Portland Roof Experts – Your Superior Roofing

Signs That You Need A New Roof And The Different Types Of Roofs

Choosing whether or not you need to replace your roof is a huge hustle for most homeowners. However, with the following signs, you should be able to ascertain completely whether installing a new roof is the right thing to do.

Signs That You Need A New Roof.

1. Leaks – If you find a lot of water dripping inside your house from different locations, it’s a sign you need a new roof. Check your attic regularly especially after a huge storm and check for signs of water penetration. It’s especially important if you are a business to find a qualified commercial roofer, such as one serving Portland, Oregon, so that you can avoid excessive damages and downtime for your company.

2. Water Stains – If there are visible water stains in your interior walls or on the ceiling, it’s a sign that your roof might need replacing. If you ignore these water signs, the damage might spread to other areas of your home. If they are too intense, a simple repair job will not work so you need to replace the roof.

3. Paint Damage – Is the paint on your walls peeling? Are there blisters on the walls or swellings in the trim indoors or woodwork? Well, that’s caused by water pooling underneath these areas. They are a sign of a serious leak so you need to investigate and replace the roof immediately.

4. Mold – Any growth of mold or mildew on your walls or ceiling is a sign of a leaky roof. It might also be a plumbing issue so you need to inspect and replace your roof is there is too much condensation that has caused damage to what’s underneath.

5. Age – If your roof has lasted longer than the life cycle, it’s time to replace it. Most roofs can last as long as 20 years so check your roofing statistics to know when to replace.

Different Types Of Roofing Materials

When you choose to replace your roof, you can decide on any of the roofing materials outlined here.

1. Asphalt Shingles – They are the most popular roofing options because they are effective in different environmental conditions. They are affordable and are very durable. They should be replaced after 20 years.

2. Metal Roofs – They last about 60 years and can come in different sizes or shapes resembling other materials. They are perfect for different weather conditions.

3. Solar Tiles – These roofing materials can be integrated seamlessly into the existing shingles and used to create energy. They are perfect for places with a lot of sun exposure. However, they are costly besides the fact that they generate a lot of solar energy to reduce your utility costs every day.

4. Slate Roofs – They can last for more than 100 years. They don’t burn, are waterproof and resist fungus or mold. They are very useful for areas with wet climates but can be very costly and heavy. Also, they can break easily when stepped into so they shouldn’t be used in areas that experience hail.

5. Clay And Concrete Tiles – They can withstand any damage, including that of tornadoes, heavy winds and hurricanes. They are perfect for areas with dry and warm climates. They need a little extra support to bear the overall weight since they are heavy.

What You Should Look For Before Hiring A Roofer

I used to get a little nervous before talking to roofers. I knew they knew so much more about their craft than I do. Obviously it would have been easy to pull the wool over my eyes because I simply didn’t know much about roofs. Those days are over. Here are the things you should ask them every time.

License?

If your state requires them ask him about his roofing contract license. A knowledgeable, responsible businessman will certainly have one. If he doesn’t, maybe this isn’t the right roofer for you?

Quality

Ask Them About The Quality Of The Materials They’re Using. This is especially important if they are giving you a cheap estimate. While it’s important to have the job done at a cheap price, it’s even more important to know that the quality of the materials they’re using is up to a safe level.

Time

Ask them how long they’re going to take. While it’s fair to give them some time it is not a good idea to allow them to stretch out the project longer than is reasonable. Especially if they are getting paid by the hour.

Does Your Business Need A New Roof?

The roof of your business is something that should always be in good shape. There are a few different ways that you can do this. However, you may be asking yourself about the signs that you should look for that may tell you that you need a new roof as soon as possible. Continue reading to learn what the warning signs are that your business’s roof needs to be replaced.

There are some different signs that you will want to look for that can tell you that your roof needs to be replaced, or at least looked at by a reputable roofing company. One of these signs is a roof that is leaking. A roof should not allow anything to enter the building as it can cause a lot of damage that you may not be able to see. Another sign to look for is any visible damage. It is not always easy to see a damaged roof, but if you see anything that doesn’t look right, it is a good idea to contact a roofer. Also, you will want to be on the lookout for mold, algae, or moss. This is another sign that your roof may need to be replaced.

Metal Roof Repair

It seems like every time you turn your head, there is something that needs to be fixed. Fortunately, metal roof repair is not as complicated, time-consuming or expensive as fixing a traditional roof. Also keep in mind, having to repair a metal roof is usually a once in a lifetime situation. Most will last for decades before needing any type of maintenance done to them.

Even when you do need to fix your metal roof, it is not too costly or stressful. Right off the bat, your first task is to compare different specialists. In addition to searching for the best prices, you should also try to find the specialist who has an established track record. By getting the right person for the job from the start, the chances of any incorrect steps being taken on the repairs will be slim to none. Of course you will save money since you will not have to cover the cost of mistakes. You will also save your sanity because you can have the satisfaction of knowing you picked the right specialist.

When you talk to the different candidates for the job, don’t be shy to ask about their knowledge and experience with the type of repair you need. If they know what they are talking about and are not shady characters, they will quickly be able to give you an educated opinion. Once all of the details of your repair needs are on the table, the most qualified contractor will be able to give you a solid estimate of the time and money needed to get the job done properly.

Thinking of taking on the task yourself? The best thing you can do is be honest with yourself here. Are you used to fixing various products on your own? If your roof only has a small leak and you are confident in your skills then you should have no problem tackling the job on your own. On the other hand, if the repairs needed are significant then definitely look into hiring a professional who has plenty of experience. Sure it will cost a bit but it’s better than wasting your time only to find out you won’t be able to complete the task yourself.

Hail Damaged Roofing Tips

When to Replace a Hail Damaged Roof

If your asphalt shingle roof has been damaged in a hail storm, it may seem like the obvious time to replace the roof is “right now”. Naturally, a homeowner with a hail damaged roof is inclined to have the roof replaced as soon as possible, but avoid letting the pressure of getting the roof replaced quickly result in bad decision making.

Unlike other types of roof damage, in most cases of roof hail damage a homeowner has a little time to work with. Wind damage that causes the roof to leak calls for at a minimum an immediate temporary repair to prevent water intrusion and further damage to the roof. Having the roof repaired or replaced as soon as possible is important for wind damage and similar storm damage.

On the other hand, hail damage usually does not cause the roof to begin leaking immediately. Most hail damage stems from the loss of protective granules which greatly shortens the useful life of the roof. The ceramic granules on the exterior of asphalt shingles protect against sun exposure which dry out the shingles. When a hailstorm dislodges a significant quantity of these protective granules, the shingles will begin to dry out and become brittle. Once this happens, it’s only a matter to time before the roof fails and starts to leak.

However, this process won’t happen overnight. It will take a couple months before the roof fails which gives you enough time to find a good local roofing contractor to handle the roof replacement. Instead of letting a fly-by-night roofing contractor do the job because they are the only one available, it’s worth the wait for a reputable local roofer. In a few months all the storm chasers and out of town roofers will have moved on, but your local roofer will still be around to handle your reroofing project.

Consider Impact Resistant Roofing

Many homeowners have experienced the frustration of having to replace a hail damaged roof that was only a few years old. In many cases, homeowners have had to replace their roof two or three times during the course of ten to 15 years due to hail damage. Although most of the cost of a hail damaged roof replacement is usually covered by homeowner’s insurance, it makes sense to consider upgrading to impact resistant roofing materials if your home is located in an area prone to hail storms.

Your roofing contractor can provide more information about the options that are available for your home, but impact resistant roofing includes high quality composition asphalt shingles, metal roofing, slate and tile roofing. Impact resistant roofing costs a bit more than standard roofing materials, but it provides much better protection from the elements and lasts much longer than standard roofing.

By upgrading to impact resistant roofing, you can avoid having to pay the deductible every time your roof is replaced due to hail damage, wind damage and other storm damage. In addition, insurance rates are set by the frequency of claims in a certain area. By installing impact resistant roofing, you will be helping to lower the incidence of claims in your area and keeping insurance rates in check.

Also, your homeowner’s insurance carrier may offer a discounted rate to homeowners who install impact resistant roofing. Check with your insurance carrier to see if your home qualifies for a lower rate. Finally, your impact resistant roof will provide superior protection to your home for decades, saving you money in the long run.

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