How to choose the right roofing contractor?

Published On: August 25, 20220 Comments on How to choose the right roofing contractor?Categories: Roofing contractorsLast Updated: November 27, 20245.8 min read

Rather than undergoing complete roof replacement, roof restoration may be a cost-effective alternative.  Although complete roof replacement may seem like it would be the best choice for a tired, old roof, there are other choices as well. Rather than overspending unnecessarily, a viable alternative can be found in roof restoration. Today’s innovative methods of roof restoration could provide results similar to those produced by total replacement, while simultaneously saving both money and time for roofing companies and owners. For more information, check out our website: https://allroof.us/roof-replacement/.

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Bitumen roofs common today make for simplified repair as the original waterproofing bitumen will blend seamlessly with brand new modified repair mastic and coating materials. Additionally, there have been major improvements in standardized repair procedures – through following established best practices which are able to bring maximum performance back to your original roof. But, in certain circumstances, depending on the roof’s overall condition, replacement might be needed. What is the best way to determine whether a roof is a reasonable candidate for restoration or not?  Read below to find out how to determine if restoration is a viable option, or if roof replacement is needed:

Evaluate your roof’s condition

A comprehensive assessment of your roof can provide you with the knowledge necessary to determine where your plan for repair should begin. Step one is a visual inspection of your roof to identify defects in it. This will initially include the removal of any accumulated dirt or debris that may hinder a proper visual inspection. Vacuuming the grit and dirt thoroughly from the surface of the roof offers a picture that is even clearer.  Moving forward, any indicators can be observed by the naked eye:
* A space that is soft underfoot tends to indicate that insulation is saturated.
* Boards that are cracked, decayed, or rusted are occasionally visible from the building’s interior, assisting in locating the areas where board deterioration is worst.
* Puddled water may signal structural deck deflection.
* Experienced professionals may be able to spot a splitting membrane with their naked eye
For a wet insulation assessment that is more accurate, infrared photography is another option for discovering defects the naked eye misses. Smaller roofs can benefit from tiny, handheld infrared cameras.  Aerial infrared photography is an effective option for large roofs, when available.
After a visual inspection has been completed, the next step should be drawing up a detailed roof plan. You can speed up the process with GPS systems, specifically when drawing up plans for larger complexes or structures.  Surveying industry instruments are useful in locating leaky areas and roof equipment.
Once both the visual inspection and the roof plan are finished, you can run a series of tests to verify your visual results. Determine coating solution’ viability with a peel-off adhesion test. Although core cutting is destructive, it can also be eye-opening, helping to confirm the number of layers in an existing roof and contributing to the visual moisture assessment validation. To determine the membrane’s condition, wind tests can be used.  Keep in mind that membranes may stay in place after a storm but be damaged.  A larger storm may finish it off, tearing the membrane from the structure entirely.

Examine your discoveries

After the roof inspection is done, the moment has arrived to decide what to do about it. Roofs that have moderate or even low saturation and damage levels tend to be better candidates for roof restoration instead of complete roof replacement.  This provides a solution that is cost-effective, if the proper conditions are met.  In situations that are more severe and involve sheathing deterioration, insulation saturation, etc, roof replacement will be necessary.  The basic rule to consider, based on numerous standards and building codes, states that if a roof is 20% saturated or more, it is considered to be detached completely.  Aside from the damage level encountered during your inspection, various other elements should be considered in determining the proper repair methods to be utilized in your project. A few of these are:

What is a building’s expected lifespan?

Not all structures require an equal repair work level.  For instance, a smaller retail store in the midst of a proposed highway expansion does not likely need repairs that will deliver 20 additional service years. On the other hand, a big museum in a cultural district’s center will need a solution that is long-term. Proven repair solutions are available for both situations, best accommodating the needs of each specific circumstance.

Are there any plans in the near future for building expansion?

Generally, re-roofing a structure is more economical if done in conjunction with an expansion rather than dividing the project over various years. Any roof access necessity and construction operations impact could be reduced significantly if these projects are done simultaneously.

At what time of year and where will the project take place?

A one-story industrial facility has UV exposure, thermal bridging, thermal shock, and wind conditions quite distinct to those of a 30 story residential building. All of these condition types should be considered when developing a plan for replacement or repair.

The restoration case

Choosing the proper method of repair depends on the circumstances of each individual project.  In cases that allow for a roofing company to perform restoration, there are major advantages over roof replacement or other repair methods.

For renovation, roofing companies utilize significantly less specialized equipment and never leaves the building’s interior exposed during the project. A solid roof restoration process includes debris removal and roof cleaning in preparation for the project itself.  Next, depending on the roof’s condition, a primer is applied in order to block stains, prevent rusting, and guarantee proper adhesion to the putty. Patching is up next, ensuring that all of the roof system’s parts are watertight and sealed. Lastly, the application of protective coatings ensures performance for the long-term. During this time, common indoor activities may continue without interruption.

Renovation work tends to move much quicker than whole roof replacement. When it comes to roofing companies, time is money. You are able to move on to the following task more quickly when successfully restoring an existing roof to its original performance level with methods of renovation.
Only a few high-performance products need to be purchased when taking on a restoration project, a solution that is much more cost-effective than a total roof replacement. Several hundred USD per square meter is the average rate for full restorations.

You can work with a reliable high-performance sealants and coatings supplier to make certain your job is well done in order for your restoration project to reach its full potential.  Today’s mastic formulations can deliver extraordinary performance building owners can depend on for many more years. The perfect roofing company and supplier will assist in making certain your job includes best practices, providing large amounts of satisfied clients.


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