'I see dead people troubled roofing' 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 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. Keep reading »

Planning on DIY roof repair? 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.

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Start your roofing search in the right places.  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 … Keep reading »

Roofs are dangerous places. In fact, it's easy to understand that falling off a roof is not so uncommon. Why? Because humans, as we know, sometimes do the strangest things. 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 … Keep reading »

Prepare your roof for a Denver winter 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 … Keep reading »

If you're replacing a roof or building a home, you should know there are a lot of choices in roofing materials. That may make your decision tougher, but the good news is that, in the past 10 years phenomenal advances have been made in the roofing industry. Roofs today require less upkeep and last longer. 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 … Keep reading »