by United Roofing MN | Oct 11, 2011
You Need a Certified Roof Inspection When Buying a New Home – Part 2 Get An Accurate Roof Inspection Report continued from Part 1 Leaking roofs, poor drainage, and clogged gutters and downspouts can all lead to water damage inside your home. This is why it is important to get a roof inspection report regularly, both for the inside and outside. It is very simple to inspect a roof from the outside as long as you have an unobstructed viewing of the rooftop. Outside Roof Inspection The following is a checklist of warning signals will help you look for any potential problem areas during an outside roof inspection. Loose or missing shingles or tiles Loose or exposed nails that can lead to leaks in the roof Dark patches on asphalt shingles or large amounts of granules in the rain gutters Sagging on the ridges or in the center of the roof Broken or loose shingles at the ridge and hip lines Rusty or corroded metal (flashing) and loose shingles in the valleys, plumbing vents or near chimneys Overflowing gutters or excess water pooling near the foundation of your home Blisters, depressions near vent pipes, separations in flashing, and clogged drains on flat roofs (popping blisters with a knife and coating them with roofing cement can prevent further damage; depressions can also be filled with roofing cement). Blistered, curled or splitting shingles Indoor Roof Inspection The following checklist includes all the problem warning signals to look for during an indoor roof inspection: 1) Sagging decking between the rafters (if the decking is sagging or deteriorating, the decking will also need to...
by United Roofing MN | Oct 4, 2011
Underlayment Requirements For Minneapolis Minnesota Underlayment is a material placed on the roof sheathing before installing shingles. It is usually a thin, black, paper-like material, often referred to as roofing felt. It comes in a roll and is usually 36” wide. It also comes in different thicknesses or weights. The minimum acceptable underlayment is 15# roofing felt. Underlayment may also be a self-adhering, rubber-like material. This type of underlayment is most often used at the roof edge and in valleys to help minimize damage from ice-dams. Many shingle manufacturers recommend their own type of self-adhering underlayment and where it should be used. Some local building codes and UL standards require that a shingle underlayment be installed. Underlayment shall comply with IRC Section 905.2.3 and its application shall be according to IRC Sections R905.2.7 and R905.2.7.1. Minnesota’s climate is considered severe with respect to underlayment requirements. An ice barrier is required and shall be installed as follows: • The ice barrier shall consist of two layers of underlayment (15# roofing felt) cemented together or a single layer of a self-adhering sheet. Whichever product is used, it must be installed parallel to and extend from the eave edge to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. • After installation of the ice barrier, install remaining underlayment as follows: For roof slopes of 2 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) up to 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (4:12), underlayment shall be two layers of 15# felt. Starting at the ice barrier, install the first course of 36 inch wide underlayment lapping the ice barrier a...
by United Roofing MN | Sep 22, 2011
Roofing Contractors Minneapolis & St Paul MN All roofing systems are made of a number of different components: roof sheathing, underlayment, roofing material, roof intersections, flashing details and ventilation. Each of these systems must be installed correctly for the system to work as designed. Roof underlayment acts as water barrier installed underneath the roofing system. Essentially, it is a roof underneath the roof. It protects your roof from condensation that may form underneath the metal due to the differences in temperatures in the attic and outside. More Information On Felt Roofing Underlayment One of the most common mistakes being made today in the installation of asphalt shingles on new or re-roofing work is the practice of not using felt underlayment. Many thousands of new homes do not have felt beneath the shingles. This is a HUGE mistake! Remember, shingles rely on gravity to keep water from entering your house. It is very possible for wind driven rain to get underneath your shingles or to enter along valleys (especially when the valley shingles have been improperly trimmed!) Without felt Underlayment, you have no hope of stopping a leak. With felt, there is a possibility that the water will travel down the felt and not enter your house. Many asphalt shingles that are installed on residential roofs carry a Class A fire rating. This rating is given to the shingles by independent laboratories. The ratings are granted only when the shingles are installed as they were tested in laboratory conditions. The shingles are tested with felt in place under the shingles. As such, if felt is deleted on your job, the shingles...
by United Roofing MN | Sep 20, 2011
Residential Roofing Services MN – Roof Underlayment The correct roofing underlayment, also known as roofing felt is critical to any roofing job. You must use it! Roof underlayment acts as water barrier installed underneath the roofing system. It protects your roof from condensation that may form underneath the metal due to the differences in temperatures in the attic and outside. What Function Does Shingle Underlayment Serve? Underlayments extend the life of a roof by protecting it against leaks. An underlayment, commonly known as roofing felt, will: Protect the roof deck from moisture prior to shingle application Provide a degree of backup protection in the event water gets under roofing shingles. Extend The Life of Your Roof With Roofing Underlayment Some local building codes and UL standards require that a shingle underlayment be installed. Ask your Minnesota roofing contractor if this is the case in your area. Also, some manufacturers offer a special underlayment product which prevents leaks caused by water backup from ice dams—a common condition in our Minnesota winters. Protection against ice dams can be obtained by using a waterproofing shingle underlayment at the eaves or lower edges of the roof, in addition to installing adequate ventilation and proper insulation in the attic floor. (See Prevent Roof Damage From Roof Snow and Ice Dams) Ask your roofing contractor about these specialized underlayments. Underlayment & Ice and Water Protection The entire state of Minnesota requires special eave protection that consist of at least two layers of Underlayment cemented together of a self-adhering polymer modified bitumen sheet, shall be used in lieu of normal Underlayment and extend from the eave’s edge...
by United Roofing MN | Sep 15, 2011
Roof Flashing | Roof Flashing Repair For many people, a roof is something they depend on, but don’t think about. Until, of course, it leaks. If you are dealing with a roof leak, you will most likely hear a contractor talk about flashing. Roof flashing is usually made from galvanized metal or aluminum and is placed wherever parts of a pitched roof intersect or penetrate. Its purpose is to direct water to run-off down the slope of the roof. Learn More About Roof Flashing Flashing is extra protection for the most vulnerable places on a roof such as where the chimney joins, at the edges of skylights, where dormers meet a roof plane, or any similar seam or joint in a roof design. Flashing is designed to work together with other roofing materials to keep your roof from leaking. Flashing is generally nailed down, but if the flashing is corroded, bent, or missing, it will not work effectively and water can get inside a home and cause serious damage. Why Do You Need Roof Flashing? Roof flashing is a critical part of preventing leaks and water seepage in your roof. Many contractors view it as the “last line of defense” against water penetration. Flashing can be made of either galvanized metal or aluminum. Most homeowners choose aluminum because it is easier to bend into the right shape and will not rust. The principle of using flashing is simple. Any place on your roof where different surfaces meet – such as dormers, the roof peak, edges, vents, skylights, etc. – requires flashing and proper sealing to prevent leaks from developing...
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