Roofing

Possible Problems with Your Roof

Repair or replacement ? The roof may have localized damage such as a few missing shingles, which can easily be replaced or it may have widespread damage or have exceeded the life expectancy of the product. In this case the whole roof may need to be replaced.

• Structural problems: The roof may appear to sag in some areas because of insufficient strength or deterioration of framing or sheathing.
• Ice damming: There may be damage to the roofing material and structure due to build-up of ice during the winter.
• Flashing: Leaks may occur at the flashing.
• Moisture problems: Excess moisture in the attic area can lead to deterioration of the roof structure.

Roofing material

The roofing material may fail due to poor installation or may not be the proper type for the specific application.

Asphalt or fiberglass shingles is the most common roofing material that we use. It is composed of asphalt impregnated paper with mineral granules coating the exposed surface. Numerous colors and styles are available to enhance the design of your home. Shingles are easy to install, require little maintenance and are easy to repair. Wind sealed shingles have an added dab of roofing cement under the bottom edge of each shingle. After these are installed and the roof is heated by the sun, the cement melts and sticks to the shingle below, increasing their effectiveness in high wind areas or on shallow sloped roofs.

Roofing:

Asphalt: asphalt shingles come in two basic types: glass fiber (a.k.a. fiber glass) and organic. Organic shingles consist of an organic felt material which is generally paper saturated with asphalt to make it waterproof. A top coating of adhesive asphalt is then applied and the ceramic granules are then embedded. Organic shingles contain around 40% more asphalt per square (100 sq. ft.) than their glass fiber counterpart which makes them weigh more and gives them excellent durability and blow-off resistance. The lifespan of asphalt shingles depends highly upon the environment. Shingles in cooler climates such as the northern United States seem to last longer than those installed in the warmer climates.

Cedar: Cedar shakes and shingles have a special warmth and elegance, an architectural look that states classic quality, taste and timelessness. Aside from their aesthetic value, products are lightweight, as well as wind and impact resistant. Western Red Cedar withstands serious freeze/thaw cycles and its natural oils resist decay. Cedar is one of the only renewable roofing products on the market today. A truly green product that has a high R value to keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The warmth and beauty of a natural cedar shake goes beyond enhancing the appearance of your home. It reflects pride of ownership and, most importantly, it shows an intelligent sense of value. No matter where you live, or how harsh the climate, a cedar shake roof will be as durable as it is beautiful. Cedar’s natural versatility makes it ideal for your home.

Metal: Metal roofing is surprisingly lightweight and durable, offering a long-lasting, fire resistant roof that is quick and easy to install. If a metal roof is installed correctly, it can last 20 to 50 years. Another benefit to metal roofing is its ability to conduct heat. Homes with wood roofs can often experience intense heat in the attic because of the absorption of heat. But metal roofs reflect heat; making a home more energy efficient. Many homeowners opt for this roofing material, as it adds an extra level of safety from fires and many insurance companies offer discounts on homeowners insurance for homes with metal roofs.

Slate: It is indicative at once of the awesome powers of nature which have formed it and the expertise and skill of the craftsman in hand-shaping and laying it on the roof. Installed properly, slate roofs require relatively little maintenance and will last 60 to 125 years or longer depending on the type of slate employed, roof configuration, and the geographical location of the property. Some slates have been known to last over 200 years. Found on virtually every class of structure, slate roofs are perhaps most often associated with institutional, ecclesiastical, and government buildings, where longevity is an especially important consideration in material choices. In the slate quarrying regions of the country, where supply is abundant, slate was often used on farm and agricultural buildings as well. a slate roof imbues any project with a sense of quality, permanence and tradition. With an amazing array of natural colors, countless combinations of length/width/thickness, and a variety of installation styles, a slate roof can be customized to compliment almost any architectural style.

Clay: Beauty, Elegance, Durability, Fire Safety, Long Life, Peace of Mind, Clay Tiles are an important design contribution to the texture and definition of the roof on your new home, re-roof, or project. The special advantage of using clay roof tiles is the authenticity and the historical longevity and time proven track record. Concrete tile has only been in use in the last century, with high production of this type of tile beginning in about the 1930’s. Some of the concrete tile being manufactured in the local region has only survived about 25 to 30 years before requiring replacement. The main reason is that concrete tiles were often produced with only a slurry paint coating, that once worn off left behind a porous materials that broke down quickly in freeze-thaw prone areas such as ours. Although much of the concrete roof tile produced today is a through-color mix with no paint or slurry coating, and should last longer, it still appears that concrete roof tiles in our rainy area shows much more erosion on the top surface than good quality clay tiles are experiencing. This means that a concrete roof tile will have much more of a decaying, algae-ed, mossed-up roof appearance than clay tiles in our region. This may not affect the serviceable life of the concrete according to concrete tile manufacturers, but an eroding surface can’t be good in the long run, and certainly will look very historical and antiqued in a short period of time.

Clay roof tiles come in many forms, and from many areas of the world. They have been produced for a millennium ( centuries and centuries ) and certainly have proven themselves. But not all clay tiles are the same. Some regions of the world produce clay that is too porous, and therefore not freeze-thaw resistant, and not resistant to water permeability. Therefore it is important in our area to select your clay tile carefully. For instance clay tile made in the South-Eastern Europe and Slovakian regions is very porous and needs to be avoided. It works for shade protection in Greece, but will not last long in our area.

Rubber Membrane: Membrane roofing is a type of roofing system, mainly used for commercial buildings. It is used on flat or nearly flat roofs to prevent leaks and to move water off the roof. Membrane roofs are most commonly used for commercial application. There are 3 types of membrane roofs:

TPO (vinyl or pvc membrane – not rubber) TPO roof seams are sealed by heat welding as opposed to glue. It has a clean and smooth appearance, however can be prone to tears

Modified Bitumen Membrane – seams are sealed by heat welding as opposed to glue. Existing flashing, if in good condition and cleaned, can be reused. It has a thicker and tougher rubber which makes tearing a lot harder.

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) seams are glued so the install process is longer as it has to set up. This type of roofing requires more maintenance.