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How do I know if I need a new roof?
The following are things that may indicate that your roof needs replacing:
What is the right price for a new roof?
The answer to this question depends on many factors. For a commitment-free quote, please contact our Sales Department.
What can I do about mildew on my roof?
Most home improvement stores sell a mildew cleaner that can be applied to your roof with a sprayer. Mildew cleaners shouldn't damage your roof in any way.
Can heavy snow damage my roof?
Yes! It is important to keep heavy snow off your eavesdrops and cleared out of your ridge vents.
What is Pioneer Roofers?
When you need a new roof, Pioneer Roofers is there, working to simplify the process. Whether looking for information about roofing materials or searching for a reliable contractor, we take the hassle out of your roofing experience. From new construction to re-roofing or repair, no roofing job is too big or difficult for Pioneer Roofers (pioneerroofers.net). Our contractors are certified and experienced, utilizing a full line of roofing materials. All the information you need is just a mouse click away.
How long does it take to replace a roof?
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 will slow the process considerably.
For built-up roofs, removing and replacing the roof will probably proceed at a rate of approximately 1,500 square feet per day. For single-ply roofs, the rate is closer to 2,000 to 4,000 square feet per day. Careful planning and close project management can reduce some of the delays caused by bad weather.
Can I replace missing and damaged tiles or shingles without calling a roofing contractor?
It is always recommended that you use a professional, but in case of an emergency, it is possible for you to replace the shingle or broken tile yourself.
What is an ice dam?
Ice dams occur when snow melts near the ridgelines of warm roofs (roofs without adequate ventilation). As the water runs down the roof to the overhang, it cools and freezes. If the snow continues this melt and freeze process, an ice dam can form that can seep under the shingles, through the decking and into the house. This, of course, can cause serious roof leaks--even in freezing temperatures.
The best prevention to ice dams is a well-ventilated (cool) roof. Additional protection for your roof can be applied with an impermeable ice and water membrane. The membrane is installed on top of the decking, under the roofing material.
Temporary prevention of ice dams can also be done through the use of electric cables along the eaves of the roof (where the dams usually form). However, new ice dams can form above the cables and still cause extensive damage. Another emergency solution to ice dams is to fill a sock or nylon with calcium chloride. Lay the stocking vertically across the ice dam. The calcium chloride will melt the ice and release the water so that it can drain outside, and not inside your roof.
Do Zinc/Copper Strips work?
Short answer…. No. Zinc is a fungicide, and does kill algae which can reduce moss growth. However, you are relying on rain to wash over the strip carrying zinc oxide from the strip down the roof. Experience has shown that the effectiveness of the strip is 3-4 feet down from where the strip is installed (Typically at the peak of the roof). Experience also tells us that the strips wear out after a couple of years.
Other drawbacks are that when they are on the roof they are noticeable, and they have a tendency to break and flop around on the roof.
Copper wire is less effective based on the size of the wire typically used. However, many asphalt roofing shingles have Copper Granules embedded in them. These have proven to be effective in the prevention of Algae Staining for periods of 10-15 years. These work because they are evenly spread throughout the roof providing constant and consistent protection
How long does it take to do a roof?
This question is largely determined by the contractor. If the contractor is professional, and organized the project will be swift. (1-2 days on overage)
This will be due to the contractor having highly trained crews. The contractor will assign the appropriate team for your property. They will show up when they say, and stay until the job is complete, and not leave your home partially complete to finish other jobs
How do I clean my roof?
Note: The methods described below only work if maintenance is frequent. If debris is left on the roof in a moist and shaded area more extreme cleaning measures will be necessary. All of which will shorten the life of your roof, and can cause leaks.
Debris Removal- Debris should be removed with a leaf blower, or water from a garden hose. Leaf blowers work best when debris is dry. If the volume is too great combine the use of light brooming, and water from a garden hose. DO NOT PRESSURE WASH!
Moss Removal- The length of time that the moss has been on the roof, and the type of roof it is on will determine the method for removal.
If the moss is recent and light use of a moss killer may be required. (There are many types, both chemical and organic) However you may be able to lightly broom the moss off of the roof.
If the moss has embedded itself beyond the point of a simple broom job then a Moss Killing product will be necessary. These products typically work very quickly (Within 1 day) Apply the product according to manufacturer's recommendations, wait for the moss to discolor and die, then remove with non abrasive broom.
Note: If roof has been neglected moss can take roof granules with it. This will cause your shingles to fail rapidly. If this is the case it is recommended to contact a professional immediately.
Algae Stain Removal- There are a multitude of Algae Removal products out there. The two predominant versions are either Bleach based, or Biodegradable. The bleach based products will perform faster, as the biodegradable may take more applications. (Call for list of products)
Either way the application is similar. Mix in a garden sprayer. Spray area affected, and rinse after a short period of time.
If in the spring and fall you are able to clean debris off of your roof, and treat the roof with a liquid algae cleaner moss should not be an issue for you, and your roof will look bright and new!
How much more is metal?
Depending on if you are removing your existing roof, and what it is you are removing metal roofing can be as much as double the cost of a mid grade asphalt composite. The reason for this is that the materials themselves are typically about twice as much, and the installation of a metal roof can be 3-4 times longer than asphalt composite.
Roofing in the Winter?
The answer to the question is yes. However, it is crucial as to who you invite to perform the work on your Charlotte home.
Your most important decision in any roofing contracting job is who you hire no matter what time of year it is.
The right contractor will design the job correctly, they will specify the correct materials, they will have the appropriately trained personnel assigned to the job, and they will do so with the weather in mind.
Most standard jobs take 1-2 days to complete. If the contractor is adequately staffed with trained personnel the window of time that a roof is vulnerable to weather can be reduced to a few hours depending on the job.
For example, if the roof is an asphalt composite removal and installation, and the roof is installed on plywood a company like ours may only need a few hours of good weather to assure it is weatherproof.
With that in mind it does depend on your situation. If you are considering re roofing, and would like some more information please call us. We will try to assist you in any way that we can!
Tear off Vs. Roof Over?
It is allowed to install a roof over the top of an existing roof. By doing so the current owner of the building can save some money on the roofing project. However, Roofing over another roof does not provide the same quality of roof, or offer the same level of security that a roof system installed when a complete removal was performed.
This is where people say, "Building code, and manufacturers allow it. It must be all right."
Let's look how the code officials, and manufacturers look at roof over jobs.
When installing asphalt composite shingles most Building Codes allow for up to 2 layers of asphalt roofing on a structure. The code has nothing to do with shingle performance. It is written in regards to structure performance, and how much weight it can handle.
Manufacturers also prohibit roofing over an old roof. However if you read the fine print of any roofing manufacturer's warranty you will find verbiage in their warranty exclusions that say "We will not warrant product failure if roof is installed over a substrate that is not smooth, flat, and clean." This means that if anything under the roof causes the roof on top to fail, there is no warranty.
Other concerns about roofing over the top of a roof system are:
Should I pressure wash my asphalt composite roof?
Simply put the answer is NO.
Asphalt shingles, unlike wood shakes are manufactured with components that create a roof system.
An asphalt composite shingle starts out as a woven fiberglass sheet nearly 1/8" thick. The fiberglass is saturated on both sides with asphalt. The top layer of asphalt, while still molten is embedded with Ceramic Granules.
Granules have 2 functions:
1. To give the shingle it's color.
2. To protect the asphalt from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
Along with the granules, Asphalt is the waterproof component of the shingle, and the Fiberglass is the chassis that holds the shingle together.
Asphalt is a very volatile product (meaning that it is easily affected by heat causing change in viscosity and increasing expansion and contraction) and when granules are missing and there is more UV exposure the asphalt gets dried out and causes roof failure.
Pressure washing a roof when done improperly minimally removes granules that are so important to the longevity of your roof. Because asphalt composite is a thin product that can be easily torn it is not too difficult to cut the shingles with the pressure wand.
Many pressure washers will assure you that they are experienced and will not cause damage. They may be right, but how can they guarantee it?
The adhesion of granules reduces as the roof ages. The challenge for a pressure washer is how to gauge their pressure. The problem for you is HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF THEY ARE DOING IT RIGHT?
It is difficult to know. The big question is, why pressure wash anyway? The only reason is that it is a quick fix. Quick fixes typically come with a bill to pay later.
Maybe it would be better to examine where moss comes from, and what can be done from a preventative standpoint to keep your roof healthy and looking clean.
Annual Roofing Cost = Total Cost (Materials & Labor)
Life Expectancy of Roof System (in years)