Choose A.J. Roofing For Your Next Residential Roof

Replacing an old roof can help add curb appeal and will increase the perceived value of your home. This may be especially helpful if you intend to sell your house. When selling a house, the first impression is important. Not only does a new roof play a critical part in protecting the investment, it can really transform the look—helping give you an edge over the other properties for sale in your neighborhood. The return on your investment of a new roof ranks right up there with remodeling a kitchen or bathroom—which are well known to be desirable in a home resale.

Depending on the roofing system selected (underlayment, ridges work, ventilation, flashing, shingles, fasteners etc.), there are multiple options with varying degrees of longevity. The products chosen for the initial installation are an immediate indicator of anticipated roof life as is the quality of installation. The life of your roof depends on a few factors-roof type, pitch/slope of the roof, ventilation, installation, maintenance, and weather. As a general rule of thumb, basic three tab fiberglass shingles last 15 to 25 years. The architectural structure of your home such as pitch and slope can contribute to the eventual longevity of your roof. The remaining factors affecting roof life are, quite frankly, out of your control such as extreme weather including strong winds, hail, debris and heat which can reduce the life expectancy of your roof.

A roof leak is fairly obvious when you discover a water spot on your ceiling. However, it can be much harder to pinpoint the cause of the leak. You may assume your shingles are at fault, but it could be missing flashing around a chimney, or some other entry point, that’s allowing the water to get inside your attic. Once inside the attic, water can travel along rafters and other horizontal surfaces making it difficult to find the exact entry point.

If shingles are missing, cracked or otherwise damaged, water can, over time, begin to leak into the home. A leak can start out small and slowly cause a lot of damage if a warning sign is ignored.

Water entry can also be caused by an ice dam. Ice dams are formed by the continual thawing of snow over the warmer portions of the roof and refreezing over the cold eave. The ice dam can cause water to backup under shingles. If your roof doesn’t have an ice & water underlayment installed under the shingles, you could be experiencing leaks.

A.J. Roofing & Construction is a local, professional roofing contractor and can help diagnose your leak issue. Once we determine the cause of the leak, we’ll recommend a solution. Because we are an Owens Corning™ Platinum Preferred Contractor, you can rest assured the job will be done right.

A roof can naturally reach the end of its useful life without experiencing a roof failure. It just looks old and worn, or you are concerned with the age of your roof. If replacing an old roof is delayed, it could result in bigger problems down the road. Watch for the warning signs so you can replace the roof before it causes additional problems. For help with your re-roof project, call the pros at A.J. Roofing & Construction. We are an Owens Corning™ Platinum Preferred Contractor.

Potential signs that your roof may need to be replaced:
Shingle edges are curled or shingle tabs are cupped

Bald spots where granules are missing

Cracked shingles

While many shingles today are produced for long term durability, many factors can accelerate the aging of shingles. For example, if your roof is not properly ventilated, it can negatively impact the life of your shingles.

When you see neighbors getting new roofs, it might indicate that it’s time to replace your roof. Homes built around the same time experience the same types of weather conditions which can mean that your roof is nearing the end of its useful life, as well.

Other conditions that need inspection are dark streaks or moss growth on your roof:

Airborne algae cause dark streaks on roof decks. While this may not necessarily harm the roof shingles, it may not look good. Algae streaks can be removed using a 50:50 blend of water and bleach sprayed on your roof. It is important to use a low volume garden hose so you do not knock the protective granules off your shingles. It is also important that you protect your landscaping from the bleach run-off.

Moss can grow on roof surfaces that don’t get much sunlight especially in cool, moist climates. Moss growth can be more than a cosmetic issue. Moss holds moisture against the roof surface and overtime in freezing climates can cause damage to the granules on the top of the shingles. Moss can be brushed off but it won’t prevent it from growing again; take care not to damage the shingle surface. You may need to contact a professional roofing contractor to remove the moss to ensure the shingles aren’t damaged in the process.

While your roof is designed to withstand the elements, some storms are more intense than others, and can damage the protective barrier. There are signs to look for when you believe there may have been damage to your roof. Always be safe when inspecting your roof—possibly view from a window inside the house or use binoculars from the ground. To eliminate any concerns, set up a free roof inspection with A.J. Roofing & Construction. We are a roofing contractor with over 35 years of collective experience and an Owens Corning™ Platinum Preferred Contractor.

Wind damage:
Significant wind can cause shingles to blow off the roof deck. Missing shingles can lead to leaks and other interior damage. Other wind damage may not be easily seen, especially if the adhesive seal that provides a water-shedding surface is broken. Please consider your safety when checking for roof damage. Call a professional roofing contractor to assess if there is damage on your roof.

All manufacturers publish a wind warranty on their shingles; it is important to compare the wind coverage when making your shingle selection on a new roof. If the winds that caused the shingle damage were above the manufacturer’s wind coverage, you’ll need to file an insurance claim. If they were not, contact the shingle manufacturer to file a claim.

Signs of wind damage can include:

• Missing shingles
• Thin horizontal lines where granules have been worn off about 1-2 inches beneath the shingle above; this could indicate that the shingle seal was broken and the shingle was flapping in the wind rubbing against the shingle above it. To be effective against the elements, shingles must be sealed to each other as one water tight roof deck.

Hail damage:
Typically, hail is not something that you can miss—it is usually a widespread weather event in a neighborhood and not isolated to just one house on the block. Hail can bruise a shingle causing an indentation that may be hard to see, but that bruise can crack the shingle allowing water to infiltrate over time. You may need the assistance of a professional roofing contractor to determine the scope of the damage. If you have hail damage, you will need to file an insurance claim.

If your hail event was significant in terms of widespread damage, you will have roofing contractors who specialize in “storms” knocking on your door within days of the event. Make sure you are hiring the right contractor for your home. Verify that the contractor is a local company, with a good reputation. Owens Corning™ Roofing has a network of Preferred Contractors. You can also check out references and business associations like the Better Business Bureau and the Roofing Contractors Association.

Signs of hail damage can include:

• Other collateral hail damage around the house; dents on cars or other items on your house or in your yard
• A distinct pattern of small round-shaped divots on the edges of the shingles
• Indentations in the shingle where granules are missing
• Piles of granules at the end of your downspouts; minimal amounts are normal, especially on new shingles

Falling Debris:
During some storms tree branches or other failing debris can land on your roof. Some items are small and won’t cause an issue—other items are so large that you will naturally be concerned about damage. Use your best judgment. A.J. Roofing & Construction is a professional roofing contractor and we can inspect your roof for damage at no cost. 

Signs of debris damage can include:

• Visual identification of debris on the roof deck
• Missing shingles
• Cracked shingles
• A large pile of granules at the end of your downspout; a small amount is normal, especially if you have new shingles