Tear Off vs Re-cover

Q: “I have just one layer of roofing on my house. Can I add another layer?

A: Technically, Yes. Realistically, No.

The UBC (Uniform Building Code) allows for two layers of roofing on your home. However, just because you can re-cover doesn’t make it a good idea. There are simply too many good reasons to remove your old roofing.

The first reason is money. For a qualified contractor with the proper equipment, the cost to the consumer for removal and disposal of your existing roofing material is a small part of the overall cost. Often as little as 10% of your total bid.

Second, If the contractor does not have the opportunity to properly inspect the substrate, there could be small areas of wet deck, either from condensation between the roof & deck or from passive leaks. These areas will continue to deteriorate and compromise your new roof system.

A third reason is warranty. Material manufacturers severely limit their warranties for the lifespan and wind up lift when their products are installed over an existing roof.

The fourth reason is peace of mind. As contractors, we strive to meet our customers needs and requests. A quality contractor will properly explain the facts to the customer so that they may make an informed and correct decision about their project.

For questions, or to meet with a qualified contractor contact us today.

Filed under: Roofing, Services, bellingham roofing, reroof, Roofing, washington roofer

Need a New Roof? Think Metal Roofing.

Metal roofing is not just for commercial use. Metal roofs come in many roofing profiles that mimic cedar shake, asphalt, and can even mimic a natural slate roof, hence the reason for the huge growth in popularity for this type of roofing system.  Along with adding curb appeal to your home, metal roofing materials have many ecological benefits as well.

-Sustainability

Metal roofing is unaffected by the hot-cold/wet-dry weather cycles that break down other materials. No other roofing material has greater ability to withstand a wider range of weather conditions including windstorms, hail, ice and snow. This durability can virtually eliminate the need to use future raw materials to produce roofing.

-Low weight

Metal’s low weight and high strength present an ideal way to cover and encapsulate existing asbestos roofing shingles rather than create a health risk as a result of removing the asbestos and putting it in a landfill.

-Product Safety

Metal roofing and the finishes used on it are inert, safe materials that do not pose a health risk. Furthermore, metal roofing is noncombustible, which provides additional fire protection for homes.

-Recyclability

While metal roofing is known for its extremely long life, it does have the added benefit of being 100% recyclable if it is ever removed in the future, perhaps as part of a building renovation. The steel, aluminum, and copper used in metal roofing can be recycled in their entirety—even becoming, potentially, another metal roof.

-Recycled Content

Most metal roofs have recycled content ranging from 25% to 95%. This is in stark contrast to conventional roofing shingles, which have much shorter lives and use oil-based products as their primary raw material.

-Energy Efficiency

Pre-painted metal roofing can display solar reflectance of at least 65% and thermal emittance of 80%. This can have a tremendous impact on energy usage by reducing air conditioning costs and the smog and pollution that are created by the production of that energy. Many available metal roofs are being documented to meet Energy Star requirements.

For more information on metal roofing and other roofing products contact the Bellingham roofing specialists at Rainshield Roofing and Construction Inc.

Filed under: Roofing

Is Ventilation Really That Important?

Yes, really.

Vented Attic Diagram, from BuildingScience.com

Two of the biggest problems we encounter, deck movement and deterioration, are commonly the results of poor ventilation. In the summer, too much heat builds up due to a poorly-ventilated “flat-ceiling” attic, and causes the shingles and/or deck to deteriorate prematurely. In the winter, deck-related problems are often due to condensation forming on the deck underside, which is also a result of poor ventilation. It’s important to understand that shingles failing before their time – due to inadequate ventilation – will not be protected by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Standard Attics: Ventilation can be very beneficial for roofs over standard attics, especially for those that can be ventilated at both the peak and the soffit. Just last month, Rick Smith, one of our team, was called to the home of Joel F. in Anacortes, WA. It appeared that most of the soffit material (OSB) had gotten a lot of moisture, and had started flaking apart. More often than not, it’s the result of the original contractor doing a poor installation job and installing it wet to begin with. In most cases, poor ventilation doesn’t help, either.

Cathedral Ceilings: Over cathedral ceilings, however, ventilation is more difficult to achieve and heat and condensation problems may occur. Research studying south-facing decks over cathedral-type ceilings has shown that the deck area near the peak does not benefit greatly from ventilation. This area of the roof tends to stay just as hot as an unventilated roof. In general, a roof over a cathedral ceiling will always be hotter than a roof over a ventilated standard attic. To counteract that challenge, vapor retarders, such as plastic foam insulation and aluminum-faced ceiling panels, may be useful.

In short, provide adequate ventilation, especially if you want an unreduced warranty.

Read more about it at: Moisture Problems Attic Ventilation. Then give us a call to see where your attic stands.

Filed under: Decking/Railing, Roofing, Services, attic, deck, moisture, ventilation

How To Clean A Composition Roof

Before we even begin, a word of caution:

If you want to clean and service the roof yourself, we can’t stress this enough: Be aware of the dangers of climbing on your roof, as roof maintenance and cleaning should always be performed by a competent person and done in a safe manner. Care must be taken to avoid falling accidents. Rainshield Inc. is to be held harmless of any homeowner accessing the roof deck, and the physical damages to homeowner and/or roof that may be associated from this advice.  However, if you prefer Rainshield Inc. to clean and service your roof, please call us when service is needed and we can quote you our current Service Call rates.

Over the years, we’ve compared DIY tips and word-of-mouth cleaning tips against our own service practices, and have found the list below to be a good recommendation on the best materials and techniques to use if you elect to clean a composition roof yourself.

Tips and Tricks:

Use a soft bristle broom to remove all the leaf and pine needle litter.

Use a garden hose to wash off debris, spraying down the slope.

If you have removed the debris and still see signs of Algae (brown or black discoloration), this is the recommended solution:

• Mix a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach, 3 parts water and a pinch pf Trisodium Phosphate. (TSP)
• Apply this solution gently to the surface of the roofing, being careful to avoid damage to other parts of the building and it’s surroundings.
• Avoid scrubbing as well as other physical contact with the roof because the friction may loosen and remove granules that coat the surface of asphalt shingles. Work with a ladder whenever possible, or use “walkboards.”
• Finally, rinse the bleach solution from the roof by gently spraying the surface with water.

Observe all possible safety precautions when working on or near the roof. Besides giving special attention to ladder safety, be advised that the solution application and rinsing process makes the surface of the roof slippery and therefore hazardous to walk on. Also, if you accidentally splash any plants, rinse them thoroughly.

CAUTION: High-pressure washing systems can result in removing granules and shortening the life of the roofing system.

Filed under: Roofing, Services, cleaning, repair, roof, Roofing, warranty

How To Protect And Maintain A Composition Roof

For our customers, it’s necessary for them to perform cleaning and maintenance to their composition roof twice per year to maintain the Rainshield Inc. Lifetime Warranty. Undoubtedly in the Pacific Northwest, the best times to even attempt this are Fall and Spring.

It’s necessary to maintain and clean your roof to maintain warranties. If you bought your composition roof from Rainshield Inc. and see any workmanship issues or concerns, it’s required that you call us, but you aren’t required to have us conduct your scheduled maintenance. However, if you prefer Rainshield Inc. to clean and service your roof, please call us when service is needed and we can quote you our current Service Call rates.

If you want to clean and service the roof yourself, we can’t stress this enough: Be aware of the dangers of climbing on your roof, as roof maintenance and cleaning should always be performed by a competent person and done in a safe manner. Care must be taken to avoid falling accidents. Rainshield Inc. is to be held harmless of any homeowner accessing the roof deck, and the physical damages to homeowner and/or roof that may be associated from this advice.

With that little caveat out of the way, here’s a list of the basic things you need to do to protect your investment:

1. Avoid unnecessary foot traffic.
2. If you allow servicemen to go onto the roof, advise them to be careful. Dropped tools, heavy equipment, etc. can damage the roof. Contact us to log all such trips.
3. Do not allow service personnel to make cuts or penetrations into the roof. These are to be made only by Rainshield Inc., otherwise your warranty will be void.
4. These are the basic maintenence tasks to be performed:
   1. Clear roof of all debris (Example: branches, pine needles, baseballs, rocks, leaves).  Debris tends to retard the shedding of water. Never allow tree branches to touch or rub against the surface of the roof. The mechanical action of this rubbing can literally wear grooves into the surface of the roof or can loosen the fasteners that hold them.
   2. Clean out keyways around chimneys and valleys.
   3. Clean out drains, downspouts and surrounding areas to promote proper drainage.
   4. Examine all metal flashings for weather damage. Make certain they are well attached and sealed. Any damaged or loose materials must be repaired by us.
   5. Clean out your dryer vent on a regular basis, paying close attention to where to dryer vent exits.
5. Call us with any areas of concern. Know, however, that a service call will be charged if we come out, inspect the roof, and find that everything is in working order, and no defects in workmanship are present.

We know, with just the minimal amount of attention, you’ll be enjoying the investment of a composition roof for years to come.  For those of you about to climb the ladder, we do have some helpful tips on Cleaning Your Composition Roof.

Filed under: Roofing, cleaning, contractor, homeowner, maintenance, repair, roof, warranty

12 Reasons to Choose Metal Roofing

Metal Roof

We’ve been posting a lot lately about roofing, and for good reason.  This is the time of the year, after all of the winter weather, homeowners realize there’s a problem with their roof.  Since we’ve been talking so much about it,  inevitably there was question on why we install metal roofs.  We also offer services installing wood, shake, composite, flat tile and slate; metal, however is fast becoming a favorite across the Northwest, and here’s why:

1. Metal roofing has grown in popularity due to its flexibility, visual appeal, color, value and performance.
2. Metal roofing offers low life-cycle costs and durability.
3. Metal roofing will not rot, crack, split, warp, creep, curl, chip, peel or erode.
4. Metal roofing lets you say good-bye to peeling and tattered asphalt shingles, broken tiles, and waterlogged wood shakes.
5. Metal roofing has superior snow, water and airborne debris shedding capabilities.
6. Metal roofing is light weight and offers structural savings for both new and re-roof applications.
7. Metal roofing can be installed over existing roofing (disposal of existing roofing can be difficult and costly).
8. Metal roofing is non-combustible: metal will not burn and virtually no maintenance is required.
9. Metal roofing is ecologically sound; you save frequent and costly re-roofing.
10. Integrated roof venting systems eliminates the need for unsightly vent hoods.
11. Metal roofing can be UL90-rated and stand up to gale force winds, the industry’s highest standard.
12. Metal roofing offers the designer look along with function, beauty and long-term economy.

We proudly install Nu-Ray metal products. Look at their entire line of products at  http://www.nuraymetals.com/

Know of more reasons?  Let us know in the comments?

Filed under: Roofing, Services

13 Things To Know Before Your Roofing Job

So, you checked that big item off of your to-do list.  You hunted for a roofer, you booked the right guys, and hung up the phone.  All done?  Not quite.

After over 25 years in the business, our experience has shown that no roofing job should be painful; in fact, it’s a great experience… if it’s prepared correctly.  Here’s what we tell our happy clients to prepare for and take care of before any roofing project, and it’s a checklist you can use wherever you are.

1. First, remove any items hanging on walls or ceilings. If it looks loose, take it down!  This includes pictures, books, objects on walls, shelves, furniture, delicate objects, etc. Remember: when reconstructing the roof of your home, and there will be noise and vibrations.
2. If your attic is open to the roof, consider covering the area with plastic. Debris may shift through, and there’s no precautions to keep debris out of the attic or clean the attic after installation.
3. Tell your contractor of any special circumstances you may have. Schedule and special requests should be discussed beforehand with the representative the day you call.
4. Clear your driveway of all equipment. Help us work more efficiently, and find a suitable location for debris being ground dropped if necessary.  Also, we’ll need suitable placement for our container.
5. Let your neighbors know your roof will be under repair. If we need access to their property, we will need their permission.
6. Let us know where your fuse box is located, and provide any necessary keys for access. We may need to access your home’s main power supply.
7. All of our foremen are also a Corporate Officer (Partner) of the company. As part owners, they will run a clean, smooth, worry-free job for you. They’ll provide their cell phone numbers for you to call for any reason.
8. We will be as careful as possible. On any project, we cannot be responsible for cracks to pavement or the possible dust or damage due to construction unless there is obvious negligence on the part of Rainshield.
9. All loose roofing material are secured at night to prevent them from blowing off. No exceptions.
10. There will be considerable dust and dirt during the re-roofing.  Please make sure your windows and doors remain closed during the project.
11. If you have pets in the yard, secure them away from the roof edge and work area to insure your pets’ safety. We’ll also need access to the back yard at the end of the day to clean any roofing debris.
12. During the project, no cars should be in, or near, the building. To protect your property, we hold that if there are any cars in the area, we will be unable to do the roofing.
13. Upon completion of the work, check your hot water heater vent, heater vent and/or gas vent. If they have been disconnected, please advise us and we will re-connect them.

Filed under: Roofing, Services, contractor, home, prep, prepare, repair, Roofing, todo

Tax Tips From Your Favorite Home Improvers

Tax time is almost upon us, and while you sharpen your pencils for 2009, there’s something to keep in mind for this year as well. According to one of our manufacturers, CertainTeed, getting your home energy efficient still pays off when doing your 2010 taxes:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act entitles you to an energy tax credit of up to $1,500 on energy-efficient building materials like insulation and roofing. You can take the energy tax credit in 2009 and/or 2010 and you’ll save money for years to come! According to the ENERGY STAR® program, installing adequate insulation or adding a solar reflective roof can save you money on utility bills. And you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint by using less oil, gas and electricity.

CertainTeed is proud to be part of the Rainshield success story, and we can help get your home energy efficient… and pay for itself.  Contact us for an estimate.

Filed under: Roofing, Services, Siding, Windows and Doors, credit, energy, tax

How Much Does A Roof Really Cost?

After these last strong winds in the Pacific Northwest, we’re getting a lot of calls for our roofing services and products (naturally).  On the flip side, there’s customers that have found out the hard way the difference between quality work and materials… and not so great.  One of our favorite articles at Building.com sums up the problem quite well:

Unlike installation costs, which have the precision and immediacy of a payable invoice, LCC estimates include future considerations like longevity, maintenance and repair, and potential savings from energy efficiency. LCC estimates are inherently less precise, but they are a useful guide to value over time.

Read more about it at their site, and we can give you a better idea of your particular Life Cycle Costs at our site.  Click here for an estimate: rainshield.net.

Filed under: Roofing, estimate, lcc, roof