New Roof vs Roof Overlay: Which is the Better Choice
Perhaps your roof got damaged months ago in a winter storm, or maybe the years have simply taken its toll on your roof, resulting in leaks and discoloration and who knows what other damage.
So what should you do? Here are two pretty universal options:
1. Overlay the existing shingles with a new second layer.
2. Strip down the old roof and begin anew.
There is a time and a place for the overlayment method.
For instance, if you have a metal roof that has never been damaged — or if you are 110% certain that your old roof has no leaks or any structural problems with the flashing, et cetera. In this kind of ideal scenario, overlaying a second roof might save you a modest sum on the work, in terms of upfront costs.
It’s a possibly dangerous choice, though! If you do not analyze the decking to find damage, leaks, and problems with the flashing, you may be in effect covering over structural deficiencies. And can this cost you, big time. Consider:
• The second layer will add more weight to your roof, potentially compromising its integrity, especially after big leaf falls or snowfalls or icefalls.
• You can’t install a barrier for ice and water between the first and second layers. This means that ice/water can easily seep into old leaks and can create huge headaches, including problems with mold, air quality, and damage to structural components. It can even contribute to electrical shortages or even a house fire.
What You Can’t See Can Still Hurt You
Your current decking may look pretty good. But you may not have spotted a sheathing rot or other areas that are destined to become problematic. Perhaps they’ll be fine for the next two or three years. But then the sheathing rot, leaks, et cetera will begin, and you have to spend huge amounts of money on roof repair, provided that you want your home to remain standing.
The bottom line is that your roof is one of the most important elements of your home.
Get the job done right by investing in smart and strategic refinishing. Connect with the team at Century Roof and Solar to learn more about what choices to make, how to make them, and how to save the maximum amount of money on your project.
Source: centuryrooftile.com
Get Off That Couch and Go Clean Those Gutters!
Yes, it’s a beautiful summer California afternoon.
But you owe to yourself and your family to maintain your home. The time to clean your gutters is now. Just 15 to 20 minutes of maintenance can help you side step extremely expensive home repairs down the line and protect your most precious material investment against the ravages of water damage, mold, structural instability, infestations, and so forth.
Gutter Cleaning Tactics
1. Identify problem areas.
Leaking gutters can allow water to overflow and cause structural problems, moisture damage to wood, and even cracks in the foundation itself. Once these problems begin, the elements will exacerbate them. Water can freeze in cracks in the winter and make them worse, for instance. Gutter problems can also crack driveways, causes sidewalks to become slippery, destroy landscaping, and invite nasty insects and bees to take up residence on your property.
2. Wear appropriate clothing, and be smart.
Wear suitable gloves, and avoid hazards, like power lines and wasp nests.
3. Trace a methodical path from one end of your house to the other.
Use a hose and gloves to empty out full gutters. Empty the hose down all spouts to clear away all debris. Do not stand or sit on the roof – work from your ladder. Replace lose bolts or gutter spikes as you go. Afterwards, install gutter guards under your spouts to prevent leaves from building up near the spout exits and causing overflow.
If you’re confused — or if you’d like help from experienced professionals — talk to the team at Century Roof and Solar. We can provide a customized gutter cleaning solution. Connect with us for a free consultation today at www.centuryroofandsolar.com, or call us at 510-780-9489.
Source: centuryrooftile.com
Weatherization Tips: Old Doors & Windows http://ow.ly/bhcd2 Keep your home cool, keep your home warm.
All is connected.. no one thing can change by itself.
10 Ways to a Greener Roof
Whether you are having a house built or planning to replace your existing roof, you may find it helpful to know that even roofs can be environmentally friendly. Here are ten useful ideas for keeping your roof “green”.
Find a good construction salvage yard. When a building is no longer useful, deconstruction is becoming more popular than total demolition. This way useful materials can be recycled and sold to people like you. Salvage yards normally offer much better prices than businesses that sell all new roofing materials. Another good idea is to go online and check for renovation warehouse auctions in your city. Find a good reputable roofing contractor. People who install roofs for a living naturally know more about locating… Read the rest of 10 Ways to a Greener Roof
Source: bit.ly
Who We Are
Century Roof & Solar is a leading SF Bay Area roofing contractor and installer of premium Bay Area roof systems. Located in the East Bay, Century serves the entire Alameda and Contra Costa counties roofing needs. We are located in Hayward, Ca.
We specialize in the installation of lightweight concrete roof tile systems for re-roofing. We also install composition roof systems that offer factory certified enhanced warrantie
Call Now! 1-888-233-7548 or visit us online at centuryrooftile.com
We fabricate all types of sheet metal, including gutters. We have custom and unique gutter molding machines that is specifically designed for tile roofing and extrudes lineal footage of up to 100 feet (most gutters are installed in 30-foot pieces or less, that need to be painted after installation). These longer gutters are made of stronger, 26 gauge material, have less possibility of leakage, and come with interior and exterior surfaces pre-painted in your choice of up to 26 colors.
Awards and Certifications
• Diamond Certified
• Better Business HONOR ROLL
• Member of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association.
• Named best installer of Monier Lifetiles roof materials in the United States.
• Master Elite Factory Certification from GAF, the largest manufacturer of composition shingles in North America (less than 2% of roofing contractors nationally are Master Elite contractors).
Source: bit.ly
