Painting asphalt shingle roofs has been a subject of debate and confusion among homeowners and contractors alike. While the idea of rejuvenating the appearance of a weathered roof through a fresh coat of paint may seem appealing, it is important to understand why it is virtually impossible to achieve satisfactory and long-lasting results when attempting to paint asphalt shingle roofs.
One of the primary reasons why painting asphalt shingle roofs is not recommended is the surface texture of the shingles themselves. The mineral granules on the shingles create a rough, uneven surface, which is not conducive to paint adherence. Consequently, paint applied to the shingles tends to peel, crack, or flake off over time due to poor adhesion, exposure to weather elements, and the natural expansion and contraction of the roof.
Furthermore, painting asphalt shingle roofs can have detrimental effects on their functionality. The granules on the shingles serve as a protective layer, shielding the asphalt from the sun's rays and preventing premature deterioration. When these granules are covered with paint, the shingles become more susceptible to UV damage, leading to faster deterioration and a shortened lifespan.
If you have to make your roof look new and fresh, consider replacing your entire asphalt shingle roof instead of painting over it. It's easy to install if you hire a reliable roofing contractor and have a long-term roof protection for your property by making it look new.
Bob Vila also disagrees with painting over your roof shingles. Read more about it below.
Painting shingles is absolutely possible, and there are both benefits and drawbacks to shingle painting. Painting roof shingles in a bright, reflective color, like white, can give any home a new, attractive appearance and also reflect the heat from the sun, helping to keep cooling costs lower in the summer months. However, you need to have the right asphalt shingle paint and ensure that it doesn’t trap moisture inside the roof layers, which could lead to mold, mildew, and wood rot.
You can paint a roof, but keep in mind that the material of the roof matters. You can paint asphalt shingles, metal sheeting, concrete, slate, and clay tiles, but terra-cotta roof tiles have a glaze that prevents paint from binding to the surface properly, even with specialized roof shingle paint.
With the realization that you can paint shingles, it’s also important to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of painting a roof. Several great reasons for painting roof shingles include an instant update to the appearance, extension of the roof’s lifespan, and the low cost of this DIY project.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq-TDoHo8RE
Instant Visual Update
Often the most attractive reason for painting the roof is that you can quickly make a home’s appearance more appealing. While asphalt shingles can look good when paired with certain exteriors, they don’t necessarily match the aesthetic of every house. With that in mind, painting your shingles is a great way to instantly update the look of your home.
Extended Roof Lifespan
As long as you choose the correct shingle paint, which should be specifically marketed as a high-quality acrylic latex paint intended for painting asphalt shingles, then a layer or two of paint can help improve UV radiation resistance. It also provides a protective layer to help reduce wear over time.
Low Cost
Reshingling the roof is the usual way to change its appearance, but a much more affordable method for updating a home’s look is to simply paint the shingles. Purchasing the paint, renting a paint sprayer, and painting the roof yourself are significantly less expensive than the cost of reshingling the roof. (Read more here)
Want to have high-quality roof installations? You can count on Miller's Home Improvement to help you with all your roofing needs. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
Scammers would do anything to dupe anyone and make easy money. Offering free roofs is one of the newest effective strategies they employ. An unsuspecting homeowner may also become an accomplice without their knowledge in this roofing scam. Learn more about it below.
The Works
The unscrupulous roofing company would ask to handle all your paperwork. They would also mention they would discount the homeowner's deductible, serving as the pay for labor and the roofing material. The money would come from the combined bill for the roof replacement cost with the homeowner's deductible included.
Homeowner Implications
Homeowners who agree to get a "free" roof and let the roofer file the deductible in their roof replacement costing to the insurance company would be guilty of being accomplices to fraud. Legal cases pertaining to these include insurance fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Poor Workmanship
Scammy roofers are problematic on all fronts. Even if they don't offer you a free roof, they would ask for a complete payment of services upfront. They may also do the work on the appointed day lacking in liability insurance, workman's compensation, and certifications from manufacturers.
Learn more about insurance deductible scams masquerading as free roofs in this post from Divided Sky Roofing & Solar.
A free roof probably sounds too good to be true, and the truth is – it is. If a roofer advertises or offers a free roof, this is insurance fraud and you as a homeowner can end up getting punished for a dishonest roofer’s fraud. There are a few ways roofing scams may be presented to homeowners:
A roofer might offer to pay your deductible
They may suggest inflating your insurance invoice to cover the deductible
Or they might advertise deductible reimbursement
All of the tactics used above violate state law and as a homeowner you can be found guilty of insurance fraud if you are a part of this type of scam. Many roofers that engage in the free roof scam will also leave you with an incomplete or incorrectly installed roof when they leave town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFhiZz7ayhQ
How To Keep Yourself Safe From The Free Roof Scam
The best way to protect yourself from roofing scams is to work with a recommended, professional roofer. Reputable roofers will ensure that your roof is repaired or installed correctly and legally. Below are a few warning signs to watch for when being contacted by a roofing company you don’t know, especially one that isn’t local or that you’ve never heard of.
Unsolicited Approach
Beware roofers approaching you about your roof when you have not reached out to one, such as:
Roofers handing out fliers door to door after a storm. Some scammers try to take advantage of homeowners by following storms around the state looking for opportunities to get away with a free roof scam. These scammers will often do this throughout an entire neighborhood that’s been recently hit by a storm and leave town after their scam is complete so they cannot be easily found and held accountable.
Roofers rushing you into signing a contract. Do not sign two different contracts. Check with the Better Business Bureau and find out if the company has any complaints against them. Ask the roofers for references that are in your community, check their license, and make sure they have valid insurance to do the job.
Miller's Home Improvement is a trusted name for all kinds of roofing and exterior services. We've helped many properties in your area keep their roofs and properties in good condition throughout any weather. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
Your roof is a critical component of your home, but it doesn't last forever. During its first ten years, it would give you the best protection against the usual and extreme weather situations. Afterwards, roofers must regularly inspect your roof for any issues and schedule your replacement soon. Here is the usual life cycle of a roof.
Year One
The first five years of a roof should give your home optimal protection. It would protect against hail, snow, and strong windstorms. It would only need yearly maintenance services from local roofers to check its status and ensure critical components aren't loose and won't deteriorate your roof rapidly.
Five Years
Your roof will see some wear as it reaches a half-decade protecting your home. The changing seasons will affect its physical composition and loosen a few components. Timely roof inspections let experts replace these components before they can cause detrimental damage to your roof for the next five years.
10 Years
A 10-year-old roof may suffer some severe wear and tear on specific areas. For instance, some roofs can have discolored and missing asphalt shingles on one side while having functional materials on the opposite side. Upon inspection, roofers may perform minor repairs to improve its performance but may ask you to save enough money to replace the roof within 3-5 years.
Fibertite Roofing might talk in the context of commercial roofs, but the sentiments and stages it explains are similar to asphalt shingles and common residential roofing materials. Read more below.
What Is the Average Life of a Roof?
To get the most out of your roofing investment, it is important to understand the stages associated with the lifespan of your roof. In today’s market, roofs can last anywhere from 10 to 30 or more years. Understanding the three lifecycle stages will equip you with the information you need to ensure you’re getting the most value out of your roof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQEkes8RYC0
Stage 1: New Roof
Much like a car, your roofing system has a ‘new’ phase that lasts for the first 2 years of its life. It begins with conception of the design. This involves not only you, but also the designer and consultant to decide on the right roofing system to fit your unique needs. Two important questions to consider are
What is the intended use of the building?
How long are you planning on staying in the same building?
These questions typically dictate the design and specifications.
Once the decision is made, total assembly occurs from the deck up. Pay close attention to the quality of materials, it’s better to pay now than pay later. Quality of workmanship is also an essential factor to consider during this stage as the contractor is still tied to workmanship for those two years. After the first two years, the responsibility falls to you as the owner.
Stage 2: Maintenance Period
Typically this lifecycle stage lasts between 2 - 15 years and is where the bulk of your maintenance is going to occur. Ongoing maintenance is imperative to ensure a long-lasting, healthy roof. Your roof requires periodic inspections, either annually or biannually, to make sure the various system components are still performing the way they need to be. If not, repairs need to happen in a time efficient manner to prevent serious damage. Typically, there are three ways in which inspections can be performed:
By the manufacturer
Through an extended agreement with your original contractor
By hiring your own inspection crew.
This stage is often overlooked and many roofs fail due to an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. Even with warranties, much of the cost associated with repairing ill-maintained roofing systems falls on the shoulders of the owner. Warranties can be voided for a number of reasons, especially if the reporting of a material breakdown is delayed for an extended period of time.
Miller's Home Improvements is a renowned name in excellent roofing installation, repairs, and replacements. Customers trust us to ensure their roof always works well and is within the manufacturer's warranty. Call us today to learn more about our services.
High-quality roofing manufacturers make it a mission and part of their branding to provide high-quality products to customers. But, even the best quality control protocols may overlook certain issues that can make these materials fail during installation. This is clearly not the customer's fault, and a warranty will ensure manufacturers would replace the faulty materials with new ones.
Most warranties have long-term protection. On average, a 10-year material warranty ensures your roof will work as the manufacturers intend it within ten years or your money back. Reputable brands stretch this protection period longer, especially if they've included more protective components to extend its lifespan. Sometimes, manufacturers will give you a 50-year warranty on parts and labor if you install their roof structural reinforcement systems, ridge caps, starter strip shingles, or other components.
Manufacturers will automatically honor warranties once a certified roofing contractor installs your roof. These roofers have learned and trained with the manufacturer on installing their roof system's components in the best way possible. Furthermore, they're licensed, insured, certified, and trusted by local properties in your area.
GAF Roofing talks more about warranties and transferable warranties in the excerpt below. Note that manufacturers have different types of warranties, but GAF's overview can give you an idea about how it works.
What Do Residential Roof Warranties Typically Cover?
Coverage can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer of the roofing products, the combination of products installed, and even who installs it. The most basic types, such as the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty*, provide coverage against manufacturing defects in the roofing materials with no additional purchase or registration needed.
Roofing manufacturers may also offer enhanced roof warranty coverage when you install a certain number of products, or when the roofing system is installed by certain contractors. For example, the GAF Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty*, only available through GAF Master Elite® Contractors**, provides coverage against manufacturing defects in the products, their misapplication, as well as coverage for tear-off and disposal — if necessary in connection with a covered claim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPDFBao8gwM
Many residential roof warranties also provide some coverage for wind damage and algae discoloration. It is important to carefully review and understand your warranty's terms. Here's some information on GAF warranties if you'd like to explore the options available to you when it comes to protecting your most important investment: your home!
Can I Transfer Any Roof Warranty?
Warranty terms vary widely, and transfer rules are no exception. Be sure to pay close attention to your warranty's terms. Buyers should ask sellers at or before the time of closing what kind of roof warranty they have, and ask for a copy whenever possible. Most roofing warranties allow for one transfer. So if the seller is not the one who had the roof installed, there may be restrictions on a second transfer. This varies by warranty, and even by state — so be sure to look into it as quickly and thoroughly as possible. If you determine that the warranty is eligible to be transferred, buyers should also ask the seller to leave them with any documentation they have with respect to the installation of the roof, such as a contract with the installer and/or material invoices. This may be needed at the time of transfer, or in the unlikely event of a claim later. (Continue reading here to learn more)
Need the best residential and commercial roofing service for your home? Count on Miller's Home Improvement to help you. Many homeowners in your area trust us because of our quality of work and dedication to excellence. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
The New Year brings many opportunities to improve your home, such as changing your aged roof. Problematic roofs can increase your energy bills, increase indoor humidity due to water leaks, and become much more expensive to replace during the wrong season. If it's spring or summer and your local roofer is available, find the right financing to start your roof replacement. Here are several options.
Equity Loan
An equity or home equity loan is a second mortgage most homeowners use to finance home renovations or roof replacements. It uses your home's equity, a portion of your ownership of the home, as loan collateral. Payment terms typically last between 5-30 years. Learn your equity value by deducting the amount you must repay from the home's current market value.
Cash-Out Refinance
Refinancing lets you take a new mortgage on your home. Lenders use your home's current market value as its basis. Before you can use this, you must have paid off your existing mortgage. Most homeowners who can secure significantly lower interest rate than their original mortgage use cash out refinancing.
Here are several other methods you can use, according to LendingTree.
4. FHA 203(k) loan
If you lack sufficient equity in your home to cover roof financing, one option is a 203(k) mortgage issued through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). These mortgages are issued by FHA-approved lenders to enable the purchase or refinancing of homes in need of repair, and both fixed- and adjustable-rate loans are available.
There are two types of 203(k) loans — standard and limited. A limited 203(k) mortgage, which covers repairs costing up to $35,000, is probably adequate for most roof replacement jobs.
If your roof requires more work than that, or if you’d also like to finance more extensive structural renovations along with a new roof, you can opt for a standard 203(k) mortgage, which allows you to borrow the lesser of these two amounts:
110% of the anticipated value of the home after renovations are completed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjpRxO9X9-Q
The sum of the home cost plus the cost of renovations
If you pursue a standard 203(k) mortgage, you’ll have to hire an FHA-approved 203(k) consultant to act as liaison between you, the lender and the roofer (and other contractors, if any). The consultant devises a work plan for the project, ensures construction meets proper standards and signs off on the release of funds to the roofer and other contractors.
Fees for writing up job specs for FHA-approved consultants range from $400 for repairs of $7,500 or less to $1,000 for jobs that cost more than $100,000. Consultants may charge additional fees for inspections conducted at various milestones in a project. You can find a full list of fees and a list of FHA-approved consultants at the FHA website.
If your credit score is 580 or higher, you qualify for the minimum 3.5% down payment required for a 203(k) mortgage; if your score falls below 580, you’ll have to put down 10% of the amount you’re borrowing. (Continue reading here to learn more)
Don't let your financing efforts go to waste by hiring the best roof replacement contractor for the job. If you have yet to find one, you can count on Miller's Home Improvement. We have taken care of our local neighborhood's roofing needs for decades and work only with the best equipment and experienced workers. Call us today to get started.
Winter is one of the most challenging times for your roof. The sub-zero temperatures can cause your asphalt shingles to contract and loosen its adhesive joints. When this happens, your roof will deteriorate and age faster, leaving your home vulnerable to damage from the elements.
Preparing for winter roof issues helps you avoid many issues that could put it beyond repairing. For instance, condensation can happen during winter if your roof has poor ventilation. Having this checked and improved by your local roofer can prevent moisture buildup that can cause mold growth and eat away at the wooden components of your attic.
Another winter issue is ice dams. These happen when the roof has unequal temperature on its surface due to poor insulation and ventilation. Improving airflow prevents ice dams from forming and damaging your roof.
If you see leaks from your skylights or chimneys, you might have flashing leaks. Flashing are small metal strips installed around your roof structures like chimneys, vents, pipes, and roof edges. The freezing and thawing process common in winter can accelerate corrosion.
Cenvar Roofing has a great list of winter roofing preparations and solutions to ensure your roof survives throughout the season.
The falling leaves and cooler weather are two subtle signs that winter is coming. You pull out your snow boots, break out the festive decor, and rake the leaves before a snowfall to ensure that your home and family are ready for winter, but one thing that needs to be prioritized is winterizing your roof.
Your roof is the barrier that stands between your family and the harsh weather, so you want to make sure that it is functioning well and able to keep you warm and cozy all winter long. Taking a few simple steps to avoid winter roofing problems before the cold weather sets in will help your roof withstand the coming storms, and give you confidence that your home will remain safe and dry in the coming months.
Check Your Roofline
The first step you should take when you begin preparing your roof for winter is to look at your roofline. Your roof lines should be straight, so any signs of dipping, curving, or sagging are signs that you need to investigate. A sagging roofline can be caused by framing issues or by a saturated roof deck.
During the winter season, roofs are exposed to heavy rain and snowfall that can stress the roof, worsen sagging, and even lead to a cave-in. A sagging roof isn’t an immediate cause of concern on its own and is most likely structurally okay. But if it is accompanied by a leak or other signs of deterioration, a repair may be necessary.
Check Chimney Flashing For Leaks
The next place you’ll want to inspect is the chimney. Chimney flashing is the strip of metal that seals the intersection of the chimney and your roof, and is one of the most common spots for roof leaks to develop. Leaky flashing can often be mistaken for a leaky roof.
Check to make sure your flashing doesn’t appear to be loose or damaged, and that the caulk holding it in place hasn’t cracked or deteriorated. Also make sure to look for any signs of water intrusion near the chimney.
Check The Attic For Signs Of Water Damage
Once you’ve checked on your chimney, head up to your attic, because in many cases, the first signs of a leaky roof can be seen there. Signs of a leak include water spots on the walls, wet roof decking, and puddles of water on the attic floor. If you discover any evidence of water damage in your roofing system, schedule a professional roof inspection so that you can get your roof back into top condition before the winter storms arrive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgg2kRz4NaM
Remove Debris
After you inspect your roof, you should move into the cleaning phase. It is common for leaves, twigs, and other debris to accumulate on your roof during the fall season, but if that debris is left on your roof all winter, the piles will become waterlogged, leaving your roof susceptible to water damage beneath the soggy mess. You can safely remove the debris with a leaf blower, or with your hands. (Continued)
Miller's Home Improvement is a trusted roofing company known for its reliable repairs, installation, and replacement services. We've been servicing homes in your neighborhood for decades using only high-quality products and tried and proven solutions. Call us today to learn more about our products and services.
Storm damage claims are challenging. Insurers will find ways to undercut you of your rightful benefits. Fortunately, you can ensure you receive your full claim by knowing the typical reasons why insurers reject storm damage claims. Learn more about it in this post.
Insurance Deductibles
An insurance deductible is the time your insurer pays after you've spent an amount to repair or replace your roof. For instance, if you have a $100 deductible for roof damage, it means your insurer will only cover any repairs after you've spent $100.
Coverage Limitations
All policies have coverage limitations. If your roof's storm damage goes beyond the coverage limit, you will only get the limit amount. You can know your precise coverage limitation by reading your policy's terms and conditions.
You won't have to worry about insurance for larger roofs – your insurer should have advised you to use higher coverage that pays enough to cover any large roof damage.
Exclusions
Policies won't give you any benefit if the situation is within their exclusions. Most policies exclude minor damage and previous damage to the roof that the storm only made worse and did not cause. For example, if you have a roof with an existing minor damage then the storm made it worse, the insurer won't cover it.
Storm damage is a serious issue that needs immediate replacements from reliable roofing professionals. Here are some steps you need to address as soon as possible, according to Total Home Roofing.
1. Assess the damage.
The first step after you experience severe weather is to assess the damage. Approximate damage assessments can help you discuss your needs with your insurance company or contractor and avoid unforeseen costs or discrepancies. (This is usually only possible in daylight, so in some cases you may want to skip to step #2 listed below before assessing the damage.)
When looking at your roof to identify damaged areas, use a pair of binoculars. Estimate the general square foot area and specific details of the area that has been damaged. Note the severity of the damage, and look carefully to see if there are areas of missing shingles. In some cases, only a few random shingles will be missing.
Document the materials that are visible or exposed. Check for signs of exposed plywood, tarpaper, or the ends of missing shingles. Take note of the color of the material and the approximate shade. (Additional shingles from a roof replacement project in the past will have the shingle color stamped on the end of the package.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8eWcmNzs5M
2. Make temporary fixes to minimize property damage.
If the roof is severely damaged in an area directly above a living space, interior property can be damaged by leaking water. Be sure to place a bucket or garbage can under leaks and remove any valuables in the area in order to prevent further interior damage. Serious damage may need to be waterproofed quickly using a strapped tarping method, while smaller repairs can be shingled immediately.
3. Contact your insurance company.
Contact your insurance company. Evaluate if the damage is large enough to be covered through home insurance, or whether it would be more economical to hire a contractor directly for any necessary repairs. In times of natural disaster, when large residential areas are hit by a storm or other severe weather, it can be beneficial to use your homeowner’s insurance as contractors can become busy.
4. If necessary, contact a reliable contractor to repair the roof.
If you decide to hire a private contractor, always hire a professional certified roofing contractor. Avoid contractors who are in the area because of a natural disaster. Traveling contractors who follow storms have no reputation to uphold and may provide substandard workmanship. (Continue reading here to learn more)
You want a severe storm roof damage fixed up as quickly and efficiently as possible, so trust experts to do the job well. Miller's Home Improvement is a dependable roofing company with decades of experience and knowledge. Call us today to learn more about our products and services.
