Most homeowners don’t give a second thought to the structure that’s covering their home and safeguarding them from the elements and extreme temperatures until a leak or a hike in their insurance premium gives them a wake-up call. Make no bones about it — roofing is a comprehensive, time-consuming process that requires the knowledge and expertise of certified contractors. At Ryan Construction Systems, we believe that providing the right client-focused responses to the most pressing roofing-related questions from Missouri residents will serve not only our customers but also our business relationships with them for years to come.
“My roof is leaking. Do I need to replace the entire roof?”
Most of the time, the scariest thing is simply not knowing, and for homeowners whose roof has sprung a leak, it’s quite hard to chase away visions of the whole roofing system caving in before their very eyes. The good news is that, depending on the size and location of your roof leak, there’s a real likelihood that you may be able to get away without having to pay for a completely new roof. If there are only a few shingles affected, you still have a warranty on them and the rest of the structure is in otherwise good shape, you probably won’t need to replace your whole roof.
The first step in patching up a leak or replacing a roof is determining the root cause of the leak or other damage. Elements such as sharp-hitting hail, high winds and fallen branches during a storm can easily damage your shingles and invite leaks into your house, and the older your shingles are, the more prone they are to water-related damage. If you’re not certain what’s causing the leak, seek the help of a roofing professional. A trained roofer will know whether it’s more cost-effective to repair a portion of your roof or perform a tear-off.
“Can I repair the roof myself?”
While some roof-related tasks can be adequately taken care of by regular homeowners, such as checking the gutters for debris and cleaning them out, extensive work or a full-on roof replacement traditionally require the assistance of professional roofers.
Firstly, it may not even be legal to repair or replace your roof on your own. Depending on where you live, your local jurisdiction may forbid homeowners from performing roofing work by themselves — and certainly without a license. There’s also the possibility of seriously damaging your roof by accident. An improperly-nailed roof, for example, can very quickly result in ripples, lifted shingles and leaks. On a more serious note, there’s a potential for roof collapse or, even worse, bodily harm. Finally, if you repair a roof on your own and use the incorrect materials, the manufacturer will void your warranty. So be sure to find a roofing contractor who’s gone through in-depth training and certification by the manufacturer of the roofing products and has obtained extended manufacturer warranties to secure the guarantee on your roof.
“Can you roof over my existing shingles?”
Whether you’re hoping to save a buck by minimizing the workload required or merely prefer not to still be stuck consulting with a roofer a few months down the road, you may find it tempting to directly roof over your existing shingles instead of undertaking a complete replacement. While there are cases where re-roofing may seem like a sound plan, no professional would advise it.
According to roofing specialists, most shingles in need of restoration are lifted or curling, making a re-roof inadvisable. Also, shingles must be laid as flat as possible in order for them to perform optimally. Another thing to consider is that shingles add significant weight to the roofing structure: every 100 square feet of quality roofing adds 350 to 450 pounds. A re-roof also fails to address underlying problems with the roof, likely causing the homeowner to end up back where they started in a few months, and also may void warranties. On the other hand, a tear-off will allow the contractor to take a closer look at other components of the roof, such as the underlayment and sheathing, and fix the root of the roofing problems. If you’re planning on selling your home soon, you may think you can get away with replacing the roof for the lowest price possible. However, inspectors are wise to this behavior, and will report it to potential buyers who call for an inspection.
“Why is felt paper used in roofing?”
Felt paper is used in most roofing applications, typically as a release between wood and asphalt. It also offers lightweight protection against any moisture-related damage on a stormy day. If a portion of the roof breaks down in a storm, the additional layer of felt paper will provide enough protection to resist the driving rain for a little while. Depending on the type of roofing product you’re using, you may need to install a different weight of felt.
“How much will it cost to replace my roof?”
Many factors can influence the total cost of a new roof, so it’s important to ask your contractor about it early in the process. Material differences largely affect costs, and other on-site factors may drive up your estimates, such as charging more for steeper roofs, remote locations and heavyweight materials. The number of roofers and the approximate time it will take to complete the installation are also considered when calculating the price of a new roof. From tearing off your old roof down the decking to cleaning up your property after the replacement is completed, if it demands manpower and time, it will cost you a lot more. All the debris from your old roof also has to be loaded into a dump truck and taken to a dumpsite. Dumpsites charge fees for this service, which go up all the time.
At Ryan Construction Systems, we remain transparent about and consistent with our cost estimations to earn the trust and confidence of our customers and give them peace of mind.
“Does hail affect all roofs in a neighborhood in the same way?”
Generally, pea- and marble-sized hailstones don’t cause damage to a roof without high winds also being involved. But to answer the question, hail can damage roofs in the same location differently. This is because frozen precipitation isn’t the only determining factor in roof damage. The age and condition of the roofing system are also crucial considerations. Even the type of material can affect whether or not a hail storm will damage a roof. For example, hail pellets can loosen the granules on asphalt shingles, basically compromising their durability, whereas rubber roofing offers a tremendous level of impact resistance.
Contact Professionals for Quality Roofing Services
Give your home a new lease on life with Ryan Construction Systems, Inc. Whether you need to inspect and repair a minor leak in your roof or completely tear off a storm-damaged roof, our team of skilled, experienced roofers are more than ready to help you. We’re committed to delivering the highest-quality products and services to residents of Kansas City and nearby areas for their total comfort and satisfaction. Call (816) 741-1941 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment or request a free estimate.