How Your Roof Works 101: It's All About Layers Working Together as One System
When you are in need of a roof repair or re-roof, it's always wise to be informed on the basics of how your roofing system works when talking to your local contractor or roofing company.
This will allow you to make informed decisions regarding which roofing company you go with and not have the wool pulled over your eyes by a fly-by-night roofing company.
Ref: www.popularmechanics.com
The first thing to know is that all roofs rely on a layered overlapping system, whether is be tile, slate, shake shingle, or the most popular form of roofing material, the asphalt shingle. Each rely on a system where there is at least a three inch overlap so that water runs down from one shingle to the next without getting in between shingles and resulting in structural damage and leaks in your roof.
The manufacturing support of asphalt shingles is that they have a heat-sensitive sealant adhesive strip on the underside of the shingle, so when the sun heats the shingle, the sealant adheres to the overlapping shingle and resists wind updraft and water exposure.
Ref: www.popularmechanics.com
It's also wise to ask your local roofing contractor if they use ice and water shield at the base of the roof where the metal drip edge overlaps into the gutter, this provides an additional barrier for ice, water, and snow to slip between the metal drip edge and the gutter where is will cause structural damage. Typically, roofers should apply the drip edge to the roof, then apply the sticky ice and water shield to the drip edge a foot up onto the roof deck before applying the felt that will overlap 1/2 to 1/3 per horizontal strip.
Ref: www.myoldhouseonline.com
These are the basics in how your roof system should work. So when you are talking with your local roofer, educate yourself on their process and make sure they are using the proper overlapping techniques described above and if they use water and ice shield as well. We here at Rock's Roofing, Inc. have been family owned and operated in Wheat Ridge, Colorado for over 45 years and have been happy serving the Front Range community for that time. We offer an exclusive Roof Maintenance Program as well which is sure to help preserve the quality of your roof for years to come.
Please visit us online for more information or call today. 303-425-1083.
