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Common Questions & Concerns - Roof Replacement
Have a question about your roof? There's a good chance you can find the answer here, if not give us a call.
Should I be concerned with granules in the gutter?
Asphalt shingles are covered with ceramic granules to reflect water and light to protect the underlying material, and ultimately your roof. Your shingles experience erosion from water, UV light and heat. UV light and heat dries the shingles out; water wears away at the granules, some of which have been loosened by heat and light. Unfortunately, the more granules lost, the faster your roof will deteriorate, it may be time for a roof replacement.
How do I know if I need a new roof?
There are many indicators that suggest you may need a new roof. Obvious signs; a persistent leak, unexplained mold inside your home or business, granules in the gutter and near the downspouts on the ground, missing shingles or shingles around your home. Less obvious signs; interior wall blistering, dark spots on walls, dirty looking shingles or algae buildup, curling shingles, torn shingles, or flashing pulling away from the structure. RSG Roofing provides free roof inspections to help with this determination.
Curling shingles are an indication that the oils are starting to evaporate and the shingle is shrinking exposing the plywood underneath. Water can then deteriorate the wood decking allowing water to enter your home or business.
Can I place a new roof over my old one?
Installing a new roof on top of the old one isn’t recommended. You may save some money in the short run on the cost for removing the old roof, but it will cost you more in the long run because not only will the life expectancy of your new roof be greatly reduced, you’ll spend more on energy costs. As a matter of fact, the life expectancy of your roof can be reduced by half and in most cases your warranty won't be honored.
Here’s why, the second roof layer causes your roof to lose air flow which causes the shingles to overheat, causing blistering. This speeds up the rate at which the ceramic chips will flake off and the shingles dry out (See Curling Shingles). This also causes your home to retain a greater amount of heat causing your air conditioning system to work harder.
What Causes Roof Leaks?
99% of all leaks occur at areas of penetration: chimneys, vents, flashing, air conditioning units, etc. Usually this is due to errors in installation. 70% of the time it takes to install your roof should be spent making sure all areas of penetration are installed and water-proofed correctly. We call this Flashing Detail. This is an aspect of the roof installation process that we take very serious. When we inspect your home we will determine what the cause of your roof leak is.