PHOTOS: Look out for these roofing disasters

If you see any of these things on your roof, call for back-up!

 This valley could have benefited from ice & water shield.

This HVAC pipe has no collar where the boot and pipe meet together, so it continues to leak. This can't be fixed with more caulk.

While it's hard to see from the ground, it’s time to kiss the chimney goodbye.  

7 Warning Signs of a Failing Roof

Don’t get caught with sudden, costly repairs. Keep an eye on your roof and learn how to spot problems before they severely impact your wallet with these warning signs.

1. A Leak in the Attic: After a strong storm or wind driven rain, take a look in the attic for signs of leaking. Ice damming can also cause water to enter the house if you don’t have an adequate shingle underlayment or if the flashing has deteriorated.
2.  Blistering or Peeling Pain: When paint starts to peel off, the cause is likely trapped moisture in the house due to excessive temperatures or high humidity from poor attic ventilation. The air in the attic needs to flow from the front of the soffit to the ridge to reduce humidity. Make sure there is a vent in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom, and dryers should vent outside.
3. Stains on Ceilings and Walls: If you see stains or, even worse, mold growth inside your home, it may be caused by inadequate or faulty shingle underlayment that is allowing water to seep into the house. Inadequate ventilation could also be the culprit.
4. Missing, Cracked, or Curled Shingles: If you see that your shingles are dry or practically break when touched, that means they have reached the end of their useful life and it’s time to invest in a new roof. 
5. Dark Areas on Your Roof: This could mean your roof has vegetation, fungus, mold or algae growth, or that the shingles protective granules have been lost. This doesn’t mean you need to replace your roof, but these stains can reduce curb appeal.
6. Sheathing and Shingle Decay: Older homes may experience sheathing decay. This can be easy to spot from the ground. Any areas of the roof that look like they are sagging are a sure sign of major structure problems. Homeowners can look in the attic, but it can be hard to locate the problem in certain structures.
7. Excessive Energy Costs: A possible cause of higher cooling costs could be insufficient attic ventilation, requiring the AC to run excessively. In warm weather, inadequate ventilation will trap hot air in the attic, causing air conditioning systems to work harder or leaving your home’s interior hotter and less comfortable. 

Introduction to Elite Roofing

Gutter Guards: A Must For Spring & Fall

Ordinary gutters catch rain water and collect leaves, twigs, and other debris that clogs and obstructs the flow of water. Gutter guards protect the gutter from these obstructions and allow water to flow freely.

These are a few of the advantages:

• It prevents and protects your home from leaks.
• It promotes lower maintenance and minimizes gutter cleaning.
• It reduces the risk of climbing ladders and possible personal injury.
• It is made to fir most gutter systems.
• It can be used on old or new gutter systems.

Most Common Roof Leaks

As a homeowner, you’d like your roof to maintain its integrity over the years but common wear and tear and following roof leaks are inevitable. Roofing repairs are simply part of roof’s life.

While there are many reasons for a roof’s deterioration, some roof areas are more prone to leaking than others. Skylights, chimneys and vent pipes all provide an opportunity for moisture to get through, especially in older roofs or when they have not been installed properly.

3 Most Common Roof Leak Repairs:

 1.    Leaky Skylight Repairs

A leaky skylight can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Most often than not, an improper installation is the cause of a leak. If that’s the case, your local roofing contractor must handle the repairs to avoid further damage.

Some common situations that cause skylights to leak are: improperly installed fasteners, poor flashing seals, glass micro-fractures or fissures and sealant failure due to thermal expansion.

A thorough roofing inspection will help your roofer uncover the problem and suggest appropriate skylight repairs so that should be your first step.

 2. Chimney Flashing Repairs

Whether it’s due to aging caulk, cracked cement caps or flashing problems, chimneys are one of the biggest problem areas when it comes to leaks.

Again, start with a thorough inspection of your chimney base and walls looking for gaps, cracks and obvious wear and tear. Depending on what you find, roofing cement, caulking and most often than not flashing will need to be replaced. For your reference, we’ve discussed chimney leak repairs in more detail last month.

Since improperly installed flashing leaves your home unprotected from rain and snow it is always best to have a professional roofer address more extensive flashing problems.

3. Vent Pipe Repairs

Aside from skylights and chimneys, roof vents are one of the most common causes of roof leaks. Rusty and cracked vent pipe collars around their base allow the water to first pool around, then seep through the interior walls of your home.  Again deteriorated flashing & old roof cements & sealants might be the reason behind vent pipe leaks.

Do You Need A Pro To Handle You Roofing Repairs?

If your roof is leaking, please call Elite Roofing at 502-643-4333 for a FREE inspection & estimate.  We do all types of roof repairs and replacements.

Contact us today and receive $50 off any roofing repair or $200 off any roof replacemen

Elite Roofing is Now Hiring Sales Representatives

Are you with the right company? Storm season is right around the corner.

We are hiring honest, self-motivated, hard working sales reps with solid people skills. Prior home improvement sales experience preferred, but not required.

You must be able to do or have the following:

*Successfully pass a background check

*Have reliable transportation with a ladder

*Have a smart phone

*Able to lift 100 pounds, climb a ladder and get on roofs.

*Be legal to work in USA and local (live in Louisville or Southern Indiana).

Our company will provide:

*Paid training

*Some leads

*Experienced manager to assist you

*Weekly commissions (after each job completion)

*Unlimited earnings potential

*Excellent history with BBB and Angieslist

*Shirts and hats

*Flyers, folders, paperwork

Interviews start on Monday, April 6, 2015. Please call Shawn Wood at 502-593-2303. 

4 Ways We Help Insurance Companies

1.     We Do Repairs: Most of the time, a repair cost less than a deductible which means no claim. This is a win-win for everyone.
2.     We Offer Free Storm Damage Inspections: This may help reduce the amount of claims for your agency. If you will call us for a storm inspection before calling the claims office, then we will provide you and your customer with a fair and honest assessment.
3.     We Can Prequalify Any of Your Potential Customers: This is important to your agency because it helps you know what kind of condition your customer’s property is in before writing their insurance policy.
4.     We Are Certified Insurance Claim Specialists: In an ongoing effort to improve customer service, we have earned over 12 memberships and certifications in the roofing industry. We also have a licensed adjuster on staff and are proficient with Exactimate.  
   

How Do I Pick the Right Shingles?

1. Explore your options: When it comes to selecting a new roof, sometimes the number of options can be overwhelming for a homeowner. If you’re unsure about what style to go with, choose a dimensional line of shingles. Not only is the quality impeccable, but the look is clean and timeless.

2. Find your architectural style: Make sure your roof matches the architectural style of the home. For example, a modern style home looks better with a contemporary shingle, whereas a ranch style home looks better with a dimensional shingle. If you have a roof that’s pitched steeply or has a unique architectural character, you may want to invest in a designer shingle to really make it stand out.

3. Determine your budget: While style is important, it also has to fit within your budget. As our expert to give you options and don’t forget your coupons!

4. Visualize your home: Sometimes homeowners have a difficult time making a decision on a new roof because they can’t visualize the final product. Elite Roofing has the ability to eliminate the guess work. We can take a picture of your home and upload it with a new roof on it. Mix and match and don’t be afraid to experiment. You might be surprised by what you like!

Basic Shingles:

Dimensional Shingles:

Designer Shingles:

Our Home Show Booth

We enjoyed seeing everyone who came and visited us at the Louisville Home Show last weekend! We were excited to introduce our 20 Year Leak Free Guarantee and we're glad everyone else was excited about it as well!

Louisville Home Show

Elite Roofing is excited to be at the Louisville Home Show February 27-March 1, 2015! The Home, Garden, and Remodeling Show is a great opportunity to get to know your potential contractors. We will be at booth #2039 during the show. Come visit us to learn about our new 20-Year Leak Free Warranty! 

Click here to find out more about the show

7 Tips For Hiring The Right Home Improvement Contractor

Everyone has heard the expression, “You get what you pay for.” This saying is never more relevant than when hiring a contractor that understand your goals and has experience in the type of job you are looking for.

1. Connect with your contractor: The right person for the job will be easy to talk to. Make sure you see eye to eye by hiring a contractor that understands your goals and has experience in the type of job you are looking for.

2. Understand that price reflects quality: In the long run, is it worth cutting corners for a temporary fix? A low bid may indicate that a contractor uses sub-par materials or is desperate for work. The more accurate bid is likely somewhere in the middle.

3.  Ask for credentials and references: Insist on hiring a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor. Make sure you get a copy of their workers compensation insurance. Otherwise, as the property owner, YOU are liable if a member of the work crew gets injured on the job. Also, ask for customer references of jobs completed within the last three months and be sure to call on them.

4. Get it in writing: Your contractor should include detailed time frames, the total cost, payment arrangements, the contractor’s license number, project descriptions and how to handle additional costs if necessary.

5. Be prepared: Select your colors and finishes beforehand. Review sample materials to make sure you are happy with them. Don’t forget to make space for the crew. Remove any valuables or easily damaged items from the work site.

6.  Be courteous of your neighbors: Inform the work crew where your property lines are located to prevent materials from being placed in the wrong area.

7. Ensure things are complete before signing off on the job: Schedule a final walk-through. Meet with your contractor and make note of any tasks that need to be completed before final payment is made.