the roof over your head
The decision to buy a house is an enormous one for most people, and when we think of the qualities we want in a home, roofing materials and attic ventilation are probably not first on the list. Homeowners should think of that roof over their heads as more than a metaphor for the satisfactions of ownership, according to Shaun McGuinness, general manager of EverGuard Roofing in Albuquerque.
"The roof is the lid to your entire investment," he says.
While a roof inspection is part of the process of purchasing a home, prospective homeowners, in addition to doing a visual inspection themselves, if possible, may also consider hiring an independent roof inspector. A less expensive option is often made available by roofing companies.
"Many of us offer free inspections," says McGuinness, to give potential homeowners an idea of the life expectancy of the roof, and point out problems that may exist.
Once you own a home, whether to repair or replace a roof can be a thorny question, on which McGuinness offers some pretty straightforward advice.
"If it looks funky, it probably is," he said.
Asking a professional is definitely the way to go, but there are some telltale signs — 15 to 20 years is a typical lifespan
for a roof in the Southwest. Usually, the older the home, the less durable the roofing materials of the original roof will be. Water spots on the ceiling, soft spots around the swamp cooler, falling shingles, black patches on shingles, loose fibers and a generally aging appearance are all signs that a roof needs replacement rather than repair.
Repairs are done in the case of damage that is confined to a single area of the roof, such as a fallen tree limb or limited hail damage.
One caution offered by McGuinness, "A repair is a band aid; it can buy you a year or two, but the need for repairs is a sign that the roof is failing."
Another seemingly cost-saving strategy, putting the new roof over old shingles to save the cost of taking the old roof down to the decking, is counterproductive. Having two layers of shingles actually traps water and shortens the life of the new roof.
Whether pitched or flat, a roof is a system, consisting of layers that work together to protect your home. There is the structural layer of the building, a deck, sealant, underlayment, and the overlay, the visible portion. Pitched roofs have the most options: shingles, metal, clay or concrete tile, and even cedar shakes, which are occasionally seen in the Albuquerque metro, according to McGuinness, who also notes that roughly 70 percent of roofs in the Albuquerque area are flat. Flat roofs have fewer style options but have also benefited greatly from advancements in roofing technology, which include more flexible and waterproof materials such as thermoplastic polyolefin, or TPO, and the synthetic rubber roofing membrane referred to as EPDM, generally used in cooler climates.
Sufficient attic ventilation is the number one issue overlooked by homeowners, McGuinness notes, and it should be a priority. Under a pitched roof, an attic which is properly ventilated and insulated can cut heating and cooling costs, and extend the life of the roof. It's convenient to add insulation at the beginning of the roofing process, when the old materials have been taken down to the decking.
While ventilation is a first step for the energy conscious homeowner, a further step is installing solar panels. If you have a pitched roof, it's best to talk to the roofing company who installed your roof and ask them to work the solar panel installation company, to be sure that the roofing system isn't damaged. Otherwise, the integrity of the roof may be compromised by insufficient flashing, or waterproofing, around the racking that holds the panels. Panels can be installed on flat roofs with a ballast system which does not penetrate the roof, and some metal roofing is designed with raised seams to which solar panels can be affixed without penetrating the roof, according to McGuinness.
When balancing durability, appearance and budget, homeowners should take the long view. According to Johnny Sanchez, production manager and part owner of Goodrich Roofing in Albuquerque, homeowners should chose the highest quality materials they can afford, and know what is in the warranty. Manufacturers offer warranties on materials, some 10 to 30 years, the most common shingle warranties being 20 to 50 years. There are also workmanship warranties offered by contractors, and both of these should be considered. He offers another suggestion for those new to home ownership; do not go with a company that uses what are referred to as "hot process" roofing methods, which for pitched roofs may involve a blow torch, and for flat roofs, and vat of hot, liquid tar. These methods are unsafe, outdated and not used by most contractors.
Like so many aspects of our homes, we experience the benefits of a solid roof every moment we own the house, and don't pay much attention to it until something goes wrong. By choosing high quality materials, a reputable roofing contractor and seeking the advice of roofing professionals when thinking about repair, replacement and changes such as adding solar panels, homeowners can add to the security, value and beauty of their homes.