16 Aug Train Yourself in Roofing and Building Envelope Knowledge
There are aspects of every job that no one can prepare you for. Things outside of your area of expertise that, until you do them, you’re not well-versed in. This is true of most jobs but especially true for someone maintaining a commercial building. So much goes into repairing and maintaining a building that it’s impossible to be an expert at it all. Although years on the job gives you a pretty good idea of how to get things done and when to pull in a pro. At Alliance, we’re teachers at heart, and part of what we do is instruct people on two challenging building systems… the roof and the building envelope.
So, how does someone become better versed in roofing and the building envelope? Many people don’t know that roofing and building envelope science and technology are not taught in most professional licensing for architects and engineers. Gone are the days of relying on most contractors who will be doing the work to give a fair and honest evaluation. Consider these reasons for learning some basic skills yourself to know what’s really going on above your head.
1. Know who to look out for
When you have a working knowledge of your commercial roof, you can quickly identify the people trying to take advantage of you. When you call for maintenance or repair, you’ll already have a general idea of the issues with the roof or building envelope, saving yourself from the cost of depending on someone else telling you what you need. By weeding out the dishonest contractors or companies, you can find a contractor you trust to do the repairs and do them well.
2. Be Indispensable
As mentioned before, unless you run into a roof and building envelope consultant, most professions don’t have the in-depth training provided by trade organizations (RCI, NRCA, etc.), getting some general training from one of these organizations can give you some knowledge on how to handle roofing and building envelope issues, and specifically, when to bring in an expert to help you and your company. As a result, you’re able to protect your company from unscrupulous contractors, and you become an indispensable team player for your company.
3. Flexible Training
When you do decide to take a roofing or building envelope course, choose a course that is flexible to your schedule. It’s much easier to learn the ins and outs of your roof when training occurs at your location. Professionals can help you identify points to look out for on your own roof or building exterior. This also gives you the freedom to bring multiple team members in for training at once.
4. Terminology
Ever feel like the person doing your inspection is speaking a different language? When you understand the terminology and what it means, you can hold the professional accountable for what they are saying and whether their recommendations have any merit. If not, you have the wherewithal to bring in another professional to get the answers you need. When you know the language, you can make more informed decisions about your own roof or building envelope.
If you work in a position that requires commercial roof maintenance or building envelope inspections, don’t wait for someone else to tell you what to do for it. Gain the basics of roof and building envelope management and maintenance to save money and headache in the long run. If you’re interested in in-person or online training, let us know and we’ll work with you to find a time that fits your schedule best!