Can someone educate me on replacing my roof (home, neighborhood)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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Dug up an old thread and some inputs that I had at the time.
1) Get references
2) verify Insurance and workers comp
3) 4 nails per shingle
4) use fiberglass reinforced felt, 30lb preferable
5) new boots around all vents
6) if you have gable vents plug them up and go with the recommended ridge vents.
7) new flashing in all areas requiring flashing
8) new waterproofing in all valleys, around chimneys, and any vents
9) aluminum drip edges on all edges
10) starter strips along the eaves
11) get cost for wood work should you need new plywood or any trim wood replaced. (ex. from Newsome roofing: $45 per sheet for any plywood that needs to be replaced, other wood at $4/linear foot should trim need to be replaced). With a note in the quote stating that these were reference costs and not included on the pricing.
12) shrub protection
13) clean up daily
14) magnetic nail sweep
15) get workmanship warranty in writing
There may be more but I'm winging it from memory after doing my research. The key is to meet with the people since some will offer to come by and take measurement when you are not home. You're buying quality first and the product second. As stated above, no discussion of payment until the job is completed and signed off.
3-15 should be included in the quote since that quote is often the proposal and acceptance document.
I would think there'd be more mistakes when a worker gets fatigued and burnt out.
Lets be realistic here - your average hired work isn't going to care if the nail hits a gap or edge.
But the decision to use a nail gun or nail by hand is not the decision of the average hired worker, it is the decision of the company owner (because he's the one that will eat any costs if he gets called back for loose shingles).
Even if the boss is in the smaller percentage of roofing company owners that are not believers (in the theory that on average there are less problems with a hand nailed roof compared to an gun nailed roof), his client might have specified they want hand-nailed in their contract, and since everyone can see what they're doing on the roof, the worker who decides to breach contract is not going to be roofing for that boss much longer.
The most reputable roofers will at least offer hand nailing as an option, if not demand it.
My roof came with the house back in 93' so it's getting about that time. Can some give any advise or reccomend some shop or another?
What's a good price?
What should i be looking for for impending failure/issues?
What should I be doing?
Any input welcome, thanks
On Tops roofing. 10 man crew, work done in one day on a 2900 square ft. house. Dumpster delivered at 7:30a, gone by 7:30p. All new boots, crickets and stand pipes painted black and vent caps installed. And they were $500 less than the competition. Angier.
Dug up an old thread and some inputs that I had at the time.
1) Get references
2) verify Insurance and workers comp
3) 4 nails per shingle
4) use fiberglass reinforced felt, 30lb preferable
5) new boots around all vents 6) if you have gable vents plug them up and go with the recommended ridge vents. 7) new flashing in all areas requiring flashing
8) new waterproofing in all valleys, around chimneys, and any vents
9) aluminum drip edges on all edges
10) starter strips along the eaves
11) get cost for wood work should you need new plywood or any trim wood replaced. (ex. from Newsome roofing: $45 per sheet for any plywood that needs to be replaced, other wood at $4/linear foot should trim need to be replaced). With a note in the quote stating that these were reference costs and not included on the pricing.
12) shrub protection
13) clean up daily
14) magnetic nail sweep
15) get workmanship warranty in writing
There may be more but I'm winging it from memory after doing my research. The key is to meet with the people since some will offer to come by and take measurement when you are not home. You're buying quality first and the product second. As stated above, no discussion of payment until the job is completed and signed off.
3-15 should be included in the quote since that quote is often the proposal and acceptance document.
6) if you have gable vents plug them up and go with the recommended ridge vents.
This is blanket advice, too often inappropriately given and artlessly followed. Ridge vent is popular. That does not make it appropriate for all installations.
Proper ridge vent installation requires some thorough consideration of the subject property and often a bit of calculation.
Closing off ridge vents? Not on my house, and I would not have hired a roofer who insisted it was required or necessary.
Any roof pitch below about 8/12 or so? Ridge venting may be compromised by reduced air stratification and less movement and exhaust via convection.
4/12 or 5/12 roofs, such as on many ranch homes cannot be vented properly with just ridge vent, and the soffits often prevent proper soffit vents without significant renovation.
Hip roof with short ridge run? The ridge is usually far too short to provide enough vent area. A gable dormer with a large vent is nearly a necessity.
Configuration of the house, cut up roof design, additional false gables, etc, may block air flow.
Hire a roofer who really understands air, humidity, and venting. And who will do most of the other stuff in the list above.
That seems extremely unlikely, but I guess anything is possible.
Why is it unlikely? That's like saying a GC won't have the same subs working for him for years and years. My BIL was a GC in NY, had the same crew working for him for 30 years. It's not like someone with a degree from Harvard Law is up there nailing down shingles....if you work for a small business and they treat you right, you're going to stay, especially for something like roofing which is absolute back breaking work.
Why is it unlikely? That's like saying a GC won't have the same subs working for him for years and years. My BIL was a GC in NY, had the same crew working for him for 30 years. It's not like someone with a degree from Harvard Law is up there nailing down shingles....if you work for a small business and they treat you right, you're going to stay, especially for something like roofing which is absolute back breaking work.
You can't really compare a skilled sub to a laborer hammering nails on a 120 degree roof for 20 years.
Well, after about 1/3 of the houses in my neighborhood have gotten their roof replaced for free from a "storm chaser" I think I am about to go that route. I resisted the temptation the first few times they came knocking but about 4 months ago I noticed water stains in a bathroom upstairs that is rarely used so I suspect my roof has a leak. The home is about 9 years old and just yesterday a company came knocking and asked if I wanted a free roof inspection.
I got the inspection and of course they said I have wind and hail damage. They gave me the names of some neighbors that they had done and after speaking with 4 of the neighbors, all were pleased with the work and are happy with their roofs. Most were done before last years hurricane and have been leak free.
Has anyone gotten this done before and can you give me your opinions good or bad? Thanks
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