Blog – Page 26 – Andrews Roofing

By Andrews Roofing | January 6, 2014

Tags: flat, hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, low slope, replacement, retro fit, Roof Overlay, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing

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Category: Roof Installation, Roofing Repairs, Types of Roofing Systems

Flat / Low Slope Roof Overlay Replacement as an Option (Retro – Fit)

There are many ways to handle your roof replacement. A lot of commercial and residential flat roof owners know that you can install a new roof over top of an old one. Many old built-up roofs are still out there, and most even have rocks on them. These roofs can be expensive to tear off and dispose of, so for years roofers have been overlaying with “recovery” insulation board and single – ply roof systems such as TPO membrane, E.P.D.M., modified bitumen membrane, and P.V.C. membrane. These roof systems will last about 20 years and then you tear both roof layers off and start over.

Single-Ply roof systems are also roofed over. Building codes only allow for two layers of roofing and we agree with this code. Also, the insulation and roof deck on your existing roof must be dry and in such a certain condition to be roofed over. Some roofs cannot be left in place and roofed over for several reasons, so consult with a roofing professional to see if it is an option.

Special specifications are made by the industry when roofing over, so be sure you can trust and rely on your roofer to do the job correctly. Generally, it is better to tear off the old roof, but in many cases a roof over is a very acceptable option. In fact, based on my experience, the vast majority of one layer flat roofs get a retro-fit treatment.

Call or email me if you want to talk about it. Thanks for reading.

Robert Andrews, II
President/Estimator
Phone: 757-286-7400
Email: [email protected]

By Andrews Roofing | December 11, 2013

Tags: Andrews Roofing Testimonial, Customer Feedback, hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing

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Category: Andrews Roofing

A Customer Testimonial

12/2/13

Dear Morgan,

Just a note to thank you all (Joe, Don, Ben and yourself) for your excellent service and work on my roof/skylight situation. Your thoughtfulness and consideration for my problem was ever constant as we figured out a solution.

Joe was super in his original visit and estimation. Don so impressed me in his careful and professional work on my crazy old skylights and Ben was a great worker who never seemed to let up in keeping everything cleaned up, etc.

I have sung your praises to all of my family and friends. The new skylight looks super and I am happy to know I won’t have any more leak problems. Thank you all so very much!

Sincerely,

“A Valued Customer” -(requested to remain anonymous)

By Andrews Roofing | November 5, 2013

Tags: hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing

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Category: Andrews Roofing

Our Roofing People # 2: Doug Cobbs, Superintendent / Estimator

Over the years I have heard many smart business people say things like, ” It’s all about your people,” or “Your people are your most valuable asset.” During the last several years this idea has really proven to be right on target. Doug Cobbs, our #1 superintendent, is an excellent example.

He simply fits the profile of the men and women we seek to hire and keep at Andrews Roofing. He is married and has three kids and lives in Suffolk. His hobby is his family and he even coaches soccer for his boys. He has been with us since Labor Day 2011, but was in roofing for the ten years prior where he worked his way up from being a helper to being a foreman on a metal installation crew doing many high profile and complicated jobs.

Doug is now the man who makes sure all of our install jobs are done properly and on time by using proper workmanship, good job supervision and a detailed post-job inspection. After he has seen and inspected the final product, we know it’s ready to turn the roof over to the customer and that it will perform well, last a long time and look great too!

He makes sure that our shingle, flat, shake, slate and metal roofs are installed as per the manufacturers’ specifications. Flat or “low slope” roofs include single – ply membrane roofs such as TPO, modified bitumen, and E.P.D.M. He oversees commercial and some residential projects and our # 2 superintendent answers to him on the jobs that he manages.

Personally, Doug’s character is very solid. He tells the truth to his fellow workers and to customers alike. This is very important because a guiding principle at Andres Roofing is: “We do what we say.” He works hard and sometimes long hours to get the job done. Doug does whatever it takes to get the job done, but always makes sure he keeps time for his family and church. I have often said, “Doug would run through a wall for us.” It’s true.

For all these reasons and more we love and appreciate Doug Cobbs as a member of the Andrews Roofing team. I look forward to him being with us for his entire professional career. Doug has become a friend to all who work at our company.

Please contact me if you like! I’d love to talk to you.
Robert Andrews ll, President
Phone: 757-286-7400
Email: [email protected]

By Andrews Roofing | September 4, 2013

Tags: coatings, hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, membrane, roof, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing

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Category: Roof Installation, Roofing Information, Roofing Repairs, Types of Roofing Systems

Roof Coatings

Sometimes you can coat your roof instead of having to actually remove it and replace it with a new one. It can be much more cost effective, and in some cases, it can be better for your home, business or church roof.

Asphalt shingle roofs can’t be coated, but just about all other types of roofs are “coatable.” Of course, your roof must be in a “coatable” condition. We coat mainly metal and single – ply membrane flat or low slope roofs and it works very well on these surfaces. Examples of single – ply roofs are smooth modified bitumen membrane, TPO membrane , P.V.C. membrane, and E.P.D.M.

Coating a metal roof is usually more cost effective than replacing it because metal roofs are a premium roof system and, in some cases, are old with historic architectural designs that you may want to preserve. You can simply prep it and use a fibrated coating such as aluminum coating or asphalt coating to stop minor leaks and maintain the roof. This application can also dress it up a bit for aesthetic reasons. If you really want something nice, we can apply an acrylic / elastomeric coating system, which may or may not include fabric, and even get you a real warranty! This is like roof “membrane in a can.” They do come in colors, of course, and most localities do not require a building permit for coatings, which keeps costs down.

We can apply the same types of coatings to single – ply roofs. We make sure there is no moisture in the flat roof or standing on the surface (ponding water) in a case where a coating would be feasible.

Believe it or not, one can even use some coatings as, “stand alone roof systems,” where the coating is applied right over the plywood roof sheathing. One advantage, under these circumstances, is that coatings do not blow off and they are extremely light weight, making it alright to overlay an old roof.

High end premium coatings come with 10 and 15 year water tight warranties from the manufacturer and are renewable in most cases. The manufacturer would come out, inspect the roof when it is near the end of its warranty period, tell you what to do to maintain the roof coating system, and renew it for another 10 years even!

If you are interested in coating your roof, ask a roofing professional if it will work for you.

Thanks for reading. Call or email with anytime with any questions because I have not included everything here. I’m really not that good of a writer so … just the facts!

Robert Andrews, II

Andrews Roofing Company, Inc.

757-286-7400

[email protected]

www.andrewsroofing.com

By Andrews Roofing | July 29, 2013

Tags: hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing

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Category: Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations

Is Your Roof Algae Resistant?

I am talking about your asphalt shingle roof on your home or commercial building. The two types of algae I am referring to are the “black algae” and just regular old greenish moss. These normally occur in the more humid climates of the U.S.

Air born algae can cause damage and or make your roof look ugly. Black algae looks like black streaks running downward on the shingle roof but does not damage the shingle. Moss, however, can grow into the shingle and cause damage if not taken care of. Both types can be cleaned off by a roofer or by a homeowner even. Just be careful up there!

The way to avoid the stuff from growing is to be sure when you get a new roof that your roofing contractor is installing an algae resistant shingle. CertainTeed manufacturer calls their algae warranty “Streak Fighter” and it comes in 10 and 15 year durations. Even on a lifetime shingle the max is 15 years because the copper coating on the granules wears off with weather over time before the shingle wears out. This copper coating is what resists the algae growth. CertainTeed and other roofing shingle manufacturers do not offer an algae resistant warranty on their 20 year products.

Contact me to talk about this if you like. Thanks!

Robert Andrews, II
Andrews Roofing Company, Inc.
757 Mount Vernon Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23707
757-286-7400 (cell)

By Andrews Roofing | May 24, 2013

Tags: hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, R Value, roofing insulation, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing

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Category: Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations

Roof Insulation

Insulation is a pretty popular word in all types of construction because it is required by building codes and it can cost and / or save an owner big money, especially over time. On flat and low slope roofs it must be considered closely in new construction and in roof replacement situations.

Your building code will dictate how much insulation you need when you build something new and sometimes may dictate what to use when you are reroofing. An important thing to know is that when putting on a new roof, it is a good time to evaluate how your home, office or church is doing in the insulation department.

Make sure you consult your roofer when deciding what to install.

Roof insulation is designed to keep heat or cold in or out of the building effectively. Insulation is measured by R Value. This is a measurement of the resistance of a building material to heat flow. The more resistance to heat flow in the material, the higher the R Value will be.

The most commonly used roof insulation is a rigid board called polyisocyanurate insulation and it is definitely good stuff. It comes in different thicknesses and therefore different R Values. One inch thick “iso board” has an R Value of about 5.5 whereas one and a half inch is R9. The R value goes way up, but normally we do not install more than R30 on a roof. It may be installed in layers too.

Roofers attach insulation to the roof deck or sheathing and then install a single – ply membrane roof such as TPO, E.P.D.M., MODIFIED BITUMEN or even a built up roof system on top of it.

If your building is too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, adding more R Value on the roof may contribute to fixing the problem. Old buildings sometimes have none at all.

Good luck!

Robert Andrews, II
757-286-7400 (cell)
[email protected]

News

Flat / Low Slope Roof Overlay Replacement as an Option (Retro – Fit)

A Customer Testimonial

Our Roofing People # 2: Doug Cobbs, Superintendent / Estimator

Roof Coatings

Is Your Roof Algae Resistant?

Roof Insulation

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