Reaching new heights: 4 tips for finding a skilled roofing contractor

(BPT) - Purchasing a new roof is one of the most important – and biggest – investments you can make in your home. That’s why it’s crucial to have a knowledgeable professional on hand to guide you through each step of the process. In fact, choosing the right contractor is just as important as choosing the right roofing components. Remember the four “R’s” to help ensure you have the best person for the job.
1. Research local contractor options.
A great contractor for your roof replacement project will be dedicated to outstanding craftsmanship and possess a high level of professionalism. Ask for referrals from friends and family or check out reviews on consumer rating sites. As a general rule, any contractor you consider should be in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and hold at least $1 million in general liability insurance. Make sure to verify that he or she carries all required state and local licensing. As with any other professional service, it’s also a good idea to “shop around” and obtain multiple quotes before making a commitment.
2. Rely on a trusted brand.
The top roofing manufacturers proactively seek out alliances with some of the best contractors in the business. Contractor networks are supported by the manufacturer and offer homeowners added assurance that participating professionals are skilled and reputable. These designated contractors are typically up-to-date on the latest industry standards and technologies, as well as being trained inside and out on the manufacturers’ products.
“Roof replacement is a major undertaking, and homeowners deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing their contractors have the support of a trusted, well-established brand,” says Carl Baca, director of strategic marketing for Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt. “Consumers can rely on Owens Corning Roofing Platinum and Preferred Contractors to bring extensive experience and insight to any job because they have been trained to install Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System components and have undergone rigorous instruction to ensure an outstanding level of quality.”
3. Review any proposals thoroughly.
After a prospective contractor does a thorough inspection of your current roof, he or she should provide a written proposal and cost estimate for your roof replacement project. Review the proposal closely and inquire about such details as projected start and completion dates, expectations for payment and adherence to local building codes. The proposal also should clearly outline the scope of work for the job – including all products to be specified. In addition, this is an ideal time to ensure that the contractor will commit to supervising the job during each phase of the work, inspect it thoroughly when finished and leave your yard in the same shape it was found.
4. Request a comprehensive warranty.
Consider selecting a contractor who provides additional warranty coverage for excellent protection. For instance, Owens Corning Roofing now offers multiple roofing system warranties through its Preferred or Platinum Preferred Roofing Contractor network. Some of these system warranties also include contractor workmanship coverage. Make sure your contractor takes the time to explain all available warranties so that you thoroughly understand the limitations and requirements before your roof is installed, and you know who to contact if there’s a problem in the future.
It’s important to make the extra effort to find a roofing contractor who will provide the support, know-how and breadth of services necessary to install a beautiful new high-performance roof for your home.
Original Post: http://www.rheaheraldnews.com/online_features/real_estate/article_bc0596fa-0548-5beb-a34e-5024688a2254.html

Experience In Roof Maintenance

Many people can’t tell the roofing contractor just how long it has been since a new roof was put on their home.  For many it is a guess at best.  A roofer will be able to examine the roofing material and structure and give homeowners an estimate.  If you think it has been awhile since your roof has been replaced and you are starting to see wear it is time to bring in the professionals to get their opinion on the likelihood your roof is nearing its last season.  

Regular roof maintenance is needed to keep major roof issues from becoming a problem.  A new roof is expensive however a new roof structure is more than expensive.  It is important to keep the structural elements of the home intact.  With the seasonal changes we experience in the North our shingle roofs take on more wear and tear than other areas.  It is a good idea to have a professional roofer inspect your roof regularly, especially if you cannot see areas of the roofer to inspect yourself.  This will prevent damages from going unnoticed. 

If a leak is developing or a crack in the surface of the roof it is an extremely poor attitude to use the wait until it becomes an interior problem approach.  Once a roof leak has led to interior damages you are most likely beyond a minor repair.  With neglect the situation can become one in which repairing the roof is no longer an option and the only thing left to be done is to replace the roof.  It is defiantly more financially savvy for regular maintenance then it is for an entire roof replacement.  With regular maintenance your roof could last five to seven years longer than a roof that is left without any regular care. 

Roofing contractors specialize in roofs.  This means that the knowledge they have about the structure and materials far outweighs what the average homeowner knows.  Their training allows them to be able to look at different situations and provide reasonable solutions to the issue no matter how large or insignificant a homeowner may consider the issue at hand.  They also have on hand all the tools necessary to complete the job in an efficient manner and to prevent it from arising and causing future issues.  Many do it yourself homeowners don’t effectively know how to go about repairing or replacing a roof and end up with a lot of time and money wasted trying to accomplish the project themselves. 

Leaving issues of water leakage untreated can lead to bigger problems such as mold and mildew.  Mold is a common problem in attics if a roof leaks and the attic doesn't have proper ventilation.  This can lead to major structural damage which in the long run can prove to be a fairly expensive mess to treat.  Prevention, early detection and repair are the key elements when it comes to finding roof damage.  Word of mouth and referrals are great ways to find reliable roofing companies.  If you are new to the area you can turn to the internet as well.  Be sure to find a licensed contractor.  You may have to interview more than one to find someone that is perfect for your roofing needs.

What Can A Roofing Contractor Do For Your Home

There are four basic outcomes in the roofing industry; a roofer installs a new roof, replaces an existing roof, repairs a roof or installs venting on a roof. It seems like a simple break down. Everyone thinks roofing must be simple because when you inspect a roof there are only four possible results. However, this is not the case. There are many things to consider when it comes to a home’s roof and these four basic principles are just one side of roofing.

Roofing contractors need to be experts at installing roofs with a variety of different roofing materials. The most common roofing materials to people here in the North is either metal or asphalt shingles. Roofers must establish a technique in which the roofing materials can adhere in the multitude of seasonal weather changes we experience.  Roofing contractors are the designers of the exterior of the home as well. They must compliment the siding with the color shingles desired as well as bringing harmony to the neighborhood. Nothing is worse than one home within the bunch to stick out like a sore thumb.

Installing a new roof is one of the most infrequent jobs a roofer has. When a roofer does work on new construction they are responsible not only for the main roof but also the installation of trusses, framing and shingle installation. Not all roofing companies will have experience in new roof installation so if this is the need you have to fill it is important to find a contractor that has an extensive background in new construction. The roofs structure brings stability to the entire house and needs to be completed with precision and craftsmanship.

If you have an older home you may find yourself in need of a roofer that specializes in roof repairs. Roofs may need repairs for a variety of reasons including missing singles, leaks, warping and weathering. Repairing a roof is a detailed job for a roofer dedicated to repairs. Without being properly completed roof repairs can leave room for future decay and roof failure. Roof repairs are done when the issue on the roof is minor or in cases where homeowners can absolutely not afford to replace the current roof at this time. A quality roofing company will be able to evaluate the damage to your roof as well as the remaining time your roof has before it needs to be replaced.

The most common job a roofer takes on is replacing an existing roof. A roof may need to be replaced for a number of reasons including wear from seasonal changes, natural aging and wear & tear. Roof replacement is a key element in keeping your homes umbrella, in good shape.  This in turn prevents any interior damage to the home, trusses or structure.

A less common repair, if you will call it that is installing ventilation in the roof and/or solar paneling. These both require cutting into the structure of the roof and should only be done by roofing professionals that specialize in these detailed installations.

There is more to roofing than meets the eye. When hiring a roofing contractor you must know what experience the company has. Hiring a company that specializes in new roof installation when you need a spot on the roof repaired might not be in your best interest. Sticking to a roofer's specialty is always the best route to go.

Homeowners warned to inspect for roof damage after winter storm

The latest winter storm to grip the region has residents once again shoveling out their cars, driveways and sidewalks. They may also want to take a look upward to inspect the roof. 

This year’s wintry mix of snow, sleet, rain and ice is not only troublesome for driving conditions but can also cause serious damage to roofs. 

“With everything freezing, it just creates damage to your roof,” said Bill McNish of Pottstown’s Pace Roofing Supply. 

Ice dams are a common roof problem during the winter. 

Ice dams happen as snow melts then refreezes, causing ice to build up in gutters, said Dave Enriquez, estimator at Ram Siding Co. in Douglassville. 

With an ice dam, additional snow and ice on the roof will melt but the water coming down has nowhere to go, Enriquez said.

 After the water freezes in the gutter, the ice expands, causing a blockage, which can sometimes break the seal between the drain pipe and the gutter, McNish added.

Ice dams can also cause water to go under the roof’s shingles when snow melts, leading to leaks, according to Cheryl Whitcombe of Berkshire Insurance Services. 

Whitcombe said there are steps people can take to prevent ice dams. She said homeowners can use a roof rake to clear the snow and keep gutters clear. 

Although clearing your roof of snow may prevent ice dams, McNish warned that when homeowners attempt to do it themselves they can cause more damage. 

“Don’t do it,” McNish said.

He said if you don’t get a professional to clear the roof, homeowners should just wait until the weather warms up and inspect the roof for damages. 

Roofing Specialist Ken Frymoyer of Mast Roofing & Construction in Oley cautioned people who try to remove snow themselves. 

“If you try and tackle this on your own, be very careful and remember that gravity will eventually take over,” he said. 

Frymoyer also said that roof rakes can damage shingles and “shorten the life expectancy of your roofing system.” 

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy to clear flat roofs as it is to clear sloped roofs.

 “Flat roofs are the worst,” said Dave Derito, owner of D&D Handyman Services in Pottstown. 

Derito advised homeowners to shovel snow off their flat roof when they get a chance or call a professional to do it. He said if a roof has a foot of heavy, wet snow on it then it needs to be cleared as soon as possible. 

Flat roofs aren’t the only type of roofs susceptible to winter elements. Homeowners with older roofs, no matter if they’re flat or sloped, are at risk of their roof collapsing. 

Derito said an older home on High Street in Pottstown just recently had a roof collapse.

 Frymoyer said the older a roof is, the more susceptible it is to high winds. Forecasters have predicted heavy wind gusts with the latest storm headed this way. 

“The older a roofing system gets, the more brittle the shingles will get and it’s more likely they will blow off in heavy winds,” Frymoyer said. 

Whitcombe said insurance shouldn’t be looked at as a maintenance policy and that homeowners should do all they can do to avoid damage.

“It’s homeowners’ responsibility to prevent any further damage to the best of their ability,” she said.

 Whitcombe added that depending on which insurance homeowners have, they can be financially responsible for the roof destruction caused by winter storms. She said cheaper insurance may include a lot of exclusions when it comes to damages that are covered. 

“Every insurance company is different,” Whitcombe said, adding that homeowners need to know completely what their policy states.

 McNish said with another winter storm affecting the area, there’s not much homeowners can do to prevent damage. But he added that homeowners should inspect for damage as soon as possible and get impairments fixed immediately.

Original News Source: http://www.thereporteronline.com/business/20140213/homeowners-warned-to-inspect-for-roof-damage-after-winter-storm

Help Determining If A New Roof Is In Your Homes Future

When it comes to having your roof replaced there is a lot to think about and consider. Often homeowners are unsure if a whole new roof is necessary or if the existing roof is in need of some minor repairs. The best way to know is to have a local roofing contractor come out to the house and do a free consultation, evaluating the homes roofing materials as well as the structural soundness of the roof. Replacing a roof can be an expensive investment. A roofing contractor will advise you about the seriousness of the roofs condition and advise homeowners on the best steps to take going forward. 

Below is a list of thing every homeowner should know about roofing and options available before ripping off their old roof to install a new roof.

The first and most obvious is that the new roof is going to be expensive and it will alter your life for the week. When a new roof is needed it is important to make sure everyone in the household knows what is going on. A new roof is best installed when life is not chaotic and nothing pertinent for the family is happening. The stress that comes along with paying for a new roof and living in the home while the roof is installed is exhausting. Having a new baby, starting a new job, kids studying for exams are all really good reasons to delay a new roof install. Installing a new roof will be loud and you should be prepared for early mornings. The best time for roofers to remove shingling and tear up old roofing materials is in the morning when temperatures have not peeked.

Another thing to think about when beginning a new roof installation is the material that you will use for your roof. Shingles are a common choice for homes here in the North however; metal roofing is becoming a close second. When considering materials to use it is best to do benefits analysis to decide if the extra money for a metal roof is worth it in the long run over shingling. If you plan on staying in your home for a long time a metal roof will stand the test of time and you will not need to worry about the hassle of a new roof in twenty years.

When choosing a contractor the best way to find reliable roofers is to check online as well as asking neighbors, friends and family for referrals. If you find a roofer online it is important that you are able to contact their referrals to ensure they are satisfied with the job that was done on their home. It is the appropriate time to ask about the time frame of the job as well as cost in comparison to the original quote. Homeowners should also consider asking about the mess, the cleanup and the professional nature of the crew. These are important things to inquire about before you hire a roofing contractor. A roofing contractor can seem incredibly professional when selling you on a new roof but finding out what they are like in the heat of a roof replacement is what you need to know. Asking their referrals is a sure fire way to know ahead of time what you are getting into. 

The last thing to do before any work is done replacing or repairing a roof is to have a signed contract. A contract between the roofer and the homeowner should include labor and material costs, an estimate on competition time and a copy of the roofers insurance. It is important that the roofer covers insurance coverage for the employees. This responsibility is not that of the homeowners and is not theirs to be liable for should an accident occur. All reputable roofing companies will have no problem supplying you with proof that they are fully insured. 

Trusting the people working on your home is a number one priority. Hiring a company for a big job such as a new roof is not something to consider lightly. The homes roof is structurally important to the house and therefore care should be taken when work is done on it.

New Roof Installation In Any Season

Is there one time of the year that is better than another to have a new roof installed on your house?

This question is one that roofing contractors get all the time.  The truth is that we work year round.  When you need your roof replaced we are there to serve our clients.  If your roof needs to be repaired or replaced during the winter, summer spring or fall we will be there to make it happen.  We know when it comes to replacing your roof that most homeowners try to extend the life of their roof for as long as possible leaving it dire when it finally needs to be done.

As a roofing contractor the best time for me to replace your roof is a time in which you are prepared.  A new roof is not a decision that should be rushed into and ought to be planned for.  The spring, summer and fall seasons are the busiest time for us as roofers as such I won’t be able to cut you the type of deal I can in the colder months.  Most people don’t consider getting a new roof in the winter months as a viable option.  This is however not the case.

In the Winter I have more flexibility to accommodate your new roof or roof repair.  In the warmer months there is often a number of roofs that need to replaced often leaving us to have to schedule your roof up to a month out.  This is also when unqualified roofing contractors come out of the wood work.  During the summer if a roofer is able to squeeze you in right away chances are that roofer is not someone you actually want doing your roof.

Another advantage to installing your new roof during the winter months above and beyond price and availability is that you will get to choose from the cream of the crop of local roofers.  With winter being a slower time of year for roofers you can interview several and make a decision based on their price, time frame and previous work done.  Winter roof maintenance or an entirely new roof leaves you with options where as other times you are left getting what is available instead of what you necessarily want.

Homeowners are often concerned about the warranties on their new asphalt composite shingles.  Put your mind at ease with the knowledge that roofing material manufactures do not base their warranties on the temperature or time of year the roof was installed.  Roofing material warranties are the same whether they are installed in the mild spring, hot summer or chill of winter. One thing to note though is that shingles need to go through a sealing process which does take temperatures over forty degrees Fahrenheit.  Believe it or not this is not unfathomable even here in the north.  A solid day of warm temperatures will seal your new shingle roof.

Most local roofing contractors are happy to assist their clients any time of year.  Their best services should be their only services so no matter if roofing is done in the dead of winter or the middle of summer your roof ought to be installed properly and efficiently.

Installing a New Shingle Roof in Winter

There are so many myths and opinions on how the winter and the cold temperatures that it brings with it affect roofing.  As with summer, there are days when it is too hot or roofing.  The same applies to winter, some days it will just be too cold to lay shingles.  If you hire a contractor that understands roofing and follows the procedures needed to install a roof in the winter there should not be any issues with the roof at all. In this article we will look at the advantages and disadvantages that come into play when installing a new roof in the winter.

The first thing roofing contractors get asked about is the temperature and the adhesive on the shingles.  Sunlight, whether during the heat of summer or the chill of winter will help allow the shingles to adhere to the roof.  If a roof contractor ever recommends using roofing cement on your roof run the other way.  Never let anyone use roofing cement on your roof. 

Another belief is that shingles installed in the winter will blow off easier because they are not properly sealed.  This too is not the case.  Shingles tend to blow off of a roof because they are not properly fastened.  When a nailing gun is used the roofer needs to make sure at all times that the nails are not blowing through the shingles.  When this occurs, winter or summer, the shingles will blow off.  They key is to hire a roofing contractor that is consensus of how much pressure is being blown out with the use of his pneumatic nail gun.  During the winter it is also best practice to fasten the shingles by hand to guarantee the shingle is held down and doesn’t split from the cold.  

There are advantages that come with installing a new roof in the winter.  In the cold shingles are a lot less likely to be scuffed or marred up from the roofers moving about on the freshly laid shingles.  The shingles are more solid and rugged when the tar has not left the gravel loose. 

The winter is considered the off season for most roofing companies especially those in the Northeast. With this said winter is the perfect time for those homeowners that do not have time to wait for a roofing contractors schedule to open up because most likely it already is.  In the summer you are really at the beck and call of the roofer.  With so many roofs that need to be done roofers tend to have tighter schedules and skeleton crews. However in the winter your roof could be removed, repaired and re-roofed all in the same day with the larger crew and availability of the roofing contractor.  

Another thing to consider is that in the winter shingle lines are being discounted because they are being discontinued.  This can lead to major savings for you as a homeowner.  Assist your contractor in finding the best deal on quality shingles for your home.  It may save you hundreds of dollars having discontinued shingles shipped to you for your new roof. 

The jury is still out of course as people that believe winter roofing is not as viable as summer roofing will most likely not be swayed.  The good and the bad comes along with any home improvement project and living in a climate with four seasons presents a challenge when it comes to having a rood installed.