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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 Innovations

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Roof Installation, Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations, Roofing Repairs, Safety

5 Mistakes you’ve been making with Your Roof

Having a good roof over your head is something that we all need but often take for granted. Unfortunately, your roof won’t take care of itself, so it is up to you to maintain your roof and address issues when they arise. There are many roofing myths several of which can result in severe damage. Learn the common mistakes people make when caring for their roofs and learn the correct way to maintain yours.

1. Over-Insulating Your Home

Yes, you read that right! There is such a thing as using too much insulation for your roof. If your home has an attic, too much insulation won’t allow the room to ventilate which can cause mold to grow and other issues.

2. Cleaning Your Roof With a Pressure Washer

Cleaning your roof can help enhance its appearance and prevent mold from growing. Many people will use a pressure washer to do the job which can damage the surface of your roof. Next time you clean your roof, opt for a hose instead.

3. Not Regularly Inspecting Your Roof

Just because you don’t see any leaks doesn’t mean there aren’t issues with your roof. Take the time to inspect your roof so you can handle small repairs when needed.

4. Not Checking Your Attic

If you only inspect the outside of your home, you may be missing out on some obvious signs that your roof needs to be replaced. Always check your attic to look for signs of mold growth or excessive humidity.

5. Re-Roofing Over Shingles

No matter what you do, do not simply nail new shingles over old ones. You’re only making things worse. Old shingles need to be removed and replaced by new ones for a proper seal.

Call a Professional!

Roofing problems can be complicated and need to be handled by people who know what they’re doing. Call Andrews Roofing at 757-296-8562 or use our contact us page to avoid these mistakes altogether, and let the professionals do what they do best!

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Roof Installation, Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations, Roofing Repairs

Repairing Roof Leaks Doesn’t Have to Be a Nightmare

Fixing a leak on the roof can be like finding a needle in the haystack. Many times, the leak ends up in a different place than where it starts. Even if it’s raining, it can still be difficult to find the origin of the leak. You’ll need to look for water marks, discoloration and stains in the attic.

How to Find the Leak

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to rain to find where the water is coming in. Here are three ways to find where your leak starts:

  • Use light. Look for the leak during the day. Use a bright flashlight to follow the stains and water marks. If you can get up in the attic when it’s raining, you may be able to follow the water.
  • Work backwards. It’s rare that the leak is directly where it’s coming in. Water travels down a path until finding a vulnerable spot to drip down.
  • Add water. When the weather is clear, send a friend up to the roof with a garden hose. Have your friend systematically work across the roof, one area at a time.

Call in an Expert

Fixing a roof is not always a DIY project. You might void the warranty of your roof if you try and fix it yourself. An older roof may be disintegrating even more. When you don’t know what you’re doing, you could create an even bigger problem. Steep roofs are extremely hazardous too. Most homeowners don’t have the right tools or even know how to repair a roof properly. Unless you’ve done roofing before, it’s better to call a professional to ensure that the job is done right.

Experienced Residential Roofers in Virginia

Andrews Roofing has 20 years of experience in residential roofing. If your roof is leaking, protect your largest investment by sending an email to [email protected] or completing our contact form to get a free estimate for your next project.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Roof Installation, Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations, Roofing Repairs

Selecting the Best Possible Roofing Contractor

Selecting the Best Possible Roofing Contractor

One of the most important investments you will ever make for your home is a sturdy, durable roof. With warm weather across the United States, it’s an excellent time to have a new roof installed or to hire a contractor to do some needed repairs on your roof. Finding the right contractor can be a little challenging, but we have some tips you can use.

Consider Referrals

If you have a neighbor, coworker, or friend who has had a roof installed or repaired, ask them about their experience. You may find out things you won’t elsewhere. Ask about how the work was done and if they are satisfied looking back on the experience. You can also hit up lumber yards or hardware stores to get ideas.

Research Local Companies

First things first, consider your options. Make sure you can find contact information and determine that the companies are licensed and insured. Check how long they’ve been operating and what sort of reviews they have online. You can search for complaints using Angie’s List or Yelp. You should also consider visiting the company website to see if it is professional and well put together.

Meet the Contractors

You likely have narrowed down your options and have a few that you are considering. This sets stage two, when you actually meet with representatives of the companies you’re looking at. Have them visit to talk about your roofing needs, potential materials, and how long the job may take. Ask any questions that you have before you choose a contractor to do the job.

Get it in Writing

Before you allow anyone to start work, you need a contract. That contract should state everything from what materials will be used to the length of product warranties. You should also find information about liability and safety procedures. Finally, check for a schedule, payment amount, and what method of clean-up is covered. If you have questions, this is another great time to get them answers.

Whether you need a small repair, huge repair, or a full roof installation, Andrews Roofing can help. Contact us today by sending an email to [email protected] or completing a contact form to get a free estimate for your next project.

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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)

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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]

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New Roof, No Mess!

That is right. During your roof job, it looks like maybe you are having minor  work  done because 99% of the old roof coming off never hits the ground!  We now have a new piece of equipment known as “The Equipter.” There are less than 500 of them in existence today.

the EquipterThe Equipter is a medium size dump trailer that goes up in the air to receive trash. It is self propelled and has big, wide  wheels that won’t damage your yard or  beds. The job site stays much cleaner and safer and the job takes less time to complete because the trash never hits the ground. We only touch it once instead of a second time picking it up in your yard.

When a residential shingle roof is replaced, tons of trash are removed and tons of new roofing are put back on. The average home has about 8,000 lbs. of shingles to remove and dispose of. A big part of the job is to manage this trash and keep it from damaging property.  This Equipter makes it much easier and faster to complete your roof job. It is especially appropriate if you have a well-maintained yard. A 1.25 day roof now only takes 1 day!

It is also a pretty cool thing to watch in your yard. Anyway, Thanks and have a good day!

Robert Andrews II, President
[email protected]
757.286.7400

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