Roofing Contractors in Gaithersburg, MD

Helpful Tips on Roofing in Gaithersburg, MD

How can I tell if I need a complete roof replacement or just a roof repair?

It's often difficult to tell whether a new roof is needed or just a simple roof repair. If you're roof is passed it's life expectancy (often 20 - 25 years), that increases the likelihood that a new roof will be a better solution than a roof repair. Gaithersburg roofing contractors should be consulted for an inspection to help you determine the best course of action.

How much do roofing contractors in Gaithersburg charge to install a new roof?

Every roof is different, so the only accurate way to get a quote is to have Gaithersburg roofers come and provide a written estimate. The cost of re-roofing will depend on the size and slope of your roof, number of existing roof layers to remove, roofing material and grade selected, the roofing company selected, and the area of the country you live in.

In general terms, re-roofing projects may range from $250 per square to $1200 per square. A "square" in roofing equals 100 square feet. An average re-roofing project may cost around $350 per square. So, if you had a 20 square roof (2000 square feet of roof) and the total project cost $350 per square, you're reroof would cost $7000 (20 square X $350). Again, all the factors above can cause this number to go up or down significantly.

What are best practices for hiring a Gaithersburg roofer to repair or replace my roof?

1. Call roofers in Gaithersburg and request a free roofing estimate.
2. Interview the roofing contractor representative. Request proof of license and insurance certificates. Also, do they guarantee their workmanship? Is the estimate and the guarantee in writing? If you're getting a complete roof replacement, ask the contractor if the can give you a few references from other Gaithersburg re-roofing projects. If you want a more specialized roofing material like metal roofing, does the roofer have quality experience as a metal roofing contractor, or are they more of a novice with specific material?
3. Call or email the roofer's references to determine how satisfied they were with the quality of the roof contractor's work.
4. Select the Gaithersburg roofing contractor that you believe will provide you a good value. Value includes quality and price. Avoid the temptation to automatically select the roofing company with the lowest price. Many thousands of homeowners have overlooked qualifications for a low price and regretted it later. Unfortunately, there are a lot of "fly-by-night" roofing contractors that offer a low bid and then proceed to provide you poor service and a poorly done roof. Select the contractor that has real references, offers professional credentials, and a fair price.

What warranties are offered by Gaithersburg roofers?

There are two types of warranties a roofing contractor in Gaithersburg, Maryland may offer:

• Roofing materials warranty - A warranty provided by the manufacturer of the shingles, tile roofing, or metal roofing material. Manufacturers usually offer different warranties depending on the grade of material you select. Less expensive shingles, tile, or metal roofing, usually carry a shorter warranty, as you might expect.
• Roof contractors workmanship warranty - A warranty offered directly by Gaithersburg roofers that guarantees proper installation techniques were used on your roof. Language in these warranties varies significantly from roofer to roofer, so be sure to actually read the warranty. Also, ask the roofing contractor for examples of what would be covered and what would not be covered from each warranty. Industry standard workmanship guarantee is 1 year, but many roofing contractors offer longer guarantees on their workmanship.

What can I do to increase the longevity of my roof?

Annually inspecting your roof yourself to find and correct small roof problems can prevent small leaks and other issues from turning into bigger issues. Here are a few simple roof problems that a homeowner can look for:

• Cracked or missing shingles
• Roof flashing that is deteriorated or has loose seems
• Excessive accumulation of the shingle's protective granules in gutters or downspouts
• Cracked paint or peeling wallpaper may indicate roof leaks
• Water stains or discoloration on the underside of the roof deck in the attic may indicate roof leaks or ice damming

Contacting a Gaithersburg roofer quickly after noticing any of these problems increases the likelihood that you can get by with only a roof repair.

Why is ventilation so important to a roof system and how much ventilation is needed for a roof?

Any Gaithersburg roofing contractor that inspects your roof should analyze the ventilation of the roof to make sure it's adequate. A properly ventilated roofspace/attic is a major factor impacting the longevity of your roof. A well ventilated roof reduces ice damming and improves energy efficiency. Industry standard for the amount of ventilation needed is as follows: for every 300 square feet of attic space, you need one square foot of intake ventilation and one square foot of exhaust ventilation. An effective technique is to run continuous soffit ventilation (intake) and continuous ridge ventilation (exhaust).