18 MARCH 15, 2018 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
AT HOME
Don't re-roof until you do these 5 things
With spring offi cially arriving,
home improvement season
is swinging into full gear.
Fair warning to homeowners looking
to hire a professional, 2018 is predicted
to be a record-breaker.
A recent study by the Joint Center for
Housing Studies of Harvard University
projects home improvement spending
will approach $340 billion this
year - the strongest gain for remodeling
in more than a decade. Among the
costliest of projects is roofi ng, a large
expense with serious implications if
put off or improperly done.
When you add 2018's remodeling
demand with the much-talked-about
skilled labor shortage, on top of the
recovery from last year's hurricane
season, homeowners could be tempted
to jump right into major home work,
all without doing their homework fi rst.
As this could prove costly, consider the
following before anyone sets foot on
your roof:
1. CHECK CONTRACTOR
QUALIFICATIONS
Choose a local, reputable contractor.
These contractors should have the best
knowledge of local building codes,
state codes and required certifi cations
and licenses. Ask the contractor to see
their certifi cate of insurance before
stepping onto the roof. Consider going
the extra mile and choosing a contractor
certifi ed by the manufacturer
of the shingle the contractor installs.
Improper installation is considered
one of the major reasons roofs fail
prematurely, so fi nding a contractor
with knowledge and experience in
the correct application of a particular
product is of the utmost importance.
2. DETERMINE LAYOVER
OR TEAR OFF
Many times, contractors will push
for a removal of all existing shingles,
or a tear off , over adding another layer
of shingles on top of an existing roof, a
layover. Although a complete tear off is
more expensive due to increased labor
costs, there are some advantages.
"When you tear off , you get a chance
to look at the roof deck and repair any
deteriorating wood or substrate," said
Rick Taylor, longtime roofi ng contractor
and a trainer for shingle manufacturer
TAMKO Building Products Inc.
Typically, doing a layover is more
economical, although homeowners
need to discuss relevant factors with
their contractor, including local building
code requirements and implications
for the manufacturer's warranty.
3. RESEARCH THE
WARRANTY
It is important to understand the
warranty specifi c to the roof product
you have installed. Educate yourself
on requirements for installation, including
whether a shingle layover is
applicable (as mentioned above).
"Some shingle manufacturers won't
warranty the roof unless it is a complete
tear off ," Taylor said. "TAMKO is
one that actually does have the option to
warranty a laminated shingle applied
over one other layer of 3-tab shingles."
Other warranty concerns to consider
include proper installation, the
required steps to register your roof
aft er installation and the time period
allowed for transferring that warranty
to future owners of the home.
4. ASSESS VENTILATION
NEEDS
Inadequate roof ventilation is
another major culprit behind premature
roof aging. There are a variety
of options for roof ventilation; however,
it is generally recommended to
incorporate proper ventilation into
the original re-roof, rather than add
it later. The recommended ventilation
depends on the size and architecture
of the home, but when done correctly,
the air inside the attic should be near
the same temperature as the ambient
temperature of the air outside it.
5. CHECK THE WEATHER
It may seem obvious, but a simple
check of the weather before starting
a roofing project could prevent a
big headache later. Avoid starting
a project with wet plywood or underlayment,
or when the forecast
indicates a strong chance of rain. Also,
many manufacturers of asphalt
shingles, the most popular form of
roofing in the U.S., do not recommend
installation in below-freezing
temperatures or in excessively high
temperatures.
Careful consideration of these
steps during your next home exterior
project could save you from costly and
lengthy rework years later.
Courtesy BPT
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