Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Common Reasons For Atlanta Roof Issues

Have you ever wondered why your roof let you down? Have you ever wondered what the major causes for roof leaks are in the first place? Well, you may be surprised to know that the vast majority of all roof repair we have to perform in the Atlanta area are actually not from storm or hail damage, but actually stem from improper installation of the roof to begin with, poorly performed roof repair in the past, and problems with the flashing!
Lets tackle the first issue mentioned above, improper roof installation. Unfortunately, each and every year many resdients of the Atlanta area need to have a roof replaced, whether as a result of hail and storm damage, or general wear and tear over the duration of the life of the roof. The biggest challenge they face is finding a competant, licensed and bonded roofing contractor so lets discuss that first: The following are steps you should take to make sure you are allowing the right company on your roof:
Ask for their license number
Ask if they are bonded and insured - make them prove it
Ask for references of people that have had their roof from this company for more than a year
Interview them - generally you can filter out the bad ones with instinct
Do they have a physical address for their business, more than one truck?
Are they members of the BBB?
While there are no guarantees that the aforementioned advice will filter out the bad seeds, choosing the right roofer in Atlanta to install your new roof is important and these steps can help. ACS Residential is an Atlanta Roofer that is licensed, bonded and insured and will provide you with a free estimate and even a free inspection for your roof issues. Choose a trusted Atlanta roofer who is locally owned and operated and has strong roots in the community.
The second major issue we discussed that leads to roof damage and the need for roof repair in the Atlanta area was problems with the flashing on your home. What is flashing? Here are some examples:
Chimney
Step
Apron
Valley
Flashing is generally found where anything is connected to the roof or protrudes through it. As you can imagine when flashing is not properly installed and sealed, these are some of the weakest points of the roof. Water is one of the most powerful forces we deal with and has a knack of being able to squeeze into small spaces, expand them, and over time open them up wide! Flashing must be checked during any roof inspection, and certainly during any roof repair!
In addition to the flashing and roof installation issues that lead to roof damage, there are some other common issues you should be aware of when you experience roof leaks. The following are some of the other potential issues that you should make sure your roofer looks into if they are going to perform an inspection or give you an estimate:
Cracked or missing shingles or tiles
Clogged Gutters
Flue in Chimneys
Poor sealing around windows and siding
If you are looking for a professional roofing contractor in the Atlanta area, ACS Residential may be right for you. Licensed, Bonded, Insured, plus 24 hr service and free inspections and free estimates given, Atlanta homeowners have nothing to loose and every reason to trust ACS, your Full Service Atlanta Roofer.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Rainy Season Prep

IS YOUR ATLANTA HOMES ROOF READY FOR THE HURRICANE SEASON?

It is that time of year again where Atlanta residents must ensure their roof is in good condition prior to the rain storms caused by the remnants of hurricanes that pound the coasts of FL, GA, and AL! Many residents of the Atlanta are need a consultation from a qualified and professional Atlanta Roofer to ensure that their family will be safe from the terrential downpours, and violent hail that usually invades the Atlanta Area late August through the end of the year. How can you know if your roof needs repairs? Here are some general tips - if you spot these - call an Atlanta Roofer:
Curled up Shingles
Worn Off Granules
Loose or missing Shingles
Cracked Shingles
Spots on your interior ceiling
Green or Bleack Streaks
Age of the roof - over 15 years old
Sometimes homeowners are weary about hopping on the roof themselves to gain a closer look at potential issues that could lead to leaks, tears, etc. in their roof, and catastrophic damage during the next major storm. For those customers that do not feel comfortable, or simply do not have the time to hop on their roof, there are local companies that will offer free roof inspections to residents of Atlanta. Atlanta Professional Roofers offers same day service as well as free estimates and free roof inspection!
Some of the common reasons that roofs "fail" are the folowing:
Leaks
Poor workmanship
Lack of Maintenance
Storm / weather damage
What is important to know is that most roof failure, from leaks to cave ins can be prevented by ongoing maintenance provided by a local Atlanta Roofer on a bi-annual basis. Many of us dont think about the elements our roofs have to face on a daily basis, however think of the intense rain, hail, wind, sun in Atlanta! Daily exposure to the elements can take its toll - in order to prolong the life of your roof, make sure you have it inspected regularly and save money in the long run!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Atlanta Roofers Tips

IS YOUR ATLANTA HOMES ROOF READY FOR THE HURRICANE SEASON?
It is that time of year again where Atlanta residents must ensure their roof is in good condition prior to the rain storms
caused by the remnants of hurricanes that pound the coasts of FL, GA, and AL! Many residents of the Atlanta are need a consultation from a qualified and professional Atlanta Roofer to ensure that their family will be safe from the terrential downpours, and violent hail that usually invades the Atlanta Area late August through the end of the year. How can you know if your roof needs repairs? Here are some general tips - if you spot these - call an Atlanta Roofer:
Curled up Shingles
Worn Off Granules
Loose or missing Shingles
Cracked Shingles
Spots on your interior ceiling
Green or Bleack Streaks
Age of the roof - over 15 years old
Sometimes homeowners are weary about hopping on the roof themselves to gain a closer look at potential issues that could lead to leaks, tears, etc. in their roof, and catastrophic damage during the next major storm. For those customers that do not feel comfortable, or simply do not have the time to hop on their roof, there are local companies that will offer free roof inspections to residents of Atlanta. Atlanta Professional Roofers offers same day service as well as free estimates and free roof inspection!
Some of the common reasons that roofs "fail" are the folowing:
Leaks
Poor workmanship
Lack of Maintenance
Storm / weather damage
What is important to know is that most roof failure, from leaks to cave ins can be prevented by ongoing maintenance provided by a local Atlanta Roofer on a bi-annual basis. Many of us dont think about the elements our roofs have to face on a daily basis, however think of the intense rain, hail, wind, sun in Atlanta! Daily exposure to the elements can take its toll - in order to prolong the life of your roof, make sure you have it inspected regularly and save money in the long run!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Great Article from Do It Yourself

A leaking roof is the last thing that you need especially on a rainy night. Fortunately, you can prevent leaky roofs by following these simple steps, all aimed at taking care of the situation beforehand.
1. Check out the Most Likely Roof Leak Spots
The most likely places where you will get a roof leak are the chimney, plumbing vent flashing, ice dams, skylights, wall step flashings, furnace shingles, fields of shingles and missing shingles. It may be difficult for you to identify the problematic area in the absence of rain or snow and therefore you may have to do the identification during wet weather.
Apart from these leak hot spots, your roof may leak because it simply because it is worn out and needs a complete overhaul.
Most leak spots are never directly above the location where the dripping occurs on the ceiling. For this reason, locating the exact spot may require you to start in the attic. Here, you can locate a spot that lets in the sun’s rays or alternatively you can have a partner water the roof so that you can identify where the dripping goes through. Following leak stains is another way to find leak spots. Leak stains will normally be observed around skylights, chimneys, and vents.
2. Emergency Roof-Leak Repair Measures
Sometimes it just happens that a leak emerges right in the middle of a shower. You can take care of this by using plastic sheeting to cover the leak area on the roof. This sheeting needs to be stapled onto two 2 by 4s that can then be nailed along the eaves, climbing over the roof ridge, and some feet below on the other side of the roof. This should adequately cover the entire leak area.
3. Temporary Repair for Roof Leaks
Once you have identified the leaking spot you may as well start implementing some temporary repair measures. Such measures may involve climbing to the roof armed with tools like a hammer and some nails, and materials like tar and flashing.
Fixing the leak spot in this manner may suffice for a wet night but more repair work needs to be done if the problem is to be completely solved.
4. Repairing Leaks in Shingle Roofing
One of the easiest leaky roof repair jobs that you can do is when the problem is identified as bent-back shingles. Here, the solution involves replacing the damaged shingles. Remove the layer of shingles above the damaged ones and then replace them with new ones.
5. Problems with Collars and Flashings
Pipes are also a major cause of leaking roofs and the troublesome spots will mostly involve the collars and flashings. These immediately call for new replacements. Pipe leaks may also require some extra work in terms of observing if the wood beneath the roof is soft from water damage. Such wood surfaces do rot with time and thus they become unreliable. The situation may require you to re-roof the house depending on the extent of the damage.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Atlanta Area Roofing Tips

Obvious or unforeseen, roof problems are always a pain and undoubtedly a significant expense. Buildings magazine examined which problems are most common and the conditions that can either cause or be the result of premature failure and reduced service life of low-slope roof systems. This is not a self-diagnostic guide, but rather an informative list of some of the problems most often battled by building owners and facilities professionals.
Leaking roofs can usually be repaired quite barely depending on how severe the damage to the roof is. By locating the general area of the roof leak on your home the problem can be isolated and fixed fairly easily. Most roof repair contractors can locate the cause of a roof leak quickly and will often explain the problem in wrong way.
The source of the roof leak is not always obvious. A leak may not be directly above the water stain on the ceiling or the wet spot on the attic floor; it may travel horizontally under the shingles and then down the roof sheathing before penetrating at a seam. Some apparent “leaks” may in fact be condensation on the underside of the roof caused by inadequate attic ventilation.
It helps to know the most common leak locations. The most obvious ones are wherever the roofing is visibly missing or damaged, but more often leaks occur at flashing points (valleys and roof penetrations). In northern climates, where roofs are exposed to snow and ice, roofs that are otherwise in perfect condition may leak in the lower foot or two of the roof when snow and ice build up, forming a dam that collects water from melting snow. If leaks occur only at these locations and under these conditions, the solution lies in preventing the dams (a matter of proper ceiling insulation and eave ventilation).
A roof structure has to be designed in such a way, that no ponding water can take place resulting in a structural failure or permanent deformation of the roof or its parts.
Important factors are here:
Sufficient stiffness of the roof and its components.
Sufficient rainwater discharge possibilities. In case of malfunctioning of the regular rainwater discharge system, an adequate overflow system has to be present. The strength and stiffness of the roof and its components has to be designed, detailed and executed keeping in mind the maximum overflow water levels.
?Sufficient roof slope and or camber.
Another important fact is all roofings are subject to damage from strong winds and flying debris. Roofs, generally, are not designed to withstand winds of hurricane and tornado intensity. However, the greatest damage to roofs is not necessarily from hurricanes but, rather, from winds of moderate intensity and the gusts that may reach to higher miles per hour that accompany them. Asphalt roofings, particularly free-tab asphalt shingles, improperly applied arc probably most susceptible to wind damage.
Another cause of wind damage to roofs is the partial vacuum caused by wind blowing perpendicularly over the ridge of a roof and causing the roll roofing to tug at its reroofing has been requested when repair of the flashings or provision for new flashings was all that was required to make the roof leak-proof. When it is considered that the function of flashings is to provide a waterproof junction between the roof and other parts of the structure and between roof sections, their importance, and the importance of maintaining them properly cannot be overemphasized.
Some maintenance tasks are common to all types of roofs; others are specific to the particular roof type. Some tasks will need to be completed more often if you live close to the sea or in a geothermal area. Check with the manufacturer of your roof for specific maintenance requirements.
Roofs are no longer merely the skin on the top of a building. Today, the roof is an integrated component of a complex building envelope system that includes the foundation, walls, windows, masonry and structural components. All those components combine to provide an energy efficient, waterproof envelope. With energy efficiency becoming a crucial goal, the roof is expected to perform functions beyond merely providing a waterproof surface on the top of the building.
Sometimes, a roof might appear to leak in January when the temperature dips below freezing, but the roof might not be leaking. What happens is condensation is created when the warm, moist interior air inside the building contacts cold surfaces or when cold air leaks through the building's exterior skin.This problem might result from a missing or inadequate air barrier or vapor retarder on ceilings or walls, or from inadequate insulation or ventilation. Cold areas above the insulation in joist cavities or attic spaces must be vented. If natural ventilation is difficult or too expensive, technicians can install a fan that moves moist air out of the cold space.
Lack of maintenance is a key reason why old buildings deteriorate. Maintenance essentially means preventing rainwater getting in where it can cause harm. It is commonly said that water is potentially most likely to enter through the roof, so putting right minor problems here before they worsen can avert the need for more extensive repair. Visit www.atlantaroofersinc.com for help with roofing in the Atlanta area!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Does Your Roof Need a Repair?

DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL TO INSPECT YOUR ROOF? ASK YOURSELF:
Is your roof leaking?
Is your roof dis-colored?
Have you had a hail storm lately and are nervous about the condition of your roof?
Has your roof been damaged by tree limbs or debris?
Are there Shingles missing?
Can you notice sagging in your roof?
If you have answered yes or even "I think so" to any of these questions call a trained professional today!

Remember, frequent roof inspections can prevent the need of a new roof anytime soon. Spotting trouble early and working with a qualified roofer in Atlanta to perform roof repairs can prolong the life of your roof, and keep overall costs down! If you are looking for a qualified roofer in the Atlanta Metro Area, visit www.atlantaroofersinc.com and find out about your free inspection and free estimate!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Roofing Repairs in Atlanta

Leak repairs
are one of the many challenges that a homeowner is faced with. The problem becomes even more serious when you realize that leaks from the roof can cause a variety of problems in your home, such as mold infestations or damaged foundations. The serious drips and leaks which are proven to come from roof damage, and not other sources, require immediate roof repairs because the problems they can trigger are very challenging. However, there’s no need to panic, because nowadays there’s a solution to every problem and leak repairs are actually quite easy to perform due to modern technology. Everyone knows that the first step in this leak repair process is to identify the leak source. Most roofs are proven to leak in places such as chimneys, skylights, valleys, fields of shingles, ice dams, wall step flashing or other types of flashings. Missing shingles may also be the cause of leaking from your rooftop. The most common indication of roof leaks is a wet spot on the ceiling. However, when you see such a spot on your ceiling you shouldn’t think of roof repairs automatically, as there are other causes of roof leaks such as wind driven water or humidity in your attic. The source of the leak will determine the degree of complexity of the leak repairs that you need, and sometimes the best solution is to consult a specialist who will check the roof and determine the exact cause as well as the best solution. If you try to discover the leak source yourself, you should keep in mind that it could be up to ten feet sideways from the place where the dripping is. Therefore, identifying the source may be quite complex, and by the time you do it some serious roof repairs may be necessary. Before you or the roofing contractor manage to do the necessary leak repairs, there are some precaution measures that you should not overlook. These include removing all perishable materials that are under the leak, and especially computers, TV sets and furniture. Roof repairs can be prevented if you check your roof from time to time, even if there are no visible signs of roof damage or leaking. Heavy rain or snow may cause damage to your roof which may result in imminent roof repairs. However, roof inspection after such phenomena can help prevent roof repairs. Hurricanes or hails storms pose even more threats to the integrity of your roof. Therefore, even if the roof seems alright after such a serious weather phenomenon, keep in mind that a roof inspection will save your money by preventing some possible future roof repairs. Sometimes it’s better to let professionals handle it because the place where roof leaks show up may be quite far away from where it originates. Roofing professionals will do all the work for you. You won’t have to put your life in jeopardy by walking on a roof that’s not safe or stepping on insecure framing members in your attic, trying to find the leak source. They will also tell you whether you need leak repairs or not, and what are the best roof repairs for you, according to your financial possibilities and the type of roof on your home. Visit www.atlantaroofersinc.com for help with roofing needs in Atlanta

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Get a Free Roof Estimate - Dont let hail damage ruin your roof

Should I Replace My Roof After a Hail?
Probably the most common question we get from people is whether or not they need to replace their roof after a mild to moderate hail storm because they often don't see any damage on their roofs. When people email me and ask me this question, my answer is "I don't know. I haven't seen your roof," because unless I see the roof, I cannot advise either way. So what I've done is compile some information to help people make that determination themselves, and maybe help some insurance adjusters make that determination. For a free evaluation of your roof visit www.atlantaroofersinc.com