Roofing Surprises – The Best Way to Avoid them!

Roofing surprises are never fun, especially when accompanied by a big repair bill.

While it is not possible to anticipate every problem that could happen to a roof, you can plan ahead to minimize the chance of being met with a costly and inconvenient surprise.

Take these thoughts into […]

Roofing surprises are never fun, especially when accompanied by a big repair bill.

While it is not possible to anticipate every problem that could happen to a roof, you can plan ahead to minimize the chance of being met with a costly and inconvenient surprise.

Take these thoughts into consideration so you won’t be calling a roofer at the last minute to handle an emergency or some other unexpected issue that needs attention!

Know The Most Common Roofing Issues

The first step in thwarting a roofing surprise is knowing where and how a problem is most likely to crop up: 

  • Storm Damage - Storm damage is the least predictable of all damage that can occur to any roof, and there is only one way to deal with it: inspect your roof after the storm, be prepared for the possibility of damage with temporary tarping supplies at home, and know which roofer you can call to do the repairs as quickly as possible.
  • Leaks - Leaks happen when water gets through the external defenses. They usually start due to damaged or missing flashing, or when the seals around protrusions start to fail.
  • Underlayment or Decking Issues - Exposed underlayment or underlayment damaged by leaks due to flashing or seal problems may seem minor, but they can progress to the point of rot, or worse yet, decking rot. Roofers find this type of damage to be very common as it typically happens without being noticed until the damage is quite significant.
  • Drainage or Gutter Issues - Clogged gutters on pitched roofs or drains on flat roofs that result in standing water can cause a great deal of damage as that water is soaked up by the underlayment and decking, or eventually finds tiny passageways through the roofing material itself.

Be Observant

The biggest cause of substantial roofing damage in many cases is the owner’s failure to notice there is a problem.

Let go, minor problems can become major ones as more time passes.

This can all be easily avoided by staying observant and doing regular, personal “inspections” of your own roof to look for things that could be causing a problem.

Watch out for the things mentioned above that roofers find responsible for most surprises, those being damaged or missing flashing, gutter or drainage problems, and obvious damage after a storm.

Additionally, look for shingle damage on the outside and signs of leaking or moisture on the inside, up in the attic.

At the first sign of any of these, call a contractor to take a look.

Keep Up With Maintenance

The other way to avoid both the obvious and not-so-obvious problems is to have your roof inspected every year to two years by a professional roofing contractor who can detect problems and determine their cause.

Timely repairs combined with routine maintenance as necessary according to your roof type go the furthest in preventing expensive roofing surprises.

Stay Vigilant To Avoid Expensive Roofing Surprises

As easy as it may be to forget about the roof over your head, letting out of sight be out of mind can be costly.

If you stay vigilant by understanding the problems most likely to occur and then watching for them, you will be one step ahead of any potential roofing surprises so they can’t sneak up.

As a last protective measure, roofers recommend that you keep a repair budget saved up just in case, and any unexpected repair that becomes necessary can be easily handled.

With this kind of preparation, you are much less likely to be caught off guard by roofing surprises, or the problem of how to resolve them!

Are You Worried About Your Roof? Get Help Here!

Repairs on the roof may not be enough to stop those leaks and solve all of your problems.

Sometimes an entire replacement is needed to fix the underlying problems with your roof.

Use this article to determine whether it’s time to replace or time to repair the roof over […]

Repairs on the roof may not be enough to stop those leaks and solve all of your problems.

Sometimes an entire replacement is needed to fix the underlying problems with your roof.

Use this article to determine whether it's time to replace or time to repair the roof over your head.

Start Out With A Clean Slate

Just like most projects, roofing requires you to have a clean surface to work on.

The sheathing also has to be perfectly flat, so if you see any warping, replace it.

Lastly, every last nail has to be removed to ensure it doesn't affect the new roof once installed, causing problems.

Match Your Roof Color With Your Climate

If you live in a hot and dry climate, it is best to roof your house with a light color like light grey or white as lighter colors end up reflecting the suns rays.

Darker colors like black can absorb the suns rays, resulting in your house being really hot.

Always Ask For A List of Satisfied Customers

Never hire a roofing contractor who can not supply you with a list of satisfied customers.

Having a roof repaired or replaced can be expensive and a particular roofer doesn't do quality work, it could lead to water damage inside of your home.

Be cautious and always ask for references before hiring a roofer.

Help Maintain Your Roof By Keep Gutters Clean

When it comes to maintaining your roof, make sure that you keep your gutters clean.

Clear them of any fallen leaves, twigs and other debris so that water can flow freely from your roof.

If you don't adequately clean out your gutters regularly, you may become prone to flooding problems.

Summing Up

The roof above you may only seem to have a small problem here or there, but in reality it is beyond the life expectancy and needs replacing.

Use this article to help gauge the severity of your roofing situation.

The tips point out a few problems that you may not be be aware of.

Important Roof Inspection Information

Roof inspections can be very dangerous, so it is important to be safe.

A tool rental company rents the safety harness you will need before getting onto the roof and you will need additional tools to help you inspect the roof.

A ruler for measurement and a pen and […]

Roof inspections can be very dangerous, so it is important to be safe.

A tool rental company rents the safety harness you will need before getting onto the roof and you will need additional tools to help you inspect the roof.

A ruler for measurement and a pen and paper for calculation is a must.

Roof Services

A roof that has lost its granules and color is a roof that is in poor condition.

Often you can see the loss of granules in the gutter system and downspouts.

If you notice bubbles or blisters on the outer surface of the shingles, this is indicative of poor ventilation.

There should not be any streaking or discoloration of the shingles and if you notice on the roof a pattern of streaking or discoloration, then the roof has a problem with blue algae.

The fungus creates a problem for the fungus grows its roots into the matting of the shingle and causes the shingle to become porous.

Roof Ventilation System

You will need to evaluate the ventilation system for any possible defects or damage.

Roof vents or ridge vent are made of metal and therefore you will need to make sure the metal is not damaged.

Ensure there are no dings or dents present for this would indicate hail damage on the roof.

The caulking should be intact and flush with the metal and the shingle.

If you notice that the integrity of the seal is compromised, then a new seal will have to be applied.

Roof Inspection

A roof inspection should include an examination of the chimney and the simplest way to inspect a chimney is to look for cracks and openings at the wall line.

The shingles should lay flat against the metal flashing and the metal flashing should not be rusted or damaged in any way shape or form.

The shingles on the roof should be in fair condition without any streaking or discoloration noted.

You can also inspect the interior portion of the chimney while inside of the attic.

If you notice water stains on the decking, then the water stains are indicative of an active or prior roof leak.

A moisture meter may be rented from a tool rental company which can help you locate moisture inside the attic which would indicate roof leaks.

Roof Leaks

The most common place for a roof system to leak is around a penetration that is coming through the substrate.

Plumbing pipes or HVAC pipes that are coming through the roof are usually the culprits for most roof damage.

Be sure to inspect each pipe for cracking, openings, and decayed material.

If you should find any of the following, then roof repairs will need to be made.

Roofing cement should be installed at the collar of each pipe.

If the cement is cracked or dried out, then the pipes will need to be re-sealed with new cement.

Roof Layers

Finally, you will need to assess how many layers of roofing material are on the existing decking which can be achieved will while standing at the bottom of the ladder.

Raise the bottom of the shingles while standing on the ladder and look for additional layers of roofing underneath the original roof.

There should not be more than two layers of shingles on any deck and if you find more than two roof layers, the home will require a complete roof system to be installed.

All shingle manufacturers state that a home may have no more than two layers installed onto the roof structure.

Roof Inspections – All You Need to Know!

Inspecting roofs is important to have done periodically for numerous reasons.

One reason is to prevent leaks before they become out of control.

Another is to make sure your roof is in good standing order after a storm or severe weather, otherwise you might be due for a replacement […]

Inspecting roofs is important to have done periodically for numerous reasons.

One reason is to prevent leaks before they become out of control.

Another is to make sure your roof is in good standing order after a storm or severe weather, otherwise you might be due for a replacement thanks to your insurance company.

There are a few different factors to consider while inspecting a roof, and a few different things to look at.

Inspect Your Roof After A Severe Storm

One important time to have a roof inspection done on your home is after a severe storm has hit.

Often times heavy rain, hail, and high powered winds will damage numerous shingles on your roof.

Another thing that can happen without you noticing is over time continual rain can wear away the shingles that are on your roof.

During a full roof inspection, you will have your shingles inspected, check for any areas that have the potential to leak, and check the overall condition of your roof.

How Often Should You Inspect Your Roof?

So how often should people really have their roof inspected?

A moderate number would be around twice a year, which should be more than enough to take care of your roof.

The only time you should break your regularly schedule inspection times is due to an emergency or potential damage that has been caused by a natural disaster.

When Roof Repair Is Needed

The main thing a roof inspection can lead to is repair.

If there is only light damage and just a few shingles here and there that are no longer doing their job, they can be replaced easily.

If you have a severely damaged roof that will take extensive amounts of repair, your best option might be to have your entire roof completely replaced.

This will involve repairing any wood, wrapping the roof again, and putting on fresh shingles to give you that full protection from the elements while at home.

Storm Damage? File A Claim!

If the damage has been done to your roof by a storm of any sort, you can file a claim through your insurance company to have your roof repaired or replaced.

Your roofing contractor can actually make your claim for you and help you through the process by negotiating with your insurance company.

This saves you the trouble of having to call your insurance company and it will only cost you your deductible in the end.

It is very common that people are unaware that their roof has damage on it so calling in for an inspection is a smart thing to do.

Useful Guidance For Maintaining Your Home’s Roof

When it comes to roof maintenance, many homeowners have no idea what to do. Too often, people neglect their roofs altogether until a serious problem has developed. Keep this from happening by using the information provided in the article below. Taking care of your roof ensures that you and […]

When it comes to roof maintenance, many homeowners have no idea what to do. Too often, people neglect their roofs altogether until a serious problem has developed. Keep this from happening by using the information provided in the article below. Taking care of your roof ensures that you and your family will always remain safe and protected. 

Mow your lawn before the contractor comes to remove your roof. This way, if nails fall on the ground, they'll be much easier to find. If he has a magnetic tool for finding nails, it will work best with the short grass.

Make sure you are being very safe when working on the roof yourself. Secure a ladder, and carefully climb up or down the ladder as necessary. Let someone know where you are in case you get stuck on the roof for some reason. Wear non-slip shoes if you have to stand. Roof Repair

After narrowing down your list of roofers, determine which one offers the best warranty. The warranty should last at least three years. The longer it lasts, the better. You'll want a warranty that'll cover things such as issues with the materials or workmanship. You'll also want a copy of the manufacturer's warranties.

If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Calling around for different quotes for your roofing job is important to ensure you get the best price. However, if a contractor is offering their services way below the average, ask yourself why. It could very well be a good deal, but it could be a scam as well. Roof Services

Roof maintenance isn't always easy, and it is rarely very fun. It is however, a necessary task if you want to keep your home safe and protected. Use the advice mentioned above to keep your roof in good shape year in and year out. Your efforts will be well worth it in the long run. Roof Company

Some Quick Roof Tips That Will Help Your Home

Do you spend a lot of time thinking about your roof? If you don’t, then maybe you should. Your roof protects your entire home, and you need to make sure you protect your roof. In the following paragraphs, you’ll discover some excellent roofing advice that will help you get […]

Do you spend a lot of time thinking about your roof? If you don't, then maybe you should. Your roof protects your entire home, and you need to make sure you protect your roof. In the following paragraphs, you'll discover some excellent roofing advice that will help you get your roof in good shape.

If you live in a hot and dry climate, it is best to roof your house with a light color like light grey or white. Lighter colors end up reflecting the suns rays. Darker colors like black can absorb the suns rays, resulting in your house being really hot.

Prior to the removal of your old roof, make sure your lawn is cut short. Major roof work will inevitably scatter some nails on your lawn, and close-cropped grass will make it easier for you or your contractor to recover them. Even better, a magnetized nail finder will work at its optimum in short grass. Roof Repair

It is very common for the gutters on your house to become clogged, so make sure you have them cleaned on a fairly regular basis. If you allow them to stay dirty, it will give rain a chance to build up and pool on top of your roof, which increases the chances of the roof becoming damaged.

If you want to replace your roof, think about using a green alternative for material. Recycled roofing material, composed of used rubber and plastic, not only saves money but serves the environment. Solar panels are another option, as they can also reduce energy costs. They can also create a tax credit for homeowners. Roof Installation

Your roof is on top of your house, and it should be on top of your mind as well. Thanks to this article, you have the knowledge you need to make sure your roof is in the condition it should be. If you apply it, you'll be happy with your roof for years to come. Roof Company