When the weather takes a turn for the worse many things outside take damage. Your roof, being the ultimate shield of your house perhaps takes the most damage after a bad storm. But sometimes bad weather isn’t the only culprit behind roof damage. Sometimes, it’s just the old age of the roof that makes it unable to carry on the work it was trusted to do. Two major red flags of potentially dangerous roof damage are loose nails and sagging or sunken areas in the roof. They both need your attention as a homeowner and they both need to be corrected as soon as possible.

Loose Nails

Loose nails on the roof usually come about as a result of loose shingles but sometimes the shingles could be unharmed and the nails would come loose. Either way, the two are tightly related. When one suffers damage, the other does as well because of this interrelation. Most homeowners will take matters into their own hands when they notice loose nails on their roof. But this is not the best idea.

For starters, the holes that will be hammered into with the nails will still be loose and the job done won’t really be effective, only messy. Secondly pounding on your roof with a hammer without expertise might not be so great for the shingles underneath and you may cause damage in the process.

Sagging and Sunken Areas

If you’ve taken a good look of your rooftop and noticed certain sagging or sunken areas on it, that’s a huge problem. It’s the kind of problem that should immediately prompt you into contacting your local Albany roofing contractor and order for a replacement.

That’s right – a sagging roof normally will not be repaired; only replaced. These sunken areas might be a result of a rotting wood decking underneath the shingles. This decking is the first layer that holds your roof together. If the decking is faulty, it’s time you get a new roof.

Always call an expert company that you can trust for the job. Roof replacement is a costly and time-consuming process so you want to work with someone who has known expertise in this area.

Call Ultimate Roofing for all your roofing needs in the Albany area today!

One of the most common complaints homeowners come about their roof is water damage and leaks. Leaks on the roof can come about as a result of numerous reasons; a qualified roofing contractor in Albany will be able to investigate and find out the root of the problem and the magnitude of it.  However, as a homeowner it is important that you recognize water damage and leaks on your roof so that you can make a call for repairs.

Why is my roof leaking?

When shingles become loose, break or get damaged after they have endured trauma, you might notice your roof leaking. Similarly, a clogged gutter and holes and cracks in the sealing or flashing can be common culprits of water leaks. The true cause can only be sought out by an expert.

What can I do about water leaks?

As a homeowner, it’s important that you recognize the leaks you experience in your home are because of roof damage. If the ceiling has giant wet spots that leak or if the walls are moldy and damp, the obvious reason is roof damage.

There is little a homeowner can do to repair the damage but there are measures they can take to decelerate the process or treat it symptomatically. First things first, you don’t want the inside of your house to get ruined by roof water leaks. Use a bucket and place it under the leaks to top it from damaging or making the floors wet. Alternatively, you could try sealing off obvious cracks and holes on your roof with a temporary sealant.

It’s important that you call for repairs as soon as possible because a leaky roof will likely keep causing more and more damage to your roof as well as your walls and ceilings. This coupled with the rapid growth of fungi will result in an inhospitable environment for your house. Call Ultimate Roofing, your local reputable Albany roofing company and be prepared for an extensive repairing project.

Call us today for all your local roofing needs!

Shingles, no matter what type, lay the foundation of your roof. Although sturdy, these shingles can suffer from wear and tear overtime or as a result of a bad storm that has hit your town. The damage to your shingles can manifest in various ways; they can come loose, break or even disappear.

When you notice damage to your shingles, the best course of action is to call a professional roofing contractor in Albany for the job. Loose or missing shingles are often a sign of major damage to your roof which can only grow if not fixed in a timely manner.

What happens when shingles come loose?

Loose shingles reflect a weak foundation for your roof – the defender against all the elements. Loose shingles also means that your roof will now be more likely to leak and suffer from water damage. Since shingles are stacked up in layers one on top of another with nails and screw binding them, a strong roof with healthy shingles will not allow water to seep through the nail holes. However, when any part of the many-layered shingle comes loose, breaks or goes missing, water will have access inside and cause damage within the layers. That’s where things get messy and start going downhill.

When the shingle layers weaken, so does the overall status of your roof. Should a windy day come, you’ll find the damage even more accelerated than ever.

What can I do about shingle damage?

The first step is to investigate and assess the magnitude of the problem. If you’re unsure about how that’s done, call an expert to inspect your roof for you. The next thing you ought to do is hire a reliable roofing company to do the job of repairs for you. If you leave the repairs for later, you’ll only be making thing worse for both your roof and your budget.

Call Ultimate Roofing for all your roofing needs in the Albany area!

After a storm has passed and life has begun to continue as normal, it’s time to take a look at the damage that’s been done to your roof. If the winds were strong, there’s a possibility that your roof would have taken a hit. What follows next is a long process of insurance claims, paperwork and multiple calls.

Ideally your insurance agency will arrive at your property, inspect the damages that have been done to your roof and give you an estimate of the cost of repairs that they are willing to cover. However, many homeowners find that this estimate is sometime less than the actual repair cost which could result in a budget problem for you or an inefficient roof repair.

So how do you make sure your insurance estimate matches with the actual repair cost? Let’s break it down.

How Are Estimates Made?

When the insurance company arrives in your home, they will perform a thorough inspection and give you an estimate of the cost they are willing to cover. A roofing company you intend to hire will do the same. In fact, the estimate calculation criterion is a standard and both the insurance agency and the roofing company will follow the same criteria to assess and give an estimate on the repairs.

But if that’s the case, why do the estimates tend to vary? Well, it could either be that the insurance company is shortchanging you or that they genuinely overlooked an issue which resulted in a lower repair bid estimate.

What Happens When the Estimated Repair Bid is Low?

Well, this just means that your roofing contractor will invest less time and labor on your roof so that the job can be completed quickly. This could mean an inefficient repair or a quick but temporary fix that will need further repairs in the future.

Make sure you know the pricing scale and how the estimate is calculated by your insurance agency so that you never feel shortchanged.

Contact a reliable and trustworthy roofing contractor in the Albany area who can help you with the insurance process and ensure that your roof gets the repairs it deserves.

Contact Ultimate Roofing today!

Times of roof turmoil in bad weathers and hurricanes surprisingly sprout hundreds of roofing companies and roofers that have never been heard of before. When a storm comes and damages your roof, it’s likely to have called for an emergency repair. And when there’s a crisis, homeowners don’t usually think twice before hiring the nearest and most convenient roofer for the job.

But is this a wise idea? To hire just anyone for storm roof damage repair? Chances are an unskilled roofer will makes things worse for your roof than better. That’s why it’s imperative that you hire a roofer with credentials and expertise despite the urgency of the situation.

Here are some questions you need to ask yourself before hiring a roofer for storm damage repairs

Are They Always Prepared for an Emergency?

Not every Albany roofing contractor does emergency repair. In fact, emergency roof repairs are an entirely distinct set of skills. Even if a company is experienced in roof replacement and other roofing jobs, it isn’t necessary they have the skills for emergency repairs.

A roofer that does have this skill will mention it on their portfolio or website. Their experience in the past will be proof that they know how emergency roofing is done.

Do They Have the Right Equipment?

Again, tools needed for emergency repairs are different from those required in long-term jobs. That’s because these storm damage repairs are usually temporary corrections that ideally need a proper repair later when the bad weather has subsided. Make sure you ask the roofer about the tools they intend to use and if they are meant to be for emergency storm damage repairs.

Do They Know the Common Emergency Roof Problems?

If your roofer is skilled in the art of emergency storm repair damage, they should know the primary area of damage: injury to the shingles by the wind and trees, leaks, cracks in the flashing, wind uplift and missing shingles.

Lastly, it’s important to ask for your roofer’s credentials in the past with similar work because even in times of crisis you want to make sure the repairs you’re paying for are effective and not just quick.

Ultimate Roofing can fix any emergency roof repair you need addressed quickly.  Call us today and schedule us to come out to your home!

Red Flags that Call For a Roof Replacement – Stat!

When you first build your house, you imagine the roof being sturdy and strong enough to last you for generations. While it is true that your roof enjoys a particularly long lifespan (if built correctly with quality materials) but nothing in the world in immortal. There will come a time, maybe in your life or your children, when your roof will start to give up. Or perhaps a nasty storm could be the cause of damage. Either way, you will need to plan a roof replacement for it.

Here are some major signs when you know your roof absolutely has to be replaced!

#1: Missing and Broken Shingles

When you notice the shingles of your roof vanishing altogether, it could be a problem. Missing shingles signify that they were no longer strong enough to stay on the roof and were easily swept away by a strong wind. You don’t want that kind of shingle on your roof.

Another cause of concern is broken or damaged shingles. While sometimes repair can fix the problem, extensive injury calls for a roof replacement.

#2: Roofing Remains in the Drain

If you notice the gutters of the roof being clogged by roofing material, that might mean it’s time for a roof replacement. Shingles of the asphalt type tend to shed their coating overtime that can accumulate in the drains and even cause a blockage. This coating, when lost, can render the shingle less effective and more vulnerable to further damage by rain or wind.

#3: Advancing Age

As mentioned before already, your roof has a certain age limit. Once it is reached, there is no other option than to replace the roof entirely. Even if you have been maintaining the roof for years, an aged roof will eventually succumb. Usually the first sign of an aged roof is a leaky roof.

Roof replacement does not come cheap. But when there’s no other option for your roof, it becomes a necessity. To ensure the next roof you get installed lasts longer and better, hire a reliable roofing company.

Do You Need a Shingle Repair or a Full Roof Replacement?

We can all agree that roof maintenance is important to increase the longevity of your roof. But there comes a time, age or bad storms, when your roof suffers wear and tear. When that time comes, how do you decide between shingle repair or shingle replacement? Let’s break it down here.

Assessing the Problem

When you suspect that your roof has gone through some trauma, it’s essential that you assess the magnitude of it. Homeowners, however, are not always skilled at picking up minor defects that can eventually lead to a major disaster in the long run for example a hole or crack in the shingles or flashing. To make sure the problem is assessed effectively, book a professional roof inspection for your house. Only an expert can tell exactly how much damage has been done and even help make the decision of shingle repair or shingle replacement easier.

The Deciding Factor

Often broken, missing shingles or erred flashing can be corrected with a repair but when the fault involves a major leak, that’s your deciding factor for a shingle replacement. Leaks can cause the roof damage to build up over time until the roof completely gives out. To avoid this bad consequence, a shingle replacement should be planned out.

Hiring a Professional for the Job

Roofing is a business that should not be handled lightly. While DIY tricks and tips can help you stop a leak inside your bathroom, the same cannot be said for your roof. In fact, DIY tips can further make things worse for your roof.

So, hire a professional roofer in Albany that is reliable and reputable. It might be more expensive than making repairs yourself but it’s definitely not cost-effective in the long run.

Shingle Repair or Replacement?

It’s important that you make the right decision for your roof’s need. When it comes to budget, a shingle replacement will obviously require more. But when the damage is too extensive to be corrected by a repair, there may be no second choice.

Contact Ultimate Roofing today for all your roofing needs in Albany!

Storms and rain in the summer season are unpredictable. You can never know when a strong wind will damage your roof and your property. Smart homeowners, therefore, should always be ready to deal with a crisis situation such as this. Knowing how to deal with the after storm damage is important for your roof’s health as well your pocket.

The obvious solution most homeowners come up with is contacting an insurance company but is this the best idea? We think not. Sure, insurance providers will help you regain the losses but it will take them a while to get things in action. Your damaged roof can’t wait that long. Instead of ordering for permanent repairs, it’s important to come up with temporary solutions such as emergency repair service.

What a homeowner needs to realize is that any impending damage to their roof can result in more problems overtime. That’s why emergency repairs have to be taken quickly instead of getting into the hassle of your claim provider. It is also important that you hire a professional roofer for the repairs with credentials and experience instead of going for DIY methods or amateur companies.

As you get the emergency repairs done, it is also a good idea to document any and all repair services that you have received so the insurance company can cover it later.

When the emergency services are completed, get in contact with your insurance provider. To avoid any confusion or miscommunication, make sure you know who you’re talking to on the phone. Since insurance companies are large, it’s likely that you will be connected to a call with a separate person each time. Inquire about their name so they can get in touch with you to ensure the process goes smoothly.

The next step is to hire a professional roofing contractor in Albany to make permanent repairs for your roof. It’s a good idea to contact one that knows the insurance policy and can help you with it. It’s equally important to ensure the company you decide to hire is skilled and reliable.

After storm damage can create havoc and often homeowners forget to plan their actions wisely. Don’t be that homeowner and take things one step at a time to ensure your roof is repaired effectively and at the price it’s worth.

If you are located in the Albany area and looking for a professional roofing company to help you with your home's roofing project, contact Ultimate Roofing today!