Kris Koonar asked:


Replacing a roof is costly and fraught with problems. Every building/home owner prefers a roofing system that has the longest interval between re-roofings. A metal roofing system has the longest lifespan among all roofing systems available today, although the initial installation cost can be a limiting factor. Metal roofs have been in existence since a long time and are now available in an extensive variety of beautiful designs and colors. Advancement in technology has enabled metal roofs to be the best choice among all types, suitable for residential and commercial/industrial buildings as well. They can be designed to suit all types of architecture and complement many buildings that incorporate some of the most complex architectural designs.

Metal roofing products are made to resemble traditional roofing products like wood shakes shingles, asphalt shingles etc. They are very durable and can withstand all type of weather conditions like heavy snow, wind driven rains, hurricane force winds, hail and extreme heat. The metals used in the manufacture of metal roofs are tin, steel, aluminum and copper. Roofing products made from these metals are warp, split and rot resistant. They do not gather mold as traditional asphalt tile roofs do. Properly installed metal roofs are highly resistant to wind damage. For roof surfaces at very steep angles, these roofing products can be used to create a vertical siding that can appear very attractive, when color coordinated with the rest of the roofing.

All metal roofing products whether made from steel, aluminum or copper usually last as long as the building, when they are installed. Someone intending to stay in the house for a short while only may not be able to realize the savings in costs that would accrue substantially, otherwise over the long years. However, for someone staying in the house for a long time, installing a metal roof will prove to be a sound investment.

Metal roofs come with a reflective coating for protection from UV rays. It also reflects heat from sunlight to make the house energy efficient. A substantial saving in electrical bills is possible, when a metal roof is installed in a building. On the other hand in winter, when there is snowfall, the exposed surface of a metal roof will heat up quickly to melt accumulated snow, keeping the roof clear. However, the drumming noise of rain or hail beating on a metal roof can be unnerving during a heavy downpour or a hailstorm. It is possible to reduce this problem by using one of the various insulating products available in the market.

Metal roofs are given a class A fire rating due to their excellent fire resistant properties. However, since it is possible to install metal roofs without removing the previous roofing, many people install them over existing asphalt or other type of roofs. In such a case, if the earlier roof is of combustible material, it could burn to generate enough heat to melt the metal roofing on top.

Metal roofing products come in a variety of appealing colors, shades and textures to complement the color scheme and design of any building including industrial sheds and warehouses. Technological innovations have made these products retain their original look and color, even after decades of use.

Adam Morien asked:


Fayetteville hail damage may not be as noticeably destructive as a flood but the damage can cause tens of thousands in repairs. The roof is your main defense against the elements and once water damage occurs, the entire structure is jeopardized. Did you know that there are “storm chasers” who monitor the national weather forecasts diligently and rush down to areas ravaged by hurricanes, hail, floods, landslides and wild fires to take advantage of desperate homeowners who just want their lives to return back to normal as quickly as possible?

A storm chaser may seem very knowledgeable and professional, although their shoddy workmanship can leave you with a haphazard Fayetteville roofing job. Often these shysters will charge you before the work is done and will fail to deliver. Worse yet, if your Imposter Fayetteville roofers haven’t done a professional job, the manufacturer’s warranty on your shingles will not be valid. Sometimes these unqualified opportunists roll into town and have accidents on your property, leaving you with the bill when you find they don’t have worker’s compensation for their contractors. Fayetteville hail damage is no joke and it takes a trained professional to spot the dangers, rip out old roofing and replace it with new.

An improperly installed roof is more difficult to spot than a poorly painted wall or slap-dash flooring job, so it’s important that you check the company’s credentials before you agree to do business with them. You’ll want to check the Georgia Incorporation Commission to see that they’re licensed to do Fayetteville roofing. Look at their address to ensure they’re from the state and, if you can, drive by the office to see that it’s a permanent office, not some fly-by-night rental unit. You can peek at the driver’s license of your salesman to verify he’s from Georgia too. You’ll also want to call the Georgia Worker’s Comp office to verify that the Fayetteville roofers have coverage, so you don’t get stuck with a hospital bill should something happen. For your added protection, see that the contractors have General Liability Insurance of at least $1 million dollars too, so you’ll be protected if they damage your home or property. You can ask for local supplier references to ensure the Fayetteville roofers pay their vendors so you don’t have a lien placed on your home if the bills aren’t paid. Asking for Fayetteville roofing references from six months ago or older will easily identify a storm chaser.  Sometimes quickly settling on the “best price” can be far costlier than you imagined.

webmaster asked:


Looking after the roof of our house is the first and possibly most important step to caring for the long-term life of any house. The most important reason for regular roof maintenance is to protect the owner’s investment. Because if roofs left unchecked then the cracks in roofs can lead to damage in the roof and throughout the building, with the most serious and costly scenario being a total replacement of the roof and ceiling.

A properly executed maintenance program will add years to the life of the roof by detecting minor problems before they become major, as well as providing better protection for, and avoiding interruption of, the internal functions of the building. A roof is exposed to all manner of chemical and physical stress. The long term effects of these forces are called “Normal Aging”. In reality, small isolated problems caused through abuse, stress concentration, inadequate ventilation, error, or other factors result in a shortened lifespan of the roofing system. Minor roof maintenance work is a task which:

? can be completed in a matter of minutes, not hours;

? is infrequent;

? only needs one or two people;

? does not involve difficult work (eg heavy or awkward loads); and

? only involves a small area.

Small problems or defects, if not detected and repaired, inevitably become major problems affecting the performance of the whole roof system. Roofs represent approximately 5 to 7% of capital building costs – but roofs cover 100% of the building and its contents.

So what gives when the roof—the spine—is leaking? And when it rains, can this faulty “backbone” still be considered a reliable shield of the home’s “vital organs”?

Roof leaks are obviously a big problem in any house but knowing the correlation between melting snow and roof leaks can help you to prevent one of the major problems that many houses face. When snow melts and runs down the roof it often refreezes as it reaches the edge of the roof and the gutter. You’ve probably stood back in awe looking at these ice dams that form, but these can cause havoc with the integrity of your roof. However, they are relatively easy to prevent and doing so will undoubtedly save you money and heartache in the future.

High winds can cause leakage around flashings and valleys. Few roofs are designed for such acts of nature. You should also be wary of solar panels, air conditioners and antenna tie-down bolts. Bolts through roofs are bad news! Chimney shrouds/hoods can also be a source of leakage.

Unfortunately, poor construction is becoming more of a problem. Leaks on seven-year-old shake and tile roofs can originate during construction but not become a problem until the roof gets older and looser. As a roof ages, water can go places it could never reach before.

Making sure that a leaking roof is prevented or fixed should be a top priority for all contractors and homeowners. A leaking roof can evolve into a disaster which can quickly ruin your home if not handled properly, so you must take every step to combat or prevent the problem. Gardner-Gibson offers roof coating and repair products that can effectively protect almost any type of roof under any circumstance.

Roof leaks can arise not only in old houses, but also in new ones. Very often leaks appear in those areas where roof materials and roofing products connect to walls or some other parts of building that are not part of the roof. Metal flashings can prevent this problem. Different metal flashings are available on the market today. They are made from copper, tin, galvanized steel, lead, rubber and aluminium.

Do’s and Don’ts of Roof Maintenance

Do’s:

? Be aware that wise maintenance will prolong the life of any roof — even the best of them.

? Perform inspections at least twice a year, preferably at the end of winter and right after summer, when roofs have passed through the periods of severest stress.

? Conduct additional inspections immediately after unusual occurrences such as extremely heavy rains, high winds, hail, nearby fires, explosions, etc.

? Check the building exterior for settlement or movement. Cracks in the wall are a warning of possible cracks in the roofing and flashing. Are overhangs, cornices, facias and edging in good condition? Are gutters and downspouts satisfactory? Breaks in roof edge elements can cause leaks and also let wind get under the roofing membrane and cause blow-offs. Damaged or clogged gutters, roof drains, and downspouts can cause water back up on the roof.

? Be certain that equipment servicemen going on the roof are warned against penetrating or dropping tools on the roof. They should be accompanied by your trained maintenance man to ensure no damage to the roof assembly occurs.

? Assure that your roof is kept clean and free from debris.

? Recognize that exposure of roof felts (bare spots) on a gravel surfaced roof can lead to quick deterioration. This requires immediate attention by qualified personnel.

? Be advised that flashings, gum pans, gravel stops and all other roof ************ are the source of most leaks. Pay extreme and careful attention to these items.

Don’ts:

? Allow unqualified personnel to maintain your roofs.

? Allow traffic on your roof unless accompanied by your informed maintenance man.

? Allow equipment servicemen to penetrate your roof without being certain that qualified personnel flash the ************.

There are a variety of materials for roof coatings that you can choose from if you have faced roof leaks problem; here are just a few examples of the different types of materials that are available to you; elastomeric coatings; epdm, liquid roof, liquid rubber, liquid epdm etc. primers, caulks, seam products.

Resources:

Roof Coatings

Roof Leaks

James Carlson asked:


A roof does a lot for your home. It keeps you warm or cool and it keeps you protected from the elements. It also can add to the looks of your home. Read this article to learn about some of the different types of roofs available to you

One popular style of roof is the slate roof. Slate proofs are very attractive in appearance and offer excellent protection from fire. They are also a unique roof and provide for a long roof life. They do have some disadvantages though. They are extremely expensive and are much harder to install since they require extensive structures to support the weight. You also can not walk on the roof without risking damage to the tiles. If you can do it though, nothing looks like a slate roof.

Another popular option is a metal roof. Metal roofs are also durable and offer a long life. They are also resistant to sleet and hail and when made from recycled metal they are very environmentally sound. They are however more expensive to install requiring special tools and skills. Some people might also object to the sound of a metal roof since they may be louder in the rain.

The last option I will talk about is the concrete tile roof. They are similar to slate roofs but are much cheaper. They are an attractive roof available in a number of different styles and colors and offer excellent fire resistance. They are still expensive however and can be damaged by hail storms. You also may not be able to use them in climates subject to heavy freezing.

I hope this article has given you some useful information on roofs. If you are looking to do something different than the basic asphalt shingle, one of these options may be for you. Good luck with whichever one you decide

Kris Koonar asked:


Metal roofing is fast gaining popularity because of the various benefits. The National Roofing Contractor’s Association has conducted studies that indicate that over the last ten years homeowners and homebuilders have increasingly chosen metal as the preferred roofing material. This increased demand has led to a greater distribution of metal roofing material in the market.

Today’s metal roofing is very different from the roofs of the tin sheds and barns of the past. You can now install metal roofs that are very attractive and come in a variety of designer shapes, colors and material. Latest technology has allowed many novel qualities like thermal reflectivity, increased corrosion resistance and weight reduction to be imparted to metal roofing. These roofs are fire resistant and extremely durable. Once installed, metal roofs can last up to the life of the building. They seal out water very effectively and are able to shed snow very easily. Being strong and rigid, they are able to resist high winds and rot, mold, mildew and pests/insects as well. Their longevity is supported by strong warranties of twenty to fifty years provided by metal roofing manufacturers.

With the use of new technology and material like aluminum, zinc, and other alloys used for manufacturing metal roofing, the overall weight has reduced considerably. It thus exerts much less strain on the roof structure. Some extremely lightweight metal shingles can be applied to an existing roof without tearing it down. This way it lends added support to the existing structure and provides an impressive ‘new look’ roof without any substantial gain in weight.

Thermal reflective coating on metal roofing allows very little heat from the sun to radiate into the interior of the building during the daytime. During nighttime they also let less heat escape through the roof, greatly increasing energy efficiency and help to substantially cut down energy bills.

To provide aesthetic appeal metal roofs can be made to resemble a variety of different roofing materials. Available in a number of textures and colors, metal roofs look beautiful and can be integrated into buildings incorporating all types of architectural designs and color schemes.

Metal roofs require much less time for installation as compared to other type of roofs. This lets the job be satisfactorily completed within a relatively short time and at a much lesser cost. Contractors, laborers etc. disturb the privacy of the occupants of the house for a shorter time too.

However, like any other roof, metal roofs also have some disadvantages, which should be considered before deciding to install one. The first disadvantage is the high cost of installation. The high cost however can be justified if the homeowner plans to occupy the house for a long period.

The process of installation is also complex requiring professional services for proper installation. Possibility of leaks also exists in case panel joints are not made watertight or in case the screws are not properly fixed. If the roof is not securely fastened, it can suffer wind damage. A metal roof can be quite noisy with the drumming of rainfall and hail. Flying hail and debris can also cause damage to the roof by denting and scratching.

Ken Briesemeister asked:


If you have ever wondered why a few chunks of ice falling out of the sky during a hail storm can rip the shingles on your roof to shreds, check out these hailstone facts. It’s no wonder you need roof repair after a hail storm hits your house.

A hail stone begins life as a small bit of ice formed from super-cooled droplets of water or tiny clumps of snow. The stones can start out as a bug, a seed or other particles that get blown up into a thundercloud with a cold interior temperature. During especially strong winds pieces of fruit, worms and frogs have been swept high enough into the atmosphere to form the nucleus of the hail stone. As the stones bounce around in the atmosphere they accumulate layers of ice much like an onion and fall to the ground once they become heavy enough to defy the force of the wind. A hail stone the size of a tennis ball weighs about 2 lbs and requires a 400 mph updraft to keep it airborne. As it falls it’s like dropping a baseball from a plane flying at 30,000 ft., traveling at around 120 mph. Chunks of ice this size plunging from the sky cause severe lacerations and broken bones to people on the ground, leave significant dents in cars and trucks and destroy crops. In this type of storm the windows are smashed out of your house. Imagine what it will do to your shingles.

 

Although the southern and central regions of the country seem to be affected by the worst hailstorms, anywhere thunderstorm activity occurs, hailstones can form.  Hail causes about $1.6 billion of damage each year to home owners, making it the most costly natural disaster year after year. Even a small hailstone falling at 90 mph can pierce the shingles on a roof and damage the roof deck below.

The trajectory of the hailstone influences how much damage it does – if it hits at a 90 degree angle your shingles stand a much lower chance of survival. Steeper roof slopes improve the resistance to the impact. Newer ductile roof shingles have been designed to withstand the impact of hail stones. It also helps to have a very strong roof deck with minimal flexibility. If after a hailstorm has passed through your area and you notice things like dented patio furniture, probabilities are you will need to have your roof inspected for hail damage and roof repair may be necessary.

Webmaster Epdmcoatings asked:


You would have heard and read many articles on roof repair and its preventions but this article will discuss factors to be considered while going for roof repair and reproofing decisions. Roof repair is one issue just about every homeowner frets about. Water leaking into a home can cause serious damage in a short amount of time. Just one leak from one storm can cause an entire drywall ceiling to fall dropping mushy gypsum board and messy fiber glass insulation onto you and your possessions.

Roof leak repair doesn’t have to be scary. There are tough roofs to work on no doubt. Attempting roof repairing on a steep slate roof repair should be left to the professionals. The same is true for metal roof repair or even tile roof repair. These are tricky materials to work with. But you should be able to successfully do home roof repair if you have a low-slope roof, a cool day and the right attitude.

The most important factor in any roof repair job is which contractor you choose. A good roofing contractor will check the area surrounding the leak in your roof for any sort of water damage. They should be able to let you know whether or not there is rot or water damage present, and whether or not it’s bad enough to need repair immediately. In today’s economy, cost is another important factor for roof repairs. There are many types of roofs here in Miami, and each type is going to have a different price range for repairs depending upon supply cost and availability of experienced contractors.

Roofs may need replacing for several reasons.  It may be leaking and be more economical to replace rather than repair it.  The roof may not be working correctly or does not look good.  Another reason for replacing the roof may be because you are extending your home and want the roof to look fully uniform.

Over the past 45 years, EPDM single-ply roof systems have grown consid­erably in market share compared with their modified bitumen and built-up competition. As a result, there are many aging EPDM roofs, and consultants will be faced with the task of providing cost-effective, durable solutions to keep the roofs in proper work­ing order without tearing them off entirely.

Several factors come into play and impact consultants’ decisions regarding the end of a roof system’s useful life. Thermal bridging, proper drainage, R-value, surface color, wind uplift, and hail resistance are all important factors to consider. When every­ thing is taken into account, consultants are faced with two primary choices when addressing an aged EPDM roof besides a complete tear off and replacement: restora­tion and re-cover.

EPDM roof restoration usually encompasses reworking the flash­ings, seams, and terminations, while leaving the field membrane in place. EPDM is well known for its long-term wea­therability, so in most cases the field mem­brane has life remain­ing. This option is used primarily when the owner wants to extend the life of the existing roof or warranty cover­ age for an additional five to ten years. EPDM roof re-covers provide the ability to address more issues than typical restora­tions. Proper drainage, thermal bridging, en­hanced R-value, al­tered surface color, as well as enhanced wind uplift and hail resis­tance, are all issues that are better ad­dressed with a roof re­cover.

The cost of roof coatings is typically about 50% of that of re-roofing and the benefits are very tangible;

substantial reduced cost over re-roof reduction in cooling costs with 80% reflectivity years of longevity given to the existing roof minimal disruption to the work environment during its application minimal waste going to landfill annual reduction in cooling costs as high as 22% no toxic odours or vapours ease of future repairs no increase in roof weight load

reduced long term maintenance and roof repair costs

Kimberly Painting asked:


During the Atlantic hurricane season from June to November, substantial hail damage could put your biggest investment at risk. In 2008, Georgia alone suffered $1 billion in catastrophe losses due to severe storms, hurricanes and golf ball-sized hail. The good news is that many Homeowners Insurance companies offer hurricane or wind-and-hail deductibles. Some companies have deductibles from $500 – $2,500, while others ask that you pay 1-5% of the total damage. Your insurance company will work with a Peachtree City roofing company to assess the damage to your personal property and then perform the necessary repairs to keep your home in sound structural condition. Your best bet is to call your own Peachtree City roofers to assess your Peachtree City hail damage because they will have your best interests at heart, rather than being more concerned with saving the insurance company money.

There are many types of Peachtree City hail damage that your Peachtree City roofers will look for. They’ll be able to identify stripped mineral granules that make asphalt shingles look more ***** than they should. Storms can often cause blistering, denting, cracking and thermal splitting on roof shingles too. Sometimes a storm will weaken the shingles subtly, causing granules to loosen or the entire shingle to break off entirely the following year. Your best bet to stay protected is to inspect your roof following a major storm to see if any damage has occurred so your insurance company can cover your losses. It can be extremely difficult to ascertain whether your shingles have just aged over time or whether they’ve been damaged by the storm, which is why many Georgians call Peachtree City roofing professionals with a trained eye for these variations.

The amount of Peachtree City hail damage depends upon several factors. First off, the slope of your roof matters; hailstones striking at a 90-degree angle will wreak more havoc, for instance. The wind can also carry hail across the top of your roof at alarming speeds, so the steeper your roof is, the better. If your roof is older, your brittle shingles will be less equipped to absorb the impact of the hail. However, if your roof deck is too flexible, the impact resistance won’t be as great, so tongue-and-groove decking or adequately spaced plywood are your best bets. Packing on numerous layers of asphalt roofing, without removing the older layers, is another way to put your roof at risk. Peachtree City roofers can bring the right tools and knowledge to ensure your roof is protected from future storms that can cost you a small fortune in repairs.

Giovanni Rueda asked:


Earthquakes, fires, floods, tornados…all God’s way of reminding us that we live on an Earth that’s alive and dynamic. But for us homeowners, natural disasters can be (at the minimum) severe on our finances. This is why we always need to be aware of our surroundings, protect as much as we can, and follow the best process of damage control in case things do happen.

While any natural occurance can be costly, there’s perhaps none more destructive than hail damage. It’s estimated that property damage through hail in 2007 exceeded $10 billion in the United States alone.

Here are 5 steps you can take after-the-fact to deal with hail damage:

1. Assess the damage

Instead of getting up on the roof (you don’t want to cause more damage to yourself or the roof by walking on it), look around at the foliage in the yard (trees, shrubs, etc.). Have they been damaged? This can be a good, soft indicator of what happened on the roof. Another source are your vehicles. Any damage there? If you have frame damage on your car, then you’ll probably find damage on the roof as well.

2. Limit any further damage.

There are two waves of damage through hail. The first is the frame damage where the hail has punctured shingles, glass, etc. The second wave of damage is through water making it’s way through the damage and reaking further havoc. Seal up damaged areas where water might penetrate. This includes shingles, sky lights, etc. Also, this is a good time to document the damage through pictures. Take some shots (most cell phones have cameras in them now) so that you can provide them to the insurance company.

3. Call your insurance agent and file the claim.

Insurance companies are fully aware of potential hail damage and practically all homeowners policies cover the possibility, either full or in part. (You really need to review your policy once a year nonetheless to make sure you’re properly covered.) Don’t wait on the issue…notify your agent immediately and provide a written explanation along with pictures of the damage.

4. Select a reputable roofing company.

Finding a good roofing company can be a challenging task. Most are honest, but there are some (known as storm chasers) who are really more interested in the money than a job well done.) I recommend you go with someone who has experience and a base of happy customers. At the minimum, you need to make sure they have workers compensation and liability insurance. If not, you may be held liable if one of their workers is injured or if they damage a neighbor’s property.

5. Choose hail resistant roofing materials.

Thankfully, we live in a time of high-technology and plenty of options. Roofing manufacturers produce hail resistant materials as a standard offering that are attractive and affordable. They are rated based on the hail damage potential from 1 (offering least resistance) to 4 (most). Discuss the best option with your insurance agent.

Following these steps is a good way of not only limiting the damage (as gracefully as possible), but limiting the effects should there be another hail storm in the future…and true me, there will be.

Kimberly Painting asked:


Whether you’re repairing, buying or selling, there are many reasons to call Lilburn roofers. Naturally, the roof is one of the most vulnerable places on your real estate investment. The roof is the first point of contact for scorching UV rays, torrential downpour, forceful winds and Lilburn hail damage. At the end of a severe hailstorm, a beautiful Georgian house can be compromised by shattered windows, dented flashing, pock-marked siding, cracked shingles and smashed underlying Lilburn roofing membranes.

Hail occurs when huge rain drops get lifted back into the sky by turbulent wind gusts, where they freeze and come back down with increased intensity. A hailstone can be as small as a pea, which can dent shingles, or as large as a golf ball, which can penetrate shingles and smash right through underlying ply-wood. Wind direction and the pitch of your Lilburn roofing are two factors in how much damage your home will sustain. When a roof is steeply pitched, the hail comes down and ricochets off at a perfect 90-degree angle, which causes the most direct damage. By contrast, a flatter roof will bounce hail at a 45-degree angle, which is a less direct hit.

A roof inspection from experienced Lilburn roofers can help you determine how much Lilburn hail damage you’ve suffered following a storm. Often your homeowners insurance will not cover your losses unless you call a professional Lilburn roofing company to assess the damage. Trained professionals will look to see if your aluminum fixtures and flashing have dents, if the air conditioning unit has been compromised, if the paint has been chipped away, if underlying wood has been smashed, if shingles have been shredded or split and if sheathing has become brittle. More often than not, a free evaluation will tell you that there have been some mild effects of Lilburn hail damage but nothing that compromises the structural integrity of your home. In some cases, minor repairs will need to fix some individual spots and in other cases, you may need a Lilburn roofing overhaul.  Lilburn roofers will make sure your roof shingle products conform to the Underwriters Laboratories test standard UL 2218 and have a Class 4 rating, which means your rooftop is most resistant to Lilburn hail damage.