SB Roofing Blog

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.

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.

Upkeep and repair and maintenance of your home can get expensive, homeowners need to prioritize. Obviously, maintenance involving water intrusion or safety issues should take top priority.

Roof inspection: Water intrusion is issue No. 1. Periodic roof inspection is a must as undetected leaks cause so many costly home repairs: ceilings, insulation, flooring and the roof itself.

Frequency of roof inspections depends on the roof's age and type and local weather conditions. In Virginia Beach, hail damage, wind and rain is a major problem.

Older roofs exposed to severe weather should be inspected more often than newer roofs, and in Virginia we have tough winters with snow and ice and summer-long, extreme-heat periods that dry out asphalt shingles. But don't wait until you see water stains on ceilings to have your roof inspected. Contact SB Roofing for a free, no obligation estimate.

The recent bout of destructive weather has left homeowners scrambling to make roof repairs to torn  shingles, eaves, gutters and chimneys.

Roof Inspection and Repair
The typical life span of a roof is between 18 and 20 years, but problems certainly arise along the way. Too often, people wait until there’s a leak or some damage. Be warned, even a few ripped shingles or loose flashing can result in rotted wood in the frames, electrical wiring mishaps or soggy sheetrock.

Still, procrastination can result in a bigger, more expensive project.

Routine roof maintenance and minor roof repairs entail nominal fees for materials and labor whereas total replacement — especially when the damage involves indoor wall structures — can run thousands.

Flat roofs need to be inspected for worn spots, depressions and proper drainage, and touched up or replaced as necessary.

There are dozens of styles and roofing materials available for installing new roofs or for repairing existing roofs.

There are designer styles, but most people opt for the standard asphalt shingles.

Original Article HPBA Newscast

We don’t often look up at the roof. But inspecting your roof regularly and repairing it as needed can prevent some costly repairs down the road. Keeping your roof in good condition will also benefit you if you decide to sell your home.

What do you look for and how often do you inspect the roof?

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends you do a roof inspection at least two times a year -- spring and fall. The best place to begin is inside your house, head to the attic with a flashlight.

Here are four things to look for on the inside:

1.   Places where the roof deck is sagging
2.   Signs of water damage or leaking
3.   Dark spots and trails
4.   Outside light showing through the roof

What to look for on the exterior:  

When you take a look at the exterior of the roof, pay attention to such things as damaged flashing, missing shingles, curling, blistering, buckling, rotting and algae growth (which occurs most often in humid climates and appears as dark or greenish stains).

1. Visually inspect your roof for cracked, torn, bald or missing shingles.
2. Scan the roof for loose material or wear around chimneys, vents, pipes or other penetrations.
3. Watch out for an excessive amount of shingle granules in the gutters, this is a sign of advanced wear.
4. Check for signs of moisture, rot or mold. Note that wet spots may not be directly under your faulty shingle; water can travel down to its lowest spot before it drips. Mold, fungi and bacteria can grow quickly, within 24 to 48 hours of a water-related problem.
5. Examine the drainage, and make sure gutters and downspouts are securely attached. Also ensure all drains are open and allow water to exit, and all gutters and downspouts are free of debris.
6. Check that all bath, kitchen and dryer vents go entirely outside of your home, not just into the attic space.

Original article – Home and Garden

Metal roofing is becoming a popular alternative to shingles because it is strong, aesthetically pleasing and exceedingly durable. Should you consider metal roofing for your Virginia Beach home? Other than a great appearance, metal roofing offers many benefits.

Long lasting
Metal roofing offers exceptional longevity compared to other roofing materials. Metal withstand adverse weather conditions much better than other roofs. Metal roofs look great for years with little to no maintenance.

Better Energy Efficiency
The main benefit of metal roofing is that it can help to improve your home's energy efficiency. It reflects heat away from the home rather than absorbing it like other roofing materials, so the home's attic stays much cooler. This increase in energy efficiency will lower your utility bills.

Value
Like many energy-efficient additions, a metal roof can also boost your home's resale value while making your home look great, boosting curb appeal and helping it stand out in a crowded real estate market.

Standing seam metal roofs are available in steel or aluminum, and a variety of thicknesses.  They are fabricated to meet the dimensions of your home and are installed with unexposed fasteners, so you don't have to worry about penetrations that could cause leaks.

Professional-looking metal roofs are a great investment, and they are available in a wide range of styles and colors. Here are some of the advantages of Metal Roofs from SB Roofing:

• Light Weight
• Durable. The lowest end metal roofing will last 20–30 years which is roughly 2 times the lifespan of an average asphalt roof. Most metal roofing products today come with warranties from 25 to 50 years.. The coatings and fixings on steel roof sheeting can be designed for different environments including industrial and marine locations.
• Fire and spark resistant.
• Hail resistant.
• Wind resistant.
• Metal is readily recyclable. Aluminum and copper roofing products are available with over 95% recycled content. As an example: recycled Aluminum only requires 5% of the energy to produce as does new Aluminum.
• Energy efficiency. Coatings with high reflectivity commonly save 20-30% on air-conditioning costs because they reflect much of the sun's heat. This increases the thermal efficiency of buildings in high temperature areas.
• Labor efficient
• Most metal roofing products require very little or no maintenance.
• Metal roofs are often used to cover large buildings because of their high strength to weight ratio.
  

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.

Choosing the right roofing materials for repair or installation of a new roof is a pretty hard thing to do especially for those who do not have any experience. Roofing is one of the most important facets in the structure and integrity of your home, so it is necessary to do the proper research for the best roofing materials for your home and your needs.

Deciding on the best roofing material to use depends on your personal preference but it also depends on the area where your house is located.

Asphalt Shingles - The most cost effective among all types of roofing - that's why they are widely used. Asphalt shingles provides a variety of colors that add style to your roof. Asphalt shingles usually have 30-, 40-, 50-year or limited lifetime warranties. They are widely being used by homeowners.

Architectural Shingles- Synthetic Architectural Shingle roofs are designed to look exactly like the natural roofs, such as slate or cedar, but synthetic materials are lighter weight and usually less expensive to repair. Synthetic slate and cedar are highly fire resistant.  They are also backed by a 50-year manufacturer's warranty.

Standing Seam Metal Roof – Similar to  asphalt shingles in functionality and durability, they are inexpensive, long-lasting and easy to install. A properly installed metal roof should last at least 50 years. They are great in warmer climates where they reflect the heat from the sun.

Wood Shingles - the ideal choice of many homeowners. The color of wood shingles turns lighter over time, but this look is often what the homeowner is looking for. With proper care and maintenance, wood shingles could last for about thirty to fifty years.

Architectural shingles are a new generation of high-quality roofing shingles with a distinctive, textured appearance.  They are also known as laminated or dimensional shingles; architectural roofing shingles are among the highest quality roofing products made. Architectural shingles were designed to produce an asphalt shingle product that had the higher end quality look of slate or cedar wood shake shingles, without the negatives of breakage, insect damage or weight. Architectural shingles come in a wide variety of colors, styles, and warranties.  

Architectural shingles have a unique visual appearance. Instead of a running row pattern as with 3-tab shingles, architectural shingles have a cedar shake texture appearance that give a more dramatic look to a home. Architectural shingles are also excellent for hiding roof imperfections due to their textured look. Because of this alone, many home builders prefer to use them today. However, many builders believe that architectural shingles are easier to install then 3-tab shingles.

Architectural shingles are manufactured using a mat base that is heavier than the standard 3-tab asphalt shingle. The mat base is made from either organic materials or fiberglass material coated with asphalt. Colored granules are then added to the top surface. Multiple layers are overlapped and laminated together to produce the textured appearance found in architectural shingles.

Due to the heavier mat base, architectural shingles are heavier than standard 3-tab shingles, thus making them less susceptible to curling and wind damage. Some higher end architectural shingles are rated for winds up to 120mph. They also have heavy coats of granules are also highly fire resistant.

Architectural shingles are excellent for more complicated and higher end roof lines, such as hip roofs, or roofs that include turrets and gables.