SB Roofing Blog

Owners of older homes generally realize the importance of preventative maintenance. This includes routine roof inspections. As the main barriers that keep the elements out of your home, it puts up with rain, wind and attacks from falling tree limbs and other debris.

As a result, roofers say it’s important for homeowners to have their roofs inspected twice a year. While workers are on their ladders or actually walking on the roof, they can look out for possible problems that may be emerging.

Check Over and Under

Homeowners generally call roofers when they discover a leak or when it’s time to replace a 20- or 25-year-old roof.

Besides inspecting the overall health of the shingles, people who own older homes can expect roofers to check

• Flashing areas
• Rafters under the roof (via the attic)
• Gutter systems.

Roof leaks commonly form around flashing areas, such as where the roof meets the chimney, a wall or a vent pipe. Cracks form at those points and water can seep through. Flash repairs usually can be made without replacing the entire roof, but the age of the surrounding shingles plays a factor in that decision.

Older homes with masonry chimneys also can experience leaks when the chimney’s cement cap or crown develops a crack. On a roof inspection, that can be looked at, sealed or replaced.

If an older home has an unfinished attic, workers will have the opportunity to look at the rafters and make sure nothing is split or loose. It’s good if the roofer can get into your attic to inspect.

A roof inspection will tell you whether you need a new roof or not and whether you have existing problems.

Time to Replace? These signs usually mean it’s time to replace the roof:

• Curling or buckling of the shingles
• Shingles’ granular is wearing away
• Green spotting/ moss growth on your roof

If you need your roof inspected, Contact SB Roofing.

NorthJersey.com

It is spring, time for your bi-annual roof inspection. This is the perfect time of year for a roof inspection. If roof problems are uncovered, you have several months of nice weather in which to get your roof repaired or replaced.
 
Regardless of if you are putting your house on the market or staying in it for the next 20 years, roof inspections are always worth it. Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home keeping the rest of the home secure and protected. Having a roofer check the condition of your roof can help you save time, money and headaches in the future.

Roof inspections are recommended to every two or three years. This will let you know if you have minor problems or leaks that could become major problems in the future. Roof inspections allow you to plan, and budget, for repairs.

Don’t leave  roof problems unnoticed and unattended, contact SB Roofing.

The spring is the perfect time for replacing the roof. If it is time for you to replace the roof on your Virginia home, and you want to increase curb appeal and set your home apart, consider cedar shakes or cedar shingles. Cedar shingles are the perfect way to increase the curb appeal of your home and increase your home's value. Increasing in popularity, the beauty of cedar shingles is unsurpassed by any other roofing material.

Not only a great investment, cedar shakes create a beautiful look to your home and SB Roofing in Virginia Beach can accommodate.  One of nature's best building products, cedar has a rich, textured grain that is just different than asphalt shingles.  

Believe it or not, cedar shingles are low maintenance with a natural ability to resist the elements, resist insects, and other forms of decay. Cedar shake shingles are able to provide a higher insulation value than any other roofing products keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

The right roofing material makes your home look great. With all the types of shingles and roofing materials on the market, consider cedar shake roofing. Contact SB Roofing for more information.

There may be some indications that you have some problems with your roof. Do you need a roof repair or a new roof? Obviously, roof repairs are less expensive.
 
Replacing your roof is more expensive, but depending on your circumstances it is often the better choice. However, sometimes there are long term costs when you opt for one or the other. There are some things you should consider when considering a new roof.

If your roof is fifteen years or older, a new roof is on its way anyway. Don’t want to waste money on repairs, just replace the roof. If severe weather causes the roof damage, the damage is probably extensive. If you opt for roof repairs, they may help for awhile, but do you need a new roof? We can confidently say that if moisture or mold is an issue, a new roof is the best choice.

A new roof is often the best option for serious roofing problems, however, roof repairs are a good option If the damage is limited, or  if you are moving in the next six to twelve months, a new roof is not worth the costs when a repair can keep your home in good shape for the time being.

If you are still not sure whether your roof needs to be replaced or repaired, contact SB Roofing.

No one wants to repair the roof or put on a new roof. A new roof is perhaps the most unexciting home improvement project. But it may be one of the most necessary. Not only is it a huge project but it also has a dramatic effect on the appearance of  your home.

If you choose the wrong shingles, you won’t like how your home looks, and roofs last for years, so you will have to live with the decision for years. There are so many types of roofing shingles to choose from, it is very difficult to know which will be right for you.

Composite shingles are one of the most popular shingle materials. These shingles are popular, because they are inexpensive. They last a long time, but metal lasts the longest. Composite shingles are the latest trend in roofing. Composite shingles are similar to other conventional and traditional shingle materials. They also come in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Metal shingles are perhaps the longest lasting roofing material. They come in copper, steel and iron. There is also Standing seam metal roofs which have a more modern look.  They are available in steel or aluminum, and a variety of thicknesses.  Metal roofs are a great investment, and are available in a wide range of styles and colors. They are very durable, and maintenance free.

Wood shingles, or shakes, are made from medicated woods like pine, spruce, or cedar. These are higher end shingles with a very unique look and style. The color of these shingles usually turns to gray in the first year. Some of the problems with wood shingles are breakage, deformity, and cowering. So it is usually recommended that you do roof replacement in 10 years or so.

Architectural Shingles look like shake shingles.  They make a very classy looking roof, and last much longer than wood shakes and there is a warranty which usually ranges from 30 years to lifetime, depending on the manufacturer.

Asphalt shingles are the most widely used and you see them on the largest variety of homes. Asphalt Roofing Shingles are made of paper, glass, or fiber and are very strong. These shingles can last up to twenty years.

SB Roofing has been selected for the 2011 Best of Virginia Beach Award in the Residential Roofing Contractors category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
 
About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

Many homeowners forget about their roof until there is a problem. This is no way to treat one of the most important aspects of your home. Other than visual signs that you have an aging roof, there are additional components to your roof system that are not always easily identifiable.
 
Thorough roof inspections can identify areas of concern and identify items that could potentially lead to more costly damage and repairs. In the case of roof inspections, do not ignore your roof.

At SB Roofing we are experienced providers of the industry's most secure residential roofing solutions, providing Hampton Roads homeowners with over 15 years experience. From immediate roofing estimates to quick service to final clean-up, we have built our reputation on protecting your most important investment - your home!

At SB Roofing, we do a comprehensive roof inspection that covers the basics as well as an inspection and review of potential issues. Contact us today to schedule a free roof inspection.

Every winter we repair roofs that are damaged by "ice dams".  The details about ice dams follow later in this blog post, but first we want you to know why we bring this to your attention. SB Roofing is not just the highest quality and value professional roofing contractor in Virginia Beach and across Hampton Roads, we are your friends and neighbors.  We work hard earn your trust.

Our business is growing exponentially due to referrals from our satisfied customers.  Many of you have provided us with feedback that you value our honesty and integrity every bit as much as you do our professional service.  We know that eventually all roofs wear out and must be replaced, so we prefer to help you get the most out of your existing roof and trust that when it does come time to replace the roof, you will trust SB Roofing to perform the job.  Now, onto the subject of "ice dams" and the damage that they can do. We credit the experts at "energystar.gov" as the source for the information that follows.     

At first it may seem odd to add insulation for warmth and then purposely allow cold air to enter the attic through vents, but this combination is the key to a durable and energy-efficient home. Here's why: in the winter, allowing a natural flow of outdoor air to ventilate the attic helps keep it cold, which reduces the potential for ice damming (snow that melts off a roof from an attic that is too warm and then re-freezes at the gutters, causing an ice dam that can damage the roof). Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below. In the summer, natural air flow in a well-vented attic moves super-heated air out of the attic, protecting roof shingles and removing moisture. The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house.

The most common mistake homeowners make when installing insulation is to block the flow of air at the eaves. NEVER COVER ATTIC SOFFIT VENTS WITH INSULATION — use rafter vents and soffit vents to maintain airflow.
Attic Fan Ventilation

Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents (soffit and gable) and pushing hot air to the outside. However, if your attic has blocked soffit vents and is not well-sealed from the rest of the house, attic fans will suck cool conditioned air up out of the house and into the attic. This will use more energy and make your air conditioner work harder, which will increase your summer utility bill.

You don't want your unfinished attic cooled by your air conditioner. To prevent this, follow the air sealing and insulation strategies in this guide and make sure the attic is well-ventilated using passive vents and natural air flow.

Did you know that water damage in your home caused by a neglected roof may not be covered by home owners insurance? If you get water damage as a result of a hole in your roof or skylight because of wind and storm damage, that is a different story. But water damage from a neglected or improperly maintained roof or skylight is not covered.

Regular roof maintenance is the key to a roof that can withstand and repel driving rain and melting snow.  Roof Maintenance involves an inspection of the existing roof to determine if there are any areas of weakness that may compromise the roofing system. Through regularly scheduled annual roof inspections, SB Roofing can assist you in protecting your investment.

If you have not had a roof inspection or had a roof replacement in a long time, now may be the time. Despite the lack of evidence on your ceilings, you could have structural roof issues that are allowing water leaks or seepage. You could have water build up beneath the shingles of your roof that have not yet been detected. A roof inspection is a good idea before the winter weather starts in Virginia Beach.

Early stage detection of roof issues from a roof inspection makes it possible to repair or extend the life of your roof, which is significantly less expensive than roof replacement. Contact SB Roofing to set up your annual inspection.

It is hard to find a roofer and we know it. Unfortunately there are a lot of unsavory roofing contractors out there. That is why at SB Roofing we have a guarantee. We guarantee quality workmanship, affordable roofing solutions, and peace of mind quality. Our goal is to offer you the most economical solution for your roofing needs.

Roof repairs are a major expense, it needs to be done right. SB Roofing specializes in residential roof replacement. We want to provide you with the very best in roofing workmanship for your home. We want to provide for you a high quality roofing solution to homeowners at a reasonable price.
 
You need to find roof shingles with a color and style that is right for your home that will also offer long-term protection. SB Roofing  uses quality products - backed by a full warranty, contact us.