Should You Replace Your Old Roof Before Putting A New One Down?

Long Island Roofing

Should You Replace Your Old Roof Before Putting A New One Down?

People everywhere love to look for ways to save money.  That's true from San Francisco to Long Island.  Roofing contractors will, for the most part, do the job how you tell them to.  Honestly though, in most cases, you're setting yourself up for problems down the line if you don't pull the old roof off first.

The big advantage to just putting the new roof down over the top of the existing is, of course cost.  It's faster and cheaper (by a thousand dollars or more) if you don't have to contend with the mess and headache of ripping the old off and hauling it away, but if it shortens the useful life of the new roof you're putting on, then in the long run, you're actually going to wind up being worse off because you tried to take a shortcut.  In general, you're looking at shortening the new roof's lifespan by up to 20% or so if you don't remove the old first.

You can still do it, obviously, and many contractors will do it that way if you insist, but if one or more of the following conditions apply, you'll really only be hurting yourself:

• If you live in an area where ice dams are possible and your roof has no protective membrane to ward off ice and water (This is true of any area where the average temperature in January is below freezing, so this is certainly true in Long Island.  Roofing contractors who insist on pulling your old roof off before replacing in those northern regions will be doing you a big favor in the long run!).
• If your roof already has more than one layer, take it all down!  Layers built on top of layers is only asking for trouble!
• If an inspection reveals that the existing roof is in bad shape with missing, curled, cracked, or otherwise damaged shingles, it should probably come off (and if it's not in that kind of shape, you probably wouldn't be considering replacement!).
• If the decking is rotting or deteriorating, the old needs to come down.  This is because you won't be able to make the necessary repairs otherwise, and it won't do you any good to install a new roof over rotting materials!
• If your new roof is made of a material lighter than the original roof, the old roof needs to come down.  This is to say, if you're installing lightweight shingles over heavy duty ones, then all the bumps and ridges from the old stuff is going to show through.

What it really boils down to is expediency over quality.  If your roof is in dire need of repair and you have no other option but to do it as cheaply as you can get by with, then yes, installing right over the top of the old roof is probably the way to go.  You'll save time.  You'll save money.  

Consider the problems that might surface later!  For instance, let's say, in a couple years, a leak develops.  Do you have any idea how hard it will be to trace the leak to its source through multiple layers of roofing material?  That's going to make finding and actually fixing the problem virtually impossible, and given the shortened useful life of the new roof, unless you sell and move (foisting the problem onto someone else down the road), you'll be faced with higher costs when it comes time to re-replace the roof, because now you've got two layers of material to strip off and dispose of, to say nothing of any repairs the decking might need.

How to Temporarily Protect a Storm Damaged Roof

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How to Temporarily Protect a Storm Damaged Roof

So the storm has passed, and now you’re hearing that steady drip, drip, drip in your house.  You know the roof has taken a hit.  When things calm down a bit (and when they get the roads reopened),  you’re going to need to call your nearest New York Roofing company and have them come out and work their magic to make your house whole again, but in the meantime, you don’t want the damage to get any worse.

You’ve already taken care of the obvious.  Cleaned up the deluge that originally fell through when the damage occurred.  You’ve got towels down inside, and buckets to catch the dripping, but that’s only addressing the symptoms of the problem.  What you really want to do is to address the root of the matter until you can call the professionals in and have it taken care of permanently.

Long Island Roofing Repairs

Until you can get the nearest Long Island roofing contractors out to see you, there are actually a few different ways you can minimize the damage and at least keep things from getting worse.  Before you start though, a few words about safety.

Even under the best of circumstances, roofs can be tricky.  When wet, they can be downright treacherous, so if you’re going to do any makeshift repairs, safety first.  At a minimum, that means wearing rubber soled shoes, and no walking around on the damaged roof.  You don’t know how bad the damage is, and the last thing you want to do is make a small hole bigger by falling through!

That said, let’s talk about the three things in particular you can do to rig a temporary fix.

1. The roof turbine – You’ve seen those little silver spinning things on rooftops before, right?  Well, they can get blown off rather easily in a storm, and when they do, it opens up a hole straight into your lovely house.  Fortunately, hardware stores carry “caps” for them, and if yours should come up missing after a storm, that’s a quick and easy fix.  In fact, if this is the source of your leak, you may not even need a roof renovation specialist at all!

2. Cover the hole with a tarp – This is probably the first thing most people think of when they suffer damage to their roof.  Almost everybody has at least one tarp, and it’s pretty well suited to the task.  There are a couple of different ways you can make this work, too.  If you have a staple gun and some two by fours, you can create a “patch” to cover the impacted area.  You could accomplish much the same effect with a big roll of plastic sheeting.  Just roll it out over the impacted area, staple it down so the wind won’t catch it, roll the sheeting to the crest of the roof and staple near the roof line for stability.  It won’t last forever, but it’ll keep things from getting worse.

3. Finally, consider roofing paper (this might be called ‘tar paper’ or ‘roofing felt’ where you live, but it is all the same stuff).  You affix it with plastic cement and a trowel.  This can work on smaller holes where a tarp might be overkill.  If you go this route, you will want to apply the paper in overlapping strips, and make sure you cover at least a couple feet on each side of the hole to prevent seepage.  

Whatever makeshift repairs you make, just bear in mind that you or the roofing guys will have to undo them when it comes time to make the repairs permanent, so don’t go overboard, whatever solution you gravitate toward.  No need in winding up having to pay more because the pros have to undo your quick fix!

How to choose a new roof when there are so many choices

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How to choose a new roof when there are so many choices

It is true there are many options for you to choose from if you are considering a home roof repair in Long Island.  These choices range from the material of the roof, to its pitch and the company you will use to install the roof.  However, for all these decisions there is likely to be one option that is most suited to your particular circumstances and when the various advantages and disadvantages of these options are weighed up, the choice of which one to choose should become clearer.

Material

The decision of which material to choose for your new roof will probably come down to shingle or metal and each material has its advantages.  The length of time you will remain in the property can influence the decision about the material that is chosen.  A metal roof has a considerably longer lifespan than a shingle roof so if you are planning to stay in the property for a period of up to fifty years it is possible you would never have to replace the roof again.  Metal roofs are generally more hardwearing than shingle roofs so any repair costs will be lower overall.  A shingle roof is usually made of asphalt shingles and this type of roof costs much less to install than a metal roof.  Any repairs can usually be easily made. They are available in a wide range of colors and styles so they will suit any style of home. Both metal and asphalt shingle roofs are fire resistant.

Pitch

Most Long Island roofing on residential properties is pitched but flat roofing can also have benefits.  A flat roof is much harder to install than a pitched roof and therefore can be more complex and can increase installation costs.  Flat roofs are also easier to clean and maintain that a pitched roof and can be accessed more easily and safely.  The benefits of a pitched roof include easier draining of rain water and it also allows for more loft space within the property.  Many people prefer the look and style of a pitched roof over that of a flat roof.

Contracting

The hardest decision you are likely to make is which roofing contractor to choose to install the new roof. There are some steps that can be taken to help you make this decision.  Choosing a local company means there are likely to be examples of their work in the neighborhood that can be viewed.  Family and friends may be able to make some recommendations.  If you have the time to gather several quotes then these can be compared to in order to find the best deal.  You should be wary of any quote that is considerably lower than the others as these savings may be made by sacrificing quality in either materials or workmanship.

Replacing any New York roofing will be an investment to  your home and any decisions that are made regarding the work should not be taken lightly.  If you have time to consider all your options then you should take as much time as needed to ensure you are completely happy with all your decisions.  Even if the work needs to be done as quickly as possible it is important not to be pressured into any decisions you may not be completely comfortable with.  A good Long Island roofing contractor will be able to go through all your options with you and help you to make the right decisions that best suit your circumstances.

Long Island Roof Repair

Long Island roof repair has been installing and maintaining roofs here on long Island for over thirty five years. We fix all kinds of roofs, rubber roofing, torch down roofing, single ply roofing, shingle roofs. We do residential and commercial roofing. A trusted name in roofing on Long Island for over 65 years. Contact Us

What You Should Know When Getting Your Free Estimates in Roofing!

What You Should Know When Getting Your Free Estimates in Roofing!

Extreme weather can be common in Long Island and this can cause damage to roofs in the area. If you are considering a home roof repair then a free estimate can be a good way to find out what work will be involved and how much that work would cost. There are certain factors that need to be considered before you receive a free estimate.
Be clear on the job requirements
It is important to have a clear idea of exactly what you want from the roof repairs, such as the materials used, any deadlines for the job and whether the roofing contractors will remove and dispose of any old materials. The same requirements should be given to all companies that you have contacted for an estimate so you get a true comparison of the prices quoted. It is a good idea to double check that all the work you have asked to be completed is included in the estimate and that nothing will be charged as an extra cost.
Consider the reputation of the roofing contractor
Researching the companies that you wish to contact for a free estimate can be carried out online. The company website should have customer reviews or you may find reviews on independent sites. Word of mouth can be a useful tool so ask around about the companies you have in mind. Be cautious of estimates that come in at a much lower price than the others as the savings may be made in the quality of the workmanship or the materials used.
Check whether the work is guaranteed
Always ensure that the work you have received from an estimate will come with a full guarantee. Long Island roofing repairs can be expensive and you don't want to have to spend more time and money fixing a roof over again if something goes wrong. Find out from the company exactly what the guarantee covers and whether any additional work on the roof will invalidate it.
Use a local company
There are a number of advantages to using a local company for your New York roofing repair work. You are more likely to get recommendations from family and friends by using a local company and there may be examples of their work in the neighborhood. If the company is local it may be easier to keep in regular contact with them while the work is being carried out.  You can also to contact them again when the work is completed if there are any problems.
When choosing which companies you want to use for your free estimate and any potential work on your roof it is a good idea to narrow down your choice to three or four Long Island New York roofing contractors. This will ensure that comparison of the estimates and the companies do not become overwhelming. Once you have received your estimates and carried out research into the companies you will be in a better position to choose a company to carry out the work on your roof.

Long Island Roofing & Roofing Repairs LI

URL: www.liroofrepair.com
All Long Island Roofers Are Not Created Equal

Many small time contractors claim to be qualified Long Island roofers, but these contractors are typically nothing more than fly by night individuals looking for a quick buck.  When shopping for new roofs, it is very important to take the selection of a Long Island roofing company very seriously.  Choosing the wrong roofing contractor can cause severe problems down the road after the contractors are long gone.  When researching Long Island Roofers, consider the following tips:

Experience – When shopping for a new roof, it important to only consider roofers which have significant experience installing roofs in the Long Island area.  With the extreme weather patterns in Long Island, it is important to install a roof with the highest quality materials possible.  Some of these high quality brands include Commack, Smithtown and Huntington.

Warranty – Many Long Island roofers may be willing to offer you a new roof at a discounted price, but these contractors often times do not offer any type of warranty on their work.  This means that if you run into any issues in the future, you must pay full price for repairs.  Quality Long Island roofing companies offer warranty’s ranging from 3-5 years depending on the quality of materials.

Price – While quality is very important, it would be foolish to think that price was also not a deciding factor when it comes to new roofs in Long Island.  The key is to find a roofing company that offers high quality service at a reasonable price.  Use review sites such as Angie's List and Google to find contractors that have positive reviews based on other jobs.

If you are looking for a Long Island roofing company,  Long Island roof repair is your source for all things related to the installation and repair of roofing in the Long Island area.  With an area as large as New York it is difficult to find quality Long Island roofers.  Long Island roof repair has been providing roofing services in New York since 1950 which proves that they have the knowledge and know how to get the job done.  They specialize in both residential and commercial roofing.  Give them a call today at 631-495-2891 to schedule an estimate.