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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 tear-off could take several workdays. A
larger job with a tear-off 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 or e-mail us. We would be happy to answer
any other questions you might have.