What Every Homeowner Should Know About Roofing

The roof plays an important role in protecting building occupants and interiors from external weather conditions, especially moisture. The roof, insulation and ventilation must work together to keep the building moist. Roofs also provide protection from the sun. In fact, if designed correctly, the roof cover can protect the exterior walls of the building from moisture and sun. Concerns about moisture, standing water, durability, and appearance play into the choice of roofing material.

Protect your roof

Homeowner maintenance includes cleaning leaves and debris from roof gutters and downspouts. Debris in gutters can cause water to overflow and damage the interior of the roof. Clogged rain gutters can cause water to back up under the eaves and cause damage regardless of the roofing material; asphalt, wood, tile or metal. The best way to protect your roof is to stay off of it. Also, seasonal changes in climate are usually the most destructive force.

A leaking roof can damage ceilings, walls and furniture. Roofers repair and install tar or asphalt and gravel roofs to protect buildings and their contents from water damage; rubber or thermoplastic; metal; or curbs made of asphalt, slate, fiberglass, wood, tiles, or other materials.

There are two types of roofs: flat and pitched. Most commercial, industrial and residential buildings have flat or slightly sloped roofs. Most of the houses have a sloped roof. Some roofs work both ways; others only one. Most flat roofs are covered with several layers of material. Roofers first put a layer of insulation under the roof. On top of the insulation, they spread bitumen, a tar-like substance. Then, bitumen-saturated fabric, a partially covered roof layer is built on top. Roofers use "mopping" to spread through the hot bitumen and the next layer. It seals the seams and waterproofs the surface. Roofers repeat this step to create the desired number of layers, called plies. Hot bitumen contains gravel to create a smooth or rough surface for the top layer or smooth finish. Flat roofs are covered with waterproof resin disposable membranes or thermoplastic compounds. Roofers roll this sheet over the roof insulation and seal the seams, relieving mechanical fasteners or stone ballast to hold the sheet in place. The building must be strong enough to hold the ballast.

Most residential roofs are shingled. To use shingles, roofers first lay, cut, and fasten 3-foot strips from the roof. Then, starting from the bottom edge, they are staples or nails overlapping the row to the roof. Workers measure and cut felt and shingles to fit the top of the roof and around the chimneys and penetrations. Where the tops of two roofs meet, or where the shingles reach the pipes or vents, roofing cement or flashing metal strips, or flashing over the joints provide water protection. Finally, roofers cover exposed nails to prevent water leaks. Roofs that use tiles, metal shingles, or shakes are similar.

There are several roofing materials...

This section quoted from InterNACHI at (https://www.nachi.org/roofs.htm)

Asphalt

Asphalt is the most commonly used roofing material. Asphalt products include shingles, roll-roofing, built-up roofing, and modified bitumen membranes. Asphalt shingles are typically the most common and economical choice for residential roofing. They come in a variety of colors, shapes and textures. There are four different types: strip, laminated, interlocking, and large individual shingles. Laminated shingles consist of more than one layer of tabs to provide extra thickness. Interlocking shingles are used to provide greater wind resistance. And large individual shingles generally come in rectangular and hexagonal shapes. Roll-roofing products are generally used in residential applications, mostly for underlayments and flashings. They come in four different types of material: smooth-surfaced, saturated felt, specialty-eaves flashings, and mineral-surfaced. Only mineral-surfaced is used alone as a primary roof covering for small buildings, such as sheds. Smooth-surfaced products are used primarily as flashing to seal the roof at intersections and protrusions, and for providing extra deck protection at the roof's eaves and valleys. Saturated felt is used as an underlayment between the roof deck and the roofing material. Specialty-eaves flashings are typically used in climates where ice dams and water backups are common. Built-up roofing (or BUR) is the most popular choice of roofing used on commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. BUR is used on flat and low-sloped roofs and consists of multiple layers of bitumen and ply sheets. Components of a BUR system include the roof deck, a vapor retarder, insulation, membrane, and surfacing material. A modified bitumen-membrane assembly consists of continuous plies of saturated felts, coated felts, fabrics or mats between which alternate layers of bitumen are applied, either surfaced or unsurfaced. Factory surfacing, if applied, includes mineral granules, slag, aluminum or copper. The bitumen determines the membrane's physical characteristics and provides primary waterproofing protection, while the reinforcement adds strength, puncture-resistance and overall system integrity.

Metal

Most metal roofing products consist of steel or aluminum, although some consist of copper and other metals. Steel is invariably galvanized by the application of a zinc or a zinc-aluminum coating, which greatly reduces the rate of corrosion. Metal roofing is available as traditional seam and batten, tiles, shingles and shakes. Products also come in a variety of styles and colors. Metal roofs with solid sheathing control noise from rain, hail and bad weather just as well as any other roofing material. Metal roofing can also help eliminate ice damming at the eaves. And in wildfire-prone areas, metal roofing helps protect buildings from fire, should burning embers land on the roof. Metal roofing costs more than asphalt, but it typically lasts two to three times longer than asphalt and wood shingles.

Wood

Wood shakes offer a natural look with a lot of character. Because of variations in color, width, thickness, and cut of the wood, no two shake roofs will ever look the same. Wood offers some energy benefits, too. It helps to insulate the attic, and it allows the house to breathe, circulating air through the small openings under the felt rows on which wooden shingles are laid. A wood shake roof, however, demands proper maintenance and repair, or it will not last as long as other products. Mold, rot and insects can become a problem. The life-cycle cost of a shake roof may be high, and old shakes can't be recycled. Most wood shakes are unrated by fire safety codes. Many use wipe or spray-on fire retardants, which offer less protection and are only effective for a few years. Some pressure-treated shakes are impregnated with fire retardant and meet national fire safety standards. Installing wood shakes is more complicated than roofing with composite shingles, and the quality of the finished roof depends on the experience of the contractor, as well as the caliber of the shakes used. The best shakes come from the heartwood of large, old cedar trees, which are difficult to find. Some contractors maintain that shakes made from the outer wood of smaller cedars, the usual source today, are less uniform, more subject to twisting and warping, and don't last as long.

Concrete and Tile

Concrete tiles are made of extruded concrete that is colored. Traditional roofing tiles are made from clay. Concrete and clay tile roofing systems are durable, aesthetically appealing, and low in maintenance. They also provide energy savings and are environmentally friendly. Although material and installation costs are higher for concrete and clay tile roofs, when evaluated on a price-versus-performance basis, they may out-perform other roofing materials. Tile adorns the roofs of many historic buildings, as well as modern structures. In fact, because of its extreme durability, longevity and safety, roof tile is the most prevalent roofing material in the world. Tested over centuries, roof tile can successfully withstand the most extreme weather conditions including hail, high wind, earthquakes, scorching heat, and harsh freeze-thaw cycles. Concrete and clay roof tiles also have unconditional Class A fire ratings, which means that, when installed according to building code, roof tile is non-combustible and maintains that quality throughout its lifetime. In recent years, manufacturers have developed new water-shedding techniques and, for high-wind situations, new adhesives and mechanical fasteners. Because the ultimate longevity of a tile roof also depends on the quality of the sub-roof, roof tile manufacturers are also working to improve flashings and other aspects of the underlayment system. Under normal circumstances, properly installed tile roofs are virtually maintenance-free. Unlike other roofing materials, roof tiles actually become stronger over time. Because of roof tile's superior quality and minimal maintenance requirements, most roof tile manufacturers offer warranties that range from 50 years to the lifetime of the structure.

Concrete and clay tile roofing systems are also energy-efficient, helping to maintain livable interior temperatures (in both cold and warm climates) at a lower cost than other roofing systems. Because of the thermal capacity of roof tiles and the ventilated air space that their placement on the roof surface creates, a tile roof can lower air-conditioning costs in hotter climates, and produce more constant temperatures in colder regions, which reduces potential ice accumulation. Tile roofing systems are made from naturally occurring materials and can be easily recycled into new tiles or other useful products. They are produced without the use of chemical preservatives, and do not deplete limited natural resources.

Single-Ply

Single-ply membranes are flexible sheets of compounded synthetic materials that are manufactured in a factory. There are three types of membranes: thermosets, thermoplastics, and modified bitumens. These materials provide strength, flexibility, and long-lasting durability. The advantages of pre-fabricated sheets are the consistency of the product quality, the versatility in their attachment methods, and, therefore, their broader applicability. They are inherently flexible, used in a variety of attachment systems, and compounded for long-lasting durability and watertight integrity for years of roof life. Thermoset membranes are compounded from rubber polymers. The most commonly used polymer is EPDM (often referred to as "rubber roofing"). Thermoset membranes make successful roofing materials because they can withstand the potentially damaging effects of sunlight and most common chemicals generally found on roofs. The easiest way to identify a thermoset membrane is by its seams, which require the use of adhesive, either liquid or tape, to form a watertight seal at the overlaps. Thermoplastic membranes are based on plastic polymers. The most common thermoplastic is PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which has been made flexible through the inclusion of certain ingredients called plasticizers. Thermoplastic membranes are identified by seams that are formed using either heat or chemical welding. These seams are as strong or stronger than the membrane itself. Most thermoplastic membranes are manufactured to include a reinforcement layer, usually polyester or fiberglass, which provides increased strength and dimensional stability. Modified bitumen membranes are hybrids that incorporate the high-tech formulation and pre-fabrication advantages of single-ply with some of the traditional installation techniques used in built-up roofing. These materials are factory-fabricated layers of asphalt, "modified" using a rubber or plastic ingredient for increased flexibility, and combined with reinforcement for added strength and stability. There are two primary modifiers used today: APP (atactic polypropylene) and SBS (styrene butadiene styrene). The type of modifier used may determine the method of sheet installation. Some are mopped down using hot asphalt, and some use torches to melt the asphalt so that it flows onto the substrate. The seams are sealed by the same technique.

Replace your Roof?

The age of your roof is usually a major factor in determining when to replace it. Most roofs, if installed correctly, last for years and can often be repaired rather than replaced. Isolated leaks are usually treatable. The average life of a typical residential roof is 15 to 20 years. Damage to the inside of the house or surface by water is often caused by leaks in the weatherproof part of the roof, poorly flashed or exposed to chimneys and skylights. These problems don't mean you need a new roof.

Hire a licensed contractor

One of the best ways to choose a roofer is to ask friends and family for advice. You can also contact professional roofing associations for guidance. Professional associations have strict guidelines for their members to follow. Your local roofing association will provide you with a list of available contractors. Follow these guidelines when choosing a contractor:

• get three references and review their previous work;

• receive at least three quotes;

• Get a written contract and don't sign anything until you understand the terms;

• Pay 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less;

• do not allow payments ahead of schedule;

• no cash payments;

• do not make the final payment until you are satisfied with the work; and

• don't rush to repair or feel pressured to make an immediate decision.

You have chosen a contractor... What about the contract?

Make sure everything is in writing. Contracts are one of the best ways to prevent problems before they start. The contract covers you and the contractor, including what you agree to. Get all promises in writing as well as what the contractor will and will not do.

...and permission?

Your contract should require that all work be performed in accordance with all applicable building codes. Building codes set minimum safety standards for construction. A building permit is usually required when doing construction work. The contractor must obtain all necessary building permits. If it is not specified in the contract, you may be liable for not obtaining the necessary permission. The building department will inspect your roof when the project reaches certain milestones and again after the roof is finished.

...and insurance?

Make sure the contractor carries worker's compensation insurance and general liability insurance in case of an accident on the job. Request a copy of this policy for your work file. You need to protect your home from liens if the contractor doesn't pay subcontractors or material suppliers. You can protect yourself using a "release" clause in the contract. A release of lien clause requires contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers to provide a "lien waiver certificate". If you are financing your project, the bank or lending institution may require contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers to confirm that they have been paid before disbursing funds for the next phase of the project.

If you are looking to replace your existing roofing material, keep these points in mind:

Tile, metal, and slate are more expensive roofing materials, but if you need to replace your roof, it may be worth paying a little more for the extra protection these materials provide.

Slate and tile can be heavier than asphalt or wood. If you want to switch to one of these heavier covers, your roofing contractor will need to determine if your roof frame is strong enough to support them.

If you live in an area where snow load is a problem, consider upgrading to a modern metal roof that will typically shed snow more efficiently.

If you have concerns about the condition of your roof in the Cincinnati area, contact LiteHouse Services Group to perform a property inspection today.