What to do if you have a leaky roof?
A leaky roof can be a major problem for any building, especially if it is the home our family lives in! If you happen to get a leaky roof, or you notice some missing or cracked shingles on your roof, then it may be time you get a professional and honest roofing consultation. My recommendation is to find somebody who will give you their honest professional opinion about your roof. It may be difficult to find such a person because a lot of roofing contractors are primarily interested in getting a job rather than helping you understand the whole picture so you can make an educated and informed decision. It may not be a bad idea to pay for a professional roofing consultation or condition report so that you can obtain unbiased information about the condition of your roof. Such a report should also include information about your attic, condition of the roof deck and the number of shingle layers on your roof.
It may not be a bad idea to ask your friends if they can recommend a reputable roofing contractor who cares more about giving you the right information than getting a job. Once again, if the roofing contractor will take the time to examine your roof and advice you on the condition of your, then you may want to consider paying for the service of getting their professional opinion. If you do decide to hire this particular contractor, then they will normally include the consultation cost into the roof estimate.
Some helpful information for you.
As a general rule, it helps to know the age of your roof and the condition of the shingle on your roof. A well installed asphalt shingle roof will usually last around 17 years before it needs to be replaced. If your roof is only five years old, and it is already leaking, then chances are that it was not properly installed or there may have been some damage to the roof shingle. Even a well installed asphalt shingle roof may be damaged by strong winds, snowstorms and ice built up. If that is the case, and some of the shingles on your roof are damaged or missing, then a professionally done roof repair may be a good option for you. But, if your roof was not properly installed in the first place or it the amount of wind damage was significant, then it may not be a bad idea to get a brand new roof. It goes without saying that if your roof is old and your shingle looks like it is curled and cracked in many places, then it is time for you to invest into a new roof.
Hurricane Prone Areas
If you live in areas with strong coastal wind, then it is a good idea to pay extra for a roof that is designed to withstand strong winds. If you live in an area that gets heavy snow fall, and strong winds, then you may want to consider a metal roof for your next roof. A metal roof is a great alternative to conventional asphalt shingle roof, especially if you live in tough climate zone. Metal roofs are expensive, but there are great incentives available to homeowners who choose to install a metal roof for their home. Metal roof will also appraise the value of your home, help shed snow and ice, provide significant energy savings and many long years of reliable protection. A typical metal roof may last well over thirty years and it appraises the value of your home as well as provides unique curb appeal for your property.
What if I have a flat roof?
If you live in a house with a low slope roof, then you will still want to get a trustworthy roofing contractor to examine your roof so that you can better understand the options that you have. Some flat roofs may be professionally repaired and provide years of reliable protection, while others may require a complete replacement as the only option. A roofing professional specializing in flat roofing should be able to provide with comprehensive report about the condition of your flat roof.
Just like with conventional roofing, not all flat roofs are made the same and you may consider investing into a flat roof that has superior qualities over conventional roofs such as TPO, EPDM, rubber, and roller roofing. Modern technology makes it possible to get a flat roofing membrane that will provide many years of reliable protection, and significant energy savings if you have a cool roofing membrane installed.
Green Roofing and Cool roofing membranes
If you would like to explore some high end roofing solutions options, then consider metal roofing and cool flat roofing membranes. These products, when properly installed by professionals, will greatly outlast conventional roofing systems, and they may appraise the value of your home and offer great energy saving that will add up over time.
No matter what roofing system you end up choosing for your home, getting good information and working with honest and reliable roofing contractor who knows how to install the system that you choose is the key to a long lasting roof.
Resources
Metal Roofing Blog - Educates Homeowners about green roofs with solar panels, cool rooging systems and ways to prevent ice dams.
