Roofing Repair Houston

Protecting your Property Houston Roof Replacement

How do you know when it is time for a new roof? 

Keeping your home or business properly protected and covered is a great way to save money and trouble.  But to know if it is the right time to act, you need to understand the estimated lifespan of structural coverings. Roofing used to come with year markers, like 20-year shingles or a 30-year guarantee.  In recent years, terms like “lifetime” are used in connection with roofs. But what is meant by that term? Sometimes words like this can be deceptive. Let’s look at some general guidelines to go by, regardless of the terms or guarantees attached to the work.

• Asphalt Shingles
  • 20-30 year life span
• Metal Roofing
  • 50-70 year expectation
• Wood Shingles/Shake
  • 25-35 year average
• Slate Shingles
  • 100+ years of durability
• Tile Shingles
  • 45-60 years - even more if clay
• Solar Shingles/Panels
  • 20-30 years before replacement needed

Obviously, visual signs should be your first indicator when assessing your roof.  If it is sagging in certain areas, it is time to call a roofing replacement company. If there are sections missing or visible damage, a call to a professional for an evaluation is needed and will certainly save you from costly issues within the home or business. When your roof repair is no longer viable, replacement may be necessary. 

When is the best time of year to have your roof replaced?

In many cases, some form of adhesive is required in the roof replacement process. Warmer temperatures are ideal in that process, so waiting until the dead of winter is not advisable. A reliable company will be able to advise you on the exact timing, depending on the installation temperature rating of the product you choose to protect your dwelling.  In most cases, early in the Spring or late Fall fit well within the recommendations of these products and make for quick work by qualified professionals.

Is it financially wise to replace a roof on a structure you are selling? Absolutely. The value added to the property and the peace of mind in the inspection process is worth every penny and more. When a professional inspects the property, a roof analysis will be included. Both you and the potential buyer will know the exact condition of the current roof. People put a very high priority on knowing that the covering of the home or business is fortified and reliable. If the roof needs to be replaced, buyers often demand it, which becomes a bargaining chip for them and will certainly lower the amount you will receive.  The cost of a roof replacement for a home is around $7500. But the National Association of Realtors estimates you will average nearly 110% cost recovery when you sell the updated property.  In many cases, roof replacement helps the home sell more easily, and you will usually recover more from the sale than the cost of the work.

Should I replace the roof with the same materials or something else?  If you contact a highly rated roof replacement contractor in Houston, several options will be presented to you.  The first option is to go back with the same material.  In most cases, this will be a quicker process and have lower upfront costs.  However, depending on what you had before, choosing a different covering can save money in the long run, increase durability, and even bring an updated new look to your existing home or business. Here is a list of the most popular roofing materials and the pluses and minuses for each:

• Asphalt Shingles
  • Pros
    • Durable and reliable
    • Usually easiest to install
    • Offers multiple color choices
    • Is rated well in all climates
  • Cons
    • Doesn’t have the longevity of other products
    • The look can be altered by the climate over time
    • There are differing degrees of quality

• Metal Roofing
  • Pros
    • Generally low owner maintenance
    • Durable materials leading to much longer life
    • The material is lightweight in comparison to asphalt
    • Offers a wide variety of colors and patterns
    • Life can often be lengthened by repainting instead of replacement
  • Cons
    • Fewer Houston roofing replacement companies specialize in it
    • The costs are higher upfront
    • It can be more noisy than other roofing choices

• Wood Shingles/Shake
  • Pros
    • Environmentally friendly – sometime done with recycled products
    • The weathering effects often improve the look of the roof
    • Shakes offer a thicker product than traditional shingles
  • Cons
    • Typically, there are more regular maintenance needs
    • Not wise in fire-prone regions (codes may include restrictions)
    • Wood is not as resistant to moisture from wet climates
    • In some cases, homeowner insurance rates will increase

• Slate Shingles
  • Pros
    • Rated to last over 100 years!
    • The design is unique and modern
    • Excellent protection in fire-prone areas
    • Slate also includes various color and design styles
  • Cons
    • Slate is fragile, so break-ability could be an issue
    • The costs are significantly higher than other options
    • Finding expert installers might be harder to find
  • Tile Shingles
    • Pros
      • The clay option could last over 100 years!
      • Tile is entirely fireproof
      • The look is appealing, especially on Spanish-style buildings
      • This product holds its look well over time
    • Cons
      • The weight is greater than most other products
      • Like slate, the product is more fragile and breakable
      • The costs are quite a bit higher than traditional choices
      • Due to fragility, tile is not ideal in extreme weather environments

• Solar Shingles/Panels
  • Pros
    • Extremely energy efficient: sometimes eliminating all energy costs
    • Can come with tax incentives in certain areas
    • You can even sell your unused energy to companies in some areas
    • Can be used along with other roofing choices, especially asphalt
  • Cons
    • Only the highest-rated experts can properly install this product
    • Is not a functional fit for all climates and property designs
    • In general, solar panels are not considered attractive to buyers
    • In some cases, they will not “pay for themselves” over time

Elite Roofing Solutions: Our Houston Roof Replacement Process

If your roof has aged, has damaged or missing portions, or just needs an update, we’d love to help you get what you need. Installing a new roof this year will guarantee your dwelling will be protected against weather events in the coming seasons.  Getting the work done now can help eliminate water issues and many other expensive repairs down the line.   

If you choose to hire a Houston Roofing Company to meet your roofing needs, we want you to know exactly what to expect.  We know it is a significant financial decision, and we want you to be comfortable with the process. Our main purpose is to get you the protection you need for your home or business. Here is what to expect from our professionally trained staff:

Step 1 – Arrival and Preparation

Our experienced crew will secure the area around the structure, identifying a place for our trucks and materials. This will allow us to come and go to the job site causing the least amount of intrusion possible.  Shortly after, a pre-roofing inspection will take place to double-check the contract and your expectations.

Step 2 – Removal of the Old Roof

We will remove the shingles, vents, edges, valleys and dip edging. This starts at the top of the structure and works down to the edges. Depending on the type of material, different methods will be employed to clean the surface.  Our crew is trained to handle multiple products, so no matter the material, the shingles will be removed in a safe and efficient manner.

Step 3 – Disposing of the Old Roof

All old product pieces will be removed from your property.  This may take place via dump trucks or disposal bins at the site.  No debris will be left behind for you to remove on your own.

Step 4 – Changing the Old Flashing

Flashing is installed over the joints on the roof to prevent water issues. Sections like drip edges, vents, and chimney fall into this category. These sections, often made of aluminum or galvanized steel, will be inspected thoroughly by our crew.  In most cases, a replacement will be a mimicking of what was there with new materials.  Some metal pieces may be reusable, but most likely pieces like valley flashing will be replaced to ensure a good fit going forward.  All of these pieces will be secured before the new roof underlay is installed.

Step 5 – Roof Deck Inspection

Before the new product is laid, careful inspection is undertaken.  If there is any water damage or underlying issues, they can be addressed properly at this point in the process.

Step 6 – Installing the Underlay

This is a crucial step. While the shingles do most of the work, even the best-laid roof can let a little moisture through. The underlay catches the water and sheds it so that the wood beneath keeps from getting damp.

Early on in this step, a piece of special ice and water barrier is laid. Some pieces, like the drip edge, may need to be lifted to carry out this task. Our installers can accomplish this fairly quickly. This shield will be nailed down for added strength.

Next comes the underlay.  This product is laid over the ice and water barrier and secured with cap nails just above the drip edge. An overlapping method is used, row by row, with at least a six-inch overlap. This process is repeated until the product runs all the way down to the roof’s ridge.  All pieces will be fastened firmly and inspected before shingles are installed.

Step 7 – Installing the Shingles

Differing materials include different installation specifics.  But for laying a shingle roof, starter shingles are first used at the bottom and on the sides. Rows are staggered to keep from allowing moisture to get through. Nails are hidden from view, just under the tar strip.

For metal roof installation, squaring up the initial pieces is crucial.  Screws are used for installs and first proceed up the vertical edge and into the ridges, rather than the flatter areas.  This approach helps protect the screw holes from leaking and keeps water away from the fasteners. Our crew secures each vertical row before moving on to the next piece to ensure a flatter and more secure finish. Quality and durable screws with rubber washers are used for this process.

Step 8 – Cleaning up the Job Site

Our service team will not consider the job finished until all debris has been cleared from your property. You will be the one who reviews the site and approves the work. 

Roof Replacement in Houston

Elite Roofing Solutions gives you peace of mind with products and services that are backed by our own guarantees and product warranties on residential and commercial roofing in Houston and surrounding areas. Because we are GAF Master Elite contractors, we can offer top-of-the-line warranty coverage that includes three tiers:

• Standard Shingle Warranty
• Better GAF System Warranty
• Best GAF System Warranty

If you are unsure if now is the right time to replace your roofing, we can help you assess the situation. Our trained professionals can advise solutions that we guarantee will exceed your expectations.