Aug 31, 2022 | Roof inspection, Roof Maintenance
Your roof is comprised of two main components – the sheathing, which is the waterproof material applied before the roofing surface, and the roof shingles. During a roof inspection, both parts are carefully examined for structural integrity to estimate the number of years the roof is likely to last.
While a mortgage lender usually requires an appraisal of the roof condition should you sell your home, this is not the only time to perform a roof inspection. Homeowners who want to stay on top of and plan financing for major home repairs are keen to understand the condition of their roof. Installing solar panels is also an excellent time to assess the roof condition. Failure to do so could result in a major expense to remove the solar panels on top of the roof replacement costs.
In addition to a professional inspection of the roof, homeowners can monitor their roof conditions without ever stepping foot on the roof. Here are some tips for appraising your roof condition:
Exterior Roof Inspection
- Step back from your home so that you can see the surface of the roof. This may require you to move locations so that you can see every roof surface. Look for uneven slopes, debris, and loose, broken, or curling shingles.
- Use binoculars to see the shingle condition in a bit more detail. Look for missing, stained, or broken shingles. If there are tears in the shingles, see if you can identify gaps or chips in the area. Check for signs of the aggregate wearing off.
- Examine the flashing around sidewalls and roof protrusions such as chimneys and vents. Flashing should lay flat and be rust-free.
- Take a look at the edge of the roof. You should be able to see if you have more than one layer of shingles. As most codes prohibit more than two layers of shingles, this can help you determine if your next roof maintenance is a new layer or a roof replacement.
Attic Inspection
- If your home has an easily accessible attic, it is a good idea to combine an external inspection with an appraisal of the attic. Look for water stains that might indicate a leak.
- Check the integrity of the underside of the roof including the ridge beam. Look for any structural concerns or warping.
- Check your ventilation by making sure your vents are not covered or plugged with debris and your attic can properly breathe.
Professional Roof Appraisal
Even with regular inspections, homeowners should consider periodic appraisals of their roof condition conducted by a professional. At Harlan Roofing, we will provide you with a complete analysis of the condition of your roof and recommendations for repair or replacement if needed. Don’t wait for the rainy season to find out you have a roof issue. Call us today for assistance.
Harlan Quality Roofing
For Quality and Service… You’re in the Right Neighborhood!
916.292.9548
Aug 31, 2022 | Roofing Contractor
The roof over your head is not only a key component in protecting you and your loved ones, but it is an expensive component of your home to replace. Trusting the roofing contractor who is about to tear off your old roof and install a new one is extremely important. The contents of your home and your overall comfort depend on a job well done. How can you know for sure if your roofer is qualified and trustworthy?
Good Business Practices
A reputable roofing company will have history in the community, a physical address in the location they serve, a current license in the state, and adequate insurance covering property damage, personal liability, and worker compensation.
Great Reputation
There are many ways to check on the reputation a roofing company has in the local community. Start with the Better Business Bureau, look for customers reviews online, and ask to speak with past customers to determine their level of satisfaction with the roofer’s services.
Certifications & Partnerships with Roofing Manufacturers
In order to gain certifications and partnerships with the top manufacturers in the roofing industry, a roofing company has to go through a rigorous qualification process. The roofing manufacturer wants to be sure the roofer will install their products to specification to meet the warranties offered. In addition to product warranties, reputable roofing companies (such as Harlan Roofing) offer warranties on their workmanship.
Don’t trust your home, family, and belongings to the cheapest bid. Take the time to investigate the contractor and find a roofing company you can truly trust. Whether it is repairs or a complete replacement, you will be happier with the outcome from a company that you trust and is dedicated to highest quality work.
Harlan Quality Roofing
For Quality and Service… You’re in the Right Neighborhood!
916.292.9548
Aug 8, 2022 | Roofing Contractor
Your roofing is an important, if not overlooked, asset of your home. However, roofing is a dangerous job, so it is important that the whole project runs smoothly. Finding a trusted roofer is a big part of the success of your repair or replacement.
The biggest challenge faced by homeowners is to find the right company for the job. Search the internet for Sacramento roofer and you will find there are plenty of results. But who do you trust? How do you make the right choice? What should the evaluation criteria be?
Below we share our top tips for finding the trusted roofer to help you with your roofing needs:
Roofing Recommendations
Some of the best recommendations are word of mouth. Local friends, family members and neighbors can steer you in a positive direction. There is a very high chance that if a roofer worked on your sister’s house in a neighboring area, or your close neighbor just had their roof replaced and they are super happy, then you will be too. Don’t miss the opportunity to ask locals for a reliable contact.
Roofing Review
If you are new to your area and just establishing yourself, perhaps the recommendations are coming up short. The next useful place to find reliable roofing companies is through online reviews. Reputable roofers are happy to share their success stories and so are their customers. Look online an find a roofer who has great reviews and customer testimonials.
Credentials
Before you hire a roofing contractor, check credentials. How long have they been in business, what is their BBB rating, and are they properly licensed and insured are all questions you should ask. A quality roofing company will display this information on their website or be happy to supply when asked.
Ask Questions
Roof repair, and especially roof replacement is expensive. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and feel comfortable about everything related to your roofing project. Having the answers will help you feel confident about your decision and can help set your expectations about the job ahead.
We hope these tips help you to find a trusted roofing company that goes above and beyond in customer satisfaction and quality. If you are in the Sacramento area, we invite you to check out our work, our reviews, and our wonderful testimonials. We will help you feel comfortable about our delivery and give you the quality service you are looking for!
Harlan Quality Roofing
For Quality and Service… You’re in the Right Neighborhood!
916.292.9548
Aug 8, 2022 | Roofing Contractor
One of the most expensive aspects of home maintenance is the roof. It is also the most critical components of the home. Its integrity is important to your comfort and its appearance is integral to the beauty of your home. Maybe a poorly repaired roof won’t look bad, but when the winds and rains of Sacramento winters descend, will you be dry and comfortable? How do you know, when the weather is nice, that your roofer did a good job?
Roofing Underlayment
Quality underlayment is an important barrier in the protection layers that comprise your overall roofing system. Make sure the underlayment is part of the overall project and that the underlayment is being installed as your roof installation progresses. If your roofer is not using underlayment, water leaks are likely to occur. The new synthetic underlayment is now up to 40% stronger than older felt-paper underlayment and will not break down as easily. This important component is not to be overlooked.
Roof Appearance
Let’s continue our inspection with the overall roof appearance. Are the shingles uniform throughout? A sagging roofline or shingles that are uneven are a red flag that you have been the victim of a sub-standard roofing job.
Roof Flashing
We cannot stress enough the importance of flashing. A good roofer will use plenty of flashing around leak-prone areas such as pipes, vents, or chimneys. Some roof protrusions require both step flashing and counterflashing to be fully effective. Flashing shortcuts include roof cement or caulks which will work well for a while but will not last long term.
About Harlan Roofing
Discover what a quality roofing job means from the first phone call for an estimate. Harlan Roofing will show you what a job well-done is like. Call us when quality and superior workmanship are your measure of success.
Harlan Quality Roofing
For Quality and Service… You’re in the Right Neighborhood!
916.292.9548
Jul 16, 2021 | Roofing Company
Not all roofing companies are equal. But how do you choose a quality roofing company? How do you know that your roofer is experienced and knowledgeable with your type of roof system and can properly handle fireplaces, saddles, skylights or HVAC units on the roof? Having an understanding of what is involved in a quality roofing job and what signs indicate a job well done versus poorly installed work, will help you feel confident with your choice of roofing company and the roof system you are getting.
Let’s Start with What is the Legal Business Name
When you ask any company what their legal business name is, you should expect a definitive and straightforward answer. Anything but a quick and honest answer could be a signal that this is not a reputable business that you should be spending thousands of dollars with. The Better Business Bureau is a great place to make a quick check. You will get a business rating and other valuable information to set your mind at ease about your roofing company.
Ask for an In-home Estimate
Most roofing companies offer estimates. Those that email you an estimate without inspecting the home, checking for any damage in and around your current roof, are doing you a great disservice. You may be fortunate and there are not any signs of dry rot, and you just need a new roof. You may get a lower price and find that the roofer wants to charge you more now that the hidden damage is exposed. A quality roofer will do a thorough job investigating the state of your roof, flashing, ventilation, and other important structural components. If you get a low bid from a roofer that has not done a visual inspection, or a satellite or drone estimate, beware. They cannot detect many surprises or account for specific needs. Satellite estimates have a margin or error of about 5-6%, which can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in change orders. We provide on-site measurements and elevations to provide an accurate estimate up front and with minimum surprises.
Ask About Their License & Insurance
Roofing businesses are required to be licensed in the state of California. Your roofing company should proudly display their license on their website and/or in their correspondence. They must also carry a liability policy and workers compensation which typically covers bodily injury, property damage, product defects, etc. If a roofing company carries inadequate insurance, or worse, carries no insurance at all, the costs could fall to you.
Supervised Roof Installation
Ask about how your roofing project will be supervised. There are many details involved in a roofing project, decisions to be made, timing and orchestration of the overall project. Ask about how those details are handled and what you can expect once you agree to proceed.
Workmanship Warranty
Most roofing materials come with manufacturer warranties, 10 years, 20 years, etc. depending on the grade of materials chosen. But what kind of workmanship warranty does the roofing company offer? Roof warranties are important to protect the investment in your roof, but it is important to understand the roofing materials warranty and the workmanship warranty offered by the roofing company. The California CSLB only requires that a 4 year Workmanship warranty be provided by contractors on products installed such as a new roof. Here at Harlan , we provide a 10-year workmanship with an option for extended workmanship.
At Harlan Quality Roofing, you will never have to worry about low-quality roofing. We have been serving the greater Sacramento community for over 15 years, we have an A+ BBB rating, and excellent reviews from our many satisfied homeowners. Trust the quality, experience, workmanship, and stability of Harlan Quality Roofing.
Harlan Quality Roofing
For Quality and Service… You’re in the Right Neighborhood!
916.292.9548