The last year and a half have brought a perfect storm of factors that have created an unprecedented situation throughout the construction industry, including for commercial roofing contractors.
These factors, although unrelated, have combined to delay roof installations, force some contractors out of business and push others to the edge.
Roofing Materials Shortage: What You Need to Know
The brief Suez Canal blockage, severe cold causing damage to manufacturer facilities in the deep south, COVID-related global manufacturing slowdowns, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and the gradual reopening of businesses have been separately important but collectively have restricted product availability and caused unexpected and frequent price increases.
Complicating matters further are continuing problems in transportation, especially in handling freight, that affect contractors’ ability to acquire materials to meet building owners’ needs.
Although prices on some construction components (lumber, for example) have come down from the astronomical levels of a few months ago, costs for other critical materials continue to rise.
An Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows construction material prices rose 23.1% between July of 2020 and July of 2021.
Months-long shipping time for some components are causing delays in construction projects. Insulation materials for roofing such as polyisocyanurate (iso), expanded polystyrene (EPS), and other underlayment products are in short supply, with current lead times, depending on product, from seven months to a year.
Availability of these products will continue to be unpredictable, and indications are the economy will remain strong, pressuring suppliers around the globe to keep up with demand. Although no one can say with certainty, current guidance from vendors that supply the roofing industry indicate shortages will likely extend into 2023.
Overcoming Material Shortage & Shipping Delays
Sentry is working to overcome material shortages and shipping delays by planning months ahead and stocking up on critical material inventories.
Commercial building owners and managers will benefit from the same approach in planning well ahead regarding roofing needs.
If your facility management plan calls for roofing work in 2022, contracting projects now will assure that work can be done in a timely fashion. The longer the wait, the more prices will climb and the less certain you’ll be of a firm installation date.
In the meantime, your current roofing system may need to perform longer than expected.
Regular visual inspections of the roofing system, rooftop units, edge and flashing details should be part of normal building upkeep, but it is advisable to increase inspection frequency to identify and repair small problems to maximize existing roof system life.
Planning Ahead with Sentry Roofing
Planning ahead to keep your current roof sound as long as possible is always the best approach, especially until materials are once again readily available.
Sentry is available to conduct roof inspections and repairs at your request.
Our first task with a new account is to conduct a thorough inspection of the underside of the roof deck, looking for evidence of water infiltration or damage to the deck. We then conduct a thorough rooftop inspection to evaluate the existing roofing system.
A report will be prepared with photos and details regarding the insulation, roofing system, adjacent walls, terminations, edge details and other roof components.
Recommendations will be offered for repairs, or if necessary, replacement, including multi-year replacement plans for large facilities.
We will work with you regarding all aspects of the project, including our timeline and plan to meet your requirements with minimal disruption to facility operations.
The age and condition of the roof system will determine the roof plan. There may be no work needed, only minor repairs or, if the roof has served its life, full replacement may be the most cost-effective option.
Depending on the type of roof in place and its condition, roof life may be extended by the application of a coating product.
A Sentry applied coating frequently can provide immediate leak protection in the event of hail damage or add months and possibly years of service life to a weathered roof system, again depending on the type of roof and its condition.
Take Action Now to Prepare Your Commercial Roof for the Future
Given the unprecedented delays in our material supply chain, a building owner’s best course is to plan ahead and make decisions well in advance of desired installation dates.
We can’t predict the future but appreciate your flexibility and will work with you to help mitigate scheduling issues.
For any roofing needs, we invite you to contact Sentry Roofing at your earliest convenience.
Together, we’ll develop a plan to ensure the short-term watertight integrity of your facility as well as a timeline for repairs or replacement of your roofing system. Ensure that you’re trusting your building to an experienced roofing team. Thank you for considering Sentry!
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