8 Questions for the Prospective Roofer

January 23, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Roof Replacement 

roofers 300x213 8 Questions for the Prospective RooferWhen you are ready to embark on a roof replacement for your Brunswick County home you should always prepare a list of questions to ask your Brunswick County roofing contractor before your scheduled appointments. There are many different styles of roofing materials, so you should take some time, and look online for the roofing type you want on your home.

What Are The Questions To Ask The Roofing Contractor?

  1. What Type Of Roofing Materials Do You Sell?
  2. What Type Of Insurance Do You Have?
  3. Do You Have Any References?
  4. How Many People Will Be On The Crew?
  5. How Long Have You Been In Business?
  6. How Long Will This Roof Installation Take?
  7. What Is Your Workmanship Guarantee?
  8. Does My Home Need Additional Ventilation?

What Are The Different Roofing Types?

There are several roofing materials from asphalt roofing, steel or metal roofing, ceramic roofing, and single ply rubber roofing. Most Brunswick County homes have either asphalt or metal roofing panels as the roofing products, and on the flat roofs like dormers single ply rubber is also used. In tropical or different regions ceramic or terracotta roofing materials which can be used. All of these products are great for waterproofing, and are very easy to find information about online.

What Roofing Materials Are Best?

In different parts of the country, roofing materials will change because of weather conditions. In Maine people use a lot of steel roofs because of the heavy snow fall. In Florida the choice of roofing is tile because of the heat, and asphalt shingles are used all over the country. There are also special asphalt roofing shingles for high winds along the coast, and flat line wind storms like in North Dakota and surrounding areas.

What Insurance Is Required For Roofers?

As you can understand, roofing is a very dangerous job, and not all liability insurance is the same. Roofing liability insurance is usually about 200 percent more than basic carpenter liability insurance, and excludes roofing completely. I have seen many insurance binders over the years from roofer who has only purchased basic carpenter type liability insurance, and when a problem occurs the homeowner will not be protected or covered under this type of policy. As a Brunswick County homeowner, you need to have the insurance company send you a copy in the mail with your name on the binder, and make sure that the policy includes roofing.

The next insurance that your Brunswick County roofing contractor should have is workman’s compensation insurance, and this is where you could lose your home if someone is killed or seriously injured. In most homeowners insurance policy’s it is clearly stated, that anyone you hire to perform work on said property must have workman’s compensation insurance. And you are responsible to make sure that they have this workman’s compensation insurance before you hire them to start the work on your home.

What Should I Need For Ventilation?

The reason a home should have ventilation is to remove the moisture from the home. Prove fact is that each person in the home permeates about 3 gallons of water a day. From showers, to cooking, and breathing water vapor is created and need to be able to leave the property. One of the largest reasons is to allow the attic to breath, and remove all the excess heat from the attic. Roofing manufactures want the attic to be the same temperature as the outside at all times. This adds life to the roofing materials but also helps you save money on your heating, and cooling cost.

How Many Estimates Should I Get?

You should get at least 3 roofing estimate from reputable Brunswick County roofing contractors to ensure the size of the roof, and compare the roofing materials, and pricing. Caution, do not only make your decision on the price, and you as the home owner must assume some of the responsibility if you insist the contractor lowers his price in which he cannot possibly by the materials, and supply the necessary labor to complete the job correctly. To do the job right the roofing contractor will need to pay for the materials and insurance then hire qualified installers to effectively complete the roofing work. Plus the roofing contractor will need to pay for his tools, equipment, and his vehicles plus additional over-head to manage the job correctly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Deschaine

So if you are looking for a professional North Carolina roof replacement contractor then please call us today at 1-888-DRY-CLUB or complete our online request form.

To Repair or Replace: That is the Question

January 9, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Roof Replacement 

iStock 000006055738Small 300x177 To Repair or Replace: That is the QuestionHere is the scenario that many Brunswick County homeowners have experienced: The roof is leaking; it’s been on for 12 years and this isn’t the first time you’ve dealt with it leaking. The question going through your head is: Should I repair or replace my roof?

There are several points to consider when trying to make this decision, and keep in mind that no two roofs are the same. So while there are general guidelines you can follow to help you decide, keep in mind that you know your roof the best and you know whether there are other considerations that you should keep in mind.  your Brunswick County roofing contractor can also advise on whether a roof repair or roof replacement is your best alternative,

Special Considerations:

o If more then 30 percent of the entire roof is damaged, or if there is extensive moisture damage to either the existing roofing layer or the structural deck, you should consider replacing the entire roof.

o If your roof damage occurred as a result of a storm such as a tornado or hurricane, then you should certainly consider replacing the entire roof. In these situations, there are is often damage that you cannot see and it’s important to go ahead and replace the roof. Safety for you and your family is the most important factor.

o Is there a pre- existing condition on your roof that would make it beneficial to go with a full roof replacement?

Consider replacement if:
o You think your roof has a faulty design
o Improper material was used while constructing the roof
o There were past problems with mold or algae growth

Factors to consider:

o Interior Walls- Two sure signs of major need for roof repair are if the walls and ceilings in your Brunswick County home have moisture marks and if the paint on your walls and ceilings are peeling.

o Torn or Missing Shingles- Torn or missing shingles could be caused by many variables from heavy sun to tree branches being improperly removed from the roof. Sometimes torn or missing shingles are a sign of a simple roof repair but there are times that it is the clue that there are more serious roof issues. It’s always important to consult with a skilled Brunswick County roofing contractor who can help you determine the severity of the problem.

o Roof Layers- If you have more than 3 layers on your roof and are again experiencing problems then it’s time to replace.

o Roof Age- If you have an asphalt shingled roof of good quality material and installation than it should last between 15-20 years. If your roof is over 12 years and experiencing roof leaks associated with other roofing problems  then you should seriously consider replacement.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcy_Tate

So if you are looking for a professional North Carolina roof replacement contractor then please call us today at 1-888-DRY-CLUB or complete our online request form.

North Carolina Green Roof Replacement

December 27, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Roof Replacement 

If a North Carolina home or business owner needs to replace their roof now is the time to go green. Replacing an existing roof with an environmentally friendly roof will cut heating and cooling costs. Another plus for a North Carolina roof replacement is that the air conditioning units will have a longer service life.

One of the building materials that is being used is metal. Metal roofs can be laid right on top of the existing roof. The shingles wouldn’t need to be removed. This would make less waste for the land fills.

Metal roofs are more energy-efficient then the traditional shingle roofs because they draw less heat from the sun. They will emit the infrared rays resulting in less carbon emissions. The home or building will be easier to cool which will save energy.

Metal roofing comes in many colors. The lighter the paint colors the cooler the roof. Darker colors draw more solar energy from the sun. When choosing the building supplies make sure the paint is lead free. Lead contamination will lead to health problems. Also buy recycled metal if possible.

Styles of metal roofing materials vary. There is metal shake, metal tile, metal shingle/slate, or vertical panels available. The paint texture can be granulated or smooth.

If the roof does not need to be replaced it can still be made green. There are coatings that can be applied to make it more energy-efficient. White thermoplastic vinyl is one of the coating being used. It will reflect eighty percent more of the suns rays and emit seventy percent of the infrared heat.

Another way for green roof replacement is to use a solar reflective coating on the surface. The ceramic coating usually only comes in white. They are applied by professionals and mainly used on industrial buildings and warehouses. This application reflects up to seventy-five to eighty percent of the suns rays.

Nanotechnology heat reflective paints come in several different shades. They reflect up to ninety-five percent of the suns rays. The building stays cooler in the hotter months.

Reflective metal panels are specially coated to send heat back into the atmosphere. The material is durable to withstand weather.

Another kind of roof coating is made of recycled rubber and glass. This is a durable sealer that will reflect heat and be waterproof. Using it will make the existing roof more cost-effective. It can be applied by the home owner with a paint brush. The ingredients are non-toxic and non-carcinogen.

The flat roofs of commercial buildings can be spray coated with white, elastomeric, polyurethane coating. This type of coating prevents air infiltration because of the thermal barrier it provides. It will last many years with proper maintenance.

Urban areas typically are heat islands because of the black roofing materials they use. By treating existing roofs with lighter materials the temperatures would be reduced by five percent. This will also cut back on carbon emissions.

Going green with roof replacement is a good way to be Eco-friendly.

Roof Replacement – Get the Look You Want For Your North Carolina Home

August 25, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Roof Replacement 

The greatest cost in a North Carolina roof replacement can be labor. That said, the most variable cost in any roof replacement project lies in selecting the roofing material that suits your home, your climate, and your pocketbook. Remember, most roofing contractors offer materials that come with warranties.The labor involves removing existing shingles and repairing or restoring damaged wood on the subroof and around the eaves.

In cold climates, you may need to:

  • Install an ice dam barrier, preventing melting ice from damaging shingles closest to the gutters.
  • Lay down felt or asphalt paper
  • Nail in tiles or shingles
  • Install flashing wherever leaks occur along chimneys and vents
  • Install the ridge vent

Do Your Roof Replacement Research

If this is your first roof replacement, you’ll need to learn how to buy roofing. The first step is to measure the total square footage of roofing to replace. If you know the square footage of your home, you already know you’ll need to buy materials that cover more than that. Consider the roof slope, and you should cost out additional materials to cover gables or ornamental roofing features.

Start pricing any roof replacement job by visiting a roofing showroom. Suppliers who sell roofing materials measure them by the “square,” with each unit calculated to cover 100 square feet of roofing. Asphalt shingles cost the least, wood costs more, and slate is even more costly. Metal roofs may cost the most, depending on materials and installation costs. You’ll want to research what material is best for you based on your climate, your budget and the overall look you are going for on your North Carolina home.

Now you know the scale of work and the materials cost. Get written bids from at least three roofers before signing up for the work.