How do I know if I have a roof problem?
Unfortunately, many smaller roof problems can go unnoticed until they become a BIG problem! Because of this, we recommend that homeowners have their roofing inspected at least twice a year so that we can find any small problems before they cause major damage. We also recommend that homeowners have a roofing inspection done before buying or selling a new home, and this is usually part of a normal home inspection. Your periodic inspections will usually discover any cracked, warped, or missing shingles, and they will notice any roofing problems visible from the exterior of the home.
Indoors, a leaky roof may show up as cracked paint, discolored plaster or drywall, and peeling wallpaper. If you have an attic or upper crawlspace, after a heavy rain you will want to look for any pooling water or moisture problems. Additionally, if you think you have animals in the attic (if you hear scratching from the attic, for example), you may want to have a roofing contractor inspect your roof to determine whether the animals got in through a hole or damage to the roof.
How long should my roof last?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question! Roofing deteriorates at different levels, and in central Alabama, the weather often plays a major role in damaging the roof. We have seen roofs installed by low-quality roofing contractors that needed replacement in as little as six or seven years, but we have also seen roofs that lasted more than 60 years before they needed replacement. Most roofing contractors feel that 20 years is an acceptable service life, but that varies widely depending on the type of roof you select.
At Blue Bird Roofing we guarantee all of our labor and materials for 30 years, so if your new roof gives you any trouble, we will take care of it free of charge. Some of our roofing products carry longer warranties on the materials, sometimes as high as 50 years! Regardless of which option you choose, we will be happy to fill you in on the details and let you know what type of warranties or guarantees your new roof will be qualified for.
Can we put a new roof on during rainy months?
Absolutely! Ideally, we would prefer to install new roofing when the weather is dry, but we can repair or install a new roof any time of the year. Wet conditions require extra precautions, as we want to ensure that the home stays watertight during the roofing process.
In a perfect world, we could do all roofing projects in dry weather, but sometimes you are not aware of a problem until the nasty weather comes along and causes your roof to leak. In some cases, it is not a good idea to wait until a drier season before fixing a problem, so we are available all year. Whenever the day’s work is complete, we will cover the roof with felt to keep it dry overnight, and we always have huge tarps on hand in case of a sudden storm!