brainman22

Sun Aug 07, 2005 2:49 pm

I need a new roof and want dimensional shingles, 30-40 year. This will be a tear-off. I have talked to 3 roofers and am more confused thant ever. One tells me that I have to have 5" exposure, not metric shingles or I need new flashing and that it is not common practice to re-flash. The other 2 never mention shingle exposure as a problem. One says I should use a self-sealing non-nailed underlayment on the entire roof, while another says to use felt so the deck can breath. One says use #30 and the other says #15 is fine. No mention of drip edge by anyone. Is this needed in my area? I want a quality job and am willing to pay for it.

1. Any recomendations on shingles and roofers?
2. Do I need new flashing?
3. Does the exposure matter?
4. What should the contract state?

Master

Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:32 pm

Depends on what flashings youre talking about. Many flashings will outlive the roof they were installed with and a few more additional roofs.

Drip edge...I do not use it, but that is bacause I know how to roof with or without a cutting guide which is the drip edge.

Three tabs generally have a five inch exposure and some archs have 5 5/8" exposure. Some archs have even larger exposures, depending on the shingle.

The contract should state everything you guys agree upon. Payment terms, detailed scope of work, arbitration remediaton terms, etc, etc.

Youre in Illinois, so make sure you receive a copy of their Illinois State Roofing License, issued by the Illinois Department of Finacial and Professional Regulation. A license look-up is availabe on the web at idpfr.com

Also make sure your contractors are insured for at least the reconstruction price of your home, should they have a catastrophic event. Also about the insurance make sure (call the agent listed on the ACCORD insurance form and make sure they are insured as roofers. Many construction policies have roofing exclusions and will not cover roofing operations. Also,on the same ACCORD insurance form, there should be a listing for Workers Compensatioin insurance, so make sure this is in effect also and covers actual people, and not just some ghost policy.

Lastly, check up on your contractors, check refereces, trade associations, etc., to make sure they are an outfit with a reputation for quality roofing and customer service.

I hope this helps.

QRFL

Sun Aug 07, 2005 4:54 pm

for some reason i get the hint that this roof is low sloped, 15 lb. felt, non-nailed underlayment??
just a hunch

Pride_roofing

Sun Aug 07, 2005 5:20 pm

PErsonally read what i have, the guy that said 5 inch exposer or reflash doesnt know where his foot is let alone a roof. Flashing on every job of mine is completely replaced no ifs and or buts. It is the Only way to do it right. Unless the warranty is 1 year then i understand why. 5 inch exposure is a standard shingle. He prob looking at the flashing thru 3 tab shingles. This is normal. Master gave some great advise and so did QRFL but since Master is in the IL area he might be able to swing by and look at what you have. He is very experanced and knows his stuff.

brainman22

Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:27 am

Hi,

I have looked up several shingles manufacturers on the WEB and the most common now is 5 5/8" exposure. This is for architectural shingles. What does this mean to me, anything? Do I need new flashing with my roof job? Does anybody know of an excellent roofer in the Crystal Lake area.
I also see no spot on idpfr.com to actually look up a license. That site seems like it just sends you to other links.

Here's what I need to know:
If I get a tear off roofing job, what should be a part of the job to be a quality job? What do I ask, what do I listen for? Is there a list of what should be included for a quality job? Thanks.

Pride_roofing

Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:21 am

EMail Aarron he might know of someone around you since he is in the state. Ice and water shield is always a concern. 5 5/8 is normal on arch's. It means nothing to you really. Only arch's i know of that are 5 are Certainteed's landmarks. How many nails they use. The placement of nails. Flashing is something i alway replace. I never reuse and it is a personal thing, Master is right it will last along time but well i dont leave anything to chance. I replace due to big warranty i give also i dont want to ever come back and fix what was done, cause shingle color wont match perfectly and peole dont like that. Insurance is another big one make sure that they have an active policy not just a piece of paper. Clean up is a big part. Ask for references and just dont look at the home go and talk to the owners, see what they have to say aboput these companys. That is how to tell if they are quailified. Ask for references from this year and 5 years ago. If they can not produce that something is big time wrong. I give refs from this year(city specific) 5 years ago and 10 years ago to make sure there is a trust thing proven right out of the hole. Time is not a concern quality takes time. Aside from that hope all goes well.