Leaks & Service Repairs

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

Reroof Estimates & Inspections

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

Category: Roofing Information

Understanding the Workmanship Warranty for your Residential Shingle Roof Replacement

The job is done, the crew has cleaned up and left, and the newly installed roof is beautiful. Now that the job is complete, it is important to understand how you will protect your new asset.

WARRANTY

At Andrews Roofing, we stand behind our work. We pledge to give our customers a quality product that is installed correctly and will perform for the expected life of the roof. This does not mean that the roof may not need regular maintenance throughout its usable life. Just like a vehicle needs a tune-up, oil change or inspection, your roof needs regular maintenance and upkeep to maximize its lifespan.

We know that our customers want and deserve reassurance that the roof will perform after installation, so once the job is closed out, we issue a closing package for the roof, which includes the material warranty.

The workmanship warranty states that from the date of installation for a set number of years, (typically 10 years), there will not be any leaks caused from original application errors of any approved roofing materials provided and installed by our company. We will repair, at no cost to the customer, any leaks which are deemed to be caused by our workmanship.

The warranty is limited to roof repairs only and does not cover any damages to the property that are caused by acts of God. This means that forces such as tornadoes, hurricanes, hail, lightning, earthquakes and the like that are outside of Andrews Roofing’s control are not covered.

Material failure is another issue that is not covered under the workmanship warranty, although it IS covered by the manufacturer’s warranty that is delivered within the closing package.

If you have any questions about your workmanship warranty, please feel free to speak with one of our estimates before, during or after your purchase.

***NOTE: Andrews Roofing provides workmanship warranties for other roofing systems, but this blog specifically addresses the coverage available to our shingle reroof customers.

Jeri Eley | 757-399-3066 | service@andrewsroofing.com | www.andrewsroofing.com

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TPO for Commercial Roofs

TPO, or Thermoplastic Polyolefin, is a synthetic rubber compound that is one of the most popular roofing solutions for commercial buildings today.

There are many notable advantages to installing a TPO system on a commercial building. For one, TPO can be fused to create a highly reliable, long-lasting seam. In addition to its strength, it is a heat-reflective, energy efficient material that was created to withstand the effects of ozone, chemical, and ultraviolet exposure. The materials’ ability to endure these types of effects is what makes it such a cost effective option.

Flat roof with skylights from 2010

TPO comes in several different thicknesses and can be mechanically fastened, fully-adhered, or ballasted, depending on the existing structure. It is most commonly applied in a white color to maximize its efficiency. By reflecting heat and light, TPO guards the roof from absorbing and transmitting outside temperatures to the interior of the building.

Having a qualified roofer is essential when installing TPO. The estimator must assess the current condition of the roof and recommend the best system to install. Even the preparation to the surface of the existing roof is essential for proper installation.

Andrews Roofing has highly qualified, knowledgeable estimators and installation crews with several years of experience with TPO systems. If you are interested in inquiring about a new TPO roof for your commercial building, feel free to contact our office.

Jeri Eley/Operations Coordinator |757-399-3066 | service@andrewsroofing.com

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A Few Things to Consider When Replacing Your Residential Roof

There are many factors that can determine when and how you replace your residential roof. Here are a few things to consider if you think it may be time to replace your roof:

Geographic Location
Do you live by the water or in an open field? Is your property located in area that regularly experiences high winds? If so, you may want to consider higher grade materials for your roof, in lieu of basic 3-tab shingles. If you live by the ocean, salt water is also a factor, as it can affect metal, so if metal is used you should consult with your estimator on recommended options.

Budget
If money is an object, the most popular, economical choice for a residential reroof is an architectural style shingle. This roof is a step up from the basic grade, 3-tab shingle. Although the 3-tab shingle can provide a good quality roof, it can withstand winds up to about 60 mph, whereas an architectural roof can withstand up to 130 mph. The difference in price for your investment is usually worth the upgrade if that increase can be accommodated by your budget.

Pitch of Roof
Pitch or slope (steepness) of your roof, or certain portions of your roof, plays a major role in what type of roof will best perform on that surface. Anything from flat to a 3:12 pitch is considered a low slope roof and should, in almost all cases, receive a membrane roof system for best performance.

Home or Rental/How Long Do You Plan to Stay?
People who plan to live in a property for several years typically tend to invest a little more in their roof system so that it will not need to be replaced as frequently. When replacing the roof on a rental property, the decision to go with a lower or higher grade material depends on what you are looking for as far as your return on investment.

Look/Style of the Roof System
Luxury shingles, metal, flat, slate, and specialty materials all have a unique appearance. Choose a roof system that will not only last, but that compliments the appearance of the property.

Tearing Off Old Roof vs. Roofing Over
We do not recommend installing materials over shingles. It is important to inspect the wood deck to ensure that the new roof is being installed over a sound structure. Roofing materials are extremely heavy, and building on a structure that cannot support the weight of the materials can be dangerous.  Roofing over a previously installed roof can be considered under certain circumstances, usually with flat roof systems, but consult with your roofer for the best solution.

Timing
Not waiting too long to replace a roof can save you quite a bit of money in the long run. Ongoing leaks on any roof can lead to rotten and deteriorated sheathing, which adds up in the end.

Be sure to consult with a qualified, licensed roofing company on best practices.

Jeri Eley/Operations Coordinator/757-399-3066/jeri@andrewsroofing.com

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Understanding the Surface of Your Roof

Many people don’t realize how harsh of an environment the surface of a roof can be.  In the heat of summer, temperatures can climb up to 150° or more.  Some materials, such as slate, can actually become too hot to even touch.  Likewise, in the brutally cold winter, a roof surface temperature can drop below freezing.  Significant weather variations can be tough on your roof!

Summer_Winter_Roof surface_072414

In addition to the extreme temperatures in a given season, the surface must also withstand all forms of precipitation, including wind, rain, ice, snow, sleet and hail.  During hurricane season especially, sometimes a combination of these elements can cause significant damage.

Under such conditions, any given roof may be subject to failure if it is not receiving the proper maintenance on a regular basis.

For roofers, working on a roof can also be highly dependent on the weather.  If the temperature is too hot, certain repairs such as coatings, slate and shingle repairs cannot effectively be performed because the roof surface will not respond well under the high temperatures.    Likewise, some roofing materials can be extremely brittle and easily damaged when cold.

Imagine if you never cleaned or maintained the surface of your counter-tops or floors in your home.  What would they look like today?  The same goes for your roof, only your roof is designed to withstand much more extreme conditions.  Regular maintenance to your roof will help you maximize your investment until it is due for replacement.

Jeri Eley/Operations Coordinator/757-399-3066/jeri@andrewsroofing.com

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Asphalt Architectural Shingles / Why They Are The Roofing Industry “Work Horse”

Landmark CertainTeed Logo

Most of us know what an asphalt shingle roof is. It is an asphalt steep slope residential and commercial roof covering. You see them on most homes and on many commercial buildings. They have always been popular because they are cost effective, perform well, and they last 20 plus years. Because of these reasons they are right now the steep slope roof work horse. In other words, they are driving the market in Hampton Roads and The Outer Banks of North Carolina.

I am talking about architectural or “dimensional ” asphalt shingles. The price gap has closed much between them and 3 – tab shingles , which are a lesser product in every way so architectural shingles are really coming on strong. In fact , we don’t do nearly as many 3 – tab shingle roofs as we used to. The architectural shingle looks better, performs better, lasts longer, is heavier, and has a much higher wind warranty.

We prefer CertainTeed Landmark architectural shingles. They have a limited life time warranty.See photo. Andrews Roofing is a Certainteed “Select Shingle Master” contactor which is their highest designation. Because we install these shingles as per CertainTeed specifications and building code, they come with a 130 mile per hour wind warranty from CertainTeed! They honor it too. In Hurricane Irene in 2011, we lost 2 shingles off a house in Rodanthe , North Carolina and CT paid us to fix it. We had installed the roof 2 years earlier. I have the CertainTeed Landmark architectural shingle on my home and I own a roofing company!

landmark certainteed colors

Please contact me with questions or comments.
Thanks, Robert Andrews

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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
robert@andrewsroofing.com
www.andrewsroofing.com
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