Leaks & Service Repairs

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

Reroof Estimates & Inspections

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

Tag: asphalt

4 Risks of Putting Off Roof Leak Repairs

A leaky roof causes major problems for a home. While a small leak may not seem like an issue, putting it off could lead to these and other costly repairs. Don’t wait to contact a local roofing contractor if you find signs of a leaky roof. Here are four common risks that you face if you put off repairs.

  1. Electrical Damage

Moisture in your ceiling and walls can come into contact with your electrical wiring and outlets. Electrical damage can vary dramatically in scope. It may only cause your breaker to trip, or worse, it could cause an electrical fire, damaged appliances or personal injury. A prompt roof repair will minimize the amount of water that enters your home and could come in contact with your wiring.

  1. Reduced Insulation Efficiency

A roof leak can cause water to pool in your attic and walls, which can soak your insulation. Most homes use fiberglass insulation. This insulation, and many other popular types, clump and compress when exposed to water. Your home will lose a significant amount of energy efficiency if the insulation is soaked with water.

  1. Mold and Mildew

One common health risk in homes with water damage is mold. Mold and mildew growth can occur on nearly any surface in your home, from structural joists to drywall to insulation. Even a few days of water leakage from your roof can start mold to grow in warm, dark areas of your home. While not all molds are harmful to your health, many can damage the look and efficiency of your walls, ceiling and floors.

    1. Increased Roofing Damage

While you may think a minor leak isn’t worth repairing, small leaks can quickly turn into major headaches. A small amount of water begins to soak the wood of your roof. This creates soft spots that could cause more leaks, ice dams or even a collapsed roof. If your roof has a minor or major leak, don’t wait to contact us at Andrews Roofing for comprehensive, professional repairs. Call 757-296-0553 today for a quote!

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3 Signs You Need Help from a Professional Roofer

Your home’s roof is one structure where you should always get professional help. Many people enjoy doing projects around the house, but it is dangerous to work high up on a roof with no professional training. While you should have a professional roofer come out once a year to inspect your roof, you also need to contact one if you notice any of the following signs of damage.

1. Sagging Roof Deck

Every so often you’ll want to take a good, hard look at your roof from the sidewalk. By paying attention to your roof’s foundation, you should be able to tell if it’s beginning to sag. Even if you only suspect sagging, you’ll want to have someone come out to inspect it, as this can be caused by a few different things.

2. Clogged Gutters

Your gutters always need to be clear of debris so that they adequately move water away from your house. Homeowners need to inspect their gutters often, especially during the fall and winter when leaves are falling more frequently. If any of your gutters have previously sustained damage, then you should have a roofer come out and inspect around it to make sure the roof hasn’t been impacted.

3. Broken Shingles

Your roof’s shingles should always be in good condition, however, you may notice over time that some shingles are starting to crack. It’s also common for shingles to fall off entirely leaving behind patches. This is more likely to happen if you live in an area that is prone to high winds. One or two missing shingles is not overly concerning, although you still want to have it looked at to avoid additional damage. If your roof is missing a large amount of shingles, then you may have an underlying structural problem that needs to be addressed.

At the first sign of any of these or other roofing problems, contact the professionals at Andrews Roofing right away by calling 757-296-0553 or using our contact us page. Prompt repairs help you avoid more serious problems and save your roof. With our help, your roof will last for years to come.

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How To Finance Your Roof

If the top of your house is weathered and worn beyond repair, you may be in the market for a new roof. Unfortunately, the price of a fresh roof is well above what most folks would consider spare change. A new roof can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 and beyond. The best way to tackle such a vast home improvement project is through financing. Here are several steps you should take in considering a payment plan for some up-to-date shingles:

  1. Identify Problems With Your Existing Roof
    Faulty flashing, animal or plant intrusions, leaks, water stains and penetrations are all valid reasons for needing your roof replaced—and the list goes on and on. Presenting your bankers or store-credit representatives with a proper list of damages helps them to consider your level of necessity.
  2. Research Materials and Labor
    The best financing agreements derive from knowledge. If you hope to pay a contractor through the bank, prepare to discuss information on the cost of supplies and hourly assistance as it applies to your circumstances. If you hope to finance directly through the store, demonstrate that you understand their product and negotiate for what you need.
  3. Know How Much You Can Put Down
    Financing plans sometimes ask for a portion of the total cost up front before dividing the rest into scheduled payments. Know what you can afford. If you agree to a promotional rate that offers minimal interest early on, be sure to pay off your roof in the allotted time before interest rates increase.

A sturdy roof is one of the most important features of your home—protecting your family from the wild outdoors and brightening the face of your humble abode. Safety and style are worthy investments within your reach with a smart financing plan.

Andrew’s Roofing works closely with finance partners at Greensky. Visit our finance page or call us at 757-296-0553 today to learn more or and begin your journey towards a new roof today.

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Roof Inspections Always Pay Off

Roof replacement is an investment that you have to take seriously. You want the best roof that fits your budget and suits your needs. There is a large array of different types of roofing materials on the market. This makes choosing a new roof overwhelming for some building owners. To help ease your decision-making, professional roof inspectors can look at your roof and help you make an educated decision. Here are a few of the way that an inspection can help you.

You Get an Evaluation

A roof evaluation is one of the best assessments to have done. Roofers use a variety of tests to assess your roof’s condition. For instance, they may use infrared surveys, aerial photography, core tests and other scans. The point is to figure out what you can do to enhance your roof.

You Get a Quote

Whether or not an inspector works for a roofing company doesn’t matter, they can still help you with pricing. They will help you to understand what types of costs you’re looking at and how to get the best deal. They understand what type of roofing job you need done and can advocate for you.

You Get Material Advice

After a roof inspection, you’ll usually be told which materials would work best on your roof. The inspector looks at your environment, plus the architecture to determine what would suit you. There may be several options, of course. Still, after an inspection, take into account the different factors that help you decide on a material. For instance, weather, budget and architecture are important to deciding on a roof.

When it comes to installing a new roof, an inspection will help you save more money. Without it, you may not know the best material to use, much less what kind of roof repair you need.

Do you have a roofing need at one of your properties? Contact Andrews Roofing today by calling (757) 296-2897 or sending an email to ben@andrewsroofing.net to get a free estimate for your next project. To learn more about our roofing services, please click here.

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Your Home Is Not A Submarine

I have said it before; Your home is not a submarine…and even subs leak!

Fiberglass – asphalt and other types of roof shingles, such as tiles, shakes, slate, are not water proof. They are designed to shed water on a pitched or sloped surface. The steeper the better. Steeper surfaces shed water faster and dry faster.

You can’t put shingles on a pitch lower than 2 in 12″[roof rises 2″ in 12″] . We do not recommend it on slopes below a 4-12 pitch without special conditions. Roofs lower than a 2-12 need a roof system designed for “low slope roofs.” These are single – ply membrane roofs such as TPO , E.P.D.M. , P.V.C. , or modified bitumen . And just because shingles are on it now does not mean you should replace that roof area with the same thing. Even if it doesn’t leak now , it may in the future.

No responsible roofer would use the wrong type of material. A good roofer looks at every roof on a case by case basis. For example: A low pitch or low slope roof in a heavily populated suburban area not near large open spaces of land or water is not the same as one facing north on the river in Hampton Roads, Virginia cities such as Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Smithfield, York Town ,Hampton, or Newport News.

I might nail a shingle roof on a 3-12 pitch on the first roof described above, but not on the second. On the second I might recommend a low slope roof system or maybe install ice and water shield under the shingles in case wind driven rain forces itself in. And I might even use stainless steel roof nails so they won’t rust out by being wet too often for too long. #15 or #30 lb double layer asphalt saturated felt paper or “tar paper” roof underlayment might be an option as well.

Our roofers have been doing at this for a while so we have the ability to consult with you in these matters. We have seen all kinds of roof leaks and all kinds of roofs leak! We also listen to what the manufacturers say about how and where to install their roofing products . We are always sure to meet building codes.

We recommend the use of CertainTeed Landmark and other models of shingles made by CT because of their #1 rank on consumer reports and because of our experience over the years using all name brands. We took years to pick the horse we would race so you don’t have to worry about it!

So please remember: No matter how good the roofing material is, it must be installed in the right place and in the right manner to perform and do so for a long time. Ask the roofer and find out how much he knows before you hire him. The right decision in picking a roofing contractor or company is very important.

Thanks for reading!

Robert Andrews ll, President Andrews Roofing                                                                           757 Mount Vernon Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23707                                                                     757-286-7400  I  robert@andrewsroofing.com 

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