Is there water dripping through your roof when it rains? Are there discolored spots on your ceiling that have no reason to be there? Can you see spots of daylight snaking through the rafters when you are in the attic of your home? Then chances are your roof needs some serious repair work, and the sooner the better. When your home is in need of roofing work this is a task that should not be attempted by anyone other than a professional roofer. Even a small patch job could create additional damages to your roof if an unqualified individual sets out to do the repairs. There is too little room for error and a greater chance of encountering a problem when you are working on the roof of a home. Even if you use a shingle calculator to help you estimate costs there a number of factors that are involved that you could be overlooking and this could mean that your estimate could be far off the mark.

Find the American Roof Repair Shingle Calculator here.

Qualified roofers understand what needs to be done and they know the steps that need to be followed. Professional roofers will have the tools and equipment to get the job done and they can even buy the roofing materials at a substantial discount. These are specialists who can tell you why those cheap roofing shingles may not be the best purchase. An experienced roofer can tell you the differences between pinnacle shingles, 3 tab shingles and other designs, and they can explain these differences in terms that a layman can easily understand. Roofers also provide you with efficiency, speed and “builder discounts” that save you time and money; and your roof will be constructed (or repaired) so that it meets all of the necessary building codes.

Damages to the roof of your home are often covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. This is especially true if these roofing issues can be linked directly to a storm or other events that are specifically written into your coverage terms. An experienced roofer can help you determine the causes of the problems and tell you your best options to resolve the issues.

Typically a homeowner may not pay a great deal of attention to the roof until they notice a water leak during a strong storm. If you already have leaks in your ceiling then you may also have sustained some underlying structural damage. The only way to identify the problems with your roof is to have it inspected by a professional. These experts will look for holes in the roof, loose (or missing shingles), water damages, mold and other problems. After the inspection has been completed you will be given an estimate that shows exactly what issues are affecting your roof, how long it will take to repair the problems and how much money the roofing job will cost.

You can figure out the area of your roof and determine some basic cost factors when you use a shingle calculator. Roof size is calculated according to square footage. This takes into consideration the width and length of your roof, but other details such as height and special construction features (dormers, gables) must also be figured into the equation. Professional roofers are trained to calculate such measurements very precisely.
Shingles are arranged in bundles. Most bundles will cover approximately 30-35 square feet. When roofers discuss the covering on your home they will typically refer to “squares” and each “square” refers to a measurement of 100 sq. feet (roughly 10 feet x 10 feet).

If you are using fiberglass or asphalt shingles then each of the bundles being purchased will cover 1/3 square and 3 bundles will be required for each “square” of your roof’s measurement. Some laminate, dimensional or architectural shingles may cover an even smaller square surface of a rooftop.

If your home has an older roof that included t lock shingles you should know that these types of shingles are not even manufactured today. There are only a small amount of these T-lock shingles that can be found and even then, these shingles are generally only recommended for a small repair job. It may be best to consider replacing these shingles with one of the newer designs that are on the market. Professional roofers recognize t lock shingles as soon as they see them.

Roofing paper (roofing felt) or tar paper is going to be installed over the exposed wooden roof. Then the shingles will be placed along the roof in precise order. The orderly arrangement of shingles will provide strength and protection against heavy winds and also help prevent water leaks from occurring. A quality grade of roofing felt is necessary for best results. Roofers can tell you if 15# or 30# paper is best for your roofing needs. Expect to chalk up 15-20% of the underlying roofing felt to waste.

With a shingle calculator you can at least compute a rough estimate of the amount of materials that will be needed. This can help when you are talking with a roofer about the work that your home requires. Don’t leave your home to face the ravages of extreme weather without first consulting a roofing professional. An annual roof inspection can keep those small issues from becoming major problems.

Ever slipped a little while walking on a roof? Maybe even, briefly, thought about roofing shoes?

Take a quick, twenty-second look, here, to see what can happen if you fall.

Whether or not you watched the video, you’re likely to agree that safe shoes or boots for roofing are an essential tools-of-the-trade investment for roofing contractors.

The cost of the footwear is minimal, compared to what you could end up spending if you fall. Best of all, the shoes might even save your life. By wearing safety shoes, you may avoid costly medical bills, being off workbecause of an injury and most importantly, leaving behind family members to grieve the loss of a loved one.

The solution is simple. Anytime there’s roof damage that requires commercial roof repair, it’s each professional roofer’s responsibility to work safely. Wearing safety footwear isn’t optional, it’s necessary. With proper sole grip on your shoes or boots, moving around on a roof poses less danger, especially on steeper slopes.

Shoe or Boot Options for Roofing Safety

When it comes to footwear that keeps you safe while working on a roof, you have a few effective options to choose from, depending on your preference and budget. Choose from an attachable boot add-on (for boots with gripper soles) that has interchangeable foam or spike pads, made to keep you on your feet, or shoes and boots designed specifically for roofing professionals. These safety work shoes are versatile, having a business casual look, but also having the performance of a rugged work companion with traction sole construction that keeps you from falling.

Additional Benefits of Safety Shoes for Roofing

Walking on a roof can be a balancing act at times. Safety shoes for roofing have a special design to help each step a roofer takes be a steady one. And, no matter if it’s pinnacle shingles or pro panel roofing that needs repair in extremely hot weather, safety shoes for roofing have a stay dry lining that pulls moisture away from the roofer’s feet.

Roofers bend and squat a lot, too. That’s why shoes made for roofing have flexibility and durability, to keep soles from cracking or tearing. And, talk about being on your feet all day, roofers seem to live in their shoes. Thankfully, manufacturers of roofing footwear made sure to add the cushioning and support needed to do the job comfortably. Stain resistance is another way that manufacturers have constructed these shoes to make a lasting impression for the life of the shoe.

Having the right equipment for roof repair is crucial in providing quality workmanship. Roofing professionals with an outstanding reputation know this to be true. They’d never put a nail where a staple should go if it caused a shoddy look. The same goes for roofing shoes; they’re a necessary tool for the job. Without them, a roofer has to work harder to stay safe, feel less comfort than necessary and be at greater risk than any one who loves him ever wishes he would.