Snow, Ice, and Your Roof: The Ultimate Guide to Winter Readiness

Winter is a season that brings with it the beauty of snowfall, the comfort and joy of the holidays, and the promise of new beginnings with the start of a new year. However, for business owners, it also brings the challenge of ensuring that their premises, especially the roof, are ready to withstand the harsh weather conditions that Northern Michigan winters can bring. In this guide, we will break down the critical items you should be aware of as a business owner to ensure the winter readiness of your business’s roof.

The True Impact of Snow and Ice

Snow and ice have a significant impact on the structural integrity and overall safety of your business’s roof. The accumulation of snow can lead to excessive weight on the roof, while ice can cause water damage and create hazardous conditions. It’s crucial to understand the potential risks and take proactive measures to mitigate these issues.

Regular Roof Inspections

Regular roof inspections are a cornerstone of maintaining a safe and functional roof during the winter months. It’s advisable to have a professional roof inspection conducted in the fall, before the onset of winter. This inspections will identify any existing issues such as leaks, loose shingles, or other damage that could be further aggravated by snow and ice. 

Cleaning and Maintenance

Keeping your roof clean and well-maintained is essential for preventing problems during the winter months. This includes cleaning out gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage, removing debris from the roof, and repairing any damage. A clean, well-maintained roof is less likely to suffer damage from snow and ice accumulation. 

Snow Removal

Prompt snow removal is crucial to prevent excessive weight and potential collapse of your roof. It’s advisable to have a snow removal plan in place, which may include hiring a professional snow removal service. Additionally, it’s important to know the weight capacity of your roof and monitor snow accumulation to ensure it stays within safe limits. 

Ice Dam Prevention

Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of a roof and prevent melting snow from draining off the roof. They can cause water to backup behind the dam and leak into the building, causing water damage. Proper insulation and ventilation can prevent ice dams. 

Investing in a High-Quality Roofing System

Investing in a high-quality roofing system with good insulation and a waterproof membrane can significantly reduce the risks associated with snow and ice. At Springfield, we can determine the best roofing system to fit your business’s needs. We specialize in flat and low sloped roofs, sloped roofs, and metal retrofit roofs that minimize tears offs and help resist snow build up. 

Emergency Preparedness

All this said, even despite your best efforts, emergencies can still occur. It’s important to have an emergency response in place, including who to call for repairs and having a budget set aside for unexpected expenses. Being prepared for emergencies will help minimize the impact on your business, ensure a swift recovery, and further prevent damage to your business. 

Educating Your Staff

For many businesses, roofs are “out of sight, out of mind” until problems arise. Educating your staff about the importance of roof maintenance and winter readiness is also crucial. Ensure that your team knows the proper procedures for snow removal, reporting potential issues, and responding to emergencies. Additionally, it’s critical that your team is safe when stepping foot on the roof – even in tough weather conditions. Springfield Smart Ladder Rests are a simple, low-cost, maintenance-free way to provide a stable, secure ladder fall-protection system. 

Winter readiness is a crucial aspect of maintaining a safe and functional business environment. By taking proactive steps to prepare your business’s roof for even Michigan’s toughest season, you can ensure the safety of your staff, minimize damage and reduce the risk of costly repairs. Need to get prepared for the upcoming winter? Contact our team of experts today at 231-263-5300 to get started. 

Read More
springfield smart anchor group

Springfield Inc. – “Put your Life on our Line”

Kingsley, Michigan. July 7, 2016.

Springfield Inc.™ has acquired 3 commercial buildings in Grand Traverse County, next door to its company Headquarters.  The buildings were acquired to house the rapidly expanding Springfield SmartAnchor division.  Contact Scott Pryde, Springfield SmartAnchor general manager for assistance with cost effective solutions to your fall prevention needs.  Scott works closely with Tim Korson, Head Engineer, for SmartAnchor  to assure your facility safety requirement are met and that your rooftop safety plan is compliant.  Our products are designed to meet your needs – both indoors and outdoors.  Jobsite training is also available for your employees.

certifications-work

Read More
springfield no smoking policy

“BUTTS” on the Roof

Recently a rooftop fire consumed a restaurant in Grand Rapids Michigan that was caused by a roofing contractor smoking while handling combustible materials.

When you hire Springfield, the only “BUTTS” you will see on your industrial facility rooftop are those of the hardworking men and women of northern Michigan who are hustling around and getting things done for you, our valued clients.  We have a strict “no smoking” policy.  The lack of cigarette “butts” on your rooftop will enable our Springfield crews to cover your “ASS-ets” in the best, safest method possible.  The “butts” we bring to your rooftop are not flammable and will not damage your facility.

maintenance-and-repair

 

 

Read More
Springfield Hannah Lay smart flat roof

Working and Living in Traverse City – Why Settle For Less?

We work hard and play hard in Traverse City.  When we are at work in our industrial buildings, we are often faced with choices regarding roof replacement at our facilities. These decisions require research of roofing products and contractor reputation.  While Springfield Inc. has earned the highest possible quality rating in the roofing industry including national recognition, it is also important for you to look at the Duro-Last product we install and compare it to other widely used products.  We hope this chart will help you gain information to help you with your roof replacement decisions.  As always, Springfield offers no cost professional evaluations for your industrial/commercial buildings.

Roofing Membrane Comparison

 

Read More
springfield walk pads

Michigan Rooftop Safety: “These boots are made for walking”.

When your employees are strolling, ambling, trudging, and trekking “Out on the roof” of your building, please know that Springfield can help them stay safe (and help you stay in OSHA compliance) with Duro-Last Walk Pads.  If you have employees who need to stride, hike, stomp, or sashay across your rooftop as part of their regular job duties you need our Walk Pads.

If you depend on HVAC subcontractors to dawdle, wander, prowl, and traipse across your roof to check on and repair air conditioner units or heating units you need our Walk pads. In fact, as a building owner, you have a legal responsibility to keep people on your rooftops safe from slips and falls.  Good news!!!  The Duro-Last walk pads, while relatively inexpensive and easy to install, reduce slip and fall accidents by 80%.  Saunter on over to the “contact us” portion of our website and give us the opportunity to “walk” you through our roof top safety plan which includes the famous Duro-Last Walk Pads.
Walk pad specs

Read More
springfield handshake

Commercial Contractor Exceeding Expectations in Kingsley, Michigan

happy

One of our goals at Springfield is to EXCEED Customer’s expectations.  We understand that our customers are hardworking business people and that repairs to an industrial facility can be costly.  We are determined to provide the best possible solutions and the highest quality and at a reasonable cost.  Upon completion of our work, we ask our clients for feedback and LISTEN to what is said.

We generally ask:

  • Was our bid easy to understand?
  • Did we do what we promised to do in the bid proposal?
  • Did we show up when we said we would?
  • Were there any misunderstandings on the pricing/final invoice?
  • Were our crew members polite and mannerly?
  • Did the work we did solve your building issue?
  • What else can we do to help?
  • Who do you know that may be interested in our services?
  • Do you have any suggestions as to how our team could improve?
Read More
Traverse Bay storm clouds taken by Springfield

Roofing in Michigan: Performing Re-Roof Jobs in Windy Conditions

Storm from Traverse City
Michigan Storms come on quick and Springfield is ready! This picture is of a storm in Traverse City Michigan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love performing re-roof projects in Cadillac, Michigan.  The spring weather does bring some very strong WINDS to northern Michigan. Here are some items to consider for windy day roofing.

  • Double and triple check all trucks and trailers to make sure the load is securely fastened to the vehicle.
  • Tie off your ladder – – attach it to the Springfield Ladder Anchor to ensure the ladder doesn’t slip, slide, or kick out on your employees
  • Only load the rooftop with materials that are absolutely essential for that day’s work – – keep those items secure on the rooftop
  • Use caution when opening bunks of ISO – – whether on the ground or the rooftop, a single piece of ISO can quickly blow away.
  • Is there an area of the rooftop that is sheltered from the wind? Perhaps the rooftop materials can be stored there?

It is important to consider the project when doing a windy day risk assessment.  Most of all, weight down your skinny employees by putting some heavy rocks in their tool belts.

Read More
springfield ladder anchor 1

NORTHERN MICHIGAN INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR INTRODUCES SMARTANCHOR™

When a construction worker who is the head of the household is seriously injured or killed, there is a tremendous burden placed upon the entire community.  On average 400 people die each year and 135,000 people are injured as a result from scaffolding and ladder-related injuries.  Even if only 1% of those injured people become disabled that would equate to roughly 54 Million dollars of subsistence needed compounding each year to support the injured worker and their family.  The portable ladder is the most dangerous construction tool – 34% of all deaths on construction sites were from falls!

Further, there is a prevalent mindset accepted by the general population that construction workers have accidents and get hurt.

We honor our tradesmen and created the Springfield Ladder Anchor to address fall related deaths and injuries, which in turn, reduces the strain on the social infrastructures in our communities and throughout the state.

The Springfield Ladder Anchor safely secures an extension ladder to the roof of a building in order to keep the ladder from slipping sideways along the roofline or slipping out from the wall at the ground level. The product was invented through collaboration between Springfield, Inc., our related commercial roofing enterprise and Great Lakes Stainless (GLS), one of the country’s top stainless steel manufacturers. The Springfield Ladder Anchor is the result of decades of experience in the field, safely and effectively climbing ladders to reach rooftops of every imaginable dimension and grade.

OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) has a mission to help employers and employees reduce job related injuries, illnesses and death. As such, they provide safety standards and guidelines for multiple industries. The Springfield Ladder Anchor fully complies with the safety requirements for properly securing an extension ladder set forth by OSHA.

Below is a brochure of the LadderAnchor™

brochure 1

brochure 2

 

Read More
traverse city business news

Springfield Inc. Makes The Business News

Springfield

Thank you Ross Boissoneau and TC Business News for capturing the essence of what we do!

View the article on the TCBN website

Roofing Company Keeps On Top Of Safety, Innovation

Springfield photo of leg and ladder to roof

Most roofing companies do fine work, but they just put on roofs. They don’t concentrate on insulation or have a safety division that works with clients to provide them with dependable and reliable access to roof areas. And they probably don’t receive patents for their solutions in either area.

Of course, most companies don’t have a CEO who lives off the grid, either.

Springfield in Kingsley focuses on innovative solutions for its clients, whether that means simply roofing or providing insulation that keeps refrigerant tubes from icing up or leaking.

“We do a lot of work for food and fruit companies,” explained CEO Terry Umlor. That included trying to find ways to prevent ice buildups in freezers, or refrigerant lines filled with ammonia from being contaminated by water from leaks.

“We weren’t trying to create a widget (to) patent, but to solve a problem,” he said. “We struggled to find anything (that would work).”  cropped ladder bracket

But a search for a solution proved, well, fruitless. So they created their own. It took two years of research and development for the company to develop a product that would prevent contamination and protect against ammonia vaporization inside the pipes and the subsequent degradation of the insulation. It began using the process in 2008, and in 2012 was granted a patent for it, which it dubbed SmartShield™ technology. Not only do company clients see a return on their investment due to savings on energy and maintenance costs, they no longer face the specter of replacing the insulation every few years.

That’s not the only area where the company stands apart. It recently received a second patent, this time for its SmartAnchor™ Fall Prevention System. The product safely secures an extension ladder to the roof of a building in order to keep it from slipping sideways along the roofline or slipping out from the wall at the ground level.

“The old way of working was to run and hide from OSHA (the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration),” said Nick Jacqmain, company president. “Terry made the decision to embrace safety, make it an everyday thing. It’s the right thing to do.”
Springfield workers work on roofs of all shapes, sizes, and pitches. “We’re confronted with many different issues,” said Umlor. “We want to ensure a safe work environment.”

Since the issue of worker safety can keep people up at night, it seems only right that that’s when the solution came to Umlor. “I woke up in the middle of the night and came up with the idea,” he said. The next day he presented it to the rest of his staff for discussion and modifications, and within a week they were using it.

That was two years ago. Six months after the initial design they began the patent application, and received the patent earlier this year.

The company also touts its use of rooftop natural daylight fixtures. The so-called “skylights on steroids” are tube fixtures which concentrate and evenly distribute sunlight from the roof into the industrial workspace. The natural light can cut energy bills in half by eliminating the need for artificial lights.

The skylights are made in the U.S. by Orion Energy Systems and are used by beverage company MillerCoors in its distribution facility in Milwaukee, resulting in savings of $127,000 a year on electric lighting.

All in a day’s work for the company, which has clients across Michigan as well as some nearby states. Jacqmain said it stems from Springfield’s focus on the entire scope of a client’s needs. “Even before entering the fall protection business we were always looking at the building envelope,” he said.

And yearticle april Joshs, Umlor and his wife Terri Jo (company CFO and human resources director) do indeed live off the grid. Their home is a mile from the road, and the cost to get hooked up was steep. Umlor had always been interested in alternative energy, and today their home is powered
by solar cells and wind turbines. He estimated that the cost of purchasing and installing all the energy sources they currently have would run around $30,000-40,000 today, though he built it bit by bit over the years. “We have a TV, microwave, washer and dryer,” he said. “We have just become more conscious of using energy.”

That kind of innovative thinking has obviously served his company well.

Read More