To assess the quality and condition of a roof, homeowners should know the names for structural features and material. Even if these roof components are out of everyday sight, it is reassuring to know what they are and the purpose they fill. Starting from the bottom up, underlayment is the layer laying on top of the wood sheets (deck) of a roof, usually with a weather-proof seal over it. When it comes to directing water off roof surfaces, flashing fills that need with valley flashing in the inverted angles of a roof if any exist. Laying under the flashing and over the other layers is tile. Tiles can be made from asphalt, metal, concrete, or wood. Any micro spaces where roofing material is not flush are covered with trim.

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Even though you may know the different roof components and materials involved with
construction there is still more to learn when it comes to its design. A little more than half a
dozen elements come together to make the parts of a roof what it is. Starting from the top
down, the ridge stands as its highest point and peak. If there happens to be more than ridge on a roof the hip is where they meet. Valleys are the parts where two sections meet at a
downward angle. Not every roof has valleys. Pitch is how steeply the roof rises. The part that
hangs over a home is the eave. At the corners, where the roof seems to make a triangle from
the eave to the ridge is known as the gable. Dormers allow light into a home or attic directly
through the top.

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USE TRUSTED ROOFING PROFESSIONALS - There are plenty of good and worthwhile information to know when it comes to what to look for while surveying and maintaining the condition of your roof. Let the professionals of Southside Roofing do the thinking and heavy lifting for you. Why should you choose this company over others? The answer is because you should always use licensed and insured roofing professionals. Moreover, Southside Roofing offers discounts for seniors, active military, and veterans. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Contact Southside Roofing today for an appointment and free estimate.

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Louisiana is no stranger to hurricanes. High winds, rising water and property damage are commonplace issues in Louisiana. Homeowners should know how a hurricane and other major weather events can affect their roof. There are precautions to be taken before a storm hits and things to look for after the
storm has passed.

PREPARING FOR A STORM - You should have professionals evaluate the roof and repair any minor damage as soon as possible. Many minor issues can lead to big problems from severe weather impacts. We can suggest new materials that are designed for certain wind forces. From composite to concrete-tile shingles, we'll find a roofing material that meets your weather needs and budget. Keeping up with roofing repair issues will protect the home as much as possible during a storm.

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR AFTER A STORM: CURLING AND STRIPPED SHINGLES - Most roof damage starts with subtle changes to the material surfaces. Look at your roof after a wind or water event. The flat shingles may now have curled edges. Moisture can make its way under the shingles. Tiny granules found on new shingles are part of the design, but they strip away under extreme conditions. You might see pebbles on the ground after the storm indicating roof damage.

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UPLIFT FORCES - Wind updrafts are what you need to worry about, reports Science Daily. Wind that moves along the ground will encounter your structure and lift over it. The eaves become makeshift sails, leading to roof damage. Roofs secured to the walls with proper fasteners protect the home. Roofers will still need to examine these issues. Any loose fasteners can lead to roof failure under strong winds.

 

HAIL STRIKES - Hurricanes come with rain, winds, lightning, and hailstorms. Divots may dot your rooftop after hail strikes and are more serious in nature. Be sure to have a professional roofer examine your roof as soon as the storm passes on. Hail divots that seem benign may have cracks in the underlayment below.

ATTIC LEAKS - Hurricanes don't just impact the top of the roof either. As shingles shift in the wind, moisture finds its way into tiny cracks on the rooftop. You might see moisture or yellow staining in the attic afterward. This moisture damage can be severe if the rains continue in the region. Repairing the damage immediately after the storm is imperative. Water will corrode the home's interior if left unchecked.

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PENETRATIONS DETACHING FROM ROOF - There are many items that connect into the roof. Antennas, satellite dishes and skylights might detach from the structure. The detachment leaves an opening for wind and rain to further damage the roof. As they fall, other damaged areas develop. Objects that aren't attached to the roof, such as trees, can also be hazards. Weak tree branches falling onto the home will cause significant damages.

 

Contact Southside Roofing today for an appointment and free estimate.

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At Southside Roofing, an informed customer is our ideal customer. We know, however, that it’s tough to stay abreast of home improvement activities that involve roofing because of the infrequency of roofing tasks. Today’s quality roofing systems last 30 to 40 years, and most people only require roof replacements twice during their lives.

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Unscrupulous roofing contractors take full advantage of homeowners’ lack of knowledge and
unfortunate circumstances to pull off some of the most scandalous scams in the industry. The team at Southside Roofing works hard every day to deliver dependable service and quality craftsmanship. Because we take a personal interest in our clients - our neighbors, we take great offense to scammers in our industry who take advantage of our neighbors and attempt to taint the reputation of honest, hardworking roofers.

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COMMON ROOFING SCAMS
#1 THE VANISHING DOWN PAYMENT
It happens all the time. A property owner realizes that his or her home’s roof is damaged and must be repaired as soon as possible. The homeowner knows that the job is going to cost them a sizeable amount of money. If the person has not budgeted for those roof repairs or a replacement, he or she is susceptible to the vanishing down payment scam.

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During this scam, the roofer offers the homeowner a tempting low-ball quote but states that a down payment is needed to start the project. The homeowner is eager to get the work done at a low price and hands over the down payment. The scammer takes the down payment and leaves town without doing any work. Most professional roofing contractors will start a roofing job without taking your money for labor and materials. If your chosen contractor wants a down payment to start a job, you need to be alert to a potential scam. You need to choose another contractor or at least wait until the roofing supplies arrive at your home to give the roofer your down payment.

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#2 THE STORM CHASER
Homes located in areas prone to hurricanes and other storms are magnets for roofing scammers. These con artists are called storm chasers because they wait until after a community has a major storm to drum up roofing business with distressed property owners. They canvas neighborhoods and hand out flyers that describe their low-priced roofing services. When a homeowner responds to their advertisements, the scammers take a down payment and leave town with the money. Some heartless scammers tear up roofs to simulate roofing work and leave after they receive the homeowners’ installment payments. You can identify the beginning of the storm chaser scam by investigating the advertised company that you want to hire for roofing work. Ridiculously low roofing repair and replacement prices for storm-damaged roofs are big indicators that you’re about to become the next victim of the storm chaser scam.

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#3 THE UNSOLICITED SALES CALL
Some scam artists are armed with cunning sales tactics and not much else. These unethical salespeople, who are disguised as roofing contractor representatives, spring the unsolicited sales call scam. During the unsolicited sales call, you’ll receive a knock on your door and an introduction to a possible problem with your roof. Most of the time the problem is the salesperson and not your roof. The person will try to convince you that your roof is damaged from a recent storm, age, or normal wear. Some will provide you with pictures of the roof damage if you let them inspect your roof. In a best-case scenario, they’ll take your money and do little else after you sign a contract with them. During a worst-case scenario, they take your money and leave you with more roofing damage. You can spot this scam before it gets in full swing by paying attention to the salesman’s pitch and asking questions. If the salesperson is using a lot of roofing jargon to explain what’s wrong with your roof, you’ve just identified a potential roofing scammer. It’s likely that he or she knows little about roof repairs or replacement and that will become apparent to you after a few minutes of listening to the person’s pitch.

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#4 THE HIGH-PRESSURE NEIGHBORHOOD SALES CALL
Some roofing scams are a little harder to identify, but they are just as potent as the more blatant deceptions. If you’re like many homeowners, you live in a subdivision. Your community is filled with homes that were built around the same time. When your neighbors begin to replace their roofs, you need to consider replacing yours too. The high-pressure, neighborhood sales call happens when a roofing contractor becomes aware that roofing work is being done in your subdivision. He or she makes sales calls to homes in the area and offers deals on roof repair and replacement work. These salespeople are pushy and often want you to sign a service contract with them before you have time to discover that their services are overpriced or inadequate.

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#5 FLUCTUATING CONTRACT PRICE
The fluctuating contract price trick is a roofing scam that causes stress to homeowners. This one happens when a roofing contractor provides a low-price bid and wins the work. The company representative draws up a contract that is based on a specified scope of work and the quoted low price. The roofers get halfway through the project and want to modify the agreement to increase their price. They might say that material costs went up or that they found unexpected roof damage that wasn’t covered in the original scope of work. During this scam, the roofers are at a distinct advantage. They’ve likely torn up your roof during the repair job, and they know that you don’t have the time, money, or inclination to take them to court. Material price increases don’t happen overnight, and they are not the responsibility of the customer. There are cases when roofing contractors find legitimate damage after starting a job. When doing a roof replacement, our roofers often identify damage to underlying wood decking only after pulling up old shingles. We, however, account for this in our contracts. We disclose to our customers that discovery of underlying damage during a roof replacement will cost extra, and we indicate how much we charge based on the size of the damaged area.

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#6 THE POOR REPAIR
Doing shoddy work is one of the subtlest roofing scams in the industry. Roof repair work can look professional, and your roof can appear to function properly for a time. It may take years for amateurish repairs to become apparent. When this happens, you could face more serious roofing problems. Roofing projects are usually infrequent. A roof gets replaced after several decades of use, or a strong storm makes roof repairs necessary. Since unscrupulous contractors don’t expect to make you a repeat customer, they often decide to cut corners on roofing projects.

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#7 INSURANCE FRAUD
Whatever you do, don’t let roofing scammers draw you into their unethical schemes. Some roofing scammers will charge you a price for your roofing project and bill your insurance company for a higher price. The roofing contractor could offer to pay for your insurance deductible or provide other freebies if you go along with this scam. Don’t be tempted to do this. Insurance companies have large legal departments, and they can and do go after people who commit insurance fraud.

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BEST WAYS TO AVOID ROOFING SCAMS
The most effective way to avoid roofing scams is to always get multiple estimates for roofing projects from reputable companies. If three out of the four companies have similar cost estimates and scopes of work, the potentially phone fourth company will stand out from the rest. Check with your local Better Business Bureau. Performance ratings and reviews can go a long way to telling you all you need to know about the roofing company you are considering.

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Another way to bypass roofing scams is to know your roof. Don’t let roofing issues sneak up on you. Have your roof inspected periodically by reputable professionals before you develop any serious roofing problems.

 

CONCLUSION
Roofing scammers cause a lot of problems for stressed homeowners. They can take your hard-earned money and leave you with damaged roofs, high repair bills, and potential legal problems. Making you aware of these scams is good for you, us, and the entire home improvement industry. If you have questions about roof repairs or replacements in and around Broussard, Louisiana, give us a call to find out more about our services.

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Contact Southside Roofing today for an appointment and free estimate.

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Many Louisiana roofers perform admirable work. They purchase quality materials and pay attention to detail. Unfortunately, a few contractors cut corners to save time or money. Others lack the skills needed to install durable roofing. To find out if your contractor did a good job, carefully examine the design and condition of your roof.

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HOW MANY LAYERS?
It's harder to maintain a roof that has three or more layers of shingles. Extra layers also burden the house with unnecessary weight. Reputable contractors remove old shingles if a building already has two layers of this roofing material.

DRIP EDGE ISSUES
Roofers must install drip edges to prevent water damage, basement flooding, stains, and soil erosion. If your home has a shingle roof, the gables and eaves should feature a drip edge. This metal flashing fits between the shingles and underlayment. It carries rainwater away from the house and enables gutters to work correctly.

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A drip edge won't protect your home if the contractor installs it improperly. Professionals know that these metal sheets need to reach gutters at a 45-degree pitch. Proper installation greatly increases the life span of the roof and walls, especially in moist places like Louisiana.

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EFFECTIVE FLASHING
To stop water from leaking into your home, roofers should install metal flashing around vent pipes, chimneys and similar protrusions. It's important to place this material under rather than over shingles. Chimneys need a combination of counterflashing and step flashing; a single sheet of metal won't prevent water from entering the attic.

 

Some roofing businesses try to substitute flashing with caulk and roof cement. These sealants only eliminate leaks for short periods of time. Unfortunately, they can't withstand the amount of water that falls on a typical roof. Workers need patience and comprehensive expertise to complete high quality roofing jobs. If any roof edges touch walls, they should have kick-out flashing. This material stops water from running down an exterior wall. When roofers neglect to install kick-out flashing, the wall and any nearby window or door frames may rot.

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Responsible roofing companies don't reuse decaying materials when they put new roofs on old buildings. At a minimum, they replace any rusty flashing. Roofers should also give you an opportunity to install new vent pipes if existing units have deteriorated.

 

CHIMNEY SADDLE
Does your chimney measure more than 30 inches wide? If so, the contractor ought to have installed a "saddle" that prevents leaves and rainwater from collecting behind the chimney. Instead, water flows into gutters or off the edge of the roof. This preserves the wood under your shingles and stops the flashing from rusting.

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UNDERLAYMENT
Roofers should place an underlayment between the sheathing and shingles. This barrier helps protect your house from water leaks. It often permits the roof to last much longer as well. An underlayment represents a crucial part of any professional roofing project.

 

WITHSTANDING WIND
When a roof lacks an underlayment or sufficient nails, it's likely to suffer major damage in a storm. Your roofing contractor probably did satisfactory work if severe weather doesn't inflict significant harm. On the other hand, the opposite may be true when a storm damages your shingles and leaves neighbors' roofs intact.

 

ADEQUATE NAILS
A roofing contractor should hammer at least four nails into every shingle. However, windy locations generally call for six nails. Shingles ought to hide the nail heads; exposed heads may rust or loosen. It's also important to use nails of the appropriate size.

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SHINGLE INSTALLATION
Your shingles should hang over the edge of the roof. This overhang must measure at least one-half and no more than three quarters of an inch. A proper overhang prevents wood from rotting while increasing the life span of shingles. Professional roofers who know what they’re doing will align shingles correctly. Precise alignment improves their appearance and reduces the risk of water leaks. All shingles should age at the same rate. This will only happen if your contractor used the same high-quality materials in all locations. A well-designed roof won't leak for many years unless it suffers damage in severe weather. If dark stains appear on the roof, water might have leaked through the surface material. Be sure to check the attic for damage when you try to determine the severity of a leak.

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LONGEVITY

The average life span of a roof differs depending on the material. For example, fiberglass shingles typically last longer than asphalt units. These materials may deteriorate prematurely if you experience severe weather or have a poorly ventilated attic. At the minimum, a well-made roof ought to last 15 years under normal conditions.

 

AESTHETIC CONCERNS
Skilled roofers strive to avoid walking across the roof more often than necessary. The surface shouldn't exhibit a lot of grime, footprints, or cracks. These flaws detract from your home's appearance and shorten the life span of various materials and could reduce the building's resale value.

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Reputable contractors avoid damaging other parts of your property while repairing or replacing your roof. A roofing project shouldn't harm the lawn, trees, bushes, or walkways. The same goes for siding and windows. Responsible workers make mistakes from time to time but will take immediate steps to remedy these errors.

WORKSITE PRACTICES
Top-notch roofing contractors don't leave construction debris on your property. They have an obligation to remove extra supplies, empty packages, stray nails, old shingles, and similar items. You shouldn't have to gather and dispose of these materials. Keep in mind that some construction debris may contain toxic substances.

 

Reputable roofers acquire building permits before they begin working. If a company skipped this vital step or asked you to acquire the permits, it probably doesn't have insurance or a license. This increases the likelihood that you'll face unexpected costs or receive a roof with serious defects.

 

INSPECTION METHODS
You can perform a basic assessment of your roof with binoculars. This tool could help you determine if the workers used nails, flashing and other materials correctly. Call a professional inspector or another contractor if you desire an expert opinion.

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Southside Roofing inspects, fixes, and installs roofs for Louisiana home and business owners. Our insured, certified staff takes the time to perform superior work and meet each customer's specific needs. We possess almost 20 years of experience in this industry. To get started, please contact Southside today.

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Contact Southside Roofing today for an appointment and free estimate.

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REPAIR OR REPLACE? HOW TO KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO

Along with its electrical, plumbing and HVAC system, the roof on your home is among its most crucial and expensive components. Given that the national average for replacing a roof hovers around $7,500, it makes sense that homeowners live in fear of having to deal with roof problems. As a homeowner, it’s important to understand how long a roof should last. Longevity of a roof varies depending on factors like materials used, installation quality, location, and maintenance.

 

There isn’t a single, correct answer to the question of how long a roof should last. As noted above, the longevity of the typical roof is dependent on several factors—and chief among these is the type of materials that are used. A great way to get an idea for how long your roof should last is by considering the average lifespans of different roofing materials. As you can see, they vary considerably:

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Asphalt and composition shingles – Around 20 years
Fiber cement shingles – Around 25 years
Wood shake shingles – Around 30 years
Metal, including slate and tile – Upwards of 50 years
Copper – As much as 100 years or more

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HOW TO HANDLE A LEAKY ROOF
Upon realizing that you have a leaky roof, you might immediately think that a new roof is in order. However, depending on the age of the roof and on other factors, it is often possible to conduct DIY repairs that eliminate roof leaks and that extend the longevity of your roof by a considerable margin.

 

One thing is for certain: Roof leaks need to be addressed as quickly as possible. The potential
consequences of not doing so can be dire. Over time, even a very small leak can cause a litany of problems. These include things like damaged ceilings and interior walls; mold growth; damaged or destroyed insulation and rotted underboards, framing and sheathing.

HOW TO FIND COMMON ROOF LEAKS
One of the trickiest things about handling roof leaks is locating precisely where they are happening. Here are some tips for locating roof leaks as quickly as possible:

 

• Go up in the attic - using a flashlight, check for signs of mold, black marks, and water stains.

• Check penetration points – Areas where objects intersect with or penetrate the roof, like dormers, chimneys, and vents, are common sites for leaks.

• Remove shingles in problem areas – If the leak is happening nearby, you will notice rotted wood, water stains or discolored paper.

• Enlist some help – For especially tricky-to-find leaks in the roof, help may be needed. Use a garden hose to soak the area above where the leak is occurring. Meanwhile, have a helper inside watch closely to notice when the leak happens.

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HOW TO FIX COMMON ROOF ISSUES
Like many homeowners, you may be wondering, “Can I fix a roof?” It may be out of the question if your roof is too steeply pitched or otherwise too risky to navigate safely without the right training and experience. However, there are many instances in which even an unskilled layperson can perform effective, inexpensive repairs on the roof:

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• SHINERS – When nails miss framing members during roofing installations, moisture from the rooms below can cause condensation to form on them when they are cold. This makes them look frosty. When the frost melts, water drips down, causing a leak. Clip off the end of the nail with side-cutting pliers to resolve this problem.

• BARRIERS – When water appears on ceilings far from roof leaks, the plastic vapor barrier is often to blame. Move this barrier aside and look for signs of flowing water stains to identify where the leak originates and perform repairs as needed.

• BOOTS AND VENTS – Plumbing vent boots and roof vents are common sites for roof leaks. Whether they are made of plastic or metal, these components may crack, develop split seams, or incur other damage. It is generally best to replace these components rather than attempt to repair them.

• WALLS AND DORMERS – Rain that is driven by the wind may make its way into the roof via poorly caulked intersections between it and dormers, walls, and other intersections. Dig away old caulk with a knife and replace it with fresh caulk.

• SMALL HOLES – Small holes may be left in the roof from things like antennas and satellite dishes. Use flashing to repair these holes rather than caulk.

 

REPAIRING DAMAGED SHINGLES

Just because a few shingles are damaged on the roof doesn’t mean that the whole thing needs to be replaced. If part of a shingle is missing, replace the entire thing. If the corners are curling, glue down the affected section with a caulking gun and roofing sealant and then weigh it down with a brick for at least 24 hours. Cracked or torn shingles can be mended by applying a thick bead of sealant below the crack and pressing down firmly. From there, apply another bead of sealant to the top and spread evenly with a putty knife.

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SIGNS THAT IT’S TIME TO REPLACE THE ROOF
So, what are the signs it's time to replace your roof? Things to consider include:

• AGE – If possible, check your records to see when the roof was last re-shingled or replaced. Refer to the average age of your type of roof to determine if you are getting close to replacement time.

• SHINGLE GRANULES – Check downspouts and gutters for shingle granules. If a lot of them are present, the roof may need to be replaced.

• SHINGLE HEALTH – Periodically check the condition of roof shingles—especially after strong storms. They should be flat; if they are cracked, buckling or otherwise out of place, it may be time for a new roof.

• ROT – Sagging spots on the roof, especially at its lowest points, are a common sign of major rot. Flashing – Check the flashing around the chimney, skylights, and vents for signs of serious water damage and other issues.

• MOISTURE AND MOLD – If the attic isn’t properly ventilated, warm air from inside the house can become trapped there and cause condensation. Signs of this include rusty nails and mold.

• LEAKY CHIMNEY – When moisture is found in the chimney, issues with flashing and other leak barriers are often to blame—and they often signal that it’s time for a new roof.

• ATTIC TEMPERATURE – The temperature of the attic should be consistent with the outside air. When it’s warmer, for example, ice dams can develop. Without a proper ridge vent, a roof may become severely damaged and in need of replacement prematurely.

• LIGHT IN THE ATTIC – Check for signs of daylight streaming through roof boards. This often means that nails have fallen through and that weatherproofing has failed.

• UNUSUALLY HIGH ENERGY BILLS – If your heating and cooling bills are excessively high, it could mean that your roof is under-performing and is due for replacement.

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Roof problems are stressful, and they can’t always be handled via do-it-yourself measures. When major repairs or replacements are needed, it is crucial to turn to a qualified residential and commercial roofing contractor for help. When it comes to finding a roofing contractor Louisiana, you can always depend on Southside Roofing.

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Contact Southside Roofing today for an appointment and free estimate.

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Weather can be unpredictable, and turbulent weather—especially hail—can cause major damage to roof shingles. Contractors should explain to homeowners how hail can affect shingles and what they should watch out for.
 

A manufacturer’s warranty typically will not cover damage to your roof caused by hail; however, you should review the details of the warranty covering your shingles to determine whether any such coverage is available. Here are some answers to common questions regarding hail damage.

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IS DAMAGE IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE?
Not always. Hail impact may cause latent damage that can, over time, result in premature aging of the shingles. Without obvious visual damage, there is no real way to be sure how much, if any, damage shingles have encountered. Latent damage caused by hail or severe weather may not be apparent until months or years later and may cause the shingles to age prematurely.
 

HOW CAN I TELL IF THE ROOF WAS DAMAGED?
Generally, damage presents as indentations and/or fractures on the shingle’s surface. Hailstones vary in size, shape, and hardness and can create a random pattern of dents or depressions. If this is not evident, look for indentations on metal flashings, siding, chimney caps, or even skylight flashings. After some time, clusters of granules may come off (at the point of impact) in a random pattern and expose the asphalt.

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WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF DAMAGE?
Granule loss at points of impact, which may be accompanied by surface depression. Loss of mineral granules as an immediate or gradual consequence of storm damage can lead to the asphalt coating being directly exposed to the elements. This may lead to accelerated aging of the shingle. Therefore, granule loss is NOT just cosmetic damage, and “sugaring” — the process of adding loose granules to damaged shingles with asphalt cement — is not a permanent solution.

 

Cracks in the granule-asphalt surfacing, which may radiate outward from points of impact. Cracks may be present especially if high winds blew the shingles back. The fiberglass mat may be exposed where hail shattered the granule-asphalt surfacing. A fractured fiberglass may result in tears radiating out from the points of impact and may or may not be immediately visible. Hidden damage to the mat will only get worse and will develop into cracks and tears in time as the shingles age.

 

Loosening of the self-seal strip often occurs during high wind or hail events. This damage may or may not be obvious upon a visual inspection from the ground and over time, will weaken the seal integrity, creating the possibility of future shingle blow-off.

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CAN INDIVIDUAL SHINGLES BE REPLACED OR SHOULD THE ENTIRE ROOF BE REPLACED?
While it is possible to replace individual storm-damaged shingles, latent damage to the surrounding shingles caused by a storm can be difficult to assess. Because of the potential for the surrounding shingles to also have experienced storm damage, complete roof replacement is sometimes recommended for the long-term performance of these roofs. If the damage is confined to one plane of the roof, replacement of just the damaged roof plane may be possible. If individual shingles are being replaced, any nails that were removed from surrounding shingles must be replaced and the surrounding shingles must be resealed by hand for the best results.

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Contact Southside Roofing today for an appointment and free estimate.

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