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March 17, 2020 By admin Leave a Comment

Repair or Replace: How to Decide Which Is Right for Your Roof

After a major thunderstorm, hailstorm, tornado, or just an especially windy night, it can be nervewracking to go outside and evaluate the damage. A few tree branches in your yard or a tipped-over garbage bin aren’t that big of a deal. Missing or damaged shingles, on the other hand, could mean that you’re in for some seriously bad news.

How can you tell if the damage to your roof — or even just normal wear and tear — merits a full replacement, or if you can get away with only having it repaired? At what point is it no longer advisable to have the roof replaced? After all, roof work isn’t inexpensive, and you don’t want to spend a bundle unnecessarily. We’re taking a look at this question today, so keep reading for some answers.

1. How Old is the Roof?

The first consideration is your roof’s age. If it is only a few years old, and the damage isn’t widespread, repairing is the obvious path to take.

Different roofing materials have different lifespans, of course. The most common type of roof, composite asphalt shingles, tend to last between 15 and 40 years, depending on their quality and the climate conditions where you live. A wood shake roof will live to be about 35 or 40, while slate and clay roofs can hold their own for a century or more.

Think your roof is nearing the end of its life span? It might be worthwhile to simply go the new-roof route, instead of shelling out for a repair now and a replacement in just a few years.

2. Are You Planning on Selling Soon?

A new roof can be a big draw for potential buyers, but it might not make financial sense for you to spring for one now. Consider having repairs done if there’s a chance you might be selling your home in the next couple of years.

3. What Kind of Financial Perks Might You Reap?

Homeowners who are on the fence about whether to replace or repair their roof ought to look into possible savings. First, new roofing materials tend to be much more environmentally friendly than their predecessors. This could entitle you to local or federal tax credits that will help offset the roof’s cost.

Additionally, your homeowner’s insurance premiums could drop significantly if you invest in a high-quality roof. Crunch the numbers; it may turn out that a new roof won’t be as costly as you think once these discounts are deducted.

4. Looking for Leaks In All the Roof Places

Leaky roofs can wreak havoc with the structure, foundation, and interior of your home. It’s never wise to ignore a leak, but if there is only one, you are probably safe getting the roof repaired. If a thorough inspection discovers multiple leaks, however, it could be worthwhile to replace the roof entirely.

Whether You Need Your Roof Repaired or Replaced

Whichever route you plan to go, discuss your circumstances with the roofing company you choose. They are experts at evaluation roof quality. They may be able to offer alternatives to having the roof repaired that you hadn’t considered.

Interested in a free consultation to help you decide? Call Capital Roofing and Restoration today.

March 15, 2020 By admin Leave a Comment

Roof Warranty 101: A Guide to Understanding What's Covered

Your roof is one of the most expensive repairs that you can do to your house.

This cost will depend on where you live and the size of your home, but even the lower end is a lot for most homeowners.

How often you need to redo your roof will depend on the materials you use, as well as the job that’s done. Since roof replacements and repairs are so pricey, you’ll want to be very careful about how you go about redoing your roof the first time.

Keep an eye out for quality materials, highly-skilled contractors, and roof warranties.

These are all going to save your wallet in the long run. You may be wondering what exactly a roof warranty covers.

To learn all about your roof warranty, keep reading.

There’s More than One Type of Roof Warranty

When it comes to the security and quality of your roof, there are a couple of different warranties available.

Installation or Workmanship Warranty

With an installation warranty, your coverage will depend on the job your contractor did while installing the roof.

You’ll also want to be careful when choosing a roofer or a roofing company because not everyone offers this warranty. Look for quality service as well as a warranty to ensure that your roof doesn’t become a money pit.

What’s covered?

If the contractor who did your roof messed up, this is covered under the installation warranty. For example, if your roofer forgot a step or didn’t cover a spot well enough and you get a leak, they’ll cover it.

It’s important to remember that workmanship or installation warranties often come with contingencies. Many warranties only cover repairs if you stick with the same roofer or roofing company.

The warranties are meant to stand by the roofing company’s work, so they are unlikely to help if you switch companies.

Manufacturer’s Warranty

Where an installation warranty covers the roofer’s work, the manufacturer’s warranty covers the materials used.

It’s actually the most commonly used warranty for roofing. This can often be referred to as a shingle warranty as well. This warranty lasts for around 20-50 years.

What’s covered?

If the materials you used for your roof don’t do their job, you may be able to have the cost covered.

If the manufacturer made a mistake in the production of your shingles, this problem becomes their responsibility. If shingles aren’t made to be durable, they’ll often break down faster. The sooner your shingles break down, the more often you will need to have your roof replaced.

This is a very expensive home repair project. So, if there’s a problem with the materials, you’ll want to make a claim under the manufacturer’s warranty.

While a manufacturing problem is the most common cause of roofing warranty claims, it can be difficult to prove. It’s often assumed that a roofing problem is the result of the contractor. Because not all contractors offer a warranty, you may be left with covering the repairs yourself.

Get Your Roof Done Today

Who you hire to redo your roof is going to make a huge difference in your long-term spending.

To learn more about your roof warranty and our services, reach out today.

March 13, 2020 By admin Leave a Comment

What Causes a Leaky Roof? Common Causes and How to Fix Them

Are you dealing with a leaky roof? Not sure what caused the problem or what you can do to stop the leak before it’s too late? We’re here to help!

In this article, we’re sharing everything you need to know about roof leaks—including the potential causes behind yours and how to address the problem fast. So, you can save your roof before too much damage is done.

What Causes a Leaky Roof?

There are many possible reasons why your roof is leaking. And some reasons are harder to address than others! Here are some common causes of roof leaks, and how to deal with them.

Broken Shingles

Have you noticed different-colored patches on your roof? If so, you’ve probably lost some shingles on your roof. And without this protective layer, water can quickly seep through and leak into your home.

Shingles typically break after a heavy storm with aggressive winds and rains. So, if you’ve experienced one of those recently you may want to check your yard for any missing shingles to determine how bad the storm was.

Thankfully, shingles can be easily replaced. Simply hire a shingle installation service. They can help replace your old shingles with a higher quality option that’s better built to withstand weather damage.

Clogged Gutters

Another common cause of a leaky roof is clogged gutters. This issue occurs when a blockage forms and prevents water from traveling away from the roof. This water pools in one area of the roof, and then ultimately seeps in through cracks.

Gutters are a bit of a bigger issue to address. Generally, the best way to unclog them is to clean them out manually. You may want to set a tarp underneath you to catch the debris as you clean.

Cracked Flashing

If you have an older home or one that’s dealt with some extreme weather events, it’s possible that the flashing on the roof has cracked. Flashing is the thin piece of metal that is installed under your shingles to create a water-resistant barrier. When it cracks, water can sink through the roof and leak into your home.

In order to fix cracked flashing, you typically need to replace the old flashing and fasten in new ones. This process can often be a bit difficult though, so it’s recommended you hire a roofing company to help you.

How to Find Roof Leaks

The issues listed above are usually pretty easy to identify without much effort. But not all leaks are as easy to spot. So, if you’re noticing a leak but not sure where it’s coming from, take some time to fully inspect the area.

Start by looking for any objects that have penetrated the roof. Check out areas such as your plumbing, roof vents, and chimney for any penetration issues. And if you have an attic, go in there and look for water stains, black marks, or mold as those things are a tell-tale sign that a leak has occurred.

Ready to Fix Your Roof?

Fixing a leaky roof isn’t all that challenging. But it is important to address it as soon as possible. If you don’t, you could end up with thousands of dollars in property damage.

But by following the tips in this article, you can identify and address the issue in no time!

Are you dealing with a leaky roof? Not sure what to do or where to start? Contact us for any roof restoration efforts you need!

March 11, 2020 By admin Leave a Comment

The Pros and Cons of Metal Roofing

Metal roofs tend to last for 50+ years. When buying a metal roof, you’re making a long-term investment. When you have a roof that lasts so long, you want to make sure it’s the right choice for your home.

Below we’ll review the pros and cons of installing metal roofing. You’ll have the knowledge you need when deciding on a roof type.

Pros

First, metal roofing weighs around 70-150 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. Other types of roofing can weigh thousands of pounds.

Second, the lightweight of the roofing material makes it easier to lift. Metal roofing is one of the easier and faster types of roofing to install. This means you’ll have reduced installation costs as the roofers won’t need as much time to install your roof.

Third, unlike with other types of roofing, with metal roofs, you don’t need to worry about fires, mildew, or rot. You’ll have fewer maintenance costs and worries when it comes to the safety of yourself and your home.

Fourth, as metal roofs are harder and slippery, they’ll easily shed rain and snow. If you live in an area where it snows a lot, by using darker metals, it can warm the snow to help melt it quicker.

On the flip side, if you live somewhere warm, the metal helps reflect the light away from your home making it cooler. This can help you save on air conditioning costs.

Finally, metal has become a versatile material, you can make it look like other materials, such as wood. So, you can now have a nice wood looking roof without all the consequences that come with it.

Cons

First, the initial cost of metal roofing is more on the pricey side. Yet, if you plan on living in your current home for a long time, it may be worth the price. It requires less maintenance and has a longer lifespan compared to other roofing.

Second, metal roofing can be very loud unless properly insulated. When there is stormy weather outside your home, you’ll know it. You can combat the noise by installing noise-canceling insulation and/or plywood sheathing.

Third, depending on what type of metal you opt for your roof can dent. Most metal roofs are made from steel, but some can be made from copper, aluminum, or tin.

The dents tend to form when there are hailstorms, or if someone is walking on your roof. You may want to opt for thicker and heavier metal (such as steel) to prevent denting.

Finally, if you live in an area with fluctuating temperatures, you may need to invest in fasteners. When it’s hot outside your roof will expand, and conversely, when it’s cold outside it’ll contract. This can cause your roof to leak if you don’t have fasteners installed.

Is Installing Metal Roofing Right for You?

Now that you know more about the pros and cons of installing metal roofing, it’s time to decide if it’s right for you. Every type of roof will have its pros and cons, it comes down to whether the pros outweigh the cons for your home.

Reach out to us today if you want to learn more about metal roofing.

March 9, 2020 By admin Leave a Comment

How to Find a Reliable Roofing Contractor

When it comes to finding the right roofing company to repair or replace your roof, it can be difficult to put your finger on the right one. Although, few towns have a shortage of construction and roofing contractors.

The problem isn’t finding roofing companies, it’s finding a reliable one you look forward to doing business with. The key is learning how to use the resources available to you to pick the best company for your needs.

Keep reading and we’ll show you the way.

Ask Around the Neighborhood

First, think about the last time a hail storm or high winds came through your town. Do you remember the neighbors that had to have work done on their roofs? You can start your search for the best roofing companies by asking the people who’ve recently had their roof repaired or replaced.

If you can remember which houses or neighbors had roof work done, you can always ask the neighbors you’re closest to who they’ve used in the past, if ever. However, feel free to open up your questioning to other friends and family members that live locally.

Ask for Recommendations on Facebook

Next, if you can’t get enough information by talking face to face with people, you can resort to using Facebook to ask for recommendations. Most towns and cities have community Facebook pages where locals can buy, sell, and trade goods. You can also use these pages to ask for recommendations for whatever services or products you’re in the market for.

This is a great way to get a good understanding of a company’s standing with the locals.

Look Up Local Roofing Company Reviews and Testimonials

Once you have a few ideas of some roofing companies you might hire, start doing a little research. Go to their website and see if they have any posted reviews or testimonials.

If you can’t find any on their website, check their social media pages or do your own search engine investigation. You can simply type in the “name of the company” and “reviews” and see what comes up.

Ask the Right Questions

A vital way of finding the best roofing companies is by learning what questions to ask. Start with what’s important to you. Here are some suggestions:

How does their price compare with other local roofing companies?
What licenses and certifications do they have?
Do they offer warranties?
How quickly can they get started?
Are they insured?
Do they offer any financing options?

You may have your own list of questions, be sure to ask any potential companies everything you want to know.

Get a Quote

Finally, be sure you get a quote from roofing companies before you sign any contracts. This will be a good period of time to learn some important facts about potential companies.

For example, how well do they communicate? Are they friendly? What about pricing?

Keep in mind, taking advantage of a free inspection is a great way to contrast and compare companies.

Are You Looking for Roofing Companies You Can Trust?

If you know your roof is in disrepair, you should act sooner rather than later. The long term damages of a simple water leak can be exorbitantly expensive. But never settle for anything but the best when it comes to roofing companies.