Category: Roofing

Things You Should Ask a Potential Commercial Roofer?

Roof replacement and extensive roof repair are expensive projects – if your roof is old or damaged beyond repair or if you need a major fix, it is essential to ensure that your money is well-spent and the roofing services that you receive are the best.

The process of finding a suitable Atlanta commercial roofing contractor should always start with the identification of multiple roofers in your area, followed by face to face meetings with each of them. It is very important to prepare for the meeting, so here are some of the most relevant topics to cover during your discussions with potential roofing partners.

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The Roofer’s Profile and Credentials

Most roofers specialize in handling only certain types of roofs – some work only with metal roofs, others are experts in handling synthetic rubber roofs or are specialists in installing built-up roofs. To ensure the best results, you need a Atlanta commercial roofing contractor who is familiar with all the ins and outs of the type of roof that you have, so finding out about the roofer’s experience in the field is essential.

The other very important thing to check is the roofer’s licensing and insurance status. Most states require roofing contractors to obtain a license and to carry a general liability insurance and a workman’s compensation policy. During the meetings, ask the roofers to provide copies of the documents and take the time to check them for the state in which the documents were issued as well as for their validity. Asking to be shown some portfolio photos and to be provided verifiable references is also important.

Your Roofing Options

Whatever material you want to be used on your roof, the category surely includes products manufactured by different manufacturers, in different quality categories. Ask the roofer to tell you about your option and to outline the pros and con of each of the proposed solutions.

The Roofing Process

Before you start a roofing process, you need to know exactly what the process will involve. Ask the roofer to walk you through the entire process. Cover as many of the related questions as you can think of, including who will be supervising the work; how many people will work on your roof; how the roofing site will be prepared; how the materials will be installed; how long the project will take and how the debris generated will be removed.

Prices and Warranties

The price of the project is another essential detail. Request a detailed cost estimate from each of the contractors you talk and find out about the warranties offered, too (ideally, your roofer should provide a manufacturer’s warranty on the products used as well as a warranty on the workmanship). Take your time to compare the cost estimates you receive in terms of the final amount, the completion deadline and the quality levels of the materials proposed.

The Final Step

There is one more important thing to do before starting the project: draft and sign a contract. You should not engage into a roofing project without a written contract that lists all the terms and conditions of your agreement with the Atlanta commercial roofing contractor.

The Best Way to Determine If Your Home Has Suffered Storm Damage

Storm damage is often subtle enough that it won’t be noticed too easily. When the storm isn’t too strong, but your roof is somewhat older, or it’s made from a material that can easily succumb to bad storms, you’ll need to be on your toes. Failing to spot storm damage in time can lead to some pretty serious (and costly) problems. So, instead of having to spent hundreds of dollars on expensive repairs it might be better to keep track of things in advance and work on preventive repairs and maintenance to keep your roof in good working order.

A Visual Inspection Will Tell You a Lot

People think that they need a roofer to find most of the problems that their roof might have. This isn’t always true. A quick visual inspection can already tell you a lot about the quality and state of your current roof, so that in most cases, you will know if it needs to be replaced, or if the storm damage is just minor and can be fixed through some basic patchwork.

Once you check out your roof, make sure you look closely at the flashing and the number of damaged or missing shingles. Also, keep track of how long it’s been since your roof has been inspected by a professional roofer. The longer it stayed unsupervised and the greater the visible damage is, the more likely it will be that your roof needs internal repairs as well. That can complicate things a lot, and in many cases roofers will recommend that you have the entire roof scrapped and the decking repaired before attempting to install a new roof.

Take It to the Next Step with a Detailed Roof Inspection

A quick visual inspection can help you a lot, but it won’t be as effective as a thorough roof inspection conducted by an experienced technician. Your roofer can get to the heart of the issue by inspecting both  the external part of the roof and the areas that are a lot harder to evaluate. They will find the source of even the smallest leak and recommend important structural repairs that could be required to prevent heavy damage later on.

Although a roof inspection might seem like an extra measure that most homeowners don’t need, in reality it’s a very essential step. It can even mean the difference between a roof that will keep seeping thousands of dollars a year from your bank account and one that will no longer bother you after a quick and efficient repair job.

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DIY Vs Professional Roofing

As a homeowner, you might think that fixing your roof should be your responsibility. However, DIY roofing doesn’t always work out so well, especially when it comes down to performing difficult repairs or getting through a complex project involving the correction of bad ventilation or the partial replacement process for an older roof.

For most complex tasks you’ll find that the services or at least the support of one of the most professional roofing contractors Tyler Texas has will be very welcome indeed. So you no longer have to worry that your roof could suffer serious damage again within just a few months of the repair work being completed.

Top Commercial Roofing Materials

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Choosing the best roofing material for your business is no small task – there are so many materials available on the market and so many design solutions that picking the right combination might feel daunting. To make your task easier, here are some of the top materials used on commercial roofs.

Metal

One of the most durable materials available on the market today is also one of the most appreciated solutions for commercial applications. Metal roofing panels are made from various alloys, including steel, aluminum, copper, coated and galvanized varieties, all of them offering a lifespan of around five decades and very low maintenance and repair needs. Though the metal sheets used on roofs are strong and durable, their resistance to the effects of the elements can be further enhances with the help of protective coatings.

EPDM Roofing

These membranes are made from synthetic rubber and they are ideal for being used on any low-sloping roofs, in any climate area. The material is lightweight, therefore suitable for buildings that use lightweight frames and its superior resistance to UV radiation makes it the perfect solution for roofs in hot climate areas.

BUR

Built-up roofs are roofing systems that have been around for a long time and are likely to stay popular in the future, too. BUR systems have a lot to offer, such as resistance to high traffic, very low maintenance needs, durability and resistance to the elements and affordability.

PVC Roofing

These systems are usually made up from two layers of PVC, with a layer of polyester between the layers of PVC. The UV-resistance and the flexibility of the material are ensured with the help of additives. The solution is resistant to fire, therefore it is especially suitable for sensitive applications. The only downside of the material is that repair is very difficult, therefore the replacement of the deteriorated panel is usually the preferred solution.

TPO Roofing

The material is relatively new on the market, but it is becoming increasingly popular due to the great qualities it offers. It is very quick and easy to install (it does require professional mounting, but the process takes very short to complete), it does not develop leaks and it is also very easy to maintain. TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin, a synthetic rubber that comes with all the flexibility and durability that can be expected of rubber.

Coating Products

According to some of the best commercial roofing companies Connecticut has, commercial roofs need to be constructed from the right material to offer long-lasting and reliable performance, but there are also many supplementary products that can – and should – be used for enhancing the protection offered by the roof. These products usually come in the form of coatings that need to be applied regularly on the roof surface. Today, there are special coatings available for improving the roof’s resistance to water penetration, to make them more resistant to UV radiation or to impact. Most of these products are of the consistency of thick paint and they can be applied the same way as paint, with brushes, rollers or from spray cans.