Roofing | Arocon Roofing And Construction

Choose A Quality Roofing Contractor

August 23, 2010/in Roofing/by Arocon

Installing a new roof is one of the most important, and expensive, home improvement projects you’ll run into as a homeowner. Considering this, and since your roof is the first line of defense for your home against the elements, it’s important that you hire the best roofing company possible. Roofing contractors are a dime a dozen, so it’s important to follow a few basic rules when finding, choosing, and hiring a roofing contractor.

1. Talk to Several Contractors

You should talk to several roofing companies so you can gauge an honest and reasonable price range. You probably don’t want to make your final hiring decision on a couple hundred dollars for a project that costs several thousand dollars, but you should be wary of any remarkably low or excessively high bids. Of course, this will also help give you plenty of opportunity to build rapport and trust and to adhere to the other rules for hiring a roof contractor.

2. Research Credentials

Besides talking to several different roofing companies, it’s important that you do a little research on the contractor you choose to hire. Reputable contractors should be licensed and willing to provide you with at least three references verifying that they do good work. Once you’ve checked your roofing companies out and are satisfied that they’re legit, hiring a roofing contractor is more fun than stressful.

3. Review the Contract and Warranties Closely

Never sign a contract without reading it over carefully. Professional contractors won’t be annoyed by you taking the time to understand the terms of your agreement, and most will be happy to sit down with you and explain parts you don’t understand. Also, make sure you understand the warranty that comes with your new roof. All materials and workmanship should be guaranteed for at least 5 years, and the roofing itself ought to come with a 20- to 40-year warranty.

4. Cover Your Bases

Before work begins, be sure to cover your bases. Check with your contractor about whether you need to acquire a permit or not (most roofing companies will take care of this as part of their service), and make sure their employees are covered by workers comp as well. Finally, if you’re submitting an insurance claim on your roof, make certain that you’ve followed all the necessary procedures and had all work approved before work on your new roof begins.

5. Never Pay the Entire Balance Upfront

Never pay the entire balance of your new roof upfront. This goes for all large projects. If your contractor requires this of you, don’t sign the contract. Asking for a deposit as a good faith offering or a payment schedule that parallels the work are pretty common and accepted practices. Either way, don’t pay with money. Using a credit card increases the likelihood that, in a worst-case scenario, you can recover your money without expensive litigation.

How To Tell If Your Roof Needs Replacing

August 23, 2010/in Roofing/by Arocon

The roof is understandably one the more neglected components of a home. After all, you probably only see it from a distance, if at all, and it doesn’t cry out for your attention like a leaky faucet or a door that doesn’t close properly. Your roof just sits there, protecting your most important investment from the elements … until it doesn’t.

So how can you tell whether your shingled roof is nearing the end of its life, especially after a long and challenging winter like this one? More importantly, how can you tell before it fails and leads to costly interior damage?

Obviously, you can contact us for a roof tune-up. We’ll inspect your roof, replace up to 10 shingles, and even caulk and re-attach any loose shingles. You’ll get a full 21-point report so you’ll know exactly the condition of your roofing system.

In the meantime, here are some signs that your shingled roof may be nearing the end of its lifetime:

1. The Age. If your roof is more than 20 years old, it’s probably time to start planning for its replacement, especially if those no-longer-a-teenager shingles are nailed on top of another layer. Is your roof vented properly? If not, expect a shorter life span.

2. The Obvious. Look for torn, curled, buckled or missing shingles, or exposed nail heads among the shingles. You may need binoculars to get a good look. Remember to check all sides of the roof: depending on how your home is positioned, one side may weather much more quickly than the others. Finding bits of shingles in your yard? That’s another red flag.

3. The Less Obvious. An accumulation of shingle granules in your gutters is another sign that your shingles are past their prime. We don’t advise getting on a ladder to check – that’s our job – but sometimes a portion of the gutters is visible from an upstairs window, especially a dormer window. If so, take a look. You can also look at the places where the downspouts discharge at ground level.

4. The Inside Out. If you have easy access to your attic, go up in daytime hours, turn off any lights and look closely around the edges of the chimney. If you can see any daylight, that’s a sign that the chimney flashing – an important part of your roof system – needs to be re-done. While you’re in the attic, look at the underside of the sheathing (the plywood the shingles are nailed to). There should not be any damp or spongy areas, although there may be water spots from before the last time the roof was done. Mark or photograph these so you can look for any changes next time you inspect. Finally, make sure that any venting from bathrooms is directed through the roof, as opposed to discharging steam in your attic, which will shorten the life of your sheathing.

If you have any of the above signs, or other red flags you may notice, it’s best to have a professional come out and take a second look. As always if you have any questions, feel free to contact your local home improvement experts at AROCON Roofing & Construction!

Work With an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor

August 23, 2010/in Roofing/by Arocon

Successful businesses in America have historically shared similar qualities, such as ambition, innovation, dedication, and reliability. Owens Corning has epitomized said qualities since 1938. So when a company such as Owens Corning selects another as one of their Preferred Roofing Contractors, they search for contractors who share the same qualities. Companies with respect and reliability, much like AROCON Roofing and Construction.

To better understand just how much weight an Owens Corning endorsement holds, we’d like you to take a quick look into the legacy of Owens Corning.

Owens Corning has a history of innovation, dating back to The Great Depression. Through the advent of FiberGlas Owens Corning was able to thrive in one of the hardest periods of American history, by giving the U.S. a a distinct advantage during WWII, by providing our nation’s army with its FiberGlas technology.

After the war, Owens Corning found yet another window of opportunity to reinvent their business: the housing market. Owens Corning changed the housing industry forever with innovative new FiberGlas shingles. They continue to innovate, to this day, with FiberGlas infused asphalt shingles for roofing. Owens Corning shingles has not only become a household name in shingles, but also the number one brand in America.

With such an important legacy, Owens Corning takes great care in choosing contractors to associate with. In order for Owens Corning to associate with a contractor, they must see the same capability for innovation, professionalism, and reliability that they possess. More importantly, they must trust said contractor to represent the Owens Corning legacy. That is why they chose to represent only 1% of nation’s best roofing contractors. AROCON is proud to be one of a select few roofing contractors to carry this honor.

Legacy. Innovation. Professionalism. Reliability. That’s what it means to work with an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor and that’s what it means to work with AROCON Roofing & Construction.

That Dam Ice!

August 23, 2008/in Roofing/by Arocon

What is an ice dam?

Icicles may look pretty, but when you see them growing from the overhang of your roof, you’ve got yourself an ice dam. Ideally winter rain and melting snow drain through the gutters and away from the house. But when that water freezes it forms an ice dam, accumulating and causing a back-up that can damage both the outside and the inside of your home. With each subsequent snowfall your roof will become weakened and warped. Then, when the snow melts from the heated air inside, it will have nowhere to go but inside, leading to damages that often require expensive fixes.

How do I prevent an ice dam from forming on my roof?

You can certainly climb up a ladder to the roof and “rake” off the snow yourself, or dig drainage channels through the snow before the ice dam has a chance to form. However, both of these are very temporary fixes; you’ll need to repeat the process every time snow or ice fall from the sky.
Winterizing your home before wintertime can help you to avoid big repairs down the road.
Whether or not you use your attic for storage or other purposes, damage to your attic can lead to damage elsewhere in the house. Installing a manual heat source in your attic is a short-term fix that is extremely dangerous. Instead, make sure that your attic is adequately insulated.An ice dam can close off vents and prevent kitchen, bathroom, chimney and other heating exhaust from escaping the home. A roofing contractor can move or extend those vents to keep them clear.

How do I get rid of an ice dam that’s formed on my roof?

You can hire a professional to steam the ice away, and then have this done every time the blockage occurs. Since that can be several times each winter the cost will add up quickly.
A long-term solution is snow guards, which are basically spikes that protrude from the roof to break up snow or ice before it has a chance to settle in and cause damage.
A similar solution is to install a snow retention system, where aluminum ridges are applied to the roof to create more permanent drainage channels. They can be customized to match the exact color of your roof.

How can a Roofing Professional help me protect my home from bad winter weather?

They will provide you with a permanent solution at a reasonable cost. Taking preventative measures right now, such as installing better insulation, sealing potential leakage sources and redirection of ventilation systems, eliminates worry when the weather gets bad. They will ensure that skylights are sealed properly. And even if your roof is shaped in an odd or complicated way, you can rest assured that they will take effective measures to protect your home from the elements.
It’s very important to fix leaks immediately to prevent mold and mildew, which can cause you and your family respiratory problems. By contacting AROCON you are guaranteeing your family that leaks and moisture will be eliminated from your home.

AROCON specializes in roof repair, as well as drywall repair, removal of damaged insulation and installation of brand new insulation, sealing active leakage sources, and redirecting ventilation systems to prevent these problems from recurring later in the winter, the next year and beyond. With AROCON’s experienced roofers and construction workers, thorough project review, and warranty options, you can feel secure that your home will withstand Old Man Winter for years to come.

AROCON is a full-service roofing and construction company specializing in roof repair, roof replacement and other construction projects for residential and corporate buildings. AROCON is a Baltimore roofing company serving all of central Maryland and southern Pennsylvania.

A New Way to Think About The Wind

August 23, 2008/in Roofing/by Arocon

As we see too often on the news, wind damage can devastate a home. But what exactly causes the damage we see? High wind speeds? Yes. High wind pressure? Also, yes. But the number one source of wind damage to a home is flying debris. Now that you know this you’re one step closer to owning a home that can withstand a windstorm.

What kinds of damage can a windstorm do to my roof?

Many people confuse wind speed and wind pressure. High pressure winds stay lower to the ground and around the corners and edges of the roof, which causes roof layers (decking panels, felt, flashing, shingles, etc.) to peel. To keep those high pressure winds outside, a professional roofer will inspect the edging, which seals gaps between the roof and exterior walls. Replace damaged edging right away to prevent further damage and keep wind, rain and extreme temperatures outside where they belong.

How do I save money on weatherproofing my house?

A home should be built to resist wind coming from all directions. A well-built home has a strong envelope, which is basically the skeleton of the home: the foundation, outer walls and roof. Wind can blow a hole in the envelope (like in the siding) or break doors or windows, and even the slightest damage will weaken the structure of your home. Your house should have doors and windows that are strong and stable enough to keep the scary weather outside.

Hurricane Alley versus Tornado Alley

The good thing about living in a hurricane-prone area (as compared to a tornado-prone area, for example) is that you have enough warning to prepare. You know to secure furniture and other outdoor possessions so that they can’t be picked up by the wind. But other flying debris like tree branches and shingles from neighboring homes can clog gutters, downspouts and destroy your home’s building envelope. It’s important to ensure the roof is sealed down tight, but that alone doesn’t guarantee that your post-hurricane roof will be damage-free. It will, however, greatly increase the chances that you will still have a roof once the storm has subsided. Additionally, if you can figure out exactly what debris damaged your roof, then you are better educated to discuss effective solutions with a professional roofing contractor.

How can I protect my roof from water damage during a windstorm?

It’s common to notice gaps or holes only after a leak starts. A qualified roofing consultants will inspect your roof and locate and seal these gaps before they become serious problems. They will do the same for wall features like vents, pipes and windows. It’s important that all materials are installed properly, so it’s important that you hire a trusted professional to get the job done quickly and correctly. Proper flashing installation seals your home from rain. Leak sources tend to be where two parts of the roof come together, like a ridge or valley, or where the roof meets a wall, chimney or vent. Rain propelled by high winds will find its way into any small gap or hole in your home. Take care of these repairs before the real damage is done: All it takes is having a professional remodeler find and seal the gaps, and verify that your home is built to withstand violent weather. Plus, the inspection will ensure that your house is up to code, which eliminates the worry of paying fines.

What if I don’t want to spend money fixing a leak that may not even exist?

Let’s say you’ve decided not to spend the money on precautionary measures, and you’re going to just sit tight and hope the approaching storm avoids your home. Then, let’s say the actual storm blows straight through your neighborhood. Hopefully your home was designed and constructed extremely well, but if not, chances are the damage was done higher up (as in, to the roof).
Keep in mind that the source of a leak may not be where you see it, and this is why water damage repairs should be made by a professional: Since a water stain doesn’t always tell you where the source of the leak is, a professional will remove the damaged interior wall to locate the source, seal the leak and replace the drywall. Whatever your home is made of (wood, plaster, masonry, concrete), you’ll need to get wind or rain damage fixed right away, because the longer you wait, the weaker the structure of your home will be, and the higher the repair costs will become.

Not sure if your home’s building envelope fits the bill?

Hire a professional contractor to investigate! If you ignore minor issues they’re likely to become bigger problems, so better to take care of small problems as you see them, before the repairs get too expensive.