A New Year, A New Roof

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It’s a New Year…and that means new beginnings. Many people are thinking about starting a new diet, planning new exercise routines, and getting new roofs. Well, maybe not new roofs, but we can hope, can’t we? In all seriousness, there are a few good reasons to consider getting a new roof for your Plano home this year. Here they are:

  1. Your roof is old. Asphalt shingles have an average lifespan of 20 years, but the intense Texas sun is very damaging to shingles which may lead to a shorter life for your roof. If you have not replaced your roof in the last ten years, it’s time to put the project on your to-do list for 2018.
  2. Your roof is sagging. If your roof is sagging or drooping, this is a significant sign that it’s time for a replacement. Sagging means that the decking your roof sits on has deteriorated. Sagging is a serious problem that can mean interior damage (and costly repairs) if left untreated.
  3. You have interior damage. Do you have signs of water damage such as streaks, stains, or sagging spots? If you can see these things on your ceiling, you may have a roof leak. While you are looking for signs of roof damage, you should also take a trip to your attic to look for signs of damage there. Look for wood that is warped or stained, and check for wet or damp insulation.
  4. Your shingles are in bad shape. Walk the perimeter of your home and look up at your roof. Do you see shingles that are curling, buckling or cracking? Shingles in disrepair are an indicator that it is time to replace your roof. Check out the color of your roof, too. If the color of your roof appears uneven, it is an indication that you have lost the protective granule covering from your shingles. Peek inside your gutters to see if you have granule buildup there, too.

Do you have questions about replacing your roof? Contact a DFW roofing expert today.

If It Sounds Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is

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Do you want to replace the roof on your Carrollton home, but not sure which roofing company you can trust? Many roofing companies offer great deals, but are they too good to be true? There are a few ways to determine if the company you are dealing with is trustworthy.

Learn the Signs of a Roofing Scam

Timing. One of the obvious ways you can tell that the roofing company you are considering may not be the most trustworthy is observing when they show up. If the roofing company is going door-to-door in your neighborhood shortly after a storm, they could be targeting (and scaring!) homeowners by overstating damage and inflating repair bills.

Acting Vague. If a potential roofing contractor visits your home gives you a quick run through of your damage and avoids your questions while simultaneously asking you to sign on the dotted line, you could be dealing with someone that is not trustworthy or operating a legitimate roofing company.

No Online Presence. Before signing any contracts, do your research. Search online to find the company website, ratings or customer reviews. If you cannot find anything online, the company may not be legitimate. You may also be able to search your city’s list of contractors permitted to work in your city.

Billing for Estimates. Many professional roofing companies provide free estimates to possible customers, while fly-by-night companies charge for them. Some untrustworthy companies may also ask for a down payment even before they give you an estimate! Also, beware of a bait and switch in which they may give you a very low estimate, but hand you a bill for more money after completing repairs.

What Factors Into the Cost of A Roofing Estimate?

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Are you considering replacing the roof of your North Dallas home this coming spring? To find the best company and the best price, you should gather estimates from several roofing companies. You may be surprised, however, to see that after doing your due diligence that these estimates are wildly different in price. What gives?

Several factors go into your roof quote such as:

Project scope. Are you repairing your roof or replacing your roof? If you’re merely fixing or replacing just part of your roof, it will naturally cost less than replacing your entire roof. Some factors to take into consideration about repairing your roof: if the underlayment material is damaged or your shingles are not available – you may need to replace your entire roof.

Not only will your roofing project estimate include the costs of repairing or replacing your roof, it will also include the costs associated with tearing out your old roof, too.

Roof size. A professional roofing company will measure the square footage of your roof and divide by 100 to get a number known as a roofing square to know how much roofing materials to order (roofing materials are sold and priced by the square instead of the square foot).

Materials. While we are talking about materials, the type of shingle you choose factors into your final costs, too. Do you want a 3-tab asphalt shingle or an architectural shingle? Are you thinking about a tile roof or metal roof? These are all critical factors that impact the cost of your roof project. Don’t forget that underlayment material costs, insulation, and fasteners also factor into your estimate.

Pitch. Did you know that the pitch of your roof is also a factor in figuring out the cost of your roofing project? The steeper the angle of your roof, the greater planning and safety steps required to complete your repair or replacement safely and correctly.

A very steep roof also requires additional underlayment material to meet fire rating requirements.

Warranty. Many professional roofing companies offer a standard warranty on workmanship. Materials also often come with a basic warranty to cover defects. Some companies also offer an extended warranty for a fee to continue the amount of time you are covered. Learn more about roofing warranties here.

 

 

Should You Hire a Roofer or General Contractor for Your Roofing Project?

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When thinking about hiring a roofer to replace the roof of your Frisco home, you naturally want to hire someone reliable, someone affordable, and someone professional. But should you hire a roofer or a general contractor? This blog breaks down the benefits of choosing a professional roofing company over a general contractor for your next roofing project.

Why choose a professional roofing company:

  1. Experience. Do you really want a company that specializes in bathroom or kitchen remodeling taking on your roofing project? While a general contractor may be able to build or remodel many things around your home, that does not mean they have the necessary training or expertise to repair or replace your roof. Professional roofing companies specialize in roofs and repair and replace them every single day.
  1. Education. Professional roofing companies have a dynamic and deep understanding of roof construction and roofing code requirements. Understanding these facets of roofing is definitely to your benefit by ensuring that the work that the roofing company you choose does the job solidly and safely.

Contractors without a solid understanding of roofing construction and do not stay informed of ever-changing code requirements may be able to put on shingles, but could lack the knowledge needed about things such as the impact of thoroughly sealing flashing or installing vents correctly. These installation issues can leave you with leaks – and a hefty repair bill.

  1. Certification. Professional roofing companies often go the extra mile to become certified to use specific types of roofing materials. These certifications are given by roofing material manufacturers such as GAF and usually have stringent requirements. Some of these requirements include holding state licenses and maintaining insurance. Having a reputation for quality and demonstrating a commitment to ongoing training is also often a part of these certifications.

If you’re looking for a professional roofing company for your roof repair or replacement, check out these five questions to ask a roofing company before you hire them.

 

 

 

Foundation Problems Can Cause Roof Woes

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Did you know that foundation problems can not only cause problems with your home, they can also cause problems with your roof? It’s true. When the foundation of your home shifts, your roof shifts along with it, which leaves you at risk for costly repairs. Foundation problems are not always apparent to the untrained eye, so it is essential for homeowners to learn how to recognize the signs of foundation problems to minimize or prevent problems with your roof.

What causes foundation problems?

Shifting soils are a common culprit of foundation issues for homes in Plano and other North Texas cities. Other contributors to foundation problems include improperly draining gutters or no gutters on the home. The absence of a sprinkler system or failure to water around the home’s foundation can also contribute to foundation issues.

Signs of Foundation Damage:

  1. Damage to walls. Cracked, buckling, or crumbling interior and exterior walls are good indicators that your home has shifted on its foundation. Look for loose concrete or sheetrock, cracked bricks, and gaps in masonry, too.
  2. Problems with doors and windows. Doors and windows that do not open or close properly are a sign that your home has twisted or moved on its foundation.
  3. Funky floors. If you have buckling boards and broken tiles or unexplained moisture on your floors, you could have a foundation issue (and possibly water leak as a result of your foundation problems) brewing beneath your home.
  4. Sagging or warped ceiling. Sagging and warped ceilings are a sign something is happening in your home. A foundation that has shifted can lead to roof leaks that allow water to leak and pool inside your attic and ceiling. If the leaks and pooling water go untreated, you may end up with significant damage or mold.

If you find these signs of foundation damage in your Plano home, you should fire call a professional foundation company for repair and then contact a professional roofing company for a roof assessment. You will need to have your foundation repairs completed before your roof repair can begin. Completing your foundation repair first is critical because repairing your foundation can cause additional movement in your roof and waiting until after the roof replacement could damage your roof all over again.

 

Is Your Roof Winter Ready? Find out now.

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Are you ready for a cold, wet, and snowy winter? More importantly – is your roof ready? The 2018 Old Farmer’s Almanac says that Dallas, Frisco, and the rest of North Texas is in for a cold and snowy winter. The Almanac, which claimis an 80 percent accuracy rate says that DFW will experience lower than usual temperatures between late November and the end of December and will see a lot of snow between December 2017 and February 2018. Although Texas weather forecasts can change pretty quickly, we want to make sure you and your roof are weather ready this winter.

Clean Out Gutters. The gutters of your house are designed to carry away water runoff from rain, sleet, or melting snow away from your roof and your home. For gutters to efficiently move water, they must be in good working order and free from debris like leaves, dirt, or branches that can block water from draining. If debris is blocking your gutters, the water from this winter’s precipitation cannot flow away and can lead to damage and leaks. Get ready for winter by cleaning your gutters out before snow starts falling.

Look for Leaks. Inspect your attic, walls, and ceiling for signs of leaks like sagging, bulging, stains, mold, or mildew. If you find these signs, you likely have roof damage that is letting water travel inside your home. Scott Exteriors is trained in looking for signs of roof damage both inside and outside of your home and can make the repairs necessary to protect your home this winter.

Insulation Improvements. While you’re looking for leaks in your attic, take a minute to examine your insulation. Insulation that is too thin or in disrepair will allow heat to escape your home.

During the winter, your roof provides your family with protection from the elements. Be sure to contact Scott Exteriors for a roof inspection to make sure your roof is winter weather ready.

Three-Tab or Architectural Shingles: What Should You Choose?

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You’ve picked the roofer, you’ve selected the color, and now you have to choose what type of shingle you want for your new roof for your home. For many years, homebuilders in Carrollton and Plano opted to put three-tab shingles on homes, but in recent years, there has been a switch by builders to using architectural shingles. Many homeowners are also choosing to upgrade to the architectural shingle when given the opportunity when replacing their roof. Learning the difference between the three-tab and the architectural shingle can help you decide choice to make when the time comes.

What is a three-tab shingle?

Three-tab shingles are one-piece asphalt shingles with cutouts along their lower edge to make it look like it is three separate pieces.

What are architectural shingles?

Architectural shingles are one-piece asphalt shingles with no cutouts but feature an extra laminate asphalt layer along their lower edge.

Should I choose the architectural shingle?

While three-tab shingles and architectural shingles seem very similar, some marked differences may interest you:

Improved Appearance. This additional asphalt layer helps to create a multi-dimensional look that can give your roof a better aesthetic, and can even resemble other high-end roofs – without the high price tag of high-end roofing materials.

Long Lasting. Architectural shingles are thicker than three-tab shingles, which gives them increased durability to withstand damage from the sun and other elements. Many brands of architectural shingles can withstand winds up to 80 to 120 miles per hour, while three-tab shingles can only withstand wind speeds of 60 miles per hour.

Longer Warranties. Most three-tab shingles are warrantied for 25 years, while coverage for architectural shingles is between 40 to 50 years on average.

Cost Concerns. Architectural shingles are more expensive than three-tab shingles, but cheaper is not always better. You may find that the durability of the architectural shingles means a long-lasting roof and cost you less over the life of your roof compared to three-tab shingles.

Do you have questions about what type of shingle would work best for you? Contact a DFW roofing expert today.

Keep Your Cool with a Cool Roof

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A roof can protect your home from the elements, such as the sun, wind, and rain, but do you know the right roof can also keep you cool? A particular kind of roof, known as a cool roof, is designed to keep you cool by reflecting more sunlight and absorbing less heat than a regular roof. Cool roofs are of great benefit to residents of Dallas, Plano, and other North Texas cities, where temperatures regularly climb into the triple-digits during the summer and stay warm well into fall.

How They Work: Cool roof components are made of lighter-colored, highly reflective materials, like tiles, shingles, paint, or overlay. These materials reflect the rays of the sun away from your roof, keeping your home up to 50 degrees cooler than a standard roof.

The Benefits:

  • Since the reflective materials of your cool roof direct the sun’s rays away from your home, this means that your air conditioner does not have to work as hard to cool your home.
  • An additional benefit is significant energy savings for you and your community. Not only will you see lower electricity bills, but choosing a cool roof also means that you can help reduce the higher demand for electricity in your area.
  • Deflecting the damaging rays of the sun can mean an extended lifespan for your roof because the sun’s wear on your shingles and other roofing components is reduced. Reduced wear means you may get more years out of your cool roof than a standard roof.
  • Cool roofs can also benefit other areas of your home that are not air-conditioned, like your garage, screened-in patio, or covered porch.
  • Cool roofs provide more significant environmental benefits for your community by reducing local air temperatures.

Are you interested in a cool roof? Contact a DFW roofing expert today!

What to Do When A Roof Leak Strikes in Your North Dallas Home?

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When you think of serious problems that can arise while owning a home in Plano, you may think about things like burst pipes, shifting foundations, or broken appliances. Do you think about roof leaks? Would you know what to do to handle a roof leak if one suddenly developed or came about as a result of storm damage? Find out how you can minimize damage to your home caused by a roof leak with tips in this blog.

First: Call the Professionals

At the first sign of a roof leak, call in a quality, professional roofing company like Scott Exteriors for inspection and repairs. In many situations, your roofing company can get to you quickly, but while you wait for them to arrive, you can take a few steps to mitigate damage to your home.

Second: Protect Your Interior

In many situations, a roof leak will show up as a pool of water in your ceiling as it seeks out the lowest point of your home. If allowed to continue to sag, the pooling water can burst and flood your house. If you notice your ceiling sagging or signs of water pooling, you can minimize damage by moving your belongings from beneath the area. Once you relocate your items to safety, you can poke a small hole in the middle of the bulge and use a bucket to collect the water as it drains.

Third: Find the Source

Sometimes the source of your roof leak may be visible – like you had damage from a recent storm. In other cases, the source of the leak may not be so obvious. If you can spot the damage, you may be able to cover the spot with plywood to keep water out or a tarp from the outside. This kind of repair requires going on to your roof and securing the tarp or plywood. Tarps and plywood are only temporary fixes for a serious problem, and a professional roofing company like Scott Exteriors should be called in to complete repairs.

If you cannot safely cover the damaged exterior or the source of the leak from the outside, you can try to stop the leak from the inside by plugging the area with roofing cement or roofing tape. You can purchase these at many local hardware stores. Again,  this is a very temporary fix for a serious problem and should not be used as a long-term fix.

Fourth: Turn It Over to the Pros

Roof leaks require professional fixes. Scott Exteriors can quickly assess your roof leak situation and provide high-quality workmanship to fix your roof and prevent further damage to your home.

Four Tips to Pick the Perfect Shingle Color for Your New Roof

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Once you’ve selected a professional roofing company, the next step to getting a new roof for your Frisco home is selecting a shingle color. Choosing a new color for your new roof can be exciting, but can also be a little scary because it is such a large and permanent part of your home. To select the right shingle color that you love and can live with, we suggest considering these four factors:

  1. Architectural Style. The style of your home plays a huge part in selecting the right shingle. If your home is a classic style like a ranch or Tudor home, you would likely want to choose a traditional color like various shades of gray, blue, and dark red. If you have a historical home, you would want to select a color that matches the home’s architectural period. More modern homes may look better with brighter colors.
  2. Color Coordination. When choosing the right shingle color for your home, you also want to take into consideration how it complements your masonry, stucco, trim color, shutters, and siding. To preserve the aesthetic look of your property, select colors that look good with these features.
  3. Climate. Climate and weather is a big one for homeowners in Frisco and other parts of North Texas because of our hot summers. Selecting a shingle color that is too dark can increase the temperature in your attic – and increase the cost of cooling your home. Choosing a shingle that is lighter in color can help keep temperatures down in your home.
  4. Your Neighborhood Association. Many homeowners in Frisco and Dallas live in homeowner’s associations, which have rules regarding the color of your shingles. Homeowner’s associations also often require a change request and shingle color sample before they will approve your project. Scott Exteriors frequently works with residents living in HOAs and can help direct you regarding color selection. It is much easier to select a shingle color from an approved color list than it is to replace your new roof if you choose something that does not fit into your HOA’s guidelines.

Are you looking for the perfect shingle color for your roof? Contact Scott Exteriors today.