Roofing Contractor Checklist: Things to Look for When Choosing a Roofing Company

Roofing Contractor Checklist: Things to Look for When Choosing a Roofing Company

Apr 11, 2024

Roofing Contractor Checklist

Choosing the right roofing company is essential to making sure your home stays protected from the elements while also maintaining its aesthetic appeal. It’s not just about getting the job done; it’s about finding a partner who can deliver reliability, quality, and peace of mind. In your hunt for the perfect roofing contractor, here are five crucial factors to consider, presented through the lens of both positives and negatives. If you need Emergency Roof Repair now, contact us HERE

1. Experience and Expertise

Look For: A contractor with a solid track record and extensive experience. Stonebridge Roofing, for example, brings years of expertise to the table, ensuring that they can handle a wide range of roofing problems with ease. An experienced contractor can navigate the complexities of any project, providing solutions that are both effective and durable.

Beware Of: New or inexperienced contractors may offer lower prices, but they often lack the skills and knowledge necessary to deal with unexpected challenges. This can result in subpar work that might cost you more in the long run.

2. Licenses and Insurances

Look For:  It’s essential that your contractor is fully licensed and insured. This not only demonstrates their legitimacy but also protects you from liability in case of accidents or damage. Stonebridge Roofing maintains all necessary licenses and insurance, giving clients peace of mind knowing they’re in responsible hands.

Beware Of: Contractors who can’t provide proof of licensure or insurance. Hiring such contractors exposes you to unnecessary risks, including potential legal and financial liabilities.

3. Reputation and Reviews:

Look For: Positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers. A reputable company like Stonebridge Roofing often has a portfolio of successful projects and glowing reviews, showcasing their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Beware Of: A lack of reviews or a pattern of negative feedback can be red flags. They suggest a company’s inability to meet client expectations or a history of poor-quality work.

4. Price and Value:

Look For: Competitive pricing that reflects the quality of materials and workmanship. Stonebridge Roofing ensures that you get what you pay for, offering reasonable quotes that match the high level of service and outcomes they deliver.

Beware Of: Extremely low bids may be tempting but often indicate corners being cut, either in materials or labor. Conversely, exorbitant prices don’t always guarantee superior quality. Balance is key.

5. Customer Service and Communication:

Look For: A contractor who listens to your needs, communicates clearly, and keeps you informed throughout the project. Stonebridge Roofing prides itself on its customer service, ensuring clients feel supported from start to finish.

Beware Of: Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, unsatisfactory results, and frustration. Contractors who seem disinterested or are difficult to reach should be avoided.

Stonebridge Commitment

Choosing the right roofing contractor involves careful consideration of their experience, credentials, reputation, pricing, and customer service. Stonebridge Roofing exemplifies the positive aspects of what to look for in a roofing contractor, making them a premier choice for homeowners in North Florida seeking expertise in roof replacements and repairs. Remember, a good roofing contractor is not just a service provider but a partner in maintaining the safety and beauty of your home.

Hurricane Proof Your Roof

Hurricane Proof Your Roof

Jul 18, 2023

Preparing your roof for hurricane season is a multi-step process designed to ensure your roof as sturdy and secure as possible. With regular maintenance and attention to detail, you’ll be sure that your home and family will be protected. Here’s some things you’ll want to do:

1. **Get A Roof Inspection:** It’s always a good hire a local professional to inspect your roof for any potential damage or weak areas. If you’re comfortable doing it yourself, look for missing or loose shingles, rusted flashing, worn seals, and any other signs of damage. Don’t forget to check the underside of the roof from your attic for signs of leaks or water damage.

2. **Repairs:** Any signs of damage or wear should be repaired promptly. Loose or missing shingles should be replaced, as these can be easily torn off by high winds, creating a weak spot in your roof. If the flashing is rusted or damaged, it should also be replaced to prevent leaks.

3. **Trim Trees:** Trim back any tree branches that overhang your roof. In a hurricane, these branches can be torn off and thrown onto your roof, potentially causing severe damage.

4. **Gutter Maintenance:** Clean your gutters and make sure they’re securely attached. Blocked or loose gutters can overflow, causing water damage to your home, and can be torn off in high winds.

6. **Professional Check-up:** If you’re in a high-risk area, consider having a professional wind mitigation inspector check your home. They can identify potential weaknesses and recommend fixes to help your home withstand a hurricane.

7. **Insurance Check-up:** Make sure your home insurance policy covers hurricane damage, and understand the terms. Some policies have a separate hurricane deductible, and others may not cover flood damage.

8. **Prepare for Emergency Repairs:** Keep materials such as tarps, plywood, and nails on hand for emergency post-storm repairs.

Remember, the best time to prepare your roof for hurricane season is well in advance of any storms. A well-maintained and sturdy roof can greatly reduce the potential damage to your home during a hurricane.

Financing a New Roof: 3 Ways on How to Do It

Financing a New Roof: 3 Ways on How to Do It

Mar 2, 2023

Replacing your old roof with a new, more efficient one can be a huge investment. Then again, delaying it further when your home clearly needs a new one can lead to costly fixes. If you can’t pay for a new roof due to a lack of out-of-pocket funds, know that there are ways you can finance this major home improvement.

7 Signs You Need A New Roof

7 Signs You Need A New Roof

Feb 11, 2023

Here in Jacksonville, roofs take a beating from salt, wind, UV radiation, and heat. Generally, roofs in northern Florida will last about 15-20 years, but any roof in the region should be inspected every year. Roof repairs should always be done by a local, professional roofing company who is licensed and insured. But how do you know when to call them? Depending on the style of roof, some will show wear better than others, so today we will suggest seven visual signs that your roof needs replacing.

Sign 1: Leaks and Stains
Visible stains on a ceiling or wall may appear to be an obvious roof problem. However, roof leaks can be tricky to locate because water can enter the attic, travel along framing like trusses, and drip somewhere unrelated to the leak. If you see a new stain along an exterior wall or ceiling you may need an emergency repair.

Crawling around in attics with no floor can lead to accidents and personal injury, so leave that task to the pros. Jacksonville roofers have experience working in hot Florida attics and can use that experience to find elusive roof leaks and their sources. Many Jacksonville roofers even wear special boots that allow them to safely walk across trusses and up steep roof angles.

Sign 2: The Roof is Old
It’s a good idea to keep maintenance records on your home like the age of your roof. Most asphalt shingle roofs will last between ten and twenty years, but if your records show it’s time for a replacement, get your roof inspected by a licensed and insured, Jacksonville roofing company. Roof repairs are critical to the health of your home because leaks can cause mold and mildew growth. Even if you see no visual problems yourself, let a pro perform a no-obligation inspection of your roof to prevent future damage.

Sign 3: Look For Debris In Your Gutters
It might seem counterintuitive to look for roof issues in your gutters, but doing so is a smart move. Most Jacksonville roofs are made from materials that wear over time, like fiberglass/asphalt shingles, tiles, and wooden shakes. As the roof wears, the material it sheds will usually collect in the gutters, as the material is too heavy to be washed away.

To perform your own inspection, look for what appears to be sand in the bottom of the gutter. Most of the debris will collect at the lowest point on the gutter, so usually the first place to look is near the downspout. If you cannot see the bottom of the gutter because the debris is blocking your view, a significant amount of the roof has eroded away. If you discover you need an emergency roof repair caused by a strong storm, get a professional inspection by a licensed and insured roofer.

Sign 4: Cracks or Gaps in Your Flashing
Jacksonville roofs can get some severe weather, so even a small crack around roof flashing (thin sheet metal) can allow precipitation to penetrate the roof. Even if the leak only occurs when the rain is blowing sideways, eventually the damage will accumulate. When it does, the roof underlayment and roof decking will begin to soften and rot.

Sign 5: Sags in the Roof
You may have seen older homes with roofs that appear to dip and sag. More often than not, the framing under these roofs has become water damaged, allowing the framing to bend under the weight of the roof. Sagging roofs can still be repaired and reroofed, but care should be taken to hire an experienced professional who is licensed and insured.

Professionals should determine which style of roof will function best in the situation. For example, an inexperienced roofer may be unaware that certain types of roofing require specific roof pitches to work as designed. Using the incorrect roof material on a sagging roof can actually cause more problems than it solves, so always consult a professional in these situations.

Sign 6: Moss and Mold On Your Roof
Moss on your roof indicates a moisture problem severe enough to cause rot. These plants require near constant moisture and limited sunlight, so if they are actively growing on your roof, the roof is never completely drying out. Roofs should be dry in a matter of hours after a rain shower, so if your roof is holding moisture, the moss and mold will be a likely indicator.

Sign 7: Small Visible Damage
Most roofing materials will degrade over time and leave debris in the gutters. A very common find are small bits of roofing material that have dry rotted and broken away. For asphalt shingles, these are often small corners of a shingle, or in the case of shakes, small splinters of wood as  these roofing materials begin to degrade with age.

Get Help Today! Contact Stonebridge Roofing
If you are unaware of the age of your roof, but begin to see small pieces of debris at the base of your downspouts, you can assume your roof is approaching its lifespan. This is a perfect time to contact a reputable Jacksonville roofing company, like Stonebridge Roofing and request a roof health report from a local expert roofer. For $150, your roof health report will include an overview of any visible damage (with photos), repair recommendations and an assessment of the lifespan left on your current roof.

Stonebridge Roofing is a licensed and insured, certified roofing installer, so they are approved by the manufacturer to provide a warranty. Stonebridge Roofing can also help with new replacement windows, vinyl siding, gutters, and painting as well. Let Stonebridge Roofing become your first choice for all things exterior. Financing Options are available! Request your free quote today.

What to Consider When Comparing Roofing Warranties

What to Consider When Comparing Roofing Warranties

Feb 15, 2021

Whether you’re working on a new roof construction or a roof replacement, one of the most important factors you should look into is the presence and quality of the warranty or warranties that accompany your new roofing system. Manufacturing warranties protect you from manufacturing defects that can lead to unexpected or premature roof failure. Workmanship warranties are your protection against roof failure or damage caused by installation errors.

These are the features that you should look for if you want a strong and reliable roofing warranty:

Reputable Brand of Products

Reputable manufacturers back their products with reliable warranties that are often comprehensive. These warranties also typically have long coverage, and it’s easier to file against them if problems arise with your roofing system. It’s a good idea to purchase roofing products from known manufacturers.

Licensed and Certified Contractor

It’s also advisable to choose roofing companies that have a long history of excellence over new or inexperienced contractors. The best contractors are licensed to operate in your area, and they are certified by the manufacturers of the products they carry so you can be sure they know what they’re doing. Reputable contractors also often back their workmanship with a separate warranty.

Length of Warranty

The leading roofing material brands include warranties with their products that will cover you for many years to come. Some of their warranties are special, so they’re good for a longer period of time, have more coverage, and might even be transferable should you choose to sell your home.

Warranty Coverage

Learn about the kind of coverage your warranty offers. What are the conditions, the inclusions, and the exclusions? Will your coverage include the labor, or should you get a separate warranty for that? Lastly, find out what things can void your warranty so you know what to avoid. Knowing what you can expect from your warranty can save you from a lot of issues.

Limitations

A lifetime warranty is actually a lifetime “limited” warranty. It might last for as long as the roofing materials are expected to last. Many warranties will cover only a portion of the expected lifespan of the product. 

Stonebridge Roofing, Waterproofing and Exteriors can discuss your roofing warranty with you. We are trusted roofers and home exterior experts. Call us today at (904) 262-6636, or contact us here.

4 Roof Maintenance Habits to Get Into This Year

4 Roof Maintenance Habits to Get Into This Year

Jan 15, 2021

Spring won’t be due until a couple of months from now, but it’s never too early to start planning your upcoming roof maintenance. Here are some good roof maintenance habits to start this year.

1. Make Roofing Inspections Part of Your Regular Home Maintenance
Visual inspections complement the scheduled maintenance performed by your roofing contractors and can be done without climbing onto your roof. On a clear day, take a pair of binoculars, and inspect the roofing surface for signs of damage, including missing flashing and aging asphalt shingles. Call your roofing contractor for repairs in case you find such problems.

2. Trim the Trees in Your Yard
If you have trees on your property, maintaining a clearance between the roofing surface and the outermost branches has many benefits. It helps prevent scratches on the roofing surface. It helps reduce leaves and needles getting into the gutters, and it helps avoid damage to the roof that’s usually caused by falling branches. Roofing companies like us recommend keeping a clearance of about 10 feet. An arborist can help you trim the branches without harming the tree.

3. Clean the Gutters 
Many people consider their gutters as a separate system, but they are very much a part of the roofing system. Clogged gutters can cause damage to the roof. Gutters generally require cleaning twice a year. You can choose to do this yourself as part of your house maintenance routing, or you can hire a professional. Gutter protection systems can help reduce gutter maintenance requirements and are worth the investment.

4. Stick to Your Maintenance Routine
Roof maintenance is only effective if you stick to your routine. Fortunately, it’s not something you need to do every day. Set a reminder at the beginning of spring and autumn. Clean the gutters, inspect the roof, and call for roofing assistance when needed.

Stonebridge Roofing, Waterproofing, and Exteriors is your leading provider of roof replacement and installation services. Give us a call at (904) 262-6636. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.