Top Roofer in Charlottesville, VA

The roof on your home is the first line of defense against Mother Nature. Knowing how and when to inspect your roof is vital. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, homeowners should inspect their home twice a year, in the spring and fall. A good habit to set is to inspect it when the time changes (if applicable), along with the batteries in your fire alarms. Also, always check the roof after a bad storm.

So how do you inspect your roof? The first place to look is at the ceilings and walls inside your home plus the porch ceilings. Are there any water stains or streaks? Do you hear dripping water? Next, check your attic. Look for daylight coming through your roof. Also look for water stains or streaks on the attic framing and roof plywood. Do you see a sagging spot in the roof? Look at the top of the insulation, is it wet or discolored? These are all signs of a leak.

Next, look at the exterior of your roof. Climbing and walking on a roof is very dangerous and should only be done by licensed and insured professionals. You may be able to see a lot from the ground. If not, contact Roof Top Services for a roof inspection.

General things to look for when inspecting your shingle roof

• Debris on the roof
• Clogged gutter/downspouts or debris in the gutter.
• Are there loose granules in the gutter or at the bottom of a downspout?
• Missing, cracked or torn shingles?
• Bald spots on the shingles due to granule loss.
• Shingles that are curled or cupped on the edges.
• Green moss on the shingle, especially on the shady side of the roof.
• Hail damage can tear or puncture shingles.
• Holes drilled on purpose like for satellite dishes. Look for missing nails, failed caulk or roof cement.
• A valley is where two or more roof lines meet and allows water and snow to flow to the gutters. The valley is very important part of the roof and any damage or missing shingles needs immediate attention.

Flashing can be one of the most common sources of roof leakage

Flashing is what seals penetrations when the shingles met another surface, like when another wall intersects the roof, or chimney, skylight, plumbing vent pipes or attic vents come through the roof. In older homes, sometimes there is no flashing and only tar, roof cement or caulk. Let us look at these in more depth below.

• Step flashing is used along a wall’s siding where it intersects the roof. The flashing goes under the walls’ siding and is bent in an L shape. The portion that goes under the shingle allows the water to flow over the shingle below it. This is what stops the water from entering your home through this connection. Any rust, missing step flashing or exposed nails are a concern.
• Chimneys are often a main source of leaks. The flashing for chimneys is complicated, it has step flashing (definition above) and over that it has counter flashing that is typically set in the brick grout line. If it is a wooden chimney, it’s goes under the siding. Look for missing flashing or nails, rusted metal or tar. Also is there debris collecting behind the chimney? A wide chimney over 30 inches requires a cricket or saddle to direct the water to one or both side of the chimney. This can be added during a roof replacement.
• Skylights also have step flashing (definition above) but also have a seal around the actual glass. Each of these can be problem areas. Look for missing flashing, rust, exposed nails or damaged seal around the glass.
• The plumbing vent pipes allow your plumbing to work properly. The flashing is called a vent boot, and can be metal, plastic, or a combination. Look for cracks, broken seams, rust or missing nails. Pay special attention to the rubber piece that tightly surrounds the pipe. Any torn, damaged or rusted areas will allow water to infiltrate.
• Attic vents allow air to escape from your attic. They can be metal or plastic. Look for cracks, rust, or exposed nails.

The age of your asphalt shingles is a factor to take into consideration

Another consideration is the age of your roof. Most shingles only last 20-25 years depending on quality and manufacturer. If you live in a neighborhood where the homes are about the same age, take not if your neighbors are having their roofs replaced.

A problem with one or more of these may not mean you need a new roof if the shingles are in good shape. Contact Roof Top Services for repairs!

When you need to replace your roof, you will want to know as much as possible about the process. Replacing your roof is a major investment that may be very expensive and will make a lasting impact on your home’s weatherproofing, durability, and resale value for years to come. You need to research the company that will be doing the work. Your goal should be to find a company that you can trust, has been in business in your area for a minimum of ten years, has great reviews from your community neighbors, and a great line of communication.

If you get multiple bids, the prices may be similar or vary by thousands. Most reputable companies will be close in price. A cheap bid usually indicates that they are not properly licensed and insured and have little overhead. Who pays if someone or something is hurt on the job? Simply put, a cheap roof is not always good and a good roof is not cheap.

Confirm how long has the roof company been in business in this area.

Roof Top Services is a GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor serving Charlottesville, Albemarle, Wintergreen, Nelson, Greene, Fluvanna, Madison and Louisa VA since 2000.

Review the roofing contractor’s proof of insurance

Make sure that the contractor has worker’s compensation and liability insurance. Ask to see the certificates and verify with the insurance company that the policy is valid. These insurances are expensive for the Roofing Contractor but imperative for the homeowner. Smaller companies simply cannot afford this insurance or may say that they use subcontractors and are not required to have these insurances. This is a warning sign, if a company you hire does not have proof of insurance and there is property damage or someone gets injured on your job, you will be responsible for the costs.

Choose a roofer with a proven track record in Charlottesville

A truly local company is located and has been working in your community for decades. They know the impacts of the local weather, building codes, and climate. The climate and wind zones are different from one area to another, like Charlottesville compared to Virginia Beach. Knowing what shingles to use and understanding proper ventilation is crucial to getting the maximum life out of your roof investment. We have built an extensive portfolio of work here in the Charlottesville area.

Our employees have been with us for a very long time and are well trained in our process and our standards of quality. They live here and contribute to our community. Many companies expand into this area, but they bring in labor and materials from other communities. We buy our products locally and believe in keeping our dollars in our community. Lastly, once you become a client of Roof Top Services, you are given priority, if and when you need us in an emergency.

Search for Roofing Company reviews online

Good Customer reviews on social media are a good way to research a contractor. A company that has been in business for decades and has good reviews for that period of longevity is a good indicator of quality, service and a strong and trusted customer base.

Review roofing manufacturers qualifications

The manufacturers of many roofing materials require special training and or certification to install their products. The more roofing products a contractor is qualified to install the better the odds are to get the best product and installation for your job. Roof Top Services is certified in the following:

• GAF Master Elite Contractor.
• Owens Corning Preferred Contractor.
• Certainteed Certified Installer.
• Tamko Pro Certified Contractor.
• Duradek Authorized Dealer.
• Firestone Red Shield Licensed for Metal and Rubber Roofing.
• Certified in Englert Metal Roofing and Gutter Systems.
• Certified Installer of Everlast Metal Roofing Systems .
• Eco Star Gold Star Certified in sustainable and environmentally friendly synthetic. Slate and Shake Products.
• Velux Three Star Installer for skylights and roof windows.

What does the roofing company warranty cover?

Roof Top Services has a 10 year workmanship warranty with a GAF Golden Pledge 25 year workmanship warranty available.

How does the roofing contractor train their workers?

Adequate worker training is essential, not only for a quality roof installation, but also to reduce risk injury to the workers and the potential damage to the property. Our roofers start working under the supervision of top installers until they can demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge to work independently.

Does the roofer complete a quality inspection after the job?

At Roof Top Services, our quality is our reputation. The week after the roof install, we send out a technician to walk the roof and inspect the installation and clean-up process.

Do they have Roofing Industry Memberships and Affiliations?

A company that belongs to Industry Trade Associations do so to keep informed in the technology of the industry and signify the company’s commitment to our client’s needs. We send people to the annual NRCA convention each year. Roof Top Services belongs to the following Affiliates:

• BRHBA-Blue Ridge Home Builders Association.
• NRCA-National Roofing Contractors Association
• BBB- Better Business Bureau A+
• Angie’s List Super Service Award
• Charlottesville Family Favorite Award

Does the roof company have a safety program?

Roof Top Services take safety very seriously. We train our employee’s on OSHA safety protocols monthly. We also train all new employees on proper use of their safety equipment. We also have a Safety Officer who is OSHA certified to do spot inspections on our crews to ensure proper safety compliance.

Communication and other considerations to look for.

A great roofing contractor will be quick to follow up with you and return you phone calls and emails. They are detailed in their process and will not shy away from telling you what you may not want to hear. The details they provide you verbally will be reflected in the written contract clearly and concisely. At the end of the process, a great company will be proud of their work and ask you for a review or reference to assist other customers with their choices.