Ask A Roofer: Your Trickiest Roofing Questions Answered

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It’s no surprise that here at CJD Construction, our professionals receive dozens of roofing questions daily. Today, we’re sharing answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive.

Q. How do I know I actually need a new roof?

The most obvious sign of need for a new roof is visible roof damage. If your roof’s shingles are shifting, curled, darkened, or completely missing, your roof may be experiencing some serious damage. Leaks and drafts may also serve as cues to replace your roof, but it’s best to consult a professional before taking action yourself.

There are, of course, less obvious signs of need for a new roof. One of the most common reasons for a roof replacement is age. If your roof is over 20 years old, it’s likely that it’s due for a replacement. Even if your roof is relatively new, there is no guarantee that it’s in peak condition without a professional inspection. A yearly roof inspection is key to maintenance and will ensure that your roof is in good working condition.

Q: How much does a new roof cost?

No two roofs are exactly the same. Even when houses are similar, the pricing of roof installation varies. That being said, you should never pick a roofer based solely on price.

Firstly, your roofer’s experience, skill, and professionalism can obviously effect the cost of roof installation. It’s pivotal that you do research on your roofer’s work to ensure that you’re getting exactly what your home needs. At CJD Construction, we dedicate our time to working with clients to ensure the best quality at the best price.

Secondly, the superiority of the materials your roofer uses is going to determine how much the installation of your new roof cost. Keep in mind that the materials your roofer uses may affect how long your roof lasts and how durable it is against weathering and damage. Our roofing experts are happy to work with you to determine what is best for your needs.

Q. How long does roof installation typically take?

Again, all roofs differ. Depending on where you are, what you’re looking for, and the nature of your home, there can be dozens of variables regarding the timing on your project’s completion.

Specific factors such as the complexity of removing the old roof, the availability of necessary materials, and even weather can also change how long the process will take.

Q. Is there anything I should do to prepare for the roof installation?

Replacement of a roof is a noisy (and sometimes messy) process. In order to ensure the best experience for you and your family, consider planning to leave the house while contractors are working on the noisier aspects of the project. At CJD Construction, our roofing contractors take care in making sure that our work is not only precise, but doesn’t leave a mess in its wake.

Keeping your pets in mind is also a precaution you may want to take. Typically, animals are not fond of the loud noises caused by the removal and replacement of shingles. Getting your pets out of the house or providing them a quiet space may ease the process.

Q: My neighbor mentioned that some of the “flashing” on my roof looked as if it was in bad shape. What exactly is roof flashing?

Flashing is an aluminum or steel material that goes over joined to prevent water seeping in and causing damage. Flashing can show damage because of weathering or oxidizing and it can occasionally come loose.

If your roof is showing some flashing damage, it’s likely that there is little need to worry. Under most circumstances, flashing can be easily fixed by a roofing professional.

Q: What is the best way to keep the valleys in my roof from leaking?

The valley in your roof is essential to direct rainwater down the edge of your roof. In order to protect your valleys from leaking, a roofing professional can install underlayment.

There is some debate about what the best underlayment is. Three of the most popular options are metal flashing, double coverage roll roofing material, and ice and water shields. Each option has its perks, but it depends on your circumstances. For example, some conditions wherein ice and water shields are installed require additional metal flashing. A roofing professional will be able to assess your needs and determine which underlayment process is the best fit for you.

Any more questions? CJD Construction is here to make sure you have answers. If you need help getting started on your next roofing project, call us at (618) 659-9007 or send us an email at [email protected]!

Image: Flickr

roof storm damage edwardsville

Your Roof and Storm Damage: The Road to Recovery

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It’s that time of year again. The seasons has brought with it varying storms of hail, snow, wind, and rain. Naturally, this inclement weather causes plenty of inconveniences. One especially critical inconvenience, however, is the damage caused to homes by this storming.

While it’s often forgotten, your roof is one of the most important areas of your home. Even a small leak in your roof can cause damage to the insulation and structure of your home. Storms are one of the biggest culprits of roof damage, but there are steps you can take to recover and prevent it.

Know the Signs of Roof Damage

The longer you wait after a storm to find that your roof is damaged, the more laborious your repairs will be. If you are able to identify roof damage after a storm, you’ll be able to prevent increasing damage over time, resulting in lower costs for repair and less trouble.

Common signs of roof damage include:

  • Missing shingles
  • Bruises or dented asphalt shingles
  • Cracked or broken tile, slate, or concrete shingles
  • Granules collecting in gutters or downspouts
  • Leaks in your roof or ceiling
  • Dents on vents, gutters, or flashing

You may find that there’s more damage to your home than you originally anticipated. If something fell on your roof in the midst of the storm such as a tree, you may find yourself with structural damage beyond just the extensive repairs that need to be done to your roof.

While a tree falling on your roof calls for obvious and immediate attention, you may find that your roof is missing a few shingles after a storm. Something as seemingly miniscule as a missing shingle or two can cause serious problems such as moisture penetration, mold, widespread insulation damage, and leaks.

Call Your Local Roofing Professionals

Roof damage can be invisible and dangerous. Just because there’s no visible damage to your roof does not mean that the storm has left it unscathed.

Even if you’ve done an inspection on your own, the best method for recovering your roof after a storm is calling a professional to not only inspect, but rebuild and fix your roof.

Having a licensed, insured, and bonded professional care for your roofing needs will surely ease the stress of dealing with storm damage. CJD Construction has over ten years of experience and offers roofing services and storm damage repairs tailored to your needs. Whether it’s a simple inspection or a full replacement, CJD takes into account what you’re looking for and works with you to find the best way to satisfy that.

Call Your Insurance Company

If your roof has suffered serious storming damage, make sure to give your insurance company a call. It’s very likely that they will cover some, if not most of the cost of repairing your roof.

Don’t have insurance? Don’t wait. Putting off repairs because of lack of insurance will create more damage to your roof and result in a fluctuation of trouble and costs. While these repairs may be out of pocket for now, consider getting insurance coverage for future roof problems and home repairs due to storm damage- especially if you live in an area where nature’s excitement is a common occurrence.

In the Future, Perform Annual Roof Inspections

Inspecting your roof for damage at least once a year can save you time and money when it comes to making repairs and keeping your home free of water, heat leaks, mold, and more. With most hail storms happening in the Midwest U.S., monitoring the condition of your roof is one of the most important things you can do to keep your home free of serious damage.

In order to ensure safety and security, the best idea is to call a roofing professional. CJD Construction understands that stress resulting from roof damage is not one that most people want to deal with. That’s why we’re here to help you along the way and ensure that you and your family can live comfortably and safety regardless of what the season brings. To tell us how we can help, call (618) 659-9007 or send an email to [email protected].

Image: Flickr

storm siding repair edwardsville

Five Reasons You Won’t Regret Investing in Siding

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Here at CJD Construction, we’ve been in the business of installing high-grade, quality siding on homes and commercial properties for over ten years. When you invest in siding installation, you gain the benefit of the many advantages that come with that installation. So what exactly are those advantages? 

  1. Appearance

The first and most obvious advantage of siding installation is that it changes the appearance of your property. At CJD Construction, we firmly believe that we our work is not only efficient, but it’s also beautiful! Not only is siding installed to ensure a sharp appearance, but is available in a variety of different colors to fit your personality and tastes. With siding getting more and more popular, we’re excited to go the extra mile to make sure you’re getting exactly what your property needs to stand out.

Siding not only makes a property more aesthetically pleasing, but it also spruces up your property and makes it look bright and clean. While other installations can build up dirt and dust, siding stays bright for longer with less cleaning and upkeep required. Since siding is designed to look great for life, it does not peel, crack, or wrap!

  1. Durability

While the life expectancy of a paint job is around five years, siding available through CJD Construction is more durable and requires less maintenance than alternatives. Siding is built to hold up through storms and inclement weather, protecting you from all sorts of damage that can happen to the exterior, and in turn, the interior of your home.

Even if you don’t find yourself facing inclement weather, siding provides more protection than alternatives from nuisances such as termites, moisture, and leaking. These intrusions can turn into structural problems which can turn into costly, serious repairs. With siding, however, the chance of your suffering these problems goes down dramatically.

  1. Easy to Fix

While vinyl is made to be extremely durable, it’s certainly not indestructible. In the event that you experience damage to your siding, the panels can often be replaced or refitted without too much hassle. CJD Construction is willing to work with you and your insurance company in case of damage and in the event of a problem, we’ll be by your side.

  1. Economic Efficiency

It’s clear that siding does not require as much upkeep than alternatives. Here at CJD Construction, we want to give your property the best protection for the best price. When you go with siding for your property, you’ll avoid the leaks and damage that comes with alternatives that can cost you thousands every year.

Additionally, siding is less costly than the constant yearly upkeep of alternatives. In addition to avoiding the cost of yearly and monthly maintenance, you’ll also see your heat and cooling costs decrease! Siding provides the benefit of strong, intact insulation that won’t fail when you need it most.

  1. Increase in Property Value

Your investment in new siding will not go to waste. Siding increases property value and curbside appeal. When buyers know that they’re getting the best quality, they’re more eager to make that purchase. This is especially true when a property has beautiful siding installed!

According to Remodeling Magazine, a midsize vinyl siding remodel will increase your home’s value by 78.2 percent of the project’s cost. Not only is it likely that the siding will pay for itself, but you’ll also find that it is a clearly beneficial addition.

Siding is growing more and more popular and there are good reasons for it! The benefits to siding are not only economic, but are aesthetic and practical. If you’re interested in learning more about installing siding on your property, feel free to contact CJD Construction to discuss your needs. Call (618) 659-9007 or send us an email at [email protected].

Image: Flickr