Category: Roofing

At The Roof Doctor, one of our specialties within our commercial and residential roofing services is shingles. Our roofing contractors have dealt with every variety of shingle material over the years, and we know exactly how to install, repair and care for them no matter what your roofing needs.

If you’re considering a new roofing material for your home or business, why should you be thinking about shingles? Here are some of the primary facts that make them so beneficial and widely-used across various roofing systems.

Durability

When properly installed, shingles are some of the most durable roofing materials available on the market. They will offer your home or building decades of high-quality protection, generally in excess of 20 years depending on weather conditions and a few other factors.

How long exactly will your shingles last? Well, that depends. Shingles are generally offered in three quality grades, with the highest grades providing the best wind and fire resistance and also lasting longer. Naturally, these options will also cost a bit more.

Recyclability

For those interested in maintaining sustainability and benefitting the environment, shingles are a great choice. They’re generally fully recyclable, meaning that you aren’t creating a huge amount of waste for your nearby landfill when it eventually comes time to replace them. A greater and greater number of shingle manufacturers are beginning to prioritize recyclability in their products, and you can do the same as a buyer.

Cost Efficiency

When you consider their combination of price and durability, there’s an easy case to be made that shingles are the single most cost-effective roofing product available. Most manufacturers offer 15- or 30-year warranties on their shingles, plus extended options in some cases, meaning the lifespan you get out of your purchase is very long.

In addition, shingles are easier to work with and cheaper to install than many other roofing materials. When you put this all together, those looking for a great roofing material that doesn’t break the bank – both short-term and long-term – are well advised to strongly consider shingles as a top option.

Colors and Appearance

One common concern we see from home or business owners is regarding the appearance of shingles. Some feel that shingles don’t really lend much aesthetic value to a building, and might prefer other options that can.

However, take some time to educate yourself first on the ranges of colors and blends available with shingles. They come in the classic black and gray colors you’re used to seeing, of course, but they’re also offered in earth tones, blues, greens, reds and numerous other customizable colors. In addition, shingles can be crafted to mimic the appearance of slate, tile or wood shakes – even roofing experts have to get up-close to tell the difference here, so anyone looking at your building certainly won’t be able to.

For more on shingles and why they’re beneficial, or to learn about any of our roofing repair services, speak to the pros at The Roof Doctor today.

At The Roof Doctor, we’re your go-to experts for everything involving residential or commercial roofing products. We’ve dealt with every roofing material and process out there, and no matter your needs, we can help keep you and anyone else in your structure comfortable and protected from the elements.

One area we commonly advise our clients on is roof coatings, which can be used in many cases as a form of roof repair that’s more sensible than a full-on roof replacement. What kind of roofing materials can and can’t be coated, and what are some of the possible benefits here? Let’s take a look.

“Coatable” Materials

One note right as we get started here: If you have an asphalt roof, the remainder of this blog doesn’t really apply to you. Asphalt roofs cannot be coated due to their material type, which isn’t suitable for that sort of thing – though they do provide their own benefits that often make coating unnecessary (in fact, many coating products themselves are made partially of asphalt).

That said, virtually any other roof type can be “coatable.” The material does need to be in proper condition – options like metal or membrane roofs are the most common options for coatings to be used on. There are a number of different single-ply roof membranes out there, all of which generally do well with coating applications.

Cost Efficiency

Particularly if you have a metal roof system, these are premium products – their replacement costs can be significant, and they may also have architecture elements you don’t want to lose for your home or building. In these cases, considering coating can be a great alternative to an expensive replacement.

There are a few different coatings that will work well for metal surfaces, such as aluminum or asphalt. These stop minor leaks that may have formed, and also help the roof look sealed and more aesthetically pleasing. There are even advanced coatings that come with fabric for additional protection.

In addition, note that roof coatings come in a variety of styles and colors. Plus, most cities and states don’t require building permits for roof coatings, so you limit your cost and hassle here.

Direct Stand-Alone Application

Many don’t even consider this, but coatings can even be used in some cases as their own stand-alone roofing systems. Coating can be applied directly over a plywood roof sheathing, providing great protection that will never blow away in the wind. These kinds of coatings are often a perfect overlay for an old roof, as they’re lightweight and durable.

Warranties

If you consider premium coatings, these generally come with 10- or 15-year watertight warranties from their manufacturers. These warranties are even renewable most of the time. Again, this can be a fantastic alternative to a roof replacement in many situations.

For more on roof coatings, or to learn about any of our roofing repair services, contact the roofing contractors at The Roof Doctor today.

When it comes to roofing, the last thing home and building owners want to hear about is leaks. Roofing leaks can cause major issues for any building they’re present in, from major water damage and roof replacement up to the risks of mold, mildew, rot and other results.

At The Roof Doctor, we’re here to help with any and all leak-related areas. Our roofing repair services include repairing everything from basic leaks up to larger and more problematic ones, but they also include one are some don’t consider: Determining whether the moisture you’ve noticed is truly a sign of a roof leak, or whether it might be due to condensation in the home. Let’s take a look at the common signs of each.

Signs of Condensation

Condensation refers to a condition that forms when cold surfaces are contacted by moisture present in the air. The most common place to see condensation is on the windows – improperly insulated windows can allow bits of cold air to pass through into a building, for instance, and this air then comes into contact with the inside of the cold window.

When it comes to moisture in the home that you’re worried could be a roof leak, how do you tell whether this is the case or it’s condensation? For one, consider the location of the moisture – if it’s in a place where you’d expect there to be plenty, such as the bathroom or the kitchen, chances are this is just condensation taking place. Other common areas are light fixtures, vents, windows and skylights.

Signs of Leaks

Now, if you notice this moisture in less common areas, particularly if you see it coming from the ceiling located directly below a roof, you may have actual roof leaking issues. There are two ways to determine for sure if this is the cause of your moisture issues:

• Circle your property on the ground and visually check the roof for damage, such as missing shingles or cracks. Unless you’ve been up there before with a professional or are certified to do so, do not risk your safety by climbing up onto the roof itself.

• If you have an attic, go up into it on a sunny day. Check around various spots of the roof and see if you notice sunlight coming through from outside – if light can get through, so can water, so you should immediately call our pros about repair.

Proper Response

Now, it’s important to note that while condensation is not as serious as a roof leak, it’s still an issue that can cause water damage over time. You should take steps to improve your insulation and ventilation if you determine condensation is adding to the moisture in your home. And of course, if you determine that the source of moisture is actually a roof leak, call our experts right away to see about roof repair.

For more on telling roof leaks apart from condensation, or to learn about any of our roofing repair services, speak to the pros at The Roof Doctor today.

The fall period is an important one for homeowners across Utah in several areas, and roofs are one of them. As the first line of defense for your home or business against the winter cold and snow that are on their way over the next several months, autumn is a time to ensure everything is in working order when it comes to the roof.

At The Roof Doctor, we’re here to offer comprehensive roof repair and roof inspections this fall to help keep your roof functioning well. There are actually several reasons why this time of year is the best one for making the yearly repairs and tweaks your roof needs – here are some of the reasons why, including a couple you may not have considered.

Winter Preparation

As we mentioned above, the primary reason for roof repairs during the fall is to prepare for the upcoming winter. This is the harshest season for roofs across Utah, as they might be forced to deal with everything from colder temperatures to heavy snow and even hail at times.

If the roof is already damaged in small ways, this can expose it to much more danger during the winter if these areas aren’t addressed in advance. Missing shingles during the end of summer might not cause any issues whatsoever; these same missing shingles during the winter could lead to major leaks, which in some cases can even trickle down to mold or mildew issues. And once you get into winter, these repairs are tougher to make and often costlier.

Ideal Material Temperatures

Another great reason for making these repairs in fall, rather than earlier in the summer: The temperature. Summer is a bit too hot to be ideal for many basic roof repairs or installations, particularly for asphalt and related materials – these are best worked on in temperatures ranging between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect for the fall period. In some cases, this can make labor cheaper for these projects, and cut down on overall work time in the process.

Utility Bill

Having a roofer look at your home during the fall period can also have a major impact on your utility bill – not just for that month, but for the entire winter and even into the following spring and summer. Damaged roofs simply will not function as well when it comes to insulation and trapping air; they’re prone to leaks that allow air to escape very easily. What makes up for this air escaping? That’s right, extra work from your furnace, which in turn will cost you more come bill time each month. A roof that’s well-prepared and sealed properly will save energy and money at the same time.

For more on why the fall is the best period to repair your roof, or to learn about what our residential and commercial roofing contractors can do for you, speak to the pros at The Roof Doctor today.

Winter is quickly approaching, and for homeowners in Utah, that means it’s time to consider a few roofing repair areas. You want your home fully protected from the elements headed into what could be a snowy winter.

At The Roof Doctor, we can help with all areas of roofing repair, including snow removal for several home areas, including the roof, if needed during the winter. This speaks to one concern that some homeowners may have if their roof is older or wearing down: A roof collapse. In this blog, we’ll go over how to tell if your roof might be at risk of collapsing, plus what you can do along with our pros to ensure this doesn’t happen to you.

Snow and Roof Collapses

The single most common reason for roofs collapsing is the weight of snow that builds up on them during the winter. Regardless of roofing type, enough weight can be enough to strain the roof and even collapse it in some cases. A single cubic foot of dry snow weighs between six and eight pounds – apply that to the entire square area of your roof, and you realize that it deals with huge amounts of weight when lots of snow has built up. In addition, packed snow or ice can weigh even more than this.

Warning Signs

For starters, know that if you have certain roof formats, you’ll generally be at higher or lower risk for a roof collapse. Flat or low-sloped roofs have the highest risk, due to the fact that they allow snow and other moisture to build up more easily. Roofs with a steeper grade, however, will retain less moisture and are at a lower risk.

In addition, there are several other potential signs that might indicate your roof is at risk of collapsing. Here are a few to be aware of:

• Significant leaks that repeat often

• Sagging areas noticeable on the interior ceiling, or on exterior shingles

• Ripples, bends and other visible deformities in roof structure or framing elements

• Cracks in exterior masonry of the home

• Upper-level indoor fire sprinkler heads that have been pushed down and appear below ceiling tiles

• Doors or windows that suddenly are tough to open or may pop open by themselves

• Bent or otherwise altered utility pipes or conduits at visible points in the ceiling

If you notice any of these issues taking place, contact our Roof Doctor experts right away so we can help you avoid a major incident.

Prevention Tips

In addition, there are several things you can do to prevent the risks of a collapsing roof in the first place:

• Keep all drains and gutters completely clean and free of blockages so moisture can naturally flow away from the roof.

• Remove excessive snow from the roof – our pros can help here.

• Remove various forms of debris from the roof, as well as mold or algae, which can hold moisture.

• If you discover even minor roof problems that don’t cause a full collapse, have them repaired promptly to avoid worsening damage.

For more on recognizing the signs of a roof collapse risk and avoiding this issue, or to learn about any of our residential or commercial roofing contractors, speak to the staff at The Roof Doctor today.