Roofing contractors offer a wide range of services catering to various roofing needs. Depending on whether your selected contractor specializes in residential, commercial, or industrial roofing, there will be a difference in the type of services they offer. As with general contractors, who manage a sizable group of specialist professionals throughout a ground-up building project, roofing contractors oversee the entire roof installation process from beginning to end. This article covers the kinds of services that you could receive from your roofing contractor to address different roof matters.
1. Roof Inspections
A roof inspection is a service offered by roofing contractors that mainly focuses on scrutinizing the integrity of your roof. Roof inspections are vital when addressing roof matters. They help identify roof problems before they destroy other parts of the structure.
The reason for roof inspections is first to comply with local government requirements. Secondly, issues arise in different areas of the roof over time due to wear and tear. Finally, a roof inspection may be necessary following a heavy storm or other adverse weather conditions affecting your roof.
According to Allstate, annual roof inspections are necessary for residential properties. The process aims to examine the roof’s condition, the quality of the roofing material, and how much it has degraded. The attic is also checked for issues, along with the roof vents and the gutters.
Regular roofing inspection is part of routine maintenance for all types of buildings. Always choose a seasoned roof contractor to oversee your roof inspection. You don’t want a situation where they miss something important that could lead to costly roof damage in the future.
2. Roof Replacements
Roof replacement involves removing and replacing the old roof with a new one. This may be done in sections or required for the whole roof. Reasons for roof replacements may include extensive damage caused by harsh weather conditions, a fallen branch from a nearby tree, or an old roof that’s slowly crumbling down and can’t hold up its own weight for much longer. Roof replacements are only done when completely necessary because they’re quite an expensive task to take on. Other roof matters that lead to roof replacement may be the need for a homeowner to change the roofing style.
Roof replacement requires careful planning and adhering to all the necessary safety measures and precautions. Residential roofers usually begin by conducting a comprehensive roof inspection, carefully indicating the issues that must be resolved. From this inspection, a detailed roof replacement plan is drafted, and preparations are made.
The process starts with removing the old roof, its shingles, and the underlayment that supports it. Once this is done, the roofer replaces the membrane and heat insulation before installing the underlayment. The next step is roof installation, where they lay the new roofing material, securing it as required.
3. Roof Repairs
Roof repairs and restoration are important activities that all qualified local roofing companies should be able to do. Roofing repairs are typically done when urgent roof matters need immediate solutions. In this case, you’re looking at minor problems like replacing damaged shingles, unblocking and repairing roof cap ventilation and gutters, sealing cracks, and stopping minor leaks. It starts with a roof inspection that identifies all areas requiring repair, followed by a repairman performing the internal and external repairs. Old houses are especially notorious for frequently developing roof issues due to years of wear and tear that weaken their integrity.
Suppose your roof is damaged to the point where doing repairs won’t solve the issues. To avoid incurring the cost of a full roof replacement, homeowners may opt for roof restoration to salvage the situation. Roof restoration entails inspecting the roof to get a full picture of what must be done during the restoration process.
The process includes replacing old and broken tiles, cleaning the roof by pressure washing, removing debris and lichen, applying filler coats, seals, and protective coating, and finally painting the roof. Note that different types of roof materials have different characteristics. Local metal roofing is considered the most durable material with minimal maintenance needs.
4. Siding Services
Although it may not occur to you, most qualified roofers offer siding installation and repair services besides addressing roof matters. Your home looks fantastic with siding, so you want it to remain that way all year. To ensure this, you need to hire the services of competent roofing and siding contractors who will follow the correct steps to ensure your siding is intact. You can get many different color and style options available for your home from these skilled contractors, including wood, vinyl, composite, and other materials you may be interested in. Like installing a roof, they know how to make your home’s siding stand out from the others in the community.
Here, the services may entail the installation of the siding, which includes choosing the appropriate siding for the building and its protective layer. You may also get siding replacement, a siding service that roofing contractors especially offer for older houses. Siding repairs are done when the damage to the siding is minimal. Lastly, siding maintenance is the process by which a roofing company works to preserve and prolong the use and life of your siding.
5. Gutter Services
When building your roof, install gutters to guide the rainwater running off your roof through the downspout. In offering a gutter installation service, a good roofing contractor will ensure you get the best type of gutter for your geographical area, your particular needs, and the design of your roof. There are different types of gutters meant for specific roof matters and applications, and they’re made from varied materials.
It’s common for gutters to get clogged because most of the debris from the roof flows down into them. The debris mostly consists of sticks, stones, and leaves, which get trapped in the gutter filter. The cleaning process typically entails the removal of sticks, stones, and leaves; clearing the gutter of debris like moss, algae, and lichen using pressure washing; cleaning the downspouts and gutters; and finally, rinsing them of all the cleaning agents used.
Gutters and their counterpart downspouts are your first defense against flooding. You need to be keen on cleaning your gutters for them to serve their purpose well. Employ your roof contractor to professionally handle your gutter service needs at least twice a year.
6. Roof Installation
Another service roofing companies offer is roofing installation. Roofing installation involves erecting a roof over a newly constructed building. Fully-fledged roof contractors can handle the roof installation of residential houses, corporate buildings, and industries.
Certain roofing firms specialize solely in roof installation. Owners of roofing businesses with little capital usually settle for roof installation as the only available service. A qualified roof installer chooses the appropriate roofing materials, handles the installation process, and conducts an inspection after the work is finished to ensure it’s been done well.
The common roof installation materials are slate tile roofs, asphalt roof shingles, metal roofs, green roofs, and built-up roof materials, to name a few. Proper roof installation is one of the most important aspects of a building project. Your roofer should ensure their workers use the right supplies and finish the installation following industry best practices.
As your representative, the contractor will ensure the roofing installation meets your preference. It’s the role of your roofer to assist you in improving the aesthetics or functionality of your house by providing an appropriate roof. To maintain your house operating well all year round, you must contract qualified roofing contractors to handle all your roof matters.
7. Roof Maintenance Services
Roof maintenance is largely neglected despite being one of the most cost-effective ways of addressing roof matters. By scheduling routine maintenance, you can prevent a lot of roof-related issues. Frequent roof upkeep will allow you to detect issues early on and address them before they become expensive repairs. A well-maintained roof will also last longer, so you won’t need to worry about a roof replacement for a while.
The roofing maintenance process involves conducting a full roof inspection where the contractor will examine the roof, searching for any indications of damage. A simple visual roof inspection of the entire roof parts will do. With it, roof contractors can determine the extent of damage to the membrane and other roof components. Be prompt to repair minor problems as soon as you detect them. Finish your maintenance task by cleaning the entire roof system and applying maintenance coatings to protect the features from damage.
8. Storm Response Services
Wind and hail storms have the potential to seriously damage roofs. This is when your roof contractor comes in and offers storm response services or emergency roof repair and restoration services. Following the correct installation process, roofs are designed to withstand most of the conditions the elements present. However, strong winds and rain can persist, causing increased roof stress and damage. Heavy winds carry debris that collides with the roof, ripping off its shingles and cracking its seals, thus allowing for leaks to occur.
Established roof contractors know how to deal with all emergency roof matters that are likely to arise. Diligent contractors train their roofers on quick storm response drills to prepare them for when the occasion arises. Appropriate tools and equipment are also provided to facilitate accomplishing tasks. They set up systems to guide storm response operations and ensure everything is ready to go in anticipation of such an event.
9. Project Management
Roofing companies offer services covering all roof matters. This includes roof installation, inspection, maintenance, and repairs, to name a few. For large projects like roof installation and replacements, roof contractors must be on top of things every step of the way. In essence, the roofing contractor serves as a project manager, overseeing and coordinating every facet of the installation procedure, from scheduling the project and material acquisition to managing the qualified labor they employ and making sure they meet all project deadlines.
For a roof installation or replacement project, it can take multiple crews to finish the job. There will be workers to take off and remove the old roof, as well as roofers to install the new roofing material. Suppose the necessary materials aren’t ordered and delivered on time. In that case, the roofers won’t be able to get started on their work in time. A roofing contractor oversees all of these things and plans meticulously to ensure every aspect of the installation process is executed as required.
10. Consultation
The roof of any home is one of the most important aspects you get to see. A roofing contractor may not be a specialist in a particular type of roofing work. Still, most contractors can size up your roofing project’s needs and provide you with an estimate. The process of roofing installation begins with a consultation. The roofing contractor usually views the scope of your project and everything it entails then provides an estimate so that all parties will have an idea of the cost of the roofing installation project.
Consultation services are even more essential for roof repairs and restoration. This process typically starts with a roof inspection, which identifies all areas of concern. The roof matters are documented, and recommendations are made on the best solution.
If the contractor decides to stop there, they will have already offered a full consultation service for their client. The next step is for the roofing firm to plan and budget the project and present a service quotation to the client for approval. Here, the company is yet to be awarded the contract. Up to this point, all the services rendered can be categorized under consultation services.
Roofing companies offer many services addressing different roof matters. Regardless of the kind of roofing, operating a successful roofing business depends on offering top-notch service, utilizing long-lasting roof materials, hiring qualified and experienced personnel, and offering first-rate customer care. When starting any roofing project, a professional roofer is an invaluable ally that can help the typical homeowner have a simple and convenient experience. However, only some roofing companies offer all the services mentioned in this article. Regardless of the service you need, it would be advisable to always deal with a licensed and insured roofing contractor with a track record of delivering quality services.