Frequently Asked Questions about Roofing
When does your roof need to be repaired or replaced?
Roof problems are mostly discovered after serious damage occurs. There are some warning signals: leaking, missing and curling shingles, cracked or discolored interior drywall, rusted or missing flashing, visible cracks, … However, sometimes damage isn’t visible to the untrained eye on the ground. We recommend you call us out for an inspection if a residential roof is over 15 years old.
Do I need to replace whole roof when it leaks?
Not necessarily. Roofs could leak from a break in the waterproofing layer, sometimes caused by mechanical damage, from an opening in the sealant, and from deterioration or defects in the roofing material. The key roof management task is leak avoidance. Find and correct defects before they leak. Catching it early can avoid expensive interior repairs in the future. Be careful! Most work should not be do-it-yourself. Novices can harm a roof with improper roofing techniques and severely injure themselves by falling off or even through a roof in need of repair or replacement. Professional roofing contractors are trained to safely repair or replace a roof.
If I want to re-roof, do I have any options?
There are two basic options: to replace the roof system, involving a tear-off of the old roof. The second one is re-covering the existing roof. That means to install a new membrane and surfacing on a commercial roof or putting new shingles over the old ones. If you already have two layers on your original roof, we should talk about whether we should lay one more on. We almost always prefer to tear off the old roofing shingles so we can inspect the plywood decking for weak areas, water damage and rot. It may cost a little more to do the tear off and dispose of the materiel, but you will know the job is done right and you will not have any roofing problems for a long time.
Will I have to replace gutters and downspouts at the same time?
Nashville Roofing Company will re-roof around gutters and downspouts in good shape. When they are damaged, we can repair or replace them.
What will a new roof cost?
The price of a new roof varies widely, depending on the quality of the material selected, the shape, angles size and slope of the roof and other variables. If it is covered by insurance, your only cost will be your deductible. Find out more about New Roofs Here.
How long should a roof last?
How do you know when you need a new roof? Age alone is the biggest factor. Asphalt-shingles come in a variety of colors and varying grades and can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years in the Nashville area. However, even if the shingles themselves are backed by 25-, 30- or sometimes 40-year warranty the national average life is just 13 years.
We tend to treat the roofs on our homes the way we treat our heating and cooling systems, we ignore them until we notice a problem and then we rush to make long-overdue repairs. When you have a new roof installed on your home, you want it to last for a long time. New roofs are one of the most expensive investments that you can make in your home, so the longer the roof lasts; the more economical it is in the long run.
An expert from Nashville Roofing Company can help you assess whether you need a new roof. We will come out and show you the problems with your current roof and help you decide on the best course of action. If you decide to get a new roof, weather you use us or not, first make sure the old roof will be torn off completely before the new one goes on. Removing the old shingles is the only way to inspect the wooden sheathing of your roof before making any repairs. Installing new shingles over old ones could hide some serious problems.
What does hail do to a roof?
Hail does several things: accelerates granule loss, accelerates shingle aging, and leads to other associated problems. A shingle damaged by hail looks like dark spot where the granules on the shingle have been knocked off. Shingles are designed so that the granules block the UV of the sun and protect the asphalt underlayment. You will notice spots where hail has caused the surface of the shingle to be removed. In severe cases the hail can penetrate the shingle causing a leak into the attic below.
Why would my insurance company replace my roof damaged by hail?
If you think your roof is damaged during a storm, the first thing to do is contact Nashville Roofing Company, then your insurance agent. You will need to ask about their policy regarding the filing of roofing insurance claims for storm damage. Your agent will then advise you in proper procedures and deadlines. If you need help talking to your agent, we can assist you. Find out more about Insurance Claims.
Why should I hire licensed contractors?
Licensed contractor must demonstrate at least 4 years of experience and education in the trade. They must be bonded. Nashville roofing company is fully licensed in Tennessee, bonded for your security and insured for $ 1,000,000. Unlicensed contractors might be cheaper, but they do not pay taxes, insurance, or follow safety laws.
I have heard about algae (or fungus) on roofs. What is it?
Algae (commonly called fungus) can grow on shingles in some moist areas. That has no proven effect on shingle life. However, when algae stains or discolors shingles it can be unattractive. The algae-containing stains can be dramatically reduced by the use of special copper granules.
What if I’ve got a question that wasn’t answered?
Contact Us! We will be glad to answer all of your questions.