FAQ
Why should we choose VIP Roofing?
VIP Roofing was founded as a family owned and operated business. Our approach of doing the right thing along with treating you with the highest level of customer service is our upmost priority. Our honesty and integrity is what our customers appreciate and hold true to as total customer service satisfaction from start to finish.
How should I decide which contractor to select?
VIP has a reputable reputation of kindness. Where we put our customers and there project at the level they know it to be at-at the top.
What Does A Roof Warranty Cover?
- Craftsmanship Warranty covers how the roof was installed and usually comes standard as a one year warranty.
- Manufacturers Warranty covers the material and how it was manufactured. If a defect is found in Production the manufacturer will cover the replacement of the materials.
Roof Warranties do not cover acts of God and should be noted that a roofer is not held responsible for a warranty when the extremes over what the specifications stated by the manufacturer says that its product will perform up to a max specific detail.
Selecting a contractor
I’ve received three different proposals from contractors. How should I decide which contractor to select?
Clear and detailed proposals that are broken down into separate line items are good signs that the individual contractor is being thorough and has prepared an accurate estimate. A good list of items your estimate or proposal should include:
- The type of roof covering, manufacturer and color.
- Materials to be included in the work, e.g., underlayment, ice dam/storm guard protection membrane, metal valley.
- Scope of work to be done-Removal or replacement of existing roof-Flashing work, e.g., existing flashings to be replaced or re-used, adding new flashing, flashing metal type.-Ventilation work, e.g., adding new vents & what type.IV.Who is responsible for repairing/replacing exterior landscape or interior finishes that are damaged during the course of the workV.Installation method-Approximate starting and completion dates-Payment procedures-Length of warranty and what is covered, e.g., workmanship, water leakage
I received several estimates to replace my asphalt shingle roof system and the prices greatly vary.
If one estimate seems much lower than the others and it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many fly-by-night contractors' below-cost bids seem attractive, but these contractors often are uninsured and perform substandard work. If an estimate is confusing, ask the contractor to break down the estimate into items/terms you can understand.
My contractor is offering a one-year warranty on my asphalt shingle roof system-is that the industry standard?
Before answering the question, a clarification needs to be made about the different warranties you will come across during your roofing project. First, there will be the asphalt shingle manufacturer's warranty. In general, this warranty covers defects in the manufacture of the shingle. The period of coverage can range from 20 years to a lifetime. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a certificate for your records. Your insurance company will want a copy of this as well.
Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty on his workmanship. Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage; however, there is no industry standard.
Project problems
My contractor just started working on my roof and it's the middle of winter! At what temperature is it too cold to install asphalt shingles?
There are no specific temperature guidelines regarding when it is too cold to install asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles do become brittle in cold temperatures, with fiberglass shingles more likely to break than organic shingles. Breakage can be minimized or eliminated if the shingles are stored in a warm area and loaded onto the roof a few bundles at a time. Should a laminate shingle be used it will withstand wind and storms better than traditional 3-tab type roofs. Another concern is that the self-sealing strips will not seal or bond sufficiently in cold temperatures. Hand-tabbing (the application of quarter-size dabs of adhesive to the underside of shingles) is recommended if the sloped roof is located in an area prone to high winds. This will help prevent the shingles from blowing off the roof until warmer weather arrives and the sealing strips can set properly.
Only the underlayment has been installed on my roof and it rained last night. Now, the underlayment is wrinkled. Does it have to be replaced?
If the wrinkling isn't severe enough to affect the shingle installation (i.e., the wrinkling won't telegraph through the shingles and they won't appear buckled or wavy once installed), the underlayment probably can remain in place. The effects of wrinkling also will be minimized by using heavier weight shingles. Ask about synthetic underpayment as it is better for your home and safer for walking on.
My contractor installed the felt covering (underlayment) two weeks ago and hasn't installed the shingles yet. How long can you leave underlayment exposed?
Time is not the critical issue; the condition of the underlayment is what's important. Wrinkled or buckled underlayment should be replaced so the shingles lay flat.
During the reroofing of my house, the contractor left one side of the roof unprotected and when it rained, water entered the house and my ceiling and walls are damaged. Who is responsible for repairing the interior of my house?
Before signing a contract, make sure that it contains language addressing who is responsible for any damage that occurs as a result of the roofing work. All items of concern and work to be done should be included in the contract.
My contractor re-used the existing flashings on my roof and after he finished installing the new shingles, he left! I've left several messages with the company and no one will come back to install new flashings. Shouldn't that be included in the work?
If the contract didn't specify the installation of new flashings, it wasn't included in the original scope of work. Be sure that all items of work to be done are included in the contract before signing it.
Technical questions
What is the best asphalt shingle to use on my roof?
Asphalt shingle material performance depends on the quality, quantity and compatibility of asphalt fillers, reinforcements and surface granules. There are two kinds of asphalt shingles (based on the type of reinforcement mat used); fiberglass and organic. Fiberglass shingles are more fire- and moisture-resistant than organic shingles. Organic shingles have good wind resistance, high tear strength and can be installed in colder temperatures.
Asphalt shingles should be in compliance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards and applicable building codes. Fiberglass shingles should meet ASTM D 3462, "Standard Specification for Asphalt Shingles Made from Glass Felt and Surfaced with Mineral Granules," and organic shingles should meet ASTM D 225, "Standard Specification for Asphalt Shingles (Organic Felt) and Surfaced with Mineral Granules."
Consumers also should keep in mind a roofing warranty's length should not be the primary criterion in the selection of a roofing product or roof system because the warranty does not necessarily provide assurance of satisfactory roof system performance.
One contractor's bid includes No. 15 underlayment and another contractor says he only uses No. 30 because it's the best. Another is offering Synthetic. Who is right?
For asphalt shingles, the manufacturers recommend a single layer of No. 15 asphalt-saturated underlayment be used with roofs having slopes of 4:12 (18 degrees) or greater. For roof slopes between 3:12 (14 degrees) to 4:12 (18 degrees), a minimum of two layers of No. 15 underlayment. If you are installing a heavier-weight shingle with a projected long service life, using No. 30 underlayment instead of No. 15 would be appropriate. Synthetics are finely woven water resistant products that take the place of felt type products. They offer additional protection in a wind storm occurrence.
My contractor wants to use staples instead of nails to install my asphalt shingles. Is that okay?
Many manufacturers recommend galvanized steel or the equivalent corrosion-resistant roofing nails for asphalt shingle installation. Also, verify the building code requirements and what the shingle manufacturer recommends.
My contractor suggested installing a ridge vent on my roof and I already have two single static vents. Do I really need a ridge vent?
Overall, attic ventilation should be balanced between the eaves and ridge. The intent of a balanced ventilation system is to provide a 50% intake along with 50% exhaust-nearly equivalent amounts of ventilation area at the eave/soffit and at or near the ridge. For a balanced ventilation system to function properly, approximately one-half of the ventilation area must be at or near the ridge.
Proper attic ventilation is one of the least understood concepts in residential roofing and sometimes ignored in the industry. Ventilation should not be mixed with other types of ventilation.
My house has a roof with a 2 1/2:12 (11 degrees) slope. The manufacturer says it's okay to use asphalt shingles, but my contractor says it isn't. Who's right?
There are some manufacturers (and even model building codes) that will allow the application of asphalt shingle roof having that slope; however, It is not recommend to shingle slopes less than 4:12 (18 degrees). Asphalt shingle roof systems are watershedding and rely on gravity and roof slope to effectively drain water off the roof.
My house has a flat roof. What is the best roof system for a flat roof?
There is no one roof system that is best for all applications. Keep in mind that even if you are using the best materials, your roof system still can be installed improperly and you could end up with a leaky roof. Good workmanship and proper attention to detail (e.g., flashing and drainage issues) are just as important as material selection. Also, maintenance plays an important role in roof system integrity and service life.
To assist you in your decision-making, homeowners should be informed of what is available. Please refer to the Roof System Types page to learn about the different low-slope roof systems.
Also, keep in mind low-slope roofing materials manufacturers may not offer material warranties to homeowners. The only warranty you most likely will be able to obtain is from the contractor. So it is critical you work with a professional roofing contractor and get a detailed, thorough proposal.
How do I clean algae and moss from my asphalt shingle roof?
Use a mild solution of chlorine bleach and water or mild detergent gently applied with a sponge or hand-held sprayer and rinse thoroughly. Do not use a power washer or high concentrations of bleach, and do not scrub the shingle surface.