Rhode Island Roofing Q & A

Missing, cracked or curling shingles,  Stains on interior walls or ceilings, Leakage in the attic after heavy rains, Blistering or peeling paint, excessive surface granules accumulating in the gutters or downspouts. Shingle, sheathing or siding decay, High energy bills to name a few. EMERGENCY? Call or TEXT (401) 207-1273

It's usually best to have an experienced roofer inspect your roof when deciding whether to repair or replace your roof.  You also need to take into consideration the age of the roof.

Are your “20 year”  shingles more than 15 years old or were they installed just a few years ago. If the roof is well within it's lifespan and you aren't seeing other warning signs chances are good you can simply repair and/or replace those shingles that are causing a problem.

Replacing a roof, whether on a commercial or residential building, is a labor-intensive project and, depending on the type of roof, could take anywhere from a few days to 2 or more weeks. The time involved is substantially affected by the weather, as well. Wind, snow, rain, or even just the threat of one of these and may slow the process considerably.

In limited cases, no. Leaking can occur because some flashing's have come loose or because a section of the roof has been damaged. A roof failure, on the other hand, is generally irreversible and occurs from a large portion being damage by a severe storm, hurricane, tornado or high winds, choice of materials, or from the installation of a roof system inappropriate for the home or building.

You have two basic options: You can choose a complete replacement of the roof system, involving a tear-off of your existing roof system, or re-cover the existing roof system, involving only the installation of a new roof system.

If you've already had one re-cover installed on your original roof system, check with a professional roofing contractor. In many instances, building code requirements allow no more than one roof system re-cover before a complete replacement is necessary.

Most new roof systems are designed to provide useful service for about 20 years. Some roof system types, such as slate, clay tile and certain metal (e.g., copper) systems, can last longer.

Actual roof system life span is determined by a number of factors, including local climatic and environmental conditions, proper building and roof system design, material quality and suitability, proper application and adequate roof maintenance.

Roofing product manufacturers offer a variety of warranties on their products. Take a close look at those warranties to see what responsibilities and financial obligations manufacturers will assume if their products fail to reach their expected lives.

Asphalt shingles

Most homes in North America with steeply sloped roofs are covered in asphalt shingles.

Asphalt shingles are durable and extremely affordable. They are produced in several colours and styles, and with such a wide selection, homeowners will no doubt find asphalt shingles suitable for their home.

All asphalt shingles are produced in generally the same way. A coating of colored mineral granules made of crushed rock coated in ceramic is applied to a mat made from either wood, cellulose or fiberglass combined with waterproof asphalt.

Over time, the shingles will shed some of these granules, collecting in gutters and at the bottom of downspouts. When doing a routine cleaning of the gutters and downspouts, checking the amount of these shed granules can give you valuable insight into their condition.

A drawback to asphalt shingles is that their lifespan is normally about twenty years.

Damage can result from harsh environmental factors or poor installation, so they require routine check ups to monitor their condition. If any wear or tear appears, repair should be done immediately to the damaged shingle(s) to prevent serious damage. Serious damage includes water leakage affecting the supporting structure, which could be irreparable. 

Metal

Lightweight and resistant to fire, metal roofs can be made from aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, zinc, stainless steel, and titanium (the most expensive).

Metal is more expensive than asphalt shingles, but are longer lasting and require less maintenance. If installed properly, the only threat to a metal roof is rust. However, rust can be controlled with the application of protective paint, rather than replacing the whole roof.

Metal roofs are ideal for warmer climates, such as the southern United States. As metal reflects heat, cooling costs will be reduced dramatically with proper insulation.

Metal gutters and downspouts attached to a metal roof can be more aesthetically pleasing, as there is continuity in their appearance. However, it is necessary that sealant is applied at the gutters to keep it waterproof. 

Tile Roofs

A tile roof is a beautiful addition to your home that is durable and long lasting. They can be manufactured from concrete, slate or clay and come in a variety of shapes, weights, and sizes. Some may be specially treated to keep them from changing colour as they age.

A major drawback to tile roofs is that because it is made out of a naturally dense material, the total weight of the roof can be quite heavy.

As a result, some structures may not be able to support this weight. Installation requires skilled labour, and though routine checkups are done less frequently than other types of roofs, it is recommended that professionals are hired for the task as they are expensive to maintain or replace.

This advice may also extend to other aspects of roof maintenance, such as gutter cleaning and painting. Hiring a professional who knows how to work on or around a tile roof can reduce or prevent any damage that may result from those less experienced. 

Knowing how much roofing material you'll need will make it easier to compare bids from contractors.

Roofs are measured in 100-square-foot areas, or squares. A square of three-tab shingles is typically three bundles, while for laminated shingles a square is usually four bundles.

To gauge your needs, multiply the overall length and width of each section of your roof to determine the square footage, adding 10 percent to allow for waste. Then divide that number by 100 to determine how many squares the job will require.

If you don’t want to go on your roof to get accurate measurements, you can estimate the roof surface area by using the length and width of your home as the basis. Increase each of these dimensions by the amount the roof overhangs the exterior walls on each side of the home.

Since the roof might have distinct sections and because most roofs are pitched, you'll want to increase the number you calculate. Adjust the calculated area by about 5 percent for a low-sloped simple roof to about 40 percent for a complex roof design with a steep slope.

When you get bids, be sure the contractor includes the cost of the underlayment (roofing felt), which creates a moisture barrier for the wood sheathing and rafters underneath.

And don't forget to factor in adding an ice-and-water shield, which runs along the eaves and the valleys where two wings of the roof intersect, as well as new drip edges and metal flashing, which are often needed around pipes, chimneys, and the like.

Most work should not be done yourself. Professional roofing contractors are trained to safely and efficiently repair or replace roof systems. You can damage your roof system by using improper roofing techniques and severely injure yourself by falling off or through the roof.

Maintenance performed by home and building owners should be confined to inspecting roof systems during the fall and spring to check for cracked or curling shingles and cleaning gutters filled with dead leaves and other debris.

If you must inspect your roof system yourself, use a firmly braced or tied-off ladder equipped with rubber safety feet. Wear rubber-soled shoes and stay on the ladder (and off the roof system), if possible.

The price of a new roof system varies widely, depending on such things as the materials selected, contractor doing the work, home or building, location of the home or building, local labor rates and time of year.

To get a good idea of price for your roof system, get three or four proposals from reputable contractors in your area. Keep in mind that price is only one factor, and it must be balanced with the quality of the materials and workmanship.

For each roofing material, there are different grades and corresponding prices. There also are a variety of styles and shapes. You need to look at the full product range and make a choice based on your budget and needs.

Within the roofing profession, there are different levels of expertise and craftsmanship. Insist on a contractor who is committed to quality work.

• Every roof built with quality, integrity, and service
• Qualified for residential roofing and commercial roofing projects
• Affordable roofing prices and competitive estimates
• Quality workmanship on new roofs, roof replacement, and roof repairs
• One of the most professional and reliable roofing contractors in Rhode Island
• Strong materials warranties and a 5 year warranty on labor and workmanship

In addition, we have residential roofing expertise with asphalt, metal, slate and wood shingle roofs and flat roofs.

• New roofs
• Roof replacement
• Roof repairs
• Waterproofing leaky roofs
• Roof inspections for real estate transactions and preventive roof maintenance
• Installation, replacement or repairs of gutters
• Flat roof solutions for your low slope roof including sun rooms, garages, and porches

If, after inspecting your roof, it is determined that you need any repair work, this is what you can expect from us:

1. Surface Preperation/Demolition

• All necessary permits are obtained.
• A dumpster, if space available, is brought in and removed upon completion.
• All existing shingles, tar paper and flashings are fully removed.
• All sheathing and roof penetration flashings are inspected and loose sheathing is re-nailed securely at no additional charge.
• Rotted Sheathing, if seen, is repaired or replace per customer consent.

2. Installing Your New Roof

• An ice and water shield is installed above all gutter edges, in valleys, and around all roof penetrations to prevent water infiltration.  This crucial step is often completely skipped by other roofing contractors, and you'll need it to help prevent leaks from ice dams in the winter!
• 30lb. felt underlayment (tar paper) is laid down as a protective layer over the sheathing. Many roofers use a 15 lb, which doesn't protect the sheathing as well.
• It is vital to install new aluminum flashing around roof edges. This is another step that is skipped by many contractors to keep their cost low, at the price of possibly rotting the fascia boards and causing peeling paint due to water run-off. We typically use an 8" aluminum drip edge, where our competitors use a 5" (which provides less protection from water).
• Install new pipe vent boots and ridge vent.  A ridge vent can be cut for you if you do not currently have one--this allows the house to breathe and lengthens the life of the roof through increased circulation.  The ventilation provided by a ridge vent also helps to prevent mildew build-up in the attic and is often needed to bring the roof in compliance with recent building codes.
• Additional ventilation will be installed to help the roof perform optimally, if measured to be needed by the project consultant during the original estimate and chosen by the customer.

 3. Clean Up is NOT an Afterthought

Leaving your home in BETTER shape than the way in which we found it is our goal.

• Clean up is performed daily and at the completion of the job.
• All supplies and refuse are promptly taken away.
• Plant beds are cleaned and old tar paper, nails and rotted sheathing are removed
• An inspection is performed by our foreman or project leader.

4. Warranty

• Beyond the manufacturer's product warrantee, Best Rhode Island Roofing offers a standard 5yr. warrantee on all work performed on your roof.
• This means we will perform any covered repairs at no labor cost to you, the original purchaser
• If Certainteed Brand roofs are installed, Best Rhode Island Roofing is certified to install the manufacturer’s 5 Star, SureStart Plus Coverage.
• This Industry leading comprehensive warrantee includes complete protection for materials, labor, tear-off, disposal and workmanship costs. The SureStart Plus warrantee can get you completely covered from 15 to 50 years, based on the roof shingle you choose to go with. Ask your Project Consultant for details.