SB Roofing Blog

Choosing the right roofer may be the most important as well as well as the most difficult shopping experience for most home owners. SB Roofing will provide a thorough evaluation and diagnosis of each aspect of the whole roof design including:

• Inspect current condition of the roof surface for visible signs of fatigue or failure.
• Inspection of the existing ventilation and water carrying system.
• Inspection of attic to establish condition of wood sheathing, ventilation, or improper insulation or air sealing.
• Condition of chimney and all areas that may require repair or replacement of the flashing or re-pointing.
• Determine if the roof is actually in need of replacement or if there are other conditions that may be causing problems. Not every roof that leaks is a bad roof. Ice dams can be the problem as even new roofs have been known to leak.
• Provide a variety of options for style, color, and the length of the warranty period that fits your budget.

Here at SB Roofing, we are dedicated to providing quality products, craftsmanship, and service. But, more importantly, we want to assure that you are completely satisfied with the job we do for you.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! Contact us today to learn more about our roofing services and how we can help you.

Every winter, your roof gets bombarded with wind, snow, ice and continual thaw-freeze conditions. This can result in severe and often hidden damage to the roof. Your roof can then leak during spring months when the heavy rains begin. Without a roof repair check-up and required repairs to your roof, a flood of water can cause thousands in damages.

Older roofs are especially vulnerable. Why? Because the shingles are already broken down from years of abuse from Mother Nature, and even if your roof has 5 or 10 more years of warranty life ahead, repairs to your roof are sometimes a must to get the most from your roof. Roof repairs are often mandatory.

Some of the areas your roof may require repairs are the loose or missing shingles that were damaged from hard winter winds. Shingles are extremely brittle in cold temperatures, and hard driven cold winds can easily break shingles. The worst danger areas are around chimneys, skylights, and anywhere shingles butt up against a wall. These are all very crucial roof repair areas during the new raining spring months.

Spring is almost here. Now is the time to do repairs to your roof. Roof repairs during the early months of spring after a hard blistery winter can literally save you thousands of dollars of damage and can keep your roof in tip top shape. Contact us today to learn more about your roof and repair services we offer.

Ice dams are simply ridges of ice that form at the edge of a home's roof and prevent the melting snow and/or water from draining off the roof. This water, if left undrained, can cause leaks in your home's roof, ceilings, walls, insulation and other problems.

So how are ice dams formed? A number of things can cause ice dams such as loss of heat from your home, snow cover on your roof, and the outside temperatures. In order for ice dams to form, there typically must be snow cover on the roof of your home. At the same time, the higher areas of your roof's outside surface are normally above freezing, while the lower surfaces are below freezing. This typically happens when the temperature outside is lower than freezing or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperatures at the higher levels of your roof reach above freezing, they begin to melt. As the water from this melting snow runs down the roof and reaches the lower portions of your roof it re-freezes. This causes an ice dam. The dam will grow as more water runs down the roof from the melting snow but will typically limit itself to those areas of the roof that remain below the freezing point.

If you currently have ice dams, they can be removed before any damage is done. You must first remove the snow from the roof. Taking a water hose and applying warm water on a day in which temperatures are above freezing will create the channels and allow the melted water to flow off your roof, preventing a further ice build up and keeping your interior safe from water damage. Should you be experiencing any ice dams be sure to contact us today and we'll be happy to come inspect your roof and diagnose the problem.

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.

Proper maintenance is key for keeping a roof in top shape. Roofs made of different materials require different kind of maintenance. As you can see in our "about your roof" page we explain how your roof actually functions. However, regardless of the material used to make a flat or slanting roof, debris and weather are two major culprits behind damage and deterioration of roofs.

Whether you have a roof made of asphalt shingles or cedar shakes, you can ensure that it not only lasts longer but keeps looking beautiful for years if only you follow the under mentioned roof maintenance tips. 

• Clean off any debris from your roof on a regular basis. You should trim the tree branches that hang over your roof. It is recommended to get
•  It is recommended to get a professional roofing specialist to do a through inspection of your roof. This way you can replace loose shingles and cracked tiles before they allow any form of water damage to take place.
• Pay special attention to the flashings around vents, skylights and chimneys while checking for any sign of damage.
• Make it a point to clean gutters and down spouts every month so that they are not choked with leaves, sticks or other debris.
• Do not walk on the roof while conducting an inspection or some roof repair work. Use an extension ladder for the purpose.
• Do not commit the mistake of painting your shingles as it reduces their life span drastically and they start looking shabby in a few months time.

If you have shingles one of the most common problems of having an asphalt shingle roof is that it easily grows algae and moss the can cause moisture entrapment and hence resultant dampness and leaking. To prevent this from happening, you can install zinc control strips along the ridges and joints of the roof surface. You can also check the problem of replacing missing shingles by applying some roofing cement under loose shingle tabs. Do not forget to check the caulking from time to time and keep the same debris free. Contact us today should you have any problems when dealing with roof inspections. If you feel uncomfortable being on the roof, then allow us at SB Roofing to do the job for you, we would be happy to assist any of our customers when helping with their roof.

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.

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.

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 when is the right time to replace your roof? 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. With our professional roofing team we can ensure that the roof over your home or office is a good one and will last for a long time. To learn more about smart roofing solutions and how they can save you thousands of dollars a year check out our solutions page. SB Roofing is a Virginia Beach Roofer who offers full comprehensive roof inspections whether on an as needed basis or as part of a preventative maintenance program. Contact us today for any roof inspections, repairs, or replacements you may need.

What most people fail to realize is the most important part of a home; the roof. And regular maintenance of it is prudent if you are going to keep it intact.  Are you witnessing leaks and/or visible damage and are wondering whether to replace or repair the roof? Well have no fear, the professionals at SB Roofing Services can help you with your decision below:

The lifespan of any given roof swings wildly.  Poor solutions may not last 10 years. Some come with limited guarantees of 30, 40, or 50 years.  Shingles are the most popular roofing solution.  They are also the most cost effective.  Composed of many types, shingles are available in an assortment of colors, brands and styles.  Choosing the right shingle for you and your environment is based on many different factors

Regardless of how bad of shape you think your roof is in, you may not need a replacement at all. We can also assist in helping you avoid costly replacement and extending the life of your existing roof. We offer multiple roof services to include replacement, repair, roof inspections, and general preventative roof maintenance.  And we will repair your shingles with higher quality products than you have now and with the exact color to match.

We appreciate and respect the trust that is provided to us when working on one of the very most important aspects of your home. The bottom line, we install or repair every roof as if it was our own. If you have any questions at all about roof inspection, repair, or replacement feel free to contact us for a free no obligation estimate!