By David MacDonald A t its core, the term Sustainable means “Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level,” explains Louis Zaina, CEO and co-founder of RoofCARE. “Sadly, our industry is one of the least sustainable around. The roofing industry as a whole tends to default to tear-off and replacement as the answer to most roofing problems. Far too often, roofs are replaced prematurely. As a result, tons of perfectly functional roof systems end up in landfills, often replaced by less sustainable systems. RoofCARE’s commitment to taking the time to assess and diagnose roofs enable us to present the client with the ability to focus on correcting only the failed components, which typically constitute less than 20% of the existing roof system. This approach not only keeps roofs out of landfills, but often includes the ability to convert a non-reflective roof to an Energy Star Rated roof. This typically results in a 15% reduction in cooling costs. We are proud that our approach promotes both fiscal and environmental stewardship.” This twofold stewardship is what Zaina and co-founders Tony Bunnell and Milt Freer had in mind from the very begin- ning in April 2008. As they met in hotel lobbies and used a storage unit for equipment and materials and dispatching the crews these gentlemen recognized “too many in the roofing industry adopt and adapt popular business models that emphasize expedited services” Zaina explained. “There were few, if any roofing contractors focusing on service work [maintenance and repairs] and we felt we could fill that much-needed niche in the local roofing market. RoofCARE takes the time to gather the necessary information, perform detailed inspections and conduct a variety of diagnostic tests. Without these vital steps, we wouldn’t be able to make proper recommendations to our clients. For instance, in certain situations, we will take core samples of the roof system to analyze its physical makeup and condition, conduct infrared thermography scans and utilize moisture scanners to determine if there’s moisture in the system. These steps are crucial in proposing sustainable, cost effective solutions that will perform long-term.” The SmartCARE program, offered throughout RoofCARE’s New Mexico and West Texas service area is the ultimate manifestation of Zaina, Bunnell and Freer’s sustainable vision. “We developed SmartCARE to more effectively manage the roofing asset. It is designed to proactively manage the lifespan of roofs, which saves building owners from the unpredictable costs and stress of a reactive approach. In addition to huge financial savings, this program allows building owners and/or managers to gain an understanding of their roofing inventories and make educated decisions to properly maintain them. SmartCARE is available in three tiers with the option of multiple add-on services, meaning it can be cus- tomized for any situation. Services within the program include a 5-year management plan, preventative maintenance,
105 DECEMBER 2016 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
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