Five Questions to Ask Your Roofer – Before You Hire Them

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Hiring the right roofer to replace the roof on your Plano home means a high level of customer satisfaction and a job well done. Hiring the wrong roofer to replace your roof, and you may end up with loose shingles, leaks, and no recourse.

Here are five questions to ask when researching roofers:

1. Are you local?

As a resident of Plano or North Texas, you know that when big storms hit, the number of roofers in the DFW area grows exponentially. Many of these roofers come from other states looking for repair work. They also quickly leave when the well of work runs dry. Using an out of area roofing company means that you are going to be out of luck if you have to track them down regarding a problem or repair. Tip: Select a roofer you can trust with an established local office you can visit, versus someone who works out of their truck.

2. Are you licensed?

Only 21 states require roofing contractors to be licensed, and Texas is not one of them. Obtaining a roofing license in Texas is voluntary, but many municipalities require roofers to become licensed to work in their particular city. Scott Exteriors has gone the extra mile to become licensed in Plano, Dallas, and many other North Texas cities that require licensing for roofers. Tip: Check with your city’s Code Enforcement department for their roofing company licensing requirements.

3. Do you have insurance?

Many people assume that the company they hire to replace or repair their roof is insured, only to find out they are not actually insured after a problem arises. Using a roofer that is insured protects your property from costly damage that may occur during your roofing project. Tip: Ask potential roofing providers for their insurance certificate and call the insurer to verify coverage.

4. Do you provide a roofing warranty?

Warranties provide you with coverage for repairs or replacement if there is a defect in materials or installation. Many shingle manufacturers offer warranties to cover their product, and many professional roofing companies provide warranties on their workmanship. Scott Exteriors provides a minimum of a five-year warranty on residential roofing projects and longer terms for commercial roofing projects. Tip: Ask for the roofing company’s warranty and read it for the details regarding replacements, fees, and transferability.

5. Do you provide references?

A professional, established roofing company should have a list of references ready to had potential clients. If the company you are researching does not have an available list of references, it’s a sign to steer clear. Tip: You should not only ask for references, but you should also contact those references to make sure they are legitimate.

Looking for a professional, insured, and local roof? Look no further. Contact Scott Exteriors today for all of your roofing needs.

 

The Myths About Metal Roofing

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In most Dallas area subdivisions, asphalt shingles are the norm when it comes to roofing materials. There are a few reasons why asphalt shingles are so standard: they’re inexpensive; they have long warranty periods, and many homeowners do not know enough about other available roofing material options, like metal roofing, to make the switch. In this blog, we break down commonly asked questions about metal roofing.

1.    Does metal roofing attract lightning?

No. Although lightning strikes are a valid concern for many Dallas homeowners as the risk of strong thunderstorms and severe weather is high for several months out of each year. Installing metal roofing does not increase the chance that your home will suffer a lightning strike.

Your metal roof can actually help protect your home from damage should your home take a lightning strike during the storm, because it helps to disperse the energy of the strike, resulting in less damage to your property. Also, your metal roof will also not catch fire as a result of a lightning strike.

2.    But isn’t metal roofing noisy?

No, metal roofs are actually quieter than asphalt shingle roofs. The noise factor of metal roofing is reduced because of a special underlayment that used during the installation process. This underlayment helps to reduce the noise of hail, rain, and wind.

3.    Do I have to worry about hail damage?

No. While it is true that a metal roof sustains dents by hail just like an asphalt shingle roof, it takes a large amount of large hail to cause damage to a metal roof. Also, hail cannot penetrate a metal roof like it can an asphalt shingle roof.

4.    I am interested in a metal roof but I am afraid it will make my home look too “commercial.”

Some people shy away from metal roofing because they are afraid it will make their home appear more “commercial” or business-like. Have no fear. Modern metal roofing is available in a wide array of styles and colors that can complement your home, without making it look like a business.

Are you looking for a metal roofing expert in the DFW area? Contact Scott Exteriors.

Is a Black Roof a Bad Idea?

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If you’re thinking about a new roof, you may be considering selecting a black asphalt shingle color to complement your home. Black roofs are gaining in popularity across Dallas and Plano because they look great and can upgrade your home’s curb appeal significantly. While black roofs have these perks, they also have some considerations you should be aware of before you select a black shingle. If you’re on the fence about choosing a black asphalt shingle, read on.

The Facts. Yes, it is true that black or other darker-colored shingles will make your attic and home hotter. A hotter home is a very valid concern for Dallas, Plano, and other North Texas homeowners because temperatures on your roof can climb well over 150 degrees in the summer.

Black and other dark colored shingles make your house hotter because they absorb heat and sun more readily than lighter colors. High temperatures, in turn, make your attic warm, which makes your air conditioner work harder keep you cool.

The Fix. While a black or darker-colored roof does increase temperatures, don’t be discouraged. You can still get the roof you want with a few extra measures.

One of the ways you can have your black roof without increasing the temperature in your home (and your electric bill) is to install additional insulation. This insulation blocks the heat absorbed by your dark roof from traveling into your home. Blocking heat keeps you cooler and your energy bills in check.

Another way to keep cool with a black or darker-colored roof is to make sure your attic has proper ventilation. Using the proper number of vents can help release hot air from your attic and help to cool your home. Scott Exteriors can assess your current attic ventilation to determine if you need more vents to accommodate a black or darker-colored shingle.

Do you have more questions about what color roof is right for you? Contact Scott Exteriors today.

The 411 on Transferring a Roof Warranty

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If you’re looking at buying a pre-owned home in Dallas, you may likely be concerned about how the warranties on things like appliances, HVAC, and other major components of your potential purchase will transfer to you from the original homeowner. The ability to transfer warranties is important to many homebuyers, as many people do not want to have to make costly repairs after just making a major purchase.

In many cases, if the roof of the property you are purchasing has a current and valid warranty, the warrant is transferable. That being said, it is critical that you read the fine print of the warranty paperwork to find out exactly what is covered and exactly what coverage transfers to you as the new owner.

Shingle manufacturers almost always offer a warranty on their product, and in many cases, professional roofing companies like Scott Exteriors also offer warranties on their roof installation. Scott Exteriors can help you find out the specifications and limits of the roof warranty on the home you are interested in purchasing regarding both shingles and installation.

There are three points to look for when you’re reading the fine print of your roofing warranty:

Transferability. In most cases, the warranty on shingles can be transferred only once. This means that if you are purchasing the house as a third or greater owner, the warranty will not transfer to you.

Fees. In some instances, transferring a roofing warranty requires an administrative fee paid to the company to process the transfer. If the fee is not paid, the warranty does not transfer, and you may be left with a costly repair that you thought was covered.

Notice. Many warranties also require a written notice of the transfer of ownership, usually within a particular timeframe after the property purchase is complete.

Do you have more questions about how roofing warranties work? Contact Scott Exteriors today with all your roofing warrant questions.

What is a Roofing Warranty?

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Your roof covers and protects your home, but what covers and protects your roof? Your roofing warranty. Understanding what your roofing warranty covers and how your warranty works can help you if a problem arises.

What is a warranty?

A warranty is a written guarantee that promises repair or replacement of a product or service if necessary within a specific period after purchase.

What is a roofing warranty?

A roofing warranty is a written guarantee that relates to your roof and the repair or replacement of your shingles, underlayment, or other components of your roof should a problem arise within a specified period. Some roofing warranties, like the warranties offered by Scott Exteriors, also cover workmanship for a predetermined time after installation.

How long is the warranty on my shingles and other roofing components?

The length of the warranty on your shingles is determined by the manufacturer, but most shingles are covered for 25 to 50  years. The warranty on your shingles covers defects or premature breakdown in the shingles themselves versus damage caused by the elements, storms, trees, or pests.

The other components of the roof, like the underlayment and vents, are also covered by warranties provided by their manufacturer and like asphalt shingles, their warranties cover defects and not normal wear and tear, storm damage, or pests.

How long is the warranty on the installation workmanship?

The warranty on workmanship varies between roofing companies. The warranty offered by Scott Exteriors is a minimum of five years on most residential roof replacements, and often more for commercial roof replacements. Scott Exteriors also guarantees repairs up to one year after installation.

The workmanship warranty provided by Scott Exteriors is also transferable. Learn more about transferring your roof warranty here.

For more all your questions about roofing warranties, contact Scott Exteriors.

The Problem with Power Washing

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Have you been contacted by a contractor offering to pressure wash the roof of your Frisco or Carrollton home? Many of these contractors make claims that cleaning your roof extends its lifespan, which may sound like a good idea, but before you sign on the dotted line, we encourage you to keep reading this blog to find out why pressure washing and other roof cleaning services may leave you with a big problem.

The Problem with Power Washing

Pressure washing your roof presents a problem because shooting high-pressure water onto your roof damages your roof by taking off the protective asphalt granules off of your shingles. Without these protective asphalt granules, your roof loses its protection against the elements. Even the lowest setting of pressure on a pressure washer can cause the granules to come off, leaving your roof exposed to the sun, wind, and rain.

Power washing your roof is especially risky if your roof is ten years old or more, as it has probably already lost asphalt granules due to natural wear and tear.

Power washing not only stripes the protective layer off your roof, but it also can lift your shingles which breaks their seal and shingles become loose in a storm. When this happens, water can get underneath your shingles and your roof could develop a leak.

Do You Really Need to Clean Your Roof?

In some parts of the country, where there is a lot of rain and snow, it may be necessary to clean your roof to remove algae and moss that grow in shaded areas. However, in Frisco, Plano, and the rest of North Texas, cleaning your roof really isn’t all that necessary because the Texas sun usually keeps roofs dry and algae away.

If you have questions about how to maintain your roof, contact a roofing expert today.