In a survey of more than 700 marketers worldwide, 88% of respondents told Wildfire Interactive, a social media marketing software company, that social media helps grow brand awareness. Social media also benefited marketers by allowing them to engage in dialogue (85%) and increase sales and partnerships (58%). An additional 41% of marketers said it helped reduce costs.

Charles Schwab is one company that sees the benefits of engaging in dialogue with customers via social media.

“It has opened up this whole public communications channel, where we can get great feedback,” said Lindsay Tiles, director of corporate public relations at Charles Schwab, in a December 2011 interview with eMarketer. “We’re trying to get people out of the mindset that social media is just for pushing your messages out. It is about communicating, but it’s also about listening.”

While marketers look at the overall benefits of social media, they are also drilling deeper to determine the value of Facebook fans in particular. Among respondents to Wildfire’s survey, 44% said Facebook fans are valuable because they help with new customer recruitment. Additionally, 18% said Facebook fans have higher conversion rates and another 18% noted that they make more frequent purchases.

While these softer metrics are proving valuable for marketers, there is still room to prove solid return on investment and other business results. Of those surveyed, 24% said they measure the ROI of social media by looking at increases in revenue. Additionally, 38% said they count increased “likes,” comments and interactions on Facebook.

Marketers know how social media can influence and add value to a company, but by bringing these specific metrics and benefits to the forefront, they will be better able to prove the importance of this channel going forward. ~emarketer.com~

Sunday, January 29th, Saratoga Roofing & Construction started the re-roof project for Embassy Suites in Norman, Oklahoma.

With their corporate office in Edmond, OK, Saratoga serves Oklahoma City, Tulsa, DFW Metroplex, Kansas City and Wichita, Kansas with Commercial Roofing solutions.

The Embassy Suites project is a re-roof of a defective system and is one of the largest of its kind in Oklahoma!

If you have a commercial roofing or construction need, contact:

Saratoga Roofing & Construction
Serving, OKC, Tulsa, DFW, Wichita and Kansas City
800-757-ROOF (7663)
www.saratogaroofing.com

With the rainy season just months away, here are some simple steps to avoid costly roof repairs due to rain

1. Periodically check your roof for signs of damage. Some damages you should look for are: splits and cracks at points of transition and areas around your vents, stacks, expansion joints, walls and perimeters. When the weather changes outside our roofs expand and contract, these areas are what take the brunt of the building movement.
2. Check your roof for any debris, build-up of leaves or dirt – especially if you have trees around your building.  Leaves in gutters and clogged drains cause the majority of roof leaks.
3. Look for splits or gaps in joints.  Make sure your metal flashing is intact.
4. Be sure panels are securely attached so when it rains outside, you do not get wet inside.
5. Once you have looked over the roof from atop your building, walk around the outside of the building and check the siding, paint, stones or bricks for streaking discoloration.  Streaks from the top down can be a sign that when it rains, water is penetrating the structure and running down the outside walls of the building. Also check for any corners that may have lifted.
6. Now you should look over the internal structure which is your ceiling.  This may mean crawling into closed attic space. Look to see if you notice any sunlight making its way into the area through the ceiling. If the sun can get in, more than likely the rain can as well.
7. Last, look for water damage in the form of stained ceiling tiles, streaks down the walls or drywall, where water might have entered the building.

Once you have completely checked your commercial building for any signs of water damage due to rain, make sure you document the areas of concern.  Taking care of minor issues before they become costly repairs is the best way to avoid a roofing disaster. If you are unable to assess your commercial roof, don’t put it off and risk greatly damage and possible replacement later, give us a call at Saratoga Roofing & Construction.  Our team of professionals will be happy to do the assessment for you.  By checking your roof on a regular basis, you are not only prolonging the life of your roof, you are avoiding costly repairs and possible interior damage.

For questions, or to schedule your assessment, contact:
Saratoga Roofing & Construction
Serving OKC * Tulsa * DFW Metroplex * Wichita * Kansas City
800-757-ROOF (7663)
www.Saratogaroofing.com

GenFlex TPO membrane was introduced in 1996 and is manufactured at our state-of-the-art extrusion technology facility in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where we have produced the industry’s first 12-foot wide sheet meeting industry code requirements

The 12-foot wide sheet offers significant benefits including fewer seams to weld and fewer panels to install. With fewer seams and fewer panels for most applications, there is a significant cost advantage to a 12-foot fully adhered system. Compared to a 10-foot system, the wide sheet application requires 16% fewer seams—33% fewer than an 8-foot system, and 50% fewer than a 6-foot system

GenFlex TPO membrane, a high quality thermoplastic polyolefin, offers the “best of both worlds”…the proven flexibility and weathering resistance of rubber and the performance of hot-air welded thermoplastic seams. Heat-welded thermoplastic roofing membranes are the fastest growing segment of the low-slope roofing market and GenFlex TPO is an excellent system choice.

GenFlex TPO roofing systems are designed for durability and to withstand extreme environmental exposure. GenFlex TPO systems offer the widest selection in both product and system types.  From dual weld seams to Peel & Stick systems, GenFlex has the TPO products you need for mechanically anchored to fully adhered systems with warranties up to 20 years depending on the system design.

Introduced in 2003, the GenFlex Peel & Stick™ TPO Membrane System is truly a revolutionary new era in roofing. Peel & Stick TPO membranes and accessories have pre-applied adhesive and tape, making installation faster, easier, safer and smarter. Now available in a 10-foot roll as well. ~www.genflex.com~

At Saratoga Roofing & Construction, our trained personnel can answer any questions you have about GenFlex Roofing Systems. Give us a call today!

For more information on GenFlex Roofing Systems, contact:
Saratoga Roofing & Construction
Email: admin@saratogaroofing.com
800-757-ROOF (7663)

There can be many reasons for a leak. Leaks can be the result of poor roof system installation, mechanical damage such as dropped screwdrivers or knives, plugged roof drains, roofing material failure, HVAC problems; the list goes on. The source of a leak can be quite distant from where it actually shows up.

Let’s look at an example. Say there’s a hole in your asphalt shingles. The water gets in this hole, and then has to run along the top of the underlayment until it finds a hole there. Then it runs along the top of the decking until it reaches either a hole in the decking or a seam. Then it drops down in the attic and will run along the top of the ceiling until it reaches a hole or seam in the drywall, plaster, etc. The distance can be lengthened even further if you have more than one layer of roofing on your building or if you have a vapor retarder at the ceiling level.

Chasing a leak isn’t always as easy as it would appear to be. When trying to locate a leak, use the following guidelines to assist you. NOTE: whenever you see the words “the leak area,” it refers to an area within a 10 foot (3 meter) diameter of the leak.

Flat or Low-Slope Roofs

• Inspect any roof drains near the leak area. If they are plugged or draining slowly, then there is a strong chance that they are the reason for the leaks. Drains are rarely waterproof if they are plugged. They are generally designed and constructed for water to flow in one direction only…down.
• Inspect any material seams in the area of the leak. Just because you see “tar” or adhesive sticking out under a lap, it doesn’t mean that the material is adhered properly. Take a flat blade about 2 inches (5 cm) long (like a pocketknife blade), and gently run it along under the lap. If it slides in more than 1 inch (2.5 cm), then the seam should be sealed. If it slides in for the length of the 2 inch blade, it’s a good suspect for a leak.
• Look carefully at all penetrations for signs of problems. Problems include holes in the metal flashings, shrunken pitch pan filler, deteriorated caulking, curled flashing flanges that are sticking up through the roof membrane, or any other visible defects.
• Look for blisters that have been punctured.
• Look closely at expansion joint seams. These are often faulty.
• Check for splits in the area. Do this by walking the area with your feet close together and taking many small steps, turning in all directions. If there is a split, you’ll see the roof separate between your feet.
• If the leak occurs near the edge of the building, check the edge metal. It can separate at the seams and tear the roof membrane in the process.
• Check under debris. A lot times, if debris has been sitting on a roof for a long period of time, then it can hold water which will expedite roof deterioration. Bird, rodent, and other vermin nests have been found under piles of debris on roofs.
• If you get a freak rain storm that dumps horrendous amounts of water on your roof in a short period of time, and all of a sudden you have half a dozen leaks where before there were none, don’t get overly excited. Most roofs are not designed or constructed to handle that much water all at once.
• If you look carefully, and find nothing on the roof, then check your attic or ceiling space. What is mistaken for a roof leak can sometimes be a problem with the plumbing, especially with commercial buildings because fire sprinkler lines usually run along the attic space. This is often identified by a leak occurring when it isn’t raining.
• Another problem that is frequently mistaken for a roof leak is a poorly designed roof-mounted HVAC unit. HVAC units can have faulty pans in them which will permit water to enter the building during a rain storm.

Steep Slope Roofs

• Look at all roof penetrations in the leak area closely for holes and / or damage.
• Look for “shiners.” Shiners are nails that were not covered by the following course of roofing material. If left exposed too long, many nails will rust, leaving a hole and causing leaks.
• Look at the mortar on chimneys and parapet walls. It’s rare, but damaged mortar can cause leaks.
• If your building has a stucco facade, then cracks in the stucco, especially along the tops of walls, can be the source of leaks.
• Check to make sure that all drain details are functioning and that your gutter is not full of debris. If your edge details and gutter details are not done correctly, water can back up over the top of the fascia, run along the soffit, and down the inside of the wall where it enters your building.
• If you look carefully, and find nothing on the roof, then check your attic or ceiling space. What looks like a roof leak can be a problem with the plumbing, especially with commercial buildings because fire sprinkler lines usually run along the attic space. This is often identified by a leak occurring when it isn’t raining.
• Another problem frequently mistaken for a roof leak is a poorly designed roof-mounted HVAC unit. HVAC units can have faulty pans in them which can permit water to enter the building during a rain storm.
• Look for areas where there is a lot of debris such as leaves and branches that have gathered. Piles of debris can block water flow which can cause the water to back up under the roofing. This commonly occured behind chimneys and in valleys.

 If you are calling a contractor to take care of your leaks. Here are some questions that he may want to ask you.

Q: Has anyone been on your roof doing work? An electrical contractor, HVAC mechanic, someone installing a heat pump or evaporative unit? And if so, were they anywhere near the leak area?

This question is important because people can often drop tools which can penetrate the roof and cause a leak.

Q: Does it leak only when there’s a wind-driven rain? Only when it snows?

A lot of times wind will drive rain up under overhangs where it can get into the building where it normally couldn’t. Or if there is a turbine vent that is frozen in place, the wind will drive the rain into it and cause a leak. Snow is tricky because it can cause ice dams which will allow water to back up under shingles, or it can be deep enough to go over the tops of curbs. When it starts melting, it starts leaking.

Q: How long after precipitation starts does the leaking begin? How long after the precipitation quits does the leak quit?

This will give the contractor an idea of how far the water has to travel before it actually shows up.

Q: Has anyone been up in your attic recently?

A lot of times when plumbers, electricians, HVAC mechanics, etc. are working in attics, they can knock a flashing loose, break a seam along a condensation line, or even accidentally put a hole in the roof system by puncturing it in the spaces between decking. None of this is purposefully done, it’s just something that happens because attic spaces are usually very cramped and difficult to work in. ~roofhelp.com~

For more information, contact:
Saratoga Roofing & Construction
Serving OKC * Tulsa * DFW Metroplex
800-757-ROOF (7663)
www.saratogaroofing.com

If you own a business and it has a “commercial roofing system” it is important that you hire a commercial roofing expert.  Residential roofing companies differ from commercial roofing experts because they lack the knowledge and experience in dealing with and installing most commercial roofs.

Most roofing systems found on commercial buildings are bigger than those found on your average home. In some cases, a commercial roof will be wider and a lot higher up.  If the roofer you choose does not have the tools or the knowledge in commercial roofing, complications in their ability to attain comfortable access to the working area may quickly arise. Typically a commercial roofing contractor will have the ability and tool-set necessary, since they will be used to fixing or completely re-roofing large surfaces at the required heights. Considering an average residential roofing company doesn’t have the tools or the experience with this type of roofing, the chances of a contractor getting injured on the job is greatly increased. A professional in commercial roofing will most definitely lower the chances and alleviate most of your worries regarding safety.

A commercial roofing company will have many roofing options that are specifically meant for businesses.  They will also have much more experience with the available commercial roofing materials, giving them the ability to offer you a range of colors, material options, extra features to help save you money on energy costs and options to keep your roof in the best possible condition. Most business owners have a look in mind for their commercial building, but without a commercial roofing professional they usually aren’t 100% sure what roofing material would best compliment their building (or will last the longest). Hiring a commercial roofing company will really take a lot of the pressure off and make dealing with your commercial roof a lot less stressful.

Aside from all the important reasons, the fact is a commercial roofing company is used to working with businesses, business owners and building management. A commercial roofing company really knows what it takes to get the job done quickly with minimal complications or interruptions to your daily business operations.  An expert commercial roofing company will know what it takes to ensure minor downtime and minor inconvenience to your customers and your employees.

For more information, contact:
Saratoga Roofing & Construction
Serving OKC * Tulsa * DFW Metroplex
800-757-ROOF (7663)
www.saratogaroofing@gmail.com

If you own a business, you need to keep debris and water from collecting on your roof.  Typically, this isn’t a major concern on the open areas of the roof, instead in the cracks, crevices, and penetrations in your roof.  However, debris can also pile up on the open areas if you have large trees or bushes that overhang your roof and drop lots of vegetation on the roofing surface.

Be sure and have a professional Commercial Roofing Contractor inspect your roof for damage that could have occurred over the winter months.  If left unattended, you could be looking at major repair costs and even replacement or interior damage.  Better to be safe than sorry.

For more information, contact:
Saratoga Roofing & Construction
Serving OKC, Tulsa and DFW Metroplex
800-757-ROOF (7663)
www.saratogaroofing.com

As part of an ongoing effort to keep their clients and potential clients informed, Saratoga Roofing & Construction is committed to using new technology and methods of communication in order to better serve the community.

“When you think about it, twenty years ago no one had ever heard of facebook, twitter and other social networking sites.  Now, just about everyone has access to the internet and most have a smartphone or mobile device where they can get their news and information immediately.  And in an emergency, that’s just what you need…immediate response.  We see this as a great opportunity to connect with the people we serve and get information out to the entire community”, said Denver Green, President of Saratoga Roofing & Construction.

Hiring a roofing contractor can be confusing, especially if this is the first time you’ve ever needed one.  You don’t know who to trust, you aren’t sure if they are quoting you a competitive price and you aren’t aware of their track record or reputation.  That makes it really difficult to make an informed decision.  That’s why Saratoga Roofing & Construction made the decision to invest in keeping everyone informed through technology.  We feel we will be able to do things more efficiently and our clients will be better informed and in the end, satisfied customers.

Saratoga Roofing & Construction is family owned and operates in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and the DFW Metroplex area.  Saratoga Roofing is a preferred contractor for one of the largest roofing materials manufacturers’ in the country, allowing them to deliver quality materials on time for installation.  They match that with the most experienced installers anywhere!   When you contract with Saratoga Roofing, you can be 100% assured that your roof will be installed up to industry standards with a guarantee backed by a leading manufacturers warranty.  Specializing in commercial roof systems, residential, multi-family and condominiums.   Their team of professionals can assist you in all your roofing and construction needs.  Call 800-757-ROOF (7663) to schedule your free estimate or consultation.

For More information on Saratoga Roofing & Construction, connect with them online:
FACEBOOK – LINKEDIN – TWITTER
Serving OKC * Tulsa * DFW Metroplex
800-757-7663
www.saratogaroofing.com

Using the portable dialysis machine has just become part of everyday life for Smith, who has chronic kidney disease and has been on kidney dialysis since 2004. He said he prefers the at-home treatment because it gives him more freedom.

“It’s done on my schedule,” Smith said in his RV — while on dialysis — in the parking lot of the Olympic Peninsula Kidney Center in Bremerton last Thursday. “I have the control back in my hand.”

Smith, of Indianola, hasn’t been going to a clinic for dialysis since he began using NxStage hemodialysis at home — or while traveling — in July 2007. Last week he and his wife traveled in their RV to the kidney center in Bremerton to talk to patients at the clinic of his benefits from using an at-home system. They spend about three to four months of the year living in Georgia.

“There are a number of therapies. There are alternatives,” Smith, 63, said. He just prefers this one.

The kidney’s function is to clean out and remove toxins to filter the blood and keeps the chemistry of the blood normal. It also removes waste and can control blood volume and blood pressure. People with chronic kidney failure do not have kidneys that function to 100 percent capacity and dialysis is required if the kidney has completely failed.

Once patients are on dialysis, they remain on it for the rest of their lives unless they are eligible for a kidney transplant. The dialysis acts like how a kidney would for the body.

Smith is not eligible for a transplant.

“I want the healthiest dialysis I can get,” he said.

And for him, the portable dialysis is the “healthier” choice because he is on dialysis about six times a week, while patients who go to a clinic typically go three times a week. He said two years ago his heart condition was weak but it has improved in due part to dialyzing more frequently.

Not only does Smith have the choice of when and where he wants to do his dialysis, overall he feels better because he doesn’t get a big shock to his system since he is doing it on a near-daily basis.

Doing dialysis three times a week can be more tiring to the body.

“It’s like shocking the system to almost normal. You go up and down and up and down,” said Dr. Connie Davis, professor of medicine in the division of nephrology at the University of Washington and director of Kidney Care Line, on how patients typically feel.

If patients are dialysizing on an every day, or more regular basis, they don’t have those wide swings and thus have more energy, can eat more normally and feel better all around, Davis said.

“It’s a personal preference. Practitioners do encourage daily therapy whether it’s hemo[dialysis] or peritoneal [dialysis],” she said. “It really is a step up in treatment.”

For Smith who is on hemodialysis, a shunt is placed in the vein whereas in peritoneal dialysis, a catheter is placed directly in the abdomen.

At the kidney center in Bremerton, there are about 100 patients who come in for in-center dialysis while the at-home dialysis number is at 21, according to Kay McFarland, the center’s home training nurse.

“In center, we try to accommodate but sometimes it’s just when a chair is available,” McFarland said.

Although McFarland said ideally, the longer one is on dialysis, the better it is, there are positives and negatives for everyone. At-home portable dialysis — which can be done more frequently — may not be the best option for all patients. She said that for some older people, their only social interaction is when they come to the center for their dialysis.

Davis added that patients who use portable dialysis need to be more active in their care because they are no longer just plopping themselves in a chair and having a practitioner do everything for them.

With Smith’s situation, he and his wife Claire were both trained to properly use the portable hemodialysis machine.

“Jim’s attitude is just wonderful. It was tough in-center,” Claire Smith said.

Some patients however have adapted to the routine of going to a center for their dialysis.

Hank Mann-Sykes, 72, said he has never considered an at-home portable dialysis machine because he doesn’t have the support system to be able to do that. His wife is a full-time teacher with the Central Kitsap School District.

“It’s like a part-time job,” Mann-Sykes said of going to the Bremerton center for dialysis three times a week.

While other patients sit in their chairs and watch TV while getting dialysis at the center, Mann-Sykes said he sits and thinks, often he has friends that come visit him — or he “does business.”

Involved in the Central Kitsap community, Mann-Sykes is constantly organizing a new project or recruiting people for a cause. He was a proponent for the YMCA in Silverdale and is on the Central Kitsap Community Council.

Although the time he is on dialysis is three hours a day, Mann-Sykes said the total time from when he gets home and back is about five hours. He added that usually he is wiped out from the dialysis and will go home and take a nap on his recliner.

Mann-Sykes was first put on dialysis in 1990 and then had a kidney and pancreas transplant in October of that same year. The filtration system of the transplanted kidney began shutting down and he was back on dialysis two-and-a-half years ago.

“It’s keeping me alive,” he said.

The number of people with kidney failure in the United States has been on the rise. In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated 26 million adults in the country with chronic kidney disease. The main cause of the disease is in connection to diabetes, said Davis adding that high blood pressure can also play a role. Chronic kidney disease is more common in men and has found to be more common in non-caucasians — such as African-Americans, she said.

Research that is coming out indicates that African-Americans more often carry a gene that affects the kidneys not performing well under certain situations, she added.

Whether patients are opting for the portable dialysis — Medicare covers the cost of it just as it would in-center dialysis — or not, for most of them the treatment is just another daily task they must go about.

“It’s like changing oil in the car,” Smith said.  ~www.bremertonpatriot.com~

For more information on Dialysis Staffing, contact:
AHS RenalStat
1-877-309-3546
information@ahsrenalstat.com

Here are some of the most common problems found on today’s commercial roofs:

• Ponding Water
• Blisters
• Surface Deterioration

These are just a few.  If you suspect problems with your commercial roof, have an experienced roofing professional come out and assess the damage.  If left, winters wind, snow and ice can do more damage and possibly do interior damage to your business.

It’s easy to have your roof inspected.  Just give us a call, Saratoga Roofing & Construction, 800-757-ROOF (7663) and one of our commercial roofing experts will be happy to assist you.

Saratoga Roofing & Construction
Serving OKC * Tulsa * DFW Metroplex
800-757-ROOF (7663)
www.saratogaroofing.com