When it comes to protecting your roof, Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is the best choice available. One of the great attributes to an SPF cool roof is its ability to withstand even the most severe weather elements. With routine re-coatings, an SPF roof has a lifetime guarantee. So, how is a SPF roof installed? SPF is seamless, watertight, and lightweight due to its original liquid state. SPF combines two elements, polyol and isocyanate, to create a dual-compound liquid foam. When the isocyanate and polyol contact each other, they instantly bond and begin the expansion process. During application the SPF expands to almost twenty times its liquid density, creating a monolithic covering over any roofing surface. As the SPF bonds and expands, it naturally adheres to any surface and seals off exposed cracks and seams. This eliminates any need for flashing and caulking. Many commercial roofing solutions rely on fasteners to hold flashing, seams, and joints into place. Each of those contact and seam points are vulnerable to incoming moisture. A fully cured SPF roofing solution can reliably withstand any standing water because of its air and watertight bonding. The closed-cell composition of SPF means there are no openings for water or moisture to invade exposed contact points. The end result is a durable, long-lasting monolithic covering that will greatly reduce additional maintenance upkeep, such as caulking around seams and replacing weather stripping around ductwork each year. The energy efficiency of SPF is a massive cost reducer for any commercial building. A standard SPF cool roofing solution can reduce HVAC costs by up to 30% per year! The airtight density of SPF creates a highly insulated covering that registers upwards of 6 R-Value in heat resistant indexes. Continued protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation is made possible through a thin elastomeric coating that can be continuously reapplied to protect the base coat of SPF. Re-applications are recommended once every 10-15 years, which is a significant change from continual maintenance of other com  mercial cool roofing solutions. As St. Louis’ expert in closed-cell SPF commercial cool roofing solutions, we strive to help businesses from Lake St. Louis to Chesterfield, Ballwin, Florrisant, U-City, and all over our great city save energy and protect their roofs for years to come. We do our best to give you the best because we put the proof in waterproof! Call R&A Contracting today! 636-387-7557

Every season brings its own problems for commercial roofs, and winter is no exception. Life may slow down this time of year, but roofing issues never fully stop. Between the high winds and frequent snowfall, it’s important to pay attention to what’s going on just above your head. The Effects of Winter On Roofing The cold weather could mean a variety of roofing issues for your building, including: Ice Dams – Ice can get stuck on the edges of your roof, preventing proper drainage and leading to water damage. Snow Buildup – Snow weighs more than you might think. A lot of it at once can exceed a roof’s load-bearing capacity, causing major structural damage or even collapse. Contraction & Expansion – As winter temperatures fluctuate, roofing materials will contract and expand, creating new leaks or worsening old ones. Blocked Gutters – Clogs prevent water from flowing outward away from your building, and when that water freezes again, it blocks the entire gutter system. Wind Damage – Strong wind can ruin flashing and drive harmful moisture into roof vents. Freeze–Thaw Cycles – When ice melts, it works its way into seams and under roofing materials, where it refreezes and creates substantial damage. Over the long term, these problems shorten your roof’s lifespan, putting you on the fast track for an expensive and tedious replacement. They also hurt its energy efficiency, weakening its insulating properties and letting precious heat escape. Your furnace will have to work overtime to maintain comfortable temperatures—and that’s a noticeable bump in your HVAC costs. But the most important long-term consequence has to do with safety. Ice, snow, hail, and wind compromise your system’s structural integrity, which doesn’t just mean high repair costs. It means unsafe conditions for employees and customers, and in a worst-case scenario, major sagging or even collapsing is possible. The Solution: Spray Foam Spray foam is an excellent choice to protect commercial roofing systems like metal, TPO, and built-up roofing this time of year, especially if you live in a place that experiences harsher winters. Here’s why: Temperatures & Heating Costs – Foam is highly insulative, helping you control temperatures and lower HVAC costs throughout the winter by up to 50%! Durability – Foam insulation absorbs heat and cold year after year, and it’s extremely lightweight compared to other options. Pest Control – Insects, squirrels, and other animals are looking for shelter in the winter, and your roof is prime real estate. Foam seals these pests out effectively. Protection From Moisture – Foam expands as it’s applied to fill cracks along your roof, keeping rain, ice, and snow out. Easy Installation – Most foam applications can be installed in just a few days for a smooth, durable surface, which means minimal disruption to your business. Easy Maintenance – After installation, foam roofing requires very little upkeep, and it lasts 50 years or more. Winterize Your Roof With R&A Contracting Winter is a tough time of year for many reasons, so why add your roof to the list? R&A Contracting offers spray foam solutions that insulate, prevent, and protect for many years to come. We manage the entire application process on your budget and timeline, so all you have to focus on is lower energy bills, less damage, and a longer-lasting roof. Give us a call and see how we put the proof in waterproof!

Do you need a flat roof repair or installation? Keep reading to learn about why flat roofs are our specialty. Call today to get started.

Running a contracting business is a lot of work, but the right tools make it easier. Today, general contractors have access to all sorts of software programs and applications that previous generations didn’t, which helps you save on materials costs, speed up project timelines, and avoid costly errors.

Saving money, increasing your building’s longevity, and using less energy is the trifecta of savings and efficiency for any business owner or facilities manager. SPF roo fing can dramatically increase a facility’s energy efficiency as well as the longevity of almost any roof. Coupling SPF roofing with solar power could lead to major wins for you and your organization. What Each Technology Brings to the Table Deciding to attach solar panels to your roof and install a foam membrane is a big decision, no matter which way you slice it. You should fully understand how each technology is going to impact your building’s energy efficiency. SPF foam is considered a ' cool roofing technology ' . Cool roofing technology is basically any roofing substance that allows a roof to maintain a cooler temperature than it would with a traditional roof covering. In terms of cool roofing, SPF provides several benefits that can add up to big increases in energy efficiency. SPF foam is typically light in color. And, if we think back on some basic science principles, we remember light colors reflect heat while dark colors absorb heat. The more heat your roof absorbs, the more heat will be transferred into the building. Because foam roofing does a great job of reflecting sunlight, building managers are able to maintain the building’s temperature using much less energy. Any HVAC technician worth his salt will tell you air leaks in buildings are a major cause of inefficiency as far as HVAC units are concerned. Air expands to fill whatever it is contained in, so naturally, if there are cracks and crevices in a building, it will find them and escape through them. Most conventional roofs are prime targets for escaping air. Not only do the roofs have seams, but there are also gaps and openings for items like vents and other HVAC equipment. These gaps and openings lead to air loss and a big decrease in energy efficiency. Foam roofing is the perfect antidote for decreases in energy efficiency through escaping air. If properly installed, SPF foam covers all of a roof’s seams, gaps, cracks, and crevices. It will automatically fill around any object that protrudes from or goes through the roof. After SPF foam is applied, you are left with a roof covering that is entirely one piece with no seams or gaps. This provides a tremendous boost in energy efficiency by reducing heating and cooling costs. Many business owners may think about upgrading to solar power and are wary of the cost. The great thing about solar power is you only have one significant expense to account for: the initial installation. After the initial installation there are rarely other costs associated with solar power. You can pay a little more upfront for solar power or continue paying for high-priced utilities month after month. It’s the financial question of whether you want to make a large investment upfront or smaller investments over a period of time. When you opt for solar power, you are not only making a decision about your company. You are making a decision about the future of your community and the future of our planet. The corporate responsibility that comes with making the decision to rely on solar power can be a truly tremendous benefit for many organizations. There is a vast amount of data showing that organizations who embrace social responsibility often see increased revenue, employee morale, brand equity and many more benefits. For example, according to the Network for Business Sustainability , “Improving environmental practices such as reducing pollution and improving waste management can lead to better financial performance through both increased revenues (e.g., enhanced brand equity) and lower costs (e.g., operational efficiencies).” Expected Cost of Solar Power Energy savings from solar power can be a gigantic boost to the financial bottom line of any organization. According to a study by Energy Sage, firms with commercial solar power configurations were able to decrease their overall energy expenditures by about 75%. The average electric bill for a business owner in the study was $1,950. After going with solar power, the electric bill became $500. That is a savings of $1,450 per month. If we extend this trend, we see that the average business owner is able to save $17,400 a year. Over a five-year term the business owner is boosting his bottom line by over $87,000 ! The cost of a solar panel varies depending on the make and model of the equipment as well as the solar panel installer. However, typically businesses are able to pay off their initial investment in three to seven years. The lifespan of a solar panel is 25 to 35 years. Realistically , a business could expect to receive free electricity for 20 to 30 years. Don’t Hesitate to Reach out If you want to start taking steps to increase your company’s bottom line through energy efficiency, drop us a line or give us a shout . We can guide you through the process of installing SPF roofing and answer any questions about the energy savings of SPF and Solar Panels! 

Myth: SPF roofing isn’t water-resistant. Truth: SPF insulation’s initial bonding and expansion process fills and seals any crack or crevice on any roofing substrate, making your new SPF roof highly resistant to water. The closed-cell construct of SPF insulation creates an impenetrable barrier to hold off the effects of moisture.

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR ROOF DECKING? When it comes to any commercial roofing repair and replacement, the health of a roofing deck is important to consider. For newer buildings the roof deck is still strong and intact, nothing to worry about outside of extremely rare circumstances and storm damage. That’s not always the case with older commercial roofs. The biggest issue with roof decking is neglect and ignorance from owners. Roof decking can deteriorate and compromise over time, causing big-time risks to your substructure and workspace below. Replacing your roof decking begins with a full inspection of the roof joints, decking, and rafters. Severe weather can create abnormally-sized holes in commercial roofing tiles or metal roofing. It may also puncture deeper into the roof decking. Deeper roof bruising can translate into increased exposure to weather elements and moisture building up under roof decking. This added exposure can bring risks, like mold, water damage, and structural issues if left unchecked. Larger roof damage can add even more risks during roof inspection and repair. At that point Justin Tyler, logistics manager for CentiMark Co . in Charlotte says, “The biggest fear is falling through the roof, not falling off it.”  A certified inspection by a roofing professional, such as our experts at R&A Contracting, will evaluate your roof, including roof decking, to monitor potential water and weather invasion during future storms. If your roof needs to be replaced, check with your R&A Contracting roof inspector to see their notes on your roof decking. We are committed to providing a thorough evaluation of your roof’s health, including the most important part: your roof decking. Call one of our R&A Contracting team members to schedule your on-site roof inspection today!

Business owners and facility managers have a lot on their plate. Keeping the business running and the building in tip-top shape can be an around-the-clock job. If y our building has a metal roof and the roof is leaking or seems to be in constant need of repeated repair, these headaches cannot only be tough on your budget, they can also lead to strain on your already precious time. To replace or not to replace, and that is the question. It is a question many folks responsible for the well-being of commercial buildings wrestle with all too frequently. This is a big decision, and a savvy building owner or property manager will take many things into consideration in order to make the right call. To Recover or Not to Recover Is great for building owners or property managers to be on top of the health of their roof. However, just because your roof has signs of damage does not mean the sky is falling and it is time rush out and get a new roof. Instead, the best approach is to take a deep breath and assess the situation with a bit of patience and diligence. Statistics show the typical lifespan for a metal roof ranges somewhere between 30 to 45 years. 30 to 45 years is certainly a reassuring range, but there are a few caveats to this statistic. Proper maintenance is a must to get this type of longevity out of any metal roof. The lifespan of a metal roof will fluctuate depending upon the type of metal from which the roof is made. When it comes to flat metal roofs, leaks are simply an almost inescapable fact of life. Many business owners or facility managers choose to go with a metal roof knowing full well there is a high probability of the roof developing a leak. They typically arrive at this decision because metal roofs are much cheaper to install. They are happy to save money up front, even if it means they will be forking out some bucks down the road to fix leaks. Signs Your Commercial Roof May Have Structural Damage Roofs with irreparable structural damage are typically the only instances where we will recommend a full roof replacement over a repair. A replacement is obviously the most costly option, but sometimes it simply cannot be avoided. Please note: If you suspect your roof has structural damage do not climb on top of the roof. For your safety, please consult a roofing professional if you have any doubt about your roof’s structural integrity. Here are some basic warning signs your roof may be the victim of structural damage. Low or sagging portions of the roof visible from ground level. Large areas of wet or moist insulation. Condensation inside the building. Mold growth inside the building. The roof is missing several fasteners. Need Help to Make the Right Call? Ask R&A Contracting. It can be tempting to fixate on simply repairing a roof to avoid the expense of a full replacement. However, repairing a roof which is ultimately in need of replacement is a penny wise and pound foolish endeavor. Our roofing experts have seen it all. We can help you navigate this tricky situation. We can also help you establish which energy efficient options are best for your business. Don’t hope your roof will make it through one more season. Give us a call today and rest easy with the peace of mind of knowing your roof is up to the challenge of protecting your building. 

How Condensation Forms on Commercial Metal Roofs Let’s take a trip back to our elementary school science class for a refresher on how condensation forms. Just like rain, condensation occurs when there is more moisture in the air than the air is capable of holding. The warmer the air, the more moisture it is able to hold. Condensation becomes water droplets when the moisture in the air makes contact with a cooler surface, such as the underside of your roof. The more humid the air in the building, the more condensation you are likely to have. The warmer the air, the more water vapor it is able to hold. That is why warmer temperatures typically go hand in hand with increased humidity. At first, condensation may seem like a small problem or a nuisance. You may think it’s just a few drops of water and move on with your day. However, those ‘few drops of water’ can cause a tremendous amount of damage to your building and the equipment inside. If enough water droplets make their way into your building, you could have a major moisture problem on your hands. Repeated buildup of moisture can lead to a great deal of damage and expenses. Mold and mildew are typically the moisture problems building owners and facility managers are most familiar with. However, excessive moisture can lead to a slew of other costly and challenging problems. Damage from repeated freezing and thawing can be a major problem if there is too much moisture in your building. This can lead to pipes cracking and damage to other hard surfaces. Many people think that galvanized steel is immune from rust. Galvanized steel may be resistant to rust, but it is certainly not immune. With enough exposure to condensation even galvanized steel will begin to rust. Two Forms of Condensation All forms of condensation are not created equal. In fact, there are two forms of condensation, visible condensation and concealed condensation. Visible condensation is the form you are probably most familiar with. Visible condensation can be easily seen on pipes, windows, and other hard surfaces. Concealed condensation is the second and most problematic form of condensation. Concealed condensation occurs in situations where moisture makes its way inside of the building envelope and forms condensation on hard surfaces. The Effect of Condensation on a Metal Roof Metal and water don’t mix. You don’t have to be a chemist or engineer to understand water on the underside of your metal roof is a recipe for trouble. If water vapors continually gather on the bottom side of your metal roof it could lead to oxidation, which in turn leads to rust. Rust can lead to a catastrophic roof failure. Roof damage from condensation could be difficult to spot. If you have some form of insulation on the bottom of your roof it may be difficult for you to spot oxidation when it is happening. The insulation or covering on the bottom of your roof could conceal visual indicators of structural defects. If you examine your roof from the top, the outermost layer may show no signs of damage. Condensation could be destroying your roof from the inside out, and you may never find out until your roof is in need of repair. The Leading Causes of Condensation in Commercial Buildings Finding the source of your moisture problem can be a tricky proposition. Typically, there are three sources of moisture that can lead to condensation problems, exterior moisture, interior moisture, and built in moisture. Exterior moisture is the moisture source facility managers and building owners seem to be most familiar with. These moisture sources are environmental. Rain, stormwater, snow melt and groundwater makeup this particular condensation category. Issues from these condensation sources are going to vary widely depending on the physical environment around the building. Stopping Condensation Once and for All There are two basic ways building owners can stop condensation from forming on the underside of their metal roof. Keeping air circulating below the roof is the first option. If air is moving continuously, it will not allow condensation to form. This solution seems straightforward. However, it is very difficult and costly to develop and implement a HVAC solution that will keep the air moving and stop the formation of condensation. Insulation Is the Key Insulation is the number one approach for tackling condensation problems in buildings with metal roofs. Installing insulation is the best approach simply because it forms a physical barrier and does not allow moisture in the air to make contact with the cooler surface of the roof. Not all insulation is created equal when it comes to condensation issues. The typical pink, fluffy insulation that many of us are familiar with can act as a barrier, although, it is not an ideal solution. The fatal flaw for this type of insulation is that it is difficult to keep the area below your roof completely covered and sealed with conventional insulation. Gaps and seams in the insulation will allow condensation to make its way through. Additionally, the insulation has to be able to keep the area completely sealed. Achieving complete and total coverage with conventional insulation is a tricky proposition. On the other hand, the very nature of spray foam or SPF insulation makes it the ideal choice for creating a condensation blocking barrier. Spray foam is sprayed into place with a large gun during the installation process. Spray foam expands to fill the installation area. It forms a seamless, rugged membrane. This rugged membrane completely blocks moisture from co-mingling with cooler air. Spray foam is the best solution if you want to stop condensation problems once and for all.