ROOFING FAQ
ROOFING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you’ve been in the roofing industry for as many years as us, you will often have heard the same questions being asked over and over. That’s exactly why we decided to compile this list of roofing FAQ – to provide homeowners with enough information so they make an informed decision about this important issue.
Q. How will I know it’s time to replace my home’s roof?
A. Below are common signs that your roof might have to be replaced soon:
· Missing shingles. Shingles can become loose as the roof grows older and eventually the wind can blow them away. Once your roof has a significant number of missing shingles, rainwater will very likely find its way to the attic and other parts of the home.
· Curling and/or bucking shingles. This happens when moisture causes nails to become loose, which eventually also loosens the shingles. The roof is then exposed to the elements, which could cause leaks and moisture damage.
· Mold in your attic. If an inspection reveals that there is mold in areas like the plywood on the roof’s underside and rafter beams, you might have to seriously start thinking of replacing the whole roof.
· Granules in the gutter. The asphalt shingles that make up the majority of U.S. roofs are made of minute granules. When these start to come loose, it can negatively affect the ability of the roof to protect your home. If you regularly start finding granule fragments in the gutters, it’s probably time to consult a roof replacement expert.
· Clear signs of roof rot. Once root rot develops, you could soon be facing huge damage to the rest of your house. How does one know that roof rot has started to develop? Get on a ladder and walk on the roof. If it has a decidedly spongy feeling, get a roofing contractor to confirm that the problem is roof rot.
Q. Should I have the roof replaced in summer or winter?
A. The weather in your part of the country can play a major role in this decision. If you live in West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Rochester, or Troy in Michigan (where our roofing replacement company operates), you will know that the winters are freezing cold and it often snows. Here, the summer months are undoubtedly your best option – although, depending on the weather, late spring and early fall could also be possible.
Q. How long will it take to have my home’s roof replaced?
A. The answer to this question depends on quite a few factors. On average, a roof replacement only takes a few days. It could, however, take longer depending on the following:
- More complex roofs, e.g. those with steep pitches, will usually take longer to replace.
- Of course, the roof of a 2000 sq ft house will take more time to replace than that of a 1000 sq ft one.
- The type of roofing material will typically also play an important role. An asphalt shingle roof should be up and ready within three days. Slate tile and clay roofs could take twice as long.
- The weather is another important factor to take into account. An unexpected thunderstorm will most likely delay work. That is why many contractors would check the weather forecast, choose a suitable day, and then try to complete the job in one day. Our view is that quality of work should always get priority over speed. A major job like a roof replacement should be done right the first time.
Q. Is there any preparation work the homeowner should do before a roof replacement?
A. A full roof replacement will involve the existing roof being stripped away. This could mean that shingles, bolts, nails, and other debris will end up all over the place. That’s why it’s better to move your car (or cars) to another location (unless it’s a double-story home with the garage on the bottom floor).
Also, remove furniture, grills, etc., from the patio, cover plants and shrubs, and make sure there are no toys or lawn decorations lying around.
While damage to the inside of your home is very unlikely, it’s nevertheless worth the time and effort to remove anything valuable from the attic and to move your pictures and artworks to a safe location. A roof replacement could also involve a fair amount of noise, so it’s probably a good idea to temporarily relocate your pets and/or kids to a quiet spot during the work.
Q. How long does a new asphalt shingle roof typically last?
A. Asphalt shingle is by far the most common type of roof currently found in the United States. More than 80% of new homes in the country have asphalt shingle roofs because it’s relatively affordable and it can last between 15 and 30 years. Exactly how long an individual roof will last depends on many factors though, including the quality of workmanship and materials and the weather.
Asphalt shingles are composed of an organic material base like cellulose or fiberglass covered by an asphalt coating. This provides durable protection against rain, wind and UV rays. Over time, the sun’s heat softens the asphalt, which helps to create a watertight seal and to further bond the shingle in place.
Q. How much will a new asphalt shingle roof cost?
A. According to the remodelingcosts.org website, a new asphalt roof for the average 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft family home will cost anywhere between $9,500 and $18,700. This amount can, however, vary widely. In areas where the cost of living is significantly higher (e.g. San Jose, San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Boston, Portland, Washington DC, New York City, and Northern Virginia), roof replacements will also be more expensive.
The type of system you want to install and the overall complexity of the roof will also play a role.
ROOFING FAQ
The Bottom Line About Roof Replacements
Thank you for visiting our Roofing FAQ page. By now you will probably understand that one of the most important decisions you have to make when it comes to replacing your home’s roof is choosing the right contractor. At Grennan Construction you can get a totally free roof estimate from a highly experienced company that always strives to deliver world class quality at a competitive price.
We offer a full roof replacement service using Owens Corning and CertainTeed products. If at this stage you are, however, still trying to figure out common industry terms like ‘the exposed nail method’, ‘fire rating, and ‘hex shingles’, why not first take a look at our glossary of common roofing terms?
OUR RESIDENTIAL ROOFING SERVICES
Grennan Construction has proven to be a leader within the residential roofing company industry, serving with integrity while offering a range of residential roofing and siding services that meet your needs.
PREMIUM SHINGLED ROOFING
When a roof can account for as much as 40% of the average home’s exterior, many factors weigh into the choice of materials. Some surfaces are more beautiful than others. Some offer greater resilience or endurance. Some are more affordable. But the one roofing surface which offers all those attributes in balance is the asphalt shingle.
Now accounting for about 80% of the residential roof surfacing in the United States, asphalt shingles are measured against a variety of standards that evaluate fire and wind resistance, tear strength, and other key performance indicators.
Asphalt shingles have a glass fiber reinforcing mat manufactured to the shape of the shingle. This mat is then coated with asphalt which contains mineral fillers. The glass fiber mat is not waterproof by itself. Its purpose is for reinforcement. What makes the glass fiber shingle waterproof is the asphalt. However, the asphalt itself will not stick to the mat. For this reason, “fillers” are used. The fillers in the asphalt cling to the glass fibers in the mat. The asphalt then encapsulates the glass fibers, fills all of the little holes and voids in the mat rendering it waterproof. After this cools a bit, adhesive asphalt is used to cover the mat and the ceramic granules are then embedded.
Grennan Construction is proud to install shingles from only the highest-quality manufacturers – such as CertainTeed, GAF and Owens Corning. When your roof is on the line – only the best will do.
PROTECT YOUR HOME
The ceramic granules are there for two reasons. The primary reason is to protect the shingles from the sun. The sun’s UV rays are very damaging to asphalt and cause it to deteriorate prematurely. This is one of the reasons that gravel is used on built-up roofs. The second and more obvious reason for the granules is aesthetics. Asphalt shingles are available in a wide variety of colors to match almost any facade or landscape.
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Sources:
https://mycoastalwindows.com/roof-replacement-faq/#4-will-a-new-roof-lower-my-energy-bills
https://www.ableroof.com/blog/frequently-asked-questions-answers-new-roofs/
https://www.nbsroof.com/blog/roof-replacement-faq-5-common-questions-and-answers
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-long-does-a-roof-last/#:~:text=The%20expected%20lifespan%20of%20asphalt,of%20up%20to%2025%20years.
https://www.remodelingcosts.org/roof-replacement-cost/
https://grennanconstruction.com/roofing-glossary/
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