HOW TO HIRE A ROOFER

There are about as many Colorado Roofing Contractors to choose from as there are doctors, and I suggest you take the same care in choosing your roofing contractor as you would your doctor. While it’s clear that you are going to want a roofing contractor that employees capable installers, and it’s clear you will need to evaluate each proposal you receive and decide on the best price/value relationship for you. How then can you decide which roofing contractors are truly the professional roofing contractors you should do business with.

Interview them. Whether you are talking to a salesperson or the owner themselves they should show pride and enthusiasm in discussing other jobs. If they do not it may indicate his amount of involvement in the actual work.

When meeting with each roofing contractor use the following seven questions to guide you through their interview.

What is the full name and address of the company? Having a company that is nearby in Denver increases the likelihood of better and fast service. If you are provided a PO Box ask for a street address also.
Does the company carry insurance? Workers compensation and liability insurance to be specific. If a worker is hurt and the roofing contractor does not have insurance the home owner is liable. Ask to have current certificates sent to you. Do not accept the roofing contractor at their word.
Is the company a licensed or credentialed roofing contractor? Many state and local governments require roofing contractors to be licensed or credentialed. Contact your city and county clerk’s office and find out if there are any requirements for roofing contractors in your area. Even if there is not still ask your contractor. The truly professional roofing contractors will most likely have proof of license or credential from other entities. Like a manufactures’ installation training certificate.
How long has the company been in business? Longer is usually better. More than three years, but everybody had to start somewhere. A new business should not be disqualified from your decision making process, but if everything else is equal. Longer and local is usually better.
Will the company provide referrals or references from previous jobs? Ask for a list of ten names and phone numbers of recent customers, within the last twelve months. It is not necessary to call all ten, but choose two or three randomly and call. Ask the referrals at minimum four questions. First, did he perform his work on a timely basis? Second, was he responsive when asked for information and changes? Third, did he act as if he cared about the customers interests? Finally, would you call the roofing contractor trustworthy?
What is the company’s workmanship warranty? Some warranties are for one year, some are longer. The length of a roofing contractors warranty is not really as important as customer referrals. Most workmanship errors will be found within the first year, probably the first good storm. The reason this question is important and most roofing contractors will warranty the workmanship, and the manufacture will warranty the product as long as it is installed correctly. Make sure you understand both warranties and ask for a copy of each.
What is the company’s track record for solving customer complaints? Try to find out how your roofing contractor handles problems when they do arise. Request a referral from a job that involved a complaint. Ask the contractor if he has ever lost a job-related court case. Ask if his contractor’s license has ever been suspended and why. Also, in talking to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments, find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractors whom you have interviewed. Many contractors in business for any length of time have been involved in a dispute. Ask how the dispute was resolved, to test your roofing contractor’s reputation.

We Offer Added Protection
Over and above what your insurance coverage is likely paying for.

Upgrades to T-Lock, 3-Tab to Dimensional Roofs

High Profile Ridge

Additional Ventilation to Roof

Ice & Water Shield in all Valleys and on Eve’s

We only use Quality Products and
install per Manufacturer Specifications

*All Upgrades are as appropriate to type of work / roofing
and approved Restoration Work Scope

All this with NO Additional Cost to You
other than Your Deductible

We Give VALUE Plus for Your Added Home Protection

Main Causes of Roof Damage

Damages to a roof can have many causes. Some of the causes of roof damage are connected to the type of roof you have. Whether you are trying to protect and extend the life of an existing roof or you want to protect a new roof, here are some of the main causes of roof damage.

Poor Maintenance. It is important to regularly inspect your roof for small problems and damages and immediately make repairs. This is especially true if your roof has little or no slope. Regular inspection and maintenance will prevent small minor damage from becoming a major problem or leak.
Wind Damage. Over time any wind can loosen nails in roofing materials. When this happens, a moderate wind can damage the roof. Strong winds and flying debris can also damage a roof, often removing some or all of the roofing material. The best way to avoid this potential damage is to check the roofing and the insulation regularly to be sure it is securely attached to the roof deck. You should also have a secure perimeter fastener.
Other Weather Damage. Most roofing materials can be damaged over time by exposure to various weather conditions. If you live in an area likely to see large snow accumulations, you need to be sure the roof is adequately supported against the weight of the snow and properly sloped so the snow will not stay on the roof any longer than necessary. If you live in an area prone to hailstorms, you should know that hail can cause serious roof damage, and you should carefully inspect your roof after every hailstorm. The sun, pollutants in the air and other chemicals in the air or in the rain can also damage roofing materials. Inspection and repair of minor damages can prevent big trouble.
Problems with Flashing. Because the purpose of flashing is to create a water-tight boundary between roof sections, between roofing materials and other parts of the house and between roofing materials and roof projections, problems with flashing often cause leaks. These leaks can damage the field of the roof as well as the interior of the house. Flashing problems usually happen because of either design or installation errors. Some flashing problems can also result from wind damage. Regular inspection of all types of flashing in all parts of the roof can catch problems early and correct them before there are major leaks.

Each of these major causes of roof damage can be minimized by regular and careful inspection for early and minor problems. Immediate attention to any flaws or damages with competent repairs can help you avoid major damage to your roof and prevent the need for early and costly roof replacement.

What Happens When a Roof Doesn’t Have Proper Ventilation?

One of the most important aspects of the way your roof is designed and built is proper ventilation. You simply cannot over-estimate its importance. What happens when a roof doesn’t have proper ventilation? Improper ventilation allows formation of condensation, moisture accumulation, and damage to the roof deck and, eventually, to the stability of the roof. Improper roof ventilation can also affect the health of your family.

The industry standard for roof ventilation to provide 1 square foot of intake ventilation and 1 square foot of exhaust or outflow ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space, provided the area is insulated with a vapor barrier. If the area is insulated without a vapor barrier, the requirement doubles.

Proper ventilation of the roof and attic of a home achieves several important functions:

It makes the attic space cooler
It makes the home more energy efficient
It prevents condensation and accumulation of moisture on the inside of the roof deck, and prevents rotting of the roof deck
It reduces the risk of fire

Several types of vents can be used to properly ventilate the roof of your home. Roof ridge vents are placed along the ridge line of the roof. Ridge vents are used for exhaust or outflow of moisture, heat, and stale air. Soffit vents and Eaves are placed at the lower extremes of the roof and provide the intake ventilation. If you live in an older home, your roof might not be constructed for roof ridge or soffit vents. Older homes were not built with the tight seals of today’s houses. There were cracks and openings around windows and doors, chimneys and other openings. These cracks and openings allowed fresh air to flow into the house. On the principle that hot air rises, the accumulated heat and moisture would rise to the attic and out the roof vents.

Without adequate ventilation, moisture rises with the hot air and forms condensation on the inside of the roof deck. This moisture is released into the air inside the house from bathing, cooking, plants, laundry and other causes. When the condensation forms on the roof deck, it begins to rot the wood. This introduces mold spores into the air, as well as damaging the wood. The result, if the problem is not noticed and repaired, can be destruction of all or part of the roof deck and creation of unhealthy air inside the house.

In our increasingly airtight homes, the importance of proper ventilation in roof construction cannot be over-emphasized. It is important to take the time and do the research to understand the ventilation needs for your home in your region and how best to meet those needs.

What Is the Right Roofing Material for My Home?

Your choice of roofing material will affect both the external appearance of your home and the comfort of your family inside the home. Roofing materials are important in energy conservation, comfort, and the appearance of your home. Your choice of material for a re-roofing project or for a new roof on a home addition should consider several factors.

The first consideration must be the architectural style of your Colorfado home. The pitch or angle of the roof might suggest a particular type of roofing material. The style of your home will also suggest some materials and argue against others. For example, cedar shakes would look out of place on a southern colonial style home.

The most commonly used roof material here in the Denver Metroplex and surrounding areas is asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles can work on the roof of many home styles. They are often chosen because they are less expensive and they are considered the most cost-effective option.

Cedar Shakes are a good option if you are trying to create a “rustic” look. Like asphalt shingles, cedar shakes can be expected to last up to 30 years. They are made from wood blocks and usually are not of uniform size or thickness. They are usually pressure-treated to make them fire resistant. They can be stained or painted to change their appearance. However, here in Colorado the use of Shakes may result in higher home owner insurance cost due to the perceived higher chance of fire.

Concrete tile roofing has become increasingly popular in recent years. The concrete tiles can look like slate, shake or terra cotta tiles. The concrete is much more durable and can be effectively used to create a well-ventilated roofing system that will help to prevent loss of interior conditioned air. However, these types of roof installation will usually require an engineers report to insure the home structure and truss system can support the increased weight of this roofing product.

Several types of metal roofing materials are also available. Metal costs more than asphalt shingles or cedar shakes, but will last a lifetime with relatively little maintenance. They will also reduce air conditioning costs if properly insulated and installed. Tin is still used in many areas of the country. Copper offers a wonderful antique appearance, but probably is unaffordable for many homeowners.

A number of new metal roofing materials are now available that will last a lifetime, provide the insulating value of a metal roof, but look like other materials. These roofing materials are shaped into panels, baked to various colors, and backed with insulating fiberglass or foam in some cases. Some of these materials are made from recycled materials, making them more environmentally friendly and possibly impact resistant. Painted aluminum and steel roofing are often made from recycled drink cans as well as many other roof products are considered to be enviromentally green roofs.

To choose the right roofing material for your home, first consider the architectural style and the type of roofing “look” that is right for the house. Then evaluate the natural materials and the metal simulations. You should be able to find a roofing material that matches the style of your home, fits your budget and provides better insulation for your home. This will make the home more attractive, more comfortable and more energy-efficient.

How to Find a Leak in Your Home

Leaks can be deceptive, they aren’t always where the damage is showing up, sometimes the inside damage can be eight to ten feet away from the outside source of the leak. Not all leaky roofs require a new roof and the huge investment that it requires. But you want to make sure that if your roof is leaking, don’t ignore it. Sure it only leaks when it rains and maybe then only when it rains really hard but if it is leaking at all, you will need to address it as quickly as possible to avoid water damage.

Source of a Leak

Since the source of a leak can be hard to spot, you will either have to go up to the source itself and look or have a professional Colorado Roofing and Construction roofer inspect your roof. Since some roofing materials are very fragile to walk on such as concrete or clay tiles, you may want to have someone experienced do the checking for you and avoid doing more damage to the roof.

On older roofs, the cause can be shingles that have expanded or nails that simply worked themselves out and are giving water an entry point into the roof. Another common area is the valley. The valley is where two roof lines intersect. If the shingles are not cut properly, they will act to draw water in instead of away from the roof. You should also check the flashings. If any of your flashings are covered with tar, caulk or roofing cement, you have probably found the source of your leak or at the very least a very poor quality patch job that should be repaired.

You should check all the flashings around plumbing vents, the chimney and the furnace since these are areas that if not properly installed, are prone to leakage. Once you find your leak, you will definitely need a Colorado Roofing and Construction roofing contractor to do a proper patch job. You want to find the best roofer possible and once you find at least three, you can schedule a visit and have them inspect the roof and give you an estimate for repairs.

Caution – Please remember climbing a roof to check for problems can be dangerous and should only be done by an experienced contractor. Many homeowners have unfortunately been seriously injured by trying to do it themselves.