Roofing FAQ

It depends on the extent of the damage. If you just have a leak and the roof is not old, repairs may be sufficient. If you have broken, missing or cracking shingles, a repair may be sufficient. However, if the roof is reaching the end of its service life or has multiple leaks, it likely needs replacement.

This can vary greatly – which is why we offer a free, no-obligation estimate. It depends on the type of roof, condition of the roof, and number of shingle layers you have.

There are a lot of factors that go into how long a roof will last. Your roof may wear out quicker due to weather or the environment your property is located in. On average, most roofs will last between 15-25 years. Some types of metal roofs can last up to 100 years!

Weather, environment, mildew and algae are some of the most common factors.

There are many different variables. Your roof may wear out quicker due to weather or the environment your property is located in. On average, most roof will last between 15-25 years. Some types of metal roofs can last up to 100 years!

It is difficult to see hail damage with an untrained eye. If you have experienced hail in your area, call Fire & Hail Restoration to schedule a professional inspection.

There are many variables. If the roof is older, for example, smaller hail pellets can damage it more severely than if the roof were newer. The roof material needs to be considered as well.

This can be tricky, as the water can travel for a long distance before you finally see the leak in your ceiling! If it is raining, you may be able to go into your crawl space or your attic to try and trace the leak. To get an accurate assessment, have our company do an inspection and give you a free quote.

There is a possibility that the roof was improperly installed, or your roof may have been damaged in a storm.

This depends on the age of the roof and what is causing the leak. If it is a minor leak, the job could be completed in a few hours, but if there are more issues and the roof is older it may take a few days or more.

It is possible, but not recommended.

It could take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days.

A roofing underlayment is also known as felt paper and is installed beneath your shingles, over the wood of your roof. It helps protect your roof from wind-driven rain that can get beneath your shingles and potentially damage your home.

If the wood has water damage, it should be replaced.

This is dependent on your budget, where your home is located, and your needs. The roof should also complement the style and architecture of your home.

The color roofing you select should match the style and architecture of your home. First, work with our consultant to choose the best roofing material, and then we will show you the colors available.

This will require very little from you. We recommend removing fragile items on the walls or ceilings as they may be disturbed during installation.

Protecting your home during roofing installation is on our list of things we are most proud of and where we make extra effort to outshine the other roofing companies. Every home is different when it comes to setting up for a new roof so we don’t have a one size fits all answer to this question. What we can tell you is that the material haulers we use to transport the materials are loaded up for every job with an arsenal of protective materials: 4×8 sheets of wood, lumber, tarps, and any other materials deemed necessary that we determine during the original inspection of your roof. Extra care is given to the setup before the first crew member ever climbs a ladder to begin your roofing project.

The type of roofing material used will determine how often a roof needs to be replaced. For example, the average lifespan of a cedar roof is roughly 20 years. However, in drier climates, a cedar roof is likely to need more frequent repair and replacement since it is prone to splitting. A properly cared for tile roof can last up to 100 years, although individual tiles are likely to break. A concrete roof is highly durable and should not need replacing throughout its lifespan.

Finalizing a contract with your roofing contractor is a major step and you should make sure that you understand each portion of the contract before signing. These are the most important elements of the contract that should be included: Project Start and End Dates, Building Permits, Product Details, Installation Procedure, Payment Terms, Warranty Information, Option to Terminate, Lien Release

Check for signs of: Sagging, Leaking, Water Damage, Dark Spots, Missing Shingles, Holes, Mold or Rot. If you notice any of the above, it is likely that you need a roof replacement.

Choosing a roofing contractor for your project is very important and you should never feel like you're asking too many questions! We are here to help! Here are some general questions that can be asked of a roofing contractor:

• How long have you been in business?
• What jobs do you have that I can go see?
• Who will be installing my roof?
• What training and experience does the crew have?
• What past customers can I talk to?
• When would you be able to schedule my job?
• How long will my project take?
• Do you have proper licensing and certification?
• Do you have insurance?
• Is a building permit required for my project and, if so, will you be pulling one?
• What steps do you take for the safety of your workers?
• What steps do you take to ensure the safety of my home and my family?
• Do I need to be home when the work is being performed on my home? You don’t need to be home when we are working on your roof. We just ask that you remain available by phone if any questions or issues arise.

Access to standard 120V electrical outlet and water will be needed. If you have an older home, we may need electrical panel access.

Not for normal roofing jobs.

If we find rotted or damaged wood, we will provide you with an estimate for the cost of repairing the additional damages. No additional work will be performed without your approval.

Too often, roof problems present themselves after leaking or another serious damage occurs. Always be alert for danger signs like excessive electric bills, splotchy or dark areas on the roof, cracked, curling or missing shingles, exterior decay, peeling or blistering paint, water stains on interior walls and/or ceilings, water in the attic after storms or leakage after ice buildup.

It depends on the extent of the damage. If you just have a leak and the roof is not old, repairs may be sufficient. If you have broken, missing or cracking shingles, a repair may be sufficient. However, if the roof is reaching the end of its service life or has multiple leaks, it likely should be replaced. If your roof is leaking, call to schedule a free roof inspection as soon as possible to have the situation assessed.

This depends on your location. If needed, we will take care of any licenses or permits that may be required.

Average residential roofing jobs typically take one or two days of good weather.

• Make sure they are insured
• Choose a local company
• Do not choose based on price alone
• Avoid storm chasers
• Get everything in writing
• Communication is paramount (do they return calls? Get you documentation promptly?)

This is an option but NOT one that we recommend. Here is why:

• Differing ages: Shingles will last between 25- 50 years. If you only replace a portion of the roof, then the lifespan of the different sections will be different which can cause issues when one slope needs to be replaced before the other.
• Aesthetically, it won't look right: Shingles will look different as they age so it is possible that your roof will have two different colors and not look right.
• Logistically, it can be difficult: Some roofs that are older will be brittle and won’t withstand a partial replacement. Another issue is if rotted wood is found, the entire roof will need to be removed to replace the rotted wood anyway. The partial replacement may cause more harm than good.

Roofing contractors should have worker’s comp and liability insurance.

It is very unsafe for roofers to work in the rain as the crew will be at risk for falling on slippery shingles.

When considering what type of roofing to install, weigh aesthetics against cost. Roofing materials come in varying grades and corresponding prices. Look at the full product range and make a choice based on your budget and needs. For example, you could spend $30,000 for real slate or wood shakes—or get a similar look for much less. Here are the types of roofing to consider.

• Asphalt Roofing Shingles: The most popular by far, asphalt shingles are made of fiberglass sandwiched between asphalt and ceramic granules. Relatively light and easy to install, they are a good choice if you're looking for style at a budget price. They may last 30 years or more but can be vulnerable to high winds. Asphalt roofing comes in two types. Laminated shingles, also known as "architectural" or "dimensional" shingles, are layered, and their thickness and depth make them look more like slate or wood shakes. Three-tab asphalt shingles, though similarly priced, are made in a single layer. They're flatter and thinner than laminated shingles and didn't perform as well in past tests. What's more, falling prices for laminated shingles are helping them grab more and more of the market.
• Fake Slate Roofing Shingles: This composite material looks like the real thing, even close up. And it weighs about the same as asphalt, so there's no need to beef up the roof structure. Made of a variety of compositions, including plastic/polymer, clay, rubber or asphalt, fake slate is slipperier than real slate. (If you live in a snowy climate, consider installing snow guards as well.) Some fake slate may crack under impact or may fade. And it is relatively costly, though not nearly as expensive as slate.
• Metal Roofing: Metal roofing comes in steel, aluminum, copper, and alloy strips, and in various shapes and textures. Copper is especially expensive. Over time, copper acquires a greenish patina that some people find attractive. Advantages of metal include easy installation and it's ultra-lightweight, about half the weight of asphalt. And of course metal roofing doesn't burn. But it can be noisy in a rainstorm. Although the steel strips we tested dented easily, their textured surface hid minor damage quite well. Such roofing effectively reflects the sun's rays, so it keeps your home cooler in summer—a benefit in hot climates.

It depends on the extent of the damage. If you just have a leak and the roof is not old, repairs may be sufficient. If you have broken, missing or cracking shingles, a repair may be sufficient. However, if the roof is reaching the end of its service life or has multiple leaks, it likely should be replaced. Check for signs of:

• Sagging
• Leaking
• Water damage
• Dark spots
• Holes
• Missing shingles
• Mold or rot

If you notice any of the above, it is likely that you need a roof replacement.

Our roof replacement process is as follows:

• Property Protection: Our first step is protecting your home with tarps and plywood. We also recommend that you put away any fragile items on or near walls or ceilings as our hammers or other machinery may cause vibrations in your home.
• Removal of Old Roofing Material: We will remove all of the old shingles and will check the condition of the wood underneath.
• Roof Inspection: If the wood decking is found to be soft, wet or rotted, it may need to be replaced. If there is an additional cost we will give you an additional estimate and if approved we will re-nail and replace the wood decking so your new roof is safely secured!
• Preparing The Roof Surface For Shingles: After we prepare the wood, we will put drip edges along the perimeter of the roof to prevent rain from getting underneath your new roofing material. We will then install a shield against ice and water to protect the wood against water leaks. Next we cover the shield with roofing felt, which will prevent the shingles from sticking to the wood.
• New Roofing Material Installation: We will then lay out the new roofing materials and install ridge vents and flashing if required.
• Site Cleanup: We will clean the site daily after completing work.
• Final Inspection: We will then inspect our job to ensure the roof was installed properly and that you are completely satisfied with our work.

For more information or to schedule your free roof estimate, contact us today at +1 (720) 771-8921.

• Think about kids and pets: Think about the loud noises and vibrations to the home that may occur throughout the project. Make sure that your yard is off-limits while our project is in progress.
• Relocate your vehicles: Our crew will need to access their tools and trucks throughout the day and will need to unload materials.
• Remove wall decorations: The vibrations from hammers and machinery may travel to your walls and ceiling.