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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: Roofing Information

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roof Maintenance, Roof Warranty, Roofing Information

Does Your Home Need a Roof Evaluation or a Roof Inspection?

Whether you’re selling a house, buying a house or just want to know if it’s time to repair or replace the roof on your current home, you may be researching roof evaluations and inspections. So, what is the difference between the two, and which one makes the most sense for you? While we can’t speak to the terminology for every roofing company out there, here is how we at Andrews Roofing define and approach both services to meet your needs.

Roof Evaluations

A roof evaluation is the less complex and detailed of the two services. This service may be better for homeowners or buyers who simply want to know the life expectancy of a roof and what type of service may be needed down the road, but do not have a specific issue or damage to be addressed.

When we complete a roof evaluation, we schedule a time with you to come out to the house and walk the roof while taking photos from several different angles. Within one to two days, we will email you a letter with our company letterhead for your records. This report can be helpful alongside a home inspection, particularly if any notes were made about the condition of the roof in the inspection. We can address these issues with more expertise and advice on how to move forward.

It’s also not a bad idea to have a roof evaluation done prior to putting your home on the market. Having the roof evaluation letter is an excellent thing to provide potential buyers to put their minds at ease about the condition of the house. It also lets you know if there are potential issues you should address prior to listing your home. This service is easily scheduled, does not take up much of your time and only costs $99.

Roof Inspection

A roof inspection is more detailed and involved than an evaluation. Sometimes an inspection is required by an insurance company or can become a requirement for various reasons before a sale can go through on a home. A roof inspection can also be scheduled by a buyer or seller of a home to have peace of mind before purchasing or listing a property.

For this service, one of our technicians will schedule a time to go out to the house where they will walk the roof, take several detailed photos and within one to two days of inspection, provide a report that shows deficiencies and issues in specific detail. They may place arrows and captions on the photos they took to point out areas of concern. The report also details the life expectancy of the roof in addition to providing specific details on the sheathing, deck, chimney, penetrations, potential issues, current issues and recommendations for any repairs that may be needed. Because this report is more detailed and time consuming, the cost is $350.

Make informed decisions

When buying or selling a home, or when considering whether or not to make major home repairs and updates, knowledge is power – whether you use it as leverage at a closing table, or to ensure the longevity of your home. Whatever your comfort level and budget is, Andrews Roofing can provide you with more knowledge and peace of mind before moving forward on any major investment.

Which is best for you?

If you’re still not sure which service is best for you, please feel free to contact Andrews Roofing and one of our service representatives will be happy to talk to you about your specific situation and help you determine the best service for your needs.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roof Installation, Roof Insulation, Roof Warranty, Roofing Information

Why You Should Replace Rather than Roof Over Your Existing Roof

If you’ve been in the market for a new roof for your home, you have probably run across the option of roofing over top of your existing roof.

“Roofing over” is a method that leaves the current shingles and roof deck in place, and installs new shingles right over top of the existing ones. Alternatively, reroofing requires removing all existing shingles, doing any necessary repairs or replacement of the roof deck, membrane, and supporting structures beneath, before replacing the shingles with new ones.

Roofing over your roof requires that all the existing shingles are perfectly flat without any curling, that your roof deck be in perfect condition, that there are no leaks or ventilation issues that need addressing, and that the current roofing structure is able to withstand the additional weight of a second layer of shingles. However, if all of these things are true, you may not need a new roof at all. And even if those conditions are in place, a roof over existing roof can appear wavy and uneven. In most cases, a roof over does not make long term sense for homeowners, which is why we do not recommend this to our clients and do not guarantee this type of work.

We should note here that it is possible to roof over certain materials, like membranes that are in decent condition. This is done more often on commercial roofs depending on the core sample, decking, condition of insulation, etc. This type of project is only performed after careful inspection of the flat roof and an analysis and assessment of the materials and decking beneath the membrane.

Roofing over an existing roof is sold to homeowners as a cheaper alternative to replacing their roof. Often times, though, roofing over does not really solve the underlying issues the structure may have and can end up being a more costly option.  If you’re looking into replacing your roof, it’s likely because you’ve noticed leaks here and there, there’s damage to the shingles, shingles are missing or deteriorated or you’re noticing your energy bill is soaring. Putting new shingles overtop of existing ones doesn’t address any of these critical issues on the inside, which means damage may continue to occur. Putting another layer of shingles on top of existing ones that have issues also means it will take more time, money and material to get to and diagnose the problem, and more labor to repair the underlying issues.

Replacing your roof may cost more up front, but the return on investment is higher.

Over the long term, a new roof will look better, last longer, and protect your home better. When you allow a licensed roofing contractor to remove the existing shingles, they can properly assess any other repairs that need to be done to the roof decking, membrane, flashing, structural beams or ventilation systems. Having these issues addressed at that point means the overall lifespan of the roof will be longer. It’s also important to note that some roofing material manufacturers will not warranty a product that is put over existing shingles rather than onto a clean roof deck. While roofing over a roof may be cheaper upfront, the costs of uncovered warranty claims and an overall shorter lifespan don’t pan out in the long run.

Your roof is a major part of your home that you want to look good and function well. When you’re considering your roofing project, consider that your roof literally protects everything in your home beneath it. It’s not the place to cut corners. Before reroofing your home, research roofing contractors in your area, read up on their online reviews and ask around your neighborhood for recommendations. Get quotes from at least two to three reputable companies and research the materials they work with to ensure they are high quality and guaranteed with a manufacturer warranty.

If you live in the Hampton Roads region and your home needs a new roof, contact Andrews Roofing. We’d love to be one of the companies to provide you with an estimate. Our work is always guaranteed, we use some of the best products on the market, and we’ve been providing excellent customer service to Tidewater residents for years.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Financing, Residential Roofing, Roof Installation, Roof Warranty, Roofing Information

How to Pay for a New Roof

Reroofing your home is a major investment, and it’s not always one you were expecting or planning for. This can make it difficult to pay for a roof replacement out of pocket. So how are you supposed to fund a new roof without draining your bank account? Here are a few options that may be available to you.

Insurance Claims

If your roof was damaged during a storm or other catastrophic event, the replacement of it, or the repair costs, may be covered by your homeowners’ insurance. The amount that may be paid out and the process through which you receive this money is different from policy to policy. It’s a good idea to review your homeowners’ policy every year or so to make sure it is still providing the coverage you believe your home may need. For instance, in areas like Hampton Roads, it’s a good idea to make sure you have hurricane, high wind and flood coverage in your policy.

At Andrews Roofing, we work closely with our clients who are going through an insurance claim for roof repair or replacement, providing any necessary paperwork or information they may need to ensure their claims are accurate and paid accordingly.

Home Improvement Financing

If you are replacing your roof because your current roof has reached the end of its life span, you can expect to be paying for it in full on your own. This can be daunting, as new roofs are one of the largest home improvement investments you may make. Fortunately, there are home improvement financing options available. At Andrews Roofing, we work with GreenSky® financing, which offers a variety of different financing options to consumers. They offer financing up to 120 months with fixed rates as low as  9.99%. They also offer 12 month no interest, no payments options for those who qualify.

Applications may be done online quickly and easily, and once you are approved you are provided with a 16-digit account number, which you can then use like a credit card to make payments for the work being done. You have four months after you are approved to make your qualified purchases to the approved merchant, so it’s best to wait to apply until the project is ready to begin.

Home Equity Loan

Depending on the amount of equity you have in your home, another financing option may be to go through a bank or credit union for a home equity loan. The housing market and interest rates are in a great place for homeowners to take advantage of the equity they have in their home in order to make improvements on it. If you know your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan, you may consider taking out a home equity loan to replace it before there are leaks that may cause damage to the interior of your home.

A new roof can also increase your home’s value and make it more appealing to potential buyers if you’re considering moving any time soon. Home equity loans generally do not have strict rules about how long you have to use the money or what exactly it needs to be used for, so if you’re considering doing multiple projects around your house, or you just aren’t sure when you want to begin the work, a home equity loan may be a more flexible option for you.

Manufacturer Warranties

Most material manufacturers have a warranty of some length on their products, provided they are installed correctly by a licensed contractor. If your roof is still within its expected lifespan and warranty period, but you have experienced leaks or other damage, the repairs or replacement may be covered by your warranty. Even if you didn’t have the roof installed yourself, there may still be a transferred warranty from the person who did have it installed.

The best way to determine if the damage or leaks you’re experiencing are caused by the materials is to have a licensed roofing contractor come and inspect your roof. In addition to identifying the cause of the damage, they can also identify the materials that were used so that you can reach out to the manufacturer about a potential warranty. Keep in mind, however, that you will likely need to provide some sort of proof of the installation being completed by a qualified contractor and paperwork showing that the materials were purchased for that purpose.

We Can Help

At Andrews Roofing, we are happy to work alongside customers using a variety of methods of payment for their roof repair or replacement. Whether you’re paying out of pocket, filing an insurance claim or applying for some type of financing, we will help guide you through the process while providing excellent workmanship and products. All of our work is guaranteed, and we use some of the best materials on the market, all of which provide their own manufacturer’s warranty. Contact us today to get started.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roof Installation, Roof Warranty, Roofing Information

Manufacturer Spotlight: CertainTeed Shingles

Andrews Roofing can supply products from any manufacturer a customer desires. However, based on our extensive experience with roofing products, there are certain ones we recommend. One of those products is the Landmark® line of CertainTeed asphalt shingles. Please note that product availability industry-wide has varied greatly between manufacturers including CertainTeed.

The quality of the products we install is the most critical factor in our recommendations, however, we also have to balance that with budget and variety. CertainTeed asphalt shingles check all of these boxes, which is why they are one of the most popular materials we install.

The Landmark® line of shingles is made with a dual-layer design that creates the visual dimension to mimic true wood shake. These shingles are heavy weight and come in a wide variety of colors. In our residential roofing portfolio, you can see many homes that have been reroofed using the Landmark® shingles, and get a feel for how varied the colors and styles can be. Of course, CertainTeed manufactures many home building products, so homeowners who are building new construction or doing a major exterior renovation can coordinate their roofing materials with CertainTeed trim, siding, decking, fencing and more.

One of the things we appreciate about the Landmark® product is the attention they’ve given to the installation process. Their proprietary design provides a nailing area that is three times wider than a typical laminate shingle, which increases the efficiency and accuracy of installation. The shingles are also made with a specially formulated adhesive that is resistant to delamination, giving these products longevity and durability.

Roofs in Hampton Roads are apt to staining thanks to our hot, humid weather that fosters mildew and algae growth. To combat this, CertainTeed uses a technology on their shingles that repels algae with a granular blend of algae-resistant copper. This means your roof maintains its curb appeal and is less susceptible to deterioration caused by organic material that could otherwise cling to an asphalt shingle.

Finally, we appreciate a manufacturer who stands behind their product. Certainteed products come with a lifetime, limited transferable warranty. This includes a 10-year SureStart™ warranty (100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects), a 10-year StreakFighter® warranty against streaking and discoloration caused by airborne algae and a 15-year, 110 mph wind-resistance warranty. Customers can also choose to upgrade their wind warranty to 130 mph. This option is especially important for our customers along the oceanfront of Virginia Beach when hurricanes move into the region. It’s also important to keep in mind that manufacturer warranties are only valid if they are installed correctly by a licensed roofing contractor.

If you live in the Tidewater region, are ready to reroof your home, and need help choosing the right product for you, please contact Andrews Roofing. We’d be happy to discuss all the available options with you and help you make an informed decision based on our decades of experience in the roofing industry.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roof Installation, Roof Warranty, Roofing Information

What You Need to Know About Roof Damage and Insurance Claims

If you’ve had some damage to your roof, you may be wondering if you should make an insurance claim.

The first thing to note is that every insurance company and every policy is different. The key is hiring a roofing contractor who can work with you through the process regardless of what it looks like.

At Andrews Roofing, we are experienced in working with clients and insurance companies for roof damage that has been caused by the frequent storms we get in Hampton Roads. Not all roofing companies work the same way, but here’s a bit of insight into how we help our clients work through the damage, insurance claim and repair or replacement process.

Roof Repairs

Depending on the extent of your repair needs, we may send an estimator out to take a look first. If it’s a few blown off shingles or nail pops, we can likely give you an idea of the cost over the phone and then schedule a repair at that time. From there, you can file a claim with your insurance company. We will provide you with a detailed and professional invoice to submit with other required insurance paperwork.

If a repair is major or requires partial replacement, we may send an estimator out to take a look first. Armed with a written estimate, you can reach out to your insurance company first to see what may be covered under your policy. Although we generally do not need to get involved first-hand with your insurance representative, we are happy to do so if it helps with the process.

Roof Replacements

If it is clear that your roof needs to be replaced, we will send an estimator out before providing any quotes on work or pricing. Our sales department will schedule an appointment with you to inspect the inside and outside of your roof. They will discuss options and budget before providing a written estimate for you to review. At this point, we highly recommend reviewing this estimate with your insurance representative. Some companies may only pay for a one-for-one roof replacement. This means that if you choose a different material, it may not be covered. It’s also critical to know whether the insurance company will cover any portion of the replacement if your roof is older and beyond its predicted lifespan. They may determine that the roof failed due to its age, rather than damage that is otherwise covered.

Roof Warranty Claims

If your roof is fairly new and has sustained damage, it’s possible that you have a manufacturer warranty on the materials. Ideally your roofing contractor will have talked to you about the warranty of the materials you chose and provided you with information on making a claim. For instance, one of the products we offer to our clients are CertainTeed shingles, which carry a wind warranty of 110 to 130 mph. As long as they are installed property per the manufacturer specs, clients shouldn’t need to worry about paying for any storm damage out of pocket. Keep in mind, you may first need to reach out to the warranty provider, then contact your roofing contractor to perform the warranty or replacement.

The Bottom Line

Before you ever need repairs made to your roof, make sure you understand your homeowners insurance. Talk to your rep to ensure your roof will be covered in the case of a storm or other natural disaster. Understand what their claims process looks like. When damage does happen, reach out to your insurance company as soon as possible and document everything. And, of course, only use a licensed, insured roofing contractor who is experienced in both roof repair and replacement and who can provide a professional written estimate, manufacturer warranty information and great service.

If you’ve had damage to your roof and you live in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk or any of the other surrounding Hampton Roads cities, Andrews Roofing can help. Contact us today and we’ll help you determine the best course of action for getting your roof back in working order.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Homes, Residential Roofing, Roof Installation, Roof Insulation, Roof Maintenance, Roofing Information, Roofing Repairs

Four Common Roofing Issues for Homeowners in Hampton Roads

If you own a home in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk or any of the other surrounding cities of Hampton Roads, there are specific roofing issues you can expect to arise, but being prepared for them is the best way to minimize their impact.

Missing Shingles

Thanks to our coastal location, hurricanes, tropical storms, nor’easters and plain old summer thunderstorms are a constant concern for homeowners. Especially during hurricane season, it is important to keep a close eye on the condition of your roof. The most common problem you’ll experience during one of these storms is missing shingles. While a few missing shingles may not seem like such a big deal, they can lead to much bigger and much more expensive problems. Replacing these shingles as soon as possible will reduce the risk of having water damage done to your roof deck or experiencing a leak down the road. It is even a good idea to have some extra shingles in storage, so that if and when one blows off, it can be easily patched.

If multiple shingles are missing, or large patches have been blown away by a storm, then it is time to contact a professional roofing company to make the repair. Roofing repairs may seem like a simple job, but can be very dangerous for the average DIY-er to tackle. Protect yourself and your home by using a professional.

Humidity and Moisture Damage

The Tidewater region has its fair share of humidity and moisture, both of which can affect the longevity of a roof if it has not been installed properly. Moisture issues in roofs often start inside the home’s attic, where if enough ventilation isn’t present, condensation can occur. This issue can often be identified from inside the home before exterior damage is noticeable. If you see water dripping from the inside of the ceiling or beams in your attic, there may not be enough ventilation present, in which case additional attic ventilation may be needed. If the damage has already been done, a new roof system with proper venting installed beneath the roofing layer will help dissipate heat and prevent condensation from forming on the interior of the home.

Aging Homes

Hampton Roads has always been a steadily growing area, but it did experience a real housing boom in the 90’s when many large “track” neighborhoods were constructed. These homes are now rounding the 30 year mark, which is just about as long as a roof with asphalt shingles – the most common roofing material used in these homes – is going to last. So when issues start to arise in homes of this age, it’s often better to go ahead and reroof the home than to make repair after repair.

For owners of these homes who are doing a full reroof, there are many more options now than when their home was built. Asphalt shingles are still the most popular choice, but they now come in a wide variety of colors. There are also architectural shingles that have a little longer lifespan and lots of color options. Metal roofs have also become more popular both because of the farmhouse style look as well as their durability and longevity. An experienced and knowledgeable roofing company can help you decide which material is best for your home, location and budget.

Salt Water Exposure

Salt is highly corrosive, so when a home is exposed to salt spray from the water or in the air, you can expect just about any of the exterior materials to decay quicker than they would in a different environment. Of course homes right on the ocean or bay in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, the Eastern Shore and the Outer Banks will experience this the worst, but even homes that aren’t directly on the water can be affected by the salinity in the air. If you live near the water and your shingles are deteriorating, it may be because of salt damage, which may warrant a new roofing system.

While asphalt shingles are still common in waterfront areas, there are other options that may hold up to that environment better such as metal, slate or even cedar. There are also new roofing products on the market that mimic the look of cedar shake shingles, but which are made with recycled and sustainable materials that have excellent durability and lifespan. This is an excellent choice for the beach house aesthetic.

Find a Roofing Expert

If you are experiencing any of these common Hampton Roads roofing issues, your next step should be contacting a roofing professional. Andrews Roofing has been providing the Hampton Roads region with excellence in new roof and reroofing services for over 20 years. We’ve seen, repaired and replaced every one of these issues, and we can work with you to come up with a solution that meets your needs and budget. Contact us today.

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