Professional Roofing Processes Part Three (Tear Off and Clean Up)

       Most of our roofing projects begin with a full tear off of all roofing, underlayments, edging, and existing vents, pipe flashing, etc. This is a messy job but it allows us to start with a clean slate and not cover over any potential problems in your current roof system. Although building code allows for a 2nd layer to be placed over an existing roof, it is almost never in the clients best interest from a value standpoint, and the reduction in warranty coverage is evidence.
       We begin by protecting your house and landscaping with tarps and plywood to ensure your property looks as good as it did before we started. Safety is always top priority. We are professionals who do this everyday. In the event that an accident occurs, you can rest assured that we have proper Contractor's Liability, NYS Disability, and Worker's Compensation Insurance to protect our clients, our trade partners, and ourselves.
      

       After clean up we will walk your grounds with magnets to recover any nails that got away. Once the tear off is complete, we now have a clean view of your roof. It is at this time we may need to add some extra plywood or flashings to the job scope. If this happens, we will introduce a change order so you will know the additional cost, before the work is done. Communication is key to ensure both client and contractor satisfaction.

Next we will discuss the proper preparation of your new Integrity Roof System.

www.built-righthomeimprovements.com
   

Professional Roofing Processes Part Two (Proposal)

     We arrived on time for our scheduled appointment, briefly discussed any questions or concerns about your project, performed a thorough evaluation of your current roof system, now its time to put all that information together and present a Professional Roofing Proposal.
     The scope of the project obviously affects the price. Just putting a second layer over existing shingles is going to be much more affordable than performing a complete tear off of the entire roof system. But is that really the best option for your client? The key here is providing options that will suit the customers needs and thoroughly explaining the differences and advantage or disadvantage of each option. Too many roofing contractors concentrate so much on being the cheapest option that they often do an injustice to the customer by selling and installing an insufficient solution to the clients needs.
      It has been proven that lack of communication is the #1 reason why homeowners have a bad experience with the contractor. This why we take the time to sit with our customers, provide a detailed proposal, and explain each step in the process thoroughly. When we leave, our clients feel comfortable in their decision to have Built-Right Home Improvements install their new roof system.

www.built-righthomeimprovements.com

 

Professional Roofing Processes Part One (Evaluation)

     With the exit of a far too long and brutal winter upon us, it's time to start thinking of repairing or upgrading the look and functionality of your home's exterior. While this could involve many different projects, I'm going to focus on roofing today.
      You have done your research and come to terms that it's time for a new roof. After calling a few contractors, most of which did not answer their phone or call back, you scheduled your Free Roofing Consultation with Built-Right Home Improvements. This is what you can expect throughout the process of the initial meeting.

 

The Built-Right Roofing Evaluation

 

- We will begin by asking you a few questions about your home. You live here and experience the changes in weather and seasons, and the resulting effects on your home.

- Next, we will perform a thorough evaluation of your existing roof system, if the conditions allow.

- While we are inspecting your roof we are measuring, checking for additional layers, identifying potential problem areas, making note of access around the home, planning for landscape protection, checking the condition of the current gutter system, determining what type of delivery (Rooftop conveyor or ground drop).

- Our inspection is focused on three main areas that affect roof performance.

 

Insulation- When possible, we will look into the attic space of your home. For our climate, it is recommended to have a minimum R-38 or 12 inches of insulation. Any less and the resulting heat loss can cause ice damming and potential leaks.

 

Ventilation- While in the attic we can inspect the effectiveness of your ventilation system. All modern roofing needs to have a proper intake and exhaust to maximize the performance of your roof and protect your investment. Poor ventilation leads to mold, condensation, ice damming, and premature roof failure.

 

Preparation- While on the roof, we can inspect the condition of your current roof system. We can determine if proper flashings are installed, identify potential problem areas, feel for damaged plywood, and begin the plan to install a roof to last for years to come.

We have now gathered all the information necessary to provide the homeowner with a few different options for installing a new roof system. In the next post we will discuss the Professional Roofing Proposal, and how communication here is key to both customer satisfaction, and problem free installation.

www.built-righthomeimprovements.com

 

 

 

How To Assess Your Home For Damage After A Long Winter

     Winter is coming to a close. It seems like forever since the last time you looked at your home, or could even see it without being covered in snow. A lot of homes sustain damage from the winter weather. Most is minor, but in some instances, the damage can be severe. A proper assessment of your home's interior and exterior will help you find any potential damage. Then you can contact a professional to develop a plan to make the necessary repairs.
      Let's start on your home's exterior. First, take a walk around the perimeter. Look for any missing shingles on your roof. The wind is brutal in some areas, and the shingles get brittle when cold. If not properly installed or sealed before the onset of the cold, windy weather, the shingles are prone to blowing off. Look on the ground for pieces of shingles. A few small chunks usually isn't much to worry about, especially if you had ice dams removed, but if you are seeing large pieces all over your yard, you may have a bigger problem looming in the near future. Also look for missing or damaged siding and overhang trim. The wind and ice sometimes loosen these as well.
      While walking around your home, you will want to check for icicles too. Icicles should be on the front of gutters, and smaller in size. If you notice icicles behind your gutters, in your overhang, or coming out of your siding, this means the water has penetrated your roof and underlayments. If the icicles are tinted brown, then you have sustained some damage to the sheathing  in the area and should be looked at by a professional as soon as weather allows.
      As the snow melts and your gutters thaw, while walking around your home, you will want to check where each downspout drains into your yard. If you find large piles of granules, or small chunks of shingles, this indicates excessive wear of your roof shingles. It is important to have a professional inspect your roof for possible replacement.
     There are some things to look for on the inside of your home too. First, look at all the perimeter walls and ceilings. You may not have noticed a small leak this winter. Bubbling or peeling paint and small water marks will show you the way. Check window jambs and sills for water marks. Check all of your windows for cracks. Older windows with single panes are vulnerable to cracking in extreme cold temperatures or high wind.
     If you have attic access, you can check for leaks at your eaves, around pipes protruding through the roof, chimneys, flashing areas, etc. Now is a good time to check your insulation as well. A minimum of 12" of attic insulation is recommended in our northern climate. Be sure your insulation is not blocking airflow from your eaves, and if it is, pull it away (you should be able to see light coming from your eaves in your attic).
     This is just a few ways you can help keep your home in good shape to enjoy for years to come. If you would prefer a professional survey of the damages, if any, on your home from this winter, call 716.316.1831 to speak to me directly. Or visit our website, www.built-righthomeimprovements.com to contact us.

The Science of Roofing

The Science of Roofing

 

What do you think of when you picture a new roof being installed? In the past, it was 10 or more guys with a pocket full of nails and a hammer, trying to tear it all off and put it back on in one day. Tar was used as flashing, and nobody gave a thought about ventilation. Roofing was much more affordable then, and it didn’t matter as much if it needed to be done again in 20 years.

 

With the cost of today’s roofing growing approximately 5% each year, a little more care is needed to ensure your roof is an investment that will protect your home for many years. We take a scientific approach to the roofing process by addressing three main concerns:

 

Insulation: If your current insulation is less than 12” thick, then too much heat is escaping into your attic. This causes ice damming and eventually leaks. It also causes condensation on the underside of your roof sheathing which could lead to delamination or mold growth.

 

Preparation: Do you have proper ice shield? Is there flashing at roof/wall transitions? Any loose or rotten plywood? These are all important issues to address in order to maximize the life of your new roof.

 

Ventilation: A balanced ventilation system is not only vital to your roof’s performance, it is a manufacturer requirement for warranty. A balanced system consists of 50% or more of combined net free air flow at the eaves and the remaining portion at the peaks.

 

Our ShingleMaster status with CertainTeed roofing ensures that our installers have been trained on the correct installation procedures for all aspects of asphalt roofing.

Choosing The Right Roofing Contractor In Lockport, NY

When you are in the market for a new roof, there are many factors to consider before hiring a contractor to do the job. I have listed a few of the most important factors below. Please take a moment and read the following, and I promise, if you follow these guidelines, you are going to have a better result after making one of the toughest decisions you ever had to make. After all, our roof protects everything we value underneath it.

References

If your contractor cannot provide references to the quality of work they perform, do not hire.

Accreditation's

In today's roofing market, there are way too many people claiming to be professionals. The only way to be sure is to look for manufacturer certified contractors. This proves that through continuing education in the ever changing processes of roofing, and the commitment to quality results, the manufacturer is willing to provide support to these few contractors. Roofing has come a long way from just a hammer and nails, especially in the climate of Western New York. It has become a science to battle the harsh effects of weather, temperature, ventilation, etc., to provide a roof with maximum life expectancy.

Price

In today's economy, many people are tempted and ultimately fooled when receiving proposals for thousands of dollars less than the nearest competitors. There is a reason they are so cheap. The profit will always be the same, but the labor may be cheap and inexperienced. Maybe they are using the lowest quality materials, or even worse, skipping essential portions of the roofing process altogether, to maintain their "bottom line". An excellent rule is to obtain 3 written estimates by reputable businesses in your area. If the prices are all close, make sure you compare the details, apples to apples, as this tends to separate the best of the best. If one estimate is way higher than the other 2, while performing the same work, throw it away. In contrast, if one estimate is way lower than the other 2, while performing the same work, throw it away also. You have to be very smart with your decisions, as very few contractors actually care about little else than the money that goes into their pockets.

Knowledge

This is probably the most critical step. Ask a lot of questions. A reputable sales person will be able to answer them all with little or no hesitation. As I mentioned before, roofing is a science. This will eliminate the companies that are uneducated, or set in their ways and not willing to change with the technology of today. Shingles are made different than they were, and therefore have to be installed differently.

Longevity

I list this last, because it wasn't all that long ago when I first started out in business. While there are many young entrepreneurs out there that will provide good results at fair prices, the fact remains that there is a lot more to a business, than just good work. Studies have shown that more than 50% of the roofing businesses started in a given year, fail within 1 year. Even worse, 75% are gone within 2 years of business. The great price you paid for your new roof 2 years ago, isn't looking all that good 3 years later when it leaks and you can't find the contractor because he isn't in business anymore.

The point of all this is to make sure you are an "educated consumer". You will end up satisfied with your project, and it will last longer if you follow the steps above.

Thanks for reading this article,

Chris Wagner

Built-Right Home Improvements

http://www.built-righthomeimprovements.com/