What are the New Fortified Roofing Guidelines for Withstanding Natural Disasters?

What are the New Fortified Roofing Guidelines for Withstanding Natural Disasters?

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What are the new fortified roofing guidelines for roofs to withstand natural disasters? How do you fortify your roof to withstand the worst of storms? It doesn’t take much of a storm to affect your roof. It’s much better to learn if your roof can meet the new standards well before you ever need it to.

There are new roofing guidelines presented by FEMA and go over any hazards that may impact or damage roofs causing significant risk to those living in the home. FEMA divided the standards into wind hazards, flood hazards, and fire hazards.

Natural Hazards and Roofing Standards

There are various natural hazards and the new roofing standards to withstand these natural hazards target three specific and common hazards. It all starts with the roofing installation.

Roofing Installation

The new roofing codes address requirements for roof coverings most often used on high and low-sloped roofs. For high-sloped roofs this is usually roofs made of asphalt shingles, clay, concrete tile, wood shakes, and shingles. For low-sloped roofs this is single-ply, thermoplastic single-ply, sprayed polyurethane foam and liquid applied coating roofs. There are requirement codes for the roofs underlayment, flashing, structure performance and materials.

Flood Hazard Event

You already know about the adaptive roof technology, which can help your roof reduce wet weather flow by 80% by diverting the water to a combined sewer system. But what do you do if your area is being affected by a flood? Will your roof be able to withstand the constant downpour or rush of water in a flood hazard event?

FEMA has one specific flood-related design consideration standard listed, and that is to document your home’s elevation. FEMA mentions green building practices that encourage reducing the building of homes outside the code-minimum elevations. But, sometimes moving to a higher elevation is something you can’t or don’t want to do. When that’s the case, the best thing you can do for your roof to be able to withstand the water is by using water-resistant framing and roofing materials that are adaptive and use technology-driven reduction of water.

Wind Hazard Event

If your home or business is involved in a wind hazard event, you want your roof to be able to withstand not only the major breaches to your roof but also the minor ones. It is the minor breaches to your roof that can result in significant water and economic loss to your home or business. Your roofs sheathing is a good place to start because they help withstand high suction forces. You also want your building and roof to have a roof to wall connection capable of resisting wind forces. FEMA has listed through their ASTM D 7158 three classes of shingles recommended.

The three classes of shingles apply to Category 1 and Category II building which means the non-critical or non-essential facilities like homes. These homes and buildings are less than 60 feet tall with wind range from 90 – 150 mph.

  1. Class D shingles need to pass basic wind speeds up to and including 90 mph.
  2. Class G shingles need to pass basic wind speeds up to and including 120 mph.
  3. Class H shingles need to pass basic wind speeds up to 150 mph.

Basically, if you live in what FEMA calls a high-wind area, you will need to follow the new guidelines for meeting roofing material that meets the wind speed by class.

Wildfire Hazard

For your wildfire hazards, you need a building to lessen the potential of becoming more vulnerable if it’s in or around a wildfire. Roofs can be designed and built, so they help prevent the spread of fire. The roofs may not be able to stop the spread of fire, but they can help prevent it from being more rapid. These codes are in areas where buildings and homes are subject to urban-wildland fires, so the urban-wildland codes detail what you can use as a material on your roof and how you install the roof. It’s the layout of the roof that sometimes influences the performance of the roof in a wildfire event.

The roof must be made of a material that is fire resistant and is covered in FEMA Section R902 with the roof’s insulation covered in Section R906. Most of the wildfire hazard protection lies in the requirements of the individual roof coverings like asphalt shingles, clay or concrete tiles, etc.

What are the New Fortified Roofing Guidelines for Withstanding Natural Disasters?

The roofing guideline standards shift and evolve depending on what section of the country you live in and the materials you use on your roof. You want to make sure you take the FEMA links above as a guideline for your roofing design considerations and best practices when building your roof.

In addition, any regulatory compliance is done at mostly the local level, so be cognizant that the property insurers and reinsurers, as well as your community, will want you to use safety research as your foundation in building a safe, compliant roof. If you need proof that a strong roof is needed for you and your family’s protection you need look no further than the natural disasters over the past fifteen years. In the past fifteen years we’ve been impacted by Katrina, Sandy, Ike, Irene, and more. It’s no longer an option to build a safe and compliant roof it is a critical need.

You should never accept anything less than the best when it comes to maintaining the safety of you and your family. When you need to find a roofing contractor who can give you what you need, check out Roofing Architects. Roofing Architects can help you find a contractor who cares as much about you and your family’s safety in case of natural disasters as you do.

Seven Warning Signs Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced

Seven Warning Signs Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced

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There are seven warning signs that let you know that indicate it’s too late just to repair your roof. It’s now time to replace your roof. The problem with roofs is most people never stop to think about what’s over their head until it springs a leak. If you’ve waited until your roof springs a leak on top of you, you’ve waited too long. The best time to replace your roof is when you can plan and schedule a roof replacement and have time to find the best. It’s when you have time to compare contract prices for labor and materials that you should be looking to replace your roof. The information below will give you the seven warning signs and way forward once you do need to have your roof replaced.

You can use smart technology roofing applications to figure out how to design and build your new roof if you find you need to replace it. But before you start using the latest and greatest smart technology applications to design your new roof there are things you should check first. For instance, there are seven warning signs to look for that can help you not be in a state of emergency when you’re replacing your roof. These seven warning signs let you know may not be able to repair your roof anymore. It’s now time to replace your roof.

1. Water Spots on Your Ceiling

Water stains on a ceiling in your home is an obvious sign there’s a problem with your roof. If you deal with it sooner rather than later, you may be able to ward off having to replace your whole roof. There are so many things that can cause a roof leak, and sometimes you need a roofing expert to help you pinpoint where the real issue is. When you use a roof inspection professional you want to make sure they tell you where they think the leak is coming from and what you need to do about it.

2. Shingle Granules

You’re not alone if you’ve never heard of shingle granules. But, when shingle granules start filling up your gutters, you already have an issue with your roof. Shingle granule loss is very common with asphalt shingles. A little bit here or there doesn’t mean much. When you start noticing a significant amount of granules in your gutters or downspouts, you need a professional roof inspection expert to visit you. Sometimes a severe storm may cause some granule loss, and the older your shingles are, the more storms start ripping roofing granules off in bits and pieces. It may be time to replace your roof before the next big storm comes your way.

3. Dark Spots on Your Roof

You may think you see a few dark spots on your roof when you drive into your driveway and look at it. The next time you look, you think the sun is playing tricks on you. Chances are you’re noticing a dirty looking spot or fungus that’s now growing on your roof. Sometimes the spots are caused by a roof retaining moisture, and sometimes it’s because your roof doesn’t get enough sunlight to dry out completely. But. if after an inspection with a roofing expert they tell you your roof is retaining moisture, then it’s time to replace your roof.

4. Roof Flashing and/or Damaged Chimney

Roof flashing almost always happens around the base of your chimney if you have a chimney on your roof. The flashing is usually made up of roof cement or even tar. There are times when you can just fortify your flashing area with more durable metal. There are times when you need to have the whole roof replaced due to the water damage that is occurring. The water damage is making your roof more vulnerable to failing.

5. Buckling Roof Shingles

You’ve probably noticed it on someone else’s roof from time to time. It’s when you see shingles buckling or curling. When you think you see it on your roof you need to go to the side of the house that receives the most direct sunlight. If you notice any shingles that are curling or frayed at the edges in that location, there’s a problem with your roof. Again, a professional roofing contractor can let you know if you need your entire roof replaced.

6. Daylight Through the Roof Into Your Attic

When you go up into your attic, and you see daylight streaking in from the roof, there’s an issue. If your home or roof is new, there could be a roof defect. You need to have the people who installed your roof, come back, and fix the defect. If your roof or home is older, then there’s something else at play that may require you to replace your roof. Especially if when you climb on the roof and feel a bounce when you walk. There’s moisture in the roofing insulation or the roof boards. Either way, it’s time to get your roof replaced.

7. Your Roof is Old

The average lifespan of a roof is about twenty to twenty-five years. If you’ve already had certain parts of your roof replaced, it may now be time to replace the whole thing. If a new roof was installed over older roof layers then you may have to gut your roof and start from the beginning.

Replacing Your Roof Today Gives You Peace Tomorrow

No one wants to have to replace their roof. But, it’s better to replace it now while you still have some life and functional components in your roof. It’s never a good thing if you wait until the roof is falling in all around you, or you have any of the above seven warning signs come alive while the roof is over your head every day and night.

There’s no time like today to have your roof inspected by a professional roofing expert and perhaps replace your entire roof. When you want to find the best roofing experts near you, we have the place you can go and find them.

The Twenty-Five “C’s” of Roofing

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It’s hard to believe, but there are well over twenty-five roofing industry words that start with C. A more important fact is all twenty-five words are important roofing terms. But what do the words mean?

#1 – The Council of American Building Officials

A commonly used roofing “C” word is the acronym CABO which stands for The Council of American Building Officials. CABO merged with The International Code Council (ICC) not too long ago, and the ICC is now a nonprofit association that provides building safety solutions. These solutions are in product evaluation, accreditation, certification, codification, and training. Just as important, ICC develops the codes and standards that worldwide construction projects are held to in safety and sustainability.

#2 – Cant

Cant strip is a piece of wood that is shaped like a triangle, or it is beveled. It is designed to serve as a gradual transitional plane between the flat surface of a roof deck. It can also used in rigid insulation and on vertical surfaces. In other words Cant is a support roofing material and prevents gaps.

#3 – Cap Sheet

Cap sheet is a proprietary coated sheet with granules used as the top ply of roof membranes. Basically, cap sheet protects against UV, weathering and physical damage.

# 4 – Cellulose

Cellulose is a newer roofing component used in the manufacturing of organic roofing material. It is a complex carbohydrate that is composed of glucose units. It is more commonly known as the main constituent of the plant’s cell wall.

#5 – Chalking

Chalking is used to show the degradation or migration of paints, coatings, or any other material.

#6 – Cladding

Cladding is a material used on exterior wall enclosures. Cladding can make weathered buildings look vibrant again and save in electricity when thermal or insulation issues are used with it.

#7 – Cleat

A roofing cleat is used to secure two components together. It is a metal strip, plate, or metal angle piece.

#8 – Closed-Cut Valley

There are two kinds of closed valleys. There is cut valleys, which are less expensive to install and are the most common; and woven valleys. The closed-cut valley is an application method where shingles on an adjacent slope are cut parallel and trimmed back two inches from the valley centerline. The woven valley shingles run from both roof slopes onto the adjacent slope, alternating with each course.

#9 – Coating

Coating is used with various products, but its use in roofing is to be spread over the surface for protection or decorations. Coatings are generally liquids, semi-liquids, or mastics. They can be applied as a spray or with a roller and cured to an elastomeric consistency.

#10 – Cohesion

Cohesion is the mutual attraction by which the elements or particles of a body or substance are held together.

#11 – Cold Process Built-Up Roof

Cold process built-up roof occurs with a continual but semi-flexible roof membrane. The ply or felts are laminated together with alternate layers of liquid-applied roof cement or adhesive. Then it’s surfaced with a cold-applied coating.

#12 – Combing Ridge

The combing ridge is the finished slate at the ridge of the roof, where the slates on one side stick out beyond the apex of the ridge.

#13 – Composition

Composition roofing is sometimes called asphalt shingles. It is the most common roof used on houses. Composition roofing is one of the lowest in cost and easiest to install.

The roofing uses for composition roofs run from home roofs to apartment buildings and church roofs. Composition roofing is available in many colors, has a flat profile, is algae-resistant, and has cellulose or fiberglass mats coated with asphalt and granules.

#14 – Concealed-Nail Method

This is when you use your asphalt roll roofing application to drive all the nails into the roof and cover with an adhered overlapping course. That way, the nails are not exposed to the weather.

#15 – Conductor Head

The conductor’s head provides direct runoff water through this transition component place between a wall scupper and downspout.

#16 – Coping

Coping is the covering that sits on the top of the wall. It is always exposed to the weather and made with metal or stone. It helps shed water back onto the roof through its sloped design.

#17 – Copper

This is the same type of copper used in cookery, but in this case it provides a natural weathering that is used in metal roofing. Most of the time, it is used in 16 or 20 ounces per square foot in thickness.

#18 – Cornice

The cornice is one of the most decorative roofing pieces. It is a horizontal molding or projected roof overhang.

#19 – Cove

The cove is a sealant material installed where vertical and horizontal planes meet. It helps to get rid of the 90º angle.

#20 – Cricket

A cricket diverts water around chimneys, curbs, and other roof elements. It is raised as a roof substrate or structure.

#21 – Cross Ventilation

In roofing, cross ventilation occurs when the air moves through the roof cavities. This happens when the air moves between the air cavity vents. What’s unique about cross ventilation is the airflow must be uniform. Otherwise, the roof will have hot spots develop in its sheathing, which reduces its efficiency.

#22 – Cupola

A cupola is at the edge, ridge, or peak of the main roof area. It is a small roofed structure.

#23 – Curb

A curb is a raised member that helps support roof penetrations. This includes being used in skylights, mechanical equipment or hatches needed on the roof. It is above the roof’s surface but relatively low in height.

#24 – Cure

Curing a roof means you are processing roofing material to form permanent molecular linkages by exposure to the chemicals, heat, pressure, or weathering.

#25 – Cut-off

A cutoff is a permanent detail that seals and prevents water movement in an insulation system. It basically isolates sections of the roofing system to help disperse the weight of water in one area.

In the end, all of the roofing terms listed above mean you now know what makes up superior roofing products and services. You also know the above materials need to be backed by the finest expert roofing services. When you’re ready to find the roofing professionals near you, we have a secure, fast, and easy way to help you.

Differences Between a Manufacturer Warranty and a Workmanship Warranty

Differences Between a Manufacturer Warranty and a Workmanship Warranty

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When you need to get a new roof, you need to know as much as possible about the manufacturer’s warranty and the workmanship of the roofing services. Any roofing company you select should provide detailed coverage of both. It’s hard for most people to sit back and enjoy their new roofs until they understand the various limits of coverage. You don’t want to be surprised or upset if something happens to your new roof. Before you’re rocked by an incident, event, or defect, find out what’s covered by the manufacturer or the workmanship service.

Three Different Types of Roofing Warranties

The roofing industry uses three common types of warranties. They are:

  1. Manufacturer Material – this warranty is useful if your roofing material has defects.
  2. Manufacturer’s System – this warranty is for when your roofing material has defects, and there were labor defects during the installation.
  3. Contractor’s Workmanship – this warranty covers material and labor defects as a guarantee.

Under the three different types of warranties listed above, you have five provisions you want to look for to determine if this is the roofing company and warranty you want to hire.

Consider These Five Provisions in the Different Types of Warranties

The five provisions represent the coverage in each type of warranty. In other words, after reading what your roofing company is providing you, you will know what to count on having or eliminate as a covered material or service. The key provisions are:

  • Applicability – Does the event or circumstance apply to this warranty?
  • Contractor Workmanship – Is the roofing service work guaranteed?
  • Monetary Limits – How much are you given, and when if there is an issue?
  • Exclusions – What isn’t included in your warranty contract?
  • Nullification – What coverage would be null and void due to your actions? What actions cause the nullification of the warranty?

The differences between the manufacturer warranty and a workmanship warranty have even more differences and crossovers you need to know.

Manufacturer Warranty

It’s important to understand that a typical manufacturer warranty covers you for about 20-50 years. But, be aware the 20-50 year coverage is only if there are defects in the roofing materials. In other words, the roofing materials used are breaking off, falling off or failing. What’s even more concerning is your manufacturer’s warranty can be voided if you can’t prove you provided periodic maintenance. Most of the time, manufacturing defect warranties are rarely used. Warranties are needed when your dealing with poor roofing installation. That’s why it’s important to hire a reputable roofing company that consistently provides excellent workmanship for their roofing installation projects.

Read and Understand Your Manufacturer’s Warranty

One article after the other warns consumers the warranty you get for any product or service needs to be read and understood before you sign a contract for anything. Something most people don’t realize is that even if the manufacturer warranty doesn’t cover what’s wrong with your roof, all 50 states give you implied warranties. The implied warranty is covered under the Uniform Commercial Code. These unwritten guarantees for your product state the product must be free of defects and function correctly for a reasonable amount of time. It is the word, reasonable, that may result in you having to go to court to prove your case. The hardest thing to fathom for new roof owners is even if your manufacturer’s warranty is excellent it will only cover the prorated value of the material. You will still have to pay for the re-installation yourself.

Manufacturer System Warranty

Because this warranty covers both defective material and some labor and service provided by your roofing company, people think this is as good as the Contractor Workmanship Warranty. But, it’s not. The Manufacturer System Warranty is very narrow in scope and by definition. These warranties last about two years for the quality defects. So in essence, it excuses your contractor from any workmanship liability after two years. Something else you want to look for is the roofing material under this type of warranty excludes certain things like; edge metal, pitch pans, flashings, etc.

It is the third warranty you want to try to get because it guarantees the workmanships the contractor provided installing the roof and the materials used. But the warranties are short in length and only last between one to five years most of the time. You do need to review and understand the contractor’s list of exclusions under this contract.

Roof Warranty Provisions

You may think it should be in your roof warranty provisions, but there’s no roofing contractor that will replace your roof system. Material costs and sometimes labor is included, as we listed above. But there are many key items listed in the warranty you need to understand to obtain those provisions.

One of the provisions listed in all roofing warranties is applicability. That’s when the manufacturer contends they have the right to determine whether or not your roof is covered under warranty based on their determination of the situation’s applicability. Another provision is the contractor workmanship guarantee. This guarantee provision allows the consumer to enforce the warranty provision covering flawed workmanship the contractor provided — however, its only good for the length of years stated in the warranty.

Monetary limits is another provision you want to keep your eye on because most roofing warranties don’t include a limit as to how much money they’re covering their work. That type of warranty is called a no dollar limit warranty and is the best kind to have. You also need to pay attention to the exclusions listed in any warranty. Exclusions are what manufacturers use most to fight back against any claims of the defective material.

Nullification and Warranty Process

Nullification is also in every roofing warranty. Nullification gives manufacturers and contractors a lot of leeway to use if they need to fight a claim. Most of the time the items of events or items that nullify a warranty are as long and as wide as the roof itself. You can avoid the aggravation of dealing with the bottom of the barrel roofing contractors by using the listing services provided by Roofing Architects. When you want the best roof, at the most reasonable price Roofing Architects, provides the information and details to keep you informed.

The Ten Must Ask Questions to Your Roofer

The Ten Must Ask Questions to Your Roofer

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Almost everyone eventually needs a new roof. When you need a new roof, you are usually already dealing with a roof that has issues. So, you begin to scour the internet to find a reliable roofing company. If that isn’t bad enough, most people know little about how to build or repair a roof and have to rely on a roofer’s expertise. It can be a very unnerving issue. It helps if you know what to expect or what questions to ask.

Is there an internet resource you can use that can help you find roofing contractors in your area? Or are there common questions about the roofing materials and process you need to ask? The answer is yes to both those questions. Learn more about the questions you need to ask a roofing company before hiring them in the informational guide that follows.

How Long Has Your Company Been in Business, and Are You Licensed?

The first question to ask roofing companies is about the experience the roofing contractor has. The roofing company should be licensed in your state as this is a requirement in most states. If your contractor has a licensed roofing company you know they are held to the state’s standard and must meet codes, rules, and regulations. Having a licensed roofer install or repair your roof also allows you to use legal recourse, if and when needed.

Is There A Warranty on The Work You Perform In Addition to The Roofing Material You Install?

You should never hire a contractor who doesn’t warranty their work and the products they are installing on your roof. Most roofing material and products carry at least a twenty-five-year warranty. Every roofing contractor has different warranty policies, but it behooves you to use a roofing contractor who does warranty the quality of their installation work.

Do you Have Workman’s Comp and General Liability Insurance?

Every roofing contractor should have a workman’s comp for the employees or subcontractors. There are roofing contracting companies who don’t carry General Liability Insurance as they believe nothing will ever happen. However, you can’t afford to believe that. You will need to make sure your homeowner’s insurance is up to date and only hire a roofing contractor who has both workman’s comp and general liability insurance. Make sure they give you a copy of both policies.

Is Drip Edge Metal Installation Part of my New Roof Contract?

There may be nothing worse than installing a new roof, and finding out the drip edge metal wasn’t part of your roofing installation package. The next time it rains you’ll have no system in place to guide your runoff into the gutters. Drip edge metal also helps protect your wood or your roof’s fascia. Many roofers don’t include it, so you almost always have to ask for it to be installed if you want it.

Ask to Speak to and See Some of Their Past Roofing Projects

You should never hire anyone for any project without checking their references. You need to start with a quick online check and notice any comments or reviews listed underneath the company name. Then look up the roofing company to see if they’re listed on the Better Business Bureau.

You also want to speak to a few past customers on the phone, and if you have time, drive-by their house to review the roofer’s final product.

What Measures do You Take to Protect the Driveway, Lawn, Home, and Property from Damage While You Work?

There are have been many recorded instances where roofing contractors damage a home or property while they work, and the homeowner is left footing the bill to fix the damage. You want to ask how the roofers will access your roof, what kind of ladder stabilizers they use, and where they store their equipment as they work.

Who Do I Communicate With About the Project When There Are Issues, or I Have Questions?

There are times you may have questions about what you see the roofing workers doing as they install your roof. Or you may have questions about the amount of time it is taking for them to finish your job. No matter what your issue or reason, you need a roofing company liaison to communicate so, you can have peace of mind. There are always last-minute issues and its best to avoid serious headaches by having a designated person to go to for your concerns.

Get a Written Estimate

No roofing job or contract should begin without you holding an agreed upon written estimate. You want to know how they bill you, and you also want to know what can result in the written estimate deviating from the final price.

How Long Will It Take to Finish My Roof And When Can You Schedule It?

When replacing a roof, it can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week or so. Replacing a roof is a labor-intensive project that requires several workers at a time. Roofing contractors have to deal with weather delays. The time it takes to finish your roof installation project has many moving parts, so it’s important to be aware of things out of your control when you schedule a roofing project. Also reputable roofers may have full schedules. Make sure you find out when they can firmly fit you in and try not to accept any tentative start dates.

Eco-Friendly Company and Materials

Many people want to know if the roofing company they are hiring is eco-friendly. You may want to save your last question for asking if the company uses recycled content material in your roof? You also may want to find out if the roofing product used is recyclable at the end of its life when the roof needs replaced again in 20 or 30 years?

You’ve asked your roofing contractor all the questions you need to, and you’re ready to move forward with your roofing project. Be alert to any hidden costs you see in the bill you were not given in your estimate. Accept nothing less than what was agreed upon because your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home. When you need to check out roofing contractors in your area, reach out to us. Roofing Architects will help you every step of the way.