Frequently Asked Questions
Have Roofing Questions?
Find the Answers in our Roofing FAQ
There’s a lot more to re-roofing your home or business than we can cover below in the Roofing FAQ, but these are the roofing questions we’re asked most frequently and a good place to start.
If our Roofing FAQ did not answer your roofing questions, Contact Money Roofing through our convenient contact form or give us a call at 469-342-3330.
Metal Roof Coating Faqs
Why should I get my roof coated with a reflective coating?
Coating will extend the life of the roof by reducing heat transfer into the building, decreasing thermal shock (thermal expansion and contraction of the roof membrane), and helping to mitigate leaks. Reflective coatings also can reduce heat energy costs and improve the aesthetics of the roof.
What kind of roofs can be coated?
Almost all types of roofs can be coated. Some examples include metal, spray polyurethane, single-ply, modified bitumen, built-up roof (BUR) systems, etc. Without special treatments, ballasted and gravel-surfaced membranes are not typically acceptable roof surfaces for coating membranes.
What types of reflective coatings are available in the market?
There are several types of reflective roof coatings, and each imparts a different reflectance rate/value. Typically, the reflective coatings are what are commonly referred to as white coatings, and there are also aluminum coatings typically used on asphalt roofs. Highly reflective white roof coatings are typically comprised of acrylics, urethanes, silicones, SBS, SEBS, and other materialls. These are typically used in a commercial roof environment.
Should I coat a new roof or nearly new roof?
Yes, a new roof should be coated if the building owner wants to add a highly reflective roof coating to reduce energy costs. The buyer should be aware of any warranties in place for their new roof that may be violated by applying a roof coating. A reflective roof coating will reduce the heat load on the roofing assembly.
What are the energy savings?
This depends on the geographic location, insulation, and cost of electricity. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), and several roofing material manufacturers have computer programs that can estimate the savings. A growing number of energy consultants are available to provide environmental regulation compliance information.
Will a reflective coating extend the life of my roof?
Yes. The coating becomes the first layer of UV and waterproofing protection for the roof, and helps reduce expansion and contraction (thermal shock) of the roof.
How long will the coating last?
Based on long-term histories, a properly-applied roof coating can extend the life expectancy of a roof by 10 years or more. Performance can vary depending on type and conditions, as well as the coating film thickness.
Can I coat a rusted metal roof?
Rusted metal roofs can be coated after the rust conditions have been addressed. If the roof is “white rust” (zinc or aluminum) it can be coated after cleaning. If the roof is “red rust,” the rust must be removed or treated with a corrosion-inhibiting primer. All rusted fasteners should be treated or replaced.
How do I maintain the coating?
It is recommended that the roof, including the coating, be inspected semi-annually and after a major storm or high wind event. Additional coating may need to be applied to repair damage to the coating and underlying roofing substrate. Check with the manufacturer and/or warranty program requirements.
Will the coating stop my leaks?
While coatings may potentially stop minor leaks, the roof should be properly repaired and dried prior to coating application. Coatings may be able to seal pinhole leaks, which are leaks not visible to the naked eye. If the roof is leaking, the roof leak will need to be identified and repaired prior to any recoating; do not expect the coating to find and seal the leaks.
Residential Roofing Faqs
Replacing a roof isn’t as exciting as a kitchen or bath remodel, but it’s a considerable home improvement investment. A new roof is a once, maybe twice, in a lifetime purchase, so many homeowners aren’t too familiar with the process, the latest roofing shingles or even how to choose a roofer.
We encourage homeowners to ask these important roofing questions when they are in need of a new residential roof!
How do I know for sure I need a new roof?
Older roofing shingles and wood shakes typically have a 15- to 30-year lifespan depending on the shingles’ quality, the location and tree cover of your home, and how well the roof was installed originally. Direct sunlight, weather/wind, and poor roof deck ventilation are rough on Bay Area roofs.
We tell our customers that 12 years is a good rule of thumb to go by. At that point, check for these warning signs:
- Curling shingles
- Loss of the asphalt granulation (looks like bald spots)
- Evidence of leaking on your ceilings
- Cracked or discolored interior drywall (painted or wallpapered)
- Decaying shingles
- Missing shingles
- Visible cracks
- Wind damage
- Broken or damaged shingles
- Rusted or missing flashing
If a residential roof is over 15 years old, we recommend you call us out for a look. Sometimes, damage isn’t visible to the untrained eye on the ground, and catching it early can avoid expensive interior repairs in the future.
If I see any of these roofing warning signs, are we talking repair or total roof replacement?
This depends on whether the roofing shingles are past their prime or the original roofing contractor installed part of or the whole roof system improperly. Perfectly good roofing shingles can be repaired if the damage hasn’t affected their integrity. If your roof shingles are old and decaying, it’s economically smarter to replace the entire roof.
How much does a new roof cost?
Several factors go into determining the cost of your new roof. They include the quality and professionalism of your roofing contractor; the brand, type, and grade of roofing shingle you select; the size of your roof; and the shape and slope of your roof line.
Don’t choose a roofing contractor on cost alone. Price is a factor, but not the only factor you should consider. Quality roofing materials and contractor workmanship have value. Hiring the cheapest roofing contractor could cost more in the long run when you consider the cost to repair subpar roofing and the damage it causes.
Get a roofing estimate for an accurate idea. Money Roofing company’s estimates are convenient, fair, no-obligation and you don’t have to be home.
Will I have to replace gutters and downspouts at the same time?
If your gutters and downspouts are in good shape, we will work around them. To avoid damaging them, we don’t remove and reinstall them once your roof is complete. If your gutters are in relatively good shape, but need minor repair, we can provide this service too. Money Roofing is a full-service roofing contractor.
How long will it take a roofing company to install my new roof?
Of course, there are variables that affect all roofing projects, such as weather, whether or not there is a second layer to remove, and more. But typically, Money Roofing’s contractors are completely finished with your new roof—from removing the old roof to clean up—in three or four days.
Three crews are involved—roof removal, roof installation, and gutters. Roofing vendors deliver sheeting and shingles. Our trained roofing contractors stay on schedule to coincide with two or three required city inspections. It takes a lot of coordination, and Money Roofing contractors are pros.
Is there anything I need to do to before the roofing starts?
Roof replacement and roofing repair is a messy and noisy process. Consider going somewhere else for about two to three hours once roofing contractors start removing the old roofing shingles to avoid all the noise. Keep pets in mind too. There’s no way around it. But we do all we can to minimize hassle and inconvenience during the roofing process.
- If your garage doesn’t have a ceiling, our roofers will place tarps to keep debris from falling into your garage. After the solid decking is installed, we’ll remove the tarps and use a blower to clean out the dust.
- Park your cars in the street. The roof removal trucks need to back up to the house. You’ll save your tires from nails and your car from dust and falling debris.
- Use common sense and protect any item that you would be upset about if it broke. Many contractors tell you to remove pictures from walls, chandeliers from the ceiling, knickknacks from shelves, etc. We have never heard a customer say that anything fell off their walls or shelves. Seems like a lot of work for a problem that we have never experienced.
- If you have a paver or some other form of decorative driveway, we will cover it with plywood to protect the surface from roofing vehicles and falling shingle debris.
- If you have a swimming pool, close the pool cover. If you don’t have a cover, we’ll tarp it too. Roofing debris can stain plaster finishes.
And what if my new roof leaks? Then what?
Manufacturer shingle warranties are now lifetime. Most manufacturers’ warranties are transferable to the new homeowners for a small fee. That covers the roofing shingles.
Regarding roofing shingle installation and roofing contractor workmanship: Money Roofing’s workmanship warranty is very clear with as little legal jargon as possible. The integrity of our roofing work is reflected in the warranty, which of course, is transferable to the new owner should you sell your home.
Our roofing contractors will repair any leak at no cost and pay up to $5,000 toward the needed repairs of any sheetrock, painting and insulation.
Commercial Roofing Faqs
How much will a new roof cost?
The cost of your new roof will depend on a lot of factors, including the type of roof you choose, how large your roof is, and if there is any damage that needs to be fixed before installing a new roof on your building. Our professionals can provide you with an estimate on your roofing installation.
How do I know if my business needs a new roof?
If there is unexplained mold, ugly water stains, cracked, or curled or missing shingles, you may need a new roof. We can help you determine the best plan of action to best protect your business.
What types of commercial roofing systems do you offer?
We offer a wide variety of roofing systems including BUR roofs, EPDM roofs, metal roofing, PVC Roofs, TPO roofs, and garden roofs to meet your needs and budget.
How do I know which type of roof is right for my business?
Our professional roofing installers can walk you through all of your commercial roofing options and help you determine the perfect roof for your business.
How long does it take to install a new roof?
The time it takes to install a roof or repair a roof will depend on many factors. The size of the job, type of roofing, any existing damage, and the weather can all affect how long your commercial roofing installation will take. Our expert roofers can give you a time estimate as well as a cost estimate with your free consultation.