According to Kill, homeowners should educate themselves about the type of roofing they have and know that there are signs they can look for each season to know if their roof needs attention or repair.
“It’s better to schedule a free roof inspection than wait until it’s too late and thousands of dollars of heat and water damage may be done!,” Kill said. “It is important to visually check your roof each season and watch for signs of damage that may lead to expensive repairs down the road.”
Tile Roofs
According to Kill, tile roofs are one of the most common types of residential roof that you’ll see in Arizona. If your tile roof is damaged or leaking, don’t wait for the next rain. Watch out for cracked roof tiles that could be letting the water in. “Water can get through broken roof tiles but it can also collect at roof joints and commonly cause leaks that are hard to see without a thorough inspection”, Kill mentioned.
Whichever type of roofing you have, it is important to get your roof inspected for damage each season. It is far less costly to repair a roof with minor wear and tear than to repair water and mold damage done to an entire house when the roof is not inspected and issues are not caught before the summer brings sun damage and heavy monsoon rains.
Asphalt Roofs
According to Kill, asphalt roofs are another one of the most common types of roof that you’ll see in Arizona. “Until tile roofs, asphalt roofs were used on just about every home,” he said. “The good news is, when asphalt shingles start to wear out you can often put another layer of fresh shingles on top of your existing shingles. This will give your roof the protection that it needs without forcing you to invest a lot of money in having your entire roof redone. Asphalt shingles can last up to 20 years, so despite being relatively inexpensive, you will get a lot of use out of them,” Kill explained.
“Asphalt roofs are vulnerable to excessive moisture and water trapped under your shingles can rot your roof and lead to mold. The coating of asphalt shingles can come off when exposed to heavy storms, which will reduce the effectiveness of the shingles. Asphalt shingles can also fracture and come loose, and if they do then water can get into your home.”
Flat Roofs
Some people have what is called a flat roof. There is a slight angle to the roof, it isn’t completely flat, but slightly tilted to allow water to run off. “Flat roofs are less expensive because they are easier to install,” Kill explained. “When you hire a roofing company to replace your roof, a big part of the cost will involve labor. Less labor means less of an expense for you.”
He warned, “Flat roofs are more likely to leak than pitched roofs are which means that you have to monitor them more closely. Flat roofs don’t last as long as pitched roofs in most cases. That’s because even though they are built at a slight pitch, more water gets trapped on them than on pitched roofs.”
Rolled Roofs
Another type of roofing material is called rolled roofing. “The biggest reason that people have a rolled roof installed is the cost,” Kill explained. “Rolled roofs are much cheaper than any other type of roofing option. If the roof on your home is in rough condition and it needs to be replaced, a rolled roof is better than doing nothing at all though,” Kill said.
Rolled roofs are not built to last. Kill explained, “If you opt for a budget roof option, then you should expect that it will have to be replaced more frequently than a more expensive roof would need to be. “
Rolled roofs have seams that are notorious for leaking. The seam runs the entire length of the roof, and there are multiple seams on each side of the roof. Even when they are properly sealed, and the rolled roofing is installed with care, these seams tend to leak. If they leak and water gets inside of the home it can cause extensive damage.
Foam Roofs
Foam roofs need to be inspected by a professional contractor every two years to ensure that they are structurally sound. Extreme heat has been known to break down the chemical compounds in a foam roof causing it to degrade faster than it should. Foam roofs can crack and suffer damage causing them to leak. If a foam roof is damaged a professional will have to be called out to seal it.
About Jason Kill
Roofing Solutions & Concepts is owned by Jason Kill. Jason has been deeply involved in the commercial and residential roofing industry in the valley for over 20 years; 17 of them working for the same company. Jason has filled every position in the roofing business in his long tenure and ultimately fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning a roofing company. Jason’s well-rounded skill set includes an expert understanding of all commercial and residential roofing specifications, installation procedures, maintenance techniques, inspection processes, leak detection, cleaning and re-roofing practices and more. His leadership in the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association and service as the Secretary/Treasurer and Head Chairman of the Young Professional Committee further demonstrates his commitment to the highest quality standards in both roofing and customer service and satisfaction.
