4 Popular Roofing Questions Answered

When talking with homeowners about roofing questions, these are some of the most common people want to ask, but don’t.

So instead they turn to a Google Search for all their roofing questions. This leads to finding articles with conflicting opinions.

We thought, “Why don’t we take the 4 most popular roofing questions and answer them ourselves?”

Here are all the questions you want to ask a roofing contractor, but never have.

Can I Roof My Own House?

Technically, yes, you could. As much as you can remodel parts of your house, but here’s why you may not want to.

Roofing is a dangerous job because of the elevation of where you’re working among other hazards. Experienced roofing contractors are required to pass ongoing safety training as part of their license. A homeowner, on the other hand, may not.

No only safety, but you will need to file a permit with the city. Part of that is knowing what’s considered “up to code” in the installation of a roof. If you’re unfamiliar with the structural requirements then you leave yourself open for future damage.

Additionally, one of the very best reasons to use a reputable roofing company is their knowledge of the supplementing process. Beyond knowing how to leverage a claim with your insurance, a roofer can spot all areas of damage (beyond the roof).

So again, while you have the option to roof your own house, we suggest otherwise. For more information, check out how to find a reputable roofer.

Can I Roof in the Rain?

Some roofing contractors will tell you that it’s ok to roof in the rain, however, we would tell you otherwise. There are a lot of concerns with roofing in the rain, especially:

• Adherence of Materials- The moisture will invariably make it hard for the shingles to seal properly.
• Warranty Issues- Some shingle manufacturers may void the warranty if there is evidence the shingles were improperly installed in rain.
• Wet Sheathing Issue- The plywood or OSB board that sits beneath the felt/shingles can retain moisture which may lead to mildew or mold.

We also encourage you to make sure your roofing contractor waits for a period of 3 days after a rain to allow it to dry properly.

Can I Roof Over Existing Shingles?

You may have scoured the web and found that some articles will suggest that you can roof over existing shingles. They may state that you can save money (no tear-off cost) and provide “extra” protection for your home.

No longer is this the common school of thought in the roofing industry.

In fact, in many states (including Nebraska) it is a violation of code to roof over existing.

What many people don’t know by roofing over existing shingles is that while you may save money initially, the damage is far worse in the long run. Shingles aren’t light and having two layers of them puts a lot of strain on your roof.

Can I Paint Roof Shingles?

The answer to this is…sorta. If you’re using asphalt or metal then you can’t paint these. Not only is there no paint that will stick (without affecting performance), they purposely provide these materials with a wide range of colors.

If, on the other hand, you’re using wood or slate then there is a potential to paint these. It’s good to find an experienced roofer who can guide you into what paints are intended for roofing. But overall, many roofers recommend against painting your roof. Since it’s far more exposed to the elements than the siding of your home, the paint won’t last as long.

And lastly, check your neighborhood covenants to ensure that painting your roof is permissible. You don’t want to go through all the effort and have to undo it.

Summary

Do you have any other burning roofing questions you’d want us to answer? Shoot us a message or give us a call at (402) 889-3381.