy for commercial facilities all over North America. Storms and tornadoes are putting roofs to the test, heat waves are skyrocketing cooling costs and Hurricane Beryl has left devastation in its path. According to forecasters, the remainder of this summer will also be challenging. Let’s make sure you are ready to weather the next storm.

A major storm hit your building. What to do?

Your course of action depends on the severity of the damage and the safety hazards it may pose. Here are some indicators that would warrant an emergency repair call:

Navigating roofing projects during uncertain economic times requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. As prices rise and unexpected factors like storm damage may impact your maintenance budget, it is essential to look into various solutions to stretch that budget a bit further.

Given that your facility's roof serves as the primary protection for your business operations, it may require repairs or maintenance to ensure it's performing at its best and is 100% watertight. Numerous defects with commercial roofs often remain undetected for an extended period of time, escalating into significant damage. Let's explore these frequently overlooked items that may be lurking just above you.

Due to their attractive appearance, resilience and reasonable ownership cost, vinyl composite tile (VCT) and terrazzo flooring are sought-after options for commercial facilities. These flooring systems are particularly suitable for heavily trafficked areas, including airports, hospitals and retail stores, as they balance aesthetics, safety and longevity. However, because of their porous texture, these types of floors necessitate regular upkeep to protect the surface, preserve the shine and maintain the warranty. Are your floors losing their luster? Check out our new commercial flooring service - VCT and Terrazzo Strip & Wax.

What are the key flooring requirements for your building? Is it aesthetics, durability or the ability to withstand harsh chemicals and frequent cleaning? Let's explore different commercial flooring solutions and determine if your existing floor can be improved to better meet your facility's specific needs.

This is the age old question in the roofing industry similar to the Chicken and the Egg question. Building owners constantly wrestle with the question of whether to repair or reroof? Unfortunately, this is often a question that only partially has to do with the condition of the roof. Most importantly it has more to do with the building owners tolerance for risk. Let’s look at some familiar adages or euphemisms and how they help answer the age old question of reroof or repair.

A bad storm with high winds can happen anywhere in North America. It takes just one event to seriously damage a commercial roof. Let's talk about wind uplift and how it affects your facility's roof. 

As we kick off 2023 we wanted to take a look at the factors that will impact the roofing industry this year. We feel there are going to be five major factors that will drive the roofing market. More specifically, these include the availability of labor, material, supply chain, economic conditions, technological advancements within the industry and customer demands.  Each of these factors is unique in their own regard so let’s review the impact they may have.

Managing a commercial construction project and multiple vendors can get very hectic. When it comes to installing floors, you want to have confidence in your contractor, knowing that they have you covered. Here’s how QuestMark’s commercial flooring specialists can help you with your next job.

Updated 5/2/2024

Summer-specific aspects of roof maintenance.

Summer is almost here, with hot sunny days, sparkling pools and the smell of grilling. But your roof is not taking any time off! Now is an excellent opportunity to look at completing any scheduled roofing projects or routine maintenance as summer poses some unique challenges to the integrity of your roof. Hot temperatures, increased humidity and storms are here and your commercial roof needs help to stand up to it. Let's take a look at the most common situations you may face this summer season.

Providing a safe working environment for your team and visitors is crucial for any commercial facility. One of the key components to achieving this is ensuring your building's floor plays its part. Commercial floors may be subject to heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic, spills, industrial-grade chemicals, static electricity and other factors surrounding daily operations. In addition, accessibility compliance is vital for businesses and organizations in North America, whether we are talking about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Canada's Accessible Canada Act (ACA). Let's explore the flooring solutions you can implement to help you with your overall workplace safety initiatives.

Whether you are in hospitality, manufacturing, cold storage or any other industry, excessive moisture in your building can result in a number of issues ranging from mold to water damage and poor air quality. Did you know the state of your roof's insulation may play a significant role in all of this?

Metal roofs, while very popular with commercial facilities, are not immune to myths and misconceptions like any other roofing or siding material. Let's look into some of the common concerns we hear in the field and address them!

Summer is here and so are the storms, monsoons and hurricanes. This year, we are preparing for an active hurricane season, as predicted by the Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane forecast team. They anticipate an extremely active season, with the Atlantic basin's Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) and Net Tropical Cyclone (NTC) activity forecasted to be approximately 170% of their long-term averages from 1991 to 2020. We may be facing up to 23 named storms and 5 major hurricanes. NOAA's forecasters predict an above-normal hurricane season as well. It's crucial to start preparing your commercial building for a bumpy ride ahead. One of the important aspects is optimizing your insurance coverage.

Thank you to all CentiMark and QuestMark golfers, volunteers, vendors and supporters who joined our field of 160 golfers on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 to raise money for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. This year, we helped out the Hard Heads Helmet Program to give free bike helmets to children in need and to The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) to provide comprehensive evaluations for children and adolescents who may be victims of abuse and/or neglect.

‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ is the title of a 1960’s fantasy novel by Ray Bradbury. It also may well be a prediction of the upcoming storm season this summer according to many of the leading national weather services and meteorologists. The currently strong El Nino weather pattern, in combination with climate change, is predicted to provoke dangerous weather events throughout North America that are more intense and frequent. Dangerous summer storms producing tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast, extreme heat and drought in the West and an amped-up hurricane season along the Atlantic coast are all major concerns for this Summer and into early Fall.

Paying attention to the state of your commercial floor is vital for your building. A damaged floor may affect your business operations in several ways, here are some benefits to keeping your floor in the best shape:

Roofing season is upon us. With the turbulent weather we all experienced this winter, it's essential to truly understand how the past storms may have affected every component of your roof system. Paying close attention to roof components like drains, scuppers, flashings, pipes, pitch pans and more is vital for proper maintenance and ensuring that your roof will withstand the elements. Let's look closer at those items to understand their function and how to address their condition during your seasonal maintenance.