I received a phone call this morning from a lady who said mold had begun forming in their attic. Now, that isn't uncommon, but the way she said it made it seem as though it was a lot of mold. She said it had just started recently and was quickly getting worse.

So, as usual, I set a time to meet her at the house and look at the problem. To her and her husband (he's been in the attic to see the problem), it appeared that there was a roof leak; and through this roof leak, mold had formed on the underside of the roof decking (1/2" plywood). When I went into the attic, what I saw was bright gray and greenish-gray mold growing on the plywood. And it wasn't a little spot, it was the whole front of the house. I've been in thousands of attics, literally, and I've seen mildew and mold on plywood, but this was one of the worse.

Now came the obvious question: What was causing it? Was it a roof leak? And if so, where was the water coming from and why was it causing that much condensation? Again, I've seen tons of leaks in attics and they don't cause this much mold, not even really bad leaks.

Upon further inspection, and after some general questions, I discovered that they had new vinyl windows installed about 2-3 years ago. Also, I realized that there was no ventilation in the attic and the soffits were wrapped in vinyl and vented poorly. So basically, the moisture that used to be able to flow out naturally was being trapped in the house and attic with nowhere to go. It is equivalent to taking something steaming and wrapping it in a plastic bag.

The house was suffocating.

Ideally, when the windows were installed, the contractor would have informed the homeowners of the downside to air-sealing a home, and either fixed it or referred them to someone who could. Think about it: the moisture from taking a bath and doing dishes and washing clothes has to go somewhere. Now don't get me wrong, new vinyl windows are an excellent idea, but make sure you have proper ventilation all around the house or they can cause major problems.

What did we do to fix this ladie's problem? You'll have to wait....I'll post the solution soon.

In the meantime, check out this post I wrote earlier this year, titled, "Ventilation is Vital to the Life of Your House."

Roy Bauer

We just finished installing a new "Standing Seam" metal roof on a beautiful home in Charleston, SC. This house sits on the waterway and has an incredible view. And because of that, the homeowners wanted a metal roof that would blend in with the style of their house, keeping in mind that it is a Coastal home. They chose to install an aluminum, hidden-fastener standing seam, metal roof.

As you can see from the pictures below, it was the perfect choice for this house. Not only do the homeowners have a roof that will last a lifetime, but they have one that will reduce cooling costs every day that it is on there.

Take a look at the pictures. If you are interested in having a metal roof installed, give us a call at 803-955-0374 or click here to have a representative get in touch with you.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

UPDATE: I've added some pictures of this house in progress. I'll post more when it is finished.

Starting very soon, we will be installing an Aluminum Standing Seam Panel on this house in Charleston, South Carolina.

They wanted to go with a standing seam panel, as opposed to a metal shingle, because of the style; they wanted the roof to look more like a traditional coastal home. They have decided to use the Bright Silver color and it is going to look fantastic.

I'm going to post a couple pictures now, and then I'll post the pictures of the house in progress and then the finished ones as they come in.

Check back soon.

We started on the back of the house by removing the old shingles and installed Palisade Synthetic Underlayment, which is more energy efficient, stronger and less water permiable than #30 felt.

Next, an aluminum drip edge was installed around the entire edge of the roof and then the first panels were installed.

The pictures below are of the first few panels being installed. I'll post more pictures when it is finished. Keep checking back.

Over the past 20+ years, we have become adept at more than just re-roofing homes. We have learned that our expertise in handling technical aspects of a roof (brick and stucco chimneys, dormers, skylights, metal eaves and rakes, etc…) has enabled us to expand into other types of product installation, mainly Siding, Windows, Gutters, Painting and Insulation.

We moved into siding, painting and gutter installation out of necessity. When we first started, as we were installing the new roofs, we noticed that the dormers and edges (eaves and rakes) around many homes were rotted due to faulty shingle, siding or wood installation. Quickly we developed a very efficient and long lasting solution to stop problems with rotting wood around dormers and edges of a house, and because of that success, homeowners began asking us to fix other parts of the outside of their house as well. Because our guys were very good at installing technical metal applicaitons, installing windows --with custom trim-- was the next step. 

Also, because we inspect attics every time we measure a house, we began noticing that a majority of homes did not have adequate insulation. Homeowners realized that it was much easier and more cost efficient for us to fix the insulation problem at the same time we were doing the roof. Plus, it allowed them to use a contractor they already trusted and they were able to skip the dreaded “contractor search” process again.

As for the painting aspect of our business, it was born out of the fact that when the wood around the eaves and dormers were replaced, they had to be primed and painted. And again, we have developed systems and processes to ensure that the roof system is installed in such a way that it compliments the edges of the house, keeping everything dry and looking good for years to come.

Here are a few pictures of house we’ve worked on recently that involved more that just “roofing”.

The first two pictures are of trim metal (fascia, soffit and moulding) that we put on a house. They had existing trim metal that was only a year old, but it was installed without enough ventilation.

The next two pictures are before and after pictures of a bay window that we removed and replaced with a vinyl, insulated, energy efficient window. The homeowners were so happy they said they have to force themselves to close the curtains sometimes.

The next two are before and after pictures of a sliding glass door. The new door looks great and works incredibly. Again, it was an insulated, energy efficient vinyl door.

The next two pictures are before and after pictures of a roof and rotted out chimney. We replaced, not only the shingles on the house, but most of the wood on the chimney, and then primed and stained it. (We actually re-stained the entire house --including the gutters, deck and garage door)

The last two pictures are before and after pictures of the same house from above. We installed a new roof and re-stained all of the wood on the exterior, completely changing the color. The finished product turned out fantastic. The homeowners, and myself, were amazed at the difference it made.

If you live in South Carolina and would like for a representative from Bauer Roofing to take a look at your house, please give us a call at 803-955-0374 or fill out our simple Request an Estimate Form and a representative will call you back.

Whether it is roofing, siding, painting, windows, doors, gutters or insulation, we have the experience and resources to give you the best possible job.

royb

 Homeowner’s who invest in the energy efficiency of their house could receive a federal tax credit of up to $1500!

—This is the second of a two part post. Add Bauer Roofing to your RSS feed to learn more about how the 2009 stimulus act could you a federal tax credit.—

To Read Part I Click Here

The Old Way

South Carolinians have come to expect their temporary asphalt shingles to streak, curl, lose granules and fail to the point of needing replaced every 12-15 years. That’s because asphalt shingles—regardless of the quality—begin to lose their effectiveness and life the moment they are installed. Homeowner’s have also seen their energy bills creep higher and higher never realizing it was their asphalt roof drawing the sun’s energy into their home. The result were overworked air conditioners and higher cooling costs.

An Energy Efficient, Lifetime Alternative

Bauer Roofing installs Classic Metal Roofing Systems to give homeowner’s a lifetime of cooler homes and lower energy bills.

Along with a federal tax credit, a Classic roof—

• Accentuates the beauty of your home with intricate designs and vibrant colors that will last
• Reflects the sun’s energy and reduces your summer utility costs by up to 25%
• Is made from 98% recycled aluminum and not foreign petroleum like asphalt shingles
• Is 100% Made In America
• Comes with a lifetime/40 year limited warranty for your long-lasting peace of mind
• Is an Energy-Star Partner*
• Is a “Certified Roofing Panel” by the Metal Construction Association. That means only the highest quality metal, paints and coatings were used to manufacture your lifetime roof
• Has a 50 year track record of protecting homes around the world
• Ask Yourself

Before you install any roof on your home, ask yourself some important questions—

• What am I paying in summer cooling costs? Does my home feel hot even though the air conditioner seems to be running all the time?
• Do I want a roof that will hold up against extreme weather?
• Do I want a product made from 98% recycled material or one that fills the earth after 12-15 years of usefulness?
• Do I want a roof that will curl, streak and curl or one that will retain its beauty and color for decades?

Call Bauer Roofing today at (803) 955-0374 to learn more about the federal tax credit for energy efficient, environmentally friendly roofing. Visit us at www.bauerroofs.com.

(*Tax credit and Energy Star partner applies to most but not all of our products. Go to the Classic Metal Roofing Systems website or contact Bauer Roofing for more information)

royb

Homeowner’s who invest in the energy efficiency of their house could receive a federal tax credit of up to $1500!

—This is the first of a two part post. Add Bauer Roofing to your RSS feed to learn more about how the 2009 stimulus act could earn you a federal tax credit.—

To Read Part II Click Here

America’s current financial crisis is looming large in the lives of South Carolinians. Stocks, mutual funds, 401-K’s, savings and nest eggs have all taken a major hit with the economic downturn. It seems like even safe investments have all but disappeared.

There is hope

Investing in your home is the safest and best way to plan for the future. A home that is designed for maximum efficiency with minimum work will be an investment that pays dividends in the coming future.

As a part of the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, homeowners who choose an energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly lifetime aluminum roof from Bauer Roofing can qualify for a federal tax credit. Unlike a tax deduction, a tax credit means an immediate deduction from your taxes—It is an instant savings to you and a lifetime investment in your home!

Call Bauer Roofing today at (803) 955-0374 to learn more about the federal tax credit for energy efficient, environmentally friendly roofing. Visit us at www.bauerroofs.com.
 

Like a person, when a house can’t breathe bad things happen. Or you may say it is more like a car: it has intake and exhaust and if one or other is broken the engine shuts down. Quite often we take for granted the “breathing” ability of our house. It isn’t something we think about much.

Let me give a little history of the problem by starting with a statement I hear from homeowners, “Why do I need to ventilate now, the house is 40 years old and it’s been fine all this time?” When houses were built pre-1970’s or so, they could breathe naturally. The windows were drafty, the doors were drafty, the attic was drafty; air moved throughout the whole house and vented everything and no one really thought much about it. But when the “siding and windows” craze started in the 1980’s, all of a sudden all that air movement was cutoff. No longer could the house breathe naturally because the windows were airtight, the doors were airtight and the attic was airtight. A house that had been venting naturally was wrapped so tight that all of the moisture that used to go out through the windows and doors now rises up through the sheetrock into the attic. So what is happening, is the attic space is now required to vent the entire house and has to be modified to do so. If you live in a newer home the modifications have more than likely been made, otherwise you’ll need to make sure they are when the roof is redone. 

So what I see, quite often, when I go into an attic is moisture, in forms of mildew or mold. And if you have a cathedral or vaulted ceiling, the problem is compounded a hundred fold. Why? Because the air can’t move up the cathedral ceiling and out the attic vents because of insulation crammed in there. If you have a very low attic space (usually a ranch-style house falls into this category) then you need to pay special attention to the ventilation system in your attic. And if you have a FROG or cathedral (vaulted) ceiling anywhere in the house, then you need to be extra-specially careful about venting your attic space. Again, because of the lack of air movement.

The following pictures are examples of houses that weren’t vented properly:

So, the questions are, what can be done to fix it and how do I know if I have a problem? First of all have a contractor look through your attic spaces thoroughly. I know that very few roofers actually go into the attic and look around to see if there is a problem, but insist that they look and make sure that everything is ok. The last thing you want to do is put a new roof on your house, spends thousands of dollars, and still have the same problem 4 years down the road. It would have been much easier and cheaper in the long run to just get it all fixed at the same time. Secondly, sit down with the contractor and have him explain everything in detail. There are options out there that work and some are cheaper than others. Spend some time getting to know your options. The more you know up front the better prepared you’ll be when it comes down to choosing the right specifications and contractor.

As far as the options go, it depends on the style of house you have. If you have a vaulted or cathedral ceiling than you may need to install baffle vents. If you have a mansard or gambrel style house, you may need baffle vents but you’ll also have to make sure the vents can feed into the main attic up top. Depending on whether you have a gable-style house or a hip-style house, ridge vents or power fans can be used.

The important thing is to make sure that when the house is finished, it can breathe and that air can move fluidly from the intake vents in the soffit out through the ventilation up top. If it can, then it will cut out the chance for mold, mildew and rotten wood.

Find a contractor willing to go over the specifics with you. If he/she doesn’t have the time to make sure you understand exactly what is needed up front than they definitely won’t be around to help you if there is ever problem with the roof they install.

If you live in South Carolina and would like for a representative from Bauer Roofing to take a look at your house then please give us a call at 803-955-0374 or fill out our simple Request an Estimate Form and a representative will call you back.

Roy Bauer

"Home repair and remodeling complaints rank among the most frequently filed with my office's Consumer Fraud Bureau. ... I urge consumers to make sure they're informed and ask the right questions before they hire a contractor in an effort to avoid this type of fraud."  Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan

“Each year, Americans spend billions of dollars on good and services, some of which are never delivered, even when there is a signed contract. Home repair work is no different - property owners may sign a contract for work to be done or services provided, but the contractor fails to deliver.” cityofchicago.org 

“The need for guidance and protections for consumers extends beyond the disaster zones. [Hurricane] Katrina brought to the surface widespread dangers that can threaten consumers throughout the nation’s quarter-trillion-dollar-a-year home repair industry.
Despite its immensity, the home repair industry consists mainly of thousands of tiny firms that engage in millions of small transactions annually.” National Consumer Law Center

“...Warm Spring weather usually brings a jump in home repair activity and complaints… springtime usually brings a few vicious scams run by out-of-state traveling con-artists. He said such "fly-by-night" perpetrators typically knock on people's doors and offer to do a job at a bargain price, usually saying they have material leftover from another job, such as paint or asphalt for driveways…” Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller

“Having your own home is the American dream. It is your own little corner of the universe. Don’t trust its construction or remodeling to just anybody. As much time and attention should be spent interviewing and researching a prospective builder or remodeler as would be spent searching for a home or automobile or employee… While most residential contractors operate honest businesses, the number one complaint filed with the Attorney General’s Consumer Affairs Division is regarding home repair fraud.” Home Builders License Board, Alabama.

I met with a lady yesterday, here in Columbia, that was worried about choosing the right roofing contractor. She is a single mother of two who had been taken advantage of by another remodelor. Picking the right shingle and siding color wasn't, to her, as big a deal as picking the right contractor, one she could trust to do the right thing.

Countless times I've sat down with homeowners who have spent hours and hours visiting roofing supply companies and websites looking for the exact shingle and shingle color that they want. But when I ask them how they are going to choose the contractor, they say they called three people out of the phonebook and will just pick the cheapest one. Or either they say they don't know, that they haven't really thought about it. Does that sound familiar? I hope not. Think about it. You can pick the perfect product to be installed on your house, but if the contractor has no idea how to install it, or the company isn't viable and disappears in two years, what good is it?

I heard someone say that if we, as a nation, spent as much time planning our marriage as we did planning our wedding, the divorce rate wouldn't be anywhere near as high. Choosing a roofing company is similar. Make sure you spend a whole heck of alot more time choosing the contractor then you do the product. Because if you get the right contractor, he'll have the right product.

Here are some things to look for when choosing a contractor:

1. Do they have a permanent place of business?
2. Do they carry insurance and is the coverage adequate?
3. Are they a licensed, registered contractor and in good standing with the trade association and Better Business Bureau?
4. How long have they been in business as the same company? (a lot of roofers close down due to complaints and law suits and open up under another name)
5. What is their record for complaint resolution?
6. What is their workmanship warranty? (don’t believe a 10-20 year warranty when the company isn’t even that old)
7. Do they provide sufficient details for the project being performed?
8. How do they handle unforeseen or unknown extra costs?
9. Can they provide references for you to talk to?

Also, how do you know if the price you are paying is fair for what you are getting? Here are some things to look for when determing whether the price is right:

1. Has the contractor done work in the neighborhood? Nothing will spread faster through a neighborhood then someone ripping people off. If they haven’t worked in the neighborhood then talk to people, with a house like yours, that he has worked for.
2. Has the contractor done houses similar to yours? Here in South Carolina, like most areas, we have neighborhoods that are twenty-five years old and some that are a hundred. Make sure the contractor has a handle on the specifics of houses like yours or he could be estimating it too high or too low, both are bad.
3. Make sure you know what is included and what isn’t. Get a price per linear foot or square foot (whether it is a board roof or a plywood roof) up front so you know what to expect if they find something rotten around the chimney. Be leery of roofers who say all of the woodwork is included. Think about it…how is that possible unless they have a crystal ball? What happens if they find more woodwork than they expected? Basically you get screwed because he won’t be doing it.

For a full list of Things to Look For When Buying a New Roof, click here.

Obviously this doesn't ensure you get the right contractor, but it certainly will put you on the right path. If you live here in South Carolina and want us to take a look at your house, give us a call at 803-955-0374, or fill out our simple Request an Estimate Form.

Roy Bauer

Not every home we put a new roof system on requires us to do a lot of woodwork, but most houses have some. The homeowners knew there was potential for some plywood that needed to be replaced --from people walking on it and from the representative from Bauer Roofing inspecting the attic-- so it was no surprise when a few sheets, 5 or 6 to be exact, had to be replaced. As you can see from the pictures, the wood was delaminated --coming un-glued-- in spots and was replaced with new pieces. Also, the ridge vent was causing some rotten wood and problems on the inside of the house, so a different type was installed; one that would would work better, longer.

One of the main concerns was a leak that was coming through the ceiling in the living room. The leak was due to a problem with a furnace vent right smack in the middle of a valley. To aleviate this problem, the vent was sealed and CertainTeed Winterguard (valley-liner) was installed the whole lenghth of the valley. We always install valley liners in areas where water or leaves can collect, causing water to get in the house.

I've included pictures of the house in progress. 

If you live in South Carolina and would like for a representative from Bauer Roofing to look at your house, please call us at 803-955-0374 or fill out this simple Estimate Request Form.

Roy Bauer

What Most Roofers Don't Want You To Know, or, How To Ensure You Won’t Be Buying Another Roof 8-12 Years From Now Instead Of Getting The 30 Years Most Roofers Promise

If you have a roof that is in need of repair or replacing –curling shingles, leaking, stains on the ceilings, ugly stains on the roof, granules coming off—then I would like to share with you information that will make sure you get a roof that will actually last 30-50 years.
My name is Roy Bauer and I am the owner of Bauer Roofing. We do something that is unique to this industry: We eliminate the problems most homeowners face when repairing or replacing their roof.
Because the vast majority of roofing contractors in the Midlands area feel like they have to cut the price in order to get the job, they offer customers inferior products and sub-standard specifications that will shorten the lifespan of the roof. Unfortunately, by skimping on quality and specifications, their roofs will only last 8-12 years, instead of the 30 they promised.

There are 4 MAJOR QUALITY SHORTCUTS taken by most roofers….even honest ones.

1. Not Nailing The Shingles Properly: Improper nailing is the main reason shingles blow off the house, and the homeowner has no idea because it can’t be seen from the ground.
2. Improper Flashing Around Chimneys, Walls and Dormers: Most homeowners have experienced a leak around their chimney or dormer 3-5 years after the new roof was installed.
3.  Improper Ventilation: Without proper ventilation a house will generate too much heat and moisture, which will cause the wood to buckle and mold to form. Without fail, a roofer will recommend installing a ridge vent –which is seen as a cure all-- never checking to see if that is the best option for your house. Make sure an attic assessment is done.
4.  Improper Deck Preparation: It is vital that the wood the shingles sit on is in good condition. In fact, if the decking (plywood or boards) is not in good condition then the manufacturer will not warranty the shingles if they fail. Make sure the roofer checks, or you are the one that will lose out.

Whose fault is it when your roof only lasts 8-12 years? It’s the roofing contractor’s fault. No one is born with a construction manual in their head, so how can a homeowner be expected to know what the specifications are? At Bauer Roofing we make sure that all of the specifications are followed to the letter and we provide a checklist and warranty that proves it.

If you'd like more information on choosing the right contractor, read this article by Roy Bauer, titled Things To Look For When Buying A New Roof.

For an in-depth evaluation of your roofing needs or to just simply talk with someone who can answer your questions, call 803-955-0374 or fill out a free estimate request form.