by Nick-Admin | Apr 14, 2021 | Roof Replacement, Uncategorized
So you’re getting a new roof, huh? That’s great! But what exactly is involved in the process? Knowing what to expect from a new roof installation can give you peace of mind that you’re receiving the best quality protection for your home. Here’s a look at the process of installing a new roof, step by step. The more you know, the better you’ll feel about your investment.
Roof Installation Step 1: Deciding on a Contractor and Materials
Yes, you’ve made the big decision to get a new roof, but there are still a couple of important decisions you’ll need to make next.
First, you’ll need to decide on a roofing company. Ask around for references, collect a few estimates, compare services and warranties (not just price!), and choose the one that best fits your needs.
Then, discuss your material options with the contractor you choose, and decide on the color, style and type of shingle that works and looks best with your house.
Roof Installation Step 2: Removing Old Roofing
As the saying goes, “Out with the old and in with the new!” In most cases, your old shingles will be removed before your new roof can be installed. Your surrounding landscape will need to be protected with tarps and the neighbors will have to excuse the dumpster in your yard, as it will be needed to collect all the old debris.
Once the old shingles are removed, the roofers will be able to inspect the decking beneath and replace any damaged areas with new decking to ensure a solid foundation.
Roof Installation Step 3: Defending Against Water Damage
A non-corrosive metal, called a drip edge, will be secured along the edges of the roof to prevent moisture from building up and getting underneath your new shingles.
Next, underlayment and flashing will be installed, serving as a waterproofing barrier between decking and shingles and reinforcing roof valleys for extra protection. All vents, pipes, and chimneys will be sealed to ensure no water can penetrate these vulnerable sections of your roof.
Roof Installation Step 4: Installing New Shingles
Woo-hoo! Now your house is ready to get its new roof. It’s time to apply the new shingles you chose in step 1. How long it takes depends on several factors including the size of your house, the type of shingle you choose, the complexity of your roofline, and of course, the weather. Typically, though, you can expect the placement of new shingles to take anywhere from a day or two, all the way up to a full week.
Roof Installation Step 5: Cleanup and Final Inspection
After the last shingle is placed, but before you celebrate a job well done, it’s time to clean up all remaining materials, tools, nails, and equipment, so you can say, “Ta-Da! Look at how awesome our house looks!”
Once it’s cleaned up and looking great, your roofing company will want to make sure your roof functions great, too. A thorough inspection is the final step in new roof installation to ensure standards of quality have been met and your new roof works as good as it looks.
Roof Installation Experts
If you’re considering a new roof for your new home, or you’re ready to replace your roof, reach out to the expert team at Werner Roofing. As a trusted source with years of experience, you can rest assured you’ll receive the best quality roof for your investment. Contact us for a free installation quote and we’ll be happy to come out and help you protect your home for many years to come.
OUR FREE ROOF INSPECTION
How do you know when it’s time for a new roof? The only way to be sure of your residential roof’s current condition is to have a licensed professional personally inspect it. Werner Roofing is proud to offer free roof inspections for every client, so you can be sure of your roof’s condition. Every Werner Roofing inspection comes complete with our promise: “We won’t recommend or sell a roof replacement unless it’s necessary.”
by Nick-Admin | Mar 10, 2021 | Roof Repair, Uncategorized
We get our fair share of storms and windy weather around here, and that can certainly take its toll on your house. Walk outside after such an event, and you’ll typically notice tons of fallen branches strewn across your lawn, but here’s a tip: don’t just look down at the ground, look up at your roof!
Wind and harsh weather can do a number on your shingles, causing them to come loose or even go missing completely. So, what do you do? Well, unless you want more damage to occur, you’re going to have to replace roof shingles that end up casualties of a storm. Don’t worry, though. Just take these steps to ensure your roof is ready for the next big gust of wind.
Step 1: Assess Damaged Roof Shingles
The first thing you should do is decide if this is DIY territory or if you should call in the pros. If there is quite a bit of damage, you don’t have the tools or materials to do a good job, or you just plain don’t like the idea of climbing on your roof, ask professional roofers for help — hey, it’s what we do!
Besides, it’s often unsafe to repair shingles on your own. Professionals can repair loose or missing shingles quickly and properly, likely saving you money and further hassles in the long run.
On the other hand, if you do consider yourself handy or we’re talking just one or two shingles that you’re confident you can fix yourself, go ahead and move on to step two.
Step 2: Gather Materials to Replace Roof Shingles
Here’s what you need to replace loose or missing shingles safely (you know, besides a ladder, sturdy shoes, and safety gear):
- Hammer
- Pry Bar
- Roofing Nails
- Shingle Sealant
- Replacement Shingles — did the builder or the previous homeowner leave any leftover shingles behind? If not, head to a home center to find the same type of shingles that match up in color and size. You can grab the other materials you need as well if you don’t have them already handy at home.
Step 3: Repair Roof Shingles – Remove, Replace, Rejoice!
Pick a day that the weather is just right. If it’s too cold, the shingles can crack or break; too hot and the sealant bond between the shingles will be difficult to get apart. Once you’re on your roof safely, clear any debris from the storm. Now you’re ready to replace the roof shingles that are loose or missing.
How to Remove a Loose Shingle
- Slide your pry bar under the shingle directly above the damaged one and gently lift up until it is free from the sealant. This will expose the first row of nails.
- Slip the pry bar under the damaged shingle and lift upward. The nails still intact should start to pop up a bit.
- Remove the pry bar and press down on the shingle so you can pull out the popped-up nails completely.
- Repeat the procedure on the shingle above to remove whatever is still remaining of the second set of nails.
- Pull out the damaged shingle.
How to Replace a Loose or Missing Shingle
- Slide the new shingle into place.
- Lift each of the new shingle’s tabs and apply sealant under each, then press down flat.
- Nail into place according to how it was nailed before.
- Seal and renail the overlying shingle above it.
Time to Rejoice
You did it! You have officially readied your roof for whatever Mother Nature has in store next. Pat yourself on the back (once you’re on the ground) and give your neighbor a “Yeah, that’s right, I fixed my own roof” kind of nod, then go ahead and celebrate however you like before the wind kicks up again.
Werner Roofing to the Rescue!
If you notice roof damage, it’s best to take care of it quickly before it gets worse, or more expensive to fix! If you’re not the DIY type or simply feel better knowing professionals are addressing the problems with your roof, contact Werner Roofing today. Our expert roofers are here to help inspect and resolve roofing damage before it causes problems for your home. Just give us a call at 616-844-5382 and we’ll be happy to come out and help.
OUR FREE ROOF INSPECTION
How do you know when it’s time for a new roof? The only way to be sure of your residential roof’s current condition is to have a licensed professional personally inspect it. Werner Roofing is proud to offer free roof inspections for every client, so you can be sure of your roof’s condition. Every Werner Roofing inspection comes complete with our promise: “We won’t recommend or sell a roof replacement unless it’s necessary.”
by Kyra-Admin | Nov 17, 2020 | Uncategorized
Winter roof installation is a bad idea. In fact, many roofers flat-out refuse to install roofs during the cold winter months. Why? Not only does a winter roof installation present many safety risks for their crew, but they also can’t guarantee the same level of installation excellence that they can when certain basic conditions are met, such as consistent temperatures, a safe work environment, and stable materials.
Why Can’t I Install My Roof in the Winter?
During the winter months, cold temperatures are only part of the reason why winter roof installations are not recommended. Conditions on a roof can get icy fast, materials don’t adhere the way they should, and the roof installation process leaves sensitive parts of your home exposed to the elements. All of these factors risk the integrity of your roof, the safety of the roofing installation crew, and your investment in the project. For these reasons, if you want a winter roof installation, your roofer will strongly recommend you do it in the fall before the temperature starts to drop or push it back until the spring or summer — what is generally known as “roofing seasons.”
In some unique circumstances, things happen and you just need your roof installed during the winter. Maybe a tree fell and damaged your roof, you need a new roof installed before you can sell the home, or you need to replace your roof before the end of the year to meet insurance requirements. There may be situations where winter roof installation is unavoidable, but conditions are not ideal, and the process comes with risks the homeowner must understand before work begins.
Risks of Winter Roof Installation
If you can plan to install your roof in warmer weather, you absolutely should. Here are some of the reasons why:
Unsafe Work Conditions
During the winter, conditions on your roof can turn slick quickly, creating an unsafe environment where your workers could slip and fall, hurting themselves or damaging your roof. Also, the cold is difficult to work in, as roofers need to be able to move freely, bending down and working across your roof — which is difficult to do in thick winter clothes. If they have to carry equipment while wearing heavy coats and boots to keep warm, it takes more time and energy to do a job they’re used to doing quickly in nice weather.
It’s challenging for anyone to stay motivated when they’re cold. With a winter roof installation, you risk workers rushing to complete the job if the temperature is freezing, Whether it’s because they’re wearing thick gloves and don’t have the same feel for the materials, or if the limited amount of daylight is running out and they need to meet a deadline, you don’t want your roofing crew to miss any crucial steps when installing this important part of your home.
Ineffective Materials and Tools
Cold temperatures affect the quality of the materials and the effectiveness of tools used for a winter roof installation. Roofing equipment and tools, like nail guns and compressors, are affected by lower pressure air, which may cause imperfections in the roofing installation process if the crew is unaccustomed to working in the cold.
Asphalt shingles are less flexible in the cold and could become more brittle, more difficult to cut straight, and more likely to be overdriven by nails when they’re attached to your roof. They also typically involve a glue strip that’s designed to self-seal when it’s activated by the sun’s heat. This activation process doesn’t occur in lower temperatures, so the shingles may not adhere properly, or they must instead be sealed by hand, which is difficult to do consistently with every shingle in freezing temperatures, even for experts.
Warranty Exemptions
A hasty winter roof installation could lead to product failures and problems with your roof warranty may not cover. For example, if your shingles have to be hand-sealed because it’s too cold for the self-seal to adhere properly, defects that occur as a result of winter roof installation are typically not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. If your roof loses shingles to high winds, or a leak forms from an improperly-sealed shingle, the fault occurred from attempting to install the roof in the winter, not as a fault of the manufacturing process.
Exposed Home
Winter roof installation jobs generally take longer than those that occur during the warmer months of the year. The combination of colder temperatures, heavy winter clothing, and extra sealing work makes it more difficult for the crew to work as quickly as they normally would. Also, the days are shorter during the winter, so only so much can be done when there is good light. A longer timeline for a roof installation means your home spends more time exposed to the elements during a time of year when heavy rain or snowfall can happen without much warning — particularly in areas where lake-effect snow is common. Even if you schedule your winter roof installation when the weather appears to be clear, it can be difficult to predict with certainty.
All in all, it’s not a great idea to have a new roof installed in the winter. Instead, try to schedule your roof installation before winter arrives, by calling your local roofing team this fall! Give the Werner Roofing team a call now, and we’ll do our best to get your project on our list before the snow falls.
by Kyra-Admin | Nov 6, 2020 | Uncategorized
Standing seam metal roofs are one of the most high quality roofing systems you can choose for your home. Metal roofs are known for offering superior protection and durability, all tied together in a sustainable and cost effective package. What’s a standing seam metal roof, and how could it benefit your home? Let’s talk about this popular roofing system and a few of the advantages it offers.
What is a Standing Seam Metal Roof?
A standing seam metal roof consists of a flat metal panel running from the ridge of the roof to the eaves that are connected to other panels with secure fasteners. The standing seam — typically one or two inches above the panel — is what conceals the fasteners. The standing seam protects the connection between the panels from weather better than a traditional metal roof. It also facilitates water runoff and thermal movement, and reduces debris buildup, including sticks, leaves, and snow.
Benefits of a Standing Seam Metal Roof
A standing seam metal roof is a durable weatherproof shield that protects your home against wind, rain, hail, and other weather events. There are many benefits of a metal roof for your home, but a few of the most notable are sustainability, easy maintenance, durability, and overall value.
Sustainability
Standing seam metal roofs are one of the most sustainable roofing choices on the market. They can be made from up to 95% post-consumer recycled aluminum, and when your roof eventually needs to be replaced, the materials can be completely recycled.
Metal roofs are also more energy-efficient than asphalt shingles or other roof types. They keep your home cooler during the summer by reflecting the sun’s heat away from your home. Asphalt roofs, on the other hand, absorb heat year-round, which insulates your home during the winter, but makes your air conditioning work harder to cool your home when it’s warm out.
Simple Maintenance
Metal roofs are much easier to maintain than traditional asphalt roofs. The roofing panel design collects less dirt and debris than traditional roofs. When they do need cleaning the dirt can easily be removed with soap and water. If you don’t want to clean your metal roof yourself, you can have it done by a professional, so you can avoid injury and possible damage to your roof.
Extreme Durability
Metal roofs are known for their superior protective capabilities and durability. They can last up to 70 years before they need replacing, compared to the maximum 20 years of an asphalt shingle roof. They also offer greater wind and impact resistance than traditional roof types, so you don’t have to worry about repairing damage or replacing shingles every time the wind picks up. Even if a tree branch falls on your metal roof it’s unlikely to cause serious damage like cracks or holes — at most a dent may appear, but the damage will only be cosmetic. Your roof’s integrity will be preserved and it will continue to protect your home and your family.
Lifetime Value
Standing seam metal roofs are also becoming more popular with homeowners because of the rising cost of oil, which causes a similar rise in the price of asphalt shingles. Homeowners are comparing the costs of the materials, labor, and maintenance of roofing options and seeing the true value of a metal roof for their home.
Metal roofs last longer than asphalt shingle roofs, and therefore have a greater lifetime value. A durable standing seam metal roof increases your home’s value and costs less to maintain than traditional shingle roofs. Although it requires a larger initial investment, the payoff of a standing seam metal roof comes from the overall value of the roof and the superior protection it can offer your home.
Customizing Your Standing Seam Metal Roof
A standing seam metal roof offers a unique roofing option. With a metal roof, your home is likely to stand out from others in your neighborhood, and can customize the shade to complement your home’s design. If you’re not sure which color to choose, try out different options using an online visualizer tool or talk to a metal roof expert. Whatever color you choose, a standing seam metal roof will serve you well — both aesthetically and practically — and it will continue to protect your home and your property value over time.
Is a standing seam roof right for you? Let us know! If you’re interested in installing a standing seam metal roof on your home, the Werner Roofing team can certainly help.
by Kyra-Admin | Oct 23, 2020 | Uncategorized
What all goes into that final price you see for your roof repair. How much insurance pays in, how much you’re paying for labor, how much you’re paying for materials and time, etc. Remember that it’s always cheaper to have a roof repaired sooner rather than later.
If your roof has sustained damage or has a leak, it’s important to get it checked by a professional as soon as possible. Small leaks or weaknesses in your roof can quickly become large problems if water gets in or a storm damages your roof. If left unaddressed, the cost of roof repair can skyrocket and may not be covered by your roof’s warranty or insurance. Repairing your roof early can help prevent this from happening, and it can also lower the cost of your roof repair.
Cost of Roof Repair Breakdown
When you see the cost of roof repair, it generally includes both the roofing supplies and the labor and time it takes to complete the job. Let’s breakdown these elements and see how much it affects your total.
Supplies Cost of Roof Repair
When you get your roof fixed after a storm or to address regular wear, a large part of the cost of roof repair is the price of the materials used to fix your roof. This not only includes the visible elements you see, such as shingles or tiles, but also the accessories used to waterproof and protect your roof deck, cover ridges and vents, and other roof details. The materials themselves vary in cost, and the amount you spend on each will depend on the amount of damage and the area that needs to be replaced. Here are a few average costs for common roofing materials:
- Asphalt Shingles: $5-10 per square foot; The least expensive shingles are 3-tab, while architectural and dimensional shingles will cost more to repair. Asphalt shingle prices vary as the price of oil used to make them fluctuates.
- Cedar or Wood Shingles: more expensive than asphalt shingles, but the cost will depend on the kind of wood, the availability of the materials in your area, and the specialized installation needed to attach them.
- Metal Roofs: $5-15 per square foot; Metal roofs are typically more durable than asphalt or wood shingles, and occasional damage such as repairing seams or dents is generally cosmetic only and will not damage the integrity of your roof.
Labor Cost of Roof Repair
Hourly labor factors into the cost of roof repair, and can vary depending on the typical hourly rates for contractors in your area, the extent of the damage to your roof, the number of workers required to repair your roof, and the amount of time it takes to repair your roof. The national average pay for a roofer is $75 per hour, but depending on where you live this can range between $25-$100 an hour.
Estimating Insurance for the Cost of Roof Repair
If your roof was damaged and you make a claim to your insurance company, you may be reimbursed for part or all of the cost of roof repair. However, the insurance coverage will vary from roof to roof, depending on several factors such as your roof’s age and size and the extent of the damage. Your roof’s warranty may help cover areas your insurance won’t. Let’s break this down a bit further.
Age of Roof
It’s possible the age of your roof will determine what your insurance policy will reimburse you for the cost of roof repair and what repairs can be covered. Depreciating values of your roof can impact the reimbursement level. Most policies cover events of natural disasters and weather, vandalism, and fire damage. However, long term leaks are typically not covered, so regularly check your roof for damage and address problems right away. Regular roof wear and weathering can decrease your roof’s ability to protect your home over time, but is also not covered by most insurance plans.
Size of Roof
The size, pitch, and complexity of your roof’s design can affect the cost of roof repair. If your insurance offers a flat rate of reimbursement to cover roof repairs, your roof may not be fully covered if it needs special accommodations or materials to repair it properly. A complex roof design with dormers, valleys, and a steeper pitch will require more labor and materials than a straightforward roof design, and therefore will be more expensive to repair.
Roof Warranty
The reason your roof needs repair is going to determine how your costs are covered, either by your insurance or your roof’s warranty. Insurance will cover events of extreme weather, fire, or vandalism, while generally, manufacturing defects or poor installation are not included in insurance plans. Roofing warranties typically only cover defects from the manufacturer that cause the roof to break down sooner than it should, and usually last about 20-50 years.
Most problems with roofs cannot be traced back to materials, but instead to something that went wrong during the installation. This is why it’s so important to hire a reputable roofing contractor to install and make repairs on your roof. Workmanship warranties are rare, but they can protect you and your roof from problems that arise from improper installation.
Extent of Roof Damage
Your insurance adjuster determines the cause and extent of damage to your roof, and whether it falls under your warranty or your insurance policy. If the cause is determined to be a natural one, the insurance coverage should be proportional to the extent of the damage. If only cosmetic damage is reported by the adjuster, your claim could be denied. As long as damage doesn’t affect the integrity of the roof, the insurance company can have the final say on this subjective criteria.
Ultimately, the best practice is to file a claim with your insurance company and have any problems with your roof resolved as soon as possible. This will ensure that your home continues to be protected by a high-performance roof, and you’ll save money on the cost of roof repair by not letting any damages get worse and more expensive.
Does your roof need a bit of repair? Get in touch with the team at Werner Roofing. We’re happy to offer you a free, no-obligation estimate, so you know exactly how much you’ll have to spend before we even start working.
by Kyra-Admin | Oct 16, 2020 | Uncategorized
The way roofs are measured and roofing materials are calculated is not always simple. When trying to estimate the amount of shingles or other roofing supplies, you may have found that your calculations don’t match up with the way roofing companies or suppliers talk about their products. Instead, they may refer to roofing supplies in terms of roofing squares. What is a roofing square and how can we use it to calculate the roofing materials you’ll need? Let’s find out.
What is a Roofing Square?
The term roofing square does not refer to square feet or yards. In fact, it is a unit used to express 100 square feet, in order to simplify the grouping and ordering of roofing materials such as shingles, tiles, or other supplies. Roofing squares are commonly used to calculate the materials needed for roofing projects, so you may hear your roofing contractor or your materials supplier refer to your roof in these terms.
For help calculating the total roofing squares in your home’s roof, some manufacturers offer free roofing square calculators online, or you can have your roof assessed and receive a free quote from a professional roofing company. Or, you can DIY by measuring your roof yourself.
Measuring Roofing Squares
If you need to measure the amount of roofing squares your roof contains, you can do this simply by measuring the total square footage of your roof, and then using that amount to calculate the number of roofing squares it contains. Let’s go over 4 steps to do this safely and effectively.
#1 Prepare
First, make sure you have all the right equipment to get onto your roof and measure it safely. This will include a tape measure, a small notebook and pencil, a sturdy ladder, and a buddy to hold the ladder still and supervise while you’re on your roof. Tread carefully on your roof so you don’t slip or cause damage to your roof.
#2 Measure
To find the square footage of your roof, measure the length and width of each plane of your roof, including the sides of all dormers, into valleys, and all other roof design details that are covered with roofing materials. Find the area of each plane by multiplying the length and width.
#3 Calculate
Add all the area totals together to get the total square footage of your roof.
#4 Convert
To find the number of roofing squares your roof contains, convert the square footage to roofing squares by dividing number you found in Step #3 by 100. For example, if the total square footage of your roof was 1700 square feet, your roof contains 17 roofing squares.
Keep in mind that roofing squares is not the only information you need when estimating the required materials for completing a roof replacement or installation. Roofing pitch also factors into the total amount and cost of materials for your roofing job. The higher the pitch of your roof, the extra materials you’ll need to cover your roof effectively. Also, if your roof has many complicated details like dormers and valleys, it will need more specialized materials to make sure these sensitive areas are reinforced against leaks or damage.
Measuring Roof Pitch
Roofing pitch is described in degrees, relative to a right angle. To calculate your roof pitch, you need to know the rise and the run of your roof.
- The rise refers to the height of your roof, from the top of the wall to the peak of your roof where the planes meet.
- The run is the distance between the roof plate and the point directly underneath the center ridge or roof peak
Once you’ve measured these two elements, you’re ready to calculate your roof pitch.
Finding Roof Slope
We find the roof slope by plugging the rise and the run into the pythagorean theorem, where the slope of your roof, or the rafter length (squared) = the rise (squared) + the run (squared).
For example if the rise of your roof is 6 feet, and the run of your roof is 12 feet, then:
(6×6) + (12×12) = the square root of 180, or about 13.42
This completes our triangle, so we know the length of all sides.
Calculating Roof Pitch
You can find the pitch of your roof by dividing the rise by the run. Using our example that would be 0.5 or 50 percent. If you want to express this percent as an angle, you’ll need to plug the percentage into this equation using a scientific calculator or an online tool:
Pitch angle = arctan(or tan-1) x (pitch percentage)
Using our example: arctan (0.5) = 26.57 degrees
Now that you know how to measure your roof, calculate a roofing square, and find your roof’s slope and pitch, you should have all the information you need to order materials for your roof! It’s always a good idea to check your calculations with a professional roofer and make sure all materials are installed correctly to give your roof the best, longest-lasting protection.
Looking for a bit more roofing information? Whether you’d just like a bit more help figuring out how many roofing squares are in your roof, or you’re interested in a brand new roof, the experts at Werner Roofing would love to help. Give us a call or reach out to our team online with any and all roofing questions.
