Your roof is a major structural component of your home (or any building for that matter), and one that requires regular maintenance and repairs in order to preserve optimal functioning.  With respect to shingled roofs, shingle replacement is a common repair.  Sometimes you’ll replace an entire roof, while other times you’ll need only to conduct repairs to a portion of your roof.  Because roofing repairs and/or replacements constitute a sizeable investment, you want to take every precaution to prevent major repairs.  So, let’s turn our attention to flashing and the integral role it plays in protecting your roof.

What is Flashing?

First, let’s get a better understanding of flashing.  Simply put, flashing serves one major purpose, and one purpose only: flashing prevents water from entering wherever there are penetrations on your roof.  Examples of roof penetrations include vents, chimneys, pipes, and drains. 

Flashing is a relatively inexpensive roofing material, and many professionals will replace flashing whenever shingle damage is near or incorporates flashing.  That being said, it isn’t always necessary to replace flashing when conducting shingle repairs or replacements.  In fact, depending on the type of flashing, you may or may not need to replace it.  Let’s have a closer look.

Drip Edge Flashing

Generally speaking, there are two varieties of drip edge flashing.  One type of drip edge flashing is designed to protect the gutter edge of your roof and the other to protect the edge or roof rake edge of your roof.  Drip edge flashing channels water off the roof and away from the fascia, and it is attached to the roof before roofing felt is applied.  Most roofing professionals advise replacing drip edge flashing unless the current flashing is in new condition.

Gutter Flashing

Roofers will also recommend replacing gutter flashing when shingle repairs or replacement is already being done.  However, if you have decorative attachments that are attached to gutter flashing using screws or spikes, you should consider overlaying your drip edge with new gutter flashing. 

Penetration Flashing

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning penetrations, pluming vent pipes, and other roofing penetrations usually feature metal or rubber flashing that serves to seal penetrations and prevent water from entering your home.  Ideally, you want to replace all rubber boots during your roofing repairs.  Metal flashing should be replaced unless it is in new condition.

Valley Flashing

As the name suggests, valley flashing is installed whenever two roof planes intersect in order to direct water flow.  Valley flashing should always be replaced as the demands on this type of flashing can be significant. 

Vertical Wall Flashing

Similar to valley flashing, vertical wall flashing is installed when one roofing plan meets a wall such as a chimney, dormer, or even a split-level roof.  It can be difficult to remove and replace this flashing, particularly when the flashing has been grouted at the joints.  Nevertheless, unless this flashing appears in new condition, you should replace it.

Food For Thought

As you can see, it is almost always beneficial to replace flashing when you are conducting roof repairs.  That being said, this kind of work is always best left to roofing professionals who can more accurately assess the quality and durability of all your roofing structures and materials.

The post When Should You Replace Roof Flashings? appeared first on K2 Roofing Blog.

Sometimes you don’t have the luxury of scheduling your roof replacement.  In the event of an emergency, you’re likely to find roofing repairs or replacement are considerably more expensive – not because roofers are cashing in at your time of need, but because emergency roofing work typically comes up during a roofer’s busiest season.  Of course, emergency roofing repairs are not always avoidable, but with regular maintenance and inspections you can ensure that your roof will survive seasonal weather challenges so that you can schedule repairs or replacement during the roofing off-season when rates tend to be lower.

So when is the best time to reroof?  Obviously, roofing contractors are available year-round to help homeowners with their roofing needs.  As a homeowner, you may think it is in your best interests to delay roofing replacement as long as possible, but it’s much more important to consider the quality of your roof when deciding when to schedule a replacement.  This is why regular maintenance and repairs are so important.  An annual roofing inspection will reveal minor problems that can be repaired before they become catastrophic damage.  Moreover, your roofing contractor will likely be able to predict when your roof will need to be replaced.

A good contractor will always try to coordinate roof replacement or major roofing repairs with their offseason.  Late summer and fall tend to be the busiest months of the year for roofing companies.  As we prepare for the harsh realities of winter weather, we want to be sure our roofs are in good condition, so it makes sense that roofers would be busiest leading up to the winter months.  Moreover, late summer weather tends to be more predictable and temperatures are cooler so it’s easier to schedule and conduct repairs.  However, being the busiest months for roofers also means it can be difficult to find available contractors.  Roofing supplies also tend to be more expensive during the late summer and early fall months, so homeowners will likely find the peak season for roofing to be the most expensive.

On the other hand, scheduling major roofing work during the winter months can be easier since roofers tend to be less busy at this time of year.  Asphalt shingles can be installed in any temperature without affecting their warranty, so if you live in a dry environment, winter might be a great time to schedule your roofing work.  Unfortunately, winter weather can be unpredictable in most climates making it challenging for roofers to complete a project in a timely manner.  Interruptions from weather can definitely impact the cost of your roofing replacement.

As you can see, there are pros and cons to conducting a roof replacement at any time of the year.  Ideally, you want to have the luxury of planning ahead whenever it comes to major roofing projects.  So what does that mean?  Ensure you schedule regular inspections and maintenance for your roof so that you can effectively plan major repairs or replacements.  

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Your commercial roof is leaking and you’re in a panic.  Calm down.  Even if you’re in a rush to find a good commercial roofer, you want to take some time to pick somebody who is qualified and has a history of doing great work.  So, before we move on to what to do in an emergency situation, let’s take a few breaths and talk about what to look for in a commercial roofer.

The Best Commercial Roofers

The best commercial roofers will offer a number of important qualities, namely knowledge, craftsmanship, integrity, and timeliness.

Indeed, good commercial roofing contractors are knowledgeable.  They know a lot about the different kinds of roofing systems and the products that make or break them.  Whether you’ve got all the time in the world, or you’re looking for a roofer in a pinch, quality roofing contractors are effective at every stage of the project from quoting and planning to executing and completing your roofing project.

Moreover, good contractors do good work.  If you have the time, you want to speak with potential contractors and ask them for references for their work.  If you can inspect their body of work, you’ll be more confident that they provide quality craftsmanship.  If you’re in a rush to find somebody now, start calling colleagues, family, and friends to find somebody that they know to do excellent work.  After all, those individuals with personal relationships with you are going to be more likely to point you in the right direction.

Integrity is another important quality in a roofer.  You want to know that your roofing contractor is going to do the best work for you as the client, even if it means costing him or her time and money.  Obviously, we’re all interested in making a buck, but the best roofing contractor will give you accurate advice, even if it means their project profit is diminished.

Finally, timeliness is crucial.  You want your roofer not only to get projects done on time, but you also want them to be available to you in times of crisis.  Whether you’re talking about getting a roofing project completed before the inclement weather arrives, or knowing that your roofer is available to respond in an emergency – the best roofing contractors are available to you and they’re on time.

You Need Somebody NOW

Ok, so your roof is leaking, and you’ve calmed down, but that hasn’t stopped your roof from leaking.  You want to start contacting commercial roofers based on personal referrals or even from a list of quality contractors in the Better Business Bureau (BBB).  You’re also likely to find online reviews for local commercial roofers that can help you find somebody that you know embodies the qualities we discussed above.

Some tips for you:

• Avoid pushy sales tactics and choose a contractor that tries to get valuable information about your roof and your leak.
• Call at least a couple of contractors and choose the one that seems to have your interests in mind.
• Check for credentials – quality roofers will be highly ranked by the BBB or may be a member of a professional association such as the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association.
• Choose a contractor that has been in business at the same address for an extended period of time (10 years or more) as this helps to establish their commitment to the community and by extension the quality of their work.
• Choose a roofer and build a relationship so you know you have somebody you can trust for future work – emergency or not!

Related: 

Residential roofing: http://www.k2roofing.com/roofing-services/residential-roofing/ 

The post What to Look for in a Commercial Roofer appeared first on K2 Roofing Blog.

Many homeowners delay replacing their roofs because of the anticipated costs. While it may be true that a new roof is one of the more pricey home repairs, the consequences of avoiding a damaged roof can make an even bigger dent in the bank account.

Typically speaking, most roofs eventually wear down due to exposure to sun, rain, wind, snow, and ice.  Though many will last for at least 20 years, eventually even the best roof will need to be replaced.  Replacement costs vary depending on a number of factors including the size, climate, time of year of the replacement and the materials used.  So how can you estimate your roof replacement expenditure?

If you have the original plans for your home, you can calculate the size of your roof in square feet.  In general, the total replacement price will consist of tearing off and disposal of old material and then rebuilding it.  Asphalt shingles tend to be less expensive to remove than wood shakes or tile.  Similarly, the number of layers on your roof will affect tear off labour. 

A typical asphalt shingle roof will cost between $250 and $350 per 100 square feet, while metal roofing may cost upwards of $1,000 per 100 square feet.  Materials with longer warranties, unique colours, or other decorative features will require more of an investment.  Difficult to access roofs are more expensive to replace, as are roofs at a greater height.  Ultimately, it is not realistic to develop a “one-quote-fits-all” guide for roofing replacement costs. Speak to your roofer for advice and consultation on the best approach for your home.

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I'm wondering if you have done an analysis for different roofing materials to see which will cost the least in the long term? Considering that metal roofs are warrantied for 30-50 years that might be a good span of time to use!?

KELLY’S ANSWER:
 

Dear NES Design & Construction,

Thank you for your question on the cost analysis and durability of different types of roofing materials.   Depending on the climate condition you happen to be living in some products last longer than others.     We personally are fans of asphalt-based fiberglass laminated shingles, as the look and quality of this type of product has certainly improved over the years.
 

Metal roofs are more durable and will definitely last longer in most cases, however the initial cost is higher.   All roofing products have benefits that carry different levels of investment therefore, choosing a roofing product is often based on the customer’s budget, needs and personal taste.
 

Also, warranties are a consideration as sometimes the wording and coverage can be confusing so it’s important to have a roofing expert help you choose the right product and warranty that suits your unique circumstances.
 

We have created a table of general product cost-analysis below for a typical Vancouver region re-roofing scenario.  Keep in mind, this is a generic model based on our experience and costs will differ depending on the variables.

Click on the table to see larger view

Once your specific conditions have been identified and all measurements have been taken, our roofing specialist can always price out a variety of products that would be right for you.
    

We appreciate all of your questions and look forward to providing our customers and industry with further insights into the profession of roofing.

All the best,
 
Kelly Zewe
General Manager

K2 Roofing Ltd 
(604) 317-004
info@k2roofing.com  

Have a question? Submit it to us in the comment section below or on our Facebook page.

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