Roof Synergy

Here is a list of things to help you determine if the roof needs replacement:

# Interior walls or ceiling are blistered or there are dark spots on the ceiling
# Obvious leaking in the interior after a hard wind driven rain
# Signs of water damage or discoloration in attic spaces
# Soffits that are sagging or rotten
# Signs of leaking in the attic after an ice buildup (Look for excessive ice dams in the winter)
# Shingles are curling up or appear cracked. This can be checked easily from the ground with binoculars
# Signs of algae buildup, or dirty looking shingles in different areas of the roof
# A rise in energy costs over a typical winter. This could indicate that the roof is losing energy. A good tip - if insulation has been mounted to the underside of the roof deck instead of on the interior attic floors, suspect damage to the roof deck. This type of installation allows heat buildup during summer months, and will warp the deck plates.
# Signs of decay in shingles, sheathing and soffits. In this case, water is entering and possibly running down walls and entering the soffit.

When purchasing a home, know what type of roof is the best for the area of the country you are moving to. Certain roofs do not do well in humid or high heat climes, and roofs in portions of the country that have a lot of snow and ice need a bit more protection. In the south, where hurricanes are prevalent, roofs need to be designed to exacting standards. If buying a home there, inquire as to whether hurricane straps have been installed in the roof. This should always be done during construction, not afterwards. These straps are always secured to interior walls first, and then to the roof. They give the structure more integrity to withstand the rigors of high winds, and can save you thousands of dollars when installed. Florida has specific guidelines for installation and type of hurricane straps. In other hurricane prone areas, look for roofs made with galvalume, a material that is made from steel, and is strengthened with aluminum and zinc coatings. They are required in the Florida Keys. Fixing or repairing a roof is a common sense thing. Know your roof, and know when the time comes to repair or replace.

If there is one thing that can strike fear into the heart of just about every homeowner, it’s the realization that you need work done on your roof. Most people don’t know a whole lot about roofing or even the different options available and thus worry about getting the job done right. If you find yourself in that predicament, don’t worry. With a good contractor giving you great roofing ideas and some understanding of the various options available to you, you can choose to make a roof replacement change the entire appearance of your home.

badzy wrote:If there is one thing that can strike fear into the heart of just about every homeowner, it’s the realization that you need work done on your roof. Most people don’t know a whole lot about roofing or even the different options available and thus worry about getting the job done right. If you find yourself in that predicament, don’t worry. With a good contractor giving you great roofing ideas and some understanding of the various options available to you, you can choose to make a roof replacement change the entire appearance of your home.
Bay Area Foam Roofing

It's most important to find a properly trained contractor with a good track record. As we all know, the best, and sometimes the only indicator of future performance, is the past history of a company. Do they have any BBB complaints, do you know anyone with roofs from this business that live nearby you, and would they refer you to the company, etc.

Of course, this all assumes you've got a flat or low slope roof in a place where foam roofing contractors are available. Foam is available in most states, and there are many choices of contractors in states like California, Texas, and Florida.