faq's

Do I need a new roof?

From the outside:
Use a pair of binoculars or stand on a ladder at roof level and look at the overall appearance of your roof. In particular, look for the following indications of potential roof problems:

  • Are there any blistered, curled, or split shingles? A few can be repaired but if the general appearance of the roof is poor, it may be time to reroof.
  • Are there loose or missing shingles or tiles?
  • Do you see any exposed nails? They are a source of leaks.
  • If your roof is covered with composition (asphalt) shingles, look for dark patches indicating the granular coating has worn away.
  • Look for significant accumulation of granules in your rain gutters. Some granules are normal but a lot, combined with dark patches on your shingles, is a sign of an aging roof.
  • Look for sagging along the ridges or in the middle of the roof.
  • Any rusty metal or displaced shingles along the valley are signs of roof weaknesses.
  • Inspect the flashing around plumbing vents and chimneys. Loose shingles or rusty, loose flashing is another sign of trouble.
  • Check the gutters closely for sagging and signs of leaks between sections. Are the downspouts firmly in place and directing water away from the house foundation?
  • If you have a shake or shingle roof, inspect the flashing around chimneys and vertical walls carefully because acid in the wood can eat away at the flashing over the years.

From the inside:
  • In the attic, look for signs of leaks. Dark stains on the rafters or the underside of the roof decking material generally indicate water trails.
  • If you find dark spots, see if they are still wet or are old. Push a sharp screwdriver into the wood. If it is soft, it's a sign of rot. If the wood is stained but still dry and firm during your rainy season, it may be an old leak that has been repaired.
  • Look up through the roof for any pinpoints of light. If you find one, run a thin length of wire up through it so you can find it on the roof. Do not widen the hole. Shake roofs in particular may show daylight during the summer months, but the wood will swell shut again with the first rains.
  • Look for sagging sheathing between rafters. This is one sign of an old roof in need of repair. Sagging or cracked rafters will certainly require repair or replacement as part of a new roof installation.

What are my options if I decide to reroof?

There are two options. You can choose a complete replacement of the roof system, involving a tearoff of your existing roof system, or re-cover the existing roof system, involving only the installation of a new roof system. If you've already had one re-cover installed on your original roof system, check with a professional roofing contractor. In many instances, building code requirements allow no more than one roof system re-cover before a complete replacement is necessary.

My roof leaks. Do I need to have it replaced completely?

Not necessarily. Leaks can result from flashings that come loose or a section of the roof system being damaged. A complete roof system failure, however, generally is irreversible and a result of improper installation or choice of materials or the roof system installation is inappropriate for the home or building.

What is the cost of a new roof system?

The price of a new roof system varies widely, depending on such things as:

  • The materials selected
  • Contractor doing the work
  • Home or building
  • Location of the home or building
  • Local labor rates and time of year

To get a good idea of price for your roof system, get three or four proposals from reputable contractors in your area. Keep in mind that price is only one factor, and it must be balanced with the quality of the materials and workmanship.

For each roofing material, there are different grades and corresponding prices. There are also a variety of styles and shapes. You need to look at the full product range and make a choice based on your budget and needs.

Within the roofing profession, there are different levels of expertise and craftsmanship. Insist on a contractor who is committed to quality work.

Do I need a permit?

Most remodeling projects require a permit and work done without one may invalidate some aspects of your homeowner's insurance. When in doubt, contact your local building department.

Do I need gutters and downspouts?

Some roofing systems such as hot tar or torch-down flat roofs may not require separate gutters however, almost all roofs require downspouts and a proper drain system, which takes the water from the roof away from the foundation of the house.

Types of gutters include:
  • Seamless aluminum:
    These are among the best because they require no painting, as galvanized gutters do, and do not crack or bend, as vinyl gutters do. After the installer measures your roof perimeter, aluminum is fed from a spool into a special machine that extrudes the gutters on the spot. Despite the name, these gutters are not entirely seamless, but only have them at inside and outside corners.
  • Galvanized tin:
    Among the most widely used of all gutters, galvanized tin has been around for years. Its only drawback is that is must be painted periodically to prevent rust from penetrating the galvanized coating. The gutters are stiff and strong and hold up well in areas with heavy snowfall.
  • Vinyl:
    These gutters are the easiest for the do-it-yourselfers. They are sold at all large home centers, are light and easy to put up. They usually come in just brown or white colors. Although easy to install, they do not have the look of permanency of metal gutters and are subject to distortion from heat and cold.
  • Wood:
    Although sometimes still found on old houses, wood gutters today are a custom design. They can be beautiful and long lasting with proper care, which means regular cleaning and painting.
  • Copper:
    These are also custom gutters, but beautiful and long lasting.

What kind of maintenance do my gutters need?

  • Over the years, gutter supports become loose, rusted, and broken. Check them periodically and replace or repair as necessary.
  • Be sure to clean leaves and debris from the gutters each fall before the rains / snow begins.
  • Check that the downspouts are clear. If not, blast the debris out with a hose stream, or use a plumbing snake.
  • Check during a rain for any leaks at the gutter joints. A bead of caulk will often be enough to seal the leak.
  • Use leaf guards on the gutters to prevent accumulation. Use strainers over the downspout holes. These can be made from a short strip of rolled chicken wire that is inserted into the downspout hole.

What is a composition roof?

The newest of these roofs have fiberglass reinforcing mesh in the material and comes in a variety of colors, designs and qualities. It is not unusual to see a 25-year old composition roof in good condition, even though the original warranty was for 15 years.

A properly installed composition roof requires very little maintenance other than a periodic visual inspection. The best way to inspect such a roof is with a good set of binoculars. Walking on a composition roof for the purpose of inspection should be kept to a minimum - good advice for all types of roofs. Composition roofs should be cleaned with a pressure washer.

Are metal roofs noisy?

Metal roofs are becoming very popular, not only because of their improved quality but also because they can provide a new spectrum of colors, clean lines and an alternative to traditional materials for low-pitched roofs. Does rain make more noise on metal roofs? Depends on who you ask and how the roof was installed. Typically the metal roofing is installed over solid sheeting of plywood or oriented strand board. This application reduces any noise problems from the roof while adding strength and longevity. The better quality metal roofs are called Standing Seam metal roofs and are designed in such a way as to hide all of the fasteners which attach the roof to the sheathing. This also gives the roof a very clean line and a very modern architectural look.

Why install a skylight?

Today's factory-built skylights and associated flashing systems are an excellent way to add light and venting to the home. For best results, skylights are installed with the first roofing layer. Such installation should be coordinated between a carpenter and a roofer.

An operable skylight can be used to vent the home. It is often used as a substitute for any mechanical air conditioning system. For venting purposes, such a skylight is ideally located on the north or east side of the home, away from the prevailing winds and rain pattern. Many manufactured skylight systems are available with insect screens, shading systems and various methods of operation, including remote control electrical devices.
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