When you’re an expert in any industry, it’s as if you have been given the curse of noticing things. In the roofing industry, that means that you can tell when a roof in in dire need of some repairs. Identifying a roof problem is sometimes quite easy….

A leaky walk through Whole Foods in Lakewood

This is a reconstruction of how I remember the event...the hole in the roof may not have actually been there.

It rarely rains in Denver, so when it does, I find out all sorts of things about the status of roofing in Denver. Recently, I went into the new Belmar Whole Foods while it was raining. The rain was a mild, consistent drizzle. I entered the store, and stopped dead in my tracks.

Immediately I knew something was wrong: all around me were buckets, rags, and wet floor signs.  This was shocking: the store was less than 2 years old at the time, and already it was leaking at the seams?

If this had been any other store, it would have been an expected occurrence, but for Whole Foods, it was an embarrassment. It didn’t fit their image of high quality products, seamless shopping experience, and flawless management.  Someone had skimped on their metal roofing.

Your company’s roof reflects upon your company.

If you have a leaky roof (often accompanied by stained acoustic ceiling tiles), you should call your property manager right away, and have it taken care of. A bad roof is not just an inconvenience: it’s a warning sign to your customers and clients. A leaky roof announces “This Business is in Disrepair.”

What’s your most shocking leaky roof story?

Were you ever in a business with a bad roof? How did it make you feel? Did you experience horror? Dread? Fear? Uncertainty? Doubt?

Let us recommend roofing products to get started.

Fixing your own roof — if you can — is a great way to save money. We want to make sure that you have the right tools for the job so that when you are on your roof, you’re safe and well-equipped.

Roofing safetly & ladder setup

• Fall Protection Harness Kit (roof harness) - Spending $128 on a roof harness kit may seem excessive, but it’s common sense. Take the right precautions when you are on the roof, and you can save yourself from massive injuries or death. Take safety seriously, or take out a life insurance policy for your family.
• Ladder Stabilizer - When you’re setting up a ladder, it’s rare that you have perfectly level ground. More often than not, trying to set up a ladder requires some amount of effort to get it stable. This system is easy to use, and allows you to set up a ladder even on a very steep slope.
• Ladder-top Stabilizer - This Werner QuickClick ladder-top stabilizer set snaps on to your ladder and is on and off in 5 seconds. Its versatility and sturdiness makes it a must-have for any extension ladder.

Shingle removal

• “The Beast” Roofing Shovel & Shingle Removal Tool - If you’re re-shingling your roof, you’re going to have at least one layer of shingles to take off…and probably more like 3 layers!  You’ll want to make sure you have the right tool to do the job.  The Beast is a great tool for removing shingles:
  

  Never having stripped a roof before, I bought 2 “Beasts” at Amazon and one “Brand X” shingle remover…The difference in the tools was AMAZING. The Beast made the awful, tough job of shingle stripping almost fun. This thing effortlessly EATS shingles and nails like I never imagined a tool could!

  You’ll be glad you have a good tool when you’re on the roof and it’s getting hot.

Shingle installation

• Shingle Cutting Tool -  Cutting shingles by hand is tiring and  can be inaccurate, so instead, easily cut asphalt & fiberglass shingles with this tool. Makes great cuts easily, and has built-in measuring scales and angle guides.
• Roofing Utility Knife Blades - Stock up on these blades for your utility knife: it’ll save you a trip to Home Depot. These blades are designed specifically for roofing. They’re great for cutting shingles, felt paper, Tyvek, and more.
• Shinglers Hammer - You’re going to need a good hammer, and this hammer is a nice vibration-dampening option.
• Milwaukee  Coil Roofing Nailer -The king of roofing nailers. Perfect balance in your hand, solid construction, NO jams, consistent depth, and an easy nail loading mechanism. Includes details like a rubber grip that will stay on a 7/12 pitch. The best roofing nailer out there.

Roofing cleanup

So you’ve finished your home roofing project and you feel the surge of pride in your achievement and are satisfied with yourself. Then, you look down, and realize you’ve got a terrible mess to clean up.

• Pickup/Release Magnet - Walk around with this magnet and it will collect all the loose nails that have fallen from the roof. Once you’ve picked them up, pull a handle, and they will release. This won’t, however, pick up any scrap flashing (copper and aluminum are not magnetic). You’ll have to hire your kids for that!
• Bagster Dumpster Bag - Rather than renting a dumpster or filling up all your garbage cans with shingles, try out a Bagster. It holds 3 cubic yards (606 gallons) of trash, then you pay for removal. Simple, clean, and cost-effective.

Good luck on your roofing project!

Any questions? Leave them below.

If you need help and are in the Denver area, we do shingle roof repair and installation. Give us a call for a free roofing estimate: 303-986-3685.

How do you find a good roofing contractor? A good place to start is by asking for referrals. Ask friends and family, your local Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau or Service Magic. State and local licensing authorities, local trade associations, as well as local suppliers of building products are also excellent sources of information.

Narrow down your search to 3 roofing contractors. 

Pick 3 roofing companies to meet with and get all the basics first: business vitals, experience, references and trade affiliations. Pay close attention to the attitude of the company representative. What’s the company philosophy? How does he or she talk about their application techniques and workmanship guarantees? Good contractors take pride in their work and it will show as they talk about their company.

Make sure the roofer has all the bases covered. 

• Licensing/Bonding: Get business license numbers and information on the company which bonds the contractor.
• Insurance Coverage: A contractor should carry worker’s compensation and general liability insurance. Request a copy of the company’s insurance certificate.
• Get both professional and previous client references. Reputable roofing contractors will provide credit references, banking information and a list of completed projects.
• Warranties: Contractors should offer both a contractor’s warranty (for installation) and manufacturer’s warranties (for materials).
• Building Permits: What’s necessary? Are there local ordinances, costs and posting requirements?
• Find out who the roofing contractor’s suppliers are, as well as any subcontractors they’ll use. Either pay them yourself or get proof they’ve been paid before paying your contractor.

A little well-planned research up front will save you a lot of time and trouble later on. Once you feel confident you have the best contractor, the best products, the best value, simply relax and let your contractor do his job.

Here are some examples - you’ll see what I mean:

• If the TV goes out during a snowstorm, sweeping snow off of a satellite dish seems like a logical decision.
• Playing Santa Claus is a common holiday event that sometimes produces hilarious (hopefully not injurious) results.
• And, of course, sometimes roofs are just a convenient platform for something stupid.

When it comes to roofs, even the best safety equipment is no substitute for common sense and good judgment. Leave steep and/or high roof work to professional roofing contractors. Likewise, stay off slate and tile roofs. They’re way too dangerous if you’re not experienced. The few dollars you might save by doing it yourself aren’t worth the risk of death or a lifelong disability.

Assuming you have a roof that’s not slate, tile, too steep or too high to safely work on . . . and you’re a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, at least take as many precautions as you can.

• Pick a clear, calm, cool time of day to work on roofs. 
  • Wet roofs are slippery. 
  • Wind poses all sorts of danger: avoid windy days.
  • Excessive heat softens the shingles, making them vulnerable to damage.
• Wear shoes with a soft rubber sole for extra traction and keep the bottom of your shoes free of mud and dirt.
• Most importantly, get the right ladder and equipment such as roof brackets and a harness system.

Make sure to read up on proper roof safety protocol. No matter the size of the project, think roof safety before you start any roofing repair or maintenance. Don’t take shortcuts. Get help and don’t be a hero or one who will “fall for anything”.

In Colorado, we prepare for winter. We winterize our cars. We drain and store hoses, blow out sprinkler systems, have our furnaces checked and perhaps caulk or apply weather-stripping around doors and windows.

What about your roof, gutters and downspouts? They’re often overlooked, but shouldn’t be. Some routine preventive maintenance could save you from major repair bills. Fixing a leaky roof, repairing damaged gutters or downspouts and eliminating water build-up from faulty drainage could save you hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars.

No question your winterizing projects should include roof maintenance. You can inspect gutters and downspouts yourself and, if you’re comfortable doing it, the roof too.  Of course, you should only do it safely, wearing solidly fastened shoes having non-skid soles. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, don’t be a hero or try to save a few bucks.  Hire a professional roofing company. The peace of mind is well worth the cost.

Roof maintenance takes place both inside and outside.  Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or hire a roofing professional, here’s what you should be checking:

Outdoor Roof Winterizing

• Trim back overgrown vegetation.
• Inspect / clean / repair loose gutters and downspouts. Wet leaves remaining in the gutters over winter add significant weight to the gutter when frozen and increase the risk of damage.
• Check roof for missing or damaged shingles and have them replaced.
• Apply roofing cement under loose asphalt shingles to secure.
• Check flashing - the metal pieces used to waterproof interruptions in the roof plane, such as pipes, chimneys, skylights, etc. - which are often the source of leaks. Secure flashing to siding or other surface and reapply roofing cement.
• If you get up on the roof to remove snow with a shovel or similar tool, be careful that you don’t damage the roofing materials. NEVER use an ice pick to remove ice build up.
• Yes, heat tape works, but be careful and buy a high quality product. Heat tapes have been known to catch fire and burn down houses. Also be careful about how you install it. You don’t want to poke a bunch of holes in your roof.

Indoor Roof Winterizing

• Check vents and clear any obstructions. If vents are blocked, heat and moisture will build up in your attic causing damage to your roof and support beams.
• You should have one square foot each of intake and exhaust ventilation for every 300 sq. foot of attic space. Have your roofing contractor install additional attic vents, if needed, to prevent ice-buildup.
• Inspect ceiling and dry wall from the baseboards up. If you see or feel moisture or see discolored paint, your roof could have a leak.

One last thought. Actually, I can’t believe I need to say this, but just in case . . . don’t use a snow blower on your roof. Snow blowers are dangerous and can also tear up the roof.

Winterizing projects are routine in Colorado. When winterizing, don’t forget your roof, gutters and downspouts.  Maintenance costs a little bit — major repairs can cost a lot.

This article is not meant to make you an expert on roofing materials or roofing construction. Rather, I just want to give you an overview of choices. Your ultimate decision comes down to evaluating appearance, cost, and practicality.

Let’s take a look at the common roof types.

Asphalt Shingle Roof

The most common home roof is the asphalt shingle roof. Reinforced with organic material, wood fibers or fiberglass, asphalt shingles can last 20 to 30 years. Laminated shingles are also made of asphalt but come in a greater variety of colors and textures that give the appearance of more expensive shake or slate tiles. This choice is the least-expensive roofing option and thus, an excellent value.

Wood Shake Shingle Roof

For looks, it’s hard to beat a wood shingle roof. Most roof shakes are made of treated pine, spruce or more commonly, cedar. Wood shingles are usually cut by machine, giving them a smooth finish and making it easier to install. Initially shakes appear brown or red in color but expect the weather to fade the real wood and leave it a soft gray. Installation costs of wood shingles can run as much as 50% higher than asphalt shingles. They also require some periodic maintenance such as washing to remove any mildew or moss and re-oiling with a clear wood finishing product. A cedar roof should last up to 30 years.
Slate Shingles

Slate is beautiful and lasts an average of 45 to 70 years. Slate sheds ice and snow, but is heavy and harder to install. The slate shingles are easily breakable and slate costs up to 4 times more than other shingle materials. The weight of the slate requires a beefier roof structure which can also add to the cost.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are often made from clay, some of concrete and even rubber. There’s a large variety of colors and styles of tile roofing available today. Clay is more expensive than concrete but the basic performance, durability and look of the tiles is the same. Lasting more than 50 years, this type of tile is very heavy and your roof may need extra support. Installation is labor intensive, which makes a tile roof quite expensive — about three times the cost of a standard shingle job.

Other Options

Steel, aluminum, metal tie and copper are just a few of the metal roofing materials used today. Although primarily used for commercial roofing, metal is also a great choice for a house in snow and agricultural regions. Installed correctly, most metal roofing will last 30 to 50 years, while copper can last up to 100 years.

There are many other manufactured materials, the so-called “fakes”, made from recycled rubber and plastic or even a cement-like shingle manufactured to look like a wood shake. These “engineered” products are usually lighter weight and less expensive than their “real” version and can be installed using standard tools and techniques. The average person can hardly tell the difference and they’re typically guaranteed to last as long as 50 years.

Although this is an imposing list, the decision is often dictated by climate or neighborhood conformity. If everyone in the neighborhood has shake or tile, you’re probably going to follow that norm. Once you’ve selected a material, don’t cut corners. Make sure your builder or roofing contractor pays attention to details like flashing, fastening, and sealing. You may not know about those details but they do and, you can get a sense of how important they consider them.

If you want more details, check out our pros and cons of roofing types.

We’re a professional roofing company and are happy to answer any questions you leave in the comments below.