The water felt like it was 30 miles above my head. I decided (or was dared, I don’t really remember) to dive to the bottom of the pool. The deep end. Twelve feet down. I mean, that’s what a boy trying to become a man does, right? Stupid things to prove he’s worthy of manhood? Well, because of my pride, I had found myself gasping for air that wasn’t there. At this point, it didn’t really matter I only made it down to about ten feet, I WAS ABOUT TO DIE! My arms flailed and my legs kicked as I shot towards the surface. 3 feet…2 feet…1 foot…I exploded out and onto the surface like lava out of a Hawaiian volcano. I began gulping for any available oxygen around me completely exhausted and thoroughly excited, all at the same time. I never understood until this moment how important a single breath could be.

Breathing, we all do it. We all need it.

Even your own home needs to breath.

It does so through proper roof ventilation.

The interior of your home is where you notice it most. A properly ventilated living space rids itself of excess moisture, indoor pollutants and the lingering smell of dad’s attempt at baked salmon. Some of us will never be the same after dad’s attempt at baked salmon. But, good, proper and uninterrupted ventilation inside your home is vital for the area where you spend the most time. It allows for you to breathe easier.

Just like the livable space, the unlivable places in your home need to breathe as well.

Adequate air flow in your attic is vital for not only the health of your home and extending the life of your roof, it is one of the necessary components for you and your family’s health as well.

So how can a properly ventilated attic and roof system keep you from getting sick?

Actually, when you have the proper levels of intake and exhaust taking place inside your attic space, the possibility for the growth of mold and other hazards is dramatically reduced. We have all heard of the terrible health repercussions that black mold and other spores have on the human body. With the right system above your head, your home will be far less susceptible to such dangers. One of the original reasons why ventilation was even recognized as something that should be implemented in home construction, was due to condensation problems in homes and attics.

Temperature Regulation and Roof Vents

Temperature regulation is another reason why air flow is so crucial. In cold climates such as Colorado, the primary purpose of ventilation is to avoid ice damming.

It does this by maintaining a cold roof temperature. If your roof isn’t properly vented, the temperature of the roof will begin to heat from the bottom and melt the snow on your roof, only for it to re-freeze overnight. This creates a cycle that is not only dangerous with icicles ( it is reported that 15 people in the U.S. die annually due to icicle related accidents), but will also be very damaging to your shingles, which will ultimately influence the integrity of your roof system.

In hotter climates, the goal of your ventilated roof is to expel hot, solar-heated air out and away from your attic which in turn helps reduce the strain on air conditioning systems by lowering the building cooling load. In Colorado, what I just described can all happen in ONE DAY! How vital is roof ventilation now? Each Colorado Springs roofer should be prepared to assist homeowners with roof ventilation needs as the topic arises.

Roof Ventilation the Right Way

We have talked about why proper ventilation is important which ultimately begs the question: So how do we do this? Well, a better question is how do we do this the right way? Let’s go back to the stupidity of my youth. When I finally realized I wasn’t going to die, I began breathing heavily. Of course I would. Why not? I was panicked and starved for oxygen, but breathing primarily through my mouth, although it SEEMS like it’s helping, isn’t really breathing at all. The unbalance of inhaling and exhaling could cause me to hyperventilate and pass out. Something similar happens to your roof when the appropriate balance of flow isn’t taking place.

To get this right, the roof ventilation formula is pretty simple. 50/50.

50% intake accompanied with 50% exhaust. When you breathe strictly through your mouth like I was doing, you don’t really expel anything. You just keep taking in, and taking in. Intake vents on your roof are a vital component, but a dozen intake vents partnered with a couple of exhaust vents leads to a roof that is hyperventilating. The reverse is also true. In both situations, the life and quality of your roof system is in trouble.

Most intake vents are installed on the soffit which is the underside of the overhang of the eave. They can vary from single vents, to continuous vents that run the length of your soffits. Another type of intake vent is a roof deck vent. These are actually installed on your roof decking at the edge of the eave or on the lower third of the roof above the attic insulation to prevent blockage of the vent. They are then shingled over to blend into the roof and reduce the visibility of the vent. Soffit vents will also need to be monitored for blockage, for any obstruction will not allow for proper air flow into the attic space. Installing both types of intake vents with the same roof system will actually do more harm than good, for you will only be creating air flow in the lower third of your attic space. Intake vents are especially designed to work in unison with the exhaust vents at or near the ridge.

Exhaust vents, like intake vents, are designed for a specific purpose: to eliminate air only. Installing an exhaust vent to act as an intake vent is not recommended and will only lead to future problems down the road when it comes to condensation and temperature regulation. There are far more options for exhaust vents. Common options include, box or turtle vents, wind turbines, ridge vent (which runs along top of your roof at the ridge and then is shingled over) and power vents. Power vents require electricity and are usually equipped with sensors to react to temperature and moisture changes in your attic. The important thing to keep in mind with exhaust vents comes down to the math of ventilation. Don’t worry. There won’t be a test.

300:1 Ratio for Roof Ventilation

Remember the number 300. No, not SPARTA!!! The number 300 that I am talking about is included in the ratio 300:1. Meaning, for every 300 square feet of attic space, you need one square foot of ventilation, and bringing back our 50/50 rule, we need to divide that one square foot of ventilation, equally between our intake and exhaust system. It’s enough math to make you go cross-eyed. Luckily, you don’t have to be a mathematician to figure out how much ventilation you need with your roof system.

Highly reputable and positively reviewed roofing companies are trained on proper ventilation requirements and can help you get the correct ventilation for your roof system. Using a licensed roofing contractor to evaluate your roof’s ventilation needs during the inspection and ultimately the installation of your brand new roof should be an easy and natural process.

Almost as natural as breathing.

As Colorado Springs Roofer, we are here to assist our homeowner’s ventilation needs while replacing their roofs.

Written by Joshua Strain

Around 1998 we had five prices in approximately six months. This was due to oil prices at the time and I thought it was crazy. I’ve worked in the after math of hurricanes and hailstorms and I’ve seen roofing labor prices spike after these storms. As a matter of principle I refused to pay these unnecessary spikes in labor.  This storm is different I had no choice, but to pay all of our roofing crews additional funding to match the offers from competing roofers in Colorado Springs. The industry has changed because of the shortage of construction workers and there is nothing that anyone can do.

I love our free enterprise and that we have few barriers in economics. Don’t get me wrong this is awesome, but chaos can ensue. Out of town roofing companies that are better known as storm chasers are pursuing local installers and are paying up to 35% higher rates than the traditional local market could pay, but that was before the storm. Local roofing companies were shocked when overnight we were forced to pay $500-$1,000 more to roof a home. There are going to be a lot of happy construction workers before years end. Overnight these men received a 35% pay raise. That’s one heck of a pay raise and it occurred only because of supply and demand.

Colorado Springs is in the aftermath of the large hailstorm in our history and I am thankful that roof installers have risen to the occasion. The price increases are part of the equation and everyone has to share in the expense. The insurance companies are aware of the price increases and have adjusted pricing to match present day fair market value. The number one software in the insurance restoration industry is Xactware. Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC has implemented this software for pricing all roofing projects. We’ve been using this software for almost a decade now. At one time in our journey we hand wrote inspections and created our own pricing system for estimating jobs. Xactimate is a great product when all roofing components are included in the scope than the price is representative of fair market value, with the exception of smaller roofs which require a surcharge for mobilization.

Colorado Springs roofers have adjusted prices according with supplier and labor increases. Today in May of 2017 there is still a work load of roofs that are being replaced from last years historic hailstorm. This is a good time to have your roof replaced.

One of the unique features of this product is that it comes with or without granules. At Integrity Roofing and Painting we are currently applying the granulated product, we appreciate the added bonus of skid resistance for safety and ease of application. This is a superior product to one of the old school methods of applying plastic cement between two rolls of felt. This old method was used several decades past in areas of ice damming. The self adhering underlayment better known as ice and water shield is tear resistant whereas two cemented rolls of felt were not. Most modern installers are using ice and water shield for one or more roof applications.

Some of the Benefits of Self Adhering Underlayment

• Tear resistant
• Seals tight around nails to prevent water penetration
• Mitigates against water damage
• Last line of defense
• Self adhering
• This product does not expand and contract
• Enhanced grip for installers
• Flexible SBS modified asphalt
• Reinforced strong fiberglass
• High temperature resistance
• This product can be left exposed to the elements for up to 90 days
• Meets ASTM D 19970
• Approved by local roofing code

Local installs know that while roofing Colorado Springs homes that are above 7000 feet, self adhering underlayment is required on the eaves. This is a little tricky and many times I have observed home builders installing only one row of ice and water shield on the eaves where code may require two rows. There are no mid-roof inspections for asphalt shingles and some roofers and builders take advantage of the inspection system. My home that I purchased in Monument doesn’t have any ice and water shield on the eaves and for the life of me I don’t know how the builder got away with it. El Paso County building code requires the ice and water shield to extend to a minimum of 24″ onto the interior of the home on all eaves of every home that is above 7000 feet elevation in El Paso County. If the self adhering underlayment is installed correctly it will help to minimize water intrusion from ice damming.

Another application for self adhering underlayment is in the roof valley. The valleys on the roof are located where two roofs come together and form a water trough on the roof. Historically most every roofer Colorado Springs saw in the 1990s and earlier would install valley metal and in some cases roll roofing would be installed. However, some roofers would cut corners and only install felt paper in the valleys. This was a practice used by some builders to save money.

Several brands of Self Adhering Underlayment

• Certainteed WinterGuard
• Tamko Moisture Guard
• Owens Corning Weather Lock
• GAF Weather Watch
• GAF Weather Guard
• Atlas Weather Master
• IKO Armor Guard
• Grace Ice and Water Shield

If allowed by local building codes one of the ways to provide superior protection to low pitched 2/12 to 4/12 roofs is to install self adhering underlayment. Traditional method is to install two layers of 15# felt according to code and shingle manufacturers installation instructions. On lower pitched roofs there is a possibility of capillary action where water travels uphill. Yelp, water can travel uphill. Additionally, when you mix snow and ice dams into the equation your best line of defense may be to cover the entire low sloped roof in ice and water shield.

Another area that is vulnerable on a roof to water penetration is where the sloped roof meets a vertical wall, ice and water shield is a perfect product for this area. We recommend the installation of ice and water shield prior to install L-flashing or step flashing. If working on a roof replacement project it’s easier to install 18″ x 10′ pieces of water shield. If you try to slide a 36″ x 20′ piece of water shield underneath of L-flashing it’s unlikely that you’ll succeed, unless it’s being installed in cold weather. That brings up another point of discussion.

Cold weather installation of self adhering underlayment is a little different than in warmer weather. There are some benefits to cold weather installs and some disadvantages. Regardless of the time of the year ice and water shield can be installed unless it’s too cold.

Benefits of Cold Weather application of Ice and Water Shield

• The self adhering glue does not activate immediately in cold weather which will allow more time to position the product on the roof.
• This is advantageous for installing full sheets of ice and water shield underneath of L-flashing.
• Easy for one person to install ice and water shield in valleys
• Easy for one person to roll out long distances of ice and water shield

Disadvantages of Cold Weather application of Ice and Water Shield

• The self adhering underlayment will need to be fastened with nails
• Water intrusion may occur before the product seals
• If debris is driven between the ice and water shield and the deck surface this product may never seal

Use ice and water shield around chimneys, valleys, skylights, walls, pipe penetrations and low slope. This product is idea for roof repairs in Colorado Springs, new roofs or roof replacements. You can’t go wrong with this product especially designed for leak prone areas. This is a new comer to the roofing industry and it’s here to stay. This product should be used by all roofers everywhere.

If you’re looking one of the most trusted roofers that Colorado Springs and Denver has to offer than contact Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC.

Ice And Water Shield And Synthetic Underlayment

Ice and water shield is a water proof underlayment that may be a part of your roof system. This is rather profound for until recently this product didn’t exist. Technological advances in the roofing industry provide greater peace of mind for many homeowners, especially in areas of the country that experience heavy snow loads and ice dams.

Denver, Colorado and ice dams

The nefarious ice dam is a repeat offender in Denver, Colorado. How can the roof be protected from ice dams?

Traditional underlayment is water resistant and certainly not water proof. Here in Colorado we get our fair share of snow and ice dams. That’s the bad news. Now, for the good news; ice and water shield was created to prevent any damage that may result from an ice dam. In Colorado, you’ll find that Denver roofers should be installing ice and water shield in areas where there is a history of ice dams. Please consult with your roofing contractor to discuss installation of ice and water shield.

How does Ice and Water Shield work?

This water proofing underlayment is made of asphalt that is modified with plastic that prevents moisture from penetrating this protective barrier. Currently, this product comes on a roll that is approximately 3’ wide.

Most underlayments are fastened, however ice and water shield is uniquely designed and it is the only underlayment that is not fastened. In fact this product has a factory applied adhesive. On the back side of this underlayment is a product similar to butcher paper that is part of the factory packaging. When ice and water shield is installed the roofer removes this wax like paper so the adhesive sealant adheres to the wood deck. Ice and water shield has to be installed directly to a clean and solid wood surface.

Another aspect of ice and water shield is the unique ability of this product to heal itself. Well that may be a little bit of a stretch in defining it, but this product will swell around the nails that penetrate it. This is necessary, for an underlayment to be water resistant when the overlaying shingles are installed, than it must seal around the nails.

Installing Ice and Water Shield on the roof’s eave

Ice And Water Shield On The Eave

The eave is where a gutter trough is traditionally located. If you have no guttering on your home than it is the horizontal plane on the roofs edge where the fascia trim is installed and this is where water is shed from the roof. Here’s the number one reason why roofer’s install the ice and water shield on the roof’s eave and it’s because local building codes may require this product. The second reason is because a shingle manufacturer may require this product to be installed in certain geographic locations.

Ice dams typically form along the roofs eave in areas where snow loads are prevalent on roofs. If a home is properly ventilated the impact of ice dams are minimized. Heating wires can be installed to help reduce the impact of ice dams on the roofs edge. Your homes last line of defense against ice dams could be ice and water shield.

Even if local building codes in Denver, Colorado don’t require ice and water shield, and you want to build your new roof system to withstand ice dams, ask one of the Denver roofers to add ice and water shield along the roof’s eave.

Water follows both gravity and the least path of resistance, most of the time. However, there are times when water is blocked and begins to travel uphill. This is exactly what occurs during an ice dam along the roofs eave. Many times the ice begins forming in the gutter and begins to climb uphill.

During a typical day the roof warms up during the day and begins to melt the snow on the roof. At night time water along the roofs edge and in the gutter freezes and begins to form an ice dam along the roofs edge. If the weather climate in your region is idea for forming ice dams, than it would be most beneficial for that roof to have ice and water shield to prevent interior damage during the freeze and thaw cycles.

If the roof is protected to a sufficient height along the roofs eave than the ice and water shield will prevent moisture from causing any interior damage. If too little ice and water shield is installed than damage may eventually occur. Sometimes, it may be advisable to install more ice and water shield than what code requires.

The roofing contractor certainly would not be responsible for installing ice and water shield per code and if at the same time damage resulted from an ice dam. What occurred is that the ice dams exceeding the quantity of water proof underlayment that was installed. If you’re concerned that this might occur on your home than ask your contractor to install more ice and water shield along your roofs edge. This may very well be a good idea if you’re home has a lot of ice dams.

Installing ice and water along wall abutments

New home builders should incorporate the installation of ice water shield along the roof slope and up the wall where a wall and sloping roof intersect. This should be done prior to the installation of roof flashing and obviously before the exterior walls are sided, bricked or finished with stucco or stone work. Wall and sloping roof intersections are vulnerable areas and of particular concern where an ice dam may form. Ice dams may create capillary action where water begins to climb uphill and work it’s way underneath shingles and underlayment. If a self adhering, self healing water proof ice and water shield is installed on both the sloping roof and up the wall than it would minimize or stop any water from entering into the structure.

Ice and water shield can be installed when a home is re-shingled, however it will be installed only on the sloping roofs surface and not up the wall. If a homeowner wants the ice and water shield to be installed up the wall than it would be something that is over and above the regular scope. While installing the ice and water shield on the roofs slope the old wall flashing should be lifted up and the ice and water shield must be installed directly to the wood deck. The old flashing or new flashing is to be installed on top of the ice and water shield. Ice and water shield isn’t designed to be installed on top of metal. It must be installed only on a clean wood surface. However, there is one exception to the rule and I’ll tell you about that in a moment.

Ice and Water Shield in the valley

Traditionally 90# roll roofing, double felt, or metal was installed on most valley installations. Today ice and water shield is replacing the “old school” methods. Don’t get me wrong we still install metal in the valley on certain projects, yet we install ice and water shield underneath of the metal. On all other installs ice and water shield is currently being installed on all of our roof valleys. Here’s the reasoning the valley is an extremely vulnerable area and we’ve found that ice and water shield provides there greatest amount of protection because it adheres directly to the wood deck water can’t penetrate the valley.

Ice and Water Shield around skylight’s and chimney’s

Ice And Water Shield Around Skylight

Let’s not forget about skylights and chimneys. Water flow is blocked by both skylight and chimney, therefore a water proofing underlayment may be an integral component for diverting water. At Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC we have incorporated ice and water shield as a standard component when we are flashing around chimneys and skylights.

As an astute observer and professional roofer Denver has it’s issues with roof leaks; due to lack of quality control and allowing roofs to be built with less than desirable standards, roofs are not what they could be.  I’d love to see changes in the roofing practices of Denver Roofers and for codes to become more stringent. Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC is one of the premier roofing contractors in Denver, CO and exercises strict compliance to building codes and beyond. Contact Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC to install your new roof with the addition of ice and water shield in critical areas to withstand the elements. We make roof replacements easy!

Shingles are rated for their ability to resist hail damage. The class 4 shingle is the one that will be highlighted in this post. Each manufacturer has shingles on the market that have been tested and rated by underwriters’ laboratories using specific units of standards and testing measurements that qualify as hail impact resistant shingles.

The first rating is a Class 1 shingle that has passed a test with a 1-1/4” steel ball dropped from 12 feet. The roof shingle must be struck twice at the same target area without damaging the mat. Today all composition shingles are made with a fiberglass mat, therefore the fiberglass mat is inspected for visible damages. At one time shingles were made with organic mats. These products failed continually. A fiberglass mat has proven to be a more sustainable effective product. This steel ball must hit the field area of the shingle two times and the edge of the shingles two times without damaging the mat to qualify for a particular class rating. Class 1 would be the lowest tested rating.

The next class asphalt shingle is a class 2 shingle. This shingle has to pass a 15 foot drop of a 1-1/2” steel ball with repeated hits on the field and edge two times with no damage to the fiberglass mat. These shingles are found on roofs throughout our region.

The class 3 shingle is tested with a 1-3/4” steel ball and dropped from a height of 17 feet. You’ll find that the shingle on your home may be a class 3 shingle. These are commonly found to have approximately a 30 year limited lifetime offering. They stand up well to small hail but not to larger hail that is sometimes experienced in Colorado.

The Class 4 Shingle

Currently the highest class of asphalt shingles is the class 4 shingle which will carry at least the U.L. 2218 steel ball listing. I’ll share on several test that can be performed in this category for the highest performing impact resistant shingles on the market today. This product is of great interest to insurance companies and homeowners alike. I’m hoping to see greater test and shingle changes in the future to create a class 5 product. Only time will tell. The class 4 shingle is tested with a 2” steel ball that strikes the same area twice. This ball is dropped from a distance of 20’. The class 4 product must show no evidence of punctures, tears, cracks, splits, ruptures on top or bottom. In addition, this product will be observed with 5x magnification to ensure that it has passed the test.

Are There Any Other Tests Available to Determine Class Rating?

Another test that is sometimes used is the ice ball test which began in the year 2000. The ice balls are propelled to match the same speed as a free falling ice stone of the same size. This test requires that the targeted area on the shingle is impacted 3 times as opposed to the steel ball test of only 2 times. This is a pass or fail test. To pass this test, the shingles must show no immediate visual evidence of compromise to the fiberglass mat.

A comprehensive test that many manufacturers do not use, but may be the best test is the UL2218 B-ice hail impact resistant test. This is an aggressive test that involves wrapping the repeatedly impacting shingle around a 4 inch pole for examination. This test will reveal any ruptures, fractures, tears or cracks in the shingle. The shingle is first impacted by ice balls launched at free fall speeds and that are 2” in diameter in order to pass a class 4 rating.

We will see changes in testing and classifications of shingles in the future. Please note that no one manufactures a residential hail proof roof. However we seriously recommend considering a class 4 hail impact resistant shingle.

Functional Damage to Shingles

In a previous blog, I mentioned functional damage of a roof system, and I’d like to expound on that briefly. It is important to clarify that when a hail stone impacts a roof system it may or may not damage it. For instance if you’ve recently installed a class 4 hail impact resistant shingle on your home and your roof was impacted by 2-1/2” hail stones, there is a chance that your roof sustained no functional damage. However, if your roof is made up of a 10-year old class 4 shingle it probably did sustained damage. I’ll share more on this in a moment, but for now let’s describe what is functional damage and why.

There are two aspects of Functional damage that I will address in this blog. The first type of functional damage is caused from an ice impact created from a thunderstorm impeding the roof system’s ability to shed water. Additionally, functional damage is described as the loss of life expectancy of the roof system. Both definitions of functional damage may be present on the roof.

However, if only one definition of functional damage applies to a roof system, then it would likely be the loss of life expectancy of the roof system. When identifying the diminutive ability of the roof to shed water, tears and punctures will be present on the roof system.

A Current Example of Functional Damage

From the recent storm in Highlands Ranch we’ve inspected some roof shingles that have been torn or have sustained small punctures. The photo above is from Highlands Ranch and many Denver roofers have seen what you can now see. This image illustrates all of the areas on the shingles that were impacted by hail. Many more of the roofs that we have inspected had fiberglass mats that were bruised and had small fractures from hail stones which have decreased the serviceability of the roof system. Whether there were punctures or only bruises, these roof systems should be replaced.

Effects of Aging on a Class 4 Roof

Older class 4 roof systems can sustain damage from 2-1/2” stones. As asphalt ages it becomes less pliable and more brittle. As a result, it no longer has the ability to transfer impact energy and the mat is damaged and/or punctures occur to this system. Most insurance companies recognize this and only recognize a class 4 shingle to provide a measure of protection for only a decade or less. Class 4 shingles are great, but again they are not hail proof and their serviceability diminishes over time. Nevertheless, I highly recommend installing a class 4 asphalt shingle.

What About Metal Class 4 Roofs?

In most cases, I will not recommend installing a class 4 metal roof system. Many insurance carriers have clauses in their property coverage pertaining to metal roofs which state that they don’t owe for cosmetic damage to a metal roof system. This photo shows cosmetic damage which is highly visible from the ground. We took this photo from the ground level. If a hammered metal roof is the desired look that you were longing for, then you’ll be pleased with the hail hits on your metal roof system. In most cases it would take baseball sized hail to create functional damage to a steel panel. In some instances it would take larger than softball sized hail to puncture the panels or to break loose the seams. Metal roofs are durable, but the flip side to this is that you could be stuck with an ugly, dinged up roof if the metal doesn’t sustain large enough damage for it to be replaced.

Imagine spending $60,000 for a steel roof and having it dented to the point of being able to view it from the ground, yet it doesn’t have any functional damage required by an insurance company to be replaced. The homeowner should not be surprised when an insurance adjuster denies a claim based on the policy stating that they do not owe to replace the steel roof panels or stone coated steel without real functional damage. It is advisable to read the policy carefully when considering investing in a metal roof system.

Many overzealous roof salesmen would disagree with me and even misrepresent the facts to the homeowner to try to earn business and upsell a more expensive roof. We understand and agree with the definition of functional damage. Several team members of Integrity Roofing and Painting have training from Haag Engineering and can provide additional information to anyone considering a metal roof.

Should I Invest in a Class 4 Shingle System?

If you live in an area prone to repeated hail storms like Colorado, it is definitely worthy of consideration. Integrity Roofing and Painting is a Denver Roofer that is able to install a class 4 rated roof system. Please contact us if you’d like more information about a hail impact-resistant shingle. The cost of an upgrade could be less than a future deductible and could save you from the time investment in having to replace a roof again soon. Most insurance companies offer a discount on premiums for a Class 4 roof, which makes it more appealing. Over time you can recoup your initial investment. Call your agent to find out how much of an annual discount you can receive and weigh that against the cost of the upgrade and future deductible payments. Even if you are selling your home soon, it would be a great selling point to attract buyers. You may find that this is a great opportunity for you!

Please keep in mind that a Class 4 Hail Impact Resistant roof is NOT a Hail Proof Roof. That does not exist on our current residential market. We have replaced Class 4 roofs that were still considered new after a large hail storm. If the hail is large enough, falls hard enough and long enough, you may still be replacing your roof. The insurance company, however, would then cover a class 4 roof replacement as it would be there responsibility to replace what is present on your current roof. This means that you would not have the cost of an upgrade at that point as it would be a onetime investment. Only you can decide if it is the right investment for you, but from our experience, we do stand behind the recommendation of installing an asphalt Class 4 Roof.

Contact a Denver Roofer for Help with a Class 4 Roof

As a Denver roofer, Integrity Roofing and Painting regularly installs class 4 roof systems. Contact us today. We make roof replacements easy!

The most affordable and common replacement is a composition roof made of asphalt shingles. This meets the fire rating requirements for the local building codes. New shingles are great when installed with roof vents.

Is Your Asphalt Roof System Properly Ventilated?

Cedar wood shake roofs naturally breathe, so ventilation is not normally an issue. Asphalt roofs, on the other hand, are air tight and do not breathe without adding a proper ventilation system. When transitioning from a cedar shake roof to an asphalt roof, the ventilation system has to be addressed or the underside of the roof may create condensation.

The lack of airflow causes moisture to build up inside the house. Heat from the exterior causes it to rise and condense, much like a cloud. Eventually it may perspire causing a raining affect inside the home. As a roofing company in Colorado Springs, Integrity Roofing and Painting has witnessed this phenomenon occur in attic spaces. All one has to do is climb in the attic during the winter of a home with no ventilation and one might see water droplets forming on the underside of the roof deck. I witnessed a cathedral ceiling that drizzled drops of condensing from its ceiling at a steady trickle due to lack of ventilation.

A Possible Solution is To Install More Vents

The way we attempted to resolve this issue was to install soffit vents and ridge vents. The only issue was that this property had a cathedral ceiling. In addition to the cathedral ceiling were some unusual fire blocks that were installed by the builder. A cathedral ceiling doesn’t have an attic air space that’s found in most homes. The only air space that may exist is what’s available between the decking and ceiling material. Ultimately, this roof started to sweat again. We returned to this property, removed shingles and some decking. That’s when we discovered the fire blocks. The blocks were removed to allow the air to flow upward from the intake vents at the soffits to the exhaust vents at the ridge.

Each home is built differently so it is advisable to consult with an architect regarding the optimal ventilation for your home when transitioning to an asphalt roof from a wood shake roof. It could prevent interior damages as well as save considerable money over time on utilities. If your looking for a roofing company in Colorado Springs, Integrity Roofing and Painting can provide some assistance with ventilation. We recommend that the final ventilation decisions be made with an architect, engineer, or builder.

When Does an Asphalt Shingle Roof Need to be Replaced?

Typically, an asphalt shingle roof will last roughly 20 years unless it was installed improperly, or a severe hail storm damaged the shingles. Each roofing system is unique, however, and I encourage you to use the instructions found in the rest of this post to get an idea of your roof’s health.

Specific things to do and look for before water stains appear on your ceilings:

Are there a large amount of granules in your gutters?

Commonly, when shingles age and begin to deteriorate at a quicker rate, a large amount of the small granules on shingles will begin to pile up in your gutters. If this is the case in your gutters, take a closer look at the actual shingles.

Are there any penetrations?

When looking closely at your shingles, are there any penetrations that go all the way through the shingle? Even small penetrations can cause leaks, so look closely.

Can your see light coming through your roof from your attic (are there holes)?

Climb up into your attic with a flashlight, and take a look around. Can you see any holes or existing gaps? Are there any water stains, or instances of mold growing? If so, take note of where they are, and climb onto your roof for a closer look, but be careful!

Are there already water stains on your ceiling or walls?

If yes, immediately take action! Mold is not something that you want to ignore. If there is water stains on your ceiling or walls, there is a leak. At minimum, the extent of the water damage needs to be addressed, and the leak fixed.

Is it Time for a Roof Inspection?

After taking a look at these different elements of your roofing system, you will have a much clearer idea of how healthy your roof is.  If after your inspection, or if you’d prefer to receive a complimentary inspection contact Integrity Roofing and Painting, We would be happy to come take a look at your specific roofing needs. Contact your local Denver Roofer for an honest roof assessment, you need a company with integrity you can count on.

Learning the terminology of the roofing business

As your local roofer we want to be sure that you have plenty to talk about at your neighbor’s next dinner party. That’s why we’d like to use this post as a forum for going over some of the standard roofing terminology that we in the roofing trade employ on a daily basis. Not only will this information allow you to speak the language of roofing fluently with your friends and family, but it will also allow you to better understand what is being talked about the next time your local roofer comes out for an inspection of your roof. So, without further delay, let’s jump into the most prevalent and relevant terminology of the roofing biz.

Roofs of all shapes and sizes

In general, roofs shapes are broken down into two basic categories; gabled roofs and hipped roofs.

• Gabled roof: A gabled roof is characterized by a straight slope which falls from ridge to eave  which creates a triangle shape and a peak on the side or front facade of the house. Houses with gabled roofs have rakes on the gable facades and eaves on the non-gabled facades.
• Hipped roof: Houses with this type of roof refrain from having a triangle or peak at the roof elbow by dividing the roof plane along the slope line, which induces the roof to bend or wrap around the house. Houses with hipped roofs maintain an even roof to wall coupling all the way around the house and eaves on all sides.

The building blocks of your roof

There are really 3 primary components that make up your outer roof. Your local roofer will deal primarily with these when repairing or replacing your roof.

• Flashing: These are the metal pieces that are used to facilitate the flow of water from areas of your roof where collection of the water is likely, such as hips and valleys. Flashing can be made from a variety of materials including galvanized flashing, a galvanized alloy, copper, lead coated copper or stainless steel.
• Underlayment: This is the black paper sheet that is laid on top of  the plywood sheeting and serves to protect your roof from damaging external elements such as rain, snow, and ice. The use of a membrane is typically required. A waterproof membrane known as a sweat sheet or vapor barrier, with the underlayment paper serving a triple function.
• Shingles or Tiles:  These are the components that make up the outermost portion of the roof. These sit on top of the underlayment and are the first line of defense against the elements.

Have you ever wonder what materials roofing contractors use to build your roof?  Do you often ask your roofing contractors question about material?  Most roofing contractors are happy to explain what material they may use to build your roof. If you ask any roofing contractor, what is the basic material used in building a roof. The answer you may receive is TPO Roofing Membrane.  TPO is short for Thermoplastic Olefin.  TPO is a single ply roofing membrane being used in both residential and commercial building throughout the United States.  TPO roofing membrane is popular with roofing contractors because of the resistance against bad weather and other natural elements.

Before the development of TPO roofing Membrane roofing contractors would use PVC roofing membrane.  However, PVC has a very checked past when used in colder climates of the north.  Often, PVC roofing membrane would need serious repair after trying to brave the weather of the north.  TPO roofing membrane is starting to replace PVC roofing membrane.  TPO roofing membrane is resist to many natural elements.  TPO roofing membrane is extremely resistance to tears, puncture and impact. TPO has good flexibility to permit building movement.  The TPO roofing membrane is resist for extreme weather, such as hurricanes or tornados.  TPO is resistant to algae, ozone, eco-friendly and safe to setup.

The benefits of using TPO roofing membrane are great. TPO contains no plasticizers or chlorine. The TPO roofing membrane will not dry out or become brittle over the years.  TPO roofing membrane is cheaper for roofing contractors to use than PVC roofing membrane.  TPO roofing membrane comes in light gray, white and black. TPO comes in a width of 45 mils or 60 mils.  Generally, TPO is recyclable doing the production process.  TPO is not a standard in the United States for housing but many roofing contractors use TPO roofing membrane because of the reliability and resistance.

Applying TPO roofing membrane for roofing contractors is a simple process. The TPO roofing membrane is normally installed with mechanical fasteners placed down the edge of the sheet and secured with the membrane. TPO roofing membrane is one the fastest growing methods in the United States of America. Roofing contractors use TPO roofing membrane because of its high quality material, cheaper price and easy installation.  For many roofing contractors TPO roofing membrane is a top pick and some cases is the only thing they use when building roofs.

Regardless of what type of material is being use roofing contractors need to know what they are doing. TPO roofing membrane is a top pick for many roofing contractors, but many do not have the skills to install TPO roofing membrane.