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.

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.

You may have been putting off the new roof, but it isn’t easy to forget about when large storms loom off the coast of Mexico. Now may be the time for you to consider taking on that roofing project.

Replacing your roof is a large and expensive home improvement project but when done right, with the right materials you improve your home’s appearance, value and structural integrity. But your roof will also look great, last a long time, and do its job.

But, which roofing shingles do you choose?

Asphalt shingles are the most widely used. They are relatively cheaper than most other types of shingles, and they come in a wide range of colors and designs and are quite durable. These shingles can last up to twenty years.

Composite shingles are made from many different materials. These shingles are are inexpensiveYou also have a lot of options in their appearance because they come in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Wood shingles or shakes, are made from medicated woods : pine, spruce, or cedar. Some setbacks of wood are breakage, deformity, and cowering. So it is usually recommended that when using wood that you do a roof replacement in 10 years or so. However, they look beautiful.

Architectural Shingles resemble a shake shingle.  These shingles look great and have a great warranty which usually ranges from 30 years to lifetime.

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

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.

Promising rock-bottom prices and quick turnaround for a new roof, unlicensed and untrained home improvement “professionals” prey on consumers when they're most vulnerable.

Unfortunately, this is a common practice that usually results in poor installations that later cause trouble, when the installer has moved on to the next town. 

Choosing a new roof to protect your home and family is a big decision, and deserves careful consideration.
The nonprofit Metal Roofing Alliance recommends homeowners ask these questions before signing a contract for a new roof:

1. Is the company licensed, and are the employees bonded and insured? How long has the company been in business?
2. What types of roofing materials does the company offer?  The industry has evolved - there are many choices beyond the old asphalt shingle.
3. Will the contractor provide a written, final estimate?
4. Can the new roof be installed over the existing roof?
5. What are the environmental considerations of the new materials and disposal of the old roof?
6. What company manufactures the roofing material the contractor will use?
7. How long with will the new roof last?  What does the warranty cover?
8. Will the company use subcontractors?  If so, how will they be managed/supervised?
9. Is there pending legal action against the company?
10. Can you speak with former customers? 

Most homeowners will have to buy three or more roofs in their lifetime.

A growing number of homeowners are avoiding the chore and cost of multiple roof installations by choosing durable and environmentally-friendly metal roofs.   Resistant to cracking, shrinking and eroding, metal roofs stand up to hail, high winds and even wildfires.  Today's residential metal roofing is competing with common roofing material - such as asphalt shingle, cedar shake, clay tile or slate roofing - only stronger and more durable. No matter the style, most homeowners who choose a metal roof will never have to worry about re-roofing again.

Original article on PR Newswire

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.

Many homeowners have experienced roof leaks or have noticed visible signs that their home or roof is aging.  However, unfortunately, there are additional components to your roof system that are not always easy to identify.

There are many contractors who will do a basic roof inspection, meaning an examination of the exterior of your roof, sometimes from street level, and basic components like flashings.  Unfortunately, this is a basic standard in the industry.  However, more thorough roof inspections can identify areas of concern and identify items that could potentially lead to more costly roof damage and roof repairs. In the case of roof inspections, ignorance is not bliss.

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

•   Inspect all flashing 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 us today to schedule a free roof inspection.

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.