Tag Archive for: Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement

How to Remove Roof Shingles

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Broken, curling shingles spell trouble for any homeowner. There may or may not be actual leaks present in the actual roof at the time, but there are sure to be in the future if repairs aren’t made. Roof repair and replacement both start with one major step  –  removing roof shingles.

Those that are really looking to take on this project themselves should first get a detailed set of instructions from the roofing manufacturers. This set of instructions is strictly to get an idea of the process. We are not responsible for any accidents, warranty voids or mishandling. We highly recommend allowing professionals, like ourselves, to replacing your roofs. We offer the best warranties and coverage, aside from manufacturers, for replacement roofs that are available to homeowners in the New England area.

This is one method of removing two layers of shingles from a simple, gabled low-pitched roof measuring about 14 feet by 42 feet on each plane, or just about 1200 square feet. It’s worth noting, though, that projects of this magnitude are beyond the skill level of many homeowners, so it is a good idea to consult with professional contractors before undertaking any roof removal project.

Tools and Materials Needed:001-resized-600

– Flat-Blade Shovel

– Hammer

– Nails

– Pitchfork

– Pry Bar

– Shingle Removal Scraper

– Utility Trailer, Tarps

First, a tool called a shingle scraper will be needed. This is similar to a flat-blade shovel, except it has some very big teeth. A triangular “heel” is welded to the bottom, and this acts as a ramp to pivot the scraper, which then pushes under the shingles and lifts them from the roof. The shingle scraper can also be used to pry up the roofing nails.

Some older roofs will have a strip of sheet metal along the lower edge. Most roofing professionals today recommend that this be taken off. The roof shingle scraper is able to get under the sheet metal’s edge and pry it up.

In the absence of a shingle scraper, a flat-blade garden shovel may also be used to remove roof shingles. A common garden pitchfork may also be useful for removing the top layer of shingles, but it cannot easily be used to take off the bottom layer.

It generally takes four people working all together about two hours to completely remove the shingles off a roof about 1200 square feet in size.

Once the roof shingles come off, they have to somehow be disposed of, and this is one of the most difficult parts of the shingle removing process. Asphalt shingles are heavy. Even the cheapest shingle grades weigh around 225 pounds per 100 square feet. It is helpful to have a large dumpster at the ready to make the roof shingle disposal easier.

Even after the main roof shingles come off, there will be bits of shingle stuck to the wood. There will also be numerous roofing nails that will either need to be removed or pounded down. A rip-claw hammer is a great tool for this task. It can easily remove any remaining roofing debris and pull out nails that are still in the wood. This usually takes about an hour for the whole roof.

It should not be surprising to see many boards that sheathed loose nails. Be sure to hammer down all these nails. Older roofs, especially, will be composed mostly of 1×10 wooden planks. This was common before the widespread use of plywood for roof and floor sheathing.

Follow the roof boards down to where the rafters are. There should be many rusty nails visible at this point.

As a final step, drive in eight-penny nails for securing the roof sheathing boards to the rafters. This will help prepare the roof for the next steps in the repair process. It is recommended that one or two nails be used for each ten-inch-wide board on each rafter.

It would be wise to keep in mind that this is not a project for the inexperienced do-it-yourselfer, or even for someone more experienced without any outside help. Mistakes happen often when nonprofessionals try to do a job like this, and installation mistakes result in voided warranties, making for an incredibly costly error. Homeowners should consult with the professionals at United Home Experts before undertaking any project of this magnitude to get free estimates on home roof repair.

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Fiberglass Asphalt Shingles

There are asphalt shingles that use a different base material than the usual asphalt roof shingles. One of these is the fiberglass asphalt shingle. In contrast, regular asphalt shingle, also called organic asphalt shingle, uses paper or shredded wood as its base.  Fiberglass acts as the mat for this type. This gives it characteristics not found in the organic shingle.

What Makes It Different

These fiberglass asphalt roof shingles Roofare thinner compared to those with a paper base. The matting needs to be sturdy enough in order to support the asphalt placed on it. Because the fiberglass type needs less material to support asphalt, they are much lighter. Installation is thus made considerably easier.

Heat and fire resistance is also much higher with this type of roof shingle. Paper, being paper (or wood being wood, for that matter), is susceptible to heat and fire. This causes it to ignite at temperatures lower than the fiberglass variety. The higher fire rating of the fiberglass shingle makes it more ideal for warmer regions, although it can also work as well in colder ones.

The manufacturers’ warranties also differ. Fiberglass warranties go as high as half a century while the organic variety warranties generally range from 25 years to 40 years, or even less for some. The warranty, however, does not automatically make a particular brand a good choice. It represents, to some extent, the manufacturers’ confidence in their product.

Quality Standards

The material used to make a roof shingle does not automatically make it good. It depends on the standards used by the manufacturer when they make the product. The minimum acceptable standard for organic and fiberglass is different for each type. For the organic variety, the standard is set by ASTM D225. On the other hand, ASTM D3462 is the standard for fiberglass. These asphalt shingles need to meet these minimum requirements before they are deemed acceptable for installation in a home or building. How far these standards are exceeded by the manufacturer is an indication of their quality.

The United Home Experts Advantage

Here at United Home Experts, we strive to provide one of the highest warranties in the country for fiberglass shingles. On top of this we also provides a warranty on installation that ranges between five to fifteen years. This provides the prospective customer with an idea of how confident they can be with the roof shingles provided by United Home Experts.

CertainTeed, one of the best manufacturers in CertainTeed Logothe nation of asphalt shingles, have rated United Home Experts as a SELECT ShingleMaster. This is the highest rating they have for a roofer. This is due to the company’s long experience in the roofing business and the many satisfied customers it has. Incidentally, this has also earned them an A rating with the Better Business Bureau.

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The Advantages of Fiberglass Asphalt Shingles

The problem with re-roofing a house is not just the expense.  It is also the time and inconvenience, as well as the durability of the materials.

Therefore, when a home needs a new roof, several factors must be weighed.  Cost is one factor.  Another is how quickly the job can SAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERAbe completed.  The third, and possibly the most important consideration, is durability.  In other words, how long will the new roof last?

Roofs in the Northeast, for example, must be able to withstand extremely harsh weather—everything from intense heat to extreme cold, high winds, and pounding rain.

Homeowners have many choices when it comes to the composition of a new roof.  Three of the most common are wood shingles, tile, and fiberglass asphalt shingles.

For homes which are subject to the extremes in weather that the Northeast is famous for, only one style of roofing meets all three homeowner requirements: fair price, speed of installation, and long-lasting durability. That choice is fiberglass asphalt shingles.

Wood shingles warp and crack under the extreme temperature variations of the Northeast.  To a somewhat lesser extent, the same is true of tile shingles. Fiberglass asphalt shingles, which come in a number of pleasing colors and patterns, are clearly the best choice when it comes to protecting a home, especially in the harsh conditions of the Northeast.

Roof shingles made from fiberglass asphalt expand and contract with temperature rather than crack, and roofing shingles professionally installed by a quality company such as United Home Experts are 100% guaranteed. Other companies may offer a slightly more attractive price, but when it comes to top-notch, skilled craftsmanship there is nothing more solid than a company such as United Home Experts, which has almost 8,000 happy customers and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Start with a free quote.  It is important to deal with a company that will provide an actual quote and not an estimate – estimates have a way of vanishing into thin air when the work actually begins.  It is also important that the quote not be part of a high-pressure sales pitch.

Choice is another important consideration.  The color and pattern of the roof must complement the home it protects.  Many companies offer only a limited number of choices when it comes to roofing material, but a reliable company such as United Home Experts offers the homeowner a wide range of choices when it comes to its durable, long-lasting, guaranteed roof shingles.

Choosing a roofing material that is guaranteed to last and hiring a rock-solid locally based company that treats each and every customer with respect is of vital importance.  After all, a house is more than just a long-term investment – a house is also a home.

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Asphalt Roof Tiles and Stone-Coated Roof Tiles

Roof tiles come in many varieties like asphalt and stone coated tiles. Both of these types have their advantages and disadvantages.

Asphalt TilesNatick Roof B and A

There are basically two kinds of asphalt roof tiles: organic (paper-based) and fiberglass. This depends on the material used as a base on which the asphalt is attached. Organic tiles are usually waste paper saturated with asphalt and ceramic granules to make it durable and resistant to both water and algae. The downside to this type, however, is that it is vulnerable to fire damage.

The fiberglass variety uses a mat base of glass fiber, which is then coated with asphalt and other mineral fillers. The resulting roof tile is also resistant to water. Compared to the organic variety, it is better able to resist fire damage due to the material used. The more expensive kind of fiberglass asphalt tile is the laminated roof tile. This is composed of two fiberglass layers with asphalt used as a sealant to bond both together. It is also called an architectural asphalt shingle.

Based on what asphalt tiles are made of, they are not expensive and easy to install. However, they last longer in places where the ambient temperature is cool as opposed to places that are warmer. This type of shingle is also susceptible to sudden rises in temperature, called thermal shock. The warranty for these tiles range from two to five decades depending on how well they are manufactured.

Stone-Coated Metal Roof Tiles

The construction of these tiles is similar in principle to the asphalt tile, with the big difference being its base, which is metal. It therefore has the water resistant properties of an asphalt tile. On top of that, it also has the advantages of having metal, such as steel, at its core.

This type of roofing tile is resistant to fire, wind, and hail. Because of its stone covering, it has the same aesthetic qualities as an asphalt tile. Despite being made partially of metal, it is lightweight and needs little maintenance. However, it is susceptible to thermal expansion when exposed to high temperatures. This causes an undesirable movement in the installed tiles. It is thus important to have an expert install this type of roof tile.

It is also considerably more expensive when compared to an asphalt tile. It costs twice or thrice that of a typical asphalt roof.

To Sum It UpRoof Thumbnail

With the right installation and maintenance, asphalt is the viable choice. United Home Experts has long experience in aiding clients choose the best type of tile for their roofing needs and budget. Visit the website UnitedHomeExperts.com or call for advice and an estimate.

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Asphalt Shingle Warranty

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When you buy asphalt shingles for your home it is very important that you know exactly what you are paying for. It’s a large investment, and at times there can be some confusion as to what exactly is included in your asphalt shingle warranty.

Be aware that when you purchase “30-year shingles” it doesn’t necessarily mean that your roof will be fully covered for a full 30 years. Many companies will offer a limited warranty, but there are often many caveats to be aware of.

Most limited warranties won’t Asphalt Shinglescover any type of damage that is not deemed to have been a defect of your asphalt shingles from day one. This means that damage during installation, fire or emergency damage, and even weather damage may not be covered. If your shingles were not installed by exact specifications, that too, may void your warranty.

Luckily there are reputable companies out there which will give you a better and fair asphalt shingle warranty, though you may have to be diligent in making sure that you find one of these companies and get yourself a very good deal.

It’s important to be sure of exactly what you’re getting yourself into with any investment as important as the roof of your home, and if you do keep your wits about it there should be no trouble at all finding a certifie

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d and trustworthy company willing to give you a fair estimate and, importantly, be upfront with you on the details.

At United Home Experts we offer a full coverage warranty that covers materials, labor, and workmanship for the life of the roof. Please request our full warranty for full details. For more information about our roofing services, visit out main roofing page!

Click here for another article that details roof warranties.

**Call us today for a free estimate at 888-724-6865.

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Asphalt Shingles – Most Affordable in Roofing Cost Comparison

If you have researched the cost of having a new roof installed, you’ve probably learned that Asphalt Shingles are the most affordable roofing product. For example, Architectural Asphalt Shingles are less than half the cost of Standing Seam Metal Roofing, Inter-locking Metal Roofing and Cedar Roofing Shingles. Asphalt Shingles are 1/3 the cost of Slate Roofing Shingles. If you put this into dollar amounts, you can assume that the installation of Architectural Asphalt Shingles installation will range from $4-$7 per square foot, while Standing Seam Metal Roofing, Inter-locking Metal Roofing and Cedar Roofing Shingles installations range from $8-$13 per square foot, and the installation of Slate Roofing Shingles range from $10-$20 per foot.

The more complex your roofing project is, the more costly your project will end up. The asphalt roofing prices mentioned above are the lowest prices you will find for a new roof. The cost will increase based on the complexity of your roof, that is, the number of cuts, angles and planes of your roof. The cost of your roofing project will also increase based on the incorporation of expensive products such as metal or slate.

Granted, in searching for the best roofing material, some experts same that slate is supreme because of its durability. Chosen for its resistance to corrosion and fire, experts have found that slate roofs need minimal repairs. Slate may be durable, but it is not very affordable, costing anywhere between $10 and $20 per foot in contrast with asphalt roofing ranging between $4 and $7 per square foot. There are so many other factors that may affect the cost of your roofing project. The only way to know for sure is to get a roofing estimate. You may also find our free roofing guide helpful.

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Importance of Roof Ventilation

Now that the importance of ventilation has been established this article will talk about the common types of attic ventilation.

Gable Vents–Roof-Gable-Vents

These are openings in the gable (peaks at the ends of the house) which are usually rectangular in shape but can also be triangle, oval or other such shape.  This method provides for cross ventilation but only moves air in the upper portion of the attic.  This is how many homes were built prior to the use of ridge vents.  What many customers and contractor aren’t aware of is if a house has properly installed lower ventilation and upper ventilation then gable vents are actually counter- productive as they interfere with the convection action.

Roof-Ridge-Vents

Ridge vents-

A ridge vent is a cut down the center of the roof at the peak, which exposes the rafters of the roof and allows for the escape of air.  The opening is then sheltered with a baffeled cover which prevents water and critters from getting in.  Finally it is capped with roofing shingles to blend in with the rest of the roof.

Soffit Vents-Roof-Soffit-Vents

These are openings which are cut into the soffit (overhang) allowing for the intake of exterior air up into the attic space.  It is very important to make sure that attic insulation is not blocking the outer wall and stuffed all the way down into the rafters, as the opening will be blocked and airflow will not be achieved.  If the air space is blocked this can be remedied by installing what are called “baffles”.  Baffles are simply Styrofoam pieces that are stuffed down in the rafters on the outer wall of the attic keeping the insulation pulled back allowing a channel for the airflow.

Roof-ConvectionConvection-

The best designed ventilation systems have what is called “convection” with lower intake of air and upper outflow of air.  Cooler, dryer outside air will enter the soffit vent near the attic floor which in turn forces the existing heat and moisture filled air out through the ridge vent placed high on the roof peak.

Unique Challenges-

Some houses are constructed in such ways that different types of ventilation, such as power venting and static vents, are required.  United Home Experts is skilled in handling these unique challenges.  Contact us today for a free no obligation roofing estimate.

For information about how much roofing costs read this article: “How Much Does A New Roof Cost?“

Or to learn more about proper roofing installation, download our free guide:

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Signs of a Bad Roofer – 2 : By a Respected Roofing Contractor in MA

By: Doug Partridge: Doug Partridge has worked in the home improvement industry for  over thirty years in the areas of project design, estimation, project management, sales and sales management.

Part 2 : Signs of a Bad Roofer : Professionalism

Read Part 1 Here

  1. No personal presentation.    Roofing projects can be complicated. Customer questions and concerns should be patiently and fully answered.  Dropping an estimate in the mailbox gets the contractor “off-the-hook” for critical details and leaves the customer “in-the-dark”.
  2. “Get your own permit”.   DANGER!   If a “contractor” wants the homeowner to pull the permit, he probably is un-licensed, and almost always un-insured.  If the homeowner pulls the permit, he is completely responsible for the job; legally, financially and insurance-wise (both liability and workman’s comp.).  The contractor then becomes the homeowner’s employee.  If the contractor gets hurt, botches the estimate, causes damage, or wastes materials, etc., the responsibility, costs and liability fall totally on the homeowner.  This is how people lose their homes!
  3. No attic inspection. describe the image  Inspection of the underside of the roof (if possible) is critical for a complete and accurate evaluation and estimate.  (The exceptions  are cathedral ceilings and similar structures where access is not available).  This can prevent un-expected, huge, add-on expenses during the installation. (example: complete plywood re-deck, often building-code required)  It can also reveal potentially dangerous health issues such as mold, mildew, and animal infestations (commonly bats, squirrels and birds).
  4. No proof of licenses, insurances or permit.   A professional contractor will carry and provide copies of required licenses and an “Acord” insurance certificate which documents liability and workman’s comp. insurance.  This is required before a permit can be granted.  A copy of the permit should be available, preferably on-site, before works begins.
  5. Through-roof fixtures.    All through-roof fixtures, such as stack pipes, box vents, skylights, chimneys, etc. should be noted, evaluated and discussed.  Some are replaced with new units during installation.  Skylights rarely last longer than 20 years and when they leak, can create costly collateral damages (ceilings, cabinets, flooring, etc.).  Preventive maintenance is wise.
  6. Installation duration and schedule.    Most residential roofs can be installed in a day or two by a normal-sized crew.  Lengthy installs can often lead to many costly problems and often indicate inadequate staffing.  Long wait times in scheduling the install can be a sign of low priority.  If the contractor low-bid the job, he may put more profitable work in front of yours.
  7. Debris disposal and permit.   Many towns require disposal permits, dumpster permits, or written notice of the licensed waste disposal location.  Most roofing shingles are “hazardous waste” and must be disposed of properly.
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Roof Replacement in Massachusetts: 4 Keys to a Leak-Proof Roof

Luxury Roof Thumbnail Roofers in Massachusetts have their work cut out for them.  Every season presents it’s own weather  conditions that make it difficult to keep a leak proof roof.  Here are 4 of the essential things that all  responsible roofing contractor in massachusetts will provide without question.

 #1:  Don’t skimp on High Quality Ice and Water Shield:

Ice Dams are a big problem in New England.  Most roofers will install some amount  of low-  grade ice and water shield.  But the questions are:  How much ice and water shield are they using?    And what quality is it? We recommend using a minimum of 6 ft. Certainteed WinterGuard from the eaves, and 3 feet from the gable ends. A full 3 ft. roll should be used in all valleys. We do this on all our roofing replacements in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.

 

#2: Use a quality shingle with a substantial weight per square (100 square ft.):

That durability and longevity of a roofing shingle is primarily determined by the amount of asphalt and aggregate it’s made from.  More material means more weight, so the heavier a shingle is the better quality it is (in general).  Many of the roofing shingles that are sold on the shelves of the big box stores aren’t even labeled with a weight per square.  Stay away from these roofing products.  Landmark Architectural shingles range between 250-340 lbs per square.  There are even shingles available that weigh more than 400 lbs. per square.

 #3: Make sure your gutters are clean and functioning properly:

Most winter roof leaks in Massachusetts are due to ice build up in the gutters and on the roof which can often be caused by leaf filled gutters that cannot drain properly.  However, even a new, clean gutter can get ice damming.  If you have an ice damn problem, consider installing deicing lines as a temporary solution, but also contact a roofing installer to repair or replace your roof.

 #4: Care:

The bottom line is even experienced roofing installers in MA will leave you with issues if they don’t put the proper effort and care into installing your roof. At first glance there may not be a noticeable difference between a properly installed roof and a poorly installed roof because so much of what determines the quality and durability of a roof is underneath the shingle.

These are just a few of the necessary steps to having a long-lasting leak proof roof.  Contact us today if you’d like to discuss a roof replacement project.

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