Frequently Asked Questions
Why do roofs leak?
There are many factors that contribute to a roof leaking and below are some of the most common ones:
Age of your roof: Most of the time the main reason a roof starts to leak is due to how old the roof is. If your roof is between 20 to 30 years old, sometimes even less (depending on the type of shingles), they will start to see tabs missing and nails will start popping up, loosing grid, losing shingles, etc. This is normal wear for the product since it is exposed to the elements. It is important to maintain your roof and take care of any loose shingles or missing tabs you might have right away before the damage becomes greater and more expensive.
Proper installation: The installation of your roof is the most important part of making sure your roof lasts as long as it should without any issues; this is why we always suggest to hire licensed & insured roofing contractors, such as Towers Roofing, who know their field. Installing a roof is not a cheap endeavor, but we can assure you that hiring someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing will cost you much more in the long run.
Pipe boots: These are for the pipes that come through the roof and a lot of times the rubber that hugs the pipe gets cracked, causing the entire pipe hole to be exposed starting with a small but steady leak. This can turn into a really bad leak if not fixed right away.
Step flashing: Making sure all of your step flashing is properly installed is key to ensuring your walls are safe from any water getting in. A lot of times after big storms you will discover your roof is damaged and you will get people telling you they can fix your roof for a cheap price, in our industry we call these guys storm chasers and more often than not, they cut corners and don’t do a proper job.
Proper roof ventilation: This is very important because it helps with how long your roof will last. If the peak has not been properly cut for ventilation then your shingles will collapse a lot sooner. We have seen 5 year old roofs with 3 tab shingles (which is material for sheds, not homes) and very little ridge vent. If your roof is not properly ventilated, it will deteriorate a lot sooner, and it will cause leaks from a weaker product.
What kind of shingles do I have on my roof?
There are many types of shingles, but the most common ones are asphalt shingles and there are 2 types that are very commonly used.
Architectural shingles: Architectural shingles are thicker than 3 tabs and have tabs that vary in width and color to give it a more dimensional look, they cost more but also add more value to your home and last longer than the 3 tab shingle..
3 tab shingles: This type of shingle only has one shingle tab size and shape and is mainly used on sheds, we can’t believe some builders still put them on new homes. 3 tab shingle roofs need to be replaced sooner than architectural shingle roofs. If your roof is 15 to 20 years old, chances are you have a 3 tab roof.
How do I know who to hire?
We know how important it is to establish trust with anyone we come in contact with because we are also homeowners and know first-hand the headaches that come with fixing issues for our own home or family and friends’ properties. Like many people, we have also been burned by contractors who specialize in other fields and that’s a terrible experience. We want to help you avoid that. Here are a few tips on how to know you’re hiring the right person for the job. This is focused on roofing since thats our forte, but this is not limited to just roofing contractors.
Licensed contractors: Hiring a licensed contractor is better than a non-licensed contractor because the state makes sure he or she doesn’t have any warrants for ripping people off. Any reputable contractor will go through the necessary steps to make sure they get licensed to do jobs in your area. Typically licensed contractors are a little bit more expensive but as we mentioned before, you’re paying for the peace of mind that your work will be done right the first time.
Insured contractors: Making sure your contractor has plenty on their liability insurance will ensure that your property is safe from any damage caused by the contractor during the installation. Licensed contractors cannot become licensed without liability insurance, hence the reason why they’re a little bit more expensive, because they have all the adequate paperwork to keep your property safe.
Reviews: Making sure you go to google and see for yourself what past customers are saying about these contractors will also help you verify them.
Website: Checking their work before hiring them is also a great indicator that they’re more than capable to do quality work for you.
Meeting them in person: Make sure you meet them in person and they actually get on your roof to take measurements instead of just driving by and giving you an estimate thats not entirely accurate. Most professionals get on the roof to truly inspect everything before giving you any estimates or proposals.