Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Roofing Contractors Recommend Proper Roof Ventilation

One of the most important things when it comes to your shingle roof is the ventilation.  Nothing ages your shingles more than extra heat buildup in the summer and cold winter weather.  No matter what the weather is outside, with proper ventilation and air circulation you can prevent many problems that can occur with shingle roofs.  If you see any leaking, blistering, distortion, curling, rotting or wetness contact a roofing contractor for a detailed inspection of your homes roof and ventilation systems.  Installing a new roof without proper ventilation in place voids any manufactures warranties.  Be sure the problems with ventilation are fully taken care of before repairing or replacing your homes shingling.

Speaking of warranties it is important that homeowners understand what is and is not covered under workmanship guarantees.  A workmanship guarantee covers problems that are a direct result of poor workmanship.  This is issues that arise due to insufficient nails used to secure the shingles, poor shingle alignment, overexposed shingles and improperly installed vents and flashing.   The workmanship guarantee does not cover issues that come from condensation, wind or hail damage, ice dams, defects in materials, issues with the roof structure or interior cracks or damage that occurs with the installation of the new shingle roof.

Shingle roofs, if taken care of and well maintained can last anywhere from ten to twenty plus years.  They do however need to be cared for.  When homeowners notice something that looks unfamiliar they need to call in a roofing contractor to evaluate the issue.  The winter season can bring issues that need to be evaluated such as ice dams.  Ice dams are a huge issue that comes from the thawing and freezing of snow.  As the snow melts the water runs down the shingles often refreezing at the edge of the roof.  This process repeats itself over time eventually building up substantial ice dams.  When the water freezes and water continues to run down it causes backups underneath the shingles.  This then creates an ice dam which can eventually lead to interior leaking. 

Ice dams can be avoided with proper ventilation and maintenance.  If however you do notice that your roof has ice dams it is time to call in a roofing expert to evaluate the situation.  The first thing they will do is to look into what is causing the ice damns to form in the first place.  Is there leakage in the attic?  If so they will look into installing a vapor barrier and sealing air leaks throughout the attic.  Another thing to consider is the amount of insulation in the attic.  If the attic is not kept cool enough the snow will melt.  Proper ventilation will allow cool air into the space reducing the effects of melting snow, therefore decreasing the likelihood of ice dams forming.  Once ice dams occur it is difficult to remove them.  A licensed roofing contractor may attempt to manually remove the ice buildup after the issues are resolved.  This process requires detailed care in order to avoid shingle damage. 

A properly installed shingle roof with adequate ventilation is something all homeowners can have by hiring a qualified roofing contractor to inspect their current roof.  Once your inspection has happened be sure to fix and repair areas that were not up to par before a new roof is installed.  This will ensure that with regular maintenance your new roof will live up to the expected lifespan of the shingles.  


Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Tips To Help You Hire An Experienced Roofing Contractor

A professional roofing contractor is the individual you need to call when looking for advice on your home's roof. In many situations it is advisable that homeowners don't think about doing roof repairs, roofing maintenance or new roof installation on their own. Doing work on the roof can put the owners of the home in an unsafe predicament. Experts in roofing have the expertise, the tools and everything to make the job safe and predictable.

As you consider a roofing contractor it is wise to take into account all of the services that they can provide. Consider asking if they can be hired for the installation of gutters, added insulation, waterproofing, chimney stacks and other roof maintenance when repairing your roof or putting a new roof on your home.

As you are looking to hire a roofing contractor for your roof repair or new roof installation here are some things to keep in mind. Experience is the number one thing you need to consider. The contractor and company's experience should be looked at as this is what helps to ensure your job requirements are fulfilled. The more experience in a variety of scenarios that your roofing contractor has the better prepared they will be to handle whatever your roofing situation throws at them.

Next check out their portfolio and see what their work looks like. Call on their referrals and ask questions. Find out what they liked about his work, what they didn't like, figure out what the role of the homeowner plays in the process and find out if they would hire them again. Having a solid idea of what working with this individual roofing contractor is like will help ease your mind as you make decisions on who you hire.

Compare the quotes that you have been given from several contractors that you have contacted. The cost of the work and materials is not the only thing that is important. Check the company's warranties and workmanship guarantees as this also will help play a role in deciding upon a roofing company to work with. If you are undecided between two individuals these things will come into play. If the cost is equivalent, the workmanship similar and your feel for working with both is the same then a deciding factor can be based on what they offer to clients after the roof is installed. A roofing contractor that stands behind his craftsmanship and the materials he works with is one that you can trust to provide you with quality roof repairs or a perfectly installed new roof.


Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs. You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.