With the way that many commercial buildings are put together, roof leaks can be difficult to see. Proper maintenance and inspection can help you avoid roofing leaks or catch them early. But sometimes, they just happen.
Leaks tend to look a little different on commercial roofs than on residential roofs. And they’re even harder to spot if no one regularly visits the attic of your commercial building. So it’s important to understand and know how to look for signs of a leaky commercial roof. Here are the 5 most common signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for:
1.Bubbling: This sign is most relevant for flat roofs finished with a solid material. In this case, bubbles can be a sign of moisture trapped inside the roofing material. When these bubbles form, your roof will be more susceptible to wind-related damage. You usually can’t see bubbling from the ground, so it’s important to check for this particular sign regularly from the roof itself.
Metal roofs may remind you of backwater shanties without much curb appeal. But that’s really no longer the case. New manufacturing techniques have made metal roofs incredibly interesting and attractive. This roofing material now has a lot to offer consumers. While metal roofs aren’t the best choice for everyone, you should certainly consider a metal roof when it’s time to replace yours. Here are just ten reasons why:
1.Weight
Metal is one of the most lightweight roofing options available, which makes it a good alternative to a clay or concrete tile upgrade. If your home was originally built for an asphalt shingle roof, it may require additional support to be added if you’d like to upgrade to a tile roof, which adds much additional weight. Since metal is often lighter even than asphalt shingles, you won’t have to worry about this issue.
Siding makes a huge contribution to a home’s overall appearance. But as this Orange County roofer knows, it also has a more basic function – protecting properties from the unwanted entry of water. Siding, of course, is like any other part of your house – it’s subject to normal wear and tear. Along with lowering your home’s aesthetic appeal, such deterioration invites leakage, especially near windows, doors, and corner moldings. Fortunately, homeowners can steer clear of trouble by conducting their own siding inspection. Here’s what to look for:
Caulk – Time can be brutal to caulk. Check yours for cracks or signs of loosening -- both open invitations to water leakage. If you notice either of these warning signs, re-apply caulk as soon as possible. For best results, choose a warm, dry day. Caulk adheres best when temperatures exceed 65 degrees.
Cracks and Chips – Both are very common with siding that’s past its prime. For wood, telltale signs are chipped or peeling paint, as well as cracks in boards and trim. This applies whether the material is pine, spruce, cedar, redwood, or fir. Equally vulnerable is stucco, which can develop its own cracks and chips over time.
Brick Siding – The big giveaway here is crumbling mortar joints. If you see evidence of this deterioration, repairs will be necessary.
A thorough cleaning can help preserve siding, thereby saving homeowners from premature repair and replacement costs. Basic equipment for the job is a bucket of warm, soapy water, and a scrub brush. Once the scrubbing begins, commercial roofers generally recommend going from bottom to top. This prevents streaking. Depending on your siding’s square footage, the cleansing job can take one or two afternoons. So don’t plan on going anywhere for awhile.
If you have questions about home siding, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofing contractor, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Offering roofing services from Dana Point to Tustin, Luke Roofing is your trusted Orange County roofer.
Perhaps it starts with a steady drip plopping onto your forehead as you settle into your sofa. Or maybe you notice a small, widening puddle soaking your carpet when it rains. (You remember rain, don’t you?). Whatever the signs, roof leaks spell big trouble. As this Orange County roofer knows, however, you can minimize the trouble if you have advance warning. With that in mind, here are three possible causes of roof leaks to be on the lookout for.
Missing Shingles
Not too difficult to spot this telltale sign. Just glance at your roof, scan, and look for different-colored patches amidst the shingles. If patches are present, it’s a sure bet shingles used to occupy those spaces. The typical cause of missing shingles is harsh weather, particularly rain and wind.
Open Valleys
On sloping roofs, the place where two planes meet is called a valley. This meeting point, of course, must be properly sealed. If gaps are present, rainwater can drop right through. Look for any signs of moisture along the roof seams. These indicate improper sealing.
Most often, the open valley problem starts when the original sealing is improperly done. And it only gets worse from there. Obviously, you want a commercial roofer who gets the job done right from the beginning.
Skylight Gaps
Sometimes skylights can let in moisture along with the sunshine. This can happen as a result of shoddy installation or withering skylight insulation. If you notice damp spots around the skylight edges, you’re probably looking at leakage. At that point, it’s best to call in a commercial roofer to investigate. Unless you love the steady plunk of water filling a bucket.
If you have questions about roof leaks, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofing contractor, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Offering roofing services from Buena Park to Foothill Ranch, Luke Roofing is your trusted Orange County roofer.
Why should kids be the only ones with the Halloween look? Homes have a lot to say about the holiday, too. Which means holiday decorations for the home are in order. Lots of good places to plant those pumpkins, witches, and spiders. But if you’re planning rooftop decorations, this Orange County roofer recommends you give those shingles and planks a good checkup. You want everything safe and secure before going to work.
If you feel up to it, grab a ladder and conduct your own roof surveillance. Things to look out for are signs of weakness and excessive wear. Once you’re aloft hanging pumpkin lights, you don’t need surprises. Of course, if you want complete assurance, you might want to call in a commercial roofer. They have the tools and expertise necessary to uncover any and all flaws.
Once you’ve confirmed roof stability, it’s time to get the show on the road. You’ll save precious time by getting the entire load on the roof – tools and decorations – before beginning. Everything in easy reach. If you’ll be hanging light strings, consider using LED bulbs. These consume a fraction of the energy used by conventional incandescent bulbs. And that can mean major savings, depending on how long those glowing pumpkins stay lit.
Speaking of lights, consider using a spotlight to illuminate any Halloween scene haunting your rooftop. People will see it for miles. Who knows what that could do for your standing in the community. Anyway, the main thing is to get creative and have fun. Happy Halloween from Luke Roofing!
If you have questions about preparing your roof for Halloween decorations, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofing contractor, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Offering roofing services from San Clemente to Los Alamitos, Luke Roofing is your trusted Orange County roofer.
Selecting the right color for roof shingles is similar to choosing hues for other parts of your home. You should consider many factors before making a decision. In our experience as an Orange County Roofer, we see three factors as particularly important when it comes to selecting shingle shade. We strongly recommend you keep them in mind before settling on a roof color.
The Safe Choice. You almost never can go wrong by selecting a muted shade for shingles. (emphasis on ‘almost never’.) The reason? As with clothing, your basic grays and blacks go with just about anything. Dark colors seldom clash with siding and landscape. Remember, however, to consider neighboring properties. If light-shaded shingles are the rule, going dark could make your home stand out like a sore thumb.
Some Things Never Change. Sure, siding is one of the standout features of your happy home. Nevertheless, you should consider the other influencers of roof color, such as your home’s more permanent features. Case in point is brickwork, which likely won’t be changing any time soon. A shingle shade that matches brick décor could be your most sensible, aesthetically-pleasing choice.
Natural Selection. OK, you’ve considered all the color options. Deliberated the possibilities with your family members until you’re bleary-eyed. And you still can’t settle on a shingle shade. If you’re stuck in the mud like this, this commercial roofer strongly advises you look to nature for inspiration. Check out your surroundings and take note of the trees and other landscaping. What color is all that flora? Matching roof shingles to your natural surroundings might be your answer.
If you have questions about roof color or are considering roof repairs or upgrades, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofer, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Offering roofing services from Midway City to Dana Point, Luke Roofing is your trusted Orange County roofing contractor.
When it comes to the exterior of your home, some problems can be let go for a while. Maybe your home needs a good cleaning, but you want to wait until next summer. No problem. But when it comes to your roof, there are plenty of issues you definitely don’t want to wait on fixing.
Remember, your roof protects the rest of your home. So when there’s damage to your roof, you’re putting your entire home at risk. No, roofing repairs aren’t necessarily the things you want to spend money on. But without a solid roof in excellent shape, you stand to lose much more in your home.
Your roof is a huge part of your investment in your home, since it protects literally every other part of your investment. So you want to take extra time and care when repairing your roof, and making decisions about roof repairs. On that note, here are five things to avoid when it’s time to repair your roof:
1.Hire a cut-rate contractor
It may seem tempting to hire a less experienced contractor, or one who quotes a too-good-to-be-true low price. Cheaper contractors - especially those who don’t give a solid reason for being significantly cheaper than your other quotes - are often cheaper for a reason. These contractors might cut prices by hiring less experienced laborers, or by using lower-quality materials. None of these things are good for you or your home!
Instead: Shop around and get quotes, but choose a contractor who offers the most value for your money. Experience counts in this business, so opt for a more experienced contractor who has a crew of well-trained workers. You’ll save money in the long run.
When it comes to replacing your roof, you need to start by choosing the best Orange County roofing contractors. But once you’ve done that, you may still have some questions. We’re here to help!
Replacing your roof is an expensive - and time-consuming - proposition. But your roof is one of the most important pieces of your entire home. That’s why it’s essential to hire a great contractor and to ensure you get all of your questions answered before the roof replacement process begins.
Our contractors can answer any questions you might have in person or over the phone. But if you’re looking for answers to common questions, here are some of the most common questions we’re asked about replacing roofs:
You look up in the spring and notice that the shingles on your roof are looking a little curled-under or wavy. That’s not good! If your shingles look like that, or if you’re missing lots of clay tiles, it may be time to replace your roof.
This is a project no homeowner looks forward to. But tackling your roof replacement sooner rather than later may actually save you money. If you can replace the roofing material before the underlying plywood is damaged, you’ll save a ton!
The actual cost of replacing your roof will depend on a number of factors. And only a qualified contractor can tell you exactly how much your roof replacement project will cost. The best Orange County roofing company will be up front with a quote, and will detail exactly what goes into that final cost.
SELECT ShingleMasterTM Orange County Roofing Contractors
When you’re looking for Orange County roofing contractors for your roof repair or replacement, do you know what to look for? One obvious place to begin is with licensing information. You definitely need to ensure that the contractor you hire is licensed in the State of California.
While licensed professionals have a certain level of expertise and experience, not all professionals are excellent at what they do. So how do you find the best contractors out there, who can offer excellent products, excellent service, and excellent guarantees?
One option is to look at third party certifications, such as those offered by renowned roofing products company CertainTeed. This company offers extra certifications to businesses who sell its products - which are known for their high quality and great warranties. So if you’re looking for a roofing contractor in Orange County, check to see if they have additional CertainTeed certifications.
The Best Orange County Roofing Company is State Licensed
These days, it’s easier than ever for SoCal individuals and companies to find a roofing company. A quick Google search turns up literally hundreds of options in the area. So the problem isn’t just finding someone to fix your roof. The problem is ensuring that you’re using the best Orange County roofing company for your needs.
Obviously, there’s plenty to think about when it comes to shopping for a roofing contractor. But one of the top requirements on your list should be that your contractor is licensed with the State of California.
In fact, any company that doesn’t provide potential customers with a current, verifiable license number isn’t worth your time. Here’s why:
Replacing a roof isn’t cheap. That’s why it’s important to repair your roof - rather than replacing it - whenever possible. Unless the shingles or tiles on your roof are completely worn out, repairs are able to fix many issues you might be having - including leaking. Orange County roof repair often addresses a group of very common problems. Here are some of the most common repairs that we do:
1. Damaged flashing.
Flashing is a piece of metal that adds extra protection to your roof’s extra vulnerable points. It’s found around skylights, around chimneys, and sometimes in the valleys of your roof where two surfaces meet. These areas are more prone to leaks, and are harder to get shingles and tiles into properly.
Are you preparing to re-roof your commercial or office building? A commercial roofing job can be quite similar to a residential one. But it can also be quite a bit more complex. The key to getting a great deal and good value on your new roof is to hire the right Orange County commercial roofers for the job.
Wondering exactly where to begin when it comes to hiring a commercial roofer? Here are our top X tips to get it done right:
1. Do your research
As with any major business purchase, you definitely need to start this one with plenty of research. Get online and start looking at what’s available in Orange County.
Don’t just look at contractors in the area, either. Do some research on the available materials and processes for your commercial roof. Just because your current roof uses certain materials doesn’t mean that you have to go with that same option this time around. Educate yourself a bit on what’s available for commercial roofs in your area.
One of the benefits of installing a tile roof on your home is that they’re virtually maintenance-free. But “virtually” maintenance-free doesn’t mean the same thing as totally maintenance-free. You still need to do some maintenance with your clay tile roof - or hire OC roofing companies to do it.
Luckily, maintaining a clay tile roof is relatively simple. Here are the steps you should take to keep yours in excellent shape:
1. Inspect regularly
First, make sure that you regularly inspect the clay tiles on your roof. This is especially true after a storm or strong wind. While clay is very durable and not likely to break, it does happen sometimes. And you definitely want to replace a broken tile as soon as possible, before more damage occurs.
If you do notice broken, slipped, missing, or chipped tiles, be sure that you call a qualified Orange County roofing company, like Luke Roofing, Inc. to fix the problem. Clay isn’t as simple for DIYers to fix as asphalt shingles.
2. Power wash
Like all roofs, you definitely need to be sure that you keep your clay tile roof clean. Dirty roofs invite all sorts of problems - from nesting critters to mold growth. So make sure that you regularly clean your roof, especially if it gets debris on it from nearby trees.
One of the easiest ways to clean your clay tile roof yourself is with a power washer. Power washing can be done in an afternoon. If tiles are growing algae, rinse them in a special roof rinse that will break down the algae without harming the environment around your home. Talk to OC roofing companies about how best to wash your roof.
Asphalt shingle roofing is one of the most popular options nationwide, and with good reason. It’s cheap, easy to maintain, and simple to repair. But this doesn’t mean you’ll get good results from your asphalt shingle roof - even the high-end kind with a warranty - by leaving it completely alone.
Proper roof maintenance will ensure that your roof lasts as long as possible. So whether your asphalt shingles are brand new or several years old, here are five tips for keeping them in top shape as long as possible:
1. Know your warranty.
This isn’t a maintenance tip, per se, but it’s still essential. The best Orange County roofing company will be up-front about any warranties for your new roof. Hang on to any paperwork surrounding your warranty, so you’ll have it in case a problem arises.