SB Roofing Blog

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.

Remember the home energy tax credit? That was extended through the end of 2011. If you need to fix a roof, or need a new roof, now is the time. If you have not had a roof inspection for a while, have it done now. If you need any roof repairs, or if you need a new roof as a result of your roof inspection, get it done while you can take advantage of the home energy tax credit.

You may claim a credit for 10% percent of the total cost of the metal roofing or asphalt shingles, or new energy efficient skylights for your existing primary residence.

There are a few rules and restrictions, however:

• The maximum combined credit is $500 (10% of $5,000 in total cost) for all allowable products purchased between 2006 and 2011.
• The credit is for the price of the product only, not labor.
• Energy tax credits are nonrefundable, which means you can only claim a credit to offset taxes you owe for the year.
• Tax credits may only be claimed once and are limited to the year in which you purchased the item.

If you are in need of a new roof or need a roof inspection, or if you are installing energy efficient skylights, contact SB Roofing.

Some contractors will take a cursory look at the exterior of your roof and call it a roof inspection. If you have had your roof for a long time or feel it is time for a roof inspection, call a reputable roofer who does roof inspections.

A thorough roof inspection is necessary because there are parts to your roof system that are not easy to identify without a comprehensive inspection. With roofs, you don’t need any surprises.

At SB Roofing, we do a comprehensive inspection that covers the basics as well as an inspection and review of potential issues and you will receive a detailed overview of what we find.  Our comprehensive inspection includes:

• Inspect all flashings in the roof system
• Inspect all pipe collars, storm collars, and air vents
• Check for any damage to the roof deck on the exterior AND interior surfaces
• Complete spot checks across the roof system for straight lines, appropriate fasteners, and number of layers of existing roof
• Inspect gutter system to insure adequate drainage
• Complete an attic inspection for moisture, mold, mildew and adequate ventilation

Contact SB Roofing today to schedule a free roof inspection.

Well, hurricane season is supposed to be exciting through November. Now is a good time to take care of any roof issues you may have. If it has been a while since you have had the roof inspected, consider making an appointment. Often roof leaks develop slowly and can go undetected for a while.

Ignoring or not knowing about a leak can cause substantial harm to your home and to your belongings.  When leaks are hidden within you roof, structural deterioration can occur. Obviously, this can result in more damage, which causes more expensive repairs. Leaks need to be addressed fast.

Roofs should be inspected after serious weather; you may have some leaks that you have never had before. Now is the time to catch them. Contact SB Roofing.

In this slow Virginia real estate market, anything you can do to make your home more saleable would be beneficial. Many homeowners who are thinking about putting their home on the market need to consider the buyer. This is no longer a seller's market, and it hasn’t been in a while. So, while those who want to sell and know they need a new roof used to be able to put their home on the market without fixing the roof. Maybe they took some money off the asking price.

Not these days. If your roof has less than 5 years on it, or if you haven’t had a roof inspection in several years, or you know you actually need a new roof, you should get this fixed before you put your house on the market. Either you're going to pay for a new roof or lose that much off the sale, but the sale will almost certainly take longer than it would with a new roof. There are just too many competing homes for sale. 

When buyers make an offer in this market, they will usually add up everything they think they need to have fixed in a home and their number will usually be higher than what you can do the job for. Then they subtract their cost from your asking price and then some. Weigh the costs of the job and your return and you will find it is probably worth the new roof.

Due to the summer heat and strong winds in Virginia Beach, we recommend you perform roof inspections regularly. Virginia Beach roof inspectors will look for uplift around the perimeter shingles. During the next wind storm, is the perfect time to walk around your roof and inspect it from the ground. Look for shingle lifting. Shingle lifting is an indication that the adhesive strip holding down the shingles is no longer performing its duty and should be replaced. As a result, your roof may be vulnerable to leaks and shingle blow off.

Keeping your roof clean is the most important tip we can give you. Built-up debris and plant matter will cause moisture to gather allowing mold and mildew to grow leaving green stains or black streaks. These stains and streaks are unsightly and will damage your roof.  Have moss removed from the roof by sweeping while it is wet or by having a roof moss killer product applied. Also, check all gutters and downspouts to make sure water is flowing freely and clean out all roof drains and gutters from spring time flower blossoms.

We do NOT recommend pressure washing roofs. If you have asphalt shingles, pressure washing can remove the granules which are the shingle's sunscreen material. If you lose that sunscreen layer, the asphalt shingle will be exposed to harsh UV rays which will start premature aging and the shingles will become brittle. If you have cedar shingles, pressure washing them will remove the top, aged layer making your shingle thinner. You will then have to treat the newly exposed cedar so it will once again repel rain water.

Virginia Beach roofing companies like SB Roofing stand ready to provide more roofing tips, inspections, and maintenance if you have any questions about the quality of your roof.

You may have noticed some loose shingles while you were doing yard work. Or was there a small leak after the last rain storm? Whatever the case, there are some issues with your roof. The burning question is should repair or replace it.

Obviously, roof repairs are less expensive than a roof replacement, but will there be long-term costs that will come into effect if you opt for one over the other? How do you know which is the better option?

Even though replacing your roof is more expensive, depending on your circumstances it is often the better choice. Really what you should consider is this:

• How old is the roof? If the roof is fifteen years or older, replacement is around the corner anyway. Stop wasting money on repairs and just replace it. If your roof problems are because of severe weather, the damage is probably extensive. A repair on the obviously damaged part may solve your problems for a month or two, but replacement is the best choice because the roof has probably been weakened.
• If the roof has been exposed to excessive moisture or the moisture has led to mold on the inside of your home, replacement is the best choice.
• If the roof was poorly designed, improperly or poorly installed, or built with cheap materials, you will need a new roof.

Replacement is generally the best option for serious roofing problems, sometimes making repairs to your roof makes more sense. There are definitely scenarios where a roof repair is the better answer:

• If you are moving in the next six to twelve months, a new roof is not worth the costs when a repair will do the job for the time being.If the damage is limited, a repair may be sufficient to solve the whole problem.
• If your roof is new or regularly maintained the problem should be small and easily repaired. Regular roof maintenance ensures that small problems are spotted and fixed quickly.

If you are still not sure whether your roof needs to be replaced or repaired, call SB Roofing for more specific information about your situation. We will get you all your estimates and inspections in writing.

The most critical component in our homes is the roof and it is often the last thing on our minds. Roof leaks are dreaded by homeowners. And, let's face it; a roof that is leaking is not a kind or problem that can be ignored. They can result in substantial harm to your residence damage or loss of your belongings. Concealed leaks in your roof sometimes cause deterioration that will endanger the structural integrity of the roof and result in the need for costly repairs. To avoid sudden roof failure, leaks have to be addressed immediately. To detect roof leaks before they cause extensive damage a roof should be inspected before and after winter. And after the winter we have had in Virginia this year, probably some of you had water leaks that had never had them before.
 
Missing or damaged shingles cause roof leakage as do flashing issues. Inspectors will check the flashings connected to vents and chimneys to ensure that they are tight and in good condition. Damaged or missing flashings need to be fixed or replaced. Another common cause of roof leaks includes debris hindering roof watershed or blocking rain gutters. Unwanted debris in the valleys of the roof can result in water penetrating underneath roof shingles which can result in roof leaks and water damage.

Roof leaks often develop over time, so water may collect unnoticed for some time before it enters the living space. The sooner you take care of your roofing problem, the better off you will be. SB Roofing is a full service roofing provider specializing in inspections, maintenance, repair and replacement. Our goal is to offer you the most economical solution for your roofing needs.

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 how do you know when to replace it? 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. SB Roofing offers full comprehensive roof inspections whether on an as needed basis or as part of a preventative maintenance program. Feel free to contact us should you have any roofing problems.