roofing Archives

Snow, Ice, and Your Roof: The Ultimate Guide to Winter Readiness

Written by admin-359123210October 8, 2023

Winter is a season that brings with it the beauty of snowfall, the comfort and joy of the holidays, and the promise of new beginnings with the start of a new year. However, for business owners, it also brings the challenge of ensuring that their premises, especially the roof, are ready to withstand the harsh weather conditions that Northern Michigan winters can bring. In this guide, we will break down the critical items you should be aware of as a business owner to ensure the winter readiness of your business’s roof.

The True Impact of Snow and Ice

Snow and ice have a significant impact on the structural integrity and overall safety of your business’s roof. The accumulation of snow can lead to excessive weight on the roof, while ice can cause water damage and create hazardous conditions. It’s crucial to understand the potential risks and take proactive measures to mitigate these issues.

Regular Roof Inspections

Regular roof inspections are a cornerstone of maintaining a safe and functional roof during the winter months. It’s advisable to have a professional roof inspection conducted in the fall, before the onset of winter. This inspections will identify any existing issues such as leaks, loose shingles, or other damage that could be further aggravated by snow and ice.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Keeping your roof clean and well-maintained is essential for preventing problems during the winter months. This includes cleaning out gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage, removing debris from the roof, and repairing any damage. A clean, well-maintained roof is less likely to suffer damage from snow and ice accumulation.

Snow Removal

Prompt snow removal is crucial to prevent excessive weight and potential collapse of your roof. It’s advisable to have a snow removal plan in place, which may include hiring a professional snow removal service. Additionally, it’s important to know the weight capacity of your roof and monitor snow accumulation to ensure it stays within safe limits.

Ice Dam Prevention

Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of a roof and prevent melting snow from draining off the roof. They can cause water to backup behind the dam and leak into the building, causing water damage. Proper insulation and ventilation can prevent ice dams.

Investing in a High-Quality Roofing System

Investing in a high-quality roofing system with good insulation and a waterproof membrane can significantly reduce the risks associated with snow and ice. At Springfield, we can determine the best roofing system to fit your business’s needs. We specialize in flat and low sloped roofs, sloped roofs, and metal retrofit roofs that minimize tears offs and help resist snow build up.

Emergency Preparedness

All this said, even despite your best efforts, emergencies can still occur. It’s important to have an emergency response in place, including who to call for repairs and having a budget set aside for unexpected expenses. Being prepared for emergencies will help minimize the impact on your business, ensure a swift recovery, and further prevent damage to your business.

Educating Your Staff

For many businesses, roofs are “out of sight, out of mind” until problems arise. Educating your staff about the importance of roof maintenance and winter readiness is also crucial. Ensure that your team knows the proper procedures for snow removal, reporting potential issues, and responding to emergencies. Additionally, it’s critical that your team is safe when stepping foot on the roof – even in tough weather conditions. Springfield Smart Ladder Rests are a simple, low-cost, maintenance-free way to provide a stable, secure ladder fall-protection system.

Winter readiness is a crucial aspect of maintaining a safe and functional business environment. By taking proactive steps to prepare your business’s roof for even Michigan’s toughest season, you can ensure the safety of your staff, minimize damage and reduce the risk of costly repairs. Need to get prepared for the upcoming winter? Contact our team of experts today at 231-263-5300 to get started.

Working and Living in Traverse City – Why Settle For Less?

Written by SpringfieldJuly 12, 2016

We work hard and play hard in Traverse City. When we are at work in our industrial buildings, we are often faced with choices regarding roof replacement at our facilities. These decisions require research of roofing products and contractor reputation. While Springfield Inc. has earned the highest possible quality rating in the roofing industry including national recognition, it is also important for you to look at the Duro-Last product we install and compare it to other widely used products. We hope this chart will help you gain information to help you with your roof replacement decisions. As always, Springfield offers no cost professional evaluations for your industrial/commercial buildings.

What Does Roofing and Terrorism Have in Common?

Written by SpringfieldJune 28, 2016

Good question: What does roofing and terrorism have in common? We are not trying to worry you, but think about it: how could a terrorist organization contaminate and poison thousands of people? Answer: By getting hired on with the roofing crew thereby gaining access to industrial mixers, vats of cherry pie filling, etc.

Springfield has an extensive background check for all new hires. Further, our employees are hired from local communities of Fife Lake, Beulah, Cadillac, Manton, Kingsley, Traverse City, Elk Rapids. Springfield has a very low employee turnover rate and most of our employees have grown up here and have stayed after high school and college to raise their families in this beautiful northern Michigan region. You can be safe and assured that when Springfield arrives at your job site, you will encounter people from local communities who have undergone close scrutiny prior to being hired by Springfield.

Building Trust with Clients in Michigan

Written by SpringfieldJune 15, 2016

Springfield Inc.™ started as a roofing company and over time “morphed” into a full service industrial contractor by expertly solving building envelope problems, building relationships and building your trust. Here is what you can expect when you hire Springfield Inc.™

We show up when we say we will and do the work as promised.
We prepare our bid proposals with extra care to fully analyze the issues and concerns UPFRONT so there are no hidden up-charges and big scary expensive surprises for you, the customer.
Our clean up after job completion is stellar
Our warranties are the best in the industry.
We depend on your referrals and recommendations to further our services
Your job will be completed by homegrown local northern Michigan men and women. We do not subcontract crews from out of state.

Please give us a chance to “dazzle” you with our industrial problem solving abilities. We are available 24/7 to help!

Michigan Rooftop Safety: “These boots are made for walking”.

Written by SpringfieldJune 2, 2016

When your employees are strolling, ambling, trudging, and trekking “Out on the roof” of your building, please know that Springfield can help them stay safe (and help you stay in OSHA compliance) with Duro-Last Walk Pads. If you have employees who need to stride, hike, stomp, or sashay across your rooftop as part of their regular job duties you need our Walk Pads.

If you depend on HVAC subcontractors to dawdle, wander, prowl, and traipse across your roof to check on and repair air conditioner units or heating units you need our Walk pads. In fact, as a building owner, you have a legal responsibility to keep people on your rooftops safe from slips and falls. Good news!!! The Duro-Last walk pads, while relatively inexpensive and easy to install, reduce slip and fall accidents by 80%. Saunter on over to the “contact us” portion of our website and give us the opportunity to “walk” you through our roof top safety plan which includes the famous Duro-Last Walk Pads.

Springfield Inc. of Kingsley is proud to partner with Duro-Last Roofing of Saginaw

Written by SpringfieldApril 20, 2016

“Transparency is a growing trend in the construction industry and we are committed to helping our customers make educated decisions and being a thought leader in this arena.” Jason Tunney, Executive Vice President, Duro-Last Roofing.

Be kind to the environment – Springfield installs enviro-friendly Duro-Last products. Product information follows.

Duro-Last® Roofing, Inc. Honors Springfield Inc. with Admission to the Admiral Club

Written by SpringfieldApril 1, 2016

SAGINAW, MICHIGAN – In recognition of outstanding achievement in quality workmanship, customer satisfaction, and 2015 sales volume , Duro-Last Roofing, Inc. recently welcomed Springfield Inc. to the Admiral Club. Inductees were honored during Duro-Last’s National Sales Seminar held in Palm Desert, California, January 31-February 2, 2016.

“Every year at the Duro-Last Sales Seminar I am reminded of how our contractors are “Best in Class,” and Springfield is a perfect example of that,” said Duro-Last Chairman of the Board Jack Burt. “Springfield has been consistently going above and beyond for their customers with high-quality work and integrity. We are excited to see what they accomplish in the next year as an authorized Duro-Last contractor.”

About Duro-Last^®, Inc.

Known as the “World’s Best Roof^®”, Duro-Last^®, Inc. is the world’s largest manufacturer of custom prefabricated, thermoplastic single-ply roofing systems. Factory controlled custom prefabrication eliminates up to 85% of field seams, resulting in lower on-site labor costs and easier installation. This highly sustainable and extremely durable roofing system is leak-proof, virtually maintenance-free and resistant to chemicals, fire, punctures, and high winds. Over two billion square feet of Duro-Last membrane has been installed throughout North America. Duro-Last is headquartered in Saginaw, Michigan with additional manufacturing facilities in Grants Pass, Oregon; Jackson, Mississippi; Sigourney, Iowa; and Carrollton, Texas. For more information on Duro-Last, call 800-248-0280 or visit www.duro-last.com.

Springfield Inc. Earns Platinum Award for Quality Roof Installations

Written by SpringfieldMarch 23, 2016

Springfield Inc., a commercial contractor in Kingsley was awarded the Platinum Award by Duro-Last Roofing of Saginaw, Michigan. The Platinum Award is Duro-Last’s highest quality award and places Springfield in the top 3% of authorized Duro-Last contractors nationwide.

Springfield averaged a quality inspection score of 99% in 2015.”I am extremely proud of Springfield and continue to be impressed with their high quality workmanship. Our roof inspectors rarely see work of this quality.” stated Trevor Wagester, Sales Representative for Duro-Last Roofing. Nick Jacqmain, President of Springfield credits a great team of employees and an ongoing training program for the success. “Of all the awards we could win” he states, “this is the one I am the most proud of because it demonstrates that we truly do our very best work to serve our clients”.

Rooftop Ski Slopes

Written by SpringfieldDecember 23, 2015

roof top ski slope

Terri Jo Umlor

Remember the Michigan Blizzard of 1978 in Southern Michigan? I sure do. I was a freshman at Western Michigan University (Go Broncos!) when it struck – crippling the city of Kalamazoo. I remember jumping off the roof with my little brother into the large snow drifts in the back yard. This activity was quickly “nixed” by our mother who caught us in the act.

Now fast forward 37 years to National Roofing Contractor Association (NRCA) news regarding the 21-story House Slalom in Kazakhstan, a proposed retail and apartment complex with a 1,000 foot ski run on its roof. This could offer more opportunities for ski enthusiasts in the area, although it is unknown if the slope will be approved and if approved, it is also unknown whether or not the general public can utilize it.

While an interesting concept and article, I believe there possibly could be issues with the weight of the snow on the top of the building and the peril one could face by accidentally skiing “off the roof.” I doubt this design/concept would ever be approved in the United States, but it is an interesting concept and we will be watching to see if it progresses from the drawing board to the construction phase.

Attention Roofers: Jack Frost Is Not Your Friend

Written by SpringfieldNovember 25, 2015

By Terri Jo Umlor, Vice President

Traverse City Michigan sunrises are beautiful in autumn. The sun sparkles off frosted rooftops. As beautiful as this is, it poses a safety hazard for our industrial roof installation crews. Rapidly falling afternoon temperatures can bring on extremely slippery and dangerous rooftop conditions

Hints and Tips for fighting rooftop frost

Watch the weather forecast – be on guard for rapidly falling temperatures – – -A warm sunny, dry rooftop can rapidly change into a slippery mess as the temperature falls
Don’t bite off more than you can chew – For larger projects, you may need to complete the tear off and recover in smaller segments than you would do during summer
As always, use proper fall prevention measures – WEAR your harnesses and attached to life lines and anchors
Talk about this danger with your crew leaders and be sure everyone is informed and conscientious of this danger.

Let’s be safely off the roof when Jack Frost visits!