Accent
Roofing Top 10 Most Asked Re-Roofing Questions
1.
Re-roofing - why is tear-off necessary? Can't you just re-roof over top of the
old roof?
No.
The roofing shingles must be removed and then the process of re-roofing can begin
as new. Trapped moisture from
old roofing shingles roofed over top can accelerate the deterioration of the new
roof. Some warranties are voided
if roofing over an old roof.
2.
Do I need to have a Warranty Card to have a warranty on my roof?
More
important is proof of purchase of the roofing materials, warranties often depend
on the manufacturer to be lenient
but make sure you fill out the card so there is no reason for the manufacturer
to walk away from a
claim. Most roof warranties have exclusions, one of which is that the roofing
shingles be applied in accordance
with the manufacturer's directions. Make sure that your roofing contractor is
knowledgeable in the
roofing materials they are putting on your roof.
3. Should
I ever power wash my roof?
No.
And the reason is that you can cause premature granule loss on roofing shingles
and damage to a cedar roof.
The roof may look better but your roof will likely leak when the next rain comes.
4.
Can I get good life out of a cedar roof?
Everyone
seems to like the look of a cedar roof but cedar roofs don't last as long as they
once did, cedar shingles are now second growth
and the cedar shingles and cedar shakes are generally split thinner. The average
life of an untreated Cedar shingle roof is about 10-15 years. Even
if you treated the cedar roof, the treatment only slows down the decay and rot
of the cedar, but won't necessarily
stop splitting, cupping or leaking of a cedar shake or shingle roof. You can purchase
cedar shakes and shingles that are treated
for rot or fire protection but not both.
5.
How do I know my roof was installed correctly?
The best
thing to do is get details. Make sure your roofing contractor lists what he is
going to do and what
roofing materials he is planning to use. A good roofing contractor is your best
choice. Get references and
check them. Ask to see jobs the roofing contractor has done and call their former
clients.
6.
How do I choose the right roofing contractor?
Check
them out and then choose a roofing company that has been around for a long enough
to have problems and
then solved them. Ask
your neighbors who did their roof. Choose a roofing company that will give you
a proper written estimate
and addresses of past job references. Watch out for the lack of permanent address.
If it appears to be
just a phone number and no address the roofing company may not be from your area
or the roofing company
could disappear.
7.
How long should it take for the roofer to get to my house after we sign the roofing
contract?
It
really depends on where you live and the time of the year. If you sign a roofing
contract and get the roofer
there the next day, it is either a miracle or there is a reason roofing company
is not busy. Typically, re-roofing
is scheduled the day after the roofing contract is signed and the crews are on
the job within two or
three weeks. Weather, of course, plays a major factor and there are occasions
when months of delay
are not unusual. Roofing is a seasonal business and everyone seems to call at
once. Make sure the
communication is two-way so that you can reach the roofing contractor and be available
for them to reach you
regarding crew scheduling.
8.
How long does it take to have a roof done?
Typically
on an asphalt roof, the crew is done by the end of the second or third day. However
there is no such thing
as the average roof and clearly it depends on the size of the roof, weather and
the access to the site.
Tar & Gravel and Torch Down are very weather dependent. You don't want to open
up a flat roof on any
day that looks like rain. Cedar re-roofing takes longer and typically 3-4 days
on a good sized residential
home. Metal roofing can take anywhere from 2-4 days, depending on the type.
9. Should
I pay a deposit for my roof?
All
reputable roofing companies require a deposit. You should never pay all of the
amount and do not pay cash.
Roofing contractors that ask for cash could be trying to avoid paying Income Tax,
Workers' Compensation,
and other taxes. You don't need to be in the middle of those agencies and the
roofing contractor.
You can retain a holdback (agreed upon when signing the roofing contract) for
a short period after
the job is done and you have the right to cancel the roofing contract within seven
days of signing. Using
an established reputable roofing company, with proper contracts, can reduce concern
in these areas.
10. Should
l receive a copy of the roofing contractor's leak guarantee with my estimate?
Yes,
do not accept, "5 years labour" written on the bottom of your roofing estimate.
This applies to the
manufacturers warranty, which does not cover roof leaks unless on defective roofing
shingles, such as the granules
falling off. If a roof leak does occur, you will need to know if you will have
to pay a service charge
or a fee for roof inspection. Even if the labour is free, is there an extra charge
for roofing materials? These factors
can be as much as the roof repair itself. If you plan on moving, is the roofing
contractor's leak guarantee
transferable and if so, are there any fees involved? A roofing contractor who
doesn't fully guarantee
his work can dramatically cut costs.
Accent
roofing serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Vancouver, Burnaby
North Burnaby
New Westminster, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge since 1989.
For
More Information Call 604-931-1352
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