Frequently Asked Questions

Below we hope to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers. We know a lot about roofing, so if there’s something this doesn’t answer feel free to give us a call at 215-335-9999 and we’ll try to help.

We believe an informed customer is a happy customer.

What are the different parts of a roof?

There are a lot of different parts of a roof that work together to keep your property dry. Check out this article for more information.

Why Can’t I be given an exact start date for my job?

Mostly it’s the weather. The Philadelphia roofing business is effected by the weather more than any other construction industry. We simply cannot work in the rain, extreme heat, or in the snow. There are a few exceptions to this hard and fast rule, but for the most part we are at the mercy of mother nature.

How should I prepare my roof for the summer?

Spring is when you should be doing yearly maintenance checkups and cleaning after the winter weather is gone. Check out our tips for spring cleaning to get you started.

Why can’t the roofing work that’s needed be done the same day as the estimate?

We are a full service roofing company with an office staff to help schedule one of our estimators or service technicians to come out. We have dedicated installers that do nothing but install roofing. The reason we don’t do jobs the same day is simple. Our estimators are not our installers, and it is this specialization that allows us to offer the best service possible to our customers. Contact us for a Free Estimate.

What are the benefits of having my roof sealed and coated?

Roof sealing and coating is the most important thing you can do for an asphalt based flat roof. Re-sealing is preventive maintenance that will keep your roof free of leaks. We inspect all flashing details and make sure that they are water tight, as well as the penetrations in your roof for plumbing and mechanical systems. If the material calls for it we apply one of several types of reflective coating to your roof, as a means of reflecting the sun’s harmful UV light from your roof surface, both cooling your home, and protecting your roof from damage.

 

Why are most repairs only guaranteed for a short period?

Repairs are just that, repairs. They are meant to get an existing roof into working condition, or to maintain an existing roof installation. Many roofing companies will not guarantee repair work. We offer a guarantee, because we stand behind the work that we do. In the rare case we feel a roof should not be repaired, but a customer is insistent upon it, for whatever reason, we will explicitly tell you that the roof is not going to be covered by a guarantee.

Why do my new shingles stick up a bit?

Shingles from the factory are stacked and vacuum sealed for shipping. When we install them they often are still stiff from being in the warehouse. As the shingles lay on the roof in the sun, the asphalt material in them will soften and the shingles will lay down flatter. Often times if a shingle roof is installed in colder months, the shingles will need to warm up in the spring and summer before they lay down properly. After a few weeks in the hot summer sun , they will lay right down where they belong.

Can / Should I use my new flat roof as a deck?

This is a tough one. Can you? Yes. Should you? Probably not. This is one of the most commonly asked questions. Roof decks cause leaks. Many deck contractors never build the same deck twice. This leads to problems with waterproofing the areas where the deck mounts to the building. Entry doors are designed to go at ground level. When you install a door on top of a house, theres a good chance it might leak. Also make sure you’ll use it, according to many of our customers, you will probably use it less than you think. It’s hot up there in the summer.

But I really, really want a deck on my roof. What should I do?

We get it, space in Philly is limited, and everyone wants some outdoor space to themselves. If you must have a roof deck, there are things to consider. The first is how you will access the deck. The door must be flashed properly before it is installed to ensure the threshold is water tight.Your second concern should be the railing. It must be installed to allow your deck area to stay up to code. If the railing must be fastened through the roof, these penetrations must be flashed properly. Your final consideration with the deck, should be the deck itself. Why spend a lot of money on having an expensive deck built, that will need to be disassembled should a problem arise. There area plenty of options available today, that are both good for the environment, easy to install, and convenient to remove if need be. We offer a permeable paver option that is good for the environment, and is beautiful when completed. Contact us today for a quote.

Why can’t I be told exactly how much wood may be rotted under my roof before work has begun on the roof?

This is pretty basic. We don’t really know whether the wood underneath the roof is rotted, unless we tear the roof off. We may include a few sections of decking material in our estimates as a courtesy, but anything after that is charged for, on an as installed basis.

Should I have low spots on a flat roof built up?

Philly is one of the oldest cities in the country, and the homes are very rarely brand new, and if they are your house will settle. Once the original lines of a building have shifted it is almost a guarantee that some water will lay on your flat roof. Have no fear, today’s materials are made to stand up to ponding water. Most houses with a flat roof have at least some standing water on them. Standing water should not cause leaks if it dissipates in a reasonable amount of time. Your roof may require maintenance a little more often than normal. Major ponding problems can be fixed with the installation of a tapered insulation system, and a new roof.

Do you do hot tar roofs?

Rubber roofing a better option. Asphalt roofing, while time tested, is messy, smelly, and potentially dangerous material. The asphalt must be applied at hundreds of degrees, and bucketed up the side of your property on a rope and pulley system. Today’s torch down modified bitumen membranes are easy to install, easy to repair, safe, and cost effective. We have chosen to stick to torch down roofing for the most part, only breaking out the hot mops and kettle for jobs where mechanical fasteners cannot be used, such as on large commercial buildings with concrete decks.

Why did you have to make a return trip to fix my leak?

Roofing is as much of an art as a science. Leaks aren’t always easy to find, sometimes all it takes is an opening the size of a pinhead, which can grow to let water into a building. We try our best, and if you look at our reviews, you will see that we do pretty well. Sometimes it is necessary to eliminate the most obvious causes of a leak and then move onto more unlikely areas. Everyone these days is on a budget, and to accommodate this we try to allow people to try more cost effective repairs first if they want. This can only be achieved by breaking the job into likely repairs, but unfortunately this is not always a one step process.

Should I repair my damaged/water stained drywall before the roofing work to fix my leak is completed?

You should always wait. We want you to be sure your roof no longer leaks, before you spend your hard earned money on interior repairs. One of the most common mistakes people make is that they prematurely make interior repairs, and don’t wait to make sure the leak is stopped. Leaks can have multiple sources and are not always easy to diagnose. We suggest waiting for at least one or two big storms before completing interior repairs. It’s up to you, if you’re a gambler, go for it, but we don’t suggest it.

What areas do you service in Northeast Philadelphia?

We service many areas in Northeast Philadelphia. Please look at our Roofing Northeast Philadelphia page to see the areas we service.

How much does it cost to replace a roof in Philadelphia?

The cost to replace a roof in Philadelphia is $5,700 to $10,900 on average. Cheaper roof replacement in philadelphia is around $3,500 to $4,500. On the high end you are looking at $30,000.

How much does a new roof cost in Philadelphia?

A new roof in Philadelphia costs $8,000 to $15,000 on average. Materials, labor, and guarantees can all affect your roof installation’s final price and quality.

How long do roofs last in Philadelphia?

Roofs last in Philadelphia for 20 to 40 years with asphalt shingles, 40 to 80 years with metal roofing, and 100 years with slate, concrete, clay tiles according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

How much is a new flat roof in Philadelphia?

A new flat roof in Philadelphia is $2,000 to $7,000 typically for a new flat roof installation or flat roof replacement in Philadelphia. Depending on the material you select, the price of a square foot of a flat roof in philadelphia is $3 to $5 per square foot.

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