At Green Country Roofing, full roof replacement is one of our specialties. We realize that a healthy roof on the outside of your home protects the most valued contents on the inside of your home—many of which money cannot buy.
Nevertheless, most homeowners do not automatically know when their roof should be replaced. Many do not climb on top of their roof to assess the condition of it. Others may be willing to get on their roof, but they do not know what signs indicate that full roof replacement is necessary. Sometimes the sole barometer that homeowners know to use to determine the health of their roof is the presence or absence of an interior leak. This gauge is inherently risky.
A far more reliable barometer to use is to have us at Green Country Roofing come out and perform a complimentary roof inspection. A thorough Tulsa roof inspection can inform you about the overall health of your roof and unveil any problems—such as wind or hail damage—that are currently an issue or may become an issue if left unattended. During the roof inspection, photos will be taken of any problem areas so that you can see the damage without actually scaling your roof.
At Green Country Roofing, we pride ourselves on truthfully informing you about the condition of your roof. In some cases, the roof has not sustained any storm damage, and the shingles still have a visible amount of life remaining. Some roofs just require a repair or some preventative maintenance, while others are prime candidates for full replacement. Most roofs in the Tulsa Metro area are replaced as a result of storm damage paid for through homeowner’s insurance. If the damage to your roof is minimal, filing a claim is pointless. Every roof inspection is followed up with photos and a storm report, if applicable. Be prepared; I will ask you if you want to go on the roof with me while I complete the inspection. My wife just shakes her head. No worries if you don’t want to get up there; I’ll take plenty of photos for you.
There are times when it may be difficult to tell whether your roof has been damaged by a storm, let alone if the roof needs to be replaced. Here are some things you can do or look for to determine whether or not your home needs a new roof:
If your roof is 20 years old or older, it’s time to start thinking about a roof replacement. While some roofs can last over 30 years, it’s important that you’re prepared to invest in a roof replacement when it’s needed. Do you have a record of how old your roof is? Have you had it replaced before? By keeping records of these things, you can save yourself the trouble.
If you’ve recently purchased a home, review the home inspection you had done and the paperwork you got in closing. The age of the roof will usually be documented during the buying process.
Many times, you may be able to notice visible signs of aging without having to climb up onto the roof. Do you see any shingles that have been bent or warped? Are there streaks up and down the roof? Do you notice moss growing on the shingles? Are you always finding shingles in your yard? These are all signs that your roof is getting old and may need to be replaced.
There are many reasons a roof may start to sag. In Oklahoma, ice storms can leave heavy ice on the roof, which will compromise the structure of the roof and cause it to sag under the weight. Other times, old roofs that have been exposed to trapped moisture can start to sag. If your roof is sagging, call us immediately for a roof replacement. A sagging roof can potentially collapse and compromise the integrity of your home.
Check the attic to see how well the roof is aging. Old leaky roofs can lead to severe water damage not only to the attic but also to the structure and interior of your home. Go up into the attic and look for water stains and rotting wood. Even if your roof isn’t that old, you should make it a habit of regularly checking the attic of your home to see if your roof is leaking.
One of the easiest ways to tell whether or not you need a new roof is by calling us for a free roof inspection. We’ll look at the structure of your roof and whether there is any damage that warrants a complete roof replacement. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.
Now, if you are ready to replace your roof, you undoubtedly want the job done right so that your roof is built to last. Unfortunately, not all roofs are built equally.
With that being said, what kind of roof can you expect to get with Green Country Roofing? We confidently affirm that we provide quality roofs that are built to last, but let’s take a closer look at the components and attributes by which we define a quality roof. There are 4 primary components that compose a quality roof: decking, shingles, flashing, and ventilation.
After your current roof is torn off, we evaluate the decking on your roof. Just like your home itself needs a solid foundation, so does your roof. The decking should lay a sure foundation for the shingles. If the decking is too thin, too soft, or too widely spaced, it will not be able to withstand having shingles nailed into it. Decking on homes built today is up to code and will provide a solid surface for the remaining roofing components compared to homes built in the 50s, 60s, or 70s, which might have issues with the decking.
Once the decking has been evaluated and addressed, the shingles can now be secured. We only install dimensional shingles, also known as architectural shingles because of their superior ability to withstand strong winds when compared to the cheaper 3-tab shingles. Dimensional shingles can withstand wind speeds between 110-150 mph whereas 3-tab shingles can only endure 60-70 mph winds. We feel so strongly about the excellence of the dimensional shingle that we install them as an automatic upgrade. We generally fasten the shingles with 6 nails instead of 4 for added protection from the wind. Within the family of architectural shingles, there are a variety of options. We value having the opportunity to educate our customers about the variety of shingles on the market today so that together we can determine what might best meet their needs. Many of our customers have chosen an impact-resistant shingle, which will hold up much better in the event of a hailstorm. Consequently, you can actually save yourself money in the long run by paying for this type of impact-resistant shingle upgrade up front.
Because shingles do not work independently, roofing accessories—particularly flashing—is a huge component of a roofing system. Flashing has several units including step flashing, counter flashing, and hot and cold pipe flashing. Your roof will be tested by the Oklahoma weather, and replacing all the flashing components of your roof with new ones is important and will be addressed with a new roof by Green Country Roofing.
The most overlooked—yet integral—part of a roofing system is ventilation. Homeowners frequently ask us if their current roof has enough vents. The answer is usually an unfortunate “no.” However, there is still hope. Per manufacturer’s specifications, there is a simple formula to follow. This formula is known as the 1/300th rule. If followed correctly, your attic will have a balanced ventilation system that will extend the life of your roof and cut down on cooling costs in the summertime.
If you want an honest opinion about your roof or are ready to get a roof that is built to last, we at Green Country Roofing are at your service. Contact us today for that free roof inspection or to move forward with your roof replacement project.