Tag Archives: roof repair

Should you Replace Or Repair Your Roof?

Homeowners saddled with a damaged or leaky roof face a very tricky situation.

Should they go for a simple roof repair or replace it entirely?

It’s not a decision that can be made lightly or on the spur of the moment unless the roof has suffered catastrophic damage in which case there is no option but to replace it.

A few factors that should be noted before going for roof repair or replacement include:

1. Are they any shingles missing, damaged, curled or torn?

2. Is the roof deck sagging when inspected from inside the home?

3. Are they any signs of water damage, dark spots, trails or water leak on the ceiling?

4. Is the sky or sunlight visible through the ceiling when looked at from inside the house?

5. Are the roofing materials like shingles and flashing around chimneys, skylights, dormer windows and other vulnerable spots intact?

6. Do the shingles show signs of excessive damage when inspected from outside? Are the gutters filled with more than usual amount of shiny granules?

7. Are they any visible signs of mold, rot, fungus on your roof or ceiling?

In most cases replacing the damaged shingles or tiles will solve the problem. However if the roof has worn out in a number of places or is extensively damaged a replacement of the entire roof may be recommended. It is better not to jump to conclusions and go for a new roof without expert opinion. Ask experienced roofing contractors and get at least 3 opinions and go with the advice that is most logical advice based on long years of experience.

As a general guide cedar wood roofs will last about 20 years. When it’s time for replacement it will just fall apart in dry climates or get mossy and green in wet climate. Tiles and copper roofs will last 100 years. But, they are delicate and walk over them is not recommended. An occasional tile will break or get damaged and can easily be replaced. Same is the case with slate roofs. Concrete roofs don’t need replacement for the lifetime of the house. Asphalt roofs need replacement after 15 years.

In case your home needs a new roof then it is better to choose a roof that suits your local weather and climate. A light-weight metal roof is recommended for areas with extensive snow fall. The snow melts and falls off such roofs and does not pile and cause a roof collapse. Homes situated near woods, forests or dry brush should opt for durable roofs like slate, tile or metal. Asphalt or wood roofs are a fire hazard as they can easily catch fire. Slate, tile and metal roofs are expensive but last 100 years and are good investment. Slate and tile roofs are elegant, aesthetic and have long life but they are heavy and need strong roofing structure to take care of the extra weight.

Roofing is not an easy DIY project. It takes major effort, expert skill and years of experience to do it right. A roof that has been installed properly will a last its life-time without any trouble if routine maintenance and repairs are done on schedule.

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Storms, Hurricane or Hail Damage to Roof – Steps to Replacing Old Roof or Repairing Damaged Roof

Natural Calamities And Disasters:

Every year hurricanes, strong winds, rains, storms, tornadoes, dust storms, blizzards and hail buffet our roofs causing untold damage to our property. It’s the nightmare that we all wish to avoid but can’t really do much if you are in path of hurricane, tornado or blizzard.

The wind speeds in a hail storm can be as high as 120 miles per hour, in a hurricane it can reach speeds over 150 miles per hour. Blizzards and tornadoes can be similarly devastating. While some of the damage is obvious, most of isn’t as apparent. If not assessed, you would never know the damaged sustained by your roof and can be unpleasantly surprised several months later. If the damaged roof isn’t fixed soon after the damage is sustained, it can worsen over time causing irreparable damage to various aspects of your roof and can be potentially damaging to the contents of your home.

Roof Inspection:

A complete and thorough inspection of the roof is very important and has to be as soon as possible after the damage is sustained. The first step obviously is to make a call to the company that laid your roof. You can also contact other trusted roofing companies in your area if for some reason your previous roofing contractor isn’t available. The roofing company will assess the damage to your roof. The assessment of roof damage is done on a randomly selected 100 square foot area of the roof. The cross-section of the roof is inspected to check the full extent of damage.

They will inspect the roof, gutters, sidings, chimneys, skylights and other roofing features. Most roofing contractors will do this assessment for free and present a quote with what needs to be done to restore and repair your roof. If your roof has suffered hail impact, then these are counted, circled and numbered. This will give an idea about the damage sustained by your entire roof. The gutters, gutter screens and other roofing aspects are checked for dents, cracks and holes. Once all aspects are inspected it is time to present you will a complete report about the state of your home. Most roofing contractors will explain the damaged sustained by the roof and how to fix it. They will give you the recommendations and give you a quote about the costs involved.

Assessing Roof Damage And Filing For Insurance Claims:

Experienced roofing contractors have spent a life-time assessing roof damage and filing for insurance claims. If they are offering that service take their help in filing your insurance claim. An insurance adjuster will fix up a time with your roofing contractor/yourself and will make joint inspection to ensure that the claims about the damages sustained are all in order. After all the parties have reached an agreement about the extent of the storm damage, cost for roof repair/roof replacement will be estimated and numbers arrived at.

Usually, within a couple of weeks you will receive information about the agreement reached between you and the insurance company and a check towards the first payment for your roof replacement. If you will pay a certain part of the roof replacement cost which is the deductible from the total cost. In most cases you will not receive the entire amount of cost of repairs as age of the roof, its condition before replacement; depreciation will be taken into consideration.

Warranty For Installation:

Your final check will be sent in after the roofing company finishes the work and sends in the work completion report. Before that you will need to finalize your roofing material choice, the color and design choice with your roofing contractor. Get all the permits and clearances required to replace and repair your roof. Make sure that the contractor does not damage your existing landscaping and other elements of your home. Damage to decking has to be fixed before new roof goes on it.

Ensure that the roofing contractor follows all the warranty specification and NCRA prescribed standards for your roof repair or replacement. Make sure that they properly dispose of old roofing materials and other debris accumulated during roof installation. A quality controller from the roofing company will make an inspection of the roof and issue a standard 10 year warranty for their roofing installation. They will also make sure that you are satisfied with the work done. A final check from the insurance company will be sent once the work is completed.

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Commercial Roof Repairs – How To Efficiently Manage This Complex Issue

Commercial roof repairs are a tough and challenging task, as the roof covering can sometimes span great areas and dealing with huge numbers is basically the difference between residential and commercial roof repairs. Since there are many types of materials used for commercial roofing system, commercial roof repairs are will always be a big job and an ongoing endeavor every commercial and business establishment owners should be ready and prepare for.

Almost all commercial and industrial roofing are built with flat roofs. This is because these types of roofing system are very sturdy, durable, and have a great structural stability. They are likewise very easy to maintain, offer safe access to rooftop AC units, and excellently cost-effective compared to sloped roofs.

However, even with these good features and qualities of roofing system cannot endure weathering, degradation, and deterioration in the long run, which is why proper commercial roof repairs or industrial roof repairs and maintenance are necessary and essential. Commercial roof leaks, coating deterioration, rust or corrosion, small holes, cracks, to name a few are among the types of commercial roofing problems that requires commercial roof repairs.

However tough and durable commercial or industrial roofing systems are, it is not impervious against the onslaught of the elements, the expansion and contraction, weathering and acidity over time. An example of these commercial establishments is a restaurant with flat roofing, as it is likewise very susceptible to weathering and significant roofing damage, since most of these commercial structures are located mostly out in the open and are always at the mercy of the elements and various weather conditions.

Significant damage and wear-and-tear will occur eventually, and to address this issue appropriately will require the expertise of reliable and professional commercial roofers to do the restaurant roof repairs.

There are many commercial roof repairs options to choose from out on the market, especially for flat roofs such as EPDM coating, TPO commercial roof repairs, metal coatings, gravel foam system, silicone, acrylic, polyurethane and butyl, rubber membrane and shingles roof coatings, asphalt, and more. These commercial roof repairs options are very efficient and effective in providing the appropriate commercial roof repairs and protection for any commercial and industrial roofs. Applying coatings on roofs whether flat or metal roof can enhance the life and performance of commercial roofs, as commercial roof repairs coatings serve as an effective barrier of protection against various weather conditions and the elements.

Regular maintenance and inspection should be done for commercial roofing system in order to improve the roof life span and minimize the need for costly commercial roof repairs. Hiring reliable commercial roofing experts to provide maintenance on the commercial roof can avoid any unnecessary and expensive replacement and commercial roof repairs. These roofing experts will thoroughly inspect and check very possible location of roof damage and wear-and-tear, and will recommend possible solutions and commercial roof repairs.

Only when these professionals have completed their commercial roof repairs will any building owner relax, secure in the knowledge that their roofing problems have been solved.

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Benefits & Drawbacks of Roof Tiles

Roof tiles pale in popularity in comparison to other types of roof shingles. Roof tiles are manufactured from terra cotta or concrete, and are used in some geographic locales that feature architecture that’s characteristic and unique to the area. Tiles give a certain old world charm to a building, creating a feeling of something special and intimate in the neighborhood.

Terra cotta roof tiles are conventional, having been used for hundreds of years in construction. They are sturdy, durable and long lasting, having been proven to be effective roofing solutions over decades of safe existence. Their very endurance has shown how superior they are as a roofing system.

Some roof tiles manufactured to the highest standards of quality and style are ideal for use in certain marine environments where roofs are subjected to corrosion and erosion from salt-laden moisture borne in the wind. Other kinds of roofs get damaged easily under such circumstances, but roof tiles can withstand even their harmful effects. Where there are temperature extremes, with freezing cold in winter leading to thawing of the roof tiles afterwards in summer, tile roofs are again tough enough to tolerate the stress. There are other advantages as well.

Roof tiles are very durable. Most last for 50 to 70 years, even longer. Asphalt shingle roofs, on the other hand, typically last only for 15 to 20 years, and under harsh weather conditions this may be even shorter. In considerations of cost versus durability, the expensive tile roof comes up a clear winner simply because over the long term the home owner saves much more by way of repairs and replacement costs to justify the upfront expense. Roof tiles come in lightweight versions also, which has the added benefit of not requiring any structural modification to the roof frame in order to support the new roof.

Roof tiles come in a range of textures and colors. In style, they range from Mediterranean to Spanish, shake, wood and slate designs, and in different color combinations like traditional reds, greens and blues. You can find shades of gray roof tiles to match different architecture and patterns. Terra cotta roof tile colors are lasting and manufacturers will guarantee this for the lifetime of the tiles. You may use a combination of traditional and risque tiles to create a stunning or eye-grabbing appearance.

For more information about roof tiles and to know what other factors to look for before ordering your roof tiles, be sure to read this longer report.

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How Much Does Roof Construction Cost?

Roof construction can be considered one of the critical elements of your home building. Of the entire budget for your house, the lion’s share will be for the roof. Your roof’s structure and style, the materials you use for roof construction and the labor costs you incur together make up the price you’ll pay for a new roof. Estimating the cost of roof construction is not very difficult, and you can do it even more easily with the aid of a roofing calculator.

Roof construction involves the following steps. First comes the construction of a superstructure upon a frame, usually of wood, followed by sheathing, roofing felt and flashing. Then the surface of the roof is laid, making up the final cover. Regardless of what kind of roof you get, the superstructure will cost almost the same because it involves putting up a skeleton upon which the rest of your roof will be built. The only factor that may increase your expense is if the frame needs to be reinforced because the new roof you install will be heavier than the older one.

Roof construction can be of 3 kinds. Traditional or ‘cut’ roofs are made with beams and trussed rafters. The choice will depend upon how much roof space is available and how you intend using it. The easiest way to roof construction is by using closed trussed rafters. These come prefabricated for easy installation. The major disadvantage of this style is that the enclosed roof space becomes useless and cannot be re-purposed for other uses.

Wherever the space beneath the roof has other purposes, you must opt for alternatives like cut, beam or panellized roofs. Open rafters with trusses or attic trusses may also serve the same purpose. The cost of the frame isn’t very important here in light of the fact that the space being useful pays for itself in a short time.

Beam and panel roof construction is useful in simple roofs that don’t have much detailing. But complex roof construction designs need traditional roofs that fit your needs. Whichever kind of roof you end up choosing, be sure that you have taken note of the roof edge. Overhanging eaves or closed off ones are options, and the gables are another choice you must make.

For more about roof construction, go through this special report here.

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

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.

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Roof Repairs for Leaky Flat and Low-Sloping Roofs

Roof repairs can be a home owners nightmare!  The biggest cause of early-onset roofing problems is failure in the early stages to find and resolve any minor faults or deterioration. On relatively low-sloped roofs this holds particularly true of roofing materials.

Adverse weather conditions require inspection of roofs, and emergency repairs may need to administered, because water leakage into a building can happen at any time (nights, weekends, holidays and so on).  Be aware that it is not advisable to attempt repairs on roofs during storms because of the danger of lightning striking, and high winds, and caution should be taken when inspecting a roof after such adverse weather in case of damage to the structure, which may have left the roof in a hazardous condition.

If there is any cause for concern about the condition of the roof, contact a professional roofing contractor to arrange inspection and any repairs required.  If there is no-one available, and to prevent damage to the interior of the building and its contents, emergency repairs can be undertaken.  These should be as simple as possible to maximize safety of non-professional roofers, and they should be classed as temporary only – the permanent repairs being undertaken as soon as the weather allows.

If there is a manufacturer’s warranty, the manufacturer and the installation contractor should be contacted right away.

Roof Repairs – Procedures

There is a vast number of types of roofing membranes, too many to tailor to emergency roof repairs individually.  If literature or advice cannot be found, or if there are no procedures available for emergency repairs, the following guidelines are suggested:

Protect the interior: Use containers to catch water leakages and plastic sheeting to protect building contents.

As much water should be removed from the roof as possible.  Drains and scuppers need to be checked for any blockages and that they are functional.  Excessive pooling of water on the roof causes leakage and collapse, and it is usually caused by blocked drains and/or scuppers.

While clearing debris from drains, utmost caution needs to be exercised, as draining water causes excessive suction force which can suck tools, hands and limbs quickly into the vortex and down the drain.

Locate the source of a leak: The area of leakage in the interior of the building should be inspected to locate the exact point on the roof surface above when determining the source of a leak.  From here, check the condition of rooftop mechanical equipment and all flashing at terminations and penetrations.  Next remove any ballast from the immediate site of leak and inspect the membrane surface for any damage.  Lastly, check roofing membrane seams (laps).

PLEASE NOTE: On a roof membrane that has been installed over insulation on a structural concrete deck, it can be very difficult to locate the source of a leak, as well as over an existing membrane or vapor retarder.  Where the source of the leak cannot be located, the building owner or maintenance personnel may have no other alternative than just controlling the spread of water until professional help arrives.

Perform emergency repairs: Choose roofing materials which will cause the minimalist of damage to the roofing membrane once the source of the leak is located.

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How To Pick a Roof Contractor

Choosing a roof contractor who knows his or her job, will be professional and deliver quality and value is not easy when you go by an advertisement in the local newspaper or a free ad listing in the yellow pages. After all, who in their senses would believe all that’s in a paid ad? What we would love to have is proof that the roof contractor is good, and references from people we know or trust to vouch for the contractor’s credentials. There are many roof contractors to choose from in any area, and that’s hardly surprising considering how many buildings need roof repairs and replacement.

What should you look for in a roof contractor? First, verify and don’t blindly trust. Check claims made by any roof contractor using all means available to you. Get references of work done for prior clients, and then contact them for feedback. Don’t just accept the company’s general reference, but enquire about the specific roof contractor who was involved in the project. A larger company might employ many different contractors and the one who works on your home is the one whose track record matters to you.

Check that the roof contractor has an office that’s permanent, with a phone number, fax and other fixed assets indicating they are not a fly-by-night outfit. This will become important in case you have to contact them later on about problems with the installation. A startup roof contractor might close shop after fitting a few roofs and making a quick profit, and if there’s a problem with the job, you’ll be left holding the bag.

Your roof contractor must have insurance. Check the insurance papers for workers who will be involved in your project as well as the contractor’s own papers. The insurance should be comprehensive and cover all liabilities and compensations involving all workers. It could get expensive if you were liable in case of accidents at your work site.

Worker safety is an important industry norm. If your roof contractor does not have the necessary safety training, you’d be taking a big risk. Check to see if the other workers have been trained as well. Some States have regulations that mandate this by law and instruct licencing boards to check their members are bonded. You can ask your state board for these details or even check their website for the information. This is intended to protect you, so even if you’re in a hurry, be sure to check this out.

For more information about hiring a roof contractor, be sure to read this full report.

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