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5 star on Google ReviewsA poorly installed roof can lead to leaks, damage to the structure of your home, and even pose a safety hazard. Replacing your roof is a big investment and an important decision that must be done right the first time. A new roof can improve the overall look of your home, protect it from damage, and increase its resale value. However, replacing your roof can also be a complex and expensive process, especially if the following common mistakes are made, they can end up costing you more money and time in the long run. Here are some of the most common roofing mistakes to avoid when replacing your roof:
One of the biggest mistakes people make when replacing their roof is not hiring a professional roofing contractor. While it may be tempting to try to save money by doing the job yourself or hiring an unlicensed handyman, this is a mistake that can end up costing you more in the long run. A professional roofing contractor will have the necessary experience and training to properly install your roof and ensure that it is up to code. Click the following hyperlink for tips on how to choose a roofing contractor.
2. Skipping the Inspection
Before replacing your roof, it’s important to have a professional inspect it. This will allow you to identify any existing problems and determine the best course of action. For example, if your roof is structurally unsound, you may need to have it repaired before you can replace it. If you skip the inspection, you may end up with a new roof that is installed on top of existing problems, which can lead to further damage down the line.
3. Ignoring the Underlayment
The underlayment of your roof is a critical component that helps to protect your home from water damage. Unfortunately, many people ignore this important layer when replacing their roof. Without a proper underlayment, your roof will be more susceptible to leaks, which can cause damage to your home’s structure.
4. Choosing the Wrong Roofing Materials
There are many different types of roofing materials and roofing systems to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. When choosing roofing materials for your home, it’s important to disucss with your roofing contractor factors such as durability, cost, and energy efficiency. If you’re trying to save money by using cheaper roofing materials for your home, you may end up with a roof that is less durable, more expensive to maintain, and less energy efficient than you thought.
5. Improperly Installing Ventilation
Proper ventilation is critical to the longevity of your roof. Without proper ventilation, heat and moisture can build up in your attic, which can cause damage to your roofing material and even your home’s structure. When replacing your roof, ask the contractor to ensure that proper ventilation is in place to prevent these issues.
6. Not Properly Securing the Roofing Material
Another common mistake made when replacing a roof is not properly securing the roofing material. If your roofing material is not properly secured, it can become dislodged during high winds or heavy rain, which can lead to leaks and damage to your home. To avoid this, you might want to make sure that a foreman or manger inspects the final work done by the workers to ensure everything is properly secured and fastened to the roof deck.
7. Not Properly Sealing the Roof
Finally, one of the most common roofing mistakes is not properly sealing the roof. If your roof is not properly sealed, it will be more susceptible to leaks and water damage. To avoid this, it’s important to make sure that all seams, flashing, and penetrations are properly sealed to prevent water from penetrating your roof.
8. Not getting a warranty
When replacing your roof, it is important to get a labor and manufacturer’s warranty from your contractor. A warranty will provide you with protection in the event that something goes wrong with your roof. Make sure you understand the terms of the warranty, what it covers, and how long it lasts.
In conclusion, replacing your roof is a major project that requires careful planning and execution. Take the time to research your options, hire a reputable contractor, and follow all local building codes and regulations to get the best results from your roofing project. Top of Form
By discussing how your roofing contractor will avoid these common roofing mistakes, you can ensure that your new roof is properly installed and will provide years of protection for your home.
For over 25 years, St Joseph’s Roofing has delivered world-class results to customers across Northern Virginia. We built this company on a simple premise: honesty is the best policy. It engenders lifelong goodwill that translates into roofing projects down the line. We never use deceitful practices to upsell our customers. All we offer is the facts as we find them and the services to solve whatever problem you’re facing. For us, it’s about the customer from start to finish. Please contact us today with any questions or to schedule a quote.
Having your roof in its best condition is vital throughout the whole year. But in the colder months, an old or damaged roof can cause a different set of problems than in other seasons.
It’s a common misconception that roofs can’t be installed during winter. In reality, a new roof can be installed at any time of the year as long as the temperature outside is above 40 degrees and the weather is clear, with no snow or ice on the roof. There are many benefits to having your roof replaced as the weather gets colder, including saving money.
Most shingles used for roofing should only be installed when the outside temperature is above 40 degrees. This is because a lot of asphalt shingles are made with components that seal to the roof using the sun’s heat, making it impossible for them to seal when the weather is too cold.
In addition, shingles can become brittle and break more easily in the cold, meaning a roofing contractor will end up wasting a lot of materials that get damaged. Although some companies claim their shingles can be installed at any temperature, a lot of roofers still adhere to the 40-degrees rule to make sure they’re doing great work.
A good roofing contractor’s main concerns are the quality of their work and the safety of their employees. Snow or ice on a roof makes it dangerous for roofers to work because they can easily lose their footing and fall from a height that could cause them serious harm.
Not only that, but roofers will have to wear cold weather-appropriate gear in the snow or ice, such as heavy boots, gloves, and coats, which will add to the weight they have to carry while working on your roof.
Adding in the possibility that tools won’t function as they’re supposed to in freezing conditions or shingles won’t adhere properly to the roof, it’s overall a better idea to schedule a roof replacement for a time when the weather is a little bit warmer.
Having a bad roof in any season is pretty much guaranteed to cost you time, effort, and money. In the winter, though, it can leave you with higher heating bills and water damage or flooding inside your home. Therefore, you should look into a roof replacement as soon as you need it rather than putting it off.
Considering the issues you might face if you have a faulty roof, you should be jumping to get your roof replaced before the weather gets too cold! These are just a few of the benefits of scheduling your roof replacement before or during the winter months.
It’s no surprise that your heating bills will go up in the winter, but did you know they’ll go up even more if you have an old roof? Damaged places in roofs allow the heat from your house to escape through your attic, so your heating system has to work even harder to keep you and your family comfortable. This problem is eliminated when your roof is in great condition, which is just one of the many reasons you should aim to get your old roof replaced before the weather gets too cold.
Having clean gutters is a must in the snowy, icy winter months. When snow builds up on your roof, it melts down and your gutters keep it from seeping into your house and causing water damage or flooding. If your roof’s shingles are in bad condition and start breaking off, pieces can get caught in your gutters and create a buildup of debris that doesn’t allow melted snow and ice through, and it can overflow and cause serious problems. If your roof is new and the shingles are securely attached, however, there will be no risk of them falling off and catching in the gutters.
Partly thanks to the belief that roof replacement in cold weather is impossible, many people don’t schedule roof inspections during autumn and winter. That means that roof contractors are available more readily and will have an easier time working with you to find a time that works best for your roof replacement.
Realized you need to get your roof replaced but are unsure where to start? Get your free estimate today from SJ Roofing and work with the best roofers in Northern Virginia.
Along with your free estimate, if you know anyone else looking for a new roof, be sure to check out our referral program.
Do you have a low-slope roof on your home? When it comes time for replacement, you’ll have several options to consider when selecting a roofing material. Before you get started, it helps if you understand the basics of roof pitches and what type of roofing is appropriate for your home. In this blog, we’ll tell you all about low-slope roofs and some of the roofing options available when you need a replacement.
While no roof should be completely flat to allow for proper drainage, a low-slope roof is often referred to as a flat roof. They are nearly flat with a slight pitch, but they are not steep enough to put shingles on. When you need to replace a low-slope roof, you will need a low-slope roofing system with slopes between 2:12 and 4:12 of the run.
Your roof’s pitch is a ratio between the number of inches or feet it rises upward for every 12 inches or feet it extends across. So a roof with a 4/12 pitch will be 4 inches or feet up for every 12 inches or feet out.
A typical steep-slope roof uses gravity so the water over pour the breaks and fasteners in the shingles until it flows off the roof. Gravity can’t help a low-sloped roof or flat roof to drain properly, so the roof needs a watertight membrane that extends to the drains or edge of the roof.
Traditional low-slope or flat roofs were constructed with built-up tar and gravel.
This type of roofing raises many cost, performance, and environmental problems. Today, low-slope roofs are covered with a continuous membrane that is applied to the roof in sheets and bonded with adhesives or heat welding. This helps protect your roof from standing water. Another option for low-slope or flat roofs is metal roofs of copper or tin, though these materials are pricier than using a water-tight membrane.
Since low-slope roofs are harder to drain than steep-slopes where gravity is doing the work, the roofing materials for both types of roofs are not the same. While asphalt or slate shingles look great, they won’t work for your low-slope roof because they do not drain well which can cause a host of problems. However, there are many suitable alternatives for low slope roofing.
There are five commonly utilized roofing systems for low-slope roofs. Here’s a rundown on their features and where they perform best.
Built-up roofing membranes are made with bitumen and felts. The membranes are laid out on a base sheet fashioned to the roof. BUR roofing is used less today as we have so many more efficient and environmentally sound options.
Modified bitumen is strengthened by adding polymers like Styrene-butadiene (SBS) or atactic polypropylene (APP). These substances give bitumen rubber-like properties. The asphalt is modified for flexibility and built over a heavy fiberglass or polyester base for sturdiness.
Then, the modified bitumen sheets are attached with adhesive and heat.
PVC low-slope roofs are a common feature in restaurants. PVC is also bendable and will cool your house during summer because it conducts heat poorly.
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) is usually a white, one-ply membrane. It is lightweight, chemical-resistant, and has robust impact resistance. TPO low-slope roofing systems are used often in commercial industries. Homeowners love TPO membranes because they reflect heat and keep the home’s interior cool.
EPDM rubber roof systems are fastened to an insulation board. The rubber covering can also be attached using boulders or ballast. EPDM rubber roof systems are usually black, although white is also available. This type of roof can be used in climates with both hot and cold weather.
EPDM, PVC, and TPO can all be used for residential roofing. Consider the appearance that you want and what rooms are below the roof. If you can see the roof out the windows, you’re probably better off avoiding the white membranes because you will be able to see when it starts to weather or become dirty.
If you want to learn more about replacing your low-slope roofing, call the pros at SJ Roof. Our experienced team of roofing professionals can help you select a roofing system that meets your needs and looks great, and we guarantee a high-quality installation. Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate.