The decision to re-roof your home or place of business is not one to be taken lightly. After all, it is not something you do every day, every year, or even every decade and it is the main line of defense against the elements, especially the unpredictable elements here in Colorado. When you properly maintain your roof, you can keep the value of your home up and structural deterioration down, as long as your roofing contractor did their job well. Just as with any contracted service – there are roofing contractors that don’t always do the job that they should.

Knowing the difference between roofing contractors that are honest and roofing “con-artists” can be somewhat difficult at times, but there are a variety of factors that can help weed out the “con-artists” and keep your home in safe hands:

• Beware of Storm Chasers, if the company isn’t local, or if you have never heard of them before – you may want to check with a local contractor first.

• Before going with the lowest bid, check out who is bidding. Do they have credentials? Testimonials? Have they done work with any of your friends or colleagues? Frequently enough, when homeowners go with the lowest bid, the cost ends up rising due to troubles being discovered throughout the process. Construction should never be about the bottom line, it should be about safety, quality and service.

• There are some companies that misrepresent the manufacturer they are affiliated with, what their company’s name is, how long they’ve been in business or their level of experience. A good way to make sure you don’t fall into these traps is to research the company before hiring. Work with people you know and trust!

• Check your contractor’s liability insurance! Roofing, since it involves heights, is an inherently dangerous business. A roofing contractor who is not properly insured–including workman’s comp–could leave you liable for any accidents that occur on your property.

• Beware of down payments of any size before the project begins, or finishing your payment cycle before the job is 100% finished (including debris cleaned up). Contractors that are well established don’t need to collect deposits, and other less established contractors ask for deposits because they don’t have the resources to run their business, rather than using those down payments to purchase the items needed to carry out the project.

• Check with the Better Business Bureau! In 2009, Roofing was the second most researched industry within the BBB and was not in the top 10 in number of complaints, but in 2010 Roofing was third in researched industry and number 10 in complaints. In 2011 Roofing was number one in researched industry and number five in complaints!

• Take certifications, awards and membership of different associations seriously. These have all been created to assist the client in choosing a reputable contractor!

If you haven’t already read our blog post about Senate Bill 12-038 and helping to protect our community from fraud by roofing contractors, we urge you to do so.

At Advanced Roofing Technologies, we want the best for our customers and our community- and that includes protecting from “con-artist” contractors. This is why we are so proud and vocal about being voted northern Colorado’s best roofing contractor and why we collect testimonials from our clients and provide as many references as you would like.

Advanced Roofing Technologies has been a member for the Better Business Bureau for 20 years and has their highest rating of an A+, with zero complaints, which is something that we are very proud of! We are also members of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA). Both the NRCA and the CRA are non-profits that exist to promote ethics and education to the roofing industry. Advanced Roofing is also a member of the Home Builders Association here in Northern Colorado. Advanced Roofing has been voted “Roofing Contractor of the Year” for Northern Colorado for both 2008 and 2009. Because of our commitment to you, our Customer, Versico, a membrane manufacturer, has awarded us their highest awards, both their “Excalibur Contractor” and “The Gold Star” awards. Owens Corning, a shingle manufacturer, has given us their highest award “The Platinum Contractor.” All of these awards allow Advanced Roofing to provide our customers extended material and workmanship warranties back by these national companies.

For more information about who we are and what we do, visit our website About Us page.

As Coloradoans, we are fortunate to have mostly sunny days during the summer with the occasional rainstorm.  However, when it rains, it pours! A homeowner’s main concern is with how extreme weather can damage the home.  Hot sun, strong wind, heavy rain and hail can all be concerns and all can end up costing money.

Hail can cause a significant amount of damage to your home, especially to your roof.  As the summer months continue, you will see more heavy rain and potential hail. Unfortunately, your roof takes the brunt of damage during these storms.

After a hailstorm, you may be unsure if there are damages.  The best way to identify if you have hail damage is if you are missing areas of granules on shingles, gutters or if you have pools filled with granules or dimples and bruises on existing shingles.

Leaks are not the only sign that you have roof damage! Sometimes it may take anywhere from two to three years for hail damage to show.  Be a smart homeowner and be aware of the consequences of ignored hail damage, for example, most insurance companies require the homeowner to file a claim within 180 days of the date of loss or damages.  Take the safe route and ask Advanced Roofing to come to your home and assess potential hail damage immediately following a storm.

As a resident of Colorado, you surely know that the elements here can be harsh; and just hours after damaging wind or hail storms sweep through Colorado, so do the “storm chasers.” “Storm chasers” are essentially storm chasing roofing contractors who prey on local home owners right after disasters and heavy roof damages. These contractors follow severe weather from area to area, completing roofing repairs, collecting insurance claim checks in payment for services which are typically not up to par and then they move on to the next damaged area. Storm chasers not only leave the local guys out in the cold- but they usually leave the area and the homeowner high and dry if their repairs don’t hold up.

Storm chasers are damaging to the local economy, something very important to all of us in here Northern Colorado. They deprive local contractors of business and decrease the number of resources you have when your roof suddenly springs a leak.  By employing local contractors like Advanced Roofing Technologies to complete your repairs, you are helping to employ local workers and you are keeping the money in the local economy- you are also given the peace of mind knowing that your warrantee is good.

On January 11, 2012, in an attempt to clean up the industry, Sen. Lois Tochtrop and Rep. Glenn Vaad introduced the bill SB 12-038: “Concerning Measures to Protect Consumer Who Engage a Roofing Contractor to Perform Roofing Services on Residential Property.”

Basically, the bill requires residential roofing contractors to sign a written contract with customers that detail a variety of elements to prevent fraud by roofing contractors.

Details include:

• The scope of roofing services and materials to be provided
• The approximate dates and costs of the service
• The contractor’s contact information
• Identification of the contractor’s surety and liability coverage insurer
• The contractor’s policy regarding cancellation of the contract and refund of any deposit, including a rescission clause allowing the client to rescind the contract and obtain a full refund of any deposit within 72 hours after entering the contract
• A written statement that if the client plans to use the proceeds of a property or casualty insurance policy to pay for the roofing work, the roofing contractor cannot pay, waive, rebate, or promise to pay, waive, or rebate all or part of any deductible applicable to the claim for payment for roofing work on the covered residential property

On February 29, 2012, the bill was passed by the Senate on the 3^rd reading and will be headed to the House for consideration. We urge everyone in northern Colorado to support SB12-038 and help protect consumers.

Wind Damage and Your Roof

Most of us will never have to deal with having the roof of our home or building ripped off by a tornado. If you’re even so unfortunate as to have your home in the direct path of a twister, it really won’t matter how well your roof was put together: the wind damage will probably be considerable. Tornadoes have a way of tearing up even the best construction.

Fortunately, most of us will never have to deal with that degree of nature’s fury. However, it doesn’t take a tornado to cause wind damage to your roof. Even if you use the best materials, and they are properly installed, heavy winds can cause damage to your roof. Always check your roof after a wind storm, even if you don’t feel the storm was particularly severe.

Some of the types of damage caused by high winds are fairly obvious (after all, if a tree branch knocks a hole in your roof, there will be little doubt you have wind damage). Other types of wind damage are somewhat less obvious, but are still important to have tended to as soon as possible. Some of the more common ways in which your home or building’s roof can experience wind damage include:

• Debris damage. Large debris damage is generally fairly obvious. Even if you don’t see damage to your roof, though, it’s always a good idea to have an expert take a look to make sure. Often, the damage from falling debris occurs underneath the covering layer. Even smaller debris can cause problems if allowed to stay on top of your roof.
• Lost or damaged shingles. Even the best shingles properly installed can be torn off your roof if the storm is severe enough. It’s important to have shingles (or other type of roof covering) replaced as soon as possible. Your roof covering is your first line of defense against the elements, and failing to replace them quickly can lead to water and other types of damage to your roof and home.
• Water damage. While it is less common when you have a higher grade of shingle properly installed, it’s always possible for water to be blown into the cracks between shingles. This can lead to cracking and curling of the shingles. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to tell when this kind of damage has occurred. Your best bet is to have your roof inspected periodically by qualified roofing contractors like Advanced Roofing Technologies.

It’s always important to visually inspect your roof after any significant wind storm. If debris has landed on your roof, have it removed as soon as possible. If you have lost shingles or other roof covering, have them replaced. Additionally, consult an experienced roofing contractor like Advanced Roofing Technologies in your area regarding how often your particular roof should be inspected. Having your roof checked for wind damage periodically can save you major costs down the road, and is part of the regular maintenance all home and building owners should make sure gets done.

What You Want to Know About a Roofing Contractor’s Credentials

You have decided that it is time to replace the roof on your home. This will be a big investment. You want to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth.  Checking your contractor’s credentials will help assure you that you are getting exactly what you are paying for.

Make sure to collect all of the contractor’s information. You want to have the name of the person who offered the bid. You should also have the company’s name, address, telephone, fax and email. Have the contractor sign and date the information provided. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) provides a form that you can use to collect the information that you need.

You will want to find out about the company’s history. How long have they been in business? How many years of roofing experience does the owner/president have? Makes sure you have the company’s state license number. Ask if they are currently involved in any law suites or have filed for bankruptcy in the last ten years.

At any point if the contractor or sales person hesitates to give you any of this information, you should have real concerns about the contractor’s credentials. A contractor like Advanced Roofing Technologies will have this information posted on their website. Still, you want to have everything in writing so you compare the bids that you receive.

References

Ask for at least three references. Try to get references that have a similar roofing job to the one that you need done. If you own a two story Tudor, a reference from a commercial business with a flat roof will not be the best reference. Check with all of the references before making your final decision. This is also a great time to check the contractor’s business association memberships.

Once you have all the information that you can gather, you want to make sure that you have a detailed account of what your money is paying for. Home remodeling and repair can sometimes add additional stress to your life. The last thing you want is for an unexpected expense. If you are receiving financing from a bank, this information can be used for your loan application.

Materials

Don’t cut corners to try to save a little money. Choosing the right materials for the job, may cost a little more up front, but they will save you money over the life of your new roof and when it comes time to sell your home. Makes sure the contractor lists what needs to be replaced and what will remain from your current roof.  Ask why these materials do not need to be replaced.

The Residential Roofing Contractor Qualification Form found at www.ncra.net will list all of the materials needed for your new roof.

You will also want to know who is doing the work on your home. Is all of the work being done by the contractor or will they employ subcontractors to do certain aspects of the roof replacement? Gather information about the subcontractors and check their credentials as well.

Have a complete list of all the warranties that you will receive, including limitations and your responsibilities to maintain the warranties. There may be additional costs such as permit and filing fees. All of this should be included in your final bid.  Compare the information from all the bids that you collect. If there are any discrepancies ask why, even if it is from one bid to another.

Remember that they work for you. Don’t be intimidated. You are writing the check, so you are in charge.

To Vent or not to Vent: Roof Ventilation Made Simple

Depending upon where you live and who you talk to, you are likely to get differing views about the importance of roof ventilation.  Should you consider adding or updating the ventilation system in your roof?  Here are a few things for you to consider.

The first thing you want to check into is local building codes.  Many counties and cities will have minimum guidelines for roof ventilation systems.  Calling a professional roofing contractor like Advanced Roofing Technologies can help you find the local requirements for ventilating your roof.  However there are additional benefits to adding a ventilation system to your roof.

Even though there are multiple views and theories about the importance of a properly installed roof ventilation system, there is one thing that is commonly agreed upon.  In a cold weather climate, it is a good idea to have proper roof ventilation to prevent ice damming.  Ice dams can create potential hazards and costly repairs.

Condensation that creates ice dams is an important consideration for houses in the winter time.  In the summer, roof ventilation can significantly reduce attack temperatures.  There is a debate whether this reduced temperature will reduce the temperature of the roof.  Position, direct sunlight and roof color may have a greater affect than attack temperature on roof temperature.

Another consideration is the affect that a proper ventilation system will have on your heating and cooling bills.  Unfortunately there is not a hard and fast rule concerning the direct affect roof ventilation has on utility bills.  Consult the professionals at Advanced Roofing Technologies to get a better understanding of the cost, savings and benefits of installing or updating the ventilation system in your home.

What System is Right for You?

If you have decided that adding or updating a ventilation system in your roof, the next step is to decide what system will work best for your home.  Weather, building codes and utility costs will all play a part in this final decision.  Let’s take a look at some of the options that are available.

Passive ventilation systems are one option that is available to you.  Passive systems do not use any mechanical parts.  Because hot air rises, this natural convection is what controls the air flow with a passive system.  Air intake vents located underneath the eves take in cooler air from outside the home.  This cooler air will replace hot air that escapes from the vents located on the top of your roof.

Another option that is available is a powered ventilation system.  As the name suggests, a powered system uses fans to move the hot air out and draw the cool air out.  The fan can be located on the top of the roof.  An exhaust fan can also be installed behind the gable-end vent.  These systems can utilize a thermostat that will turn the fan on and off as needed.  Passive and powered systems can be used together to maximize efficiency and reduce electricity costs.

Just like roofing options, you have many choices when you consider what roof ventilation system is best suited for your home.  The professionals at Advanced Roofing Technologies can assist you in finding the system that would work best for you.

Tips for Inspecting Your Roof

Every spring and fall it is a good idea to inspect your roof.  Calling a professional roofing contractor such as Advanced Roofing Technologies is always a great start.  However, whether for pride or cost, many home owners choose to do their own roof inspections.  Here are a few tips for what to look for and how to inspect your roof safely.

Major damage can often be spotted from your attack or the safety of the ground.  Doing a preliminary inspection from the attack and a walk around your house is a good place to start.  Light holes in the attack, loose shingles, damage to soffits, gutters and eaves can be spotted from these two vantage points.  If you notice any major damage, it may be in your best interest to call the professionals at Advanced Roofing Technologies.

After your preliminary inspection, check your ladder before putting in place.  Inspect the ladder’s rungs, rails, clamps and base for any damage.  Never use a damaged ladder when inspecting you roof.  The risk of a fall or accident is just not worth it.  The cost of a new ladder will always be less expensive than a trip to the hospital.

Warning!  Check for wires before you lift your ladder into place.  Make sure your ladder is at least 10 feet away from electrical wires!!  Always wear proper clothing, footwear and safety equipment during a roof inspection or minor repair.

Place your ladder on firm solid ground three feet from your house for every four feet to the eves.  If your eves are twelve feet high, your ladder should have its base nine feet from the house.  Extend your ladder three feet above the gutters.  Check the gutters and secure the top of your ladder to the roof to prevent it from slipping.

Once your ladder is secure and in place, check to make sure that your gutters are not filled with excessive granules from the shingles.  The shingles granules give them added weight and protect your roof from ultraviolet rays.  You will also want to look for shingles that are busted, buckling or blistering.  These are signs that your shingles are near the end of their life expectancy and they should be replaced soon.

Check the chimney if you have one on your house.  Make sure that your brick and mortar are in good condition and there are no broken or missing pieces.  This is also a great time to check the ventilation screens on your chimney.  Make sure they are free of debris and they are not damaged.  You want the smoke to get out and no critters to get in.

Check all the joints and flashings.  Make sure there are no loose pieces or areas that can cause water to back up.  As with the rest of your roof, remove any leaves, branches or debris.  This can cause water to back up and leakage that can shorten the life of your roof.  You may want to bring a tool belt to make small repairs as needed.

Remember that if your find that there is a place that is unsafe, safely come down the ladder and call the professionals at Advanced Technologies Roofing.  A little time every spring and fall can extend the life of your roof and save you money.

Roof Maintenance – The Key to Long Term Performance

Most of us take our roof more or less for granted. As long as it provides us some degree of shelter from the elements and isn’t leaking noticeably, roof maintenance is the last thing on our minds. But it shouldn’t be.

Like other parts of your home, your roof can and will develop problems over time. And like most other parts of your homes, these problems are best taken care of while they’re still small. The problem is that we aren’t generally aware of problems with our roof until they have become fairly significant.

Whether you have just had a new roof installed or are thinking it might be time to get a new one soon, having an experienced professional roofing contractor can help you get the most life out of your roof by identifying problems and making small repairs before large repairs (or even a whole new roof) become necessary. Be careful when you pick a roofing contractor, especially for roof maintenance. Here’s what you should look for:

• Experience. Be very careful about trusting such a large investment to someone who is new in the business. You want someone like Advanced Technologies in Northern Colorado, who have established themselves.
• NRCA Membership. Roofers who are serious about what they do are members of the National Roofing Contractors’ Association. This is often the best place to find qualified roofers in your area.
• Local Business. Building codes vary from place to place, as does the abuse forces such as weather heaps on our roofs. A local roofing contractor (preferably one who has been in the area a while) will have more experience dealing with the kinds of problems your roof might encounter and will be better prepared to fix them than someone from out of town. Additionally, should you ever have an unexpected problem, he will be a lot closer and able to respond faster.

Your roofing contractor will advise you regarding how often you should have your roof inspected. Generally speaking, the older your roof is, the more often it should be checked. With that said, however, even new construction should be checked periodically so that small problems can be identified and fixed while they are still small.

Having an experienced roofing contractor maintain your roof will save you time and money in the long run by extending the life of your roof. Ideally, you should have your roof inspected periodically and maintained right from the beginning, but it’s never too late to start having a professional roofing contractor maintain your roof.

Don’t wait for problems to develop before calling your roofing contractor. Call him before the roof is leaking and you find out you need to have it torn off and have a new one installed. Having your roof regularly maintained allows you to plan ahead for expenses and in many cases helps you to eliminate major expenses altogether. You would never consider owning a car for 20, 30, or 40 years without having it looked at periodically. Don’t make the mistake of failing to maintain your roof properly, either.

Is Metal Roofing Right For You?

Choosing the right home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make.  When it comes time to replace your roof, you want it to fit your home and your lifestyle.  Advanced Roofing Technologies can assist you in finding the dream roof for your dream home.

Northern Colorado is beautiful, but the natural elements that enrich your life torture your house’s roof.  Metal roofing not only creates natural beauty, but it’s strength and durability protects your home from all that nature can throw at it.  Energy Star certified metal roofs come with a twenty-five year limited warranty.

Weighing one third of the weight of an asphalt roof, metal roofing is the perfect solution when it is time to replace your asphalt roof.  Along with the appeal of a metal roof, you will also receive superior protection compared to asphalt roofing.  Your home will maintain it’s beauty for years to come, because metal roofs do not crack or crumble.  This will not only make your home the envy of your neighbors, but will increase the value of your home.

Keeping Colorado Beautiful

Natural beauty, strength and durability and increasing your home’s value is reason enough to choose a metal roof from Advanced Roofing Technologies.  However an additional benefit to metal roofing is that it is great for the environment.  Made out of recycled steel or aluminum, your metal roof will not have a negative effect on the environment.  You can be assured too that decades from now your metal roof will never end up in a landfill.

Metal roofs can reduce the temperature of your roof by 60 to 70 degrees.  This will significantly reduce your home’s impact on the environment.  By reducing the temperature on of your roof, you may also see a reduction in your heating and cooling bill.  Metal roofing requires less maintenance.  Your new metal roof will make your feel better about yourself, even though you never have to think about it.

Perfect for a new home

All the advantages of replacing your current asphalt roof with the beauty and durability of a metal roof, make it the ideal choice for your newly built home.  Light weight metal roofing does not require extra bracing in the roof members to support your roof.  It stands up to strong winds and will not crumble beneath your feet if you walk across your roof.  Consult Advance Roofing Technologies when planning to build your new home.

The advantages of choosing metal roofing are clear.  When you choose a new metal roof, you receive all of the benefits of conventional roofs without any of the disadvantages.  Metal roofs are good for the protection of your home, the natural beauty that surrounds your home, and are better for the environment and your wallet.

There are so many advantages to metal roofing over asphalt shingles. So, you may ask, “Is metal roofing right for you?”  Once you consider all of the advantages, you’re sure to come up with the same answer we did: YES!