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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)

Tag: roof replacement

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Architectural Shingles, Residential Roofing, Roof Insulation, Roof Warranty, Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations

Traditional vs. Architectural Shingles

Asphalt shingles have long been the most popular roofing materials in residential structures, but the shingle itself has changed over time.

These days there are two basic types of asphalt shingles to choose from: the older, 3-tab style shingle and the newer architectural shingles. While architectural shingles are a newer style, they have become more widely used in new roof construction and roof replacements. Despite both being made from the same basic material, there are several key differences between the two styles.

  1. Appearance: Architectural shingles, also known as dimensional or laminate shingles, have a more textured, three-dimensional look compared to standard 3-tab shingles. They are designed to mimic the appearance of natural materials like wood or slate and can enhance the curb appeal of a home. 3-tab shingles lie flat against the roof decking with little to no variation or texture.
  2. Thickness and Weight: Architectural shingles are generally thicker and heavier than 3-tab standard shingles. They are composed of multiple layers of asphalt and have a fiberglass mat core. The added thickness and weight contribute to their durability and longevity.
  3. Durability and Warranty: Due to their multi-layered construction, architectural shingles tend to be more durable and have a longer lifespan than standard 3-tab shingles. They are more likely to withstand harsh weather conditions such as the heavy rain, wind, and other severe storm conditions we often see in Southeast Virginia.Architectural shingles also have better wind resistance compared to 3-tab shingles. The multiple layers and the heavier weight help them stay in place during strong winds. They are often rated to withstand winds of 110 mph or more, while standard 3-tabs may be rated for lower wind speeds. Many architectural shingles come with warranties ranging from 30 to 50 years, whereas standard 3-tab shingles usually have shorter warranties.
  4. Cost: Architectural shingles are typically more expensive than standard 3-tab shingles due to their enhanced appearance, durability, and longer lifespan. However, in the Tidewater Roads region, based on the average size of homes, architectural shingles are typically only about $100-500 more per job, making them well worth the value for the additional years you can expect to get from them.
  5. Installation: The basic approach to installing architectural shingles is not that much different than traditional 3-tab shingles, but they are heavier and have a layered design that requires professional installation by a licensed roofing contractor. Always make sure any roofing professional you use is licensed and insured before signing any contracts or work agreements and get all warranty information on both the material and workmanship in writing.
  6. Availability: Standard 3-tab shingles have been widely used for many years and are readily available in various colors and styles. However, as architectural shingles have gained popularity over time, they are also now widely available and manufacturers are offering a wide range of options and colors to suit different architectural styles and preferences.

If you’re building a new home or considering replacing your roof, take some time to consider the materials you will be investing in. Of course, you have to balance a budget, but it’s also just as important to consider the durability of your investment in the storm and hurricane-prone area in which we live in addition to the look you want your home to have.

If in doubt, give Andrews Roofing a call. We can sit down with you and provide our expertise from decades in the roofing business in Hampton Roads as well as physical samples of different materials and even an online design tool with digital renderings of your home so you can see exactly what your choices will look like before committing. Contact us today.

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

What to Expect During a Roof Replacement

You know your home needs a new roof, but you don’t know what your expectations should be around how that project may impact your daily life.

It’s a common and completely reasonable concern, but one that can be worked out and managed with a good roofing contractor. It’s inevitable that your daily routine will be disrupted a bit during the process, but knowing certain details in advance can help you prepare for this disruption so that your life can still move along smoothly and you can ensure your home is in tip-top shape.

While every project is different, there are a few things that you can expect to experience regardless of the size or type of roof being replaced.

Noise:
Roof replacement necessarily involves a lot of hammering, drilling, and other loud noises. There’s simply no way around this. However, having a timeline worked out in advance with your contractor will allow you to plan around the noise. If you work from home, you may want to find an alternative place to set up shop for a few days. If you have small kids who are at home during the day, it’s a great time to plan some outings or play dates. Please understand that you’ll need to be a bit flexible as roofing work can only be done when the weather is appropriate and sometimes crews need to make up for lost time.

Debris:
During the roof replacement process, debris such as old shingles, nails, and other roofing materials may fall onto the ground around the house. While the work is being done, it is important for the homeowner to ensure that their pets and children are kept away from the area until the work is complete. After work is done, your contractor should clean up the work zone as well as they can, but it’s a good idea to sweep the perimeter of your home to double check for any nails or shingle staples or other debris home before letting kids and pets loose. Using a magnetic pick-up tool is extremely helpful for small metal debris that is hard to spot such as shingle staples, and you can find them for under $20 at your local hardware store.

Workers:
You can expect several workers to be on site during the entirety of the project. You may want to introduce yourself to these individuals or at least to the project manager or foreman at the start of the project so you feel comfortable asking them questions or answering theirs. Keep in mind you’ll need to keep driveways and pathways around the house clear for the crew to get trucks and materials in and out. Removing lawn furniture or other outdoor equipment and items from around your house will make their job easier and also help to make sure none of your property is damaged.

Delays:
Even the best laid plans for a roof replacement can be undone by bad weather, material delays or crew shortages. Things happen that are outside of everyone’s control, so expect for a few bumps in the road along the way. Finding the right roofing contractor who communicates with you promptly and clearly is the key to getting through these little inevitable inconveniences without too much frustration.

If you’re ready for a new roof and are looking for a roofing contractor with a great reputation in the Hampton Roads region, give Andrews Roofing a call. We’ve worked with customers in the Tidewater area for decades and have a proven track record of great customer service and high-quality workmanship. Contact us today.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Rapid Rain Gutter System, Residential Roofing, Roof Maintenance, Roofing Information

Four New Year’s Roofing Resolutions

It’s the beginning of a new year, and that means it’s time for resolutions.
Most New Year’s resolutions revolve around self-improvement, but the truth is, you’re great just the way you are. So instead, we suggest making some home-improvement resolutions that don’t require a scale, a short-lived gym membership, or eventual self-loathing. Here are a few that can improve not just your home, but your enjoyment of it as well.

Monthly Inspections
This resolution is easy to implement, only takes a few minutes and can help save your home from preventable damage. Once a month, do a visual inspection of the exterior of your home. Add it to your calendar, set a reminder on your phone, or whatever you use to keep track of recurring tasks.

From the outside of your house, walk the perimeter and look for any holes or damage to siding, loose flashing, loose or missing shingles, brittle or broken shingles, moisture around your foundation, debris that may have landed on your roof, mildew or algae buildup or anything else that seems out of place or damaged. From the inside, peek into your attic and make sure all the rafters and roof decking are dry, that the ventilation is working properly and that insulation is in place. Take a look out any windows that may give you a view of dormers or roofing valleys that aren’t visible from the ground.

If you spot any damage, take photos – especially if you believe the damage requires an insurance claim – and call in a licensed contractor to have a second look and give an estimate for repairs. Your visual inspection should only take a few minutes but could save you thousands of dollars and lots of headaches down the road. As they say in medicine, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Gutter Cleaning
Your monthly visual inspection may give you an idea of when your gutters need to be cleaned out, but you also may not be able to see all the debris in your gutters from the safety of the ground (which is the only place we recommend doing an inspection yourself). In Hampton Roads, the amount of foliage and storm debris increases the likelihood of needing a good gutter cleaning. While many websites and professionals will say cleaning your gutters twice a year is fine, we recommend once per season if you live in Southeast Virginia.

This year, resolve to have a professional gutter cleaning service come to your house every three months. You can schedule these cleanings in advance, so you don’t even have to think about it once you’ve made the initial call. The great thing about having a professional gutter cleaning is that it can reduce the likelihood of roof damage from water that builds up and pushes up under your roofing material when gutters are overfilled with debris. It also means there are professional eyes on your roof several times a year. A good cleaning company will alert you if they see any damage, debris or signs of aging that you should know about – all without you ever having to climb a ladder.

Make the Repairs
Maybe you already know your roof is in need of repairs. Perhaps you’ve seen the shingles fly off during a storm, or you can hear flashing or loose gutters banging around on a windy night. If so, then the new year is the perfect time to resolve to finally have it fixed.

Taking care of these types of repairs extends the life of your roof, saving you money and protecting your investment. A simple repair may have a small upfront cost, but in the long term it will be well worth it. Make sure to call in a professional, licensed roofing contractor to make the repairs. It may also be the case that the damage that needs to be repaired is under warranty, in which case you may not even have to pay out of pocket. If you think this is the case, find your original paperwork and reach out to the manufacturer or installer to make a claim.

New Year, New Roof
Lastly, if you know it’s time, then make this the year that you finally get that old roof replaced. Living under a roof that is past its recommended life span is just asking for trouble and interior damage that will not be covered by insurance. In the Tidewater region, the majority of residential roofs are asphalt shingles, which typically have a lifespan of 20-30 years. So, if your home was built before 1993 or if your home’s roof hasn’t been replaced since then, it’s likely time to make this a priority.

Roof replacements typically happen in the spring and fall, so if you know ahead of time that you will be needing a new roof this year, start vetting roofing companies now during the slower months. Gather several estimates and start researching your options for materials, colors, manufacturers, etc. Once you’ve made your decisions, get on your chosen roofing company’s installation schedule and get the materials ordered. Some materials are taking significantly longer to get in stock because of supply chain issues, so the sooner you can make your decisions and place orders, the better.

At Andrews Roofing we want to wish all of our Hampton Roads neighbors a beautiful, blessed 2023. If you find yourself in need of roofing repairs, replacements or inspections, we would be happy to help you determine the right course of action for your home so that you can enjoy it for many more years to come. Contact us today.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Financing, Residential Roofing, Roof Maintenance, Roofing Information, Roofing Repairs

How to Know When Your Roof Needs a Checkup

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care, but that doesn’t just apply to your physical health. The same could be said for anything you maintain, including your house and its major systems such as your roof. While there’s no getting around the fact that a roof will eventually need to be replaced, there are many things that can happen over the course of a roof’s lifespan that should be serviced, repaired and maintained. This is especially true in areas prone to severe weather such as the Hampton Roads region.

But how do you know when you should call in a professional roofing contractor? Here are a few things to keep an eye out for to help extend the lifespan of your roof.

Curling, cracking or buckling shingles are a tell-tale sign that your roof needs some attention. You may also notice asphalt granules in your gutters, which have deteriorated from damaged shingles. This doesn’t mean you need an entirely new roofing system! While this type of roof symptom can sometimes be a sign that a roof has reached the end of its serviceable life, it can also be an isolated incident that simply needs to be repaired or patched.

While it may not necessitate a total replacement, shingles that are damaged or worn should be a high priority on your home to-do list. Just a few curling shingles can allow water to penetrate your roof causing leaks, mildew and other interior damage.

Speaking of interior damage, dark spots on your ceiling or walls also signal that it’s time to have a roofing professional come out and inspect. Even if you don’t see a hole or missing or damaged shingles from the outside, the leak may still be the result of a failure in your roofing system such as loose or missing flashing, backed up gutters or damage that simply isn’t visible from the ground.

Dark spots indicate that moisture has penetrated your roof, the sheathing, decking, and potentially attic flooring. These are serious signs that should be attended to as soon as possible by a professional to ensure additional damage does not occur and that harmful mold and mildew do not start to grow.

Moisture in your attic may also be a sign of problems with your roof as well as your insulation. If you find that the insulation, wood, flooring, ductwork or other items in your attic seem damp, it may be caused by a lack of proper ventilation and/or unsatisfactory insulation. But these issues, over time, can also affect the health of your roof by causing water damage to decking from the underside. An ideal attic temperature is close to that of the temperature outside. This prevents condensation, which is often the cause of interior moisture damage. A licensed professional contractor will need to address these issues if you find them.

Of course, sometimes all of these things indicate that a roof has simply reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. Most modern asphalt shingle roofs have a lifespan of 20-30 years. In the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and across the Tidewater region, many homes and large neighborhoods were constructed in the 1990’s, making them the age now to need total replacement.

A qualified roofing company can provide you with a roofing checkup to help you determine whether a repair or total roof replacement makes the most sense for your home and budget. At Andrews Roofing, we provide professional evaluations, customized quotes and affordable financing options as well. Whether you think your roof needs an ounce of prevention or a pound of care, we can help. Contact Andrews Roofing today.

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

Does a New Roof Increase the Value of Your Home?

A new roof is a major investment, and even if you’re getting ready to sell your home and move on to the next, it may still be worth considering.

That’s because a new roof can actually add quite a bit of market value to your home, increasing its likelihood of getting offers (or multiple offers in some real estate markets). The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) noted in their 2019 remodeling impact report that new roofs can provide a 109% return on investment. That same report states that 39% of realtors suggest that their sellers replace their roof before trying to sell their home, and 33% said that a new roof helped close a sale.

Even if a new roof does not give you a one-for-one return on investment, it can help with the marketing and quick sale of your home. New homeowners usually aren’t able to take on a major renovation right after spending money on the down payment and closing costs of their new home. For this reason, lots of new homebuyers are looking for a home that is “turn key” – in other words, one they can walk right into without having to do any work themselves.

When looking at two homes in the same price range, a home buyer is going to be more likely to make a generous offer on the one that has the most recent repairs and updates, because they know it will save them money in the long run. If they are looking at a house that clearly needs a new roof, buyers will mentally tack on thousands of dollars to the listing price.

Of course, if your roof is failing or has incurred damage, you will need to replace the roof before selling, regardless of the return on investment. In many states, it’s a legal requirement to disclose any damage or structural issues in a home to the buyer. Even if it’s not, if the buyer or mortgage lender requires a home inspection prior to closing, the issues will quickly be found and could dead-end a sale, wasting time and delaying your sale.

So how much should you invest in a new roof if you’re preparing your home to sell? This is a great conversation to have with your realtor, as they will know the market value of your home with and without a new roof, and guide you in how to choose materials that make the most sense for your budget. In most cases, installing a typical asphalt shingle roof is enough to make a buyer feel secure and good about the update. But some markets, neighborhoods or price ranges may require the homeowner to invest a bit more in architectural shingles, cedar shake, metal roofing, or a combination of materials for a higher-end look. Again, a realtor can help you make this decision based on comparable sales in your neighborhood and price range.

Even if you aren’t trying to sell your home, NARI’s research shows that 75% of homeowners report feeling “a major sense of accomplishment” after finishing a reroofing project and 49% say they have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home. Your own happiness and comfort is definitely worth the investment.

If you’re preparing your home for the Hampton Roads real estate market and need a new roof, contact Andrews Roofing. We have decades of experience in the Tidewater region, and can help you choose the best materials and look for your budget, home design and style. We also offer a guarantee on our work and use materials with excellent transferable manufacturer warranties, to put your buyers’ minds even more at ease. Contact us today for a free estimate.

 

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