Flat Roof Maintenance

Homes built with flat roofs have a certain charm and appeal, but unless you work with a roofing contractor who is familiar with flat roof maintenance, you will find yourself replacing your roof more often than those who own homes or buildings with steep pitched roofs.

Properly maintained, a flat roof can last 20-30 years. Some of the newer types of flat roofing materials and techniques allow you to get even more life out of your flat roof, provided it is properly maintained.

If you have an older home with a flat roof, chances are you have a BUR (built up roof), which uses layers of tar, paper, and gravel. A BUR can be expected to last an average of 10 years if it isn’t maintained. Obviously, you don’t want to replace your roofing every 10 years if you can help it.

Having a qualified roofing contractor who has experience with flat roofs periodically inspect and maintain your flat roof will extend its life considerably. In most cases, an inspection by a contractor who knows what he’s doing will reveal small problems long before they become serious issues. Small problems are relatively inexpensive to repair if they’re caught soon enough (especially compared to the expense of re-roofing).

The problem is that many people who own homes or buildings with a flat roof don’t bother to have the roof checked until they’re being leaked on. By the time water is actually leaking through into your building, chances are that your flat roof has sustained considerable damage below the covering material.

The best case scenario is to have your roofing contractor start inspecting your roof periodically starting right after the roof in installed. Of course, you may not have this option if you aren’t having a brand new building built. In any case, if you have a flat roof, you should contact a roofing contractor like Advanced Technologies who has experience with flat roofs as soon as possible so you will know ahead of time if your roof has any issues and what kind of maintenance it is likely to need.

The frequency and kinds of maintenance your flat roof will need vary depending on where the building is located and factors such as the local climate. A local roofing contractor who deals with flat roofs on a regular basis will help you establish a maintenance schedule which will help you get the most out of your roof.

In most cases, a flat roof should be checked out at least twice per year. It’s also a good idea to have your flat roof checked after major storms. You should also make sure that there is no standing water on your flat roof.

Special attention should be given to ensure that the flashings are in good condition and that all drains are free of debris. The most common problems associated with flat roofs are caused by ponding water caused by clogged drains and damaged (or improperly installed) flashing.

It’s especially important to make sure that water doesn’t pond on your roof in cold climates, such as Northern Colorado. In colder climates, the ponding water can find its way into seams (especially in the flashing) and freeze, causing damage. While everyone with a flat roof should have it inspected and maintained regularly, ti is especially important for those in colder climes.

Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor

Your house is not just your home, it is a major investment.  When it’s time to replace your roof, you want to be assured that the roofing contactor you choose will add to the value of your home.  Following a few simple guidelines you can not only find the perfect roof for your home, but rest at night knowing that your home is in the care of qualified professionals.

Check their credentials

It may seem obvious, but the first thing you want to make sure of is that your contractor has a permanent address.  You want a contractor who is dedicated to the job you hired them to do and to the community they serve.  Most contractors will come to your home for your convenience to earn your business.  When choosing a roofing contractor, it is worth the trip to check out their place of business.  Just as your home says a lot about you, their business will say a lot about their professionalism.

There are many non-profit organizations to protect consumers.  When choosing a roofing contractor, the best place to start is the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).  Advanced Roofing Technologies is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 1933.  They are also members of the NRCA, the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA), and the Home Builders Association in Northern Colorado.

In fact, they have been voted Northern Colorado’s best roofing contractor!

With over 200 years of combined roofing experience, the professionals at Advanced Technologies Roofing want to show you their credentials.  They will show you their tax I.D. number, license number and insurance.  Serving Northern Colorado since 1993, they will be happy to provide references from a long list of satisfied customers.  Licensed and bonded, you will sleep well knowing your new roof is in the hands of true professionals.

Ask the right questions

Do your homework!  The right professional contractor will help you make the right decisions concerning your new roof.  However, nobody knows exactly what you want like you do.  By doing a little research, you can explain with confidence what you want your new roof to look like once you have chosen the right contractor.  These questions can actually help you choose the contractor that’s right for you.

We all know what a roof is, but do we really know all the components of a roof? Five things that you need to ask about are the roof covering (shingles, tiles, slate, metal and underlayment), sheathing (boards or metal fastened to the rafters), roof structure (rafters and trusses), flashing (applied at the various joints to prevent water leaks), and draining (slope and shape).  This basic knowledge will prepare you to choose the right roofing contractor for you.

Professionals like the ones you can find at Advanced Technologies Roofing will help you with other issues that you should consider for your new roof.  The type of roof, the materials for your roof covering, ventilation, and cost are all aspects of choosing the right roofing contractor.  Your roof has enemies too.  Know how sun, rain, snow, wind, dust, trees, leaves and branches will affect your new roof.

Do your homework, check for license, bonding, insurance and references.  Make sure the contractor understands and can meet your needs.  Once you do, you will most likely discover that Advanced Technologies Roofing is the right contractor for you.

Buying a New Roof and Getting Your Moneys Worth

When the time comes to put a new roof on your home, you want to make sure the job is done right so you won’t have to do it again. Depending on the type and grade of roofing material used, you should be able to expect a new roof to last 20-40 years or more, assuming you are having a complete tear off and rebuild. Even if you choose to re-roof over an existing layer of shingles, you should be able to expect at least 15 years from your new roof.

The best advice we can give regarding saving money on your roof is not to throw away dollars to pinch pennies. We’re not saying you should spend lavishly, but we are saying that, for most customers, it’s well worth it to spend the extra money to invest in better materials and in having a complete tear off done.

There are plenty of roofing contractors out there who will quote you a price based on cutting corners (like not suggesting a tear-off) and using the cheapest shingles available. Make sure when you’re comparing contractor prices that you are comparing apples to apples. A cheaper price now can cost you a ton of money seven or eight years down the line when you have to get your roof re-done.

If you having a shingled roof installed, the shingles will be rated based on how many years they are expected to last. Investing in 30 or 40 year shingles now may cost extra, but you are much less likely to have to deal with having your roof replaced for many years.

Another option to consider is a metal roof. Metal roofing is typically more expensive than shingles, but it is built to withstand the worst that the elements can dish out. Other roof coverings sometimes used include wood shakes, tile, and slate. Each of these has their advantages and disadvantages which should be discussed with your roofing contractor before you decide to use them.

If your home has a steep sloped roof (over 25% slope), as most Northern Colorado homes do, the other factors you need to concern yourself with include sheathing (sheet or boards), roof structure (trusses and rafters), flashing (sheet metal used to prevent leaks in valleys and joints), and drainage (the manner in which your roof is designed to shed water).

Living in Northen Colorado, where the elements can be hard on roofing, it is important to make sure that any roofing estimate includes ice and water shielding and that the roof will be properly ventilated. Skipping any of these important features may save you money on the roofing job itself, but the little bit you will save will be far overshadowed by the fact that you will have to deal with higher energy costs and will need to replace your roof again sooner than you would like to.

Above all, make sure that you hire a roofing contractor like Advanced Roofing, who knows what they’re doing. You want a fair price, but more importantly, you want a good job done. Hiring an inexperienced contractor without a proven track record will come back to cost you in the long run more often than not.

Most new home buyers put very little into considering what they want on the roof. Let’s face it; as important as the roof is, most of us just don’t get quite as excited about roofing material as we do about the other features we want in a home. However, it’s worth noting that if your roof doesn’t hold up well, it really doesn’t matter what other features you have in your home, because they will all suffer damage.

Everyone tries to cut corners here and there when building a home. After all, we all want a beautiful home, but we don’t want to spend more than we have to. It only makes sense to save money where you can, but the roof isn’t the best place to do it. As a matter of fact, if you go cheap with roofing materials, you are likely to end up having to repair a lot more than just your roof.

Regardless of which type of roofing material you have covering your home (shakes, shingles, metal roofing, tile, etc.), you’re generally better off getting the absolute best you can budget for. Shingles, which are by far the most common roofing material, come in styles designed to last anywhere from 15 years to 40 years or more. While the cheaper grades can seem attractive to the budget at the time, bear in mind that you are going to want that roof to last a long time.

Whether you are planning on living out the rest of your days in this home or plan on selling it in a few years, the quality of the roof is important to you. If you’re planning on staying around for more than 10 years, it’ll have a direct impact on whether you need to have the roof replaced down the road. It’s better to invest in the quality up front, when you’re already paying labor costs, than to end up paying for materials and labor again down the road.

Even if you aren’t planning on staying in the home long, you should avoid skimping on roofing materials. One of the first things home buyers look at is the quality of the roof. Most people realize that if the roof is in poor shape, the rest of the home will suffer damage.

The principle applies whether you’re having a new house (or commercial building) constructed or having a new roof put on an existing home or building. Paying a little more for better materials now will save you a lot of headache and expense down the road.

While we’re on the subject of selecting better materials, it’s worth noting that any roof can develop problems. This isn’t always the fault of the roofing contractor (though it can be). When you invest in a new roof, you should set up a maintenance agreement right away. Experienced roofing contractors like Advanced Technologies in Northern Colorado can help you determine how often you should have your roof inspected and can perform whatever maintenance is needed periodically to help ensure that you get the full life expectancy out of your roof.

A new ‘roofer registration’ bill designed to alleviate one of the largest causes of consumer complaints in Colorado has successfully cleared another hurdle.   Senate Bill 11-207 is slowly making its way to law just in time for the summer hail season. This bill was introduced by Senator Lois Tochtrop on March 25th, 2011. The bill is intended to regulate roofers by the Division of Registrations, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and provide consumers with some protection through a variety of requirements that will uniformly address things like insurance, qualifications, and contract language.

Initially the new requirements for roofers would entail a registration process whereby both commercial and residential contractors will register as roofing contractors, master roofers or residential roofers as defined in the bill.  Additionally other requirements include submission of proof of minimum general liability coverage, required surety bond posting of not less than $25,000 by residential roofers and not less than $100,000 by commercial roofers. The bill also empowers the director to issue provisional registration to master roofers or residential roofers – specifically those who applied for registration prior to March 1, 2012 but are yet to pass the stipulated examination. Upon receipt of the provisional registration, this roofer is required to sit for and pass the examination within the time frame determined by the Director. If the person fails to pass the examination, the provisional registration is nullified.  The bill further stipulates that clients be issued a written contract stating clearly the work to be done and materials used along with the cost for same.

As many of us know, Colorado is given to some volatile weather in the summer and winter months in the form of severe wind and damaging hailstorms.  Previously, roofers needed only to purchase a license in a given area and they were cleared to begin work.  The new bill would make it significantly more difficult for companies to come in and set up shop immediately in the wake of such weather events.   The chaotic aftermath of devastating hail storms should be diminished with the new requirements in place, as well as an online database of registered contractors which will be available to the public.

Similar to laws centered around home sales, there is also an “out”, allowing clients to cancel the contract up to 72 hours from the point of signing.  The premise is to reduce the often negative impact of high pressure tactics employed by  some contractors on distraught home owners who may be looking at a whole neighborhood of destroyed roofs and wondering how long they will have to live with a damaged roof. This right of rescission also extends to homeowners whose insurance claim is denied after they have already signed a contract to have their roof replaced.

These contractual rights and required contract language, combined with insurance requirements, an exam and other basic registration standards will help elevate the credibility and professionalism of the roofing industry as a whole and provide protection for the Colorado consumer – a win/win situation.

Although the bill is not slated to go into effect until March of 2012 the education and buzz that this bill could create might just help educate the consumer to beware and not be in a rush to sign up with just any roofing company.  Do your homework, ask for references and feel free to contact the BBB or the Colorado Roofing Association if you have any questions or concerns.

26^th Annual Colorado Roofing Association Trade Show Break  Records

Advanced Roofing Technologies took part in the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) Trade Show, January 20^th.  Attendance records were broken for the second year in a row when 550 contractors, consultants, homebuilders and owners lined up to see various displays and tables set up by roofing and related companies throughout Colorado. The trade show is now in its 26^th year. It began in 1985 and has developed into an event where industry information can be shared and builders can compare roofing contractors from across the state.

Along with the vendor’s displays, this year’s show also included an informational seminar and a raffle. 72 vendors presented displays.

Green technology continues to be a very hot topic, especially in light of predictions of soaring energy prices.  The increased attendance was due in part to the growing interest in photovoltaic systems and energy saving innovations like radiant barriers, solar/green roofs and reflective pigments and coatings.

Mother nature also might have helped bring record numbers to the show.  A snowstorm hit the area the day before, which probably reminded people about the wear and tear roofs face when harsh weather strikes.

New regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (OSHA) brought made many vendors extra attentive to displays featuring venting, mold prevention, and new equipment. Along with the vendor tables the show also offered a seminar for attendees entitled “OSHA Update: What to Expect in 2011.”  The seminar was taught Megan Meagher, a Compliance Assistance Specialist from the Denver Area OSHA Office.  Federal regulations are always changing; so the lecture helped keep everyone up to date. It covered the new crane and derrick standards, Severe Violator Enforcement Program, and Fall protection including the rescinding of the slide.

As an incentive to encourage attendees to fill out an information survey, a raffle was held for a $100 gift certificate to Bass Pro.  We’d like to congratulate the winner Todd Tyrrell from Excel Roofing. Several other smaller raffles were also held.

The trades show committee organizers Kelly Woods, RSG; Dan Zahtila of Black Roofing and Jeff Sykes of ACH Foam Technologies did a great job.

Energy costs are on the rise and experts are predicting even higher costs this summer. The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts that oil and electricity rates in 2011 will be higher than 2009. Consumers are always looking for ways to conserve energy and save money. Recently homeowners have been looking up and discovering new ways to save on energy costs by improving or changing their roofing.

The new Photovoltaic Roof (PV) Systems are a smart, Green choice for energy conscious homeowners. PV systems turn the light from the sun into electricity by freeing electrons produced by sunlight as it interacts with semiconducting materials such as silicon. A direct current of electricity is collected through solar cells.

Solar systems have dramatically improved over the last few decades. Most households with PV roof systems use alternating currents. Energy is collected when the sun is out, so higher collection rates occur on sunny days and no energy is collected at night. These systems are usually used along with energy supplied by utility companies.

Several factors should be discussed when considering a PV system. We Stress the importance of discussing the feasibility of this or other energy smart roofing solutions. The shape, nearby shade producing objects, and direction of the roof has a direct relationship to the amount of energy generated. The size and existing type of roof should also be factored in. Before installing a system, check to see if it will affect your current roof’s warranty. If you have an aging roof, it might be wise to replace the roof before the PV system is installed.

Systems can be installed as modular units or all at once. Remember the initial financial costs will result in savings over time, so if you install a larger system from the beginning, you will benefit from bigger energy savings right away.

Now is a good time to consider installing a PV system because there are multiple rebates and tax credits. These government programs can be very confusing, so it’s important to work with both knowledgeable and trustworthy contractors like Advanced Roofing Technologies. They will help you take advantage of all applicable programs.
Advanced Roofing Technologies is locally owned and operated by Brad and Mikaela Evans proudly serving all of Northern Colorado, Longmont, Cheyenne, & Laramie.

Please contact us with any questions that you may have or visit our website:
http://www.advancedroofingtech.com/contact.php