Convert Your Cedar Shake Roof to Asphalt Shingles in Edmonds

Traditional cedar shake roofing is going out of style and for good reason. In decades past, cedar shake was the go-to roofing choice for most homeowners in the Pacific Northwest. However, traditional cedar shingles made from old-growth Western Cedar are becoming increasingly difficult to come by due to cutting restrictions aimed at preserving this resource. Now is the time to convert your cedar shake roof to asphalt shingle. Find out why this is the smart choice.

Cedar Shakes No Longer Eco-Friendly or Economical

Besides not being a sustainable resource, cedar shake can be expensive to maintain. Naturally combustible, most cedar roofs are treated with chemical preservatives to improve fire resistance. To preserve your wood shake roofing, regular treatments are needed to reduce rotting, warping, moisture absorption, and moss growth. The cost of these treatments can really add up over time.

Wood Shake Wears Faster

The life expectancy of a natural cedar roof is 15 to 20 years, but the material tends to lose its aesthetic appeal after only five to 10 years. What was once a beautiful contributor to your home curb appeal later becomes a major visual detraction. Continue Reading →

When it’s time for a roof replacement, some homeowners may request installing the new shingles on top of the existing ones. Is this a feasible option, or does it just create additional problems down the road? Here’s the truth about installing new shingles on top of old shingles.

Why Homeowners Request Installing Shingles on Top of Shingles

The answer is simple: it’s cheaper. By not having to tear off the existing roofing, homeowners save an average of $1,000 on labor costs. This is off the total installation project and pertains towards the average-size residential roof.

Now, let’s examine why the initial savings from not removing the existing shingles might be counterproductive in the long-run.

Too Much Weight

Homes have a roof weight limit. The typical shingle weighs about four pounds per square foot. By leaving the existing shingles in place, you double the weight, potentially exceeding the limit. Multiple roof layers cause a risk of sagging, especially between the trusses and rafters. Continue Reading →

It doesn’t always snow in the Pacific Northwest. However, when it does, the snow can be problematic for residential and commercial roofs with existing structural problems. This makes winterizing your roof all the more important if you anticipate a significant snowfall.

How Snow Affects the Roof

Snow can damage a roof in several ways. The first is the sheer weight of the icy fluff. Snow may appear light to the touch, but one inch of accumulation per square-foot equals about one-pound in weight. This can quickly add up and stress the roof. A roof weakened by lack of care can collapse under the weight.

Another issue is ice dams. When you fire up the furnace, the heat rises, warming the roof and causing the snow to melt. The melted snow drips down the slope where it collects on the roof edge and forms into ice dams. This can lead to blockages in the gutter or to moisture seeping through penetrations in the shingles. Melted snow can also leak through the flashing around the skylight.

How to Winterize Your Roof

Be sure the gutters are clear and the downspout is pointed directly away from the home. This will prevent the formation of harmful ice dams. Preventive measures also include a heating mat installation that accelerates the melting of snow and ice.

Once the snow arrives, use a telescoping snow rake to remove as much of the snow as you can. Do not get on an icy rooftop. Instead, leave the rest of the maintenance to a professional roofer. Possible remediations include a roof coating, which is useful for preventing the shingle and membrane from becoming too brittle.

Leave Winterizing the Roof to Us

Our additional services include roof fortification to prevent leaks. We do this for both residential and commercial roofs. Give Urbizo Bros Roofing a call today. Winterizing your roof protects your home from the effects of the elements.

Residential and Commercial Roof Winterization

Quality roof replacement & repair in Edmonds, Seattle, Lynnwood,
Mill Creek, Mercer Island, Mukilteo & South Everett

A lot of townhouses line the streets of neighborhoods in and around the Mukilteo area. These residences are often a part of a gated community and belong to a homeowner’s association (HOA). With that in mind, we’ll consider the question: Does the HOA cover townhouse roof repairs, or are you stuck with the bill?

The HOA’s Responsibility

Townhouse and condo owners pay a monthly fee to their HOA. This covers the cost of community maintenance, such as lawn care and upkeep of recreational areas. In some instances, the fees may also include roof repairs of individual residences. Every HOA has its own regulations, so read the fine print of your contract.

Townhouses Vs Condos

A distinction should be made between townhouses and condos. The latter consists of multiple homes physically adjoined together. Homeowners own the interior of the condo but not the outer portion or the surrounding land. The HOA fees for a condo community usually include master liability insurance not unlike that of a conventional home insurance policy. This often includes roof repairs. As such, condo HOA fees tend to be higher. In addition, you may also require permission to make certain roof upgrades, such as changing shingle type or colors.

A townhouse, by contrast, is a single-unit home. You own the entire building and the plot of land. The HOA fees go toward public areas, such as the parking lot, swimming pool, and other areas shared by the greater community. It typically does not cover individual home repairs. As we mentioned, though, every HOA guideline is different; there are exceptions, so always read the fine print.

We do Townhouse Roof Repairs

Aside from commercial roof repairs, we also do repairs for homes located in HOA-run communities. We often do repairs and other services for both townhouses and condos, whether the HOA covers the cost or not. Call Urbizo Bros Roofing if you require townhouse roof repair.

Townhouse and Condo Roof Repair

Quality roof replacement & repair in Edmonds, Seattle, Lynnwood,
Mill Creek, Mercer Island, Mukilteo & South Everett

A ceiling leak is usually, though not always, caused by an opening in the roof. This can be dangerous, especially if the water gets close to the ceiling lights. A ceiling leak around a light fixture is a major safety hazard and warrants your immediate attention.

Why Do I Have a Ceiling Leak?

First, let’s explore the causes of a ceiling leak. As mentioned, this is usually due to a hole in the roof. You will need to consult with a residential roofer. This happens when a shingle peels away and a puncture occurs in the underlying roof membrane.

The water may also be from a plumbing leak. If the leaky water appears dirty, then it’s probably rainwater that entered through a compromised roof. If the water is clear, then it’s probably a plumbing issue. Phone your local plumber to pinpoint the burst pipe.

The Dangers of a Ceiling Leak Around a Light Fixture

Water and electric fixtures are a dangerous combination with the risk of injury and death from electrocution. Minerals from the water can transfer the electrical currents from the fixture to the wiring located at ground level. In addition, wiring exposed to water for prolonged periods is at risk of developing mold and corrosion. This increases risk of a fire or electrical short. Continue Reading →

One of the most common forms of roof damage is peeling shingles. Some homeowners attempt a DIY fix with a hammer and nails. Unfortunately, the fix is not that simple; proper shingle nailing requires a specific process.

Why Nailing Shingles Isn’t a DIY Job

Nailing down shingles actually needs to be done in a manner that conforms to the International Building Code (IBC). All residential and commercial roofers must abide by guidelines set forth by the IBC. The organization has specific regulations regarding how shingles must be nailed down. This includes but is not limited to:

• The number of nails required per shingle, and their placement
• The type of nails, which differs depending on shingle type
• The depth to which nails must be nailed down

Do You Know the Requirements?

The guidelines are quite complex. To give you an idea, most shingles require four nails. However, if you reside in a high-wind area or the roof slope exceeds 60-degrees, then it requires six nails. Nails must also not be within two-inches of a joint of an underlying shingle. Continue Reading →

The roof is far more than just a grid of shingles. The shingles are just the outermost surface that’s visible. Other components are actually more prone to damage. We identify these common roof problem areas and why they could deteriorate because of their exposure to the weather.

1. Roof Flashing

The flashing is the steel or copper component that seals the edges of the roof and the holes caused by various kinds of vents. It’s a vital component in both residential and commercial roofs. The flashing, though, can deteriorate due to weather and oxidization. Periodically inspect the seams around the chimney, the vents, the dormer, and the roof valley where two slopes meet. Damaged flashing may be visibly warped or peeling away.

2. Roof Fascia

The fascia is a wood board that connects to the rafters and parallels the roof line. It has the all-important job of preventing water and pest penetration. This area can begin to rot due to damp weather conditions. In turn, this can affect the soffit vents. Continue Reading →

Tapered roofing is a mainstay in many commercial roofing applications and even in some residential homes. Here are some basic information about tapered systems, insulation, and why the design is necessary for roof longevity.

What Is Tapered Roofing?

Tapered roofing is a form of low-slope roofing. Contrary to popular perception, commercial roofs aren’t actually flat. They are sloped, just very slightly at a quarter-of-an-inch slope per foot. This is necessary for preventing pooling water after heavy rainfall. This gentle taper is vitally important because 40% of all roofing problems stem from water intrusion. Tapered roofing is not only beneficial but also mandated under the International Building Code. Continue Reading →

Asphalt shingles are one of the most common forms of residential roofing. Unfortunately, older asphalt shingles are also prone to damage from UV radiation. What exactly are the damaging effects of UV radiation on asphalt shingles and what can homeowners do to minimize the damage?

How Do UV Rays Damage Asphalt Shingles?

UV rays cause the asphalt’s surface layer to dry up. Over time, this can lead to cracking and warping. UV radiation does this by altering the shingle’s chemical makeup. The intense heat also causes the asphalt’s oil to evaporate, making the material brittle.

In addition, shingles are also more prone to thermal shock during summer. This is due to the constant flux between daytime’s heat and nighttime’s cooler temperatures. This leads to rapid expansion and contraction, causing the shingles to pull away. Continue Reading →

Most modern residential roofs have a drip edge. This is an invaluable yet often overlooked component that protects the shingles from puddling water. Like other roofing parts, the roof drip edge requires routine care. Find out how you can prolong the life of this all-important component of your roof.

What Is a Roof Drip Edge?

The drip edge is a piece that connects the edge of the roof to the gutters. It slightly overlaps the gutter to jettison water off the roof shingles.

Without a drip edge, a gap will exist between the roof edge and the gutter, allowing moisture to accumulate. This can damage the area where the shingles and fascia boards meet. In addition, the drip edge also seals the small opening in the fascia board, preventing pests from entering.

How to Protect the Drip Edge

Review your roof warranty. It should cover drip edge repair. Nevertheless, go over the terms and conditions to be sure. Even with a warranty coverage, the drip edge shouldn’t just be an afterthought.

One way you can protect the drip edge is by painting it. Painting the drip edge sounds strange and unnecessary since the piece is mostly out of sight. However, painting over the piece serves a two-fold purpose. First, the primer seals the drip edge and protects it from water damage. Keep in mind that the component designed to protect the roof from moisture is itself prone to moisture damage. Secondly, using a matching color allows the drip edge to blend with the roof façade if it extends beyond the overhang.

We Restore and Replace Roof Drip Edges

We inspect drip edges for both residential and commercial roofs. We repair and replace components pertaining to the gutters and related components as part of our additional services. Call Urbizo Bros Roofing to be sure the roof drip edge is operating as it should be.

Residential Roof Gutter and Drip Edge Repair

Quality roof replacement & repair in Edmonds, Seattle, Lynnwood,Mill Creek, Mercer Island, Mukilteo & South Everett