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Roof Drainage

For your roof to drain properly, you need 3 things; proper placement of drains, proper slope on your roof, and proper sized drains, which on a sloped roof would mean gutters. Also, consider the amount and intensity of rainfall you would normally encounter during storms.

What gutters and drains do is detour the water falling from your roof away from the exterior walls and foundation. If you have gutters, its critical that the materials they’re made of, how they’re installed and the maintenance you perform on them are needed to prevent damage to your roof. Blocked gutters or drains can cause water to back up below the membrane or pool on the surface in areas that could take a long time to dry out. You never want standing water on any roof surface.

Things To Think About When Choosing The Type of Drainage For Your Roof

Material Choices

For gutters, aluminum and steel are the most common material choices.  They are durable and resist cracking, bending and corrosion. These are 3 of the most common cases of damage to a roof. Corrosion, cracking and bending of gutters are one of the most common causes of damage to roofs.

Maintenance & Inspections

Proper maintenance and regular inspections of your downspouts and and gutters is crucial to keep water flowing away from your property. The downspouts that carry that water away tend to clog and back up and must be kept clear. Proper maintenance and regular checks of the downspouts and gutters is essential to keep water flowing smoothly away from your building.

Clogged Gutter

One of the most common causes of roof damage is a clogged gutter. Most gutters are open-top, which tend to accumulate debris (leaves, sticks) along with nesting birds and rodents. When your gutter gets blocked, water stops flowing and spills over the edge in the wrong places. The pooling and spilling water can soak your roofing material and make it rot. Locations where the gutters or downspouts are blocked also make a great place for mold, mildew and algae to thrive and grow.

Proper Installation

Proper installation of the roof drain and gutters is also extremely important. If they aren’t installed right, they will almost certainly fail. they have to be installed with the roof’s pitch and angles taken into account. You’ll have damage to your roof line, or the gutters will crack or pull away from your property if they aren’t installed properly.

Commercial Buildings

If you have a commercial building, where and how many roof drains or gutters you place is critical. Drains should be located no more than 100 feet apart and no more than 50 feet from the roof’s perimeter.

Building Codes

Your city or state surely has building codes that need to be checked before you make any changes or additions to your building.

Call The Professionals

If you think your drainage apparatus isn’t working the way it should, you should call a professional roofing contractor to inspect it as soon as possible. they will be able to pinpoint any problems for you and should be knowledgeable about the type of drainage thats appropriate for your property and the areas applicable building codes.

Protect Your Property

There are many things to consider when making the decision to do a shingle roof installation on your home.  Your property in the interior of your home depends on having a quality roof overhead.

Anytime the roof’s structure is in trouble, you need to take action right away to fix the issue.

This article will discuss 10 steps you can take to ensure your shingle roofing system is up to par for your peace of mind.

Shingle Roof Installation Tips

Should You Install Over Existing Shingles?

Like many home improvement projects, installing a new roof is expensive.

One way you may think you can save money is with a “roof over” or by re-roofing- this entails placing the brand-new shingles immediately over the age-old ones.

While it might seem advisable and allow you to save money in lower disposal and labor expenditures, the problems will probably outweigh the benefits.

Roof overs may actually reduce the life of brand-new shingles due to heat buildup and issues with moisture.

There are also possible problems with the underlying decking that are not seen and restored. Check your shingle warranty to avoid loss of coverage due to an ill-advised roof over.

Figuring Your Roof Size

For a shingle roof installation, contractors will measure your roof and offer you an estimate based on the number of squares of shingles needed. A square is a material needed to cover 100 square feet, so a roof with 20 squares has 2,000 square feet of surface area that needs to be covered.

Make Sure Its Ventilated

One element that contributes to the long life of your roof is the right amount of ventilation. Ascertaining your roof system has the necessary ventilation can modulate the attic temperatures in the summer and reduce moisture being developed in winter.

Request your contractor supply you with the kind of venting that is included with the roofing project to make sure your roof lasts through its warranty period.

The Wood Under the Shingles

Part of professional roof repair is not only removing all the old shingles but making any needed repairs to the underlying wood substructure.

Your contractor should address this and allow for these kinds of repairs if needed in your agreement.

Placing brand-new shingles over faulty wood is never advisable and will reduce the life of the brand-new roofing materials.

Protective Cover Under the Shingles

Shingles should never be affixed directly to raw lumber on the roof. Protective coverings made of felt or other materials offer additional heat and water shields needed to fully protect your dwelling. This is especially important in areas with heavy rains or icy temperatures.

Likewise ensure the contractor includes all the additional substances needed for a proper roof replacement like fasteners, flashing, and drip boundaries are a part of the estimate.

Make Sure It’s Inspected

A properly functioning roof system will protect your home and possessions for many years. Be sure you discuss what this assessment consists of and how your contractor will ensure that your brand-new roof is finished to your satisfaction.

Some roofing contractors will provide independent inspections and certifications for your complete peace of mind.

Don’t Forget About Wind Resistance

In evaluating the quality of the roofing materials and their installation, the warranty and performance relevant to the wind is a major factor in evaluating which product to purchase.

This is especially important in areas where monsoon storms, microbursts, or other severe weather patterns can cause severe wind damage.

Wind speed warranties can be as low as 60 miles per hour and can cover up to 130 miles per hour. Properly installed, acquiring shingles with higher wind warranties can be the difference between a brand-new roof and complete protection should you experience severe weather.

Thoroughly Research Your Contractor

Is your contractor licensed and bonded? Does your contractor have proper insurance? What warranties do they offer for materials and labor?

Do they secure the proper permits and follow all local, regional codes and regulations? How reliable are they? What work have they performed previously in your geographic area?

Your Warranty and Service After the Sale

One of the most important parts of any residence improvement project is the service you get after the project is complete.

Does your contractor offer a standard warranty? What does that include for products, labor, and parts? For what length of the period does the warranty have?

Is there an extended warranty available? What does that include and for how long? What does it cost? How do you request service calls? Is there a cost for service calls? Will the company be there over the next 10 years if you need them?

It’s Not Always About Price

The natural inclination is to find the lowest cost. While cost should always be a factor, the most important part of the decision should be appreciable value and your return on investment.

Will the contractor give you a fair estimate and one that handles the cost of quality products and professional installation?

Does the estimate encompass all facets of your roof replacement including ventilation, protective coverings, fasteners, permits, and inspections, flashing as well as removal and dumping of the old roofing substance and delivery of brand-new materials?

Does the estimate encompass all labor, project management, and coordination? Are there allowances for unforeseen expenditures such as repair or replacing the underlying wood structures? Peace of mind, quality substances, and complete project specs are as important and will provide you with a roof that lasts a lifetime.

Explore The Options

If you have just acquired a new home in Arizona, you may be wondering what type of roof installation you should choose for your property. While it is possible to simply pick whatever the builder is offering for the lowest add-on fee, you can save yourself a lot of funds and heartbreak in the long run by looking at other options.

Roof Types and the Costs Involved

Asphalt Shingles

In the U.S., asphalt shingles are used on 70 percent of dwellings. They are immensely popular because of their low cost and longevity. Essentially, they can get the job done and last for 20-40 times as long as they’re properly maintained. However, asphalt shingles can be prone to cracking and breaking when faced with extreme heat. By keeping up with the appropriate upkeep, an asphalt roof can be a winning contender.

Clay and Concrete Tiles

In the past 15 years, clay and concrete tiles have become the more popular selection for new dwellings in Arizona. When scrutinizing why more new dwellings are choosing these type of roofs, it’s easy to see the reasons in our red-hot summer climate. Clay or concrete tile roofs have a much longer lifespan and its fair to be expected to last between 20 and 30 years. The tiles themselves will last much longer, but the underlayment is necessarily going to need replacement first. Tiles are strategically spaced so the roof can have optimum ventilation, which means it will cool down faster and last longer. They are also fireproof and will not rot.

Tile roofs require a structural engineer’s report to ensure no additional bracing is a requirement, if the homeowner is switching from a shingle roof to tile. How one’s home is made can determine how much weight the roof can handle. Having an engineer’s report helps ensure that the roof won’t be taking on too much weight.

Cost Considerations

For most homeowners, the costs of roofing is an essential issue. Clay and concrete tiles are often priced higher than asphalt shingles, but price is not ever the only factor. Unless you plan on living in your new residence for the rest of your life, you should consider shopping the price as well. Concrete and clay have the best price in this regard and can increase the appraisal value of your residence. When considering that the tiles can last a half a century with proper upkeep, it is clear why numerous homeowners pick the initial overhead of clay or concrete roofs.

So what type of roof will you choose? Although asphalt shingles have been used for most dwellings, concrete and clay tiles have made a lot of headway in the past decade or so. While present trends of concrete and clay tile roof in Arizona is likely to stay strong for the foreseeable future, make sure you do your homework. Feel comfy with your roof selection prior to beginning to work on the project.

Hire The Right Roofing Contractor

The roof on your home and business is a significant investment. You need to learn as much information as possible about any roofing contractors you hire to do installation or repair work on your roof. Although there are a lot of questions for your roofing contractor that you’ll need to ask about the project, this is a good list for every roofing company that interviews for your business.

First some common sense questions for your roofing contractor. You need to have their license number so you can do some research at the Registrar of Contractors website/office. They will have all complaints, if any, posted about the company that have been filed in the last 3 years. You can also find out if their license is in good standing, the amount of their bond, if their license has ever been suspended and when it expires. You can find the name of the owner and how long they’ve had this license. All key information that tells you you’re dealing with a real, reputable contractor.

Here Are Several Important Questions
To Ask Your Roofing Contractor

Ask About The Crew

Ask what type of experience and other information about the crew that will be working on your property. How many crew members will there be? How much experience do they have? Have they been working for the contractor for some time or are they new? Will the estimator be part of the crew and follow up with them after the sale is made and they begin the work?

Inquire About Their Insurance

Make sure you get a copy of their liability and workman’s comp insurance. They should be able to give you the name of their insurance agent, who can then send you a copy of their certificate of liability and insurance limits. Having properly insured workers on your property is of the utmost importance.

What Is Their Work Warranty

Make sure you find out what type of warranty you’re getting for the work they do. Get it in writing and ask to see a physical copy of the warranty. If they just give you something verbally tell them to keep on walking.

What Are The Materials Warranties

The materials they use should also have a warranty. Ask what type of warranty they have and, again, ask to see that warranty in writing.

Is There A Final Inspection

Will the estimator or owner be inspecting the project after its finished? Make sure a final inspection is included in your project and that you have the right to be present for the inspection.

How Long Will It Take

How long do they estimate the project will take and can you get some kind of hard estimate in writing? Make sure you have a solid start date and a good hard estimated completion date before they start their work.

When Will They Work

What are the hours and days the crew will be working on the property? What time do they begin their work each day and what time do they call it a day. Do they just work on weekdays or will they be including any weekend work in the project?

What If It Rains

Last, but not least, what happens when it rains? How do they cover the project and what type of delays should you expect if the weather doesn’t cooperate during the project. Especially if your work is being done during our volatile monsoon seasons, you’ll need to have some clarity on this so you know what to expect.

Know When To Bring In The Experts

Do-it-yourself projects are currently very popular, but you should know when you need a phoenix roofer.  Learn when it’s time to bring in the experts for the benefit of your home and your finances. A professional roofing company will help your roof look and perform at its very best, but they can’t make that happen unless you let them know when you need help.

You Need a Phoenix Roofer
For Inspections and Regular Maintenance

Regular Maintenance is essential.

Routine maintenance is an extremely important part of properly maintaining your roof. It will prevent avoidable problems down the road. No matter how simple the maintenance task might seem, you should leave the job to a professional who has the training, knowledge and experience necessary to do the job adequately. Your roof is your home’s strongest and most important line of protection. It only makes sense to do everything possible to protect it.

Getting Ready for a Move? If you’re planning on putting your home on the market in the near future, you can definitely increase its market value and curb appeal by tearing off your current worn out roof and replacing it with a new one. By investing in the repairs upfront, you can sell your property for more than you probably thought. Even if you’re planning on staying for some time, a new roof is a great way to improve your home’s exterior look for the better.

Make sure to Inspect regularly.

Visually inspect your roof several times a year, but a professional can do a much more thorough job. If you  see any streaking, stains, buckling, curling or missing tiles or shingles, make sure to let your roofing contractor know as early as possible. Even if you don’t go up on your roof, you probably have problems with the materials if you ever see water stains in your attic, ceilings or walls on the interior of your home.

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