Roofing Contractor Says Roof Repair is More Cost Effective than Replacement

Have your roof repaired by Tornado Alley Roofing today!

Roof replacement is a costly endeavor.  What a roof needs first and foremost is a complete Diagnostic Evaluation. Typically, when a homeowner calls a roofing contractor to report a leak or some missing shingles a roofing contractor will attend at the property, fix the problem and leave.  Very often, there is more to it than meets the eye.

The most common problem we get calls on is missing shingles.  This is caused by high winds.  When shingles are missing from the roof it is visually obvious from the ground.  However, a wind storm generally does not single out a small group of shingles and selectively remove them from the roof.  After the wind settles down so do most of the shingles that were lifted during the storm and many of these shingles are lifted and flap in the wind.  Some of the “necks” of individual shingles become severed completely and they end up on the lawn; necks of others break but otherwise appear intact.  Although they have the appearance of being undisturbed the seals underneath are breached and will not reseal.  If these shingles are not repaired or replaced subsequent wind driven rain will enter the dwelling.  So in addition to replacing the missing shingles it is important to identify those that have their necks broken and seals breached.  They must also be replaced as part of the roof repair.

Other roof repairs are undertaken for various reasons such as leaks around pipes, vents, chimney flashing, skylights and valleys.

Most problems that occur on a roof that require roof repair, except missing shingles, are not readily apparent to a homeowner.  Consequently, they very often go unreported until a homeowner discovers a leak in the form of a stain on the ceiling.

A Full Diagnostic Evaluation and subsequent roof repair is the only way to prolong the life of the roof structure and prevent additional interior damage.

Roofing Contractor Tornado Alley Roofing invites homeowners to call for a Full Diagnostic Evaluation and have them perform a roof repair in lieu of a full roof replacement.  This will provide a few more years of life to an aging roof and save the homeowner several thousand dollars.

Stop the damage before it spreads by having Tornado Alley Roofing conduct a 17-Point Diagnostic evaluation.  The Evaluation involved a thorough inspection of both your attic and roof, including the shingles on the main area (field), ridge and valleys, as well as vents, chimney and all protrusions.

For more information on Roof Repair and to schedule an appointment:  Call (888) TORNADO TODAY!

Benefits of Radiant Barrier – Spray-on Vs. Foil

McKinney Roofer JD Dunphy Owner of Tornado Alley Roofing Clarifies Benefit of Radiant Barrier – Spray-on Vs. Foil

Radiant Barrier Over Insulation Method

A lot of people call us asking questions about Radiant Barrier. The two most common questions are: “Does it really make a difference in electric bills?” and “Which type is best to use?”

The answer to the first question is categorically yes. All of the research that exists out there clearly indicates that Radiant Barrier will save you money, whether you’re in a warm or cold climate, or somewhere in between.

The answer to the second question warrants considerably more detail. Essentially, there are two types of Radiant Barrier: spray-on and foil. The former is not acknowledged by many researchers as Radiant Barrier per se; others discount it entirely as a means of reflecting UV rays, to any appreciable degree, that penetrate a roof structure. The government does not endorse it and it does not qualify as an Energy Tax Credit.

That being said, this article on Radiant Barrier will focus on the foil type that is recommended by the majority of researchers. Foil Radiant Barrier is constructed of a thin sheet or coating of a highly reflective material, usually aluminum, applied to one or both sides of a number of substrate materials. These substrates include kraft paper, plastic films, cardboard, plywood sheathing, and air infiltration barrier material. Some products are fiber reinforced to increase the durability and ease of handling.

There are two methods used to install foil Radiant Barrier. It is either stapled to overhead rafters (trusses) in the attic (”Rafter Covered”) or laid flat over the floor joists and insulation. (”Over Insulation”)

There are pros and cons to both methods. When it is stapled to the rafters the UV rays of the sun penetrate the shingles then the decking to which the shingle are attached. The rays then strike the Radiant Barrier and approximately 97% are reflected back through the decking and the shingles. The net result is that the attic is cooler. However, the downside is that the lifespan of the shingles is decreased. Another negative is that during colder months a good deal of the warm air inside the living space is constantly released into the attic warming it also at a huge cost and with no purposeful results. Some will argue that in warmer climates having it affixed to the rafters is preferable since many homes have their A/C unit in their attic and believe that a cooler attic will enable it to work more efficiently. Most research indicates that the hot attic air will not enter the ductwork and mix with cold air through radiation but, if at all, will enter around joints by conduction; if all the ducts are well sealed this would not be a problem. With respect to this, the effect of having a cooler attic is negligible – unless it’s your favorite place to hang out during the summer months.

Laying the foil over the insulation creates the same reflective results as the Rafter Covered Method with the following differences: The attic is not as cool but it does not diminish the life span of the shingles. The added advantage to the Over-Insulation Method is that it creates a reflective box during cold months and prevents the warm air in the living space from escaping into the attic. This is particularly important in cold climates and is certainly a cost saver in warmer climates during the winter months. Additionally, it is not necessary to lay foil in the garage attic, which you must do when using the Rafter Covered Method. This provides added savings. In addition, it is less expensive to install and since it is not stapled to the joists it can be easily remove if wires or pipes need to be attended to. It can also be readily removed and transported for use at another location.

In summary, when one weighs the pros and cons of both methods over a twelve month period the net benefit from both an efficiency and an economic standpoint (up front and long term costs) the Over-insulation Method is probably the best way to go.

Stop the damage before it spreads by having Tornado Alley Roofing conduct a 17 Point Diagnostic Evaluation. The Evaluation involves a thorough inspection of both your attic and roof, including the shingles on the main area (field), ridge and valleys as well as vents, chimney and all protrusions.

For more information on Radiant Barrier and to schedule an appointment,

Call (888) TORNADO TODAY.

McKinney Roofer owner J. D. Dunphy, Owner of Tornado Alley Roofing, has been providing quality roofing installation, roofing repair, and roof replacement services to residents in Plano, McKinney, Allen, Frisco, and the surrounding North Texas communities since 1983.  Tornado Alley Roofing is proud of the fact that most of our business comes from referrals. If you have a roof repair or replacement issue please give Tornado Alley Roofing a call at (888) TORNADO.

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