As the administrator or maintenance supervisor of a nursing home or long-term care facility, your number one job is to ensure the safety of your residents. One of the ways that you do this is by performing regular maintenance on your building, paying particular attention to the inside spaces like patient rooms and common areas. You also keep up with the grounds and exterior of the building, making sure they're well groomed and maintained. One area that needs special attention is your nursing home's roof, it's imperative that it's able to keep out the South Florida weather and protect everyone and everything inside.
Nursing Homes
Qualities of Nursing Home Roofs
In most cases, the roof of a nursing home or long-term care facility is a flat surface, usually surrounded by a low wall around the perimeter. This is true whether the facility is a single story structure or if it's multiple stories high. It's common for the building's HVAC system and other important building systems to be located on the roof of the building. The roof has to be able to support the weight of the systems as well as any workers or equipment required for maintenance and repairs.
Nursing Home Roofing Materials
While the style and basic structure of nursing home roof's is similar, the material covering the roof may vary. In most cases, however, flat roofs are covered with layers of materials that provide insulation, waterproofing, and strength. A professional nursing home roofer like Dan Tennis Roofing will inspect the roof and make a roofing material recommendation based on the specific needs of the building owner. Energy conservation, protection against strong winds and water, and structural strength are all taken into consideration.
Hot Asphalt
While there are a variety of new roofing materials on the market, many older facilities use a low-tech roof made of hot asphalt, roofing felt, and gravel. Not only are these materials long-lasting, they also provide insulation which helps reduce energy consumption, they're strong, and the cost is relatively low. When new materials such as effective mineral cap sheets and additional layers are added, the roof becomes even more efficient and durable.
TPO Systems
Thermoplastic polyolefin or TPO roofing material is an eco-friendly, energy-efficient, easy to install option for flat nursing home roofs. It's an engineered membrane that's UV-resistant and reflective, so it doesn't absorb the heat from the sun, which is great news in Florida. It's also tough enough to resist damage from falling or flying objects, even in strong windy conditions. A big advantage is that it can be installed over an existing roof.
Waterproof Roofing
Over time, the water may begin to seep into the building, causing structural damage and an unsafe environment for residents, caregivers, and visitors. A Hydro Stop roof coating will eliminate the issue of water infiltration, without the expense or hassle of roof replacement. Plus, the bright white reflective surface will help reduce your energy consumption while resisting the damaging effects of UV and Infrared rays.
The Right Roof for Your Nursing Home
Choosing the right roofing material for your nursing home's roof is vital, but it's not the easiest decision to make. While the initial cost is always a factor to consider, it's by no means the only thing you should be thinking about. You also want to consider maintenance for the roof and the facility's systems on the roof. A professional roofer with experience installing, repairing, and maintaining nursing home roofs will help you make the right decision for your facility and your budget.
Budget Concerns
Upgrades to your nursing home, like a new roof, can cost a great deal and it's understandable that you're concerned with costs. If you choose a hot asphalt option, keep in mind that new layers can be added, but eventually the layers will have to be removed to make way for a new roof. The additional cost of removing the materials and discarding them properly can be substantial, however, a replacement is often not necessary.
On the other hand, a TSO roofing system doesn't require any of the old roofing material to be removed, it simply goes over top. That means no extra costs and the re-roofing will go faster than with hot asphalt. The same can be said for a waterproof Hydro Stop coated roof. In the long run, you'll also note a reduction in energy costs, which helps defray the cost of the new roof over time.
Standing Up to Florida's Weather
Florida is called the Sunshine State for a reason. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it's the ideal place to live. All that sunshine has a downside, however, the harsh ultraviolet and infrared rays that the sun releases are tough on roofs across the state. During the long, hot summer season the sun beats down on the roof without mercy, breaking down the materials, and making them less efficient and more easily damaged.
Hurricane force winds, heavy rains, and blowing debris are common during the wet season in Florida and your nursing home roof has to be up to the challenge. Hurricane proofing is required in hurricane zones and that begins with regular inspections and repairs to avoid future damage from the driving wind and rain.
The Right Roofing Contractor
When it's time to install a new roof, replace the old roof, or make repairs to the roof on your nursing home, you need a roofing contractor you can trust to get the job done quickly. That may sound like a tough challenge, especially since there are so many roofing companies in Florida. Many roofers only deal with residential property roofs and aren't good candidates for a commercial roofing project. While they're great at replacing and repairing home roofs, they simply don't have the experience or knowledge to install or repair a commercial roof.
If your nursing home roof is in need of repairs or replacement due to storm damage, water accumulation, or age, contact us at Dan Tennis Roofing. Our professional team will inspect your roof, and recommend an appropriate course of action based on your budget, needs, and the state of your roof. We'll make sure there's minimal disruption as possible while the work is being done so your employees, visitors, and residents aren't disturbed. And, we'll happily some back periodically to perform scheduled maintenance on your roof so you can rest assured it remains strong and protective for as long as possible.