Roofing FAQ's

1.  Question.  How much does a new roof cost?
Answer. That depends on the roof system that has been chosen.  Lower-end composition shingle to a mid-range shingle will most of the time cost approximately $1.00 to $ 1.20 per square foot. This can change with the pitch of the roof and other variables.

2.  Question.  How long will it take to install the new roof?
Answer.  In most cases the new roof will  take just a few days to install.  We can usually remove the existing roof and install plywood in one day if the home is under 40,000 square feet.  Then a couple more days may be required to install the new roof  system.

3.  Question.  How much does a roof certification cost?
Answer.  In most cases a roof certification will cost $175.

4.  Question.  How often should a roof be serviced?
Answer.  All the pipes and vents should be resealed and painted very two years, and gutters and down spouts need cleaning annually.  Finally, the entire roof should be inspected for wind damage and deterioration yearly.

5.  Question.  Why should a tile roof need maintenance? 
Answer.  The tiles are not 100% waterproof, the underlayment (felt) is what keeps the roof in a water tight condition.  With the home settling, ground movement and heavy wind, the tile can shift and slip down exposing the underpayment to the sun and the weather.  Then the tile running up the side of the home can loosen and fall.

6.  Question.  What roof system is the most fire retardant?
Answer.  The tile roof is , because it is made of a non-combustible material,  such as concrete or ceramic materials.

7.  Question. Can a tile roof be walked on?
Answer.  An experienced roofer who knows how to walk on the tile can do so without breaking the tiles in most cases, but there are some tiles that are very fragile and even a person with experience can still cause damage.  For the typical homeowner, please stay off the tile roof.

8.  Question.  How long should a composition shingle roof last?
Answer.  That depends on the slope of the roof and the direction of the building.  The composition roof should last between 20 and 30 years, depending on the weight of the shingles and proper maintenance  (20-year, 25-year, 30-year shingles are rated by weight).

9.  Question.  Why should a home have a roof inspection before it is sold?
Answer.  If the roof needs repairs now is the time to make them.  Knowing the condition of the roof allows you to avoid compromising your sale price at a later date.

10.  Question .  Why does a flat roof leak were it meets the sloped roof?
Answer.  This occurs when a flat roof is not tied into the sloped roof properly.  For a correct tie-in, the flat roof must extend under the sloped roof not less than 18 inches (on tile it must be under the underlayment).

11.  Question .  What is a flashing?
Answer.  A flashing is  piece of metal that goes around the pipes and vents
to seal the opening around the pipes and vents.

12.  Question.  What time does the crew start in the morning?
Answer.  Most of the time we start at 7:00 AM and work until 3:30 PM, but in the summer  we must start earlier to beat the heat.

12 A.  Question.  Does one color of shingles reflect the sun better than others?
Answer.  Yes, although shingles come in an array of colors from tractor red to light gray, the lighter the color the longer the shingles will last.

14.  Question.  Can you walk on a composition roof ?
Answer.  Yes , but only if it is not too hot outside.  You must make sure you know where you are at all times so you do not get too close to the edge of the roof, and do not step into the valleys or trip over the pipes & vents.