HELPFUL TIPS

Roofing Supply Group seeks to provide customers with valuable information related to the roofing industry.
Check this page often for helpful tips on a variety of topics, including:

• Residential Re-roofing Expectations
• Commercial Roofing Discussion

• The contractor will remove the existing roof (shingles and underlayment). In some cases they may keep the existing wall and chimney flashing in other cases they will remove the old and replace it with new flashing materials.
• Any damaged decking will be replaced as needed. This cannot be estimated prior to removing the old roof.
• New underlayment and shingles will be installed, as well as, flashing materials as required. Chimney caps may be replaced and new pipe boots will be installed.
• The homeowner should remove all valuables from shelves and walls in the rooms directly below the roof. Removing and installing roofing necessarily creates vibrations and movement.
• Ventilation will be inspected and replaced or augmented as needed. Generally, passive ridge vents will be used and eave vents may be added to increase the ventilation of the attic or the area between the ceiling and the roof deck. It is generally considered good practice to balance the amount of eave ventilation with the ridge ventilation. When in doubt too much eave ventilation is preferred as one wants to drive the warmer air out the ridge.
• Roofing manufacturers recommend roof ventilation to reduce the heat load on their shingle product. Roof ventilation will not necessarily reduce the heat load on HVAC system, though it may help. To reduce the heat load on the HVAC equipment, have an insulation contractor inspect insulation levels. Insulation requirements have increased over the years. Insulation is one of the most cost effective methods of reducing your energy bill and increasing the comfort of your home.

In our Atlanta region, in contrast to other areas of the country, roofing contractors may not use drip edge. Metro Atlanta market contractors tend to extend the shingle over the edge of the roof and inch or two to facilitate run-off.

Contractors will typically clean up the area at the end of the day and pick-up loose nails with magnetic brooms. They will cover or protect plants as required.

Most contractors want homeowners to inform them of what is on their mind during the job, and they are accustomed to dealing with homeowners who are unfamiliar with roofing projects.

Typically, the job is completed, the jobsite is cleaned up, trash is hauled away, and contractors are paid.

At times, there are job disputes. If the dispute involves the appearance of the roofing product or the “look of the roof,” the contractor will engage the roofing manufacturer to determine whether there is a product issue.

At other times, post roof installation, the homeowner may experience a leak. In those rare instances, they should contact their roofing contractor. Most contractors will stand behind their workmanship. At times, homeowners will “save money” and hire an individual who purports to be a contractor but in fact is not thoroughly qualified. In such situations homeowners will need to hire someone else to repair any deficiency in the roof system.

One strategy is to check with your better business bureau. Request to see the contractor’s county business license. Call his insurance carrier to get a copy of his insurance and workman’s comp coverage. Check with the manufacturer’s representative. These are relatively simple steps to take if you are not sure of the contractor’s credentials and integrity.

All manufacturers publish installation guidelines and checklists for choosing a contractor. All manufacturers explain their warranties on their websites or via 800 numbers. Use these resources should you have any questions.

Commercial Roofing Discussion
Commercial roofing is typically associated with non-residential low slope roofs. The typical commercial roof assembly includes roof insulation (foam and or recover boards) attached to a steel deck and covered with a waterproof membrane system. The insulation boards can be attached with screws, adhesives, or asphalt.

• Multi-ply fiber-glass felts embedded in asphalt;
• Single-ply EPDM, PVC, or TPO sheets that are fully adhered, self-adhered, mechanically attached, or ballasted (held down with stone) to the insulation assembly; or
• Modified asphalt membranes (single or multi-ply sheets) that are adhered with hot asphalt, or adhered with a cold adhesive, or torch applied, or self-adhered.
  
  

The membrane system can be left alone. It can be surfaced with reflective coatings, gravel/stone, or other treatments as specified by the designer or manufacturer.

The commercial roofing business is by its nature both simple and complex given the numerous options available to the owner of the building.

Need a Commercial Roofing Contractor?
Apart from having materials, we take particular pride in our commercial roofing staff. If you need a contractor give us a call. If you have a technical question, give us a call. Our commercial sales representatives know the market, know the roofing contractors, and can provide a number of recommendations that should address your needs.

What is the best roofing system?
In our opinion there is no one best system. Each has its advantages and costs.

Need a roof?
In many cases owners will work directly with a roofing contractor to develop a specification and installation. In other cases, where the owner has little or no experience in roofing maintenance and performance, it is best to hire an independent roofing consultant. They inspect the roof, develop roof specifications, and manage the bid process monitoring the installation. Roofing consultants may be found by contacting RCI, the Roof Consultants Institute.