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Friday, July 30, 2010

Composition Shingle Roofing / Ron Williams - Roof Doctor

The composition shingle roof is an excellent value in roofing material. Currently, in California the minimum slope requirement for a composition shingle roof is 2-1/2" in 12", or 2-1/2 inches of vertical fall for every 12 inches of horizontal run. Although this is a minimum requirement, it has been my experience that the thicker composition shingles (30 to 50 year) do not perform well on anything less than a 3" in 12" slope or "pitch", as it is called in the industry. We see leaking shingle roofs all the time that leak because they were installed over a surface with 2-1/2" or less slope.

VISIT ROOF DOCTOR
 These Velux skylights were leaking for years and no amount of mastic or caulking was fixing the leak.





Right: Ron Williams Roof Doctor ordered new flashing kits from Velux and installed them. We also had to manufacture a custom piece of channel for the center because the skylights are so close together.


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Ron Williams / Roof Doctor


Ron Williams Roof Doctor provides the very best in roof maintenance, inspection, certification and repair.Lack of proper roof maintenance can lead to premature deterioration  of your roof, which along with improper installation are the greatest causes of  roof problems. This is particularly true of relatively low-sloped roofs, as they are in general more susceptible to leaks.

Roof Repairs - Weathering
Your roof is exposed to the weather all year round. This exposure causes your roof materials to deteriorate. All types of roofing materials may be damaged by wind. Excessive  or in some cases even minimal debris build up is also a common causes of roof leaks.The Roof Doctor has extensive experience in repairing all types of roofs, and we are here to help you with your roof repair or maintenance needs. Whether your roof is Tar and Gravel or Built Up, Torch On or Modified Bitumen, EPDM or Single Ply, Composition Shingle, Wood Shingle, Wood Shake, Lightweight Tile, Concrete Tile, Ceramic Tile, Steel Tile, Metal, or a Mobile Home Roof, Roof Doctor can help you.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Re Roofing


Re Roofing - With Ron Williams Roof Doctor:
The most common re roof scenario that we see here on the West coast is a shake conversion, where as the term implies, a shake roof is converted to a composition shingle roof. Most proposals for this type of project will look something like this:
1. Remove existing roofing and dispose.
2. Install a layer of 1/2 solid wood roof sheathing over existing spaced sheathing.
3. Install a layer of roofing felt over new wood.
4. Install new 30 year composition shingles.
5. Install new roof top flashings.
6. Remove all work related debris.
** XX Year Warranty On All Work **
NOTE: Any additional work (dry rot etc.) is $xxx.00 per hr. + materials cost.
OK, number one, good.
Two, you should know if you are getting OSB (chip) board or plywood. We use plywood unless a homeowner wants the cheapest possible, because the cost difference is minimal and it is a far superior product so this translates into a better value.
Three, you should always get and we always use #30 felt (twice as thick) as opposed to #15.
Four, good.
Five, make sure ALL roof metal is included! Heat and plumbing vents, perimeter trim metal, and shop formed chimney flashings, HVAC flashings. These last two are almost never done because they are costly. We have in house sheet metal fabrication and always include these.
Six, good.
Also, when you convert your shake roof to composition shingles, it is absolutely critical that the attic ventilation be upgraded. A balanced ventilation system will make your roof last, help the comfort level in the home and keep your materials warranty from being voided.
I think most companies will provide the majority of these items, but I also see new roofs almost every week where a lot of the items (mostly number five) were not specified and then not included. That is usually when we are called out to fix them.
You can't go wrong using Ron Williams Roof Doctor on your re roofing project. 800 – 409 - 4910

Friday, May 21, 2010

Tile Roofing, Part 2


By: Ron Williams / Roof Doctor
Tile Roofing Maintenance, Part 2
I would like to address the myth and popular contention that on a tile roof, it is the felt or underlayment that protects your home from moisture and not the actual tile. The underlayment is one or two layers of #30 asphalt saturated felt that is applied directly over the wood roof sheathing and then the roof tiles are installed over it.
I have personally repaired thousands of tile roofs and at least 90% of them were leaking because of a failed flashing or tile. Once water gets under the tile the roof is going to leak, the felt is actually more of a vapor barrier than a waterproofing and there are thousands of nail penetrations in the felt as well as unsealed corners etc.
I have literally hundreds of photos of tile roof leaks caused 100% by either debris build up, failing flashings or tile with debris build up the major cause.
So with debris build up being the most prevalent cause of leaks to tile roofs, let's take a look at what actually happens.
First debris accumulates in a valley, chimney, or pipe flashing. Since the part of the flashing that carries the water is under the tile, like a dam the debris diverts water over the flashing that is under the tile and onto the felt.















I could literally show you a hundred pictures like this.
This will cause the roof to leak every single time because the felt is not a watertight system.
So let's quit telling homeowners that it's the felt that keeps the water out ok? It just isn't true. In almost every case, 30 lb. Felt is intended as a vapor barrier and nothing more.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Tile Roof Maintenance, Part 1

By: Ron Williams / Roof Doctor

Tile Roofing:

Often we find broken tiles on a roof. Most people do not understand how to walk on a tile roof and sometimes it is apparent that the tiles were broken by foot traffic.

Other times there is not a readily apparent explanation and the homeowner will say "I swear, no one has been on my roof, how could there be broken tiles"?

Roof tiles can get damaged or be lifted by the wind (poorly fixed ridge tiles are especially susceptible to wind damage) or roof expansion movement as the roof heats up and cools down. So, on a daily basis your roof does absorb a lot of natural abuse expanding and contracting. As a roof expands and contracts the roof system moves, and during movement the tiles bind against each other. Quite often I go on a tile roof and see fifty or more "corner chips" these are caused primarily from this type of movement.

Another killer is moss. Shaded areas are perfect breading grounds for moss to grow. The moss will first cause several hairline cracks along the thin overlapping sections of the Tile.

The Northern facing surfaces of roofing generally get the least amount of the sun and in turn will take longer for moisture or dew to evaporate or run off. The steeper the roof pitch, the more moss will grow. Moss creates an additional problem with its root system by compounding the deterioration process further causing the tile to pit and crack.

Eventually, your roof will just leak and most likely cause damage inside of your home until its repaired or replaced.

If you really consider that you may have the equivalent weight of several Semi-Trucks parked on your roof. Any problems with your roof would be a serious matter.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Roof Maintenance

By Ron Williams / Roof Doctor

Asphalt Shingles:

Composition shingles are probably the easiest of roof surfaces to maintain.

First off, the attic under them must be properly ventilated. If it is, then with regular maintenance the roof should last 20 to 40 years depending on the slope and the particular materials.

If it isn't, the roof will literally bake from the inside out and can burn out in the "hot spots" in 3 – 4 years. Inadequate attic ventilation can also (and often does) cause mold and fungus and or sheathing delamination.

Clean all debris from the surface of the roof. This includes debris that has gathered behind HVAC units, pipes and pitch pans, and any other roof penetrations. Debris has a tendency to hold water, and water will expedite roof deterioration, especially if your roof is asphalt based such as a built-up roof or asphalt shingles. If your roof is starting to collect moss or algae, install some zinc or lead control strips. Dab some roof cement under any loose shingle tabs. Clean all debris from the surface of the roof.

Call Ron Williams Roof Doctor at 800-409-4910 for of all of your roofing maintenance needs,

Or go to http://www.roofdoctor1.com

Monday, May 10, 2010

Basic Maintenance for A Composition Shingle Roof


 

Asphalt Shingles:

Composition shingles are probably the easiest of roof surfaces to maintain.

First off, the attic under them must be properly ventilated. If it is, then with regular maintenance the roof should last 20 to 40 years depending on the slope and the particular materials.

Clean all debris from the surface of the roof. Including debris that has gathered behind HVAC units, pipes and pitch pans, and any other roof penetrations. Debris has a tendency to hold water, and water will expedite roof deterioration, especially if your roof is asphalt based such as a built-up roof or asphalt shingles. If your roof is starting to collect moss or algae, install some zinc or lead control strips. Dab some roof cement under any loose shingle tabs. Clean all debris from the surface of the roof, and try to keep the gutters clean too. Above all BE CAREFUL! If you are not skilled at walking on your roof then don't. It isn't worth it.

Call Ron Williams Roof Doctor at 800-409-4910 for of all of your roofing maintenance needs,

Or go to http://www.roofdoctor1.com

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Roof Repair, Maintenance and Certification Part 1


 

Did you know that most warranties require verifiable roof maintenance for the warranty to be enforced?

Roof Maintenance:

It does not matter if your roof is wood shake-shingles, comp shingles, tile, hot mop or whatever, your roof needs you.

Roofs get more abuse from the elements than any other part of the building, and preventative maintenance is a key element to saving money on your roof by providing a longer service life.

In the next few days, we will provide some general guidelines to help keep your roof in good working condition for as long as possible.

Be sure not to miss our upcoming roofing maintenance discussions!

Be sure to call Ron Williams Roof Doctor at 800-409-4910 for of all of your roofing maintenance needs, we are definitely a cut above the rest.

Or go to http://www.roofdoctor1.com

Friday, May 7, 2010

Roof Certification?


 

Why home buyers should ask for a roof certification.

Because regulations in many California communities do not require that sellers replace failing roofs.

Roof certifications are separate from a home inspection. Home inspectors, for the most part, do not perform thorough roof inspections.

A qualified roof inspector will note the following:

1. Type of Roof

2. General Condition

3. Slope or Pitch

4. Installation Defects

5. Maintenance Needed

6. Serviceable Life Expectancy

If the roof requires repairs, after the repairs are performed, the roofing company will then issue the roof certification.


 


 

Attic Ventilation – And Why It Is Critical
By Ron Williams – Roof Doctor

There are three reasons that your attic needs good ventilation. In summer, heat builds up in the attic during the day results in high costs for cooling.  In winter, moisture generated from various aspects of everyday living such as breathing, laundry, showers etc. follows little air trails into your attic and collects there. And third, moisture condensing on the framing members and the inside of the roof deck can lead to the growth of mold, mildew and rot in the roof deck and framing.  I have personally been inside an attic in the summer that was dripping wet throughout due to this condition.


The cooling effect of venting has two benefits. A) It makes living temperatures more comfortable during hot weather and reduces cooling costs. B) It helps get the rated life out of asphalt shingles. I have been on many roofs with under ventilated attics where the shingles have literally baked from the inside.

Research also shows a ventilated attic is slightly warmer on a clear, cold night than a un vented attic.

 Most people believe that is that have lots of insulation they are ok, but attic insulation can actually cause increases in temperature as the insulation holds the heat long after the sun is gone, continuing to transfer it slowly through the ceilings into your living space. 

I agree in principle with most of the general research and opinions on attic ventilation. I do not however agree on the most effective ways to correct existing ventilation inadequacies. Use of the Eyebrow vent is a practical and affordable solution to almost any attic ventilation problem. When properly used, it is relatively simple to achieve any amount of balanced airflow, and balanced airflow is what makes it work.

In Central California, call Ron Williams Roof Doctor 800 – 409 – 4910, or visit us at: http://www.roofdoctor1.com for all of your attic ventilation needs.
I am just writing a test posting right now.