SB Roofing Blog

As with any business there are certain terms that are widely used regarding the type of work that they are involved in. Such as restaurants have their own lingo that they go by to signify to their employees that either a certain dish is ready to be taken out or they ran out of an ingredient. The same can be said about home improvement particularly roofs. Being in the business for over 15 years has made us at SB Roofing familiar with all the types of roofing lingo there is when dealing with inspections, replacement, or repair. So we put together a small list of roofing vocabulary we thought you all might like to know:

• Barge Board: A board that conceals roof timbers projecting over gables.
• Beam: A long piece of wood or steel that supports the roof.
• Cornice: The overhanging part of the roof (the part that sticks out past the building’s walls).
• Eave: The beam ends of the roof that allows water to drip off away from the building’s walls.
• Fascia: The edge of the cornice.
• Rafter: Parallel beams that support a roof.
• Soffit: The underside of the eave.
• Truss: A framework of beams that support the roof.

As always feel free to contact us for a free no obligation estimate regarding your roof and we will be happy to help you. From small repair jobs, maintenance and inspections to brand new roofing systems, we will cater to all your roofing needs. And our work is backed by a full warranty that covers labor & materials.

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.