Leaks & Service Repairs

757-399-3066 ext 3 (Leaks & Service Repairs)

Reroof Estimates & Inspections

757-399-3066 ext 1 (Reroof Estimates & Inspections)

Author: Andrews Roofing

Your Home Is Not A Submarine

I have said it before; Your home is not a submarine…and even subs leak!

Fiberglass – asphalt and other types of roof shingles, such as tiles, shakes, slate, are not water proof. They are designed to shed water on a pitched or sloped surface. The steeper the better. Steeper surfaces shed water faster and dry faster.

You can’t put shingles on a pitch lower than 2 in 12″[roof rises 2″ in 12″] . We do not recommend it on slopes below a 4-12 pitch without special conditions. Roofs lower than a 2-12 need a roof system designed for “low slope roofs.” These are single – ply membrane roofs such as TPO , E.P.D.M. , P.V.C. , or modified bitumen . And just because shingles are on it now does not mean you should replace that roof area with the same thing. Even if it doesn’t leak now , it may in the future.

No responsible roofer would use the wrong type of material. A good roofer looks at every roof on a case by case basis. For example: A low pitch or low slope roof in a heavily populated suburban area not near large open spaces of land or water is not the same as one facing north on the river in Hampton Roads, Virginia cities such as Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Smithfield, York Town ,Hampton, or Newport News.

I might nail a shingle roof on a 3-12 pitch on the first roof described above, but not on the second. On the second I might recommend a low slope roof system or maybe install ice and water shield under the shingles in case wind driven rain forces itself in. And I might even use stainless steel roof nails so they won’t rust out by being wet too often for too long. #15 or #30 lb double layer asphalt saturated felt paper or “tar paper” roof underlayment might be an option as well.

Our roofers have been doing at this for a while so we have the ability to consult with you in these matters. We have seen all kinds of roof leaks and all kinds of roofs leak! We also listen to what the manufacturers say about how and where to install their roofing products . We are always sure to meet building codes.

We recommend the use of CertainTeed Landmark and other models of shingles made by CT because of their #1 rank on consumer reports and because of our experience over the years using all name brands. We took years to pick the horse we would race so you don’t have to worry about it!

So please remember: No matter how good the roofing material is, it must be installed in the right place and in the right manner to perform and do so for a long time. Ask the roofer and find out how much he knows before you hire him. The right decision in picking a roofing contractor or company is very important.

Thanks for reading!

Robert Andrews ll, President Andrews Roofing                                                                           757 Mount Vernon Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23707                                                                     757-286-7400  I  robert@andrewsroofing.com 

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Our Roofing People # 1: Bob Andrews, Vice President / Estimator

bobandrews

We want you to know who we are so that you can put a face with a name.
This can actually help you determine whom you would like to communicate with based
on your roofing needs.

Over the next several months we will blog about “Our Roofing People.” They are definitely our most valuable asset and it took quite a while to assemble this Andrews Roofing team. Once we find ’em, we keep ’em!

Bob Andrews, my father, is the most senior member of our staff. He has recently taken a part-time position with our company and estimates one shingle roof a day. Bob has been with us since 2003 right after Hurricane Isabel hit Hampton Roads and O.B.X., causing some serious damage on many roofs. I had been trying, unsuccessfully, to recruit him for several years and this storm really made me realize what an asset he could be to the team.

When I finally got him on board, we started growing at a more rapid pace due to his
construction expertise and because he is so well connected with many members of the community.  He has extensive knowledge in all types of construction, having built houses as a general contractor for twenty years.

Bob got his start working at a fertilizer plant for a couple years and then started pouring concrete on the side.  Soon he left his job and started building room additions, renovations, ground up homes and small commercial buildings. After twenty years he went to work at Philbrick Heating and Cooling as an H.V.A.C. estimator where he stayed for eleven years until 2003. He nailed his first roof on over forty years ago.

As I said earlier, he is part time now, and looks at one shingle roof a day. Because of his thorough knowledge of construction and roofing, he is an excellent consulting estimator for residential and commercial roofing customers who have a lot of questions. He will take as much time as you need to figure out what you need and want.

I couldn’t have asked for a better dad, mostly because of his very high level of integrity. He has instilled this same level of integrity in me. At a young age, I would often get dropped off  at job sites for the day to clean up and do whatever else was necessary. He made sure I was exposed to most of the construction trades early on and is a very large part of the reason I am where I am today. Long story short, he is the best man I know and has been an absolute blessing to Andrews Roofing and my family.

If you want him to come consult with you on your residential, commercial, industrial, church fiberglass asphalt shingle roof or flat roof, just call and request Bob. I’d be willing to bet that you’ll like him and trust him to lead you in the right roofing direction.

One last note…I remember when I was a kid going to bed,  he would be at the dining room table looking at blue prints and figuring jobs. He is a good detail guy. He’ll take care of you. see his photo here on our site.

~The Andrews family owned a grocery store in Port Norfolk from about 1900 to 1963.  This building is five blocks from our current office on Mt. Vernon Ave and Bob worked there as a kid where he was paid “a dollar a day and all he could eat.” He graduated from Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1969 and  married his high school sweetheart, Sheila Tordoff, my loving mother.  He has been married for some 40 years, has two sons, six grandkids and lives in Chesapeake.~

Robert Andrews ll, President                                                                                              robert@andrewsroofing.com

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How to Begin Thinking About Your Roof

Hi! If you have a building, you have a roof and at some point you will have to repair, maintain or replace it…or even all three!

I am talking about your residential home roof or the one on your commercial office, church, etc. Whether your roof is residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, shingle, flat, metal, slate, cedar shake, tile, or synthetic, there is a proper and specific way to maintain or replace it.

There are options for every roof. Since a new roof is a 20+ year commitment, you might as well take your time and choose the best one. The internet may help, but nothing is better than consulting with a real, live roof estimator, consultant or salesman.

A good roofing expert has years of experience in the industry. He can help you figure out what kind of roof or roof repair you need, which will perform and look the best, and which will last the longest. He can even help you with colors. These guys are pros. So contact a reputable roofing company and ask them to send him out, especially if you have leaks, have an old roof, have a damaged roof, or if your roof just looks bad. Looking bad can mean it is one or all of the above.

Thanks,
Robert Andrews ll , President                                                                                    robert@andrewsroofing.com

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Roof Leak Repairs

Roofers are like auto mechanics. There are really good ones and some…..are not as good.

When you have a problem with your eyes, you don’t go to a general practitioner. You go to an optometrist, right? Similarly, if you have a roof leak, you need a good roofer who specializes in finding and fixing leaks.

Some roofers install roofs. There are many different types of roofs and many types of roofers install them. Some fix leaks. These are the most detail-oriented, patient, and experienced roofers of all, usually. They know how to sniff out a leak because they’ve seen a million of them. They have installation experience in a variety of roof types. Most are experts in shingle, flat, and metal roofs, slate, cedar shakes, synthetic tile roofs,etc. Flat roofs include built-up, tar and gravel, modified bitumen, single-ply (rubber, E.P.D.M., TPO , P.V.C.) membrane roofs, and ballasted roofs.

A good leak repair or service tech can find and fix leaks on all of these different roofing surfaces. So if you need a leak fixed, not just any roofer, roofing company or contractor will do. Find a company that has special leak experience. Find one that has a service department.

We have both the equipment and staff to address issues on all of these roofing surfaces.  We have moisture reading equipment and do water tests when necessary. We have a repair specialist  named Don who can see a leak in a membrane roof seam 20 ‘ away. I am serious. You want a guy like him who has 30 years of experience. He’s as good as they get because leaks can be very tricky. He and other techs like him are successful about 98% of the time. Sometimes it requires a second visit but they always get it then. Man, this is fun. Good luck!

Robert Andrews ll, Pres.                                                                                                  robert@andrewsroofing.com

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Synthetic Slate Roofs

I’m telling you, I really like this stuff.
We prefer the EcoStar brand, Majestic Slate. It looks like slate, is less expensive and weighs less. We have tried several brands over the years and stopped looking after the first time we did one of these. It is high quality and looks great. We have never seen it leak.

Our men had to get on job training by the EcoStar inspector to certify us as a Gold Star Applicator, which makes us able to get a 50 year workmanship and material EcoStar Gold Star warranty. They send an inspector to pass the job after completion. Their specs are tight. No wonder they don’t leak! Also, it comes with up to a 100 m.p.h. wind warranty. We must shuffle and flex all tiles before installation to avoid color issues. It makes for a slow process, but the results are very pleasing.  We use stainless steel 1-1/2″ ring shank nails. It is the best and comes in 11 colors, which can actually be mixed to your liking.

These tiles are made 80% of recycled rubber and plastic. We use all EcoStar products when installing one so that warranty issues are clear and we provide a 10 year workmanship warranty too. Go to our gallery here on our site or go to ecostarLLC.COM to see some nice looking roofs. Lesser warranties are also available. Metal or copper valleys and flashings, special underlayments, and ice shield are used so they last as long as the roof.

THANKS to all! Good day.

Robert Andrews II                                                                                                             robert@andrewsroofing.com

 

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Roofing Employment Hampton Roads WANTED. NOW HIRING

If you are very skilled technically in various types of roofing, Andrews Roofing wants you. We need men with skills in all types of roofing. At our company you must be able to handle any roofing situation-not just one or two. You must be a roofer who knows shingles, flat, metal, shakes, tile, slate, single-ply, modified bitumen, built-up, tar and gravel, roof coating, steep, etc. or at least be well versed in several of these.  We do residential and commercial, E.p.d.m., TPO, CertainTeed asphalt shingles, Englert standing seam, 24 gauge steel panels, Enviroshake, Ecostar, Aluminum,  slate, tearoffs, retro-fit roofs, and Firestone work.

We service the following areas: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Smithfield, The Peninsula, Newport News, Hampton, Richmond, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Outer Banks, for North Carolina and Virginia.

Our Scope of work includes: new work, roofing, roof replacements, repairs, inspections, roof consultations, reroofs, industrial, safety, OSHA, VOSH, steeple, church roofs, office buildings, shopping centers, roof curbs, pitch pockets, and flashing.
Robert Andrews ll , president

You must also have a good driving record. Safety and equipment and technical certifications help too. We do a lot of white TPO membrane and are an authorized Firestone installer, so we have a high standard of workmanship. We do all work as per manufacturers’ specifications. We do shingles, flat and metal roofs every day and many roofing and leak repairs in addition to service and maintenance. We get our 40+ hours and have great benefits and pay.

If you are very qualified and need a good, long term career please contact us at:

Robert Andrews: Robert@AndrewsRoofing.com  or 757-286-7400

A resume helps. We will pay you what you’re worth. We especially need responsible leaders, foremen and mechanics who own their job.  You take care of us and we take care of you.

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