Question & Answers For Your Project
Q: How often should I replace my roof?
A: Generally, this depends on the type of roof you have. if you have a shake, you should replace your roof when the shakes start to crumble. (You will know that they’re crumbling and falling apart because parts of them will start falling off during storms.) If you have composition shingles, you should replace it when you start seeing black patches or a lot of curling at the edges.
Q: How will I know if my roof needs to be replaced?
A: If you notice parts are falling off, curling, or if you see bare spots, it is definitely time to call a professional and see if your roof needs to be replaced. And, if you notice leaking, it is probably time to replace or repair your roof and call a Milwaukee roofing specialist.
Q: Should I fix my roof myself?
A: Due to the heights and angles that repair involves, it is usually not a good idea to try and fix it yourself. Professionals have the proper equipment and they know how to safely handle themselves at various heights. Someone who doesn’t know how dangerous it can be is much more likely to fall off a ladder, fall off a roof, or even fall through a roof.
Q: What type of roof should I put on my house?
A: There are many factors that go into this decision. What type of climate do you live in? What style do you prefer? One of the most important, what is your budget? All questions we can help walk you through.
Q: How much does a new roof cost?
A: How much it will cost varies depending on size, materials, labor rates, where the home is, contractor fees, time of year, and much more. To get a fair idea of how much it will cost, get a few estimates from good contractors in your area. If one of the contractor’s bid seems unusually low, you should question the quality of work that you would receive from them.
Q: What do you do if you find water damaged plywood in old roofing?
A: If we find damaged plywood or other damaged material, we notify the homeowner. We can removed damaged plywood for an additional fee.
Q: How long does it take to have it installed?
A: How long it takes to install depends on the size, the pitch and how many layers of old roofing need to be removed. In general, it takes between two days and two weeks for replacement.
Q: How quickly can you start and complete a job?
A: How soon we can start and finish a job depends on our workload and the weather. We tend to be busier during wet seasons (when people find leaks and need us the most). No matter how busy we are, however, we promptly return phone calls and inquiries.
Q: What are the different parts of a roof called?
A: The different parts are:
Ridge: The highest point.
Flashing: The pieces of metal used to prevent water seepage around intersections.
Underlayment: The heavy felt paper placed under the material for extra protection from moisture.
Sheathing: The panels that cover the rafters. Materials (such as shingles) are attached to the sheathing (also called decking).
Rafters: The beams that run from the top to the bottom.
Roof truss: The framework.
Fascia: The trim used to cover rafter ends.
Downspout: The pipe that carries rainwater to the ground.
Soffit: The finished underside on eaves.
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Q: How can I tell if we need more attic insulation?
A: First, find a safe way to get into your attic. Then, look around. If you can see your ceiling joists, you need insulation. You can also check the thickness of your insulation with a tape measure by place the tape against the top side of the ceiling and measuring to the top of the insulation.
Universal building code is R-19, which is 6.5 to 8.2 inches of insulation. This average thickness will vary depending on the insulation manufacturer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has Wisconsin as Zone 6, recommends R-49 to R-60, which is between 16.5” to 22.75” thick.
If your insulation is less than that, you should consider having insulation installed because under-insulated homes pay higher heating and cooling bills year round. In fact, the average home will save 20% on their heating and cooling bills just by properly insulating the attic.
Q: Why is venting so important?
A: Proper venting is important because it helps homes eliminate damaging heat and moisture year round. Heat in improperly ventilated attics can cause temperatures to exceed 150 degrees, which can cause damage to shingles, sheathing and possibly radiate into living areas. Moisture causes rot, mold/mildew, paint blisters and renders insulation to be ineffective. Proper ventilation reduces energy bills, winter ice build-up and eliminates mold/mildew.
Having proper venting in your attic is good because it helps extend the life of your home’s shingles, insulation, and other building components, and reduces the likelihood of mold/mildew issues.
