Warren Thompson & Son

A roof replacement involves fully removing the shingles and underlayment on your roof to reveal the decking. The decking will be inspected and repaired, if needed, and then new underlayment will be laid to protect the decking from water. Next, the shingles are put on, which may consist of asphalt, metal, composite, or another material. You can also choose between 3-tab, architecural, and luxury shingles, based on your budget and preferred style.

If your roof is damaged or leaking and is less than 15 years old, a roof repair can be more practical than full replacement. Common repairs include replacement of shingles and/or fascia boards, patching leaks, and fixing improperly installed flashing.

During new roof installation, your home gets a new underlayment and shingles over the roof decking. You can choose between 3-tab and architectural shingles, which can be made of asphalt, wood, composite, metal, or another material. New roofs last 20-30 years for less expensive materials, while slate, copper, or tile can last 50 years or longer.

The shingles on your home are both protective and decorative. These overlapping pieces of asphalt, wood, clay, slate, metal, or composite materials create a waterproof barrier that protects your home from the elements. They are available in multiple colors and include 3-tab, architecural, or luxury varieties. Asphalt shingles are the most common and budget-friendly, while clay, wooden, or composite shingles can add character and style to your home.

Metal roofing can be made of aluminum, copper, corrugated metal, or stone-coated steel. It's very long-lasting, durable, and energy efficient, making it a popular roofing material for both residential and commercial buildings.

Tile roofing is attractive, durable, and environmentally friendly. Tiles are made from slate, clay, or concrete, and are an excellent choice for buildings in hot areas or those exposed to salt air near the ocean. However, tile is a more expensive roof material and is also very heavy.

Membrane roofing is easy to install and cost effective. It's used for flat or low-sloping roofs, which are largely on commercial buildings. There are three types, EPDM, TPO, and PVC, which are different types of material used to create the membrane. Maintenance includes regular cleaning, inspection for damage, and prompt repairs of any issues.

A roof inspection may be required by your homeowner's insurance, or you may get an inspection to check for damage before deciding on roof repair or replacement. During a roof inspection, a professional will look at the shingles, flashing, gutters, and more to determine the condition of the roof and provide an estimate on how long it may be until you need replacement. Some inspectors will climb on the roof for a physical inspection, while others will make an assessment from the ground. Others will use more advanced drone or infrared technologies. Regular inspections may be included in the homeowner's routine roof maintenance.

Roof cleaning is an important maintenance step that helps prolong the roof's lifespan, prevent pest problems, and preserve your roof's appearance. There are two primary cleaning methods: pressure washing and soft washing. Pressure washing uses no chemicals but can damage asphalt shingles, so some homeowner prefer soft washing with chemicals to kill moss, lichens, algae, and more. However, chemical washing should only be done by professionals to ensure runoff doesn't harm plants and wildlife.

Flat roofing isn't truly flat, it's very lowly sloped and appears almost flat. It's common in commercial buildings because it's energy efficient and an easy and cost-effective way to roof a very large area. There are three types of flat roofing systems: membrane roofing, built-up roofing, and modified bitumen roofing. Flat roofs are challenging to maintain in cold weather and need to be replaced more often than sloped roofs.

Skylights can bring in natural light, improve ventilation, and add architectural interest to your home. However, if your skylight is leaking, cracked, fogging over, or showing signs of water damage, it's important to contact a professional to schedule skylight repair. Roofers can replace skylight flashing and seals, broken or damaged glass, or open/close mechanisms that no longer work.

Having a fireplace installed can be simple if you choose a gas insert, or more complex for a traditional wood-burning option. For a traditional fireplace, a professional mason builds the chimney and hearth, including the chimney foundation and stack. Then fireplace installers put in the firebox and liner. Maintaining the fireplace includes cleaning the firebox of ash and buildup, yearly professional chimney cleaning, and repair of any broken or damaged masonry. For gas fireplace installation, the contractor can cut out the area for the insert, run electric and gas lines, and build a vent. Then the insert can be installed. Maintaining a gas fireplace involves cleaning the glass front and trim, checking for damage around the fireplace or vent, and having a professional repair it if needed.

When you hire professionals for gutter cleaning, they can remove debris from your roof, clear debris and obstructions from the gutters by hand, and then use blowers or water to get rid of smaller waste. They can also test downspouts to ensure they aren't blocked, and clear them if there's an issue. From there, they'll clean up and you'll be ready for the next rain.