7 Things to Know Before a Roof Installation
Is your roof at least 15 to 20 years old? Maybe your roof is starting to leak or show other signs of disrepair. If it has been a couple of decades since you had your roof installed, then it is probably showing signs of wear and tear from the effects of nature.
If you are considering a roof replacement, you will likely be calling a contractor soon. But before consulting with a contractor, you should be aware of what a roof replacement involves. By educating yourself about the roof installation process, you will position yourself for obtaining the most value with your contractor, and you will choose the right type of material for your roof.
Here are seven things you should know before partnering with a contractor on your new roof installation.
1. Choose the Right Roofing Company for Your Roof Installation
You will likely have numerous choices when it comes to contractors in your area. But not all of them will offer you value, deliver quality materials, or present a fair and reasonable price. There are various criteria to consider when deciding which roofer to call upon.
A competent roofing company should offer the following things:
- Large selection of roofing materials
- Substantial experience in the roofing industry
- Specific set of roofing services that they provide, including a new roof installation
- Fair and reasonable prices
- Free consultations for interested potential customers
Don’t hire a roofing company before interviewing them and learning as much as possible about the company. Also, peruse their online reviews and find out what other homeowners have to say about a particular roof contractor.
2. Select the Right Roofing Materials
You will find that there are many options when it comes to the type of roofing materials that are available. In fact, roofing technology has made great advances in recent years, meaning you have choices that did not exist when your house was built.
Traditional shingles composed of asphalt and slate are popular among homeowners. But there are also metal roofs to choose from. You can also consider new metal roofing materials that resemble other materials, however, these metal roofs are longer lasting and tend to be more energy efficient.
Here are some of the roofing options to consider:
- Shake
- Asphalt
- Tile
- Metal
- Rubber
- Decra
We suggest you talk with your roofing company about what they would recommend. You will want to factor in your budget and the current style of your home when selecting a roofing material.
Placing Shingles on Top of Your Current Roof is an Option
You may not have realized it, but you don’t have to tear off your existing roof and replace it with a new one. It is not advised to continuously stack roofing materials on top of one another many times. Nonetheless, you can place shingles over the top of an existing layer of roofing one time in most places. You will have saved yourself a significant amount of money while reaping the benefits of having a new roof.
Roof Maxx Offers Special Roof Treatment that Could Delay a Replacement
The Roof Maxx® treatment seeps into dried out shingles and rehydrates the asphalt with essential oil beads. This process restores flexibility so the shingle can contract and expand without breaking while reactivating the seal tabs on the shingles helping to extend the waterproofing protection.
Similar to the soy technology used in Good Year tires, Roof Maxx® is a bio-solution product that was created in coordination with the Ohio Soybean Council. The Ohio State University conducted a study combining with research from Battelle Memorial Institute and PRI Construction Materials Technology and found that Roof Maxx® treated shingles restored flexibility, durability, and permeability values close to that of a brand-new shingle.
Inquire About Roof Removal
As you search for a roofing contractor, make sure you ask them about roof removal. In particular, inquire if they will take away your old roof for you.
As a general rule, it is ideal to have the old roof removed instead of having new shingles placed over it.
Inspect Your Roof Frame
Before you reach out to a contractor and replace your roof, you will want to inspect the structural integrity of your roof. This is especially the case if you have experienced roof leaks.
Specifically, look at the plywood supports of your roof. Check for any spots where sheathing is breaking apart, soft or disintegrating, and replace it right away.
You may also want to peel away the first layer before installing a new roof to look for leaks in the frame. If you find anything amiss, you can do repairs to avoid more major issues in the future and it will extend the life of your roof.
Prepare for Unexpected Problems
No matter how much you do your homework and proceed carefully with your roof replacement, it is likely you will experience some problems The roofers could find shingles rotting away or sagging in the decking underneath. That may call for repairs to these sections of your roof prior to putting new set of shingles down.
Factor in problems like this when you set aside a budget for a roof installation. You never know what structural issues will be discovered and the extra cost they will bring.
Cleaning Up After Roof Installation is Important
Once your roof has been installed, you don’t want the roofing contractor to pack up their truck and leave and leave behind a slew of potentially dangerous items on your property. For example, during a new roof installation, dozens of nails will probably be strewn throughout your yard. These nails could put you and your loved ones at risk. You could also experience flat tires to your cars and lawnmower.
A competent roofing contractor will make cleanup a priority. They should use large magnets to clean up your yard and leave it as nice as it was before the roof installation.
Look to Roof Maxx for an Expert Roof Installation
Is your roof at the point of no return?
If it’s time to replace your old, worn out, or heavily damaged roof, call Roof Maxx for the best quality roof replacement in Tri-Cities, WA.
Don’t wait for your roofing problem to get worse. Schedule a roof replacement inspection and replacement estimate now with Roof Maxx by calling us at (509) 845-0818.
