The technical issues keeping roofing contractors on their toes

By The Coffee Shops®.

How code changes and installation complexity are reshaping technical best practices.

As building materials and trends evolve, contractors are keeping up with new demands from code changes. During a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Mark Graham of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) to discuss the technical issues roofing contractors are facing and the trends likely to shape the industry in the years ahead.

Before discussing today's challenges, Mark reflected on NRCA's role in the industry. Describing the association as "the all-encompassing group in the roofing industry," Mark noted that NRCA is celebrating its 140th anniversary while continuing to serve contractors, manufacturers, distributors and designers.

The organization's technical services team plays a central role in that mission. According to Mark, the six-member department draws expertise from engineering, architecture and construction backgrounds, while also relying on input from nearly 190 board and committee volunteers throughout the country.

That collaboration helps NRCA identify emerging issues before they become widespread problems. One trend generating significant discussion is the adoption of newer building and energy codes. Mark explained that contractors working on reroofing projects are increasingly encountering requirements tied to drainage systems. "In re-roofing and specifically in roof tear-off, where there's a tear off and replacement job, the building code is now requiring that the drainage system, in other words, roof drains, scuppers, overflows, gutters, things like that, be upgraded to the current edition of the plumbing code."

As a result, roof replacements often involve more than roofing work alone. Mark's advice was straightforward: "If you don't have a plumber that's a friend, make a new friend."

Contractors are also grappling with growing system complexity. Mark pointed to the large number of manufacturer-specific installation requirements and noted that keeping field crews current across multiple systems has become increasingly difficult.

The challenge, he suggested, is not necessarily a lack of innovation but managing the growing complexity that comes with it. As the roofing industry expands, contractors can lean on support systems like the NRCA to grow their strengths.

Listen to the entire podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about roofing industry technical challenges.