Shingle FAQS
How do I know when I need to replace my roof?
There are several ways:
Age – If your roof is around 20
years old, it is probably nearing the end of its useful life. There is some
variation in life due to shingle color, sun exposure and ventilation under the
roof.
Appearance – If you have
shingles that have broken off, or look buckled or warped, or have lost some of
the granule surfacing, it is probably time to replace it.
Leaks – Not the best way to find
out. By the time you see evidence of water leaking inside the house, it
has probably been leaking for quite a while prior to that. This leaking can
cause expensive structural damage to the rafters and the boards on top of them,
not to mention the damage to your ceilings and walls. It is usually much less
expensive to replace a roof before you see leaks.
Can the new roof be installed on top of my old
roof?
It depends. If you have only one layer of roofing in decent
condition, you can probably install a new roof on top of it. If you have two or
more roofs, if the existing roof is badly buckled, if there is a need to inspect
or replace decking, or if there is an accumulation of moss or algae, the old
roof should be removed.
How is a new roof installed?
If the old roof needs to be removed, we remove all roofing down
to the bare boards covering the rafters. We then replace any damaged wood and
install what is called an “underlayment”. We use an asphalt-saturated
fiberglass felt designed to be installed under shingle roofs. It is much
stronger and more durable than the typical asphalt felt used by many
contractors. We then install the metal edging. We use heavy duty painted
galvanized edging that is much stronger than the light gauge aluminum edging
used by many. If homeowners have had ice backup problems in the past, we
install a special roll roofing material to reduce future problems. We then
install the shingles paying particular attention to areas where the roof is
penetrated by chimneys or vent stacks or where it meets vertical walls (these
areas are called flashings).
Is this a messy job?
If your old roof needs to be removed, it can be an extremely
messy process. Go to this page to see an explanation on what to expect. If we are
installing a new roof on top of an old one, it will be noisy due to the
hammering and there will be some shingle scraps on the ground while we are
working. Your job will be thoroughly cleaned to your satisfaction after the
work is completed.
What is the best way to compare prices from several contractors?
The best way is to compare their estimates to BSR proposals. Our
proposals are typically much more thorough and spell out all the items we are
including in our work. In most cases, a big variation in price is due to
differences in the quality of the shingles and other materials being used and
additional work being done. If the proposal is not detailed, you should ask for
clarification based on the proposal you like.
How quickly will you be able to start work?
This is a big variable. We usually have a reasonably accurate
estimate on our backlog. Our representative figuring your work can give you an
idea. We cannot tell you exactly, though. The reason for this is that we do
not know exactly how long each job in front of yours will take. If we have one
week of solid rain, all jobs will be backed up one week.
How long will the job take?
It depends on crew size and weather conditions. We have crews
that vary from two to five people. A larger crew will reduce the time but we
cannot tell you which crew will do your work. It depends on which crew is
available when your job is next. Also, the time will vary depending on
weather. We are not able to work in rainy weather and, if your job requires
removing the old roof and the forecast calls for a chance of rain, we will not
work. In general, a smaller job without a tearoff could take several workdays.
A larger job with a tearoff could take several weeks.
Can roofs be
installed in the winter?
Yes. Cold weather does not hurt the materials. The limiting
factor is the comfort of the installers. If the weather is sunny, with little
wind, and the temperature is reasonable, we can work. If there is ice or
thick snow on your roof or exceptionally cold temperatures with high winds,
we may not be working.
How do I choose the best shingle?
Today, shingles are compared based on the length of their
manufacturer’s warranty. This is very misleading, though, because the wording
of each manufacturer’s warranty is not the same. Also, the length of the
warranty does not really mean that the shingle will necessarily last that long.
The warranties for most manufacturers pay almost nothing in the later years of
the term of the warranty. In general, though, the longer the term of the
warranty, the heavier and more durable (and more expensive) the shingle is.
Today’s shingles offer many new “textures” than were available a few years ago.
These new shingles can approximate the look of hand split cedar shake and slate
roofs. So you have a wide variety of colors, textures, and performance to
choose from. We will help you wade through all the options.
Can shingles be installed on all my roofs?
You can if your roofs are steep enough. In general, BSR does not
recommend installing shingles on roofs with less than a 6-12 pitch (6” of rise
for each 12” horizontally) in our climate unless additional provision is made to
address the increased potential for water backup problems.
What do I install if my roof isn’t steep enough
for shingles?
We strongly recommend a roll roofing product using asphalt with
modifiers added to it to increase the flexibility of the asphalt. This product
is also reinforced with a polyester mat for strength. These roll roofing
products, though, come only in basic colors and are not designed to be as
aesthetically pleasing as shingle roofs. However, they do a much better job of
keeping water out.
Are there other options for low-sloped roofs?
Yes. One we don’t recommend is conventional asphalt roll
roofing. It is much less expensive but usually lasts for only a few years.
Modified asphalt roll roofing will last two to three times longer or about as
long as a shingle roof. Other products such as metal and rubber are available
but polyester reinforced modified asphalt roll roofing is the most cost
effective.
My roof has leaked due to ice build-up. Can you
help?
We can. See this "Ice Backup FAQS" for a better explanation of ice back-up
problems.
Is there anything else I should be aware of?
Most homeowners, and too many contractors, do not realize the
importance of proper ventilation in the space below your roof.
Why is ventilation important?
Inadequate ventilation can cause condensation in the winter and
excessively high shingle temperatures in the summer. Also, most shingle
manufacturers warranties are voided if proper ventilation is not installed.
What do you mean by proper
ventilation?
The air space beneath the roof needs to have openings to allow
outside air to flow through it. The best way to ventilate this space is to
install a ventilation strip (ridge vent) at the peak of the roof. But this is
not enough. For the ridge vent to work properly and allow the hot humid attic
air to pass through it, the attic space needs to allow cold outside air to come
in. The best way to do that is to provide ventilation at the bottom of the roof
using vents in the roof overhang (soffit vents) or ventilating drip edge. In
difficult roof configurations, even powered roof vents may be needed.
What causes condensation?
Every house produces water vapor from showers, cooking, laundry,
plants, etc. If this moisture is not vented outside properly, then it condenses
on the cold underside of the roof deck in the winter. This condensation can
destroy your roof deck without you knowing there is a problem. It can also
cause what appear to be leaks during cold weather.
How can I reduce the chance of condensation?
We will assist you in recommending proper ventilation. In
extreme cases, we will help you find the source of excessive moisture so it can
be eliminated.
How do I know my roofing is being installed
properly?
First of all, hire a reputable contractor. See this
page for how to
do that. All our installers are required to install your roof per the National
Roofing Contractors Association Steep Roofing Manual. BSR has even
stricter written standards for our installers to adhere to. Our field
superintendent visits the job frequently and does a thorough inspection at
completion.
Does BSR guaranty their work?
Yes. We are proud of the reputation of BSR’s guaranty. BSR
provides you with our 10-year guaranty for all eligible new work.
This guaranty covers all labor and material costs and is not pro-rated. You
would also receive the manufactures warranty for the shingles, which is for a
longer term but is pro-rated and typically only covers material costs.
Does BSR have insurance to protect me?
Yes! And this is important. It is harder for
contractors to obtain insurance today so many contractors don’t have it.
You should ask any contractor you are considering to provide you with their
insurance certificate. It should look like
ours.
If I have more questions, whom do I contact?
Click on the "Contact Us" link on the left border above, give us a call
at the phone number listed above or e-mail us. We would be happy to answer any
other questions you might have.
