WHO'S BEHIND YOUR ROOF?
To get the job done right, hire a professional roofing contractor. With this investment, it's crucial that you receive trustworthy support-
and the know-how and breadth of services needed to complete the work.
So before you sign a contract, here are a few things you should check for.
Does the Contractor:
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Have a good reputation? Look for references. Call them.
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Have adequate insurance?
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Thoroughly inspect your roof? Including flashing, chimney, soil sacks, other roof penetration, deck, plus attic.
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Provide a written estimate? With an accurate description of the work to be performed, plus work that may have to be contracted.
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Explain the components of the roofing system?
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Check existing ventilation for proper circulation?
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Explain the importance of ventilation? Improper ventilation will damage shingles and can invalidate the manufacturer's warranty.
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Explain the reasons for tearing off versus nailing over the existing roof?
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Know, explain and comply with local building codes?
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Apply underlayment to the wood deck?
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Apply shingles according to manufacturer's specification?
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Use proper fastening techniques? Four fasteners for each shingle-six in high-wind areas. Fasteners should penetrate 3/4" into the deck.
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Commit to supervise the job during all phases of work and inspect it completely when finished?
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Thoroughly clean up your roof and around your property when finished?
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Clearly explain both the workmanship and manufacturer's warranty? Are defective shingles replaced for prorated replacement cost, or original cost, with labor additional?
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Offer additional warranty coverage?
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Use quality roofing materials? Check warranty plus UL fire and wind resistance ratings.
USEFUL TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW
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Deck: The surface installed over the support framing members to which the roofing shingles is applied.
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Drip edge: A non-corrosive, non-staining material used along the eaves and rakes to allow water runoff to drip clear of underlying construction.
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Eave: The overhanging lower edge of your roof
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Felt: Fibrous material saturated with asphalt and used as an underlayment or sheathing paper
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Flashing: The protective layer around your chimney's base
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Gable: The upper portion of a side wall that comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloping roof
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Gable Roof: A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each side of the ridge. Contains a gable at the end.
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Hip: The peak of your roofline going downward
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Rake Edge: The side of your roof's slope
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Ridge: The peak of your roofline along its top
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Ridge Vent: Ventilation that is applied underneath your roof's ridge
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Undereave Vent: An opening for the passage of air through your roof
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Valley: The portion of your roof where two slopes intersect
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Water-Resistant Underlayment: Water-resistant protection beneath your roof's deck and shingles
Additional Terms
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Bundle: One package of shingles
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Square: 100 square feet of shingles
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Starter Course: The first row of shingles applied to base of your roof
Get your free estimate from our team of Marietta roofers today!
