What Should You Look for to See If You Need Roof Repair Instead of a Replacement?

Replacing your roof can be done within a few days in most cases, but the difference in cost between a basic repair and a complete roof replacement can be of several thousand or even tens of thousands of dollars. As a result, most homeowners will definitely want to exhaust all practical options before accepting the idea that they need to have the old roof replaced.

If you’re serious about figuring out whether your roof needs to be replaced or whether it can still withstand the elements for a few years after a good (and hopefully cheaper) repair job, then it might be essential to consider the advice presented below.

The first thing you have to consider is that your roof keeps aging. As it does so, it is continually bombarded by rain, hail, snow, as well as the sun’s UV rays that can be destructive over time. Also, depending on where you live, temperature changes can cause a lot of problems as well. Even certain pests and organic stressors such as termites and mold can lead to the shortening of your roof’s lifespan.

Aside from old age and environmental issues, roofs are heavily affected by strong impacts and water damage. If your roof was mildly affected by hail a year ago, and you failed to address the damage, chances are that it got worse since then. The worst case scenario is that the hail may have damaged pieces of shingles and flashing leading to an unnoticeable leak that hasn’t affected your home’s interior but has caused considerable water damage to part of the interior sheathing of the roof. In such cases, you might need to pay for extensive structural repairs or replace the affected part of the roof.

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Of course, not all impact damage or leaks will require a complete roof replacement. The same can be said for storm damage and fire damage, especially in the case of resilient, concrete, slate and metal roofing systems.

To determine whether your roof has to be repaired or replaced, you therefore have to look for how various materials might be affected by severe snow, hail or wind damage, and how they can resist it. A newer asphalt shingle, for instance, has an excellent ability to resist storm damage, but that ability wanes as the roof passes its prime after 10-15 years. A metal roof, on the other hand, can be more than 30 years old, and it could still have a similar resilience level as when it was new, provided that it was well taken care of over the years.

Ultimately, the sure way to know if you have to replace or repair your roof is to call on reliable San Antonio roofing contractors and have them inspect your roof for damage. After giving them all the information regarding the age of your roof and what special features were installed along with it, the inspection process should go pretty fast, so you will get your answer without much fuss. You can then decide on your next course of action and consider getting a free quote from multiple roofers, before choosing the one you want to hire for your project.

What Are The Various Life Spans of Roofing Materials

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When you are planning to build a house or just renovate the old roof, choosing the right materials can be a little more difficult than you have imagined. After all, the roof is not only the element that protects your house from the weather, but also plays an important role in defining the exterior appearance of the entire house. At the same time, the roof can provide additional space (the attic), and if you built it with quality products, it will prevent heat loss, so you will have a more energy-efficient house and better thermal comfort indoors.

Roofing materials differ from each other by their durability, installation cost, thermal insulation, soundproofing or waterproofing properties. All the characteristics influence the lifespan of the respective roof.

Metal shingles

This type of roof has a lifespan of up to 50 years. Nowadays, metal shingles are some of the most popular roofing materials precisely for their particular durability. They do not allow moisture buildup on their surface, so there will be no moss or algae formation. Metal roofs come in a wide range of shapes and colors able to match any roof type. Such a roof is also highly reflective, which means that it will be very efficient especially during the summer and in warm regions. To be effective in colder climates too, metal roofs must be doubled by adequate insulation.

Ceramic tiles

This material offers greater protection from cold and heat, compared to metal tiles, as well as sound insulation. Ceramic roofs are beautiful and do not lose their aspect in time, but they do develop moss and algae on their surface, so they must be cleaned periodically. A ceramic roof is heavy and requires a sturdy structure to hold its weight. Installations must be done by skilled professionals, but the best news is that it will probably be the only roof you will ever be required to install on your home, considered that it is expected to last even for 100 years.

Standing-seam metal

This type of roofing is increasingly popular. Typically, it is make from aluminum, but zinc and copper are also used. A standing-seam metal roof is very durable and almost maintenance-free. The average lifespan can be up to 50 years, but in good circumstances it might last even longer.

Wood shingles and shakes

They both make some of the most attractive roofs and remain the favorite materials of those who prefer a natural aspect. They are also quite tricky to install, so such a roof is the job for skilled roofing companies northern Virginia contractors and not really suitable for DIYers. Wood is prone to rot and decay and it must be treated against moisture and to enhance its fire resistance. Its average lifespan may not be the longest, but it is not the shortest either – up to 30 years and even longer, if it is meticulously maintained.

Slate

This is probably the most durable roofing material, which is expected to last as long as the house (even two centuries!). Slate is a natural stone, expensive and heavy, therefore such a roof requires a very solid structure and trained craftsmen to deal with installation and repairs.

Can You Prevent Your Roof from Developing Leaks?

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Roof leaks are among the most common roofing problems – almost every roof owner knows what a nuisance it is to have to deal with the damp patches that appear on the ceiling or with the dampness that transforms the attic into a sauna after storms. Fortunately, with a little care and attention, most roof leaks can be prevented and as a bonus, the strength of the roof to protect the building underneath against other elements can also be maintained – here is how.

Regular Roof Cleaning and Inspection

Knowing what is going on with your roof is the best way to know whether the roof needs repair. Regular roof cleaning and roof inspections by Panama City roofing contractors are necessary steps of achieving such control.

Both roof cleaning and the following inspection are very important for keeping your roof leak-free. The debris, such as the dust, the dried leaves and twigs, is carried by the wind are deposited on the surface of roofs and forms a layer that absorbs the moisture from rain, preventing the roof underneath from drying properly and weakening it gradually until the roofing material gives in and lets water through. Roofs that are cleaned twice a year and then checked for faults are much stronger, they withstand storms and prolonged rainy periods better and they are much less prone to develop leaks than neglected roofs.

Timely Repairs

It is not enough to clean the roof and to find the faults that can cause leaks – the faults also need to be repaired. Regular inspections will make sure that the faults you find will never be more substantial than a couple of damaged shingles or a crack in the flashing.

Taking Care of the Gutters

Roof leaks can be caused not only by the faults of the shingles, tiles or panels on your roof or by the flashing around the chimneys and in the roof valleys. Damaged gutters, pipes that are clogged, cracked or sagging and can no longer fulfill their role of directing the water away from the building can also cause roof damage that can lead to the appearance of leaks. The solution is simple: whenever your roof is inspected, include a thorough gutter check in the process and correct the faults as soon as possible.

Install Roof Vents

Roofs can develop leaks not only because the roof surface gets damaged. Roof leaks are often caused by structural damage suffered by the roof’s deeper layers, usually in the roof’s support structure made from wood. Whenever it rains and the air becomes more humid, unvented roofs are exposed to water damage by the moisture that can get trapped under the roof, in the attic area. If the roof is not equipped with vents, that moist air cannot evacuate and it will release its moisture in the form of droplets of water that settle on the surfaces throughout the attic. Exposure to water being something that wood cannot stand up to for too long, the wooden beams, boards and planks that make up your roof’s support structure will get damaged sooner or later, which will weaken the entire roof and is likely to cause roof sagging and the resulting shifting and movement of the roofing surface. Roof covering elements that no longer form an intact surface will let water through and will lead to leaks.

What Can San Jose Roofing Contractors Do For You?

Sooner or later, any homeowner will experience some problems with the roofs and that is the moment when you fully realize the importance of having a reliable roofing contractor by your side. Roofing problems (even the less significant ones) require immediate attention in order to avoid bigger and expensive future issues that may endanger the structure of your home.

There are different signs that indicate the need for repairs or replacements; some of them can be observed by simply looking at the roof, without climbing it, but others will be detected only during inspections performed by San Jose roofing contractors: curled or cracked shingles, mold, mildew, blistering paint or stains and even water infiltrations in the walls and ceiling. High energy bills may also be a sign that something is not right with the roof.

What do you get when hiring a roofing company?

Roofing contractors in San Jose offer many services that include: installing different roof systems, counseling clients about materials and roofing options, roof repair and restoration, roof replacement, preventive inspections, maintenance and emergency services. All these services are available for all types of roof systems. Some of these contractors have a strong background and years of commitment and professionalism in this business. They can be hired by residential and commercial clients.

The best roofing companies always have a license, credentials and all the necessary insurance types to provide high-quality services. They have fully-trained personnel, ready work on any project, with modern equipment and adequate technology that will make a roof last for a very long time. They will assist you in choosing the roofing options and materials, presenting pros and cons and offering professional advice. They also deal with the permits to be pulled, according to the local building codes, as well as with debris removal and cleanup once the job is done.

Some San Jose roofing contractors are also equipped to provide auxiliary services such as insulation, attic ventilation, siding and windows replacement, prevention of pest infestation, soundproofing solutions and eco-friendly roofing options.

Clients will always get complete information on the project, including the start and completion dates, who is responsible and for what, stages of the work and materials. Last but not least, they will receive a complete contract that should always include the following:

  • Payment terms (down payments, progress payments etc.),
  • Specifics on orders that may change involving potential extra charges
  • The materials to be used
  • A termination clause, if the terms of the contract are not respected (ending the agreement without penalty)

Besides professional quality work that will bring you safety, roofing contractors are also a convenient and cost-effective option. They can work even when you are away from home and complete the job quickly. Not least, by doing their job properly, they will increase your property’s value. Professional diamond certified roofers in San Jose CA  are not that expensive as people are tempted to believe; actually, they turn to be cost effective in the long run, if building owners make a periodic habit from hiring them for preventative maintenance.