SB Roofing Blog

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.

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.

Many homeowners are hesitant to execute home roof replacement services even when the signs of problems are obvious. After all, you are not a roof expert and it can be hard to know if it is time to replace your roof. That is unless you find yourself watching the game in your living room while holding an umbrella.  Asking yourself the following questions can help you get an idea of whether or not a roof replacement is in your immediate future.

First off, how old is the roof? If you bought your residence or the structure in question from someone else, this is something that you should have asked during the purchasing process. A new roof can raise the value of real estate while one that is over a decade old can detract from it. Here are some quick facts to know about roof lifespan:

• The average life of a new roof is between 12 and 20 years
• Even if the roof was guaranteed for 20 or 30 years, if it is over 15, it may need to be replaced
• In areas with extreme weather, the lifespan of a roof is significantly shortened. While we do not get as extreme weather conditions in the Virginia area as most other places, environmental damage can still shorten the lifespan.

One idea to think about is whether your neighbors have replaced their roofs. Although it is not a good idea to covet your neighbor's possessions, roofing is one exception to your mother's rules. If your neighbors are getting new roofs, this may be a sign that you should also replace your roof.  We say this for two reasons.  First, most neighborhoods are built around the same time and by the same roofing contractor.  Therefore, if their roofing solutions are wearing out, chances are so is yours.  Second, in a competitive housing market like the current one, you need every advantage you can get.  An old roof looks bad when positioned next to a street full of new ones. This decre the value of your house.

Weather is always a cause for concern when dealing with roofs. As mentioned above, extreme temperatures and weather can shorten the lifespan of any roof. Another problem that occurs during severe weather is it can worsen any small problems that existed before the storm or heat. Loose or weakened tiles subjected to strong winds or heavy rain can lead to bigger problems.  Damaged roofs must be repaired immediately to prevent more costly damage.  The pros at SB Roofing will complete your roof repair quickly and professionally in no time at all.   

Although these questions can provide an idea of whether or not it is time to replace your roof, the only way to know for sure is to consult a roofing professional that has been servicing the Hampton roads area for over 15 years. If these questions still made you unsure whether to repair or replace your roof, then contact us today, and we will be happy to help.