Tag Archives: damage

To Repair or Replace? That Is the Question

Over the years, have you noticed a water spot or two on your roof or your roof maybe leaked once during a terrible rainstorm? You’re not unlike many people. Things happen to the best of roofs, even though most modern roofs are designed to last you 30 years or more. If you haven’t had your roof inspected and you see more and more spots, leaks or other signs of damage, it may be time to call in a professional. But, do you need a roof repair or total roof replacement for your Dallas home?

What Determines if It Is A Repair or Replacement?

  1. The Degree of Damage. Is a small section damaged or is it a large percentage of your roof? If the damage to your roof is over 50 percent, you are likely going to need a new roof. If the degree of damage is minimal, you could only need a repair. To assess the degree of damage to your roof, you need to call a professional roofer.
  1. Age of Your Roof. If you have a roof that is more than ten years old and has damage, you may be better off replacing it than repairing it. Why? Ten years is just really a lot of time in the Texas sun and other extreme weather conditions such as wind and hail.
  1. What You Can Afford. If you can only afford a repair versus a replacement, you may be able to choose temporary fix while you plan for the full replacement. But, be aware that waiting too long may end up costing you more because of damage to walls, floors, and your foundation, not to mention, heating and cooling costs.

Do you want to find out if you need a repair or replacement? Find out by scheduling a consultation with a professional roofer today.

Four Signs Your Commercial Roof Is Failing

While the roof of your home may give you some obvious clues it is time for replacement, such as curling or loose shingles, sagging and leaks, the signs that your commercial roof is ready for replacement may not be so clear.

Here are four signs it is time to thinking about replacing your commercial roof:

  1. Leaks. If your business roof is leaking, you likely have a big problem on your hands. Roof leaks are a clear sign that your roof system is failing. When a leak begins in one area, it can quickly spread to other parts of your business. Leaks may not always appear as water flowing into your business; they can also show up as stains or spots on your ceiling or walls, too. If you see signs of leaks or water damage, it is time to call a professional.
  2. Flashing Failure. When commercial roof flashing – the strip of metal used to stop water from seeping into the area of a roof where it meets another component – fails, becomes damaged, or starts to rust, you are at risk of serious damage from wind and water.
  3. Separating Seams. The seams of your roof age along with the rest of your roofing components, leaving weak spots and holes around the edges of your roof. Over time, water can penetrate these seams and travel down the walls of your business leading to costly damage to walls and flooring.
  4. Tar Troubles. As your commercial roof ages, the tar on it shrinks – especially in the heat of North Texas. As it shrinks, it pulls away from the edges and other roofing components, leaving you at risk of leaks. Tar can also blister and bubble in the hot Texas sun, adding the further risk of damage and problems.

If your business is experiencing any of these signs, you should schedule an inspection with a professional roofing company for an assessment to determine if it is time to replace or repair.

 

A New Year, A New Roof

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.

The Problem with Power Washing

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.