You’re sitting at your kitchen table with your spouse and across from you is your friendly neighborhood roofing contractor. ‘He’s reading off a laundry list of what he’s going to do to your roof, including how long it will take and what it will cost to do it.
When he finishes, he asks if you have any questions and your mind goes blank.
At this point you know you should ask questions and you might even feel that if you don’t, then you’re missing out an opportunity. You are spending a lot of money, and you know that you should do your due diligence and make sure you’re getting your what’s worth your money.
So what could you ask when you’re sitting across the table with the ball in your court?
Do you always use matching roofing components?
Don’t be fooled. A roof is not just shingles nailed on to a piece of plywood. It’s a complete system. This system includes components like underlayment and ice/water protection. There are many pieces that must be put into place. What most don’t know is that all of these components are designed to work together and in many cases, can’t be mixed and matched.
You should ask if all of your roofing components will come from the same place/manufacturer. YOu may be surprised how many times the answer is “No”. Although you may be given the option, don’t mix and match items to get a lower price.
On average how many nails do you use per shingle?
The answer will be dependant on the brand and type of shingles you have chosen to have them use. If the materials say there should be two and you see the roofer installing only one, then you know something is not right.
What type of flashing would you use?
There are areas of your roof where the roofing meets things like your chimney that is more vulnerable to water intrusion. This is why they use flashing when installing a roof. Flashing is your primary defense against water getting into your home.
Ask your roofer which flashing they recommend based on your ‘home’s siding material, the area you live in and wind exposure. This will make sure that the right one is selected.
Do you cap the ridge vents on our roof?
Most roofs have multiple vents to allow your roof to breathe. This prevents moisture from building up in the attic, which can cause mold. Every roof must have vents.
Will our shingles go over the edge of the roof?
This seems like an odd question but when it rains, the water will flow down the slope and into the rain gutters. Some of this water will roll off the edge of the shingle and sometimes it can make its way back up the underside of the shingle.
A drip edge helps but it is not the only solution to the issue. Water can find its way to the roof deck and cause damage. Smart roofers know that the shingles should overhang the drip edge about a quarter inch so that the water that goes under can hang off the underside and drip into the gutter.
Replacing your roof is a significant investment and can be daunting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make sure you are equipped to understand the process of protecting your home.
How long will the installation or repairs take
You’ll want to know what the timeline is for all work completed. You may also want to ask what happens if bad weather does strike. You’ll also want to know what time to expect them in the morning and how long they will be on-site each day.
Columbine Roofing is a family-owned-and-operated business with extremely high ethics and standards. It’s our goal to provide you with an exceptional, personalized level of service.
Our roofing company is owned by Colorado natives that have a passion for exceeding expectations and providing this industry with top-notch service, quality workmanship and products. At Columbine Roofing our “standard roof” includes many products that would be considered upgrades through our competitors. Our goal is to be the Best by providing our customers with the Best!