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Leaks & Service Repairs

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

Reroof Estimates & Inspections

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

Category: Roof Leak

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Architectural Shingles, Chimney Leak, Flat Roof, Rapid Rain Gutter System, Residential Roofing, Roof Flashing, Roof Installation, Roof Leak, Roofing Information, Skylight

Shopping for a new house? Don’t forget to look up!

When potential home buyers are house shopping, they tend to focus on a home’s interior features, its location, neighborhood, and general curb appeal.

But one thing you should never overlook in a listing is a home’s roof. As an essential structural component of any home, a roof is one of the largest investments owners can make. In today’s cut-throat, competitive housing market, buyers are often willing to waive home inspections to have their offer considered over others. But this is never a good idea – buying a home without knowing about the condition of its roof is a risk that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

So, what should you look for as you leaf through those listings? Here are just a few considerations for prospective homebuyers when evaluating a property’s roof.

  1. Age: The age of a roof can tell you a lot and is perhaps the most important fact to know about it in advance. An older roof may be nearing the end of its lifespan and could require costly repairs or replacement soon. Look for signs of wear and tear such as missing or damaged shingles, sagging areas, or water stains on the ceiling. If the listing doesn’t say the roof’s age, have your real estate agent inquire about it.
  2. Material: Different roofing materials have varying lifespans, maintenance requirements, and durability. Most commonly in the Hampton Roads region you’ll see architectural asphalt shingles. But there are also metal roofs, clay tile, wood shake, and even synthetic recycled materials. Consider our local climate and what makes the most sense for your lifestyle and the home’s location when assessing roofing materials and whether you’re ready to take on their care.
  3. Leaks and Water Damage: Water damage can lead to extensive structural issues and mold growth. During a home inspection, carefully examine the interior ceilings, walls, and attic for any signs of water stains, mold, or mildew. Additionally, look for evidence of leaks around skylights, chimneys, vents, and flashings. All of these things can point to a roof that at best needs repairs and at worst needs to be completely replaced.
  4. Gutters and Drainage: Proper slope and drainage is essential for preventing water from pooling on a roof and causing damage – this is especially important in low slope or flat roofs. Likewise, gutters keep water from running off the roof and toward the foundation of a house, causing water damage that can affect a home’s overall structure. Inspect the gutters and downspouts for debris buildup, corrosion, or damage. Ensure that they are securely attached and effectively channel water away from the foundation of the house.
  5. Ventilation: Adequate attic ventilation helps regulate temperature and moisture levels, prolonging the lifespan of the roof and preventing issues like ice dams and mold growth. Check for vents along the eaves, ridge, and soffits, and ensure they are clear of obstructions. Improper ventilation can not only reduce the lifespan of a roof, but also dramatically increase your utility bills.
  6. Previous Repairs or Replacements: Inquire about any past roof repairs or replacements and obtain documentation if available. A well-maintained roof with a history of regular inspections and maintenance is sure to be in better condition than one that hasn’t. A roof that was recently replaced likely has material or workmanship warranties. Having the information about that is critical in case you need to make a future claim.
  7. Professional Inspection: While an initial visual assessment of the roof is something you can do yourself while touring a home, hiring a qualified roofing contractor or home inspector for a thorough evaluation is highly recommended. They can identify hidden issues, assess the overall condition of the roof, and provide insights into potential maintenance or repair costs. Don’t skip this step!

Andrews Roofing Can Help
If you’re in the process of purchasing a new home in the Tidewater area and you’d like a professional roof inspection done by a licensed roofing contractor, contact Andrews Roofing. We can give you the peace of mind that your investment is a solid one and keep you from financial heartache down the road.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Chimney Leak, Commercial Roofing, Rapid Rain Gutter System, Residential Roofing, Roof Flashing, Roof Insulation, Roof Leak, Roof Maintenance, Roofing Information

Winter Roof Prep

The temperatures are dropping, Christmas lights are popping up, and the days seem to end before they even begin – winter is here. That also means it’s a crucial time of year to prepare your home for the colder weather. Your roof may need some special attention in particular to ensure your home’s safety and comfort over the next few months since it’s the first line of defense against snow, ice, and those dropping temperatures. Here are a few handy tips for getting your roof winter ready.

The first step is always to perform a visual inspection from both the outside and inside of your home. Look for damaged, loose or missing shingles, loose flashing, cracks around pipe collars or areas of moisture or drafts in your attic. Identifying these potential issues first is critical for how to move forward with your winter prep.

During your inspection, you should also check in on your gutters and downspouts. If they’re full from all those falling leaves, it’s time to give them a good cleaning. If gutters are clogged, a heavy rain followed by dropping temperatures can cause your gutters to produce an ice dam, which can cause serious damage to your roof, the gutters themselves and the interior of your home. You may also want to consider installing larger, high capacity gutters and/or gutter guards to prevent future build ups and issues.

Inside your home, inspect your attic carefully, as roofing issues are often easier to spot from this point of view. Damp areas may indicate a leak in the roof or condensation build up from lack of ventilation. Heavy air drafts can also point to punctures or damaged areas. While you’re there, take note of your attic’s insulation – if your home is older, it may be time to replace or add new insulation to keep your home’s temperature consistent, which reduces condensation and your heating and cooling costs.

If you have a wood burning fireplace and chimney, then hopefully you are having it inspected and cleaned at the beginning of the winter season as well. This is a good time to ask your chimney specialist to take note of the flashing around your chimney. Loose or missing flashing around a chimney can cause major structural damage over time, but avoiding this is an easy fix that’s far less expensive than the potential damage it could cause.

Although we don’t get snow very often here in Hampton Roads, when we do, any accumulation can put a strain on your roof. Roof rakes can be used to remove built up snow, which can be especially stubborn on the north side of your roof where the sunlight is less likely to melt it away.

The final winter prep tip isn’t about your roof, but your landscaping. Check the trees and vegetation around your home’s roofline. If there are any branches that are overhanging your roof, brushing up against your gutters or scraping at shingles, they will inevitably cause damage, especially when severe winter weather arrives. Trimming back trees, removing overhanging brush or vines can help prevent problems before they happen.

If you have any concerns about your roof’s winter weather readiness, contact Andrews Roofing today to schedule a roof inspection. One of our experienced roofing specialists can let you know if there are any issues that can be easily handled and repaired before extreme weather hits. Doing so will ensure your comfort and your peace of mind this season.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Chimney Leak, Commercial Roofing, Rapid Rain Gutter System, Residential Roofing, Roof Flashing, Roof Leak, Roof Maintenance, Roofing Information, Roofing Repairs

What Tree Trimming Has to Do With Your Home’s Health

That beautiful tree in your backyard that provides shade in the summer, fragrant blooms in the spring, vivid colors in the fall, and maybe even holds a swing or treehouse for your kids could also be damaging your home without you knowing it.

When trees are not properly managed and maintained, they pose a significant risk to your home’s roof health. And that risk isn’t just sudden, storm-related damage. Even without a storm or major weather event, trees can take a toll on your roof over time in subtle ways. But there are ways to mitigate this damage, particularly for homes battling the specific environment and severe weather of southeast Virginia.

How Trees Affect Roofs

  • Falling Debris
    Falling leaves, branches, pine needles and twigs are common culprits when it comes to roof damage caused by trees in Hampton Roads. A few leaves or needles here and there may seem harmless, but over time they can accumulate on your roof, leading to clogged gutters, water pooling, and damage to shingles and flashing.
  • Moss and Algae Growth
    Trees can create shaded and damp areas on your roof, providing an ideal environment for moss and algae growth. This is especially true in the humid and often damp climate in the Tidewater Region. Over time, moss and algae can compromise the structural integrity of your roofing materials.
  • Wildlife
    Trees are often home to a variety of wildlife including squirrels, birds and even racoons or possums. If the trees they inhabit are close enough to your house, these critters can find their way onto your roof and potentially create entry points or damage the roofing materials while searching for shelter or food. For instance, it’s not uncommon in Hampton Roads for small birds to build nests in open gutters during the spring season, creating serious clogs when summer storms hit. Roof rats and other pests are also common during the cold or wet months.
  • Falling Limbs or a Tree
    Of course, the most obvious source of tree-related damage to a roof is by limbs falling off during storms or strong winds. In our hurricane, tropical storm and nor’easter-prone region, this is especially common. During any one of these types of weather events (or even just a summer pop up thunderstorm) overhanging tree limbs can break and fall onto your roof, causing serious damage by knocking off gutters or flashing, puncturing shingles or even the roof decking below, which can lead to more extensive structural damage. There is the rare occasion when an entire tree comes down and, hopefully hits nothing, or it does hit something.

What You Can Do to Prevent Tree-Related Roof Damage

  • Identify Tree Rot
    The most likely offender in the forest is a tree with any kind of rot. Tree rot can happen for a variety of reasons: damage from storms, animals or disease, but trees that are dead or dying also invite in termites, which are certain to finish the job, causing a tree to lose any structural integrity it had left. By inspecting the trees on and around your property regularly, you can identify rot early and either call in a professional arborist who can assist in removing the affected portions of the tree while saving the rest or a tree removal company if the damage is too far along.
  • Remove or Trim Encroaching Trees
    Even if trees are healthy, they can still create an unsafe situation if they begin to encroach on your home’s immediate perimeter. Pruning and trimming trees near your home is essential, because even if a limb or debris doesn’t come flying off, consistent contact between a tree and your roof can cause its own kind of damage. This is often seen in loose gutters and loose or missing shingles. Again, consult with a professional arborist and/or tree trimming company to remedy this.
  • Keep Gutters Clear
    Regularly clean your gutters and downspouts to prevent debris accumulation and water damage. Clogged gutterscan lead to water overflow, which can damage your roof, siding, and foundation.
  • Install Gutter Guards
    Consider installing high capacity gutters and gutter guards to prevent leaves and debris from entering your gutters. High quality gutters and leaf guards can be a valuable investment in maintaining your roof’s health.
  • Don’t Forget the Flashing
    Properly installed flashing around roof penetrations, such as chimneys or vents, can help protect your roof from water intrusion due to tree-related damage. A roof specialist can inspect your roof to ensure flashing is properly installed and that existing flashing is not damaged, loose or missing.

While the variety of trees in coastal Virginia can enhance the beauty and value of your property, it’s essential to be mindful of their potential to damage your home’s roof. Regular maintenance, including tree trimming, gutter cleaning, and roof inspections, is key to preventing costly roof repairs. By taking proactive steps to protect your roof, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of having trees on your property without worrying about the potential damage they may cause. Your home and roof will thank you for it in the long run.

We Can Help

If you’ve experienced damage to your roof from trees or other causes, Andrews Roofing can help. We’ve been providing reputable, high-quality roofing services in the Hampton Roads region for decades, and we’re familiar with the specific issues that arise in this area. We can help you not just repair your roof, but also identify and fix potential problems so your roof and home remain healthy long after our work is done. Contact us today.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Pipe Collars, Residential Roofing, Roof Leak, Roof Maintenance

The Problem with Pipe Collars

One of the most common sources of roof leaks is probably something you never think about: pipe collars.

Take a look at your roof and you’ll notice a few small pipes sticking up in seemingly random areas. These pipes are what make it possible for your sinks, tubs and toilets to drain or flush. All of those fixtures require a single or shared pipe to exit the roof, which allows the intake of air that enables them to drain or flush. Think about a gas can and how it’s only possible to have an unrestricted flow if a secondary air valve is open. These vents, which are actually truly air intake pipes, are generally made of PVC and can range in size from 1 ¼” to 4.”

Each of these pipes passes through a pipe collar (sometimes also called pipe flashing, roof jacks or pipe boots) at the point where it exits your roof. This flashing should integrate under and over your roofing materials, creating a watertight seal. In addition to being able to withstand moisture, they must also be able to withstand heat, sun, wind, snow and ice.

By far, though, the biggest demands on pipe collars are the sun and changing temperatures. Seasonal and even daily temperature changes can cause the PVC pipe itself to move dramatically up and down as the plastic expands and contracts. Depending on the material of the pipe collar, this can cause cracking and gaps that allow water in.

Pipe Collars that need to be replaced! 

Newly installed Pipe Collars

Most pipe collars can only be expected to last 7-12 years at most before running into some type of failure. Older styles use a rubber gasket that will often dry rot, crack and deteriorate. But even metal pipe collars can fail over time, especially if exposed to extreme weather. And considering that this is probably something very low on your home maintenance list, it’s likely that any problem your pipe collars run into will only come to your attention when a leak appears, at which point damage has been done to more than just the collar. The good news is that there is a way to avoid this.

Using a higher quality pipe collar material can eliminate the need for maintenance and threat of leakage. At Andrews Roofing we use a pipe collar product called The Ultimate Pipe Flashing ® for shingle roof installations and reroofing projects. This product is made by Lifetime Tool & Building Products in the USA from ultra-pure silicon and marine grade stainless steel, which means it’s virtually weather proof. This product is flexible to accommodate just about any roof slope. It’s also guaranteed for the life of your roof when properly installed by a licensed roofing contractor.

While this may seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of your home’s roof, it’s actually a really critical component in keeping your roof and interior fixtures functional and protected. Investing a little bit more in higher quality materials can save you thousands of dollars in the long run when a leak occurs from premature product deterioration.

If you think your vent pipe collars may need replacing or have noticed the signs of roof leakage, contact Andrews Roofing today. We have been helping homeowners in the Hampton Roads region protect and repair their homes for over 25 years. We have the experience and knowledge to help you choose the right products for your home and your budget, and we work with the best manufacturers in the industry to provide you with materials that will last.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Chimney Leak, Residential Roofing, Roof Flashing, Roof Installation, Roof Leak

Don’t Blame the Roof: Why Your Chimney May be the Cause of a Leak

Roof leaks are a homeowner’s nightmare, leading to potential damage, mold growth, and costly repairs. 

While many people associate roof leaks with damaged shingles or flashing, one often overlooked culprit is the chimney. Chimneys can be a source of significant water damage if not properly maintained. But how do you know whether your leak is coming from your roof or your chimney?

How Your Chimney Can Cause a Roof Leak:

  • Cracked or deteriorated chimney crown: The chimney crown is the concrete or cement layer at the top of the chimney. Over time, exposure to harsh weather conditions can cause it to crack or deteriorate, allowing water to seep into the masonry and eventually into the roof.
  • Damaged or missing chimney flashing: Flashing is the metal strip that seals the intersection between the chimney and the roof. If the flashing becomes damaged, improperly installed, or starts to deteriorate, it can create a pathway for water to enter the roof system.
  • Crumbling mortar joints: The mortar that holds the bricks or stones of the chimney together can deteriorate over time due to weathering. As the mortar crumbles, gaps and openings can form, permitting water infiltration into the roof.

How to Detect a Chimney-Related Roof Leak:

  • Internal signs: Look for water stains, peeling paint, or discoloration on ceilings or walls near the chimney. These are often indicators of a leak. Mold growth or musty odors may also be present.
  • Exterior signs: Inspect the chimney for cracks, crumbling masonry, or missing flashing. Pay attention to any signs of water pooling on the roof or around the chimney after a heavy rainfall.
  • Attic inspection: Check your attic for signs of water damage, such as damp insulation, water stains, or rotting wood near the chimney.

Taking Steps to Repair the Damage:

  • Consult a professional: If you suspect your chimney is causing a roof leak, it is crucial to contact a qualified roofing professional and/or chimney specialist. Depending on the damage you may need both specialists to come in and do repairs – especially if a chimney leak has caused damage to nearby areas of your roof.
  • Chimney crown repair: If the chimney crown is cracked or deteriorated, it should be repaired or replaced. A chimney professional can apply a waterproof sealant or construct a new crown to prevent water penetration.
  • Flashing replacement: Damaged or missing flashing should be replaced with new, properly installed flashing. This will ensure a secure seal between the chimney and the roof. A qualified roofing contractor can do this repair and in some cases a chimney repair company can as well.
  • Mortar joint repair: If the mortar joints are deteriorating, a process called tuckpointing can be performed. This involves removing the damaged mortar and replacing it with new mortar to restore the chimney’s integrity. This should only be done by an experienced chimney and masonry expert.
  • Regular maintenance: To prevent future leaks, schedule regular chimney inspections and maintenance. Keep the chimney free of debris, ensure proper ventilation, and consider applying a waterproofing sealant to protect against moisture.

While chimneys provide warmth and charm to our homes, they can also become a pesky source of roof leaks if neglected. Just like other functional and structural aspects of your home, pay attention to your chimney and visually inspect it regularly. If you think it may be causing any leaks or issues, contact a professional as soon as possible before further damage is done. By addressing chimney-related issues promptly, you can protect your home and preserve its structural integrity for years to come.

Andrews Roofing has been providing homeowners in Hampton Roads with sound roofing repair advice and services for over 25 years. If you’re not sure if your leak is coming from roof or chimney damage, contact us today. Our experts can provide an on-site inspection to help identify the issues and make a plan for repairs – whether we do them ourselves or refer you to a local chimney specialist.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roof Leak, Roof Maintenance, Roofing Repairs

Is Your Roof Talking to You?

You’ve heard the saying “if these walls could talk” but did you know your roof really can talk to you?

No, your roof talking to you doesn’t mean you have a poltergeist, but it does mean you might have a major repair or replacement on your hands. The key is understanding the different forms of communication a house uses.

Remember, silence is golden. If a roof is in great shape with no issues, it’s likely to stay quiet. But when failure due to damage or age starts up, that’s when you’ll start to “hear” some moaning and groaning.

The first form of communication a failing roof will use is visual. Cracked, dry, brittle, or missing shingles is the first sign that a roof is reaching the end of its lifespan. Knowing when your roof was installed will, of course, help with determining if the time has come for a replacement based on materials used and their expected lifespan. If it’s just a couple of shingles showing wear, it may be possible that a small repair can extend the life of your roof a little longer. But if more than 5-10% of your roof is showing obvious signs of aging, it’s telling you that it’s time for a full replacement.

The second form of communication a roof will use is your energy bill. Have you seen a recent spike in how much energy you’re using each month? This could very well be because of an aging roof. Missing or deteriorated insulation, worn out shingles, damaged or decayed forms of ventilation can all cause your heating and cooling system to have to work harder, increasing your bills. Again, any one of these issues could be grounds for a professional repair, but add them all up together and a replacement is likely necessary.

The third, most obvious and more detrimental form of communication a roof can use is the leak. If you have a leak, there’s no doubt some form of repair or replacement is due. But pinpointing exactly where a leak is coming from and what type of failure is causing it can be difficult. A licensed and experienced roofing contractor should be called in immediately to assess the situation and provide some options. A minor leak doesn’t have to mean a total roof overhaul. Often leaks are caused by loose or missing flashing, a backed up gutter or a hole that is easily fixed. But sometimes the leak is simply a roof’s final message letting you know that its time has come to an end.

If you start hearing any of these messages from your roof, call in a licensed contractor to help you translate them and determine the best path forward. If repairs can be made to extend its life a few more years, it would be wise to take that length of time to start putting funds aside to pay for the eventual replacement. Roof replacements are a major investment, and no one wants to have to make that purchase suddenly and without warning.

At Andrews Roofing we are trained and experienced roof communicators. We’ve seen nearly every type of failure, repair and replacement scenario possible, which means we can give you the best advice and the most accurate estimates to help solve the problem. If you’re roof has started talking to you, contact us today.

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