Roof Coatings – How Do They Help?

Roof Shingles - Mar 15,2012 - No Comment

Roof coatings cover the roofing materials and protect them from the elements. But how else can they add value to your roof?

This article from which I’m sharing an excerpt below has some helpful information…

“Roof coatings insulate your roof and create better heat efficiency, lowering your cost of air conditioning. Roof coatings keep metal roofing material from rusting or leaking. Corrosion induced damage of roofing materials is reduced. In these ways, the longevity of your roof is increased by coating.

Other advantages from roof coating have combined to make them very popular among home owners and roofing contractors alike. You can learn more about roof coating materials and their benefits from this article about roof coating”

Learn more about this on the
Roofing Shingles Prices Guide.

Roof Repair Estimates – Assessing The Cost Of Repairing Damaged/Old Roofs

Roof Shingles - Mar 12,2012 - No Comment

Roof repair estimates gives us an idea about how much money/resources we need to budget for a roof job. Not all roofs are problem-free. They have major and minor leaks and other issues which need to be sorted out promptly to keep the home or business safe from major damage. Environmental factors like hail or storm, strong winds can cause catastrophic damage to the roof. In such cases you need to find a competent and trusted roofer to fix your roof before more damage is caused to the interiors.

Most homes need a quick fix before the actual roof repair starts. Sometimes the weather may not be conducive to attempt any repair. The water pouring in through the damaged roofs needs to be collected into big buckets or drums till the rain abates completely. Do not under any circumstance climb on to a wet, slippery roof to fix it. Neither should you attempt the repair while it is still raining and there is danger of lightening strikes. It is also foolhardy to expect to make roof repair estimates under such adverse conditions.

Once the rain has stopped and the storm has passed and it is reasonably dry, use a ladder to assess the damage. If you are scared of heights or don’t like climbing on ladders, then leave the job to a professional to both make roof repair estimate and to attempt temporary fixes. It the damage is very minor and your are confident enough of dealing with them, nail any shingles that have come loose in the storm, glue down shingles that are broken or put in new shingles in place of missing old ones.

It is always better to get roof repair estimates from more than one professional and also learn a bit about how they are going to fix the roof repair and what preventive measures they put in place to avoid such problems from occurring again. Of course not much can be done against huge hurricanes or strong winds. The market for roof repair is very competitive. Roofers know that once they get a job and they do a good job of repairing it, they can expect repeat business and referrals to other clients. So, get more than one estimate and share them with other roofers to get the best price for the job. Some top professionals will not be willing to price bargain as they do not like to compromise on quality or their overheads do not allow any price cuts. You will have to make a judgement call under such circumstances.

You either use Google or your local yellow pages to find the roofing contractors in your area to get roof repair estimates. It may also be prudent to get references from friends and family about good roofers they have used. Going with such trusted roofing contractors is much better than cold calling new roofing contractors. But, if you have no references to depend on then check for feedback about the roofers you intend to call, look for their BBB certification and any other references from trusted third parties.

Get references about the work of the roofers and check them out by either personally visiting the client sites or talking over phone about their experiences with the particular roofer. If you are happy and satisfied by the work done by the roofing contractor you can hire them based on the roof repair estimates supplied by them. Finding a good contractor at an affordable price is the key to choosing one for your roof repair needs.

Getting help to fix a roof leak or damage as soon as possible is key to prevent major structural damage to the roof itself and damage to the interiors of the house. Water and dampness can severely damage the home, the paint job, electrical, carpet, appliances and much more. So, get as many roof repairs estimates as soon as possible and get a temporary fix at least before the actual roof repair job begins. After a major storm or hurricane even the roofers will be very busy to handle all the calls coming in. But, most will make time to attend as many emergencies as possible and will advice you on the steps to be taken immediately and what future action will be needed.

Some homeowners maybe tempted to let the problem be after emergency repairs. Postponing repairs may seem like a good idea now. But, this can not be let to fester as the problem will only get worse and cause bigger roof repair estimates than what it would cost in the beginning stages of the problem.

Valley Tips for Roofing Shingles

Roof Shingles - Mar 11,2012 - No Comment

If you’re serious about learning how to install roof shingles, you’ve come to the right place. But first let me tell you about a job I was on many years ago in Cape Coral, Florida…

It was a brand new house with a shingle roof. It also had a complicated roof design and six valleys. The builder went a little too far cost-cutting and hired a couple of day-laborers to shingle the house. He had paid them just $10 per square for 30 squares, a total of $300. All was fine and dandy until the first rain… when all six valleys leaked!

Of course the day laborers were long gone by then, which is just as well according to Einstein. He said that some problems can’t be solved with the same mentality which created them in the first place! This was one of those problems.

That’s when the builder called the small, but reputable roofing company I worked for.

The valley errors were all pretty obvious… and typical of the ones that rookies and poorly-trained roofers make. I will say this for them… they were consistent. All six valleys had exactly the same problems. And all six had to be completely re-laid, costing the builder more much more than he paid for the entire roof.

One of your biggest challenges when roofing your own home is the valleys. After repairing hundreds of them over the years, I see the same mistakes over and over. Here are the three most common problems… and how to avoid them!

Read the 3 tips on how to install roof shingles – here.

By John C. Bishop

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C._Bishop

http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Install-Roof-Shingles—Three-Valley-Tips&id=1489181

Roof Shingles Installation – Eaves, Edges, Valleys

Roof Shingles - Mar 09,2012 - No Comment

Roof shingles installation is not just about slapping shingles on the plain areas of the roof and hammering in a few nails. There is more to roof installation that meets the eye at first glance. It is how we deal with the eaves, the edges, the valleys, the ridges and the areas around fixtures like chimneys, skylights, dormers and other vents on the roof.

Not taking proper precautions while installing shingles in these areas can spell disaster to your roof

Before, we start with the shingles an important layer that is usually forgotten by most newbie or diy roofers is laying the ice and water shield. This is very important for roofs that very shallow pitch. The shield layers should be at least two feet higher than the inner wall. If you find that shield height is lower than raise the height by installing an half roll. Make sure that the shield is at least half or three quarters of an inch overhanging the plywood edge. It should be under the drip edge and seal gaps between fascia and plywood.

This way the ice does not backup under the drip edge and into the top of the fascia board. Place the ice and water shield in the valleys too. Next, important step is applying felt all over the decking. Use the 30 pound or 15 pound felt depending on the building rules in your area. Make sure the felt rolls overlap and nail the layers into the decking in three rows with a slight offset so that they make a W pattern of nailing. If you live in very windy conditions add an extra row of nails to keep the felt from getting blown away.

Next, comes the actual roof shingles installation. Start with the starter courses. These are 3-tab shingles with the tab cut off. Install the shingles, let them overhang a over the drip edge by half an inch. The tar strip show be at the edge preventing it from getting blown off in a wind.

Start from the outer edge. Install the first few shingles then go the next,row by cutting off 6 inches in the next shingle and keep cutting cutting off 6 inches for every row above. The first row of shingles have to go on top of the starter shingles with the tab faces downwards towards the edge of the roof. After you no longer can reach to lay a shingle comfortably, move your ladder little and continue laying the shingles till you reach the other edge. Proceed upwards till the ridge.The staggering of the rows helps prevent the lining up of shingles which in a heavy, wind conditions can simply tear off whole columns of shingles in a zipper kind of effect. Each shingle has to be nailed in using 4 nails.

If you have any doubts about how specific roof shingles installation has to be done then look at the wrapper that comes with the shingles. The directions for the laying them are clearly spelled out in these wrappers. Follow those directions and you won’t go wrong.

New Roof Estimates – How To Get Accurate Roofing Estimates?

Roof Repair - Mar 08,2012 - No Comment

New roof estimates help home owners make reasoned decisions about roof repairs or roof replacement, and is an estimate given by a professional like roofing contractor to finish a job. It will typically include material and labor costs and will be limited to a specific type of job with a particular roof or style of roofing. It is a good starting point, but by no means a complete document on the basis of which you will make any final choice or start a project.

New roof estimates proposals will often offer comparative options for different quality of materials and to suit various budgets. Included in the roof estimate will be choices of products and brands, as well as a listing of services that the contractor will carry out and the rates for each. There will be a section that outlines the responsibilities of both sides – you, the client, and the professional contractor. There may even be some information about financing the project.

New roof estimates will be provided by the contractor in writing. Proposals are firmer contracts that are provided after the estimates are reviewed and found satisfactory. Once you receive a new roof estimate, go through it carefully and meticulously. There is often room for misunderstanding, and you would do well not to assume things but instead clarify each issue until there is no confusion or subterfuge.

In case you don’t find some element you expected to see, or disagree with some of the things mentioned, make note of them and bring them up for discussion at your next meeting with the contractor. Never just take things for granted, but clarify, specify and get in writing any modifications that you seek in the contract.

Your new roof estimate will depend upon certain factors, which can be elicited through some questions:

What is the style of your roof?
What roofing materials will you be using?
What color and texture will your roof be?
How many days will the project last?
Who will do the work and when?
What is the overall cost estimate for the new roof?

Once you have this information in the new roof estimate, it is time to begin the actual project work. The components of the project that will be covered in your estimate include:

Construction – this is the building process after the old roof is torn down and the components disposed

Ventilation – this includes attic ventilation and ways to eliminate humidity and heat, while lowering heating/cooling costs of the building

Removal – this covers the tearing down cost of the old roof as well as any costs involved in disposing the elements

Fire ratings – this is important in some areas and is governed by a series of laws and regulations your contractor will be informed about

Roofing materials – this should cover the entire list of materials you will be using, specifically mentioning quality, quantity, brand, cost and nature of accessories that will be used in the new roof

Tile or Shingle – this is an important decision based on the type of new roof, and will have a major effect on the overall budget

New roof estimates will help cover all these areas and provide home owners like you with the necessary information to make the new roof installation as trouble and pain free as practically possible.

Roof Shingle Calculator – Estimating The Requirement Of Shingles

Roof Shingles - Mar 07,2012 - No Comment

A roof shingle calculator will be of invaluable help to homeowners to make a correct estimate about the number of roofing shingles needed for a job or a re-roofing project. Give yourself lot of time to assess and making the required math to know the number and quantity of shingles, the felt paper, under-layment, flashing, nails, vents, turbines, ridge caps and other materials needed to complete a roofing project.

When you do a thorough job and make your calculations as accurate as possible you will be able to order all the materials before starting the roofing project. You don’t have to wait around for materials after you start laying the shingles. A roof shingle calculator gives you an accurate amount of shingles to order. Based on this figure you can order all other related items. When you prepare well in advance you job will move along smoothly and with out interruption. You also can finish it on time which gives more satisfaction than anything else.

A roof shingle calculator needs some preliminary data that is used to arrive at the number of shingles to order. Here we will explore two methods of calculating roofing shingles quantity to order. You also have to factor in extra roof shingles for wastage, overlapping and starter shingles.

There are certain roofing terms that you need to know when using the roof shingle calculator.

Square- This is a roofing term that refers to an area equal to 100 square feet in real terms. So, if you are buying a square of roofing shingles it means that it will cover 100 square feet of roof area.

Bundle – Shingles are wrapped in paper or plastic and sold in bundles. These bundles are light enough to be carried by any person. So, when buying heavier shingles you will need to order more bundles than when buying light-weight shingles. Usually the standard asphalt 3-tab shingles cover 3 square per bundle. There are about 29 shingles in bundle of size 12 inches by 36 inches. Heavier laminated and architectural shingles need 4-5 bundles to cover the same area.

So, now you know the basic terms used in roof shingle calculator. Next, most important step is to go measure your roof. You need to the area of your roof to order roof shingles. To measure the roof you can either measure it or use the sheet count method.

Measurement:

Get up on the roof measure each plane of the roof, get its length and width and calculate the area by multiplying the lenght and width of each of plane and adding them all up to arrive at the square footage of the roof to be used in the roof shingle calculator. If you have steep slopes then measuring the area is a little more complex. First measure the length of the building at the ground level and make provisions for any roof overhangs. Now, walk up a ladder and using a stiff measuring tape, measure the length of the slope from the eaves to the edge of the ridge.

Sheet Count Method:

In the other using the sheet count method to use in the roof shingle calculator, you just count the number of sheets needed to cover the whole area. It’s fast method and can be done from the ground. This can be only done with the sheathing is exposed and panels are of 4 feet by 8 feet are used as structural panels. Count the full panels and make a estimate about the ripped and crosscut sheets at the edges and make it up to a full sheet. If sheets are diagonally cut then assign them a size of say or half or quarter depending on the cut. As each sheet measures 32 feet area you can arrive at the square footage by adding up all the sheets you have counted.

How Much To Order?

If the roof shingles you are ordering are of the kind that cover 3 bundles to a square then it is easy to order one bundle for every sheet of roof sheathing you counted. If you are buying the heavier or lighter kind of bundles then just divdide the number of sheets of sheathing by 3. This gives you the total number of squares of sheet needed to cover the roof. The calculations are fairly simple and you can work it out yourself that three sheets of sheathing cover roughtly 100 square feet or one square in roofing terms.

All these measurements may seem very simplistic but you don’t have to be really that exact considering that there will be wastage of shingles and at the edges and corners you have to allow for good margin, you have to calculate for the overlapping and so on. If your roof shingles calculator allows for healthy margin for extra shingles then that might be quite enough. Else, you need to order more.

Take Into Account Wastage

Remember that you will need to order more than the just square foot area of the roof. Starter courses along the eaves and at rakes, extra shingles for ridges, hips and valleys all need more shingles than the area they cover. Also, in order to stagger the joints you have to cut the shingles by half a tab length for every row, this again will generate its own waste, against the walls and around chimneys and other vents, shingles will need to be cut to fit correctly. Some wastage is inevitable due to breakage, wrong cutting, improper nailing or tearing. So, add about 3 bundles of extra shingles to the value arrived at by your roof shingles calculator. If you are inexperienced you may need more than that.

Installing Roof Shingles – Pitfalls To Avoid And Tips For Effective Roofing

Roof Shingles - Mar 07,2012 - No Comment

As a homeowner the task of installing roof shingles is a daunting one unless you are a professional roofing contractor or have lot of do-it-yourself experience. But, considering that the maximum expense incurred in a roofing project is cost of labor most homeowners are tempted to take up this project as a challenge. Roofing is not all that difficult if you know the basics like hammering, nailing, measuring, keeping straight lines and most important keeping safety rules in mind.

Most homeowners are first time roofers. And as beginners they tend to make mistakes when installing roof shingles. In our experience it has been found that amateurs roofers commit the following ten most common mistakes. They leave out the starter strip. The starter strip is first line of shingles which do not have tabs. Second mistake they commit is not following a straight line when installing the shingles. This will create a wavy appearance and immediately shows up as a work done by amateur.

Third mistake that most people doing roofs for the first time is not allowing for a overhand of shingles at the eaves. The overhang helps the water/snow to fall to the ground rather than drip on the walls of the home. Shingles have to be nailed properly and firmly. Many roofers tend to do this wrong and this causes the shingles to come away soon after laying or damages the shingles becoming the source of leak soon after. When installing roof shingles anew it is important to replace flashing around chimneys and other vents, skylights and windows. This makes the roof secure around these openings in the roof without any danger of water seepage or leaks.

A big mistake is to use tar to seal any gaps in the roof. Tar is a big no-no. When it is hot the tar melts and oozes into the surrounding shingles damaging them. Bigger mess is when the tar melts and flows over the sidings and walls of the house. To fix this mess you will be paying a lot more than what you spend on a professional roofer. Installing roof shingles can be a tough job for first-timer but does not excuse any tardy work as this will haunt you for years to come. Another big mistake is not maintaining straight lines at the hip and ridges. A roof is the first thing that most people will notice about a home. A badly done job can reduce the value of your home by several thousand dollars.

When installing roof shingles for every shingle use 4 nails. The shingles should overlap. At every point on the roof, wherever there are joints and even where there are none, shingles have to overlap. At the eaves, near the edges, near the hips, valleys, all the vents, flashing, gutters and hips. The shingles have to be laid so no adjacent rows have the shingles lined up. This is to prevent wind-shear or the zipper effect when a whole columns of shingles are blown away in a strong wind. If you think you can do with 3 nails for every shingle then you are in big trouble. The extra nail takes only a few seconds more and will save your roof from a catastrophic failure later on.

Where the manufacturing guidelines mention that you will need ice and water shield make sure you use it. The felt on the deck protects it from potential damage. Particularly on low pitched roofs where the drainage or evacuation of water and snow is slower ice and water shield is a must. If you avoid the above mistakes when installing roof shingles you will do good job of which you can be proud. also, you will get years of trouble free service from your newly installed roof.

What Factors Impact The Cost To Replace A Roof?

Roof Repair - Mar 05,2012 - No Comment

How much do you think it will cost to replace a roof? This question, with various nuances and twists, has been asked so many times that this report was created as a definitive answer to help others like you who face the dilemma of trying to budget for roof replacement – and want to know how much they should expect to pay to replace a roof.

Sometimes home owners are forced to replace a roof because they got scammed. For instance, a home flipper may fob off a building on you after just slapping on a new row of shingles over an older worn out roof. When you take possession of the new home and go through everything carefully, you may discover that the roof needs to be replaced and get a quote from a roofing contractor.

So what does it cost to replace a roof? Do typical costs run into tens of thousands of dollars? Or can it be done in a more cost effective manner?

Cost To Replace a Roof – A Ballpark Figure

If you begin with a working estimate of $250 per square, you’ll not be far off the correct figure. This estimate should include the cost of roofing material and labor, with additional charges being applicable for complex work such as roofing around chimneys, skylights, working on steep roofs and special tasks that may be unique to your building.

The cost to replace a roof will depend upon the size of your building and the area of the roof to be replaced. What material was used before, and what kind of roof you are looking to install now are other factors. Special issues such as a very steep pitch, bad climatic conditions, the need to remove or fix rotten wood frames of the older roof, and disposal of environment-unfriendly previous material will all escalate the cost to replace a roof.

Should the Cost to Replace a Roof Intimidate You?

The short and simple answer – absolutely not! Look, there are some home improvements and modifications that are optional and can be put off to whenever it is convenient and affordable. Replacing one’s roof does sit under this umbrella category. But if you put it off for too long, not only will the problem become more severe, you may face several other related damages to your home which could end up costing more by way of money and trouble than if you acted promptly to replace your roof.

Unless you first make sure your roof is secure and non-leaky, any other improvement jobs you do inside the home will be to waste. The most excellent interior decorating job or an attractive paint job will be ruined when your roof leaks. So replace your roof first before engaging upon other interior work.

Does the Cost to Replace a Roof Decrease in Summer?

Not really, especially if you can find a good roofing contractor to handle your project. Indeed, in certain climates, it can be practically impossible to find ideal weather conditions in which to have your roof replaced. That’s why whatever you pay for roofing contractors is money well spent. They will be able to handle your roofing job regardless of weather conditions, and not many will charge you more for working in bad weather.

It is however important to ensure that some areas are dry and will have time for the roofing cement to set before further work can progress. So if the circumstances are very bad, then artificial protection for the working area may be necessary for a portion of the time, which can add to the cost to replace a roof.

The Roof Replacement Process

A modest roof replacement job can be done in just 3 or 4 days. The step by step sequence is similar for most buildings. The first step is to remove existing roofing, including roof shingles. These must then be safely disposed. Any repairs that are necessary on the roof are then carried out. Ice dam protection may be needed in some locations.

The next step is to lay asphalt paper on the roofing area, and then the shingles are fixed in a sequence that is well described and followed by most roofing professionals. The projections and outcroppings on any roof are handled specifically, taking care to ensure no leaks are left. Flashing is applied around chimneys, vents and dormers. Ridge vents are finally placed and the roofing job is finished.

The cost to replace a roof depends upon all these factors and the degree of damage that exists at present. By working with a skilled professional and taking care to act promptly before the damage is too severe, it is possible to replace a roof in a cost effective and efficient manner.