SB Roofing Blog

Whether your roof is young or old, when you see black stuff on it, chances are you are looking at algae, namely, Gloeocapsa Magma, a fungus that feeds on the crushed limestone used in the asphalt shingles of your roof. Gloeocapsa Magma is carried onto your roof by the wind, and the rain spreads the algae down the roof causing the all too familiar black streaks. Rain adds to the algae’s growth.

Ugly, yes, but even worse, dangerous and costly. Gleocapsa Magma often referred to as “black stuff on your roof” can prevent your roof from reflecting the sun’s heat. This can have a devastating effect on your cooling cost. As your roof fails to radiate heat, your attic catches the heat storing it at the top of your home. Your AC bill skyrockets as you try to account for the heat in your house.

Unfortunately cleaning your roof cannot repair a broken roof, so how do you know if you should replace it? Cleaning your roof may be a solution and is certainly a method you should explore, however, if the algae continues to return and the heat continues to rise, it may be time to consult a roofing expert.

Indications that it may be time to replace your roof include:

• Shingle granules in your rain gutters
• Thin shingles
• Shingles falling off the roof
• Deteriorating or crumbling shingles
• Wavy or warping shingles
• Shingles curling up in the corners
• A roof older than 10 years

Are you embarrassed by the way your roof looks? Do you suffer from extreme heat in your home and costly AC bills? Have you attempted to clean the black stuff off your roof but it simply returns? If so, you may have a larger issue at hand then you may think. For ease of mind, if you have questions regarding your roof, consult a knowledgeable Hampton Roads roofing expert with over 15 years experience. Our skilled contractors at SB Roofing will gladly provide you a  free no obligation estimate. Contact us today if you have any questions about roofing solutions.

Hailstorms in the Virginia Beach, Virginia area are not very common, but they do happen from time to time. Hail can range in size from tiny marbles to golf balls and it can do a lot of damage, especially to roofs in Virginia Beach. The hard impact can damage shingles and expose the roofing materials underneath to the elements. Homeowners insurance will often cover the expenses, but claims are not always approved on the first request and they may take some time to go through. 

Shingles have a coating of granules on them that protect the home from penetration of the sun's ultraviolet rays. When hail hits hard enough, the granules are knocked loose. Because the granules are usually lighter in color than the shingle's surface, the bald area will appear as a dark patch. The damaged area may appear shiny at first, before the shingle's surface has had a chance to fade with exposure to sunlight. Another possibility is that the construction of the shingle itself is damaged. If it is not properly overlapping and adhering to the roof, this makes it possible for water to penetrate the structure. Strong wind from the next storm may peel off shingling entirely. Gutters and roofcaps may be damaged as well. Signs include dimpling on the surface or displacement.

Hail damage is often difficult to see from the ground and requires an up-close view for certainty. The homeowner may go up and check. If there appears to be a problem or if the homeowner is not comfortable with going up on the roof, give us a call and we'll be happy to inspect your roof. 

Roof replacement or roof repair in Virginia Beach may be necessary after a hailstorm. Many insurance companies will use the guidelines that 10 hits per 100 square feet is notable and constitutes damage. For an older roof that has not quite reached its life expectancy, the insurance company may authorize a roof replacement to avoid further damage to the home if it is damaged and left unchanged. Gutters and roofcaps may need replacement as well. Contact us today to do a roof inspection for you before a hailstorm hits. With the winter season here and the unexpected snow voer the last couple of days its best to make sure your shelter is still in tact.

Maintenance of roofs is extremely important as they are prone to problems such as leakage during the rainy season. Damaged roofs should be replaced on time and one should always be inspected so you know the right time to replace them and avoid any further damage to your home or office.

So when is the right time to replace your roof? You need to consider many factors before you contemplate replacement of your roof. These factors include age, which is approximately about 15 to 18 years depending on how you have maintained it. Conditioning of the interior walls touching the roof also indicates the time required for it to be replaced. Also if there are a large amount of tiles and shingles torn apart or missing out then it needs to be replaced. Weather conditions at their extreme would have exposed your roof to repeated and unpredictable snowfall, rain and sunlight. You would be glad to know that the value of your house could increase by replacing your roof as home buyers will never buy a house which has a damaged roof or one which is prone to leakage issues.

Once you have decided, start the process without any further delay before the worn-out roof affects the structure of your home. With our professional roofing team we can ensure that the roof over your home or office is a good one and will last for a long time. To learn more about smart roofing solutions and how they can save you thousands of dollars a year check out our solutions page. SB Roofing is a Virginia Beach Roofer who offers full comprehensive roof inspections whether on an as needed basis or as part of a preventative maintenance program. Contact us today for any roof inspections, repairs, or replacements you may need.

Homeowners who love their homes to have a rustic look use cedar wood shakes as their choice of roofing material. Cedar resists warping, insect damage and rot, and therefore makes ideal sidings. Shake shingles are made up of cedar that is cut into small pieces and attached to the roof, in a typical shingle formation. This can enhance the rustic look of your house.

Cedar shakes are pieces of wood that are "wedge-shaped" and are vertically installed in rows. The face of a cedar shake is not sawed but split. However, there are some manufacturers who offer both types. The split cedar shake is traditional. "Splitting" emphasizes and enhances the grooves and the overall appearance of the shingle.  Some additional benefits to cedar shakes are:

• These resist warping which is extremely common with many wood products. Cedar does not warp, cup or split as easily as other woods.
• Cedar has oil in the wood that is an insect repellent and that is very powerful.
• The Cedar oil prevents rotting in the wood and makes the wood ideal for use in areas like spas where humidity is high.

This type of cedar wood shake  is an exterior finish that is excellent for many homes. However, installing cedar shakes are very difficult and require a trained, experienced contractor to do the job well. There is no real substitute to cedar shake roofing material when it comes to adding a rustic elegance and authentic look to your home. One has to note that with time, the beautiful gold and brown hues of cedar shakes fade to a soft gray color. These shingles are very appealing on account of the natural wood texture, smooth and rich colors, and the fragrant subtle aroma the shingles have.

It goes without saying that another advantage of cedar shake is "durability". Its natural oil discourages mildew and mold as well as resists insects. With the right maintenance and proper finish, this type of roofing solution will last for many years and age gracefully over time. Contact us today to find out how you can get cedar shakes installed on your roof or if you have any questions about other types of shingles or roofing solutions.

What most people fail to realize is the most important part of a home; the roof. And regular maintenance of it is prudent if you are going to keep it intact.  Are you witnessing leaks and/or visible damage and are wondering whether to replace or repair the roof? Well have no fear, the professionals at SB Roofing Services can help you with your decision below:

The lifespan of any given roof swings wildly.  Poor solutions may not last 10 years. Some come with limited guarantees of 30, 40, or 50 years.  Shingles are the most popular roofing solution.  They are also the most cost effective.  Composed of many types, shingles are available in an assortment of colors, brands and styles.  Choosing the right shingle for you and your environment is based on many different factors

Regardless of how bad of shape you think your roof is in, you may not need a replacement at all. We can also assist in helping you avoid costly replacement and extending the life of your existing roof. We offer multiple roof services to include replacement, repair, roof inspections, and general preventative roof maintenance.  And we will repair your shingles with higher quality products than you have now and with the exact color to match.

We appreciate and respect the trust that is provided to us when working on one of the very most important aspects of your home. The bottom line, we install or repair every roof as if it was our own. If you have any questions at all about roof inspection, repair, or replacement feel free to contact us for a free no obligation estimate!

It goes without saying that Norfolk and the entire Tidewater area got hammered this year by abnormally strong and frequent wind storms.  It turns out that across Tidewater, those storms caused widespread commercial and residential roof damage.  Even people with relatively new homes are now discovering roof leaks, broken roof tiles/shingles, and other problems.

Here is the tragedy of it all.  Although the roof-damaging windstorms are weeks behind us, subsequent rainstorms were not in short supply.  Home owners are just now discovering significant property and structure damage due unseen water entering the home during each and every rain storm.    

Given the severity of this year's storms, we highly recommend that you seek a professional roof inspection.  You need to be absolutely certain that water is not entering your home and silently causing extensive damage to both property and structure.   

Did you know that the roof of your home is exposed to maximum stress and strain? Yes, the roof experiences the maximum exposure to natural elements and also has to take the full blunt of the changes in weather and external environmental conditions. It is also the least looked after structure within the house. Most of us go in for wall upgrades like a new coat of paint or maybe an installation of a bathtub or a Jacuzzi in our bathrooms, but how many of us go in for regular roof repair or roof upgrade? I am sure that the last time you must have seen your house roof must have been the time when you had the house constructed, or some time shortly after that.

Like any structure, if a roof is not maintained properly will deteriorate and gets damaged. In spite of the improvement in roofing designs in recent years, roofs still have a relatively shorter life that the walls. This is a direct result of both the vertical as well as the horizontal stresses that the roof experiences. There are many things that cause roof damage, the most common are:

•   Earthquake and other natural disasters.
•   Incorrect design.
•   Extreme environmental conditions prevailing outside like snow, hail storm or gust of wind.
•   Poor material used in the construction of roof. .
•   Improper shielding from water and direct sunlight.
•   Thinner layer than advised in the location where the roof has been installed
•   Presence of hanging trees and branches on a roof.
•   Lack of proper maintenance during the life of a roof.
•   Lightning.
•   Age of a roof.

From small repair jobs, maintenance and inspections to brand new roofing systems, we will cater to all your roofing needs. Feel free to contact us at any time for a free no obligation estimate.

Once a year you need a thorough roof inspection.  Now is the perfect time to do this before winter sets in.  Doing a little maintenance now while the weather is still pleasant will help keep your roof in top condition and get it ready to handle the winter cold.

First you need to clear your gutters of accumulated leaves and other debris.  If you have lots of trees, make sure to keep your gutters clear throughout the fall.  If leaves are left to accumulate in the gutters, they clog your downspouts and hold moisture which promotes wood rot, mold and mildew.

While you are up there cleaning the gutters (ONLY if you can do this safely)  take a look at the general condition of your roof.  Look for any tree limbs that may have grown over the summer and are now hanging over the roof.  Trim back any limbs that are touching the roof or hanging close to the roof.  Once ice and snow accumulates on these limbs, they can start dragging on the roof. When the Fall and Winter winds blow, any tree limbs brushing against the roof will damage your shingles.

Do a thorough visual inspection of the condition of the roof.  Look for cracked, broken, or missing shingles. Call us to replace any cracked, broken, missing or damage shingles to avoid further damage to your roof.  Left unattended, water will intrude into cracked shingles, and under and around broken and missing shingles.  The water will expand when it freezes, causing further damage to your roof.

We offer many different types of roofing solutions. While we do not prefer one over the other simply because they each have their pros and cons we would like to target each type and tell you a bit about the benefits of each. First is our popular synthetic roofing. Synthetic can definitely acquire the look and quality of authentic slate shingles and ceramic tiles. This synthetic material is long-lasting, visually appealing, and weather resistant. It offers nothing but remarkable savings, from the product to the installation costs. Synthetic roofing is certainly an ideal investment, should this be the style for you.

When it comes to style and appearance, you can hardly tell synthetic roofing from slate that is cut from stone. The aesthetic details are so accurately presented that contractors and homeowners find it hard to tell them apart from actual stone slate. There are different choices for cutting shapes. There's the standard squared-cut type, which is what you commonly see on most houses, the chiseled-tip cut, and the rounded cut. All of these highly contribute to the styling and attractiveness of your roof that will truly make it uniquely yours.

The weight of synthetic shingles is another good source of big savings on your part. Since they're light in weight, we can install these at a much faster rate compared to other materials. Also the labor cost associated with these shingles is a bit lower, saving you more money.

Most of the modern and high-quality synthetic products today are highly resistant to cracks, fading, and warping. Our synthetic shingles are created using recycled rubber tires and crushed slates that are toughened with recycled steel. These also contain added UV resistant properties to help prevent formation of salt deposits and prolong the lifespan of the material.

As a whole, choosing synthetic shingles is a safe and beneficial investment. Be sure to check out our other roofing products and if you have any questions about shingles or dealing with roofs, feel free to contact us today.

Did you know that the roof of your home is exposed to maximum stress and strain? Yes, the roof experiences the maximum exposure to natural elements and also has to take the full brunt of the changes in weather and external environmental conditions. It is also the least looked after structure within the house. Most of us go in for wall upgrades like a new coat of paint or maybe an installation of a bathtub or a Jacuzzi in our bathrooms, but how many of us go in for regular roof repair or roof upgrade? For most people the last time they saw their roof was when it was constructed, or when they last cleaned the gutters. Like any structure, if a roof is not maintained properly will deteriorate and get damaged. In spite of the improvement in roofing designs in recent years, roofs still have a relatively shorter life that the walls. This is a direct result of both the vertical as well as the horizontal stresses that the roof experiences. There are many things that cause roof damage; here at the 10 most common factors:

1. Earthquake and other natural disasters.
2. Incorrect design.
3. Extreme environmental conditions prevailing outside like snow, hail storm or gust of wind.
4. Poor material used in the construction of roof. .
5. Improper shielding from water and direct sunlight.
6. Thinner layer than advised in the location where the roof has been installed
7. Presence of hanging trees and branches on a roof.
8. Lack of proper maintenance during the life of a roof.
9. Lightning.
10. Age of a roof.

These are just a few of the factors that can contribute to damage on a roof. SB Roofing knows that regular roof maintenance and roof inspection is key to keeping your roof "alive." If you haven't checked out your roof in a long time or if you cant even remember the last time you did, contact us today and we'll be happy to assist you in any way possible regarding your roof.