Frequently asked
Questions

A: Although there are many causes the most common would be lack of proper maintenance. Some of the more common items we see are.

1. Clogged drain or gutters.
2. Buildup of Debris left by other contractors or stored by tenants.
3. Buildup of organic debris allowing trees and other plants to grow.
4. Poor workmanship.
5. Weather, damaging winds, rain, and hail.

A: We will visit your business and give you a detailed report including photos of the following items:

• Current condition of the roofing system
• Any issues/damage because of other trades accessing and working on the roof
• Potential issues that may cause a roofing failure
• Preventative maintenance suggestions
• Critical repairs needed to maintain the manufacturer’s warranty
• Estimated lifespan of the existing roof

A:

1. Extend the life of your roof.
2. Cost savings keeping the small issues small. at bay and
3. Avoiding unplanned repairs
4. Knowledge, a thorough understanding on the condition of your roof.
5. A peace of mind that your roof is backed by a partner who cares.

These are just a few. Let our We Care Roof Maintenance Program give you peace of mind.

A: The answer will vary depending on the type of roof, how well it was originally installed, how well it has been maintained, and if there have been any out-of-the-ordinary external impacts to the roof. Typically, roofs when properly installed can last for decades. These are the estimated “lifespans” for roof types based on typical wear and tear:

• Surface Gravel Built-up           25-30 years
• Smooth Built-Up                       20-25 years
• Modified Bitumen                    15-25 years
• EPDM                                           15-25 year
• TPO (thermoplastic)                 15-20 years
• PVC (vinyl)                                   15-20 years
• Spray –applied coatings            5-10 years
• Standing Seam Metal                20-30 years

A: Roofing needs are looked a handful of ways:

• Will the new roofing system work with how the building was originally designed?
  • Will additional steps need to be taken to make the new roof perform well?
• How much roof traffic the system will experience?
• Are there environmental factors that would prohibit one type of roof over another?
• What is the expectation from the owner as far as anticipated lifespan?

A thorough analysis of why the current system is not performing is needed to figure out what roof should be installed next. If there is not a basic understanding of how the building functions the new roof won’t perform as well as if these questions had been answered.

A: Roof warranties are split between two different classifications

1. Material Warranty
2. Workmanship Warranty

A material warranty will cover defects in the material if is fails due to the manufacturing process. In these situations a standard material warranty will get you replacement materials but not the labor to re-install it.

A workmanship warranty covers the labor and installation method of how it was originally installed. There are a few ways these warranties are provided.

1. 2-year contractor warranty: This is typical for new construction and re-roof whereas the installing contractor is responsible for the first two years if the system leaks.
2. Manufacturer’s Warranty: The manufacturer will provide warranty coverage for a stated period of time, typically 20 years. There are two varieties of this warranty.
   1. Penal Sum- Penal Sum warranty only offers coverage to the original cost of the roof or square footage of the roof. This type of warranty does not factor in the rise in the cost of materials from the time of installment of the roof and the time of the needed repairs.
   2. No Dollar Limit (NDL)- This warranty covers the original installation labor and material costs of the project but does not place a capped valuation on repairs or replacement if a warranted failure takes place.