A superior roof is stronger than the sum of its parts. A quality roofing system involves the underlayments, shingles, accessory products, and ventilation all working together. Day after day, year after year. We call that the Integrity Roof System®. The Integrity Roof System is designed to provide optimum performance -- no matter how bad the weather conditions are.
Integrity Roof System
Common Mistakes in Roof Replacements You Don't Want Your Contractor to Make:
1. FAILING TO USE STARTER STRIPS
No roof replacement should be done without an underlying starter layer of adhesive strips. Without starter strips, you have to install shingles directly to the frame, leaving the roof susceptible to wind and other elements.
Your roof is supposed to last you decades. Don’t let a simple step like starter strips result in shingles blowing off just a few months or years into the roof’s lifespan.
3. RELYING ON LOW-QUALITY PIPE COLLARS
Rooftop vents are essential for filtering gas out of your kitchen and bathrooms. However, ventilation pipes have become common components to blame for rooftop leaks. That’s because many roof replacement contractors install collars around the bases of these pipes that aren’t suited for a long lifespan. Aside from rapid wear-and-tear, contractors can make mistakes when cutting collars to size. Even a slight miscalculation can lead to cracks that expand over time and let more water under the roofing materials.
2. SKIPPING THE ICE AND WATER SHIELD
For years now, sealing roof eaves during replacements with ice and water shield has been a standard practice. However, “old-school” contractors may opt for more traditional underlayment.
You want to be sure that your roof replacement contractor is installing ice and water shield in vulnerable areas, especially in a wet climate like Maryland. Without it, you may be at greater risk of seeing leaks and water damage.
4. TRUSTING CAULKING FOR WATER RESISTANCE
In many renovations, contractors trust caulking to create waterproof seals. Whether it’s around windows, doors, in kitchens, or in bathrooms, caulking is a must-have for just about any project. However, roof replacement contractors often make the mistake of trusting caulking for water resistance. Caulking will shrink and expand as weather changes, leading to cracks over time. These cracks will let water seep into the roof and cause further damage. It’s better to trust a proper flashing system coupled with a true waterproof/resistant underlayment and flashing for protection against the elements.
5. ADDING LAYERS IN THE WRONG ORDER
For most homeowners, a roof replacement may seem like it’s all about the shingles. However, there’s much more to the project than just the top layer.
Every roof replacement contractor knows the layers necessary for success. But a common mistake is to add a layer out of order, compromising overall protection. Generally, the order should start with the eave and move to the drip edge, followed by ice/water guard and underlayment. Then, contractors should add flashing, shingles, and ventilation.
7. USING THE WRONG FASTENER LENGTH
It may seem obvious, but the nails used to fasten shingles to your roof deck must be the proper length. During busy seasons, contractors may get caught up between projects and make a mistake by using fasteners that are just too short. This results in loose shingles that either blow off in the wind or allow water to seep into the home. Either way, it’s something you (and your contractor) want to avoid.
6. OVERDOING THE FLASHING
Step flashing has become a common technique for improving water resistance across a new roof. This process includes a woven installation of flashing and shingles rather than a more traditional layered approach.
The only problem is that some contractors will go overboard during installation. Some contractors may make mistakes trying to weave flashing and shingles together. Others may nail flashing to both walls and the roof deck. Both missteps can create gaps in what was supposed to be a water-tight seal.
8. NEGLECTING THE ROOF DECK
Decking acts as the foundation for your roof replacement. If it’s weak, the quality of installation won’t matter because your entire roof could be compromised. Roof replacement contractors may overlook deficiencies of existing decking, moving forward with the foundation rather than building a new one. You may save money this way in the short-term, but overall, you’ll end up with a sub-par roof replacement.
Make sure any roof replacement contractors properly inspect the decking to decide whether it needs to be replaced as well.
Unfortunately, too many homeowners discover their contractors made these mistakes after the fact. That’s why it is important to be vigilant in the research phase. Be picky and ask a lot of questions before choosing a roof replacement contractor. And remember, the best contractors will take steps to understand everything about your project, inspecting the roof and working with you to determine your true needs.
WHEN DO YOU NEED A NEW ROOF?
Here are some signs that can indicate it’s time for a new roof:
• Roof looks worn or is sagging
• Water is leaking in your attic
• Some shingles are missing
• Shingles are curling or cracking
• Shingle granules are in gutters
• Roof is older than 20 years
The roofing system you choose makes a strong statement about your building. The right roof can increase the resilience of your home or business as well as protect it from destructive forces. That is why it is so important to choose the right roofing material for your unique structure.
Innovative Roofing uses quality materials from tried and true manufacturers, and our team of highly skilled professionals bring 30 years of combined experience and acquired expertise to every job.
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ROOFING MATERIALS
There are a few major categories of roofing materials, and here at Innovative Roofing, we have experience working with each. We are the local experts offering new roofs, re-roofs and repairs in many types of roofing materials. We are happy to work with individual homeowners, property management companies, townhome associations, churches and more.
Asphalt Shingles
The most common type of shingle used on residential asphalt shingles come in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes. Asphalt shingles are reinforced with an organic material and surfaced with mineral granules. They are designed to protect a home through decades of weathering with minimal upkeep and are available in a wide variety of colors and styles. Generally, an asphalt shingle roof has a lifespan of 15-30 years and the shingles’ staying power depends on a variety of factors. Installation quality, material quality and environmental conditions all play significant roles in the length of time your asphalt roof will last.
Metal Tile and Panel Roofing
A metal roof is extremely long lasting, can withstand extreme weather and looks beautiful as well. Its slippery surface encourages minimal snow buildup, plus it’s resistant to fire and hail damage, and can even withstand the impact from falling objects and winds up to 180 mph. Metal roofs are also highly energy efficient. When sunlight hits a metal roof, the metal reflects the heat back into the atmosphere rather than absorbing it like other roofing materials. Metal roofs are low maintenance compared to other roofing materials. They do not require regular sealing or painting like other roofing materials, and they are resistant to fading and discoloration.
Low Slope Roofing
Residential low slope roofing can generally be divided up into two broad categories: larger flat roofed applications (low slope) such as residential condominium complexes, row homes, and town houses and smaller applications such as residential porch and garage transitions from the main home where the slope of the roof changes dramatically from steep slope to low slope on the same structure.
We use self-adhering SBS modified bitumen roofing system for low slope roofs and these products work well with large and small areas and feature easy and clean application and also have granulated surfaces with colors that coordinate with shingles providing the homeowner with a complete and coordinated solution for roof designs that transition from steep to low slope.
Self-adhering SBS membrane are reinforced with polyester and/or fiberglass mats offering superior flexibility, excellent tensile strength, and dimensional stability. The final product provides a highly durable roofing membrane that is capable of sustaining a variety of environmental conditions over time.