What To Look For In A New Roof

Tear Off Or Second Layer

It was once common to lay a new shingle roof over the preexisting layer at least once, or sometimes even twice. This roofing practice is no longer allowed in some jurisdictions, where complete tear-off of the previous roofing is now required. Even where layering is allowed, applying a new layer of shingles over the old should be carefully considered based on its pros and cons:

How To Check Your Roof Frame

You should inspect the structural integrity of your roof, especially if you’ve had leaks previously. Check out the plywood supports of your roof. Look for any spots where sheathing is breaking apart, soft or disintegrating and replace this immediately.

It’s also helpful to peel away that first layer before installation to look for leaks in the frame. If you do find something, you can make repairs to avoid more severe issues in the future and extend the longevity of your roof.

Hiring A Reputable Roofing Contractor

Choosing a qualified Northern Virginia roofing contractor is one of the most important decisions youll make when installation or repairing your roof. While contractors differ in terms of experience and services, most qualified roofing contractors share certain similarities. Confirm that your contractor has an established business with a reachable telephone number and business license. A quality contractor should also possess insurance, professional credentials, and a good rating with the Better Business Bureau. Also check to see if the contractor offers a warranty that covers all work and materials. While a low bid may be tempting, you usually get what you pay for.

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What The Roof Replacement Process Looks Like

The day your roof is installed is the most important day in the life of your roof. It must be installed using correct roofing techniques to truly give you peace of mind. But what does the roof replacement process look like?

The first step to your roof replacement is getting all the roofing materials delivered to your home. Then your local roofing contractor arrives on the day of your replacement and makes sure all the vehicles are moved out of your driveway or garage.

After making sure everything is clear for them to start, theyll start setting up protection for your property and begin the tear-off process. After your old roof is torn off to a clean decking, theyll begin installing all of your new roofing materials.

Once your new roof is properly installed, your contractor will clean up your property and inspect your new roof to ensure the workmanship reaches the high standards you expect.

This is a short summary of what your replacement looks like. To go into more details about the entire replacement process, read this article on the 8-step process to replace your roof.

When Should I Have My Roof Inspected

No roof inspection guide would be complete unless it includes the best time to have your roof inspected. Commonly, roof inspections are done for the following reasons.

• After a storm: Your insurance company will likely require a roof inspection if a storm damage claim is made. Often, the insurance company will send out their own inspector to confirm the validity of a claim.
• Periodic inspection: Different roofing materials have different lifespans. Keeping a constant eye on your roof is important. But, after half of your roofs expected lifespan has passed you should have your roof professionally inspected every three to four years. Consider doing this even more often if you live in a harsh climate, and less often in milder areas. A good rule of thumb is to schedule roof inspections well before colder months arrive to ensure enough time is available should urgent repairs need to be made.
• Roof appraisal: If you are buying a home, its never a bad idea to know what youre getting into regarding the condition of your new roof. Sellers can add a selling point to their property if they have the roof inspected and approved.

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Tile And Cement Roofs

Tile and cement roofs are common on Spanish Colonial and Mission styles homes, and create a wavy look and effect. These roofs tend to be expensive, heavy and durable and will require reinforcement to the roof framing to provide adequate support. They have excellent fire resistance, but a lower wind resistance than other roofing materials.

Should I Remove The Old Roof Or Leave It Up

The second thing to consider is whether or not you want the old roof removed before installing a new one. Some people prefer this for aesthetic reasons, but others dont because they believe that tearing off an old roof can lead to more problems, such as peeling paint and other damage from the house. Many roofers recommend removing the old shingles and any other materials that may be attached to the home. Doing so will make it easier for the new roofer to work and get a better deal on your house, meaning there will be fewer leaks and better protection. If you need to install new flashing and underlayment, you will have no choice but to remove the old shingles.

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What Are The Tell

If you manage to get through the purchasing process without a roof inspection, you might still want to have an idea of the condition of the roof when negotiating with the seller on price. There are some easy ways to tell if the home has roof damage that needs to be repaired or replaced right away.

• Request home maintenance records from the seller to determine the age of the roof. Even if the roof is fine for now, a roof that is 10 to 15 years old is more likely to need replacement.
• Check the gutters and downspouts for asphalt granules from deteriorating shingles.
• Determine what material was used in the current flashing. Flashing is used to seal the seams in your roof to protect against leaks. If it is made of tar or cement you should consider replacing with metal flashing for more durability and protection.
• Step back as far as possible so you can see more of your roof. Look for signs of moss, displaced or warped shingles, or obvious sagging, you need to assume the roof should be replaced.
• Check the ceilings and corners of the rooms in the home. Discoloration or stains are a good indication of roof leaks and hidden water damage.
• If youre still not sure, contact us to schedule an inspection and estimate, during which we will inspect your roof to determine what, if anything, should be done in the near future.

How To Prevent Needing Another Roof Replacement

As you understand by now, installing a roof is a complicated task you’d probably like to avoid for as long as possible. While all roofing materials eventually need to be replaced, their life span can be prolonged with proper maintenance. Here are a few maintenance tips to help your roof last as long as it can:

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How Loud Getting A New Roof Installed Will Be

Installing a new roof can be loud. Stripping away the old shingles and installing a new roof can create excess noise in your neighborhood. Children, pets or other household members sensitive to noise may want to go to a different location while the work happens.

During the replacement process, you’ll need a lot of materials to cover your roof. This means there will likely be a delivery truck in your driveway for a good amount of the day. If you need to go places throughout the day, move your car before the deliveries start so you don’t get blocked in.

Invest In A Quality Roof Replacement

A roof replacement is an investment. And just like every other investment, your replacement isnt going to be cheap.

I understand everyone is on a budget, and a low price may drive your decisions. However, its crucial to your roof investment that you choose quality materials and labor instead of going with the cheapest options available.

If you decide to go with the cheapest roof, youre getting the cheapest roofing materials with the cheapest labor to install them. When you pay for this cheap labor and materials, it shows in the finished quality of your roof, which will cost you more money in the long run with repairs and eventually, a full roof replacement.

To learn more about how investing in quality is important to you and your roofs life, read this article on 3 ways cheap roofs cost more in the long run.

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What A Free Roofing Estimate Should Include

After youve narrowed your roofing company search down to a few possibilities, its time to request some free estimates. Make sure you get at least two, although three to four is better so you have a better idea of the average recommendation for your job.

Dont just hire the first roofing company you meet with, even if they seem to check all of the boxes. Let them know youll be in touch, and meet with a second company to be sure of your initial first impressions.

While youre meeting with companies and getting free roofing estimates for the job, this is your chance to ask questions about the company. Take advantage of this time to be sure the roofer is competent, responsible, and trustworthy. The free estimate is both so they can understand the job and so you can get to know them.

Heres both what the free roofing estimate should cover and what questions you should ask the Silver Spring roofers before you sign a contract.

How To Prepare For A New Roof Installation In Silver Spring Maryland

Youve researched your roofer, gotten a fair estimate, asked your questions, and picked out your roofing materials, and are ready to forge ahead. Now you need to prepare your home or business for the work.

Preparing your home or business for a roofing crew in Maryland doesnt require a lot of work, but there are some important steps you will want to take. This checklist will help ensure your property is kept out of harms way, youre out of the house at the right time, and the crew has everything they need to complete the roof replacement.

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A Few Last Tips About Buying A Home

While an experienced inspector will do most of these checks for you, its important that you stay vigilant concerning inspecting the roof of the home you are considering to buy.

Once all inspections are complete, you should have a final report. Based on that report you should negotiate the pricing of the house and the repairs that must be done before you purchase that house as your new home.

If you live in the DFW area and need a roof inspection, we want you to know that we offer a FREE Roof Inspection service where we provide you a detailed, written inspection report of your roof. If you need inspection, please reach out to us and we will be glad to help you out.

There are some issues, such as leaks and any signs of mold that should be fixed properly before you buy the home. However, if roof is just old and needs replacement in the near future, as discussed above, you can negotiate the replacement cost of the roof.

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Contact Us Today For Roof Installation And Replacement

Shopping for a new roof doesnt have to be stressful. Our team is the leading roofing contractor company in New York and our team of experts will work with you to make sure you get a roof that youre sure to love as well as a roof that will last a lifetime. They will assist you by walking you through every detail and finding the roof that meets your preferences and is properly ventilated and insulated to fit your home.

Contact us today for your Free Estimate, and we will help you select a roof that fits your home. Call us today at 631-2131 or contact us online.

• OPEN 7 Days a Week!
• Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Sat: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Sun: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

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Six Signs Your Roof Needs A Replacement

1. Leaks In Your Roof

This is the most critical sign that you need a new roof. The more leaks, the higher likelihood there is of water damage to your walls and floors. You cannot ignore this sign. Not only will the leaks and cracks cause water damage in your home, but they can also lead to mold growth if left unchecked for too long. If you notice any of these problems happening already, you must call a trusted roofing contractor that specializes in emergency roof replacement. You dont want to needlessly expose yourself or others living with asthma or allergies to more allergens than necessary.

2. Missing Shingles

The second most important sign that you need a new roof is missing shingles. Missing shingles means your roof cant withstand rainstorms and other natural disasters as well. You might not notice anything unusual now, but missing shingles can lead to leaks in the long run. The best way for you to know if your shingles are missing is by looking at the edge of your house during daylight hours. Look closely and see if any shingles seem to be gone or not securely in place, as this means they can easily fly off during a storm or other natural disasters. If you notice any missing shingles, get in touch with your trusted roofing contractor right away to assess your roof. The expert will tell you if the roof is repairable or needs a full replacement.

3. Curling or Buckling Shingles

4. Cracks In Your Ceiling

5. Moss and Algae Growth

6. Sagging Ceilings or Floors

Watch Out For Red Flags During Estimates

As we already mentioned, but cant continue to emphasize enough, make sure youre working with a trusted roofing company or contractor to complete the re-roof correctly. Look out for long turnaround times or teams that agree to work on your home without ever inspecting it in person. That probably means theyre just looking for fast payment, and wont finish the work. After all, how can they give you an accurate estimate without seeing the damage themselves?

Another red flag to remember revolves around permitting and building codes. If your contractor ever asks you to obtain the necessary permits for a roof installation run. Thats a good indicator that theyre not properly licensed and likely dont have the knowledge, skills, or experience to provide you with quality workmanship.

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Does The Buyer Or Seller Pay For A New Roof If One Is Needed

Whether the buyer or seller pays for a new roof depends on their negotiations and agreement. Who pays for necessary repairs, and what repairs will be made before closing, can vary greatly from one contract to another. The best way to handle it, however, is to have the roof replaced before closing and payment dealt with at that time.

If the buyer wants the seller to pay for a new roof, that can be done without having to come out of pocket if there is sufficient equity in the home. There is also the ability to upgrade shingle type, change color, or upgrade warranty based on the buyers preference, with any upgrades added to the contract as a buyer cost and also paid at the closing table.

The closing attorney cuts Rennison Roofing a check for balance due and remaining balance is paid to the seller. If the buyer has to pay for the repairs/replacement, the selling price of the new home could be increased by the amount required, and costs rolled into the mortgage payments. The buyer still has the option to customize their new roof with shingle type, color and warranty preference to suit their needs. The upgrades may be added to the contract as a buyer cost and also paid at the closing table.

Get The Hang Of The Roofing Lingo

Learn the basic parts of the roof and some of the terms of the trade before you start talking to contractors:

• Shingles are the visible top layer of the roof. Asphalt shingles are the most common.

• The decking is the plywood foundation of the roof, to which the shingles attach. Its sometimes called the sheathing.

• Underlay membrane is the water-resistant protective barrier between the decking and shingles. Traditionally, the underlayment was treated felt or tar paper. Superior products are on the market now. For example, Sears Home Services uses a durable synthetic underlayment that doesnt rip, like felt or tar paper can.

• Roof vents are small protrusions from roof that let heat escape from the attic.

• Flashing is a metal strip that covers gaps on a roof, such as where two roof sections meet or at the base of the chimney or vents. The drawback with metal flashing is that it rusts. Sears Home Services instead uses a synthetic waterproofing sealant to keep water from seeping between gaps.

• A square is a measurement of roof surface area thats equal to 100 square feet.

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Topic #1 How Do Roofing Materials Get Damaged

As the primary barrier between a home and the outside world, every homeowner hopes that their roof stays sturdy and damage-free over their familys head. However durable and strong your roof might seem, theyre still susceptible to damage, whether thats due to standard wear or a severe storm. Learn more about how your homes roof can be affected by both age and weather conditions below: