What Does an Assessor Do and How Do They Help Homeowners Choose Better Roofers?

If you searched the internet long enough, you probably already know something about assessment programs, where certain roofing experts might be able to obtain certifications in order to become qualified assessors. Contrary to popular opinion, however, these experts do not work for the roofer during a roofing assessment, and they are typically known as independent experts who examine the skills and abilities of roofing installers. 

Depending on their qualifications, an assessor might specialize in certain types of roofing, including residential and/or commercial roofing systems. They might even be experts - see https://www.r4roof.com - in dealing with specific roofing materials and products, including slate, metal and wood shake roofing.  

 In order to make sure that you’ve hired the right roofing professional, be sure to take a close look at their qualifications and ask about which organization managed their assessment and what the assessor actually covered. You will then have a clearer picture of what the roofing contractor you want to hire actually specializes in, and you won’t make the mistake of hiring a roofer specializing in metal roofing to install an intricate slate roof.  

Consulting an assessment company is also a good idea when it comes to deciding on the right roofer. Assessors know a lot about what makes a good roofing technician, and they can give you a lot of tips in that direction. Also, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) has many dependable assessors on hand and also offers valuable information on assessment programs and standards, as well as companies that have passed their examinations.

What You Need to Know About Hiring a Roofer – Are Roofing Contracts Binding?

Roofing contracts are binding, just as any other type of contract. However, that doesn’t mean a roofer can abuse of this fact while they are working on your home.  

Of course, it’s important to know all the details before you sign your contract. There may be clauses as to what the cancellation terms of the contract are and when you can safely choose to cancel the contract. Usually, that applies to the “cool off” rule to cancel your contract within 72 hours depending on certain terms and details, and it also applies to instances when there is a breach of contract – for instance, if the roofer asks for more money than what is specified in the contract as their right. 

The rule of thumb here is that not all contracts are the same, and with roofing costs being quite high for a complete roof replacement, you have to think very carefully before you put your signature on the contract and shake on it. Make sure you understand it first, and that you also have a firm grasp of the ramifications related to the insurance aspect of what the contract might entail. Also, you will do well to find a reliable and trustworthy Highlands Ranch roofing company who has a good track record of abiding by the details of their contract.

The Details of Effective Roofing – Why Are Most Roofing Nails Galvanized?

Even though it’s not the case all the time, many types of roofing nails are actually galvanized. Galvanization is a process in which the nails are coated in zinc for added protection and a more robust construction. But why is it that this process is considered to be such an advantage in roofing terms? 

The answer has to do with the way roofs are built and how they fare against rain and other environmental stressors. The fact is that most Centennial roofing systems are designed to use special roofing nails to keep roofing elements together. If these nails rust when exposed to rain, then your roof is not likely to last very long. 

Enter galvanized roofing nails. Through galvanization, the coating of zinc added to the nails protects them from rain and rust and allows them to continue to perform the function of keeping your roofing materials properly connected for a longer time. As you inspect your roof, you will probably end up noticing that the nails themselves are not typically affected by the weather, even if the shingles and flashing might be. 

Make sure you ask your Centennial roofers about galvanized nails next time they arrive to fix or replace your roof. They can give you more details and make sure that they use the sturdiest and most durable galvanized nails for your new roofing products.

Roofing Issues Explained: Can You Replace a Roof in the Winter?

While installing a new roof in the wintertime is entirely possible (and sometimes even recommended), it’s important to note that winter roofing is definitely not the ideal thing to consider. When working in the winter, roofers can’t guarantee that their work will be 100% as effective as in other seasons, and the conditions they work in can lead to sickness, injury and the delay of the project. 

Depending on the type of roof you decide to install, there are a lot of issues that have to be taken into account, and that most experienced roofing Highlands Ranch contractors know about. For instance, in the case of asphalt shingle roofs, the sealant required to create an automatic seal for your shingles will not work as well in the winter. Low temperatures can prevent heat from activating the sealant or glue, so it has to be artificially heated to produce the same result. 

It’s also important to note that the crew will work more slowly and have a harder time in the winter. As a result, you have two options: either wait for the crew to finish even if it means a substantial delay in the project’s progression towards completion, or hire an experienced roofing team that works faster and more efficiently, but also charges a lot more for the labor.

Make Sure to Keep Your Chimney Clean for Santa This Year!

Keeping your chimney clean is a very important task that needs proper consideration on an annual basis. Roofing contractors Highlands Ranch CO pros specify that at least once a year, you need to have your chimney thoroughly cleaned and inspected for functional soundness, cleanliness and to check for harmful deposits such as creosote. 

An important consideration is that, if your chimney has creosote, then you should immediately call in a professional chimney sweep to handle the problem for you. Otherwise, you can typically do the work yourself. 

Depending on the type of chimney you own, the process of cleaning it can be more or less difficult. For modern chimneys, you just have to immerse your chimney filters into a solution of hot boiling water and vinegar. That combination can remove most of the soot and get your filters clean. 

If you own an old school chimney, and you need to start cleaning it from the inside, it’s important to take precaution to prevent the soot from soiling you, your clothes or the surrounding area in your home. Use a metal bristle brush for added efficiency, and take extra measures for ensuring your safety during the procedure. If you inspect the roof and notice that it’s nearly clogged and likely hasn’t been swept in a long time, it’s best to call in the pros, instead of attempting to sweep it on your own.

How to Properly Secure the Holiday Decorations You Add to Your Roof

 Happy Holidays from R4 Roofing and Exteriors!

Small decorations and lights can be added to your home to add to the festive spirit and make your visitors and neighbors feel welcome (as well as envious) as they stop by to admire your beautiful home and your equally stunning decorations. However, it’s important to know how to make these items stick and make sure you can set them in place in a safe way. 

To do so, your best choice is to use plastic clips for most of your decorations and lights. You can clip them to the roof’s eaves for better stability. The use of staples is typically discouraged due to lesser stability. Also, for heavier items such as a small version of Santa with his sleigh and reindeer, you can secure them with sandbags and a basic bungee cord. Just make sure that you don’t damage your roof shingles or any other part of your roof in the process. 

While some decorations can be successfully fastened to your roof by some means or others, in the case of large, heavy or otherwise dangerous decorations, you might want to avoid them entirely. This is the case for items such as full size replicas of Santa’s sleigh or a large replica of Santa Claus himself. The large size and weight could prove to be too much for the roof’s structural stability, and these items could severely damage your roof. Inflatable decorations are also not a good idea, as they could deflate and even ignite from coming in contact with lamps or electric cords, or they could just pop.

What Is Truly Included in a Full Service Roof Repair and Replacement?

When you want to fix your roof, there can be different options you can go for. In some cases, a quick fix can save you from extensive damage to your property, while you save up some extra cash to replace your roof a few months later. At other times, however, you might have to consider a full service roof repair and replacement project. 

In such a project, your old roof will have to be stripped down and your decking and underlayment repaired or replaced entirely, depending on the type of roof you will be installing. Sometimes, the roof you want to install might require a specific type of underlayment as is the case with natural slate. At other times, there might be extensive rotting and water damage that your roofers will have to take out of the picture before beginning work on installing your new roof. 

The risk is when you hire a roofer that specializes in one part of the project but can’t maintain the same quality or attention to detail in the other. Then you might find yourself having to hire another company when you notice the new roof not performing at the level you’d like. 

Your best choice is to find dependable and experienced full service roofing contractors in Centennial CO who knows all about each of the different steps required for a full service roof repair and replacement process.

How Do Changing Temperatures in Colorado Impact Your Roofing?

A lot of people moving to Colorado claim that they didn’t realize the temperature and climate would be the way it is. While you might read online that Colorado is somewhat dry and that the climate is more changing between extremes all year round, a lot of people just imagine that to mean a slight difference in temperatures and the presence of unique cloud formations. 

While those things are true, the dry climate of the state of Colorado can affect a lot more than just the clouds. If you live there for a while, you’ll notice a few specific issues with your roof that you might have never encountered living anywhere else. 

Highlands Ranch roofing company specialists will tell you that changing temperatures, for instance, can be so drastic that they would cause the contraction and expansion of certain roofing materials, especially metals. Combined with strong winds that push and pull on your shingles, that can cause a lot of damage over time.

Also, since Colorado experiences cold winters and hot summers because of dryness-induced temperature changes, it will be hard to determine whether you need a cool roof or one that has better insulation. Ideally it would be best to combine both in one roof, but that also narrows down your choices regarding the roofing materials you’d want to get.

What Is the Best Roof to Have on Your House in Centennial CO?

With a climate consistent of Colorado’s predominantly dry and diverse weather that can be experienced all year round in the region, Centennial CO is a city where, if you move there from outside of Colorado, you will definitely need to make some changes and consider certain precautions regarding the way you choose your new roof. 

Refurbishing and restoring your old roof might be a good idea if the material is slate, asphalt shingle or concrete, but anything like wood shake roofing should be replaced to prevent fires and to keep your home safe, as well as to prevent damage resulting from sudden precipitation. 

Because of the dry weather in the area, Centennial roofing systems also have to be protected from thermal expansion and contraction, since temperatures can drop or rise quite suddenly here. As a result, metal might not be the best choice when compared to slate, concrete or asphalt shingles. 

Of course, the latter three choices also have their own pros and cons, with asphalt lasting less, while slate is extremely durable and aesthetically appealing. Asphalt shingles and metal roofing, however, are cheaper and easier to install than concrete or slate, so the ultimate choice will also depend on your budget and on the amount of protection you need in any particular area. Concrete seems to be one of the best compromises, due to its durability rivaling that of slate, but without the higher than average costs.

What Is the Difference Between a Roofing Company and a Roofing Contractor?

When hiring someone to fix your existing roofing system or install your new roof, you might find that there are different types of roofers to consider. Of course, you will want to hire the best professional for the job, so it’s a good idea to take a closer look at what each of them specializes in and how they do business. 

Highlands Ranch roofing services is your best choice for most jobs. Roofing companies are organized teams of roofers who typically specialize in a variety of different areas, such as commercial roofing or particular jobs relating to residential roofing, such as repair or installation.  

A contractor, on the other hand, might operate on their own and hire additional hands from time to time to help them out. Contractors typically only bring in as many roofers as they need, and in some cases not all team members specialize in roofing, as some might operate mainly in construction or as part of general contracting teams. 

Of the two, it’s best to do some careful research on Highlands Ranch contractors, as some of them might be less qualified, or they might not even have a valid contractor license. So make sure you do your research and complete a background check on anyone you’re thinking of hiring to fix or replace your roof.