16 APRIL 19, 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 roofi ng 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.
FOR THE BEST IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL FLOORING SOLUTIONS
3 ROOMS OF CARPET $99.00
FREE KITCHEN FLOOR
OFF
Carpet Cleaning,
FREE ESTIMATES
Fully Insured and Certified