Frequently Asked Questions

Good roofing contractors are:

Experienced.

Licensed in your area.

Insured.

Bonded (which means that a bonding company has money available to a consumer in case they need to file a claim against that company)

Willing to provide references.

Willing to write an estimate.

1. Roof Leaks

Roof leaks are probably the single most common roofing problems plaguing most homeowners. The leaks could be a result of many roof issues, such as broken shingles.

Mostly, you’ll find leaks near the chimney, around gutters, at flashing points, and close to vents or pipes.

The leak is usually located several feet away from the penetration, and the best way to track by checking the attic. Go to the attic with a flashlight and check for water stains, mold, or black marks.

If it’s a vaulted ceiling and you can’t get to the attic, you can only see the issue on the roof. The best way to fix it is having a professional roofer take care of it.

2. Damaged Flashing

Flashing is a material made of plastic or sheet metal and is used to protect creases on fixtures such as skylights or chimneys. Flashing is also used to preserve venting pipes under your roofing materials. If this flashing material cracks or becomes loose, the fixtures become vulnerable to water and moisture.

Inspect all the areas with flashing and if you detect any of it cracked, replace it with a new one.

You may need to remove some of the surrounding materials, such as the shingles for both removal and installation. If you can’t do this, then a roofing contractor can help.

3. Broken or Missing Shingles

If the sealant attaching your shingles wears off, it tends to loosen and break or come off completely. The sealant may be damaged by force of nature, rodents, or wear and tear.

Depending on the age of your roof, shingles may start tearing off, which should be expected.

4. Granules Clogging Downspouts

When the roof is relatively new, you may notice some granules that may have fallen during installation. However, if your roof is relatively old and you see granules in your downspout, then it’s a sign that your shingles are getting weak and may need to be replaced.

Granules are an essential part of the roof because they protect it from UV rays, and once they fall off, the shingles are vulnerable and start to crack.

One of the first signs of falling granules is clogging in the gutters. Unless of course, you have so much debris such as leaves and twigs blocking your gutters, chances are they are granules, and you need to have them replaced.

5. Stagnant or Pooling Water

If your gutters are clogged and the piles of debris on the roof catch water, the moisture collects and forms stagnant or pooling water, which can damage your roof.

Standing water quickly turns into mold or mildew, which eats away the roofing material, causing roofing problems. If you have a flat roof, you should be concerned about stagnant water. The solution here is to create tapered areas over the surface, which allow the water to run off. Having a professional contractor check on your roof regularly will help you avoid long-term problems.

6. Freezing Damages

If you live in an area where your roof is continuously exposed to ice and snow, then it has a reduced life expectancy. Roofing problems are most common during cold weather.

The thing is when ice water melts, it doesn’t run off fast enough since it melts at a slow rate. This can pass as stagnant water which penetrates underneath the roof and causes issues.

Even worse, during cold weather, the water that gets underneath can also freeze when temperatures drop.

When water freezes, it expands and pushes against the shingles, which leaves an opening that lets even more water in. By the time warm weather comes along, you have so many roofing problems.

Preventing this may not be easy since you can’t avoid the weather, but you should check on the roof regularly before damages are too far gone.

7. Tree Damage

One of the most common roof problems homeowners faces is damage from falling branches.

You may think that only large branches would damage your roof, but when smaller branches meet your roof and rub against it for a prolonged period, they erode the top layer of the roof.

The solution here is to trim your tree branches when they reach the roof.

If the tree poses a serious threat, then cut it down and replant a tree somewhere else more so when you live in an area prone to winds and storms.

8. Damaged Roofing Materials

These could be anything from shingles, tiles, nails, sealants among others.

Nature is a major contributing factor to a deteriorating roof, and the best solution here is regular maintenance. Some of the issues need to be caught fast before they cause other severe problems.

For instance, holes can lead to moisture seeping in the roof and causing damage. Shrinking roofing materials can crack and deteriorate, and the flashing could be pulled apart.

Schedule a maintenance check with a roofing contractor so they can detect these issues before they escalate.

Before you can discuss what parts make up a roof, you will need to know a few terms. These terms identify the various architectural aspects of a typical pitched residential roof. Becoming familiar with these terms will enable you to understand a discussion of how roofs are constructed.

The first term is the roof plane. If you recall from geometry class, a plan is a flat surface. In roofing terms, the roof plane is the pitched face of the roof.

To describe the places where roof planes meet, we use the terms ridge, hip, and valley. The ridge of the roof is the highest point on the roof where two pitched planes meet. A hip is a place where to planes meet and project outward. A hip is like a peak but is not at the top of your roof and is usually not horizontal. A valley, just like it’s geographic namesake, is a place where to planes meet and project inward.

A dormer is a common feature on many two-story houses. It is a projection from the main plane of the roof that usually houses a window. The dormer is usually constructed to add space or natural light to the room inside.

The gable is not exactly part of the roof, but still an important term to recognize. It is the triangular part of the exterior wall that spans the area between the pitched roof planes.

Structural Layers of the Roof

Just like the rest of the house, the roof starts out as a frame. The frame is usually constructed of lumber. It incorporates joists, trusses, and rafters. Together, these three types of beams make up a framework that gives the roof its shape. The frame needs to be strong enough to support the weight of the roof. With a standard asphalt shingle roof, this is not much of a concern. But if you plan to use heavier materials like tile or slate, you may need to add extra supports at this stage.

Once the frame is in place, it is covered in decking. Decking is the skin that covers the frame and creates the base that the rest of the roof will be built upon. The most common material for decking was once plywood. However, in recent decades oriented strand board (OSB) has taken over as the most common material for load-bearing planks in residential construction. OSB is similar to particle board, but instead of tiny bits of wood, it is made up of thin strips of wood. The strips are held together with resin and a small amount of wax to form a very strong plank.

Underlayment

The first barrier layer of the roof is the underlayment. Underlayment is installed directly on top of the decking. It serves a few functions. First, it forms a barrier between the decking and the shingles that absorbs any resin that might be released by the decking. Second, it serves as an additional water barrier in case any water makes it past the shingles. A lesser-known function of underlayment is its ability to prevent picture framing. Picture framing is the result of the expansion and contraction of the panels that make up the decking. Without the underlayment, the slight movement of the decking could create bumps that would disturb the flat surface of the roof and could prevent proper water resistance. Many modern underlayment materials also have an additional fire-retardant effect, reducing the speed at which a house fire could spread.

Traditional underlayment is made of felt that is saturated with tar. This kind of underlayment is still widely used today. However, recent innovations have introduced synthetic underlayment with special properties. These may include added water resistance and reduced heat absorption.

In some cold climates, roofers may install a special underlayment that acts as a water and ice barrier. It can help protect from ice dams that form when the bottom layer of accumulated snow melts and refreezes at the edge of the roof. Some of these underlayments may have special properties such as being self-adhering and closing around nails for a watertight seal. In cold climates and areas prone to driving rain and high winds from hurricanes, the water and ice barrier might cover the whole roof. In more mild climates, ice and water barriers may still be used in vulnerable areas of the roof, like valleys, roof edges, and around penetrations in the roof.

Flashing

We have covered flashing in detail in some earlier posts, but it is still important to mention here. After the underlayment is installed, flashing is installed in areas of the roof that collect a lot of water. Valleys, where water from multiple roof planes is directed into a gushing stream, are always covered with flashing. The flashing is generally a thin layer of sheet metal that protects a vulnerable joint and directs water away from the area.

Flashing is also used anywhere the decking is cut open for some type of penetration. For example, a chimney requires flashing all around it. The flashing prevents water from seeping through the seam where the chimney walls meet the roof. Other roof penetrations such as vents and skylights also require flashing and may come with flashing as part of the finished product.

Another common place to put flashing is around dormers where the vertical walls of the dormer meet the pitched roof. Like a valley, this area can collect a lot of water and requires extra protection.

Shingles

The final outermost layer of the roof is the shingles. It is the part of the roof that is most visible. Many of our blog posts have discussed the wide variety of roofing materials in use for residential roofing. However, the most common type of residential roofing has not changed in over a half-century. Asphalt roofing remains king of residential roofing. However, the passage of time has seen many adjustments and improvements to asphalt shingle roofing. Some innovations were minor changes that made asphalt shingle more durable. Others were major innovations, such as the introduction of architectural shingles.

The most common type of asphalt shingle is called three-tab shingle. The shingles are made of strips about three feet long. Each strip has two slits perpendicular to its length to create the appearance of three shingles. Three tab shingle is almost completely flat and has a regular repeating pattern. It is available in many colors and with a wide variety of special features. Typically, three-tab shingles are installed with nails but have special adhesive on the back that is activated by heat from the sun. The adhesive creates a tight bond between the layers of shingle and increases wind and water resistance. For areas that experience high winds, premium asphalt shingles are available that have added adhesive to sustain extreme wind conditions.

Architectural asphalt shingle is a relative newcomer. Unlike three-tab shingle, it is layered to create three-dimensional shingles that mimic the shape and appearance of more natural materials. The shingles are irregularly shaped, further contributing to its natural appearance. Many new luxury homes use architectural shingle. Some homeowners who install new roofs are also opting for architectural shingle. In addition to its appearance, architectural shingle may also increase the value of a home when it comes time to sell.

New Roof Installation

When it comes to installing a new roof, HailGuard Construction has your back. We can peel back your roof all the way to the decking. We then ensure that the decking is in good condition and install a whole new roof, from underlayment to shingles. Whether you need a new roof or just some repairs, we’re ready to take on your job. Call HailGuard Construction for a quick no-obligation estimate to find out what it will cost to address your unique roofing needs.

1. Asphalt Shingles

Easily the most popular roofing material, asphalt shingles consist of small, uniformly sized shingles that feature a top layer of asphalt embedded in several layers of adhesive and felt. Newer versions of asphalt shingles may replace the felt base with fiberglass sheets. Affordable, immune to water damage and fairly low-maintenance, asphalt shingles are considered a good “jack of all trades”.

2. Metal

Metal roofs may not be the current favorite in North America, but it’s quite popular among homeowners living in the warmer regions of the globe. Metal’s main appeal is its ability to reflect and shed a large amount of heat faster than any other roofing material. Metal roofing is usually installed in the form of large panels, and basic roof repair for metal roofs usually involves patching holes with waterproof sealant instead of replacing entire panels. Practical and unbelievably tough, metal roofs are gaining more popularity these days.

3. Clay

Clay tiles have been used as a roofing material for centuries around the world. Although clay tiles cost more than metal or asphalt shingle roofing, they boast better wind resistance and are practically immune to moisture damage. Although “classic” clay tiles are made of dried clay, modern tile roofs also frequently feature concrete as a substitute.

4. Slate

Another classic roofing material, slate tiles used for roofing are hewn from shale, a type of hard, volcanic rock. Slate is known for its neutral or dark color and enhanced durability – a slate roof can be expected to last for more than a hundred years with good maintenance! 

We can tell you all about these materials and more, and how you should maintain them to make your residential roof replacement last longer.

The most common ways that a roof gets damaged is by a hail storm or high winds. Hail can weaken your roof and cause subsequent water entry. High winds cause flying debris or falling tree limbs to hit your roof. Shingle loss is also common in our notorious high winds. If not repaired, these events can cause significant damage to the interior of your home in the way of wood rot, mold and bubbling in your drywall and ceiling caused by moisture. 

 Other common causes of leaks are flashing that has pulled away from the home, vents that have been damaged, silicone caulking that dries out over time (usually silicone lasts 3-5 years), chimney caps and flashing around the chimney. 

Hail damage is very small and can be impossible to see from your yard. You may indeed not have damage that requires a repair or replacement, but because of the significant damage it can cause to your home, it is good to have a professional come by and assess your roof after a hail storm or high winds.

Paying a homeowner’s insurance deductible is illegal as of September 2019. It comes with a Class B Misdemeanor for both the homeowner and the contractor (whether the homeowner was ignorant to the contractor’s actions or not). It can also come with 180 days in jail and a fine of $2000, also for both the homeowner and the contractor. So, no, we do not cover deductibles! Anyone who selfishly misleads you is putting you at risk. We want to protect our customers, not subject them to any unnecessary risks.

Yes, hiring a roofing contractor without workman’s compensation insurance is extremely risky. If an installer gets injured on your property and does not have workman’s compensation insurance, you could be responsible for any medical bills. Before hiring a local roofer, always ask to see their certificate of insurance and take the time to verify that it is valid.