We are sure you have many questions about your roof, and we have answers! Below are some of the more common questions we get asked. If you have any other questions or concerns reach out to us here.
DO I NEED TO BE HOME WHILE THEY ARE WORKING?
You are not required to stay at the house while the work is being done. Roofers like to start their days off early–especially in the hot lowcountry summer months. Be prepared to have workers show up bright and early to begin the roofing process. There is no need for you to get up to greet them before they start working unless you have a pressing question or concern.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO AS A HOMEOWNER?
The homeowner doesn’t have any responsibilities during the roofing process. You will be contacted if you are needed for any reason and informed of any changes, findings, or additional approval needed during the process.
WILL THERE BE A DUMPSTER ON MY PROPERTY?
No. We only use rubber tire trailers to collect and then haul away roofing materials and trash. Rubber tire trailers allow for your property, especially hard surfaces such as driveways, to be as protected as possible. It is easiest for the roofers when the trailer is as close to the house as possible, allowing them to toss roofing material directly into the trailer as they remove it. Moving your cars, kids toys, and valuable lawn ornaments or arrangements out of their way will help ensure that your things stay protected and the roofers’ job can be done quickly and efficiently.
IS THERE GOING TO BE A MESS?
Roofing is a messy job. While workers do their best to keep everything clean and organized, there is always debris that must be cleaned up at the end of the project. If your re-roofing takes several days don’t be alarmed if you find nails, shingles, or other roofing materials around your property. When the job is complete, a thorough inspection of your property is done and any remaining materials will be picked up, removed, and discarded.
The only interior part of your house that will be affected is your attic space. Areas of your roof/attic will be exposed to outside elements during the roofing process. You may want to cover any items in your attic with tarps.
HOW LOUD IT IS GOING TO BE?
You are not obligated to stay at the house while the work is going on. However, you should be prepared to hear some banging if you choose to stick around. Roofing is not an easy job and it will likely never be a quiet one either. Your eardrums will surely thank you for planning a day of outings and errands.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO REROOF MY HOME?
There is NO set timing when reroofing is done properly. When you receive your estimate ask for an estimate on timing. It won’t be exact but at least you can get somewhat of an idea of how long it may take to reroof your house. Something else to keep in mind: Timing can be thrown off if damage is found during the removal process. Also remember that ALL old roofing materials must be removed to ensure a quality new roof can be installed. After this is all removed, the wood is thoroughly inspected for any moisture, rot or damage. You will be notified if damage is found and additional work is required.
WILL I HAVE TO REPLACE GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS WHEN REDOING MY ROOF?
The only interior part of your house that will be affected is your attic space. Areas of your roof/attic will be exposed to outside elements during the roofing process. You may want to cover any items in your attic with tarps.
DO I NEED A PERMIT TO REPLACE MY ROOF?
No matter what contractors tell you, all roofs must have a permit before installation. BB Roofing will get the appropriate permit for you so you don’t need to lift a finger. Our job is to make sure that your roof will be up to code.
HOW MANY NAILS WILL BE USED TO REPLACE MY ROOF?
This number will vary based on a variety of factors: The size of your home, style of roofing system/product and the local building requirements. An average roof in the US is 1700 square feet. Most roofers will use “squares” when measuring and estimating roofs. A square is 100 square feet. The average shingle uses 4-5 nails and 64 shingles cover one square, which means we use 320 nails per square. Using the US average roof size of 17 squares, this calculates to 5,440 nails. The nailing requirement in high-wind areas calls for additional nails.
HOW DOES A ROOFING WARRANTY WORK?
Almost all shingle manufacturers say that their shingles have a 50 year warranty. This does not mean the shingle will last 50 years. In the lowcountry it’s almost guaranteed that they won’t last that long. The 50-year lifetime warranty only covers the manufacturer defects. By the time your shingles begin to have issues, you won’t receive the full amount because the value of a warranty like this depreciates every 5 years. If you think that the problems are a manufacturer defect, a representative will inspect the shingles to see if it was damaged by natural causes like rain or snow. Always be wary when someone tries to sell a lifetime shingle. Most will only last 20-30 years.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE ROOF IS INSTALLED WHEN IT’S RAINING?
BB Roofing has contingencies for problems like rain or strong wind. All of our workers are constantly monitoring the weather via radar in order to plan for the day. We also have tarps and drop sheets in case we are caught in a quick rain shower, since rain is the most common interruption we experienced in the Lowcountry. We have the experience to usually predict the rain and work accordingly to ensure that your roof is taken care of.
WHY DO ASPHALT SHINGLES HAVE TINY STONES IN THEM?
Asphalt shingles are very soft and could melt in the summer sun. By including these stones, a thin layer is added to the shingles that protects it from rain and the scorching summer heat. Without these stones, the shingles would melt onto your roof. As your roof begins to age, the stones wear away. Black patches on your roof are a sign that it is near the end of its life.