Category: Roofs in Montgomery Texas

How to Get A New Roof During COVID-19 With Some Digital Help!

The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have affected just about every industry out there, all in different ways.

Where roofing is concerned, it has made things a little challenging depending on local social distancing mandates as well as the need for at-risk people to stay isolated.

Yet roof repairs and new installation are not something that should be put off, so it is important that home and building owners still arrange for these services when necessary.

Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to get through the roofing process even in times of pandemic when working with today’s connected roofers who are using digital technology to everyone’s advantage!

Screen and Hire Roofers Without In-Person Meetings

When your shingle roof needs repairs or maybe a total replacement, you can get through the entire hiring process online without having to meet roofers face-to-face:

  1. Research Contractors Online - Look up local roofers in your area and research them via reviews, testimonials, and BBB listings. You can also call or email and ask for referrals and drive to see examples of work the contractor has done recently.
  2. Discuss With Contractors - Communicate with contractors via phone, email, or virtual meetings to talk about your roofing needs, the process, the cost, and anything else that needs discussing.
  3. Schedule Estimates - Schedule a day and time for the contractor to come to your home and write a detailed estimate of all roof work you both deem necessary. Help the process by sending photos from inside the house if those are needed.
  4. Review and Finalize - Once you have the estimates, discuss them with the roofer especially warranties, then choose a roofer to take care of roofing needs.
  5. Schedule a Date - After all the discussion and estimating is complete, schedule a work date with the roofer so they can take care of the rest.

Many of these steps concerning a new roof or roofing repairs are no different than what you would normally do.

With the addition of virtual meetings and doing the majority of the communication online or by phone, you can choose a contractor and get service scheduled quickly without ever having to meet face-to-face until the day the roofer comes to actually do the roofing work.

Even then, it isn’t necessary to let anyone into your house, just step outside and maintain social distancing.

Choose Roofing Products Online

An important part of getting a new shingle roof is choosing the shingles.

The good news is that you can also pick out roofing material online:

  • Online Product Information – Most shingle manufacturers keep their products listed online with clear images, color selectors, and important features listed to help you see them and decide which is best for your roofing.
  • Home Design Software - Some of these makers even include free designing software on their sites that allow you to visualize color schemes in 3D to estimate what different colored shingles would look like on your roof.
  • Shingle Color Samples - You can also request printed color samples to be sent from the manufacturer to confirm color appearances to see the true color for your roof in person.
  • Actual Shingle Samples - A shingle roofer may be able to drop off samples of a few shingles to help you make a decision.

Don’t Let A Pandemic Stop Getting A New Roof

COVID-19 may stop us from doing some things right now; however, there is no reason why it should delay roofing repairs or putting on that new shingle roof if it is time.

Delaying this kind of work could result in additional damage to your roof and a more expensive roofing job.

Thankfully, shingle roofers are among those considered to be providing an essential service, so there shouldn’t be any problem finding a contractor to come out and do the work for you.

Where social distancing is concerned, it is very easy to go through the contractor selection, work estimation process, and even choosing roofing materials online or with limited or no face-to-face contact and have the roof you want without delay!

Looking At Shingle Roofing in Conroe Texas?

Contact Roofers Conroe About Shingle Roof Concerns!

Call (936) 209-2162 Today!

Looking at Roofing Material – Are Any Really Sustainable?

The earth’s environment is suffering more each year due to pollution, destruction of habitats, and many other practices that are changing the planet forever.

In response to this problem, many manufacturers of building supplies including those producing roofing materials have begun designing products that are more environmentally friendly.

The question is, are those products sustainable, too?

If you’re looking for a truly environmentally sound roof, pay attention to sustainability while choosing your materials.

What Is Sustainability?

Though they are related, sustainability is not the same thing as environmental friendliness to which it is commonly confused with and compared.

A sustainable natural material like on a roof is one that’s sourced in ways that does not deplete a natural source or environment of that material.

It’s a method of harvesting what is essentially an unlimited material as long as the land is left undamaged so that material can continue to replenish itself.

Environmentally-Friendly Roofing Materials Vs. Sustainable Ones

Sustainable raw materials are environmentally-friendly, but not all environmentally-friendly materials are sustainable.

In terms of roofing materials, it has the most to do with natural materials that have to be grown or harvested, how quickly they replenish, and what is being done throughout the world to keep those resources replenishing.

Environmentally-friendly materials used by roofers include those that have a reduced carbon footprint.

Many are more thermo-effective, reducing the utility costs and the pollution made from creating energy while others are made of materials that can either be recycled and used again or buried to decompose naturally and become a part of the soil.

Durability and longer life expectancy, and cleaner production practices all contribute to environmental-friendliness; however, most of these products are still not sustainable.

What Sustainable Roofing Products Are Available Today?

While there are quite a few environmentally-friendly roofing materials available today, the list of products that are truly sustainable is fairly small.

Materials that must be mined for or are made using petroleum products are not sustainable as those are non-replenishable resources.

Products made from cement are also not sustainable due to the pollution generated to produce it.

There is debate over whether shingles made from clay are sustainable and manufacturers claim that since it is a nearly unlimited material, it is as close to sustainable as anything can be.

What truly sustainable materials are available?

Wood shakes and shingles are the most sustainable roof materials out there, since trees can be harvested and then regrown.

Of course, the degree of sustainability depends on the type of wood, where it’s harvested, and whether it’s being sustainably replanted; however, overall wood is considered sustainable.

Other materials that are considered as nearly sustainable due to their ability to be recycled and how they are produced include metals like steel, aluminum, copper, and as mentioned above clay tiles.

Green, or living roofs are also considered sustainable, especially when used to reduce utility bills and grow food and other vegetation.

Beyond these options, the higher the percentage of recycled content in a product, the more sustainable it is as it reduces the amount of new resources that must be sourced.

Sustainable Roofing Materials Scarce, But Available

There is more to environmental-friendliness and roofs than just recyclability and biodegradability.

Sustainability is another issue to consider when shopping for the materials used by roofers.

Though truly sustainable materials are rare, sticking with eco-friendly products containing the highest amount of recycled materials is the best alternative for roofing products!

Want a Sustainable Roof in Conroe Texas?

Contact the Roofing Experts at Roofers Conroe Now!

Call (936) 209-2162 for More Info!

Learn About The Use of Thermal Imaging To Inspect Roofs!

roofs in the woodlands texas

 

One of the most challenging factors in dealing with flat roofs is detecting leaks and finding their origin. Fortunately, today’s roof services have new tools available to help them find these leaks. By using thermal imaging, roofers can locate the presence of water within the layers of roofing materials non-invasively, then determine the best way to make repairs.

Thermal imaging makes inspection and repairs faster, more precise, and less expensive. This in turn allows contractors to provide efficient and cost-effective service to owners of flat-topped buildings.

What Is Thermal Imaging?

Thermal imaging is the use of an infrared thermal scanner to create images based on the presence of heat in roofing materials. Water takes longer to absorb heat than dry materials and longer to release once it heats up. Based on its ability to read these temperature differences, thermal imaging can be used to detect moisture in different material like decking and roofing insulation. It can also show the depth of the moisture that is present.

How Is Thermal Imaging Used for Inspections?

Flat roofs are designed to be waterproof barriers over buildings such as large commercial units. Since standing and slow draining water is a greater possibility on such roofs, materials must be non-permeable to prevent leaks and serious structural damage. Unfortunately, leaks can occur for a variety of reasons and remain undetected for long periods until the damage is substantial.

Thermal imaging offers roof services an accurate way to inspect buildings for areas of moisture without actually disturbing the surface of the roof. By using heat detection, contractors can scan the entire top of a building looking for problem spots that indicate the presence of moisture under the surface. Once these spots are located, they can then focus on determining the extent of the damage and how it can best be repaired.

Considerations With Thermal Imaging

When performed properly, infrared inspection of roofs offers many important benefits for both contractors and building owners. It allows contractors to get an accurate look at the entire structure faster and more thoroughly than any other method. It also detects water problems without having to disrupt the external material.

It is important this be done by experienced roof services since scans can be affected by various weather conditions and there is some variation as to how different materials show up on the scans. Thermal imaging inspections should be done on a clear, dry, and sunny day to produce the best results. The roofing must be able to absorb heat for the infrared imaging to actually work.

Thermal imaging provides many advantages by allowing roof services to quickly and accurately detect even the smallest problem areas. It is a non-invasive technique that can be used for troubleshooting and routine inspections to ensure there is no unexpected damage. Even though thermal imaging equipment is used mainly on flat commercial roofs, it can also be used to inspect residential pitched installations. It is one of the best diagnostic tools for monitoring roofs and locating water problems before they have a chance to cause serious damage!

Dealing With Leaky Roofs In The Woodlands Texas?

GMA Restoration Provides Outstanding Roof Repair Services!

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What Are The Advantages of Slate Roofs?

roofs in conroe Texas 3260

 

Slate is an attractive material that has been used to make roofs for centuries. Slate roofs look great on many types of homes and provide a number of important advantages, along with being one of the most durable options available. Although initial installation by professional roof companies can be more expensive than other options, the many benefits gained usually make slate a worthwhile investment.

Timeless Classic Beauty

The first thing that most people notice about slate roofs is their classic beauty. Used in Europe for hundreds of years and in the United States since the 19th Century, slate has a desirable old world appearance that can enhance almost any type of architecture. Available as shingles cut to different sizes, shapes, and thicknesses, slate has a naturally variegated, earthy color range that gives it character. It can be tinted various darker colors like blue, green, and even deep red. One of the most beautiful types of shingles used today, slate stands out, adding style and value to most homes.

Long Roof Life

Slate is a very hard natural material that can withstand a lot of weather abuse. When expertly installed by skilled roof companies, it protects a home against weather extremes including heavy rain, strong wind, and damaging hail better than most other materials for a much longer time. Highly resistant to damage caused by UV light rays, slate requires little maintenance and can last 100 to 200 years when properly cared for.

Environmentally Friendly Choice

Slate is an environmentally friendly choice to have installed by roof companies. Extracted from the ground, it is readily available and involves a relatively clean production process in comparison to the production of synthetic roofing materials. Slate can be recycled when it is removed and can be safely discarded in the ground as well. When properly installed and insulated, it can help reduce utility bills because of its thermal properties that prevent the passage of heat through the shingles and into - or even out of - the home.

Important Fire Resistance

In addition to being durable and long-lived, slate roofs are also highly fire-resistant. Since slate is unaffected by flying embers that land on it, this property offers important protection to homes surrounded by trees or in areas where wildfires are common. In terms of fire protection, homeowners in vulnerable areas that choose fire resistant roofing like slate may be eligible for home insurance discounts due to the reduced risk of damage that could be caused by wildfires.

Considering its many qualities, slate is a beautiful, durable, and eco-friendly roofing choice. While these roofs do carry a higher price tag than most others, slate outlasts all other materials and is often a preferred option for many homeowners. When carefully installed by experienced roof companies, slate shingles provide a lifetime of strikingly beautiful protection for any home, in almost any climate!

Thinking Of A Slate Roof In Conroe Texas?

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How Do You Protect Roofs From Aging?

Roofs in Conroe Texas

 

Most roofs have a fairly long life expectancy. While certain materials definitely last longer than others, they all have quite a few years of service life when properly installed and maintained. Because roofing is so expensive, homeowners should do everything possible to slow the aging process. To get the longest life from a current roof installation, homeowners should follow the helpful tips below offered by experienced roof repair companies.

Arrange Periodic Inspections

The key to keeping a roof in its best condition and lengthening its life is good observation and regular inspections. Besides keeping an eye out on their own, homeowners should arrange for a professional inspection by an experienced roof repair company every year or two. Professional installers know about all different types of material and where to look for potential problems.

With regular and routine inspections, it will be easier to prevent damage that can promote aging. Inspections should include observation of everything from the surface material itself to attic spaces, vents, gutters and downspouts. Roofers should look walk around the entire circumference of the house while looking for evidence of damage, leaks, or other problems.

Provide Proper Maintenance

Some roofs require almost no maintenance, while others require quite a bit. To reduce aging, keep up with any necessary repairs and all items that wear out, like loose or missing flashing. Ensure there is adequate ventilation and check for damage after storms.

Materials that require occasional treatment with paint, UV coatings, or sealants should be taken care of as recommended to preserve these protective layers. Be sure to follow any maintenance suggestions provided by material manufacturers to ensure the roof receives the care needed to stay in good condition.

Keep It Clean

Dirt, debris, and growing vegetation can also cause roofs to age prematurely. Do everything possible to keep the surface free of any debris and if necessary, hire a cleaner to scrub the surface if mold or mildew is present. Keep trees trimmed so branches are away from the house and most importantly, keep gutters clean. Dirty and clogged gutters can cause a number of serious problems that can very quickly age a roof or cause enough damage that it is no longer waterproof.

Quickly Address Repair Issues

Time is the enemy when it comes to roof repair. Even though it might be tempting to ignore smaller concerns that do not seem very serious, it is these smaller issues that can very quickly turn into problems that cause a lot of damage. Whether a problem is discovered by homeowners or by a roofing expert, the issue must be properly corrected. Waiting and hoping that a problem will not get worse is an invitation for damage that can age the roof more quickly than it should.

Learn to Recognize Problems

Based on the suggestions referenced above about seeking prompt repair when any concerns are discovered, homeowners must learn to recognize issues that demand immediate attention. Loose or missing flashing, small leaks noticed inside the home, or missing shingles or panels are the more obvious concerns to look for. Less obvious concerns include shingles that bubble, ones with curling edges, those that are cracked, split, peeling, or chipped, and any that are losing their protective gravel coating.

Roofs are one of the most important, and expensive parts of a home. Although they do not last forever, there is no reason why homeowners should not expect to get a full service life from their current installation with the right attention. To protect roofs from aging prematurely, be sure they are inspected and maintained as suggested by expert roof repair companies and arrange for any required repairs as quickly as possible. Proper inspection and maintenance will allow homeowners to get their money’s worth from their installation and help ensure they have to deal with as few problems as possible!

Need Roof Repair In Conroe Texas?

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