Most Common Roofing Questions

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Top 3 Reasons to Have a Well-Ventilated Attic

Most people don’t pay attention to the ventilation in their attic. After all, you don’t live up there, so why does it matter how the air circulates? It only takes you a few seconds to drop things up there that you don’t plan to use for a long time. While it may be true that most people don’t spend much time in their attic except for storing or retrieving items, having a well-ventilated attic is actually quite important. Here are three reasons you should make sure that air is properly circulating in your attic.

Heat and Moisture

Everyone knows that their attic gets extremely hot during the summer. However, most people don’t know that some of the structural components that make up the attic are vulnerable to too much heat and moisture. Parts such as the roof deck, trusses and rafters can become warped when exposed to extreme heat for an extended period of time, which can lead to a weakened structure and eventually a collapsed roof if not addressed in time.

Mold and Mildew

Where there is heat and moisture, you can expect mold and mildew. This is true for anywhere in your home, but the attic is especially at risk for heavy growth because you don’t spend too much time up there. It’s possible that by the time you notice it, the mold and mildew infestation has gotten out of control and caused serious damage.

Damage to Insulation

It’s also possible for heat and moisture to get absorbed by the insulation in the attic and cause them to become damaged. If this happens, then your home’s energy efficiency can be thrown off which can lead to a significant increase in your monthly utility bill.

It’s clear that proper attic ventilation is more important than most people think. If you’re concerned about the air circulation in your attic or want to speak with a professional about a consultation, contact the experts at Andrews Roofing today by sending an email to ben@andrewsroofing.net or completing our contact form to get a free estimate for your next project.

Women in Construction Week 2018

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Baker Roofing Visits Ludowici Headquarters!

We often think about quality and products we are providing to our customers by looking at old processes, while aiming to improve them without sacrificing the true value to the consumer. Baker Roofing is committed to always good work. Our good work starts with quality training and materials.

A few weeks ago, our team visited the Ludowici corporate headquarters in Ohio. Ludowici makes terra cotta tile products from clay mined a few miles away from their New Lexington, OH factory. We watched as clay was mixed, formed into blocks, and tested for quality. Ludowici has strict quality standards, and any clay that does not pass the test gets separated into large bins. The rejected clay goes back to be broken down, remixed, and retested. The approved clay moves on to the next step.

We watched an artisan hand mold the fresh clay against a cast to form a specialized piece. At another station, a team worked on cutting tile, and stamping the Ludowici name into the underside of the fresh product. We walked through the glazing processes, and the team showed us the large kilns used to finish the product. There is an exact science to the color the tile will become after it is fired in a kiln. The ceramic engineers even work to match historic tile, taking great pride in offering such a wide array of color and texture variations. Ludowici has been making their tile in the United States for over 130 years, and as a true test of time, many of their processes have not changed. For every procedure, there is a quality standard that the procedure protects.

The craftsmanship of their roof tiles provides an unmatched aesthetic that can be found on buildings of all kinds, including both historic and newly built. Baker Roofing Company is honored to be a Crown Roofer with Ludowici, and has hand installed Ludowici tile on notable buildings at Duke University, the Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville High School, and homes and businesses across the country. Together, the materials we use and our skilled roofers installing these materials deliver the quality product that Baker is proud to stand behind.

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Finding Good Work is Hard Work: Roman’s Story

 

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3 Tips For Applications From a Construction Recruiter

1. Be Professional
Let your recruiter or interviewer know how serious you are about the job by doing more than simply telling them. Be proactive in communicating with the company representative, and make sure to respond to phone calls, emails, and questions with appropriate and professional responses. It may seem simple, but often times showing up early for appointments and interviews, demonstrating good manners, and maintaining eye contact can really distinguish you from others applying for the same position. When comparing two candidates who are otherwise equal, the candidate who is polite and professional will get the job every time.

Recruiting horror stories are never ending (seriously, just Google it!). Acting inappropriately, and making your interviewer, or someone you encounter during the hiring process uncomfortable, will very likely cost you the job. It’s better to keep it professional.

2. Stay Open-minded
Even if you have years of experience in the construction industry, remaining open-minded when interviewing or starting a new job can alleviate lots of stress on your boss and yourself. Your new company may have a different way of doing things, and training at each company takes time. Show your interviewer, recruiter, or boss that you are open-minded and willing to try something new by letting them know of past learning opportunities you have taken advantage of.

Think back to when you were a child and what you dreamed of becoming when you grew up. Chances are, who you are now is not exactly what you planned to be then. Staying open-minded can allow for new and different opportunities that can lead to great success.

3. Demonstrate a Track Record of Hard Work
Jobs in the Construction industry do not always require previous construction experience. Previous work history is important, but does not always indicate your abilities. During the interview, or when other opportunities present themselves in the hiring process, make the effort to prove that you have previously, and expect to continue working hard.

Providing examples and stories of consistently staying driven and doing hard work will help any interviewer get a better understanding of the work they can expect from you if you join their company. Baker Roofing Company understands the value in good work, and expects employees at all levels to push themselves to always do good work above anything else. Being able to prove your hard work will always give you an advantage over anyone who can’t.

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4 Areas Construction Companies Need To Celebrate More

In the construction industry it’s very easy (and many times necessary) to get into a focused production mindset with blinders on to everything else. It is no surprise that day-in-and-day out, the life of a construction professional is filled with and consumed by budgets, timelines, change orders, and frustration, leaving room for very little else. A good work place, is a place that finds a balance. A balance between getting done what needs to be done, and creating a place where we don’t check our humanity at the door.

Below are a few areas, specific to the construction area, where you can step aside for a moment, and celebrate areas of our day that can simply be passed over. Recognition and celebration of employees’ accomplishments have been studied over and over again, proving its positive impact on morale, engagement, and productivity. We all know this, but finding the will and energy to actually do it can be a challenge. We would like to offer a few concrete ideas, that may seem common, but many companies simply take for granted.

Celebrating Safety
It is always one of the top mantras of every construction organization — “safety first.” We are all quick to recite it. Additionally, we are quick to penalize (and often rightly so) someone for operating outside of approved safe working practices. But we often neglect recognizing the employee that comes to work, and performs their tasks safely, efficiently, and with consistency.

At Baker, we not only recognize good safety habits on the job site, but also on the road. With over 400 trucks on the road, the company is greatly concerned about good driving habits. With that, Baker Roofing Company boasts a quarterly and annual “Safe Driver Award” that recognizes drivers for exceptional driving safety. The award comes with benefits of newer trucks, as well as other monetary and non-monetary recognitions.

Celebrate Exceptionalism
Every company has stories of ‘success’ that do not necessarily fall within standard job or project performance measures. Whether it was the foreman who pulled onto the side of the road to change a tire for a stranded driver, or the estimator that helped buy a stranger a tank of gas, these are sometimes the stories that are most worth celebrating. Authentic acts like these are never done for recognition, but just because it was the right thing to do.

Every month Baker Roofing Company celebrates acts like this. We call it the ‘Always Good Work Award’ — and it recognizes these acts of Exceptionalism. Nominated by peers, supervisors, or subordinates, and awarded in person by the Board of Directors (usually by surprise), it has resulted in some of the most memorable moments for the company.

Celebrate Commitment
It’s easy to celebrate the new addition to the team, taking them out for lunch, and showing outward excitement by introducing them to everyone in the office, but companies often fail to recognize those that have been with the company for years, and even decades. Formalize your tenure recognition by celebrating it the same time every year and categorically. At Baker Roofing Company we celebrate every new year, with those employees that have achieved the milestones of 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, etc… (we even have a few who have hit 50 years!).

Celebrate Healthy Living
Let’s face it, when we are working the last thing we often think about is “am I making healthy choices right now?” Having a good working environment includes one that encourages making healthy living choices. Find ways at work you can implement and encourage activities and choices focused on overall wellness. Try stretching or exercising at your desk (link), or Pre-job on-sight stretching to help prevent and alleviate muscle soreness. At Baker Roofing Company, we handed out over 100 Fitbits to employees who committed to an activity level goal, and saw great success! In this case, celebrating really points to an active effort of lending value too. The best perk of all is that being in a constant state of celebrating can also promote healthy lifestyles at your workplace!

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