Jacob's Ladder Construction & Roofing LLC Frequently Asked Questions

Roof leaks are caused by a number of factors, but the most common are:

Foot Traffic: Obviously, you’ve got to get up on your roof to do routine maintenance, including removing fallen sticks and branches or decluttering large piles of leaves that could cause water dams, but too much foot traffic on the roof is going to inevitably cause the shingles to begin to wear away. Be especially careful about any dropped tools that may puncture the shingles or underlayment.

Seams: The tar paper or membrane that's rolled out on top of the sheathing and underneath the shingles is one of the most common places for leaks to form. While they're placed one on top of the other so the water always runs down, there are seams where this membrane stops. Generally, a membrane won’t roll out seamlessly across your entire roof. If the right shingle gets loose above the right membrane seam, then there’s a leak.

Neglect: As we mentioned, a roofer needs to get up on the roof to do maintenance. Some of that includes making sure that everything is sealed. Anything that sticks up through the shingles (a pipe, vent, skylight, etc.) will have sealant around it to keep it watertight. As years go by, that sealant may crack. Always keep an eye on it or, better yet, have a professional roof inspector keep an eye on it.

Weather: Windstorms, which are common in this part of the country, and even hurricanes can do serious damage to your roof. As soon as it’s safe to leave your home after a major storm, do a walkaround to make sure that everything is where it should be. Make sure no shingles are missing, no tree limbs are down, and that no fascia is torn off.

The difference between a roof repair and replacement is a big one. Here are some warning signs to look out for that may indicate it's time to replace your roof.

Water Damage in the Attic: If you’re getting brown, yellow, or gray moisture stains or peeling paint in your attic, upstairs, or ceilings, that means water is coming down through your roof and you have a serious problem on your hands. Of course, if you can identify the problem as soon as it appears, then you can take care of it without doing a full roof replacement, but large-scale staining is an indicator that the problem is widespread.

It's Simply Old: Roofs don’t last forever. The average lifespan of a shingle roof is between 15 and 25 years, and the average lifespan of other types of roofs, like tile or metal, can be 30 to 50 years, according to HomeAdvisor. At some point, it’s going to be time to replace your roof. When you purchase your home, try to find out when the roof was last replaced. If you don’t have that information, have a professional roofer come take a look at it.

The Roof Is Sagging: If your roof is sagging, you know you have big problems. A sagging roof means that the sheathing is damaged and rotting. This can be worse if the roof trusses or beams need to be replaced, too. Don’t wait on a sagging roof just because you know it could be a costly expense. When a roof starts to sag, there’s a danger that it might collapse, especially during a large-scale weather event.

Moss, Mold, or Fungus: If you can see moss, mold, or fungus growing anywhere on your roof, then it's time to get that roof replaced. If it’s on the inside, you know you’ve got leaks that are getting through. It's important to know that mold in the house can be deadly when inhaled. If it’s on the outside, it means that the shingles and possibly the wood beneath them have been compromised.

Missing Shingles: One or two missing shingles may be able to be repaired without a full roof replacement, but if there are many missing, or if they've been missing for a long time, then there’s a good chance that water has gotten down into the wood underneath.

Increasing Cooling Bills: If you’re having trouble keeping your house cool in the summer, then there’s a very good chance that your roof is compromised. A good roof will keep cool air inside, but a bad roof will let the hot air in and the cool air out. If you’ve noticed your electric bill has been getting consistently higher, then it’s probably time to get your roof replaced.

Almost all small roof fixes can be repaired in a day, assuming that the proper materials are in stock. For a scheduled roof replacement, the average residence with a roof of 3,000 square feet can be replaced in one or two days. For larger roofs with steep grades or curves, roofs that are inaccessible because of trees, and harsh weather during the repair, the roof replacement can take the roofer anywhere from three to five days to complete.

A new roof replacement is a big investment. You want to make sure that it's secure and can be relied on. Consequently, it’s important that you have a roof warranty and that you understand what kind you have.

There are three main types of roof warranties: a standard manufacturer’s warranty, a workmanship warranty, and an extended manufacturer’s warranty. Let’s look at each one in turn.

Standard Manufacturer’s Warranty: When your roofing contractor lays shingles on your roof, the shingles generally come with a manufacturer’s warranty, known as a basic limited lifetime warranty. In most cases, this means that your shingles will be under warranty for as long as you own the home. Depending on the manufacturer, the “limited” part of the warranty can mean different things. Most manufacturer warranties cover defective materials but not the cost to remove or install new shingles.

Many manufacturer warranties do cover the cost of replacing the defective shingles for a few years and, if the shingles are found to be defective during this time, they'll give you replacements at no cost. This can also cover the cost of installation but rarely covers the tear-off and disposal of defective shingles. These warranties only cover factory defects, not problems with installation or weather-related issues.

Roofing Contractor Workmanship Warranty: The roofer who replaces your roof will offer you a 10-year workmanship warranty with every installation job. These warranties cover installation worker errors. They'll typically also cover the cost of labor and any materials needed to complete the repairs. Workmanship warranties do NOT include weather damage, damage caused by another individual after installation, damage caused by foot traffic on the roof, and leaks caused by falling debris such as tree limbs.

Extended Manufacturer Warranty: Some manufacturers offer extended warranty coverage on new roofs installed by roofers who are certified with that particular manufacturer. Most extended warranties come with an additional cost and require that the entire roof system be replaced. The benefit is that it typically covers all roof system components and labor costs for repairs and replacements, including tear-off and disposal.

Laying New Shingles Over Old Ones: One of the big things that can void a roofing warranty is laying new shingles over old ones. While some roofing contractors may claim that this is the most cost-effective way to replace a roof and that the labor costs will be less because there's no tear-off and disposal, installing new shingles over old ones can void your manufacturer warranty. The manufacturer will not guarantee that their new shingles will work on your roof because there may be a hidden problem with the underlying shingles. Also, the additional weight of the two layers of shingles can be bad for the integrity of the roof.

Poor Maintenance: The warranty, depending on the manufacturer, may require routine maintenance as part of the terms of the agreement. This can include making sure that your roof remains free of debris. Additionally, not clearing out rain gutters can cause water to dam up and get underneath the shingles.

Poor Installation: There are cases where the roofer may be at fault for a voided manufacturer’s warranty. If the shingles are installed improperly (for example, if the shingles are not installed by a certified roofing contractor) then the manufacturer’s warranty will be voided. By taking shortcuts and not using a certified contractor who's familiar with the specifics of the shingle manufacturer’s guidelines, the manufacturer will not cover any losses.

Weather Damage to Shingles: Damage to shingles caused by weather can cause the warranty to be voided. Almost no shingle manufacturer will cover any damage caused by anything including, but not limited to, wind, ice dams, falling debris and tree limbs, lightning, and various other weather-related issues.

Damage Caused by the Homeowner: Shingles can be damaged by too much foot traffic. Some homes have gentle slopes that are often attractive places for homeowners or renters to venture onto. Doing so too frequently can cause shingles to crumble, loosen, and increase the chances of water-related damage in the future.

Yes, we do! Call us today to speak with a roofer from our team. We look forward to working with you.

We have over 16 years of experience serving the Winston-Salem market. For a roofer you can trust with your home, contact us today.

Yes, we are licensed and insured. For more information, contact us today to speak with a roofer from our team.

Gutters are an important part of your roofing system because they help keep water away from the foundation and walls of your home. They do this by collecting rainwater runoff from the roof in long, narrow troughs that extend down to the ground. The gutters then carry the water away from your house to a designated storm drain. For a roofer and gutter installer you can rely on, call us today.

Replacing your roof is a big investment and not one you should delay. Failing to replace your roof when it’s necessary can lead to you spending thousands of dollars on home repairs from leaky shingles and structural damage. Here are a few signs it’s time for a new roofing system:

• There are wet spots on your ceiling, in the attic, or in crawl spaces
• Your chimney’s masonry has cracked
• Shingles are curled, buckling, missing, or broken
• Your shingles are blistering
• Shingles are badly aging and missing granules
• You notice signs of roof rot, such as a spongy feeling when you or your roofer walks on it
• Water is backed up in your eaves
• Your flashing is damaged, or completely compromised