colorado Archives

Roofs 101

July 23, 2024May 31, 2024 by Ana

Roofs keep out the noise, fire safety, and the durability from so much maintenance. These are the fundamentals of roofs. To flush out the steps of the 101 of roofing, we need to explain everything.

Roofs can come in m any different types of materials, shingles. Shingles come in different types of materials, asphalt, slate tiles, metal, and even flat roofs. Each of these types is different in durability and appeal. Metal roofs for example are more durable than asphalt roofs, they last much longer because they are more hail resistant and easier to take care of. Slate tiles are also more reliable than asphalt because they are also hail resistant, but they also last much longer on your roof than other roofs do.

For the installation of the roof are preparing for the roof to be installed on top of your home you will first need an underlayment. Underlayment is what lies between the shingles on the roof. It can be either plywood or OSB (Oriented Stand Board, is also stated by the work permit.). It is installed directly installed on the roof deck and provides a secondary layer of protection for weather elements, including snow, rain, and wind.

Another part of installation is who is going to install the shingles for you on the roof? It can anyone you choose that you believe is trustworthy. At Excel Roofing we can give you a free inspection and after that, we can put in the best bid for you, and we will install your roof until everything is done satisfactorily. It will get done right the first time.

After your roof is installed, you will need to check it for maintenance throughout your time living at your home. Make your own checklist and start to check for loose objects or heavy objects that are not supposed to be there. Those steps can be anything and, in any order, but here at Excel Roofing, we stress to always keep up with your gutter cleaning. Clean gutters will help get the debris clear, so the water can run smoothly through, and junk won’t get stuck. Trim overhanging branches that are too close to your house. You also want to expect the roof after harsh storms. Like loose tree branches, after time it can cause weight stress that you don’t need on your roof. Stop small issues that are in control as a homeowner, before those issues become bigger problems.

Overall, maintaining good behaviors to keep your house in good shape can be easy. A see able checklist if that is helpful for you to maintain a good roof. You can easily put this in your schedule to keep things in order. And if you like living at home, wouldn’t you like to take pride in something you earned or paid for? The first and easiest step is to take care of your house, and after that things will easily get done. Share your horror stories of bad gutters or success stories with us on social media! We would love to talk about them.

What is the Best Roof Warranty

April 29, 2024April 29, 2024 by Ana

What is the Best Roof Warranty

As a homeowner have you ever wondered if your roof has a warranty, and if so, how long does it last and what is covered? Roofing warranties are broken down into two different categories workmanship and materials. When a roofing contractor replaces your roof, they cover the workmanship portion. This covers any errors that could be made during the installation of the new roof. The material warranty is covered by the manufacturer of the shingles and other materials that you pick to be installed. This warranty covers any defects that the shingles or other products may have. Some examples of this could be color fading, extensive granule loss, or excessive heat blistering. Manufacturer and workmanship warranties do not cover acts of god like large hail

Standard Manufacturer’s Warranty / Extended Warranty’s

All shingle manufacturers warranties are not created equal. We believe that the best warranties included a non-prorated period of at least ten years. We believe Owens Corning offers the best warranty in the industry. Owens Corning offer what they call the “TRU Protection Period” for any roofing system that is installed that uses their shingles, plus three of their additional products. The TRU Protection period lasts for 10 years. This means that if there are any defects within that period that Owens Corning will cover all material and labor to be replaced in full. After this period, they will still pay for a portion of the replacement at a prorated amount, unless you purchase an extended warranty.

Extended shingle warranties are always a good idea. Owens corning offers options up to 50 years which can even include extended workmanship coverage for up to 25 years. This link will take you to an explanation of the different extended coverage that Owens Corning offers.

Roofing Warranties – Shingle Warranties | Owens Corning Roofing

Another great option when deciding which shingle to use is Pabco. They are a lesser-known shingle brand in our market but have been around on the west coast for many years. They offer a 20-year non-prorated warranty on their shingles. This is one of the best offers in the industry. The only downside is that they do not offer a complete roofing system.

The Workmanship Warranty

Excel Roofing provides a 5-year workmanship warranty on pitched roofs over a 2/12 slope. The workmanship warranty on repairs and portions of roofs with a slope of 2/12 or less is only 1 year. This warranty covers issues related to the quality of labor that is involved in a roofing project. This can include incorrect installation of the selected material, if there is a leak and it is caused by poor or improper installation it is covered. If there is a leak and you are within your warranty period both the outside and interior work should be covered.

To maximize the warranty benefit for your roof you should ask your Project Manager for more information regarding what options would be best for your specific project. These added benefits will give you peace of mind knowing that if there are any issues with your roof that you will be covered.

https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/blog/roofing-warranties-explained

Eco-Star Roofs

April 24, 2024April 15, 2024 by Ana

Eco-Star Roofs

Have you ever wanted a cooler roof that would help your house and the environment? Eco-Star tiles may be the way to go.

In the City of Denver, the certification of “green roof” certification, which is Eco-star. A green box with a Big white E and a white star next to it.

Eco-Star roofs are mostly made up of recycled tiles and shingles, that either were scraped off a roof, or not used on one. The impact of not making newer shingles or tiles is a huge benefit to the environment.

There are multiple roofs that can be used to help the environment without compromising on quality, durability, or longevity. The list includes asphalt shingles, clay tiles, metal roofs, and Synthetic Shake.

Eco roofs will have a longer life span than other materials that are out there. Because of the durability, they can withstand and reduce the frequency of roof replacements and maintenance for it overall, saving money and resources over time.

Consider where you live when you would like to install an Eco roof. Here in Colorado, it has up to 300 days of sunlight, and being positioned closer to the sun. Eco roofs may be a good place to start.

Benefits with eco-friendly roofing is the reflection of the sun. If you have a dark toned roof, it will absorb a lot of sunlight, not letting it have a chance to reflect the sunlight so much. Making it much hotter on top of your house. During the summer, roofs can be hotter than the ground with a difference between 20 degrees. In our climate of Colorado, we are closer to the sun, and it makes it harsher because of direct light towards your roof.

Overall, do your research to see if you would like an eco-roof on your house. Decide which material you would like that is energy efficient. Eco-star roofs can save money in the long run, because it will keep your house cool during the hotter months and warm in the cold months.

https://ecostarllc.com/5-key-environmental-benefits-of-synthetic-roofing/#:~:text=DURABILITY%20AND%20LONGEVITY,heavy%20rains%20and%20extreme%20temperatures

6 Essential Safety Requirements for Roofers

April 24, 2024April 4, 2024 by Ana

6 Essential Safety Requirement for Roofers

Roofing can be a dangerous business and there are many ways to prepare yourselves for each job you do as a roofer.

1. Follow the OSHA rules. OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A federal agency of the department of Labor. OSHA is a Private Workers Federal division, that covers most private businesses in the United States. Especially in Colorado. It is important you follow rules because it is for your safety. For more information, please visit their website. (link on the bottom)

2. Check your surrounding areas before you start the job. There could be anything on the roof you may not know about, holes, rocks, loose items and other debris.

3. Using the proper roofing equipment is important for working on a roof. Make sure you are properly dressed. Long pants and short sleeves are a minimum. You want to make sure you’re fully covered and don’t have baggy pants that can get in the way. Wear proper footwear like gym shoes with a good grip, not vans with a super flat bottom. Hard hats, glasses, and gloves are important things to wear to avoid getting hurt from unknown hazards. Preparing yourself for any type of potential hazard that could happen.

4. Bring a ladder that is appropriate, to get to the lowest platform of the roof. Check the ladder is tied off and secure for yourself and others.

5. A safety harness is very important. If you fall or slip, the harness will catch you, potentially saving your life. All harnesses should be tied to an anchor point.

6. Lastly, decide whether the weather is good enough to be out to work, because wet roofs can cause slipping hazards making it even more dangerous to be on top of the roof. Extreme temperatures over 90 degrees, will not be able to be worked on. Roofs absorb and reflect light, making it much hotter than normal. If someone were to work on a roof in hot weather, they would scuff the asphalt from foot traffic. Meaning, moving the gravel/asphalt form the shingles. To avoid this, by not working in hot temperatures. Working in hot temperatures could cause problems like being dehydrated, getting bad sunburn or heat exhaustion. Please be aware of your symptoms if this happens.

Overall, please follow the rules that keep you safe. No job is worth losing your life because you decided not to follow rules. Have fun roofing and for more information please visit our social media sites.

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3755.pdf

https://ohsonline.com/articles/2023/01/31/10-important-safety-requirements.asp

Heavy, Wet Snow on Roofs: What You Need to Know

April 25, 2024March 1, 2023 by Excel Roofing

Heavy, Wet Snow on Roofs: What You Need To Know

Winter is here and Spring is around the corner and with its arrival comes greater chances of heavy, wet snow. While a blanket of snow may look picturesque, it can cause serious damage to your home or bodily harm.

Why is heavy, wet snow dangerous for roofs?

The weight of heavy, wet snow is the biggest concern for roofs. As the snow accumulates on your roof, the weight can build up quickly. In the Spring when the snow is wet and heavy, it can put a lot of stress on your roof structure. This can cause the roof line to sag or even collapse. which is a serious safety hazard and will cause costly repairs.

In addition, heavy, wet snow can cause damage to your gutters, shingles, and other roofing materials. When snow melts, it can seep into cracks and crevices, causing water damage to your roof and even making its way into your home. This is what we refer to in roofing as ice dams. Ice damming occurs when snow on the roof melts and refreezes at the edge of the roof. This can cause water to back up and seep into the home through the roof or soffits, leading to water damage. For more about preventing ice dams check out our Ice Dams blog: https://www.excelroofing.com/ice-dams-how-to-prevent-ice-dams-protect-your-roof/

Safety

Heavy, wet snow is not only dangerous for your homes’ health, but also your personal health. Every year people die or are severely injured from snow falling off roofs. Metal roofs are particularly dangerous. Heavy, wet snow easily slides off metal roofs due to no friction between the roof and the snow. Snow guards are highly recommended by Excel Roofing for metal roofs in areas that receive a lot of snow.

What can you do to prevent heavy, wet snow damage to your roof?

Clearing snow off your roof can help reduce the risk of damage. You can use a snow rake to remove snow from your roof or hire Excel Roofing to do the job for you. Excel Roofing does not recommend getting on your roof with snow or ice present.
Snow guards are most common for tile, metal, and composite roofs but can be installed on steep asphalt roofs. The guards are installed to create friction and keep the snow on your roof until is safely melts. Heat cable is installed on all roof types. The heat cable will melt the snow and ice where it builds up which reduces strain on the roof structure.

Regular roof maintenance, such as cleaning gutters and checking for damage, can prevent ice dams from forming and mitigate future damage. This is especially important if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow. Keep an eye out for any signs of sagging or cracking and act immediately if you notice any problems. Click HERE for a free roof inspection.

By taking these steps, you can help keep your roof in top condition and protect your home from heavy, wet snow damage. Call Excel Roofing for any roofing questions and concerns. 303.761.6400

Ice Dams: How to Prevent Ice Dams & Protect Your Roof

July 23, 2024January 19, 2023 by Excel Roofing

Ice Dams: How To Prevent Ice Dams & Protect Your Roof

Every year when snow begins to fall and we experience sub-freezing temps in Denver, we start to get calls from concerned customers about ice dams. It happens like clockwork, and we are there to answer the call and help.

How Ice Dams Form

Ice dams are formed by snow when the temperatures fluctuate between the days and nights during winter. The snow on the roofs will melt during the day and start to drip off the roof and into the gutters. Once the sun goes down the melted snow will freeze and turn to ice overnight creating a barrier and/or icicle on the edge of the roof. North facing parts of roofs in Colorado are more likely to have ice dams because this side of the house receives the least amount of sunlight throughout the day.

Ice dams can be dangerous and damage your roof

Poorly insulated attic space can also lead to the formation of ice dams. The lack of attic insulation will cause the snow to melt faster off the top portion of the roof where the radiant heat escaping from the home collects. The snow then melts slower once it reaches the lower edge of the roof where the radiant heat from the living space is less. Once the snow builds up enough in this areas the snow and water refreeze over and over. The water freezes under the shingles and when it starts to melt again it drips into the soffit and even directly into the home. If a home has bad ice dams, they usually also experience icicles that can cause damage to the facia, soffit, and siding.

Another example of ice dam damage to the roof

Homes with multiple levels and dimensions can be more prone to ice dams. We often find ice dams in valleys of roofs where two faces meet and water drains off. Because of this these areas can be the most problematic. The melted water moves down the roof valley to the gutters (most of the time this drainage point is an inside corner) if the drainage is not adequate large ice build ups form. In extreme cases fascia and soffit can be completely separated and must be repaired or replaced.

What not to do

Excel Roofing has seen many DIY fixes to ice dams, and they do not solve your issue. We’ve heard stories of customers using hot water, ice melt, and torches. While doing this helps speed up the melting process, it will not melt the entire ice dam and will not solve the issue going forward. Ice dams will continue to form if a permanent solution is not installed. There is no quick fix to getting rid of ice dams other than climbing on the roof and chipping the ice away. However, that is extremely dangerous. Let’s leave it to the pros: Excel Roofing.

Ways to protect your roof with ice dams

Ice and water shield is required by building codes in most cities, counties and jurisdictions in Colorado and Wyoming. With proper installation, ice and water shield can help protect your roof from leaks caused by ice dams. When installing the ice and water shield code demands that it be installed 24 inches beyond the heated wall. Ice dams can melt overtime and cause water to get underneath the shingles and into the home. This is your best line of defense from preventing damage. Excel recommends every house have Ice and Water Shield installed on the eaves even if it is not required by the code and as a rule, we do install it in every roof valley on all projects.

Excel also recommends making sure your house is properly insulated and ventilated. This adds many benefits to your home not just helping with ice dams. Proper insulation and ventilation is integral to the roof system as a whole and will help with maintaining the proper ambient temperature during all seasons. Please see our blog post here for more info: https://www.excelroofing.com/attic-ventilation/

Heat Cable

Heat cable is Excel Roofing’s best solution to ice dams. Heat cable is installed directly on the roof close to the eaves. It is installed in a zigzag pattern approximately two feet up the roof, and through the gutters and downspouts to help prevent ice from freezing there as well. If you are having ice damning issues on your home please call us. We would be more than happy to give you a free estimate to install the ice melting system that is right for your property.

YouTube Link:
Check out our YouTube channel for a video about ice dams and heat cable from the owner J Bretz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIgGxW8MMkY

What Is Roof Flashing?

May 7, 2024January 18, 2020 by Excel Roofing

What is Roof Flashing?

If your roof has been inspected or replaced, you may have heard the word flashing used to describe certain parts of your roof. Maybe the flashing needs to be replaced or water is getting under the flashing and causing a roof leak. Just what is flashing and why is it important?

Roof Flashing Materials

Flashing can be made from many different materials like plastic, tin, or galvanized metal. Flashing is used as a transition from the roofing material to something that is not a roof. Flashing is installed at intersecting roofs and parapets and walls. It typically consists of angled strips of corrosion- resistant metal that overlap in such a way as to stop water from reaching your roof decking.

Where Does Flashing Go?

For example, you need flashing where a skylight, chimney, dormer, plumbing vent or air vent extends through a roof. The roofing material stops where these elements go through the roof, and something must connect them to the roof so there is no leak. That’s the job of a flashing. Flashing protects your roof in the areas where it is most vulnerable to leaks.

Shingles on a roof play a similar role as do feathers on duck. The feather pattern and layering keep the water from ever reaching the skin of a duck. The duck stays dry. Flashing keeps this “feathered” pattern in tact on your roof and keeps the rain from ever reaching the roof decking. Without proper flashing, your roof would leak where something was extending through your roof.

Flashing has been an essential piece to proper roof construction for hundreds of years. Its design hasn’t changed much in that time period either. It is very important for the flashing to be properly installed. If you think your roof flashing is old or worn, call Excel Roofing and we will perform a free inspection to your roof.

Insider Roofing Tips: Hail & Gutters

April 25, 2024January 8, 2020 by Excel Roofing

Insider Roofing Tips: Hail and Gutters

HI, I’M J BRETZ, THE OWNER OF EXCEL ROOFING.

I’ve been in the roofing business for almost 30 years, and I would like to share some insider information with you about hailstorms and roofers.

Pick a local company you can trust. How do you know who to trust? Ask these questions:

How long has the company been in business?
How many jobs have they done?
What is their BBB rating?

Trust: You can trust Excel Roofing. I founded Excel in 1993. We have performed over 32,000 jobs and have always maintained an A+ rating with the BBB.

Cancellation fees: Most roofers charge a 15% cancellation fee to cancel

Local Company: We don’t door knock, and we don’t telemarket; however, this doesn’t mean we’re not interested in your business. We’re just not storm chasers. Excel Roofing are the local guys who were here before the storm and will be here long after the storm chasers are gone.

Repairs: Storm chasers don’t do small repairs. Excel has a full service repair department. This is important because

1) you want the company that installs your roof to be around if there’s ever a problem, and

2) you want them to be good a fixing roofs.

Money Up-Front: Don’t ever pay a roofer/storm chaser money up-front; you’re just asking for problems. If a roofer says they need money for material, it means they have a cash flow problem. The dirty little secret is the salesman wants money up-front so he can get an advance payment on your deal. The other reason they want money up-front is that it makes it almost impossible for you to get out of the deal if you change your mind.

Never pay any money until the job is 100% complete! Don’t give in on this one. No matter how sincere they sound, don’t pay anything until the job is complete.

Q & A: Hail

Q: HOW MUCH MORE DOES HAIL RESISTANT ROOFING COST?

A: Hail resistant roofing material is typically 5% – 15% more expensive than standard roofing. The good news is over the past 10 years, the cost to upgrade has dropped from a 30% price difference. The average price for a new standard asphalt shingle roof is $8125. To upgrade to hail resistant shingles would be $8325.

Q: IS HAIL RESISTANT ROOFING WORTH THE EXTRA COST?

A: I think so. The savings on a homeowners insurance premium will cover the cost. If a homeowner saves $250 a year on the premium, the hail resistant roofing material pays for itself within a few years.

Q: DO HAIL RESISTANT ROOFING MATERIALS ACTUALLY WORK?

A: Yes. They definitely sustain less damage from hail. The manufacturers of hail resistant roofing have done their homework and developed a stronger roofing material. The independent tests that Underwriters Laboratories developed has proven the strength of these materials. And the insurance companies are willing to offer discounts to those homeowners that do have them installed.

Q & A: Gutters

Q: HOW MUCH DO GUTTER SCREENS COST?

A: The best gutter screens can be purchased at your local hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. If you are not a DIY’er (do-it-yourself’er), Excel Roofing can install them for $4 per linear foot.

Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO UNCLOG AN UNDERGROUND (FRENCH) DRAIN?

A: This is a tough question to answer. It really depends on the clog and the design of the underground drain. Because French drains cannot be roto-rootered, often the entire drain will have to be replaced.

A correctly installed underground drain is usually about 15 feet long, the drainpipe needs to be sloped away from the house and completely surrounded by rock.

The average price to remove and replace an underground drain is $500.

Q: MY DOWNSPOUT KEEPS FREEZING. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

A: Heat cable should be installed to prevent future freezing. Heat cable can be found at your local hardware store for about $70 per 100 feet and obviously needs a power outlet near the install.

The cable needs to be strung into the gutter, down the downspout and several feet on to the ground. If the heat cable is going into an underground drain, the cable needs to be strung as far as possible.

Excel Roofing can install most 100 foot plug and play heat cable systems for $299.

What is the Best Roof Warranty

Eco-Star Roofs

6 Essential Safety Requirement for Roofers

Heavy, Wet Snow on Roofs: What You Need To Know

Ice Dams: How To Prevent Ice Dams & Protect Your Roof

How Ice Dams Form

What not to do

Ways to protect your roof with ice dams

Heat Cable

What is Roof Flashing?

Roof Flashing Materials

Where Does Flashing Go?

Insider Roofing Tips: Hail and Gutters

HI, I’M J BRETZ, THE OWNER OF EXCEL ROOFING.

Q & A: Hail

Q: HOW MUCH MORE DOES HAIL RESISTANT ROOFING COST?

Q: IS HAIL RESISTANT ROOFING WORTH THE EXTRA COST?

Q: DO HAIL RESISTANT ROOFING MATERIALS ACTUALLY WORK?

Q & A: Gutters

Q: HOW MUCH DO GUTTER SCREENS COST?

Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO UNCLOG AN UNDERGROUND (FRENCH) DRAIN?

Q: MY DOWNSPOUT KEEPS FREEZING. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

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