Different types of roofs have different shelf lives. It is essential to know which kind of roof is best for your convenience.
This is also handy for checking when roof repairs should be made. A roof starts deteriorating at a certain point in time.
Keep reading our article, exploring the factors that determine How Long A Roof Lasts.
A roof is constructed using a variety of materials and construction techniques. Each technique and material play a role in determining the shelf life of a roof.
A roof is primarily made up of the following materials:
The techniques used in the construction of roofs directly impact the longevity of the materials used in the construction. Some external factors can influence the shelf life of a roof, such as the weather.
Natural disasters or the elements themselves could cause damage to a roof.
Even if your roof contractor gives you a firm guarantee on how long a roof lasts, it may not be enough. Natural disasters on a huge scale could cause significant damage to a roof in a matter of seconds.
Snow or rain accompanied by strong winds may cause water to be pushed into the roof cladding. Depending on how the roof was constructed, this could be a severe problem or something that occurs over time.
Water and snow accumulation beneath the roof cladding can result in ice and water dams, which can cause damage to the interior roof, including the wood and even the house’s structure. The weight of the ice and water dams may also cause the house’s roof to cave in on top of it.
Hurricanes and tornadoes can be powerful enough to lift a portion of the entire roof off its foundation. In addition, when a tree falls on the roof due to strong winds or a lightning strike, the roof may be destroyed, and a fire may erupt.
When highlighted on a house, plants and the general green ecosystem have a dreamy aesthetic appearance. A roof with moss growing on it may appear beautiful at first, but the roof will deteriorate over time due to the moss.
Moss can cause shingles to lift in the case of a shingled roof, and it can also collect moisture, which can cause damage to the roof shingles and the roof frames. Taking care of any leaves or plant life that grows on a roof should be done as soon as they appear.
An industrial building with wide variations in temperature and working conditions, such as one housing a factory, is more likely to suffer from roof deterioration than a home’s roofing material.
If a porch roof is poorly connected to the main house or stressed by natural forces such as wind, the internal roof structure of the main house may be subjected to additional stress and strain. The porch roof may also compromise the structural integrity of the main house’s internal roof structure in the long run.
If your house is located in an area with extreme heat or cold may have a roof susceptible to damage from the elements. This takes into account weather conditions such as snow or rain.
To better understand this, we will study the lifespan of various common types of roofs.
When used in conjunction with other sub-layering materials such as waterproof underlayment, shingles provide roof cover for a home.
The durability of your shingles depends on the materials they are made out of.
Asphalt shingles are produced in two different styles, architectural and 3-tab shingles. They both have granules applied to the top layer and fiberglass applied to the back layer.
They are distinct in a few ways.
3-tab shingles
In areas with severe climatic conditions, these last approximately 7 to 10 years, and those with mild climatic conditions last about 12 to 15 years. Because of their short lifespan, they come with a shorter warranty period.
Architectural shingles
When compared to 3-tab shingles, they have more materials that are more long-lasting. Architectural shingles are heavier and, therefore, more resistant to damage.
They have a lifespan of approximately 18 to 20 years, with some areas experiencing longer lifespans of up to 30 years.
If compared to 3-tab shingles, they are more expensive, but they require less maintenance in most cases.
Wood shingles last for up to 30 years under normal conditions, but only 20-25 years in areas that have been subjected to extreme heat and weather for an extended period.
On the other hand, wood requires more attention and maintenance, and it is susceptible to damage from termites, fire, mold, mildew, and storm damage.
Essentially, these are shingles made of polymer, plastic, or rubber and are designed to look like slates or wood tiles. Compared to wood shingles, they provide superior protection against heat, fire, and storm damage.
They can last for up to 40 or 50 years, and they are available in various color options.
These are roofs covered with rectangular tiles in shape and resemble shingles but are significantly larger and heavier.
Since they are heavy and expensive, a homeowner should consult with a construction company or structural engineer to determine whether or not the roof can support the tile installation.
They have a long life expectancy of more than 50 years, and they may even live for as long as 100 years in some cases. They can withstand high temperatures, hail, and precipitation.
These can last for up to 50 years or more, and they are resistant to heat, fire, and storms. Concrete tiles reflect sunlight, which can cause the roof cladding to deteriorate over time.
There are several different gauges of roofing metal, such as 30 and 32 gauges. Roofs made of 28-gauge metal are primarily used in industrial settings where resistance to the elements is required to function correctly.
Depending on the gauge, they can last anywhere from 50 to 75 years. The lower the gauge, the tougher the roof is.
This is the basic structure of the roof. It has a significant impact on the stability of the roof and the overall design of the roof.
Valley boards and rafters make up the roof structure on which the roof cladding will be installed.
Roof trusses are built to last as long as the house itself. This is guaranteed if no external damage is done to the house or roof structure itself.
These are very common and easier to set up than other options. It retains heat better than metal trusses, which helps to keep a house warm because metals are excellent heat conductors.
They are more expensive than wood trusses, but they last for a more extended time. They do, however, require more maintenance since they expand and contract with temperature changes.
The installation of metal trusses takes a long time and necessitates using a diverse range of skills among the construction crews.
Metal trusses are not very effective at retaining heat, and it may be necessary to add additional heat insulation. They are also susceptible to rust damage as time passes.
Wooden trusses are becoming more common, and many homeowners are opting for them as a result.
They can withstand fire up to a critical point, whereas steel and concrete give way almost immediately. This is because they have similar expansion rates, making a burning house collapse more quickly.
Depending on a few factors, two roofs in the same area may have significantly different long-term durability.
It is possible to extend the life of your roof by following a few simple guidelines.
It would be unwise to install a metal roof in a windy location or wooden shingles in a climate with cold and heat extremes. Consult with your roof contractor for guidance on the best type of material to use to ensure that your home’s roof lasts for many years.
Every roof experiences wear and tear over time, and the weather conditions in a given area determine how quickly this occurs.
The way a roof is constructed has a significant impact on its long-term durability. An improperly built roof will be vulnerable to damage from the elements, such as snow and strong winds.
For example, on a shingled roof, if the underlayment is not installed incorrectly, water may leak through to the roof, causing water dams, which can cause structural damage to the house.
Regular inspections of your roof should be carried out by yourself or professionals. This is important because the source of significant roof problems such as moss or damaged shingles may be discovered early on, allowing the damage to be repaired before it worsens.
When the problem is discovered quickly, it can be repaired sooner rather than later, saving you money on damage costs as well as extending the life of your roof.
Make sure to consider external factors such as the sun’s direction when designing your home. Over time, the direct sun’s rays cause wear and tear on a roof’s surface.
If one side of your roof is more exposed to the sun than the other, one side may deteriorate quicker than the other. When a roof is aligned in the north-to-south direction, both sides receive nearly equal amounts of sunlight, depending on the time of year and the season.
For countries in the northern hemisphere, like the United States, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, swinging through the southern hemisphere. As a result, the roof that faces south will receive more sunlight.
The length of time it takes to replace a roof is determined by the type of roof cladding used.
These are the ones:
Metal roofs = 50-75 years
Tiled roofs = 50-100 years
Please read the article in more detail about how different conditions and climates can affect your roof’s longevity. If you have a shingled roof, you’ll need to determine what material your shingles are made from before you can discover how long they will last.
Deteriorating roof signs can be detected even before the roof has been completely damaged.
Some of them are as follows:
1. A leaking roof or puddle stains on the ceiling
2. Visible damage like cracks and torn or open parts
3. Moss or plant growth on the roof
4. Curled or broken shingle edges
5. Sagging or a depression on the roof
6. Rot or mold
Even if you have a flat roof, all roofs are designed to do one thing in common: properly drain still water from the top. Regardless of the style of roof you have, you want to avoid the problem known as “ponding” to the best of your ability. For those who don’t know, ponding is when water builds up in a singular area and doesn’t go away even after a few days have passed.
Although there are different reasons for ponding to occur, it is most commonly caused by crushed insulation from foot traffic on the roof, or by clogged up drainage. Whichever the case may be, it still stands that if you have pooling water that you should address the issue right away, or else you risk having leaks develop inside our home. This can cause the materials to break down and possibly even cause interior water damage or other drainage problems. According to the AZ Registrar of Contractors, minor amounts of ponding will occur on most flat roofs, but should be addressed if it doesn’t automatically drain within 48 hours.
No matter how small the puddle is, if you have standing water then you are sure to have bugs close behind. One of the more common pests that are drawn to still water are mosquitoes, which spend their time breeding and living by the water – something you want to be sure is cleared off before they make your roof their home!
When bugs and water are gathered in one place, you can be certain that birds will follow soon after. Not only are they interested in the puddles for themselves, but birds will use this as an opportunity to nest and feed on the surrounding insects. Not only are the noisy, but the dangers of contamination from bird droppings increases when you have ponding water attracting them to your roof.
Plant growth may start as small as a spot of algae, but can develop quickly and grow out of control – such as a mold problem developing in your walls. Roofs that trap moisture or have leaks will not only affect the appearance of your home, but also cause it to grow damaged quicker over time and possibly even cause an environmental health hazard.
Any amount of pooled-up water will start to fade into your roof and cause a certain amount of discoloration. This is not only attractive to look at, but also causes deterioration that may cause improper cooling to occur.
Although we don’t experience harsh winter freezes in Phoenix, there is still a chance that the winter nights can freeze sill water on your roof. This will damage the roof membrane, since water expands when frozen – meaning this is a situation that you want to deal with before the weather turns chilly!
Here in the Southwest, we tend to ignore our roof. One of the most critical features of our home, because we have so many days of sunshine every year. Then the monsoon season comes and all of a sudden we regret not doing our routine maintenance because we have a big, expensive problem with roof maintenance during winter.
You can only expect your roof to last about half as long as it should if you don’t regularly maintain it. Your roof accumulates damage every day from the elements – rain, the hot sun, even pests and people walking on it. Pile on to that the even more intense heat and periodic heavy rains from the monsoon season and it’s a disaster waiting to happen. You could have a big roof repair just waiting to happen and you’re completely ignorant of it.
Before the monsoon season begins, at least once every year, you should have your roof inspected – especially if its a flat roof and its over 15 years old. Our roofs here in Arizona get hit the hardest during the winter rain between December and February and the monsoon season between June and September. When it rains here, we have drops in temperature that happen suddenly, causing thermal shock, compromising your roof’s surface.
In your roof’s warranty, it probably has a clause that voids the warranty if you’re not properly maintaining it, so its critical to keep up with regular maintenance, schedule routine inspections and fix any necessary problems as soon as possible.
If you’re not scared of getting on your roof, here’s a couple things you can do to increase your roof’s lifespan. Take the correct safety steps if you do, because one of the leading causes of serious accidents around a home is falling off a ladder. Also, be careful walking on it, especially if its older. You can cause some serious damage and weaken your roof if you do.
There are some roofing issues that you should leave to a professional roofing contractor. Find an experienced, licensed, professional roofer like Mikku and Sons Roofing if you find any of these problems:
The idea behind cool roofing is the same as the reasons people living in hot climates wear light colored clothing. Here in the desert southwest, wearing light-colored or white clothing helps keep you cool. Its because light colors reflect heat and sunlight, whereas dark colors absorb them. Homes are similar to people. If your roof is dark colored, your home will be hotter than if it had a light-colored roof. During the hot summer months we experience here in the Phoenix area, a darker colored roof can reach temperatures as high as 150 to 190 degrees at their peak. In contrast, a cool roofing system will peak at around 100 to 120 degrees.
They are made of materials that reflect the energy and heat from the sun away from the surface of your roof. The materials for homes with low-slope roofs are typically bright white, however, there are other colors that are being made for more sloped roof applications. Cool roofing is highly emissive, which allows it to emit infrared energy away from the roof. Bare metals and metallic coatings usually don’t have low emissive abilities, which is one of the reasons they aren’t thought of as cool roofing materials.
Initial costs for a cool roof are similar to traditional roofing materials. Some cool roofing materials cost less than traditional materials and some cost more. Cool protective coatings can be applied every 10 to 15 years, which can reduce, or eliminate, the need for expensive roof tear-offs and replacements. If you add these roof repair or replacement savings with an average 20 percent savings on utility costs, it makes a cool roof a money saver over the life of your property. You can also get rebates in some communities, in addition to energy and lifespan savings, from local utility companies for installing cool roofing on your home.
There are 2 two types of materials for low-slope roofing systems on homes – single-ply materials and reflective coatings. Single-ply materials are made of large sheets of pre-constructed roofing fastened together over the old roof and sealed at the seams. Reflective coatings are installed or applied over an existing clean, leak-free roof surface using rollers, sprayers, or brushes.
There are other materials available for sloped roofs in clay or concrete tiles. They stay cool by using certain pigments that reflect the sun’s infrared heat. There aren’t asphalt shingles or pre-coated metal roofing materials available in cool versions right now.
You can visit the ENERGY STAR® Website for a comprehensive list of cool roofing system products and manufacturers at www.energystar.gov.
Spray foam roofing (SPF) is an excellent choice for a flat roof because of its insulation properties and seamlessness.
It has a long lifespan if it's been installed correctly, which takes skill and special equipment for the project. Throw your favorite coffee pod into your coffee maker and learn about foam roofs.
Mistakes to Avoid in SPF Installation
Spray foam roofing sounds easy enough. Two ingredients are mixed using special equipment attached to a truck or trailer. A chemical reaction starts as soon as the ingredients are mixed together.
Heated hoses bring the mixture forward to a spray gun, which is used to apply the foam to the roof with a thickness of 1 to 2 inches. The liquid then foams, expands, and hardens.
An elastomeric coating is applied to protect the foam from UV rays.
This installation takes skill and experience. The equipment is too specialized for a one-off job. Only an experienced pro will be able to mix the components correctly, at the right temperature, and apply the liquid properly while anticipating how much the foam will expand.
This is a widely recognized and highly effective building envelope material, with roofing systems being one of the main application categories.
A high-performance product with a lot of incredible benefits, spray foam has gained popularity with builders and roofing contractors.
Like a lot of building products, installation should always be performed by a professional, experienced installer utilizing correct handling and installation techniques, with safety precautions employed and followed.
The foam serves dual purposes as a protective roofing material and as a thermal insulation solution. A roof’s main purpose is to protect what is underneath it. SPF roofing systems provide durable protection for the structure and personal items contained below.
It's lightweight, as most SPF roof systems, weigh less than a pound per square foot. Its also seamless and self-flashing, and highly resistant to severe weather, wind, and foot traffic.
Once installed, it requires minimal maintenance, providing more strength to the roofing system. It works well in most of the country’s geographic regions and climates.
It also works well as both an air and moisture barrier. Not only does it protect against water and moisture intrusion, but it also reduces air movement through the roof system, which improves indoor air quality and lowers the energy use of the building.
Because the roof of a building is a big source of heat loss, the insulating qualities of the SPF help to provide excellent indoor temperatures and energy efficiency. As a thermal insulator, it has one of the highest R-values per inch of all roofing insulations.
And, because spray foam has fully adhered to, there are no thermal intrusions from fasteners. Keeping heat inside the property during colder months and keeping heat out in warmer months.
It reduces heating and air conditioning demands, which lowers energy expenses during its lifespan, which can be 30 to 50 years with the right maintenance. In warmer areas, reflective roof coatings can also be added over the SPF to further reduce cooling expenses.
Roof performance isn’t measured by just one factor (like R-value). Rather, the success of a roofing system is accomplished by reviewing combined considerations for air movement, moisture control, health, safety, durability, occupant comfort, and energy efficiency. An SPF roof scores high marks in all of these categories.
Watch out for the myths of foam roofing and makes sure that you are getting your roof maintained!
Before hiring a roof replacement contractor, the NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association) recommends checking that its crew members are licensed and insured. Ask the roofer to produce a copy of their proof of insurance.
The contractor may also need to pull permits depending on the city you live in, which can add several hundred dollars onto the estimate. As an example, a permit to replace a roof on a 1,350-square-foot home can cost between $150 and $500.
| Roof Size | House Size | Average Roof Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq.ft. | 667 sq.ft. | $3,500 - $9,000 |
| 1,200 sq.ft. | 800 sq.ft. | $4,200 - $10,800 |
| 1,350 sq.ft. | 900 sq.ft. | $4,725 - $12,150 |
| 1,500 sq.ft. | 1,000 sq.ft. | $5,250 - $13,500 |
| 2,000 sq.ft. | 1,333 sq.ft. | $7,000 - $18,000 |
| 2,200 sq.ft. | 1,467 sq.ft. | $7,700 - $19,800 |
| 3,750 sq.ft. | 2,500 sq.ft. | $13,125 - $33,750 |
| 4,500 sq.ft. | 3,000 sq.ft. | $15,750 - $40,500 |
The roof replacement contractor should also be familiar with local building codes, which might include the kinds of shingles or tiles allowed in a particular neighborhood or regulations regarding the underlayment.
Get multiple quotes and don’t be swayed by just the price. An estimate that's too low could be a sign the company isn't operating legally. Check their online reviews. The bottom line is to make sure the contractor has a good reputation.
Most roofers guarantee the work they do, usually for between five and 10 years for their workmanship. This will typically cover leakage or total failure, but won’t cover general wear and tear or damage from storms. Some companies offer 25-year warranties, but those typically apply to specific high-end roof products and require certain installation procedures.
Replacing a roof is one of the biggest and most costly projects a homeowner can take on.
Roofing companies look at a lot of variables to determine the price of a new roof, including its size, pitch, accessibility, and cost of materials. Because of this, prices for a new roof can vary drastically.
The national average range for replacing a roof is between $7,000 and $24,000, with most people paying around $14,000 for replacing 2,000 sq. ft. of architectural shingles on a 2-story home. The project’s low cost is $3,500 for 1,000 sq. ft. of asphalt shingles on a single-story home.
The highest cost can be up to $44,000 for installing 2,000 sq. ft. of slate shingles on a 2-story home with deck reinforcement. This is of 2022
Calls to contractors show that prices can vary from $5,500 to $12,000 to tear off and replace a roof with basic shingles in 2018. Prices can also vary greatly depending on where you live.
Water damage can also factor into the final expense of a roofing project. Usually, you won’t find water damage until after the roofer has removed the roofing materials and the deck is exposed.
If there’s significant water damage, it can change the project from a roof repair to a roof replacement.
Another factor affecting the price is whether your home has chimneys, skylights, or other protrusions.
They will increase the cost and scope of the project, as your roofing contractor will need to work around them. The cost of repairing flashing around a chimney can range from $500 to $1000 while repairing it around the skylight can average between $500 and $1000.
You might be able to save some money by overlaying an existing roof, instead of replacing it. But doing this can lower the lifespan of the new roof and could void warranties you'd have on labor and materials.
Here are the main factors:
Roof Size
A roof’s size is the largest cost factor. Roofers charge per roofing square. A 10-by-10-foot (100 square feet) area is equal to one roofing square. So, a 3000 sq. ft roof is equal to 30 squares.
Pitch of the Roof
Another variable in pricing is the pitch of the roof or the slope. Some roofs have a high pitch, while others have a low pitch or no pitch at all — all factors which affect the cost of the roofing estimate.
A roof with a pitch of about a 7:12 ratio — the first number represents the height and the second the length — or higher isn’t walkable and will probably require more safety harnesses and equipment. A 7:12 roof, as an example, means that for every 12 inches it runs horizontally, the roof rises 7 inches vertically.
A roof of 7:12 or greater is a pretty steep roof, and roof replacement contractors will charge more to work on this type of roof. The work goes more slowly with a steep roof.
You can’t stack materials on the roof, and crew members will need to wear harnesses. Because of these difficulties and because the roofing company will pay more in insurance costs, their quote is adjusted accordingly.
| Pitch | Average Replacement Costs per Sq.Ft. (Labor Included) |
|---|---|
| Flat | $4.50 - $7 |
| Low Slope | $4.50 - $7 |
| Conventional Slope | $3.50 - $9 |
| Steep Slope | $5 - $12 |
Accessibility to the Roof
Can the roofer get a truck close to the house? Can they back the truck up against the house? If not, they’ll have to carry the materials to and from the trucks. That will cause more costs for the roofing contractor and will make the project more expensive. Tearing off a heavier roof can also increase labor costs.
Type of Roofing Material
It costs from $3 - $6 a square foot to remove and replace the roof or $6,00-$12,000 for 2,000 Sq.Ft.Roof.
square foot ranch-style home, with a gentle slope, on average. The cost and labor for an asphalt roof for a 1,200-square-foot house in larger markets across the country range between $4,500 and $7,000. Asphalt is the most affordable roofing option, followed by wood, metal, tile, and slate.
| Material | Cost per Sq.Ft. (Labor Included) | Cost for a 2,000 Sq.Ft. Roof |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Shingle | $3 - $6 | $6,000 - $12,000 |
| Vinyl (PVC) | $3 - $8 | $6,000 - $16,000 |
| Plastic | $3 - $8 | $6,000 - $16,000 |
| Bitumen | $4 - $8 | $8,000 - $16,000 |
| Concrete Tile | $4 - $20 | $8,000 - $40,000 |
| Metal | $4 - $30 | $8,000 - $60,000 |
| Rubber | $5 - $13 | $10,000 - $26,000 |
| Architectural Shingles | $7 - $15 | $14,000 - $30,000 |
| Cedar | $8 - $12 | $16,000 - $24,000 |
| Composite | $8 - $15 | $16,000 - $30,000 |
| Clay | $10 - $25 | $20,000 - $50,000 |
| Green | $10 - $35 | $20,000 - $70,000 |
| Solar | $12 - $25 | $24,000 - $50,000 |
| Slate | $15 - $25 | $30,000 - $50,000 |
The cost per square foot for a wood shingle roof is between $8 and $12. That equates to about $16,00 to $24,00 per 2,000 square feet, which is twenty squares.
Materials for a metal roof can cost upwards of $800 per 2,000 square feet. The price can be twice as much for a metal roof compared to asphalt shingles, and as much as four or five times more for slate.
While good asphalt shingles may last 20 or more years, metal, tile, and slate may last 30 or more years, which can play a role in determining the type of roof you ultimately choose.
The material prices for roofing and construction have gone up dramatically in the last few years. We have seen it trickle across many industries including property management. Roof maintenance costs and other common home maintenance costs have gone up. This is because companies are raising their prices to adjust for inflation and rising material costs.
The Local Experts From SGI | Phoenix AZ | Property Management
Mikku and Sons Roofing (623) 465-1068 provides quality roof replacement, roof installation, and roof repair services to Phoenix AZ, and the surrounding Phoenix communities. We’ve been a reputable, quality roofing contractor since 2001. If you need honest advice regarding your roofing project, give us a call.
How do you know when to repair or replace your roof? When do roof leaks become too expensive?
The lifespan of your roof depends on the materials used when its built. Usually, shingles have a life expectancy of 20-30 years (depending on the quality of the shingles you choose), while a foam roof, properly maintained, can last up to 50 years.
Of course, we have additional factors that come in to play in the Southwest. The heat, and especially the hot sun, are the main reasons for natural aging, and southern exposures usually have the most wear and tear. Wind, hail, bad drainage, tree branches, pollution and weather extremes also contribute to the aging of a roof. Of course, the easiest way to avoid having a roof replaced is to take care of the materials and fix any found damages right away.
If you’re questioning whether to repair or replace your roof, here are 10 signs to watch for that might be an indication that it’s time for a roof replacement:
If you answered yes to some of these, then you need to compare the expenses involved. If you figure the amount to repair the roof will be $2,500 and will last five years, when it will need to be repeated. Compare that to the cost of a new roof that will need only routine maintenance and could last up to 30 years. It might make more sense to spend the money now and save a larger amount of money later in future repair expenses.
However, be careful, you need to be aware that putting off a roof replacement can cost you more down the road. Poor maintenance routines can allow moisture to penetrate the membrane and cause damage to your insulations and roof deck. If you need to replace these along with roof materials you will have a much bigger roofing expense to deal with.
A lot of homeowners take their ceilings for granted and don’t check them often, but we recommend you inspect them regularly for signs of moisture seeping through. Even if you see something that looks minor, you need to get on it and check it out. This article will discuss tips for taking care of water stains quickly and effectively.
When you spot moisture, the first thing you need to do is find out the source of where its coming from. Most of the time, the area directly above the stain is the best place to start. If you can’t see anything on your roof that looks like a problem, you could have a pipe thats leaking. There could also be moisture running along some pipes or trusses that will come from a source somewhere else and drop onto your ceiling.
Are they water stains? There are other causes for stained ceilings including:
If the leak is coming from your roof, it could be that there are other sources of moisture other than obvious leaks. If you need a professional, experienced roofing company to inspect your roof for leaks and determine where any moisture spots may be coming from, give us a call at (623) 465-1068.
You don’t want to repair any moisture stains, no matter how bad they look, until you know the source and have it repaired. If you fix it first then find the source, chances are you’re going to be repairing another moisture stain. If there’s permanent damage, you might have to take out part of your ceiling or wall to fix the issue. So the stain doesn’t seep through, when you’re dealing with a cosmetic stain, you should use a stain covering primer before painting over the spot. Depending on how much damage there is and the stain itself, you may need to contact a professional to help fix the issue.
Make sure you don’t let moisture stains and their source go unchecked. Always take care of the issue as soon as possible, or what could be a minor cosmetic and roof repair could turn into something major and much more expensive. Here at Mikku and Sons Roofing, we can put you in touch with financing options, if the need for it arises.
In the Desert Southwest, spray foam roofing is a great solution for flat or low sloped roofs, but there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about this roofing choice. As a result, many customers tend to have concerns about taking advantage of this option. To show consumers the value and versatility of spray foam, we hope to shed light on several of these myths.
Spray foam roofing is very affordable compared to other options. The cost is about the same as a single layer of asphalt shingles. In fact, with the rising cost of oil, the expense of oil based asphalt shingles is going up. On the other hand, spray foam pricing has remained fairly constant.
Research has shown that properly applied roofing foam can last as long as 50 years when applied correctly and maintained by re-coating it on a regular basis. There are foam roofs that were applied over 40 years ago that are still holding up well.
Spray polyurethane foam is just a type of plastic that has been altered slightly and has been used to make the millions of bottles that are used in the food manufacturing industry — bottles that are used for bottled water, soft drinks, ketchup, mustard, mayo and hundreds, maybe thousands of other products that are consumed in households throughout our country every day.
Foam roofing is a great option for insulating your property or business from heat, especially on flat or slightly sloped roofs. The closed cell structure gives SPF one of the highest R-Values (thermal resistance) of all roofing materials that can be used on your property, and it makes it very moisture resistant as well as being highly fire resistant, which is great for insurance rates.
Texas A&M University studied the energy use of its campus buildings before and after they applied Spray foam on its building’s roofing systems. They studied more than eight million square feet of SPF roofing on their campus, and found that their energy savings completely paid for the expense of Texas A&M’s SPF roof systems in three to four years.
No matter what type of property you own, the roof on it will usually have some sort of warranty. Actually, there are two types of warranties – the actual one and one that’s inferred or implied. Let’s learn more about roof warranties.
The materials manufacturer will issue a warranty guaranteeing that their product will perform to certain standards over a specific period of time. It could be 10, 15, 20 or even more years, depending on the type of material they’re made of. They are taking for granted that the installation was performed correctly and that routine maintenance is being done. Let’s say your roof is looking like it needs to be replaced and the materials were warrantied for 10 years. Also, lets say your roofing contractor did a good job following the installation instructions and installed your roof perfectly. If the materials fail during your 10 year warranty period, the manufacturer is guaranteeing that they will be replaced with no cost to you.
A roofing installation contractor should provide a warranty that their workmanship will be guaranteed over a specific period of time. The most common is 2 years. So, if your contractor makes a mistake in installing your roof, and it fails from their bad workmanship, the professional roofing contractor will honor their warranty and supply the materials and labor to fix the problem. Make sure you scrutinize this one very carefully, making sure both labor and materials are covered, not just one or the other.
This means that a product will do what its designed to do. An example would be a roof membrane keeping water out of your home. Another term for this warranty is merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. They usually come with some instructions (and warnings) from the manufacturer. An example would be if you or someone else that walked on the roofing membrane and caused it to leak or fail. If you don’t follow these instructions or warnings, you’ll have a problem getting the manufacturer to honor their warranty.
You’ll need to make sure you do whats necessary to maintain your roof once you’ve signed your warranty. With commercial roofing, property managers and building owners will hire facility managers and on-staff maintenance teams to make sure they comply with their maintenance requirements. Experienced professionals are aware of what they need to do (and avoid doing) to make sure they maintain their roof and hence, their warranty. Overall, improper maintenance will cause damage to your roof, so when you hire someone to do repairs, or any work on your roof, make sure they are competent and familiar with your roof system, along with the manufacturers specs and maintenance instructions.
When your roof has a problem and you think your warranty has been violated, property owners generally have 30 days to notify the manufacturer or roofing contractor. If you don’t, you’ll void the warranty. If you wait too long, the manufacturers and roofers won’t be legally required to fulfill their obligations (which includes repairing or replacing your roof). So, if you suspect something is amiss with your roof, get it inspected by a competent professional roofing contractor as soon as possible, so you can make your notifications in a timely manner.
