roofing Archives - San Diego County Roofing & Solar

GAF’s guide to key signs of roof damage

With all of the heavy rains hitting San Diego, a lot of aged homes in the county are springing leaks. The question is – is it time to re-roof or move forward with a costly repair? Our friends at GAF have given some great pointers.

Key Danger Signals

Don’t get caught with sudden, costly repairs. Keep a close eye on your roof and find out how to spot problems – including these 7 key danger signs – before they severely impact your wallet.

A leak in the attic.

After a strong storm or wind-driven rain, take a look in the attic for signs of leaking. It could indicate damaged shingles, inadequate underlayment or deteriorated flashing.

Blistering or peeling interior or exterior paint.

Moisture trapped in the house due to poor ventilation can cause exterior paint to peel and blister.

Stains on interior ceilings and walls – mold or mildew growth.

Stains, or worse, mold, can be caused by leaks from outside the house or moisture trapped inside.

Exterior decay in sheathing and/or siding.

Excess moisture can also contribute to decay.

Missing, cracked, or curled shingles.

Dry, cracked, or easily broken shingles have reached the end of their useful life, and it’s time to invest in a new roof.

Dark, “dirty-looking” areas on your roof.

Vegetation, fungus, mold, or algae growth can cause dark stains on your shingles. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new roof, but if you do choose to replace your shingles, ask for StainGuard^®protection — available on many GAF Shingles, including Timberline^®Cool Series Shingles, Timberline^®Natural Shadow^®Shingles, Timberline^® ArmorShield™ II Shingles, and Timberline Ultra HD^®Shingles.

StainGuard^®protection is available only on shingles with StainGuard^®-labeled packaging. See GAF Shingle & Accessory Ltd. Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.)

Excessive energy costs.

Inadequate ventilation can possibly drive up your household cooling costs by trapping hot air in the attic. Attic moisture can also drip into your insulation, reducing its effectiveness.

How to Inspect for Damage

Why wait for the drip, drip, drip of a damaged roof It’s a good idea to inspect your roof regularly, particularly if you live in areas of the country that experience extreme weather. You can inspect your roof yourself by either climbing on your roof or by using binoculars from the ground.

If you choose to go up on the roof yourself, remember to always utilize proper safety equipment to prevent falls or injury. See our Safety section for more details.

Here are some things to look for:

Check flashing for damage or inadequate coverage
Look under eaves and overhangs for damage
Examine shingles for any that are missing, cracked, curled, torn, or warped
Look for any open seams or joints
Look for popped or rusted nails or stains around nails
Look for signs of insects or critter infestation (squirrels love climbing on roofs)
Check for sagging or unsound areas
Check for rotten fascia and eaves
Inspect your sources of roof ventilation to make sure they are not clogged
Inspect gutters for sagging or signs of leaks and be sure to remove any leaves or debris
Check for dark patches or biological growth
Check around pipes and roof penetrations to make sure they are sealed and in good shape – there shouldn’t be any exposed nails around flashings (if so, they should be sealed)
Look inside the attic for signs of leaks, dark spots, holes, or sagging sheathing

You can do all this yourself, but if you’re uncomfortable with the idea of walking around on your roof or climbing a ladder in the first place, or you just want a professional inspection done, your best option is always to find a GAF factory-certified Master Elite^®Contractor like San Diego County Roofing!

Trees near your roof?

With fall officially here, it’s time to be proactive about roof maintenance. Today we are going to discuss the problems trees can have in regards to your roof. The trees around your home could cause costly damage to your roof; however, most of this damage can be prevented. Here are a few things you can do to protect your roofing system:

1 – Trim Overhanging Branches

Branches that hang over your roof could be scraping and gouging the shingles on your roof from repeatedly brushing against it. A telltale sign may be pieces of shingles lying on the ground around your home.

By inspecting your roof often, you may be able to catch this roof damage early before it progresses past requiring a simple shingle repair. You can avoid this damage by making sure your trees are trimmed back away from your roof.

2 – Clean Up Fallen Leaves & Needles

Tree leaves and pine needles are another threat to the health of your roof. They may still accumulate on your roof even if you have trimmed the tree branches away from it. If the leaves on your roof are not cleared away, they can lock in moisture that will cause your roof to deteriorate prematurely.

Your roof could show signs of mold or black algae growth that can deteriorate your shingles.

3 – Safely Remove Unstable Trees

Look for signs of unhealthy trees around your home that could topple over or drop branches on your home during a storm.

If you see rotting branches, holes in trees, or mushrooms around your tree, it may be diseased and in need of professional care or removal.

4 – Keep the Good Trees

Strategically placed trees on your property can be beneficial to your roof. Deciduous trees planted on the south side of your house can block the summer sun. These trees can help keep your roof shaded, prevent heat damage, and slow down the deterioration of your roof shingles.

Trees can also serve as a wind break, blunting some of the force from damaging winds.

If your roof has already been damaged or need help with roof maintenance, San Diego County Roofing is here to assist you! Contact us today at info@sandiegocountyroofing.com or 855-732-6868

New Residential Sales Estimator

San Diego County Roofing in excited to announce the hiring of Dylon Higley as our newest Residential Sales Estimator!

Dylon comes to us from Charlottesville, VA where he has worked in the industry for the past eight years working in residential roofing, framing, carpentry and remodeling.

I am most excited about the opportunity that I have to learn from a really knowledgeable/experienced team and to create a long-term, successful career for myself here at SDCR, -Dylon Higley

Outside of work Dylon enjoys spending time with his wife and getting out to explore, camp and hike as much as possible. He also enjoys golf, fishing, and playing beach volley ball with friends.

We are excited to have Dylon on board. With our tremendous growth, we needed a solid/trustworthy estimator that homeowners feel comfortable with and he fits that bill to a T, -James Adams, EVP – San Diego County Roofing.

Finance Your Roof Project

With each sporadic rain we’ve been having here in San Diego, you get that constant reminder of the roof leak you’ve been holding off on repairing. You’ll soon find out after getting quotes that it’s much more economical to get an entire re-roof done as opposed to the constant $1-3k repairs you see happening in the future. As a matter of fact, if your roof is over 20 years old like most San Diegans you are probably ready for a re-roof anyways.

The problems is, you don’t have that ~$15k budgeted. Maybe you don’t have enough equity in your home or don’t want to take a loan against it (like many PACE programs). We have a solution.

We have partnered with Hearth who has been featured in mainstream media all over the US to provide you with low interest rates as low as 5.9% and up to $100k borrowed. Hearth uses 5 lenders to find the most competitive rate for your project.

A few highlights:

1. Doesn’t affect your credit score.

2. Personalized rates in 60 seconds.

3. Lower interest rates than credit cards.

4. Fixed rates.

5. No pre-payment penalties.

Let’s get started today. Get pre-approved in seconds without hitting your credit score and have us on your roof within weeks completing your project.

GET PRE-APPROVED

OR contact us today to learn more at (855) 732-6868 or james@sandiegocountyroofing.com

A Hidden Danger of Hiring a Roofing Contractor

So you need a roofer…

Most people will get a referral, check online reviews, maybe the website and do their “research.” The only problem with relying solely on your research is often times it’s hard to determine whether or not the contractor you’re hiring has Commercial General Liability Insurance and Workers Comp.

Just because they have great online reviews and a nice website, don’t assume they are carrying the proper insurance. It’s expensive to carry and some contractors will take shortcuts to increase their profits.

Make sure you ask your contractor for proof of insurance!

Pursuant to California Business & Professions Code β7159.3 [sb 2029], Home Improvement Contractors must provide this notice and disclose whether or not they carry Commercial General Liability Insurance.

Home Improvement Contractors must provide this notice and disclose whether or not they carry Commercial General Liability Insurance. This statement must accompany the bid, if there is one, and/or contract.

What exclusions does the policy have?

Many contractors have cheap insurance with very important exclusions. Course of roofing/open roof exclusion is one example. This would make virtually any damage that occurs during the project, excluded from coverage.

What does this Insurance cover? Commercial General Liability Insurance can protect against third party bodily injury and accidental property damage. It is not intended to cover the work the contractor preforms.

How can you make sure the contractors is insured? If he or she is insured, your contractor is required to provide you with the name and contact info of the insurance company. Check with the insurance company to see if your project will be covered.

Choosing an uninsured roofer puts your property, assets and financial security at risk if someone is hurt on the roofing job. Don’t risk it – an extremely low bid is always a big red flag. Also, if your roofing contractor is using a “torch down” application, there are special insurance requirements to do so. Make sure they have it in case this happens: LINK TO VIDEO

We always carry the proper insurance…

San Diego County Roofing, Inc. shall purchase from and maintain with a company or companies lawfully authorized to do business in the jurisdiction in which the project is located:

1) A Comprehensive General Liability Insurance Policy in the amount not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $2,000,00.00 aggregate.

2) A contractor’s Surety Bond in an amount not less than $12,500.00, mandated by the California State Contractors License Board.

3) A Worker’s Compensation Insurance Policy in the amount not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence, which is mandated by statute.

Any questions about insurance? Reach out to us anytime 855-732-6868 or email info@sandiegocountyroofing.com or Request an Estimate online.

Drone Inspections

Whether you are a real estate professional, homeowner/buyer, serve on the board of directors or a property manager of a home owners association… The roof plays a MAJOR role in your purchasing or budgeting decision. It’s usually the largest asset associated with your property. It its vital that you make the right decisions with it or it can cost you a fortune in the long run.

Take it from us. You cannot imagine the amount of calls we get from new homeowners after the first rain. They had no idea how poor of condition their roof was when they bought it. We also get calls from the frantic property managers that are receiving 100’s of calls from their unhappy tenants about their roof leaking.

This can be avoided.

Make sure you get a thorough roof inspection before buying a home and if you are associated with an HOA that is older than 15 years old, budget for a roof inspection and yearly maintenance which will prolong the life of your roof and save you a lot of money in the long run. Not only do we provide comprehensive roof inspection reports, we also can provide 4k HD video drone inspections alongside the report. It’s one thing to read about the condition of your roof, why not get ACTUAL footage that you can show your prospective buyer(s) or board of directors?

Along with your written report, you’ll receive a thumb USB drive where you will have access to the actual footage of the roof. This also avoids the potential of a contractor getting up on your roof and breaking tiles (if a tile roof) and the costs associated with a contractor using a lift to evaluate your roof.

It is very important to us that we respect the tenants and/or neighbors when preforming a drone inspection. They typically last no longer than 10-15 minutes and notification of the date/time of the inspection is communicated beforehand.

Call us today to learn more about receiving a video drone inspection at 855-732-6868 or email troy@sandiegocountyroofing.com or Request an Estimate online.

Owens Corning Preferred Contractor

San Diego County Roofing is proud to hold numerous certifications and accolades from Owens Corning:

Preferred Contractor:

Preselected for their commitment to customer service, business stability and quality
Carry all required state and local licenses
Hold at least $1,000,000 in general liability insurance
In good standing with the Better Business Bureau
Up to date latest industry standards and technology
Certified to offer our extended Roofing System Limited Warranties^† that provide up to a lifetime* of workmanship coverage

Top of the House Certified:

These independent roofing contractors have been specially trained on how roofing, ventilation and attic insulation work together to improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort.

TPRS Trained Contractor:

This contractor has completed the Owens Corning® Total Protection Roofing System® Training. This training provides our contractors with extensive knowledge on all components of the Total Protection Roofing System® enabling them to help you select the appropriate products to complete your roofing project.

Alongside our certifications we hold a 5-Star Rating and are 100% recommended by OC to handle your roofing project! See for yourself! Click HERE

We also have a 5-Star Rating at the highly trusted “Guild-Quality” click HERE

Your roof tends to be the largest investment tied to your home or building. Wouldn’t you want a highly trained, rated and certified roofing contractor performing the work with a brand that you can trust?

Call Today for a free estimate! 855-732-6868 or email troy@sandiegocountyroofing.com or Request an Estimate online.

Re-Roof Project in La Jolla, CA

Roofing in Action

Buying a home? Important read for home buyers and real estate professionals

One of the most overlooked aspects when purchasing a home is the condition of its roof. For the untrained eye, most roofs whether they are 5 or 15 years old don’t look much different from one another. The home inspector will usually only recommend a roof inspection if the roof is older than 20 years. A few weeks ago, we learned that’s not always a good rule of thumb, especially in San Diego – Read our last blog “The Problem with Tract Homes with Tile Roofs.”

Failure to get a roof inspection on that home you are looking to buy can prove costly once you get settled in and it starts to leak like a sieve once the first rain rolls into town. Time to put all of those home improvement projects you envisioned once you selected this home, it’s going to the roof! This can be avoided with a simple roof inspection.

If you are a real estate professional that is representing the buyer, it’s very important to inform your client that they should get a roof inspection before buying or they can expect a large expense in the near future. Even if there is no roofing credit issued, they need to know a budget number so they can start saving.

We offer four different options to the prospective buyer or real estate professional representing the buyer.

No Charge – We will look at the property online and give a (very) rough budget number for a re-roof over the phone.
$50 – $75 – We will order an aerial CAD drawing of the home and give a more accurate budget number over the phone and send a short email description.
$250+ – We will go on the roof of the home and perform a thorough inspection. We will provide you with digital pictures, a summary of the overall condition of the roof and a quote to repair defects or for a re-roof. If you end up hiring us to perform the recommended repairs or re-roof, we will deduct the cost of the inspection from your invoice.
$TBD Drone Inspections. We will preform cutting-edge drone inspections in 4k quality video. You will receive the footage on a USB thumb drive along with a report with condition and recommendations.

When you consider that the average re-roof cost in San Diego is roughly $15-$20k – it is imperative that you consider getting a roof inspection for your home or strongly recommending it to your client regardless of the age of the roof. This will help you and/or your client make a well informed decision when buying a home.

Hire San Diego County Roofing to perform this inspection for you. It’s simple. Call 855-732-6868 or email troy@sandiegocountyroofing.com or Request an Estimate online.