SB Roofing Blog

Winter can prove to be extremely damaging to your roof; leaks from driving rain, ice, and snow are dangers to be conscious of. SB Roofing offers some information on a few great ways to guard against roof hazards and what to look out for.

Check for Leaks
The first step you should take when roofing in the cold season, is to check for roof leaks. Most roofs will leak from a few locations: drains on flat roofs, and at gutters, leaders, and flues on sloped roofs.

Condensation
Another cold weather issue is condensation, which happens when warm, moist air hits a colder surface: for example, your home's warm interior against the bottom side of the cold roof deck. Prevent this from happening by installing a vapor retarder at the ceiling level to trap the warm air and keep it away from the roof deck's bottom. Houses with cathedral ceilings have more complex problems, and you might have to replace the existing insulation with uniquely designed cathedral ceiling insulation. To allow adequate ventilation, baffles may need to be installed, and it could involve the demolition of the ceiling or the roof in order to remove the insulation.

Clear Your Gutters
Next, check your drains, gutters, and leaders because leaks can occur if they become clogged with debris. Bi-monthly inspections of roof and terrace drains are very important during the winter months.

Ice Damming
The single most threatening weather occurrence is ice damming. Ice dams are the capillary action of water reaching its highest point in either a liquid or solid form. If ice or snow fills your home's gutters, the resulting melting water creates a roof hazard by overflowing the gutter and back up the roof, penetrating the roofing tiles and shingles. And with our recent blizzard and cold weather in Virginia this is a problem that most Virginians aren't aware of. Cleaning debris, snow and ice from flashing points is a great protective measure against ice-damming.

Should you be experiencing any of these problems be sure to contact us immediately and allow SB Roofing to repair your roof for you. If you're not sure whether or not your roof is experiencing problems we can inspect the roof for you and give you a free no obligation estimate. Contact us today to learn more about roofing solutions and how SB Roofing can save your roof.

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.