Atlanta Roofing Blog

Much like the post office, your roof works in rain, shine, sleet, or snow. Your roof’s job is to protect your family from weather, and most of the time it does a really good job with minimal upkeep. Your roof is not impervious, however, and can be damaged by the elements. Consider the following two common reasons for damaged roofs:

Hail 

Hail is a group attached  balls or irregular pieces of ice; and, as anyone that has been hit by a piece of hail knows,they are extremely hard. Most hailstones are small, and feel like being hit by BBs, but hailstones can be much bigger. Consider the following record-breaking hailstones:

•   Weight: 2.25 lbs (1 kg), Bangladesh, 1986

•   Diameter: 18.625 inches (20 cm), Vivian, South Dakota, 2010

•   Circumference: 7 inches (18 cm), Aurora, Nebraska, 2003

Of course, these are records, and any hail you experience probably won’t come close to these sizes or weights-most hailstones don't get larger than the golf ball sized. Still, that’s more than enough to send you running for cover; hailstones hurt! Imagine how much damage a hail storm would do to you if you couldn't find cover; it could be catastrophic. Every time you experience a hailstorm, this is what happens to your roof, because it cant run for cover or even duck away from the hail.

As such, these “mini meteors” damage millions of roofs each year, leading to dangerous conditions such as water build up or leaking. In the summer, water building up under broken shingles can quickly turn to mold that can get you or your family sick. If your roof is damaged by a hail storm, get it fixed as quickly as possible.

Wind

Hail isn't the only natural force that can damage your roof; wind can blow shingles off your roof or even send debris such as tree limbs hurtling into your roof at high speed. Don’t think the wind blows fast enough in Atlanta to do damage? Consider these record Atlanta wind speeds :

•   Fastest gust of wind: 61 MPH

•   Fastest sustained wind: 22mph

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The characteristics of a roof are dependent upon the purpose of the building that it covers, the available roofing materials and the local traditions of construction and wider concepts of architectural design and practice and may also be governed by local or national legislation. In most countries a roof protects primarily against rain. A verandah may be roofed with material that protects against sunlight but admits the other elements. The roof of a garden conservatory, protects plants from cold, wind and rain but admits light.

Domestic roof construction is the framing and roof covering which is found on most suburban detached houses in cold and temperate climates. Such roofs are mostly built with timber, take a number of different shapes, and are covered with a variety of materials.

The shape of roofs differs greatly from region to region. The main factors which influence the shape of roofs are the climate and the materials available for roof structure and the outer covering.

The basic shapes of roofs are flat, skillion, gabled, hipped, arched and domed. There are many variations on these types. Roofs constructed of flat sections that are sloped are referred to as pitched roofs (generally if the angle exceeds 10 degrees).[2] Pitched roofs, including gabled, hipped and skillion roofs, make up the greatest number of domestic roofs. Some roofs follow organic shapes, either by architectural design or because a flexible material such as thatch has been used in the construction.

Modern timber roofs are mostly framed with pairs of common rafters or prefabricated wooden trusses fastened together with truss connector plates. Timber framed and historic buildings may be framed with principal rafters or timber roof trusses. Roofs are also designated as warm or cold roof depending on how they are designed and built with regard to thermal building insulation and ventilation. The steepness or roof pitch of a sloped roof is determined primarily by the roof covering material and aesthetic design. roofs actually slope up to approximately ten degrees to shed water. Flat roofs on houses are primarily found in arid regions.

In high wind areas, such as where a cyclone or hurricane may make landfall, the main engineering consideration is to hold the roof down during severe storms. Every component of the roof, as of course the rest of the structure, has to withstand the uplift forces of high wind speeds. This is accomplished by using metal ties fastened to each rafter or truss. This is not normally a problem in areas not prone to high wind.

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Over the course of the last few days we have experienced some of the devastatingly heavy rains that Texas has received. This has led to a massive increase in the number of roof leak calls.   Even worse, over the course of the coming 10 days we are set for some record rainfall amounts from south of the ATL to up on the northern border.  Have you inspected your roofing and siding lately?  What about your gutters to ensure that the recent leaves that have fallen off the trees havent caused a clog?  What about your siding system - are there any cracks or holes?  If you cant answer these questions than you are simply not prepared for the weather thats coming and could be placing your home in jeopardy of water damage by way of a leaking roof.  

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Roof Repairs done right

 Keeping up with your roof maintenance is one of the most crucial items on your list of to-do's but in the long run you will be happy you made this decision, as will your pocketbook.  A leaky roof and missing or damaged roof can seem overwhelming.  Just because you have a leak in your roof or damage to the roof doesn't necessarily mean it is time for a new roof.  It just may be as simple as needing a repair.  It is a fact that sometimes roofs will develop leaks years before the entire roof needs replacing.  There could be localized damage, missing shingles, cracked shingles, or blisters and cracking on a flat roof.  All of these can easily be repaired without having to replace the entire roof.  Maintaining your roof by repairing it when necessary will save you money in the long run and will extend the life of your roof.

 It is important to have your roof checked periodically if you are not able to do this yourself.  Check for any signs of damage or wear.  Are there any missing shingles?  Are any shingles coming up in places or badly curled?  Do you see any blisters or cracking?  Is the flashing in good shape?  Are the gutters and downspouts in good condition and free from debris such as limbs and leaves?  Has there been any storms lately that produced high winds or hail?  All of these are very important questions to answer.  Ignoring these possible problems will expose your house to more severe damage potentially costing you hundreds and thousands of dollars that could have easily been prevented with a little consideration and care.

 Your roof is a vital part of your house.  It protects everything else from the elements that nature brings our way.  Showing it care and respect will go a long ways in getting the most out of it's life.  And if you are thinking of moving in the near or distant future, you need to keep in mind that new homeowners will be concerned about the age and shape of the roof as this is one of the top things on their list of items to review.  You and your house will benefit from a little roof TLC.

 At Barrelle Roofing, your roofing needs come first.  We specialize in roof repairs that include wall flashings, chimney flashings, ridge vents, siding issues, gutter repairs, valleys, cracked pipe boots, soffit and faschia, storm damage of all kinds, missing and/or damaged shingles, skylight issues and more.  We offer same day roof inspections and free estimates for all of our clients as well as affordability and fast service.  We look forward to serving you and your roof soon.

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Roof Repair

 Everyone knows that installing a new roof costs money and is something that is put off for as long as possible most of the time.  When it comes time to deciding whether if you need your roof replaced, there are a few things to keep in mind:

 -        How old is your existing roof?  Most shingle roofs now days will last 20-25 years if installed properly.  This will depend greatly on whether or not the roof has been maintained or shingles have been repaired when damaged.  It will also depend on how many layers of shingles on currently on the roof and the quality of workmanship.  It is always a good idea to have a quality roofing company come out and inspect your roof.

-        When looking at your roof, are the shingles still in a straight line or are they sagging or irregularities present?  If you see any sagging, there could be sheathing underneath that is rotting, thus causing more damage.  If there are valleys in the shingles then snow and rain will be gathering in this location.

-        When cleaning your gutters (which is an extremely important thing to do twice a year) do you see pieces of shingles or asphalt granules in the gutter?  If so, this is a sign that the shingles are breaking down and in need of replacement.

-        Are their shingles that are breaking off or curling?  Shingles should be in a straight line, laying flat against the surface.  If there are any cracked, curled or shingles that are misshapen, this means the shingles are deteriorating which is a natural thing to occur in time.

-        Chimneys have a lot of potential to leak and it is important that their flashing be in tact and tight fitting at all times.  When it becomes loose, it becomes a weak spot in the roof and is subject to causing further damage.

Checking on these items will often determine if you are ready for a new roof. 

When choosing a quality roofing company for your next roof, make sure that they company has been around for a while and is local.  Also, make sure they are licensed as well as insured for your own safety and protection.  Ask about the materials they use as well as seeing if they will give you a written estimate with a price guarantee.

At Barrelle Roofing, your roofing needs come first.  We specialize in roof replacement as well as repairs that include wall flashings, chimney flashings, ridge vents, siding issues, gutter repairs, valleys, cracked pipe boots, soffit and faschia, storm damage of all kinds, missing and/or damaged shingles, skylight issues and more.  We offer same day roof inspections and free estimates for all of our clients as well as affordability and fast service.  We look forward to serving you and your roof soon.

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