Low slope roofs have several advantages, including low installation cost, low maintenance cost, and the ease of finding a New Hanover roofing contractor who works on them. Contractors who work on low slope roofing usually service several types of these systems. In doing so, they provide the following services:

Maintenance

When a New Hanover rooftop is well maintained, it improves the chance of fulfilling or exceeding the expected lifespan. Although different low slope roofs require different types of maintenance, all low slope roofs should receive an annual maintenance inspection. Often, a maintenance inspection reveals early signs that a rooftop needs repair. By addressing the problems early, a company can protect its investment and extend the life of the roof.

Repair

Roof repair resolves a particular problem in an otherwise well-conditioned rooftop. Common repairs to low slope roofing include replacing old caulking, recoating areas where the original coating has deteriorated, and fixing leaks to stop interior water damage. Ideally, repairs are performed immediately after a commercial roofing company detects problems during an annual maintenance inspection.

Restoration

Roof restoration repairs an entire rooftop. Often necessary after a severe storm or after years of poor maintenance, restoration is also an option for extending the lifespan of an old roof. Roofing services that can restore a low slope roof include recoating, re-flashing, and design modifications. These improvements can extend the lifespan of the roof by nearly 15 years.

Replacement

On average, low slope roofs are replaced every 20 years. Although replacement costs the most money upfront, it is often the best value in the end, especially when a rooftop is old and requires frequent repairs. Replacement is usually performed after a roof exceeds its lifespan, but severe weather, defective materials, and improper roofing specifications could lead to roof replacement.

Inspection

Inspections are performed in two capacities: as part of an annual maintenance check, or in response to problems that need immediate attention. In either case, the examination should evaluate the overall condition of a New Hanover roof. If repairs are needed, the inspector will recommend them in writing along with price estimates for supplies and labor. A building owner should receive estimates from at least 3 contractors.

Conclusion

Most buildings eventually need the commercial roofing services listed above. How often they need them depends on how a roof system experiences wear. Some roofs, such as those that have metal paneling, gradually experience wear. Other roofs, such as those that have shingles, experience wear quicker than most. A good contractor will explain the value of a roof in terms of its cost versus its expected lifespan.

Regardless of the covering a roof has, having a commercial New Hanover roofing company inspect it annually is the key to preserving it. The key to getting the best inspection is to hire the right contractor. Before you hire a contractor to inspect the rooftop of your building, be sure the contractor has a physical business location, can supply local references, specializes in the type of roof your building has, and is licensed, bonded, and insured to perform roof work.

Like many systems in your Brunswick County home, no one thinks about the roof until something goes wrong. Usually, the first sign of roof issues is a stain on the ceiling. Believe it or not, that is a good thing. Think of it like the check engine light in you car telling you that there is something that needs to be addressed.

In other cases, the water follows the path of least resistance, showing little or no staining until there is a sudden blooming of mold on the walls.

Irrespective, once you know you have a roof problem, you have three way to address it; your Brunswick County roofing contractor can perform a roofing inspection to determine which option is appropriate for your roof.

• Repair the roof
• Restore the roof
• Replace the roof

Repair the roof- This is your least costly alternative. Unless the entire roof is failing, most leaks can be traced back to a point of origin. Depending on the size of the leak and the amount of damage, there are multiple ways in which to make a repair that range from invisible to ugly. A repair is an identifiable point of water intrusion that can be fixed. This does not guarantee that your roof will stop leaking, just that a single point won’t. Keep in mind that in some cases shingles will have to be replaced and it is next to impossible to match new shingles with the ones on your Brunswick County roof that have been exposed to the elements for years.

Restore the roof- Some roofs not only have leaks but the shingles are losing the aggregate (sandy stuff) that protects the body of the shingle. This type of roof should be replaced but sometimes you need time to acquire the funds for a roof replacement. With modern sealants the entire surface of the roof can be protected from further degradation. A roof restoration can extend the life of an older roof from 1-5 years and is less than ½ the cost of a roof replacement. It is not always possible to restore a roof and each one must be addressed on a case by case basis but when it can be done it gives the roof a sheen and a much newer appearance.

Replace the roof- Most expensive but most effective. This involves stripping the entire Brunswick County roof, nailing the roof deck to current code and installing a heavy felt and dimensional shingles. This should also include a wind mitigation inspection that will lower you insurance costs. Installed and vented correctly, a new roof will protect your structure for years to come.

Your business and personal objectives will define your choice but you should have as many options available as possible.

The same choices apply for flat or sloped roofs.

Not only does your roof act as a deterrent to moisture intrusion, it is also an important element in regulating the interior temperature and comfort of your Brunswick County home. A roof with the proper elements can save you thousands on energy bills as well as extend it’s own life.