Roofing

Considering how important your roof is to the structural integrity of your Iowa home, it is a good idea to get up there and check on it on a regular basis. A good roof should keep out water and drafts, keep warmth in, stay on in a bad storm, and ideally, look good.

Even minor leaks can cause major damage if they go unnoticed. If a leak develops, it should be immediately patched, and plans made for a completely new roof. After all, where there’s one worn out spot, chances are there’ll soon be another. If your roof is nearing the end of its warranty, you might consider replacing it before a leak develops. This way you avoid any risk of damage to the frame, insulation, or any interior parts of your roof.

With so many roofing options in Iowa, choosing the right one for your home can be difficult. Here are a few options available, and an explanation of their pros and cons.

Asphalt shingle is a readily available and relatively inexpensive roofing option, and consequently the most popular. There are two types of asphalt shingles, one made of glass fiber coated in asphalt, and the asphalt saturated, felted paper variety, also known as organic shingles. The organic variety tend to be heavier due to a higher asphalt content, making them useful in areas of strong winds. Both varieties have a top coating of ceramic granules which not only give them an attractive finish, but protects the asphalt from UV rays. Asphalt shingles are estimated to last about 15-20 years. The glass fiber variety tends to be cheaper. As for which is better, that really depends on your needs.

Ceramic tiles, those made of fired clay. Before asphalt shingles became widely available, ceramic tiles were very popular for sloped roofs, especially in Europe. One major advantage is they are fire-proof. Another is that the water collected off a ceramic roof is drinkable-ceramic does not leach petroleum toxins into the water like asphalt shingles do. They are also heavy, which can be a pro or con, depending on the structure of your home and the weather in your area. Heavy roofing material requires a strong frame and especially strong cross-beams, but it is more likely to stay in place during strong winds.

If they are high quality, ceramic tiles can last 50 to 70 years, so although they are more expensive than asphalt, they are often worth the investment. However, poorly made tiles with inconsistent enamel finishes can deteriorate far sooner, so if you are going to invest in ceramic tile, invest in the best.

Asphalt and ceramic shingle are just a couple of options for a new roof. More will be discussed in a follow-up article.

If you are looking for a professional Iowa roof inspection contractor, please call 877-733-6400 or complete our
online request form.

Every do-it-yourself project-builder understands how important it is to know how to repair roof shingles. Fortunately, most projects relating to repairing or replacing roof shingles are basic enough that they can be tackled by the homeowner and won’t require the services of a contracted professional. However, it is important to realize that working on roofs pose a serious threat of danger, and it is vital to ensure your safety before working on a roof.

If you don’t trust your abilities than you should contract a professional who is trained and more secure in handling roof work. If however, you feel comfortable working on your roof, and then by all means, you should engage in the project and repair the shingles yourself. Some roofs may require you to replace individual shingles, or you may need to tear off the old shingles and install new ones. When roof shingles become damaged, they can cause your roof to leak and suffer damage.

The first step in repairing roof shingles will be to gently lift the shingle tabs that are holding the shingle in place. It is also important to note if the broken shingle is actually nailed in or if it is a shingle that is adjacent to the broken one that you are replacing. You will need to carefully lift up the shingle tab, and then you can pry up on the nail head and remove the nail. Once you have access to the broken shingle, you can remove it easily.

It is also a good idea to keep extra roof shingles on hand. Many times, new homeowners discard extra roof shingles, not thinking that they will need them in the future. However, it is inevitable not to lose some roof shingles throughout the longevity of being a homeowner. By saving your shingles, you can ensure that when it is time to make repairs that you will have matching shingles readily available.

After you have removed the damage shingle, simply replace it with your new shingle, cut a new tab for it, and then secure it with roofing nails. You may also choose to use roofing tar to secure the shingle down and fill in any gaps that you notice. It is also important to replace any nails that were removed in any shingles that were adjacent to the damaged shingles.

If you are going to replace all of your shingles and start a new installation, then it may be beneficial to have a friend help you who has experience with roofing. If you feel confident in doing the project then you will begin by removing the existing shingles. This is accomplished by tearing the old shingles off. This can be accomplished by using a variety of tools. Pitchforks, shovels, and shingle scrapers are all used in the scraping and removing of existing tiles. With the shingle scraper, you can simply insert the scraper under the shingle, then lift. The scraper pries up the old shingles including any roofing nails. After you have removed all of the old roof shingles, you can then install the new shingles.

If you are looking for a professional Iowa roofing contractor, please call 877-733-6400 or complete our online request form.

Roof replacement in Iowa is a noisy, dirty and very laborious kind of job. The people living in the house have to be prepared to undergo some amount of discomfort if they intend to stay within the house while the repair is being done. Roofing cement is the equivalent of duct tape for roofs. It will repair most leaks, cracked or torn shingles, patch flashing around vent pipes and chimneys. Obviously this is not a good option for the long term and you must take action and plan for the future as soon as possible to avoid interior damage.

Roofing material replacement is costly and quality installation is needed for the roof to last. When inquiring with roofing companies we recommended that you chose a company that will be here for the long run, just in case. Roof repair companies will most likely advise you to replace your roof and pay them to do so. It is wise to investigate alternative sources of information, specifically unbiased sources which are not seeking to sell anything. Roofing systems must also achieve a balance of durability, cost, weight, appearance, manufacturability and ease of installation when being considered for use. Regrettably, previous products have not made use of maturing technologies and advanced material applications now available from the Aerospace field.

Wind direction plays an important role, as well as roof pitch. A direct impact of hail on a shingle is more damaging than that of a glancing blow. Wind blow-off coverage ranges from winds of 60mph to 110 mph. Labor costs for replacing damaged shingles is for three to 10 years. Also, Windows and Doors are components that may need light scraping and painting to appear new and operational.

Roofs with shingling set directly on solid sheathing and where there is insulation packed tightly between the wooden rafters without adequate ventilation run the risk of condensation-related moisture damage to wooden roofing components. This is particularly true for air-conditioned structures. Roofs are subject to extremes of temperature, receiving the full exposure of the sun as well as suffering from the extremes of cold. No other part of the average home sees a wider cycle of temperatures.

Roof replacement is rarely a choice someone makes because they prefer a different color or some other cosmetic change. For most of the world, roof replacement is expensive and an investment that is made when there is no other choice. Roof replacement is a major home improvement project which can be costly. Homeowners want to ensure they use only the best roofing professionals, equipment and materials for their new roof. If a Roof replacement is then required make sure you select a color that you can live with for many years to come.

Roof framing should be designed at 20 pounds per SF, so there is no danger of collapse, however, snow and wind loads may cause deflection. Heavy weight shingles can be 50% heavier than standard or 20-year shingles.

As always just be sure to do your homework when trying to find the best Iowa roofing contractor for the job. The lowest price is not always the best way to go and if you choose to make your final decision on just that fact, be prepared to be disappointed most of the time.

If you are looking for a professional Iowa roofers, please call 877-733-6400 or complete our online request form.