Category: Roof Replacement

When it comes to many services you’re considering for your home or property from outside specialists, receiving a cost estimate before the project begins is a common and often important element of the process. Roof repairs are no exception — property owners who are obtaining such repairs for their structures naturally want to have an idea of what those repairs are going to cost them, and estimates from roofing professionals are the simplest way to glean this information.

At The Roof Doctor, we’re happy to provide cost estimates for any of our commercial or residential roofing services, including repairs you’re in need of. How precise do these kinds of estimates tend to be in the roofing world, and what are the factors likely to impact the total found on your estimate? Here’s a general primer on this important theme.

Estimate, Not a Precise Figure

First and foremost, it’s important to realize that while we’ll do our very best to pinpoint the precise cost of your roof repairs before we start work on them, the estimate you receive is just that — an estimate. It’s based on a number of factors, which we’ll go over in just a bit.

In some cases, unforeseen issues can arise during the repair process that result in additional time or materials being required to complete the job. (This is especially true in the case of older roofs, which may have structural damage that isn’t immediately apparent.) If this happens and the job ends up costing more than we initially estimated, we’ll of course let you know as soon as possible so there are no surprises.

Conversely, it’s also possible that the repairs turn out to be less involved than we initially thought, and thus cost less. In this case as well, you would only be charged for the actual work that was performed.

In any case, it’s important to remember that the estimate you’re given should always be considered a starting point rather than a final figure.

In our next few sections, we’ll go over some of the most common elements that impact your roof repair estimate.

Size and Extent of Damage

One of the first things our roofing professionals will do when you contact us about repairs is to come out and take a look at your roof. We’ll then be able to get a better idea of the size of the repair job and how extensive the damage is.

In general, larger repair jobs or those involving more widespread damage are going to cost more than smaller, more localized repairs.

The Age of Your Roof

Another important factor that will impact your roof repair estimate is the age of your roof. Older roofs are generally going to require more extensive repairs than newer ones, as they’re more likely to have structural damage or other issues.

If you have an older roof, it’s worth considering whether repairs are actually the best option, or whether it might make more sense to replace the roof entirely. Our roofing professionals can advise you on this based on the condition of your roof.

The Materials Used in Your Roof

The materials used in your roof will also play a role in the cost of repairs. Some materials, such as asphalt shingles, are less expensive to work with than others, such as metal.

If you’re not sure what kind of materials were used in your roof, our professionals can help you to identify them. In some cases, it may also be possible to use a different type of material for repairs than was used originally — again, our team can advise you on this.

Labor Costs

Some repair jobs are going to be much more labor-intensive than others. If your roof is easily accessible and the damage is relatively minor, repairs are likely to be fairly quick and straightforward.

On the other hand, if your roof is more difficult to access or the damage is more significant, repairs are going to take longer and be more complex, which will in turn impact the cost. For example, if your roof needs to be partially or entirely replaced, this is obviously going to take more time than making smaller, localized repairs.

In some cases, it may also be necessary to bring in additional labor to complete the job — for example, if special equipment is required.

Disposal Costs

Another potential cost to consider is disposal, a common element of most roof repair jobs. After all, the old materials that are being removed from your roof will need to go somewhere, and in most cases, this will be at an additional cost.

Some companies include disposal in their overall estimate, while others charge it as an additional fee. Be sure to ask about this ahead of time so there are no surprises.

In certain cases, if there’s quite a bit of debris that needs to be removed from the roof or property area, some companies will charge a specific fee for this, rather than including it in the disposal costs.

Material Transportation

Finally, there are some roof repair jobs where materials will need to be brought to the job site, which can impact the overall cost.

For example, if your roof needs to be replaced and materials need to be brought in from off-site, this is obviously going to add to the cost of the job. The same is true if special equipment is required for repairs and needs to be brought to the job site.

In some cases, companies will include the cost of transportation in their overall estimate. In other cases, they may charge it as an additional fee. Once again, it’s important to ask about this ahead of time so there are no surprises.

For more on how to interpret your roof repair estimate and what will be included in it, or to learn about any of our roof repairs, roof replacements or emergency roof services, speak to the team at The Roof Doctor today.

For many who have been attentive home or property owners for a number of years, certain indicators are somewhat well-known as signs of roofing issues. Things like missing shingles, major water leaks and others are pretty obviously indicating you have an issue taking place with your roof — but what about some of the subtler, less obvious signs that something might be going on in this vital area?

At The Roof Doctor, we’re here to help with numerous client needs just like this. Our residential roofers are here to help Tooele, Utah clients with everything from issue identification through roof repairs and even re-roofing projects if needed. We often help homeowners identify issues with their roof that may not have been apparent to the untrained eye, including several subtler signs. What are a few of these that you should be aware of, and what might they be signaling with regard to your roof? Here are some basic examples.

Whistling Sounds

Have you recently begun to notice the strange presence of whistling sounds or unusual airflow coming from your attic space? If so, this is a serious sign that something might be amiss with your roofing. It could be an indicator of improper ventilation — or, in some cases, it could signal the presence of a hole or crack somewhere in your roof that’s allowing air to pass through.

Either way, this is not a sign to ignore. If you’ve noticed whistling sounds or unusual airflow in your attic, contact a roofing professional right away to have the situation assessed and rectified as needed.

Excessive Heat/Energy Bills

Have you also begun to notice that your energy bills have been spiking recently, even though you haven’t changed anything about your normal usage patterns? If so, this could also be an indicator that something is wrong with your roof. It’s possible that your attic space isn’t being properly ventilated, which is causing your air conditioner to work overtime in order to keep things cool — and driving up your energy bills as a result.

It’s also possible that significant leaks or cracks in your roof are present, allowing heat to enter your attic space and make it harder to keep things cool. If you’ve noticed a sudden increase in your energy bills, contact a roofing professional as soon as possible to have the situation assessed.

Animals on the Roof

To be clear, there are instances where animals will run on your roof even if there’s no significant damage — especially if you have tall trees with branches that allow animals like squirrels or others easy access, this sort of thing isn’t unexpected.

However, there are other cases where animals regularly taking up residence on your roof could be an indicator of trouble. If animals are regularly nesting in your gutters or trying to enter your attic space, this could signal that there are holes or cracks present that they’re taking advantage of. These need to be repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage — and to keep animals from invading your home.

If you fail to notice or attend to these issues, you’re likely headed for a singular outcome: The animal(s) in question make the existing damage worse, and cause additional issues as they come and go. If you have animals taking up residence on your roof, contact a professional right away to assess the situation and make repairs as needed.

Black Spots

You may think black spots on your roof are just a bit unsightly, but they could actually signal a serious problem — especially if they’re present on your shingles. These black spots are often an indicator of the presence of mold, mildew or algae, which can shorten the lifespan of your shingles and leave your roof more vulnerable to leaks and other damage.

If you’ve noticed black spots on your shingles, contact a roofing professional to have the situation cleaned and remedied as needed. Depending on the severity of the issue, this may be something you can take care of yourself with a little elbow grease and the right cleaning solution.

In any case, don’t ignore these spots — they could signal serious trouble for your roof down the line if they’re not remedied.

Nails Along Home Edges

Have you recently begun to notice nails on the ground of your property near the edges of your home? If so, this could be an indicator that elements of your roof have begun to degrade, including some of the nails that hold exterior components in place.

This is not something you should ignore, as it could signal serious damage to your roof that needs to be remedied by a professional. If you’ve noticed nails on the ground near your home, contact a roofing contractor right away to schedule an inspection and repairs as needed.

Buckling Shingles

When it comes to shingles on your roof, the issue most people are conditioned to notice is when they’re missing — especially when a large area of shingles are all missing. However, this is not the only issue that can arise with shingles that can signal serious trouble. Buckling shingles are another key indicator, and they may be a sign of moisture damage or even fungus on your roof.

If you’ve noticed buckling in your roof, contact a professional right away to have the problem assessed — and taken care of if necessary.

For more on subtler signs of roof concerns that you should know how to spot, or to learn about any of our roof repair or roof replacement services in Tooele or nearby parts of Utah, speak to the team at The Roof Doctor today.

There are certain parts of a given home or building where certain physical issues or wear-and-tear concerns can wait on repairs at least for a little while — but also others where they can’t, and the roof is a great example. Certain minor roofing issues, such as a single missing shingle or a small gutter problem, won’t cause major problems if you can’t get to them for a few days or weeks; others, however, are emergencies that require immediate assistance from roofing professionals.

At The Roof Doctor, we’re here to help in both these situations. Our roof repair services are offered to clients throughout Salt Lake City and other parts of Utah, and include both emergency repairs and more standard formats — both of which we cover. How can you determine whether an issue with your roof qualifies as an emergency? Here are a few of the telltale signs that this issue cannot wait, and that you should be calling our team for assistance right away.

Noticeably Sagging, Uneven Roof

If you’re viewing your roof from the outside, or even from inside your attic, and notice that it appears to be saggy or uneven, this is a major red flag. This could be caused by a number of things, such as damage from a recent storm or even wear and tear over time, but either way it needs to be addressed urgently.

A roof that’s uneven is more susceptible to water damage and other problems, so it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible. If you don’t, you’ll be risking even more damage to your property and could end up paying far more for repairs in the future — or you may even have to replace the entire roof much earlier than you had planned.

Multiple Areas of Sunlight Coming Through

When inspecting your roof from the attic, seeing one or two minor instances of sunlight may not be too large a concern. This can happen over time, and may require a simple shingle replacement or some kind of patching job.

If, however, you’re seeing multiple areas of sunlight coming through, this is a much bigger issue and definitely qualifies as an emergency. This means that your roof is not doing its job in keeping moisture and other elements out, which could lead to serious water damage in the near future. In fact, many homeowners who see this happening to their roof will later realize that water damage has already begun to take place.

Excessive, Major Granule Loss

Granules are important roofing materials, used to protect the singles of your roof from the elements. They usually fall off gradually as your roof ages, but if you’re seeing an excessive amount of granules in your gutters or on the ground below your home, this is a sign that your roof is in bad shape.

The reason this is such a big deal is because it means that the protective layer over your roof is starting to wear away, which leaves your roof singles exposed and vulnerable to damage. If this problem isn’t fixed soon, you could be looking at a complete roof replacement in the near future, rather than just some minor repairs.

Significant Shingle Areas Missing

Again, this is an area where some context is required. Just one or two missing shingles on separate parts of the roof typically will not qualify as an emergency — this isn’t creating a major water damage risk, for one, and it’s also something that can typically be fixed in a day or two.

If, however, you’re missing several shingles in one particular area (or if they’ve been blown away by a recent storm), this is definitely an emergency. This opens your roof up to much greater water damage risk, as well as leaving it more susceptible to the elements in general. It’s important to address this as soon as possible, and our professionals can help get your roof back to its best shape in no time.

Curling or Buckling Concerns

Have you begun to notice your roof warping, curling or buckling? If so, this is another major sign that your roof needs emergency repairs. This is usually a sign that the roofing singles themselves are starting to fail, and if left untreated it could lead to even more serious damage down the road.

Major Unidentified Leaks (Especially in Upper Parts of the Home)

Finally, there may be cases where you’re having trouble identifying where a leak is coming from, or it’s in an area of the home that you can’t easily access. In these cases, it’s best to call in a professional who can help identify and fix the problem.

Roofing systems are complex, and as a homeowner you may not always be able to spot a problem right away. Just because you can’t see a leak doesn’t mean it’s not there — in fact, many leaks occur in upper parts of the home where they’re harder to detect. If you’re seeing water damage in any area of your home, it’s important to call a professional and have them take a look at your roof.

As a homeowner, it’s important to be aware of the signs that your roof needs emergency repairs. By being proactive and watching for these signs, you can avoid potentially costly and serious damage down the road.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our roof repair or roof installation services in Salt Lake City or any other part of Utah, speak to the team at The Roof Doctor today.