Bauer Roofing Blog - Roofing Process

What Happens When A House Isn't Vented Properly?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:32:00 -0400

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

If You've Been Putting Off Doing Your Roof, Now Is The Time

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:51:00 -0400

My name is Roy Bauer and I've been with Bauer Roofing for nearly 20 years. My dad started this company when I was little, and I've been learning and observing ever since. There are certain times of the year that are just better than others for remodeling projects --and now is one of those times. The killer heat is gone and the cold isn’t here yet.

If there are projects that you've been putting off, now is the time to get them done.

Not only is the weather on your side, but the economics are too. Remodeling contractors need a strong September--November to carry them through the Holiday season. Roofing, painting, siding, gutters and windows are somewhat cyclical and slow down a lot in the winter --because of the holidays and the weather.

If you've been contemplating any kind of project --be it roofing, siding, painting, gutters or windows-- now is the time. Pricing is lower and contractors can most likely get to it sooner, both of which are great for homeowners.

So look at your shingles: are they curling, are some missing, or are the granules falling off? Look in the attic: are there stains around the chimney, or stains around pipes?

Is the paint chipping or coming off in places? If so, you may want to either repaint or wrap the house in siding.

How about the windows? With the winter coming up, your heating bill will rise right along with it. If your windows are old, single-pane windows, you need to replace them with ones that won't let the cold air in and the hot air out.

As for gutters: if they are leaking in places, sagging or plastic, then now is the time to replace them. Winter not only brings rain, but ice as well. I know we don't have severe winters, but we do have many nights where water, if it is sitting in gutters, will freeze and break things loose --when water freezes it expands.

Once you decide that now is your time to act, you have to go through the process of hiring a contractor, which, if you've ever done it before, you know can be daunting. Most people have either had a bad experience with a contractor or knows someone who has.

I want to share some information with you that will help with this process. Certified Contractors Network is a network devoted to making sure homeowners have the best experience possible, when doing remodeling. I've included two links below that, based on the CCN information, will guide you in choosing the right contractor.

Please read them. I've heard from homeowners that they wish they'd been given this information long ago --before their last contractor ripped them off.

To schedule an appointment for someone to look at your house click here. (South Carolina only, sorry)

Asphalt Roofing Project: Downtown Columbia, SC

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:37:00 -0400

If there is one thing that I like about my job more than anything else, it is getting to know an old, downtown, South Carolina home. I’ve had the privilege of walking through the attic of houses that were well over a hundred years old, and have seen some interesting things. From 60 year-old newspapers to beams (or trusses) that were made out of logs –milled from the trees that were on the property—and still had the pine bark on them.

Maybe I’m just a nostalgic, but I think that’s fascinating.

This house, in downtown Columbia near the river, is a beautiful house that the homeowner was fixing up. When I measured the house and went through the attic, rotten wood was found around the chimney on the front and throughout the house in different spots. On an old house, more often than not, you are going to find broken and split boards, due to years of heat and moisture.

The front of her house has a chimney that is nearly at the bottom of a steep valley. It had been leaking for years, causing serious damage to the inside. From the initial pictures I could see where roofer after roofer had tried to fix the chimney with all kinds of remedies, but it wasn’t until we got the shingles off that we could actually tell what needed to be done and how. We ended up custom making a “cricket” that would shed water in three different directions. You’ll have to look at the pictures to understand.

Also, the vinyl siding that had been installed years before didn’t have any soffit vents cut into them. Obviously, in order for the house to breathe, it must have intake and exhaust. When the existing siding was taken off, it was discovered that it had been leaking and a good bit of the fascia was rotted. We removed the old siding and installed new siding that was perforated all the way around. Now, the eaves can provide the proper air-intake allowing the ridge vents do function at maximum efficiency.

Once last thing that we did was remove two old windows in her kitchen and install a giant garden window. This window was roughly 6'6" wide and 4'6" tall. It was custom made with a Corian bottom, side windows that open and a wire shelf in the middle.

As for the shingles, the homeowner chose to go with a CertainTeed Landmark 'AR' architectural shingle. The color that was chosen was Hunter Green and it was a perfect choice for this particular brick and trim color.

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

Environmentally Friendly" Roofing: A Smart Choice

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:54:00 -0400

One of the biggest catch phrases going around right now is “going green”. But, what exactly does that mean when it comes to roofing and how does it affect you as a homeowner?

Typically, most houses here in South Carolina have an asphalt shingle roof on them. Asphalt shingles are basically the worst type of roofing for “green” conscious homeowners as they come. Why? Because they are susceptible to hail damage, absorb heat, hold on to that heat for a long time, are rarely recycled (because it is difficult), heavy and typically last 12-18 years. If you add up that combination, it spells environmental disaster.

Having said all of that, asphalt shingles are the most popular because of their cost, which is low. Let’s face it, we, as homeowners, will overlook the bad parts of something if it is cheaper. That doesn’t make it right, that is just a fact. But when it comes to roofing our homes, we need to start developing a different mind set. A paradigm shift, if you will. We need to start thinking long term and not, “What is best for me now, I don’t care about 10 years from now.”

To their credit, shingle manufacturers are doing something to try and make their shingles more “green”. They have developed what is called “cool colors”, which is a shingle that has a higher reflective material in it. Most of these shingles are being developed in California because of their strict regulations on “energy efficiency”. Title 24 is strongly encouraging shingle manufacturers to create more “cool” shingles, or they could find themselves, in the not too distant future, not being able to sell shingles in the largest state in the U.S.

But, no matter how reflective the “rocks” on top of the asphalt shingle are, it doesn’t change the fact that it is very bad in a hail storm, heavy, and virtually non-recyclable.

Fortunately, there is a product that offers both longevity and “green” friendly features, and that’s metal roofing.

Metal roofing, if you get the right type, is made from 98% post consumer recycled material, is 100% recyclable, is the most energy efficient roofing available, installs over existing roofing material (eliminating costly tear-off and dump fees), will not rust, rot or crack, never needs cleaning and will last a lifetime.

One of the only draw backs I’ve heard to metal roofing is the look. I’ve heard from homeowners that they don’t want their house to look like a Pizza Hut or a bank. And many “Coventry Laws” in subdivisions don’t allow commercial looking, metal roofing. But, there are some fantastic looking options out there for metal roofing that simulate a “wood shake” or “shingle” look. And, if you are in the right area of South Carolina –along the coast or in the country— there is still still the “standing seam” metal roof option.

When it comes to roofing your home, the most energy efficient, storm protected, longest lasting option, is a metal roofing system by Bauer Roofing. The advantages are enumerable.

We know that cost is an issue with every homeowner. The right metal roofing system will obviously be higher than a standard architectural asphalt shingle. If you have questions about metal roofing, whether it is the look, energy efficiency or the cost, give us a call and let us help give you the resources you need to decide what the best roofing system is for your home.

If you live in South Carolina, 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.

royb

Current Project: Downtown Columbia, SC

Tue, 05 May 2009 10:45:00 -0400

NEW PICTURE UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM: 5/20/09

There are certain parts of Columbia, South Carolina where the houses are all 60+ years old and typically have leaks and broken boards. We, as a company, make it a policy to inspect the attics whenever we go to a house. I want to know whether or not the wood is in good shape, whether or not the insulation is okay, and whether or not it is leaking and, if so, where. As a homeowner, it wouldn’t do any good to have a roof installed that should last over 30 years if the wood it sits on is in critical condition.

Upon inspection of the house, we found multiple places in the attic where water was getting in and rotting out the wood. Both chimneys had issues as well as the steep valley over the front door –where three roof lines converged. Also, on the back was a small flat roof that had standing water on it –something you definitely want to avoid. The last thing we noticed was that the bathroom vents weren't vented to the outside. They were just sitting on top of the ceiling joists, collecting moisture.

We started by removing the shingles, old tar-paper and the old nails. We then went through and fixed the broken and rotten boards. Next we installed a liner in all of the valleys and covered the house in a fiberglass underlayment –instead of that old #15 or #30 felt.

In the front where the three valleys came together, we installed an angled valley to run the water off, as opposed to it just sitting there and causing problems, like it was before.

Around the big front chimney, we removed all of the old flashing material and installed both step and counter flashing. Black counter, or cap, metal was used to blend in with the color of the shingles. Most roofers around here, for some reason, use regular silver aluminum and then paint it. After a couple of years it looks horrible. Luckily for homeowners, we have found a much better looking way to install it.

As for the small flat roof in the back, we installed new rafters to put a slight slope to the roof and then installed a very heavy grade modified underlayment. Next we will be installing a rubber roof. (in progress)

To ventilate the house, we installed AirVent ShingleVent II ridge vent, which features external baffles. To help homeowners better understand ventilation and what type is best for their house, I’ve written a post, What Type of Ventilation is Best For Your House. Check it out.

To vent the bathrooms, we simply cut in a vent from the outside and plugged the bathroom vent hose to the bottom of it from the attic.

As you can see, the homeowners picked the perfect color for their house and the finished product is turning out great. I’ll post more pictures as they come in.

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.

royb

PICTURE UPDATES:

Ventilation is Vital to the Life of Your House

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:51:00 -0400

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

Avoiding Home Repair Fraud

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:36:00 -0400

"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:

Do they have a permanent place of business?
Do they carry insurance and is the coverage adequate?
Are they a licensed, registered contractor and in good standing with the trade association and Better Business Bureau?
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)
What is their record for complaint resolution?
What is their workmanship warranty? (don’t believe a 10-20 year warranty when the company isn’t even that old)
Do they provide sufficient details for the project being performed?
How do they handle unforeseen or unknown extra costs?
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:

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.
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.
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

Current Roofing Project: Northeast Columbia, SC [Update]

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:11:00 -0400

THERE ARE UPDATED PICTURES BELOW FEB. 11, 2009

There are certain neighborhoods in the Midlands area where we have put a roof on what seems like every house on the street. The neighbors all know us because we put a roof on the most of their friend’s homes. Our current project, near Fort Jackson, is one of those neighborhoods. We were working down the street and were asked to look at this house.

The roof was about 20 years old and the homeowner wanted an evaluation. He indicated the plumbing vent pipe on the front had been leaking. So, when the Bauer Roofing representative got up on the roof to look at the shingles, it was evident that not only were the vent pipes leaking but the shingles were cracked and split, and had been for awhile.

We’ve only just begun working on this house but I’ve posted some “work-in-progress” pictures for you to look at.

Notice the Frost? Luckily, we don't get that much here in South Carolina.

[UPDATED PICTURES]

If you would like for a Bauer Roofing Representative to look at your house please give us a call at 803-955-0374 or fill out the simple form on our Estimate Request Page.

Roy Bauer

How To Make Sure You Pick The Right Contractor

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:45:00 -0400

If you Google bad contractors you will find about 11,100,000 (as of 12/22/2008) articles that relate to it. Scary isn’t it? Why is it that there are so many people who have had a bad experience with contractors? My accountant once told me that a lot of it had to do with the fact that there is a very low “barrier to entrance” when it comes to contracting in South Carolina. What that means is this: To be a doctor or lawyer or CPA you need years of school and many exams, but to be a contractor you simply need a hardware store close by and $10 for a hammer.

But what makes it even worse for homeowners is the fact that in the winter, the number of so-called roofers in Columbia doubles.

You see, during the summer months and when new housing is at a normal level (right now as everyone knows, new housing is in a slump) there are between 150 and 200 roofers here in Columbia. But, right now there are a whole lot more. Why? Because every siding company, electrical contractor, plumber, kitchen and bath remodeler and builder is doing roofing right now to put food on the table. What does this mean to you? When a contractor is working outside of their core competency, they either have to sub-contract the work out (meaning you have know idea who is actually installing your roof) or they do it badly because they only do roofing a couple months out of the year. Either way, as a homeowner, you get taken. Not to mention they won’t be here in a couple of years if you have a problem. Also, because the vast majority of these part-time roofers 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.

So what can you do? What, as a homeowner, can you do to make sure that you choose a roofing company that will a) install it properly and b) be here in 5-10 years to fix it if there is a problem?

There are some things you can look for. Some key points, that if followed, can greatly increase the chance of getting the right roof installed by the right contractor for the right price. No one wants to pay more than they should for a roof, but you definitely don’t want to pay too little either. Because if you do, you’ll be fixing it every time it rains.

Here are some of the topics discussed in the article:

How do you know if you need a new roof?
What shingle should you choose and should you tear off the old roof?
Is ventilation important and if so, why and what type?
Who should be installing my roof and how do I know they are the right company?
How do I know the price I’m paying is fair for the job I’m getting?

In the article, Things To Look For When Buying A New Roof, all of these questions, and many more, are answered in detail. Study it, and if you have any questions or would like someone to give you an in-depth evaluation of your roofing needs, call 803-955-0374 or go to our free estimate page on our website.

royb

What's Happening with Metal Roofing: An Interview with Todd Miller

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:42:00 -0400

We recently had the opportunity to talk with Todd Miller to get his take on what’s happening in the residential metal roofing industry. President of Classic Metal Roofing Systems, Todd Chairs the Metal Construction Association Roofing Council and is a founding member of the Metal Roofing Alliance. Let’s see what he had to say:

Q: Todd, in the current economic times, what is happening to residential metal roofing?
A: Actually, all indications are that the industry will show some good growth this year. The bulk of the residential roofing market in any given year is for re-roofing, And, what we’ve been finding with the decline of new home construction is that homeowners who care about the beauty and durability of their homes are choosing to re-roof with metal as a way to upgrade their home investments.

Q: Are there any particular geographic areas where metal is really taking off?
A: Not really, we’re seeing growth in virtually all markets right now.

Q: What are the top couple of reasons why people are choosing metal?
A: They really like its durability, and its energy efficiency. It is pretty meaningful for most homeowners if they can cut their summer energy costs by up to 20%. But, you know what? At the end of the day, when the roof has been installed and that proud homeowner stands in their yard and looks at it, the number one thing they usually like is the beauty of it.

Q: That’s great. We’ve noticed that as well. So, what challenges does the residential metal roofing industry face?
A: As an industry we have made great strides in getting homeowners aware of and interested in metal roofing. However, we need to catch up with that on the supply end. There are contractors and distributors out there who have sold metal roofing into the agricultural and commercial / industrial markets for years and they are just trying to shift those same products and practices over to the residential arena. That is leading to problems. We need more companies like Bauer Roofing that understand residential metal roofing and can meet the needs of homeowners.

Q: That’s interesting. What kind of problems have you seen?
A: One common problem we’ve seen is steel roofs being installed over battens instead of solid decking. While that can work with a large building has a lot of air exchange, it will lead to condensation and even mold problems on most houses.

Q: Any other issues you’ve seen?
A: Yes. Sometimes homeowners are not getting the products they think they are getting. They see websites full of beautiful metal roofs with different designs and all hidden fasteners but then they end up with a corrugated piece of steel that has exposed screws all over on it. That’s when the disappointment begins to set in and then it can really accelerate down the road if they have problems with those fasteners which are notorious for backing out and even allowing water infiltration.

Q: That’s not good. You keep mentioning steel roofing yet our company offers primarily aluminum. Care to comment on the difference?
A: Sure. I talk about steel because that is the bulk of the market. However, aluminum is a great way to go, especially if someone is in a coastal area. Once a homeowner has made the decision to invest in a metal roof, investing a little extra to upgrade to aluminum which will never rust, can be a wise choice.

Q: Very good. Thank you for your time today. Any parting words?
A: Again, it’s great that homeowner know more about metal roofing and they’re seeking it out. I just cannot stress enough how important it is for them to work with an experienced company like yours that fully understands and appreciates the nuances and intricacies of choosing and using a product that is right for them and their home. Otherwise, they run the risk of a significant investment with disappointing results.

Is This Great Roofing Weather Or What?

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:18:00 -0400

This is a wonderful time to get a roof put on your house. The killer heat is gone and the unbearable winter isn't here yet.

Is there a better time to get stuff done around the house?

Here in South Carolina roofing is slowing down a little bit. We have had a great year but things are starting to slow down, which is good for homeowners. It means the work can be done sooner and the prices may be lower.

So take a look around the house. Look at your shingles: are they curling, are some missing, or are the granules falling off? Look in the attic: are there stains around the chimney, or stains around pipes?

If you see anything that looks out of the ordinary or if you want someone to look for you, call a roofing company. You could possibly save yourself a lot of money by catching them at a slower time or by doing the roof before water ruins your ceiling (if you think roofing is expensive, try re-roofing and re-doing your ceilings at the same time because you waited too long).

For a list of things to look for when buying a new roof click here.

To schedule an appointment for someone to look at your house click here. (South Carolina only, sorry)

Roofing Sooner Rather Than Later

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:16:00 -0400

Almost always when I knock on a door this is what the customer says, “We were just curious if we needed a new roof. I’m not sure how old it is, it just looks a little rough.” They go on to say, “Just look at it and let me know what a ballpark figure would be, we may do it now if it is within our budget or we’ll wait until next year, it depends.”

Does any of that sound familiar?

I’ll let you in on a little secret: roofing prices don’t go down. Whatever you pay 3 months from now will be more than today. That happens for two reasons: 1) If you have a leak of any size, it will only get worse. And roofing is a lot cheaper than doing a roof and replacing your ceilings. 2) Shingles have two types of asphalt in them, and asphalt comes from OIL.

Most homeowners don’t realize that shingle prices have just about doubled since March. On a 35 square house that is significant. And that is just the cost of the shingles. Add to it the cost of underlayment, ridge vent (vinyl) and delivery and you see why the sooner you do it the better.

If you have a regular 3-tab shingle and it is older than 15 years it may very well be time to get it done. Once you know you have to have a roof, everyday you procrastinate will cost you money. I know that sounds harsh but it is the truth. Search shingle prices or roofing costs and see what has happened to them.

If you don’t need a roof then this article is not for you. I am talking to those homeowners who are simply waiting for a future arbitrary time to do it. Go a head and get your ducks in a row. Meet with the roofing contractors and make a decision one way or the other. Don’t rush and make a bad decision, but getting roofers out to your home shouldn’t take more than a week, two at the most. If they haven’t called you back or say it will be a month, then move on. If a roofer is a month out to look at your house then there is an internal problem with the roofing company. If he won’t call you back when you are trying to give him money, do you think he’ll call back when there is a warranty claim? Find someone else.

There are fantastic articles on this blog about choosing a roofer. Things to look for When buying a new roof is a great one to begin with.

Spend time with each and every roofer that comes out. Walk around the house with them, go in the attic with them. Find out how they specifically do things. If they won’t meet with you at the house or indicate it isn’t necessary to meet then hang up and move on to the next one. There are plenty of companies out there who care about customer satisfaction and want homeowners to have all of the information possible.

The more time you spend with a roofer the easier it will be to make the right decision.

Go ahead and get it done, what are you waiting for?

Metal Roofing is Getting Big in South Carolina

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:13:00 -0400

Along the coast of South Carolina are some of the most beautiful homes in the world. Some of them, dating back hundreds of years, are exquisite in their architecture and demanding in their standards.

Modern builders, on the most part, are careful to use materials, including roofing, that can withstand hurricanes.

So, as a homeowner, you should be just as careful. As South Carolinians we have avoided major storms for the last few years, but we never know when the next Hugo will come. If you are in the market for a new roof then seriously consider putting on a roof that will not only keep your house dry during normal seasons, but also during Tropical Storms and Hurricanes.

The right roofing system will be able to weather storms with wind gusts up to 120 m.p.h (A Category Three Hurricane has Winds 111-130 miles per hour (FEMA)).

But here in the deep south, not only are we dealing with potential storms, we are fighting to keep our houses cool. It is normal to have weeks of 100+ heat indexes each year. But do you realize that if it is 100 outside then it is 150+ in your attic. Whether you put white 3-tab shingles or black architectural shingles, the fact is that they are both still asphalt shingles. Which means they absorb heat all day long and release into your attic all night long.

At what point in the night, after one of those typical summer days, can you go in the attic and it not be scalding hot? Exactly.

What is the solutions? Is there a product that can both guard our homes from strong storms and keep it from melting in the summer? Yes.

The answer is metal roofing, but not just any metal, the right kind of metal with the right kind of finish. Most of us when we think of metal roofing we picture the type that is on a Pizza Hut or bank, and it makes our skin crawl just thinking about putting that on our home. Do you really want your house looking like a gas station? Fortunately there are much better options; ones that actually work and keep the house looking like it belongs in a neighborhood, not an industrial park.

I’ve included a couple pictures of a house we did in Charleston. It has the Country Manor Shake by Classic Metal Roofing Systems on it and it turned out great. The homeowners have been very pleased with it’s appearance and function. They have since referred us to a friend of theirs and we just finished installing it. I’ll post pictures of it as they come in.

This house originally had an architectural shingle on it that lasted less than 20 years. The homeowners built this house to retire in and never imagined they would be replacing their 40 year roof less than 20 years later. That seems to be a recurring theme. And actually, when they first called, they were looking for a traditional standing seam metal roof. But after seeing the Country Manor Shake they changed their mind.

More and more homeowners are choosing to have a metal roof installed here in South Carolina. The benefits far out-way the cost, which is substantially higher than asphalt roofing. Homeowners who have sat down and looked at the life cost of owning a metal roof vs an asphalt roof overwhelmingly recommend a metal roof. It might be time for you to start looking at it too.

If you live here in South Carolina, click here to go to the Metal Roofing Solutions by Bauer Roofing website. If you’ll contact our office we will answer any questions you might have and ease your mind about any fears you may have. We would be honored to see if there is anything we can do for you.

All of these are the same house, just close-ups of the dormer. The material is Country Manor Shake and the color is Shake Gray

Things to Look For When Buying a New Roof

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0400

If you are in a hurry you can skip down to the list, but I encourage you to read the reasons for the list first. It will help shed some light on why it is important to look for certain things. It may also help you to understand why you have been so frustrated with buying a new roof.

The Reason for Needing The List:

Yesterday I met with a homeowner who was confused about the specifications on his new roof. He had already met with a few roofers, he didn’t say how many, and each one seemed to be doing something different.

Some of them wanted to put in a ridge vent. Some wanted to leave his one power fan. Some wanted to tear off the old shingles but leave the old felt. Some wanted to leave the shingles. In the valleys, some wanted to put ice and watershield, some didn’t even mention it. Some said gutters would help with the water runoff, and some said a rain diverter would be fine. Some wanted to run the ridge vent to the edge and some wanted to stop it a few feet short. And I could go on and on.

When you start the process of buying a new roof it is confusing. You have questions like, “Who do I call?” “What shingle do I use?” “What should I pay?”

And you would think that as the process moved forward the confusion would subside and you’d be left with a simple task of picking the one you like.

Yeah right, the further along in the process you go the more confused or frustrated you get. And at the end you are sitting there with 4 estimates, with a huge range in price and specifications, and you still have no idea what to do.

If this is you, you are not alone. In fact, you are in the majority, and this explains why the internet has thousands upon thousands of articles and information on choosing a contractor; because we, as roofers, are self-serving idiots when it comes to helping homeowners decide what is best for their house.

We, again as roofers, either don’t take the time to explain why we are doing what we are doing, or we haven’t learned enough to know why we do what we do. Some of us just do it a certain way, whether right or wrong, because that is the area standard or that is how our dad did it.

On behalf of all roofers, I apologize. I am sorry that we actually make a difficult buying decision worse.

So, what I want to do is give you the information you should have been given in the beginning. The information that focuses on what really matters: you, your house and what is best for it.

The List of Things To Look For When Buying a New Roof:

** A Note: This list is assuming you are interested in buying an asphalt roof. If you are considering a metal roof, which is a good idea, all of this applies except #2 (What Shingle?). I’ll post a separate list of things to look for when considering a metal roof, but this one first. If you are interested metal roofing, click here, but first read this list.

Do you need one? Sounds obvious, but make sure. How do you know if you need a new roof, or if a repair is good enough? These 3 things will determine if you need a new one or not.
1. How old are the shingles? If they are older than 10-15 years then repairing won’t do much good.
2. Is it leaking in one spot or all over the house? This may not be visible from the inside but from the attic (ask the roofer to look through the attic and see)
3. If they are curling or buckling it is time to replace the roof because once a shingle starts pulling up it won’t reseal and it will begin allowing water to get in.
What Shingle Should I Install and Should I Tear Off The Old Roof? That sounds like a loaded question, doesn’t it? I’m not talking about what manufacturer but what type; 3-tab or architectural. In short, at least from what we’ve seen here in South Carolina, 3 –tab shingles won’t last more than about 10-15 years. In many cases, less than that.
1. What Shingle?
  1. Why not 3-Tab Shingles? 1) they have slots in them that leave a portion of your roof with only one layer. The slots also are the reason there are so many corners on a shingle (isn’t that what is curling?”). 2) they are thin.
  2. Architectural shingles are laminated, meaning 2 (or 3 or 4) pieces are glued together to make the shingle the way it is. What that means to you is this: it has no slots in it. There aren’t any corners to curl up and no areas left with only one layer of shingle. Yes there is a tiny space in between each shingle, but that is inconsequential compared to the gaps left in a 3-tab shingle
2. Do I Tear off My Old Roof? My answer is YES. For two reasons
  1. The manufacturer admits there are advantages:
    For example:
    - If there are any defects in the roof deck, they will be revealed when the roof is torn off. These defects should be repaired before applying the new roof.
    - If condensation problems exist in the attic, they too will be revealed when the roof is torn off. Properly designed attic ventilation can then be installed in order to help eliminate such problems.
    - When the old roof is torn off, waterproofing shingle underlayment can be installed before applying the new roof. This will help protect against leaks created by cyclical ice damage and wind-driven rain. (CertainTeed)
  2. From a practical stand point, I want to know, as a roofer, what I am dealing with. If you leave the old roof on then there are unknowns that I am not comfortable with. Besides the fact that the shingles on top will look older then they really are, if you leave the old roof on, any rotten wood around a chimney won’t be seen. I can’t confidently look a homeowner in the eye and tell them it is a good idea to leave the shingles on when installing a new asphalt roof. One note on tearing off the old felt. Here is South Carolina, roofers, sadly, are famous for tearing off the shingles and leaving the old felt. It is absolutely ridiculous the level of incompetence and outright selfishness that would allow a roofer to tell a homeowner they are tearing everything off and then leave the 20+ year old felt on there. There is no reason given that even remotely makes up for the lack of sense and laziness this takes.
Is Ventilation Important? And if so, Then What Type? Making sure the attic is properly ventilated is essential when having a new roof installed. If you don’t have adequate ventilation in your attic, the manufacturer won’t give you a warranty on your shingles. Or, if they do, it will be a very limited one. Proper ventilation in a house is one of the most important things you can have. It will keep the house cooler, saving you money on air-conditioning, and it will keep the moisture level in check, saving your insulation from losing R-Value (which will keep heat from escaping in the winter). But there some very important things to consider when updating your ventilation. I have posted on this topic before so I am just going to place a link to it here. Read it. It may really help keep you from letting a roofer do something stupid to your house, like install a ridge vent and leave the old turbines or power fans.
Who Should Be Installing My Roof? Isn’t this the mother of all questions? Because if you get the right contractor, won’t everything else fall into place? So how do we know who the right person is? Make sure you put as much research into the Contractor you are hiring as you do the shingle he is installing! Here are some things to look for and questions to ask:
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?
How Do I Know The Price I’m Paying is Fair For What I’m Getting? Unless you buy roofs all of the time, and you might, how do you know the roofer is not trying to rip you off? You would think getting multiple estimates would help, and it could, but usually you end up with 4 estimates ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 and they are all doing something different. So there really is no way to compare on price, which is hard because comparing price is all we as consumers know how to do. If everything were equal; the specifications were the same, the insurance was the same, the shingle was the same, then comparing on price is easy, but that just isn’t the case very often. Here are some questions to ask and/or things to look for when deciding if the price you are given is fair for the job they are doing:
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.

Now obviously following this list of things to look for won’t insure you have a problem-free roofing experience, but it should be pretty close.

Metal Roofing in and around Charleston, South Carolina

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:59:00 -0400

For those of you along the coast of South Carolina, a good metal roof is a fantastic option. Not only do you have the wind and rain, but you also have the South Carolina heat, albeit, not as bad as Columbia.

There are a few things you want to look out for when choosing a metal roof if you live near the coast:

Type of Metal: Don’t forget that steel will rust, just look around you. Read the warranties on steel metal roofing, which includes Galvalume. Most of the warranties, if not all of them, are void within a mile or so (depends on the manufacturer) of a marine atmosphere. Where in Charleston –considering the rivers and waterways and ocean– are you not within a mile of a marine atmosphere? There are much better options than steel: Aluminum or Copper to begin with. But if you look around you’ll see plenty of steel metal roofs, maybe even on your neighbor’s house. The question is why? If roofers know there are inherent problems with them, why do they keep installing them? For one of two reasons: Either a), they don’t know any better, which is scary in itself or b), because they are cheaper. They don’t inform the homeowner that there is are options out there that won’t rust away in the near future because they are afraid of losing the sale.
Fastening System: Screw-Through Panels vs. Concealed Fasteners. Unfortunately, many of the roofs you see on houses now are nothing but glorified barn tin. Roofers tell homeowners that there is a lifetime warranty on the roof. And there may be on the metal itself, but not on the sytem –screws, grommets, etc… The panel may last for awhile, but it won’t do you a bit of good if, after 10 years, the fasteners have moved so much they are letting water in. The ONLY secure way to fasten a metal roof in South Carolina is with a concealed fastener; something not open to the humidity, heat and salt spray. But again, the reason there are so many screw-through panels being installed on houses is because they are the cheapest type of metal roofing available, and there will always be a market for cheap, crap material.

The question is this: What type of metal roof are you looking for? If you simply want a metal roof because you think all metal roofs are good then do a little more research into it. If you feel like you couldn’t afford a good metal roof, then you may want to stick with the asphalt shingles already on the house, save some more money, and in a few years buy the real thing. It will save you a ton of headaches down the road.

Look into it. Don’t assume all metal roofing is created equal, because it isn’t. You don’t want to install a roof system that you think will last a lifetime and in a few years have to replace it.

For further information on metal roofing and/or to talk with someone about looking at your project click here to be directed to the contact page at Bauer Roofing.

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Metal Roofing is Getting Big in South Carolina

Things to Look For When Buying a New Roof

The Reason for Needing The List:

The List of Things To Look For When Buying a New Roof:

Metal Roofing in and around Charleston, South Carolina

Environmentally Friendly" Roofing: A Smart Choice