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.

The celebration starts off in the morning with the Palmer Lake Fun Run ,followed by two parades, the children’s and the main parade. This year Integrity Roofing and Painting was apart of the over 100 vendors the set up on and the main streets of Monument . We are able to share with community about our company and how we can help when they are in need of a contractor for their home. It was so much fun to see and chat with everyone that came to our two booths! We saw all kinds people, of all ages!. We had a game wheel that the community could spin and win a prize, this was extra exciting for the children. It was great to have a chance to talk with local community about our company and the services we provide. We really are excited to be a local roofing contractor for this area. We take pride in our beautiful state of Colorado ,even when the hail and wind come, its just apart of our environment. We enjoy being apart of local celebrations like this ,so we can get to know our community.

Integrity Roofing and Painting provides Roofing Services through Colorado.

We were able to share with people that came to our booth how we could help due to the recent hail storms in our area this summer. A lot of people said that they were affected by these storms. We shared about different types of roofs and what would maybe be the right roof for them. We spoke about how UL CLASS A Fire Resistant and Impact Resistant can really benefit them.

Integrity Roofing and Painting is excited to go back next year and share in the festivities!!! Come join us in Monument for the 4th of July Celebration next year!

Visit us online Today and learn more about our services!

Need a roofer Denver? If you understand the enemies of your roof that the Colorado climate presents, it is no wonder why. The entire functionality of your home as your safe haven against all of the worldly dangers begins with having a sound roof, and there are plenty of things that compromise your roofs integrity. The reasons why you may need a roofer Denver are not just limited to natural factors, however. Roof damage is not only caused by natural factors, it can also be caused by human error that occurred during the initial construction of your roof. In the remainder of this post we’ll have a look at the 2 general categories of causation when it comes to roof damage, which will surely explain why you need a roofer Denver.

Human causes of roofing damage

Why do you need a roofer Denver? A big part of the reason could be human error on the part of the roofers who initially built your roof. Most damage that occurs as a result of roofing errors has to do with the roofer using inadequate materials in the construction of your roof, as a means of cutting costs and improving their profit margin. Examples of cost cutting when it comes to your roofing materials includes things like using low grade roofing paper, flashing, and shingles on your roof. Another way that roofing companies try to cut costs which ends up degrading the quality of your roof is by rushing through the completion of your roof in order to meet deadlines, causing the overall quality of the work to suffer, leading to problems down the road. As we have noted many times on this blog, one of the most frequently occurring roofing errors is the improper use of a nail gun in order to nail your shingles to the roof. This causes shingles to be over-driven and thus more susceptible to damages in cases of high winds.

Another common human issue in roof installation that often creates problems is improperly installed flashing. When dealing with roof flashing and looking for sources of roof damage all it takes is one eighth of an inch of a flashing mistake to produce roof leaks. If this error happens to be in a location where large volumes of water are funneling into the mistake may be very costly. Water flowing like a small stream may enter into the roof structure. If you’re looking for a roofer Denver clients would be advised to work with a Denver roofer that has a training program for their installers. Keep the water flowing down the roof and not into the structure by installing wall flashing correctly. Let’s not overlook chimney crickets and flashing in the Denver area. With our cold winters many homes have chimneys. No matter what, be sure to find a Denver roofer that understands roof flashing.

Natural causes of roofing damage

The most likely reason that you’ll need a roofer Denver is due to the often extreme elements that characterize the Denver climate, particularly in the winter and spring. High winds are perhaps the most common reason for roofing damage in Denver. Wind damage is even more prevalent on roofs which have had shingles nailed down with nail guns. Denver also sees its fair share of hail storms. Hail can wreak havoc on all sorts of roofs, but does particular damage to roofs which are composed of asphalt shingles, as the granules which make up the shingles are removed quickly and in large quantities. Let’s not forget snow. Snow piling up on your roof can cause problems ranging from leaking to degrading shingles, and many more. These issues are compounded when your roof has fundamental construction issues to begin with. The fact of the matter is from day one after your roof is installed natural causes begin to depreciate your roof. No matter how many warranties or labels that a manufacturer inserts into their literature no roofing product last forever. Some products are mis labeled a life time. I said, “mis-labeled”, which may be correct or not. The manufacturer may be referring to average length of time that a homeowner stays in a home. The average is only seven years. Now if the manufacturer actually plans on an asphalt shingle lasting until someones seventy five or eighty years old and they are labeling the package according to the owners life time, well then that’s another story. If one were to purchase the home at twenty years of age and the manufacturer expects the product to last for fifty or sixty years I have my doubts.

Denver Sun and Hail Damage to Roofs

Ok, now that I’ve share my opinion let’s look at sunshine or the negative impacts of ultraviolet rays on an asphalt shingle. As soon as the bitumen is exposed to ultraviolet rays on a continual basis that product begins to degrade. Asphalt and ultraviolet rays are not compatible. The break down of the asphalts ability to remain flexible will be sharply decreased with sunlight. As the shingle begins to loose its elasticity and pliability any type of impact on that shingle can potentially damage it. Every Denver roofer knows this information. For an example as a light weight asphalt shingle ages the size of the hail stone that is needed in order to bruise or fracture the shingle is reduced. When a brand new light weight asphalt shingle is installed it will take a hard 1″ hail stone to possibly damage the shingle. It’s really unlikely for this to occur because the new asphalt is able to absorb the impact of the hail stone. However as the asphalt in the roof shingle system ages it becomes less pliable and more brittle, thus creating concern for hail damage even with smaller stones. The 1″ hail stone in a storm that last for fifteen minutes or so has the potential to damage an old light weight shingle. When I say old I’m referring to a shingle that is at least ten years old. Traditionally a light weight shingle would easily absorb the hail impact of small stones.

Contact Your Denver Roofer

Integrity Roofing and Painting is a Denver Roofer providing services throughout the Denver metro area, Colorado Springs and front range of Colorado. Contact us for your roofing needs.

A few ways to keep your roof functioning at a high level for the longest period of time

As your Integrity roof experts we understand the importance of taking care of your roof, even when there is no direct threat to it. Just like with anything else, your roof will function best, and at the highest possible level when it is properly cared for. The best start in maintaining a healthy and properly functioning roof, of course, is by calling Integrity Roofing and Painting for all your roof installation, repair, or replacement needs. But beyond that, there are several measures that any home or business owner can take to perpetuate a long lasting and effective roof. In this post, your Integrity roof experts will break down the best ways to maintain a your roof’s efficacy for the longest possible time.

Schedule regular inspections

This is the single most important step to take to keep your roof in solid condition for the longest period of time, at the cheapest cost to you. Just like with your car, or your computer, or even your own body, the most effective way to save yourself pain and costs in the long run is to catch problems before they become problems. At Integrity Roofing and Painting our roof experts will come out to your place and perform free roof inspections in order to catch all those little problems before they become big ones.

Keep your feet on the ground!

The single best way to damage your roof is to walk on it! Foot traffic on your roof causes the shingles to loosen and deteriorate. Not-to-mention the risk of falling off of the roof and hurting yourself. Whenever it can be avoided, try to use other means to inspect your roof that doesn’t involve walking on it. If you must climb on the roof please wear safe soft soled shoes. Cougar Paws are made by former roofers to walk on roofs. If you’re able to stay off the road than another good way to do this is to use binoculars or other magnification devices in order to view your roof from afar. Of course, the best way is to simply call the roof experts at Integrity Roofing and Painting!

Regular roof cleaning is key – but not with power washers!

When algae and mold form on your roof it can significantly accelerate the deterioration process, and this is why it is important to have your roof cleaned every so often. However, you should never use high pressure systems for accomplishing this. If you are looking for a roof cleaning company, be sure that they don’t use high pressure hoses to clean your roof, as this will cause far more damage then it will prevent. Roof cleaning is tricky and someone really needs to know what they’re doing. In Colorado algae or moss isn’t really a problem. What we find in Colorado is that some roofs are filled with wind blown debris which may prevent water from shedding off the roof.

At Integrity Roofing and Painting we want to see your roof perform at the highest possible level for the longest period of time. Contact our roof experts today for a free roof inspection! Our offices are located in Denver and Colorado Springs.

Metal roofs, while not a particularly wide-spread choice among home owners, for the standard standing seam roof can prove to be a valuable and cost effective investment. The standing metal seam roof is simple in beauty and has a wide variety of colors. It is a gorgeous roof and one the consider if money isn’t an issue. One of the reasons why people are deterred from getting metal home roofs is the price, as metal home roofs tend to be about three times the cost of standard asphalt-shingle roofs. This extreme price difference can be attributed not only to the fact that metal roofing materials are more expensive than asphalt-shingle roofing materials, but also because the installation process of a metal roof is far more technical and requires more time and more high- skilled laborers. In this post we’ll dive a little bit deeper into the reasons why a metal roof may or may not be the best choice for your home.

Life expectancy and durability of metal roofs

We briefly touched on some of the draw-backs of metal roofs, including the fact that they are far more expensive than standard asphalt shingle roofs, and due to the technical  nature of the installation process they also tend to take far more time to install than the standard asphalt shingle roof. However, one of the reasons that many home owners decide that installing a metal home roof is the correct decision for them, has to to do with the life expectancy of metal roofs compared to asphalt roofs. Metal roofs typically last two to three times longer than asphalt shingle roofs, the average life-span being anywhere from 40 to 60 years. Compare that to the average life-span of an asphalt shingle roof which ranges from 12 to 20 years.  Going hand-in-hand with the long life-span of metal roofs is another advantage that is gained from that same durability; less frequent repairs. In fact, most high quality metal roofs almost never are in need of maintenance. These reasons are why many homeowners who plan to be in their home for many, many years decide that a metal roof is that best option for them.

Insurance Cosmetic Clause for Metal Roofs

I think many of the metal roofs that are available today for residential properties are simply beautiful. The biggest downfall for a Colorado resident to a metal roof is what happens after a hailstorm? The recent trend in the insurance industry is to not pay for cosmetic damage to a metal roof. Now, if you have the money and you can take a financial hit from a hailstorm and your able to pay for a new roof out of pocket, skip this part. Most people in Colorado will factor this truth into their grid for considering whether or not a metal roof is worth it. Most roofing companies in Colorado Springs have witnessed the shock when a homeowner gets a report from the insurance adjuster that the roof will not be replaced after a hailstorm. The cosmetic clause in an insurance policy will not pay for aesthetic damage to the metal roof system. What this means is a metal roof can appear as though someone beat the entire surface with a baseball bat and the insurer would technically not owe to replace the roof. Another way to describe this is by taking an opposite approach. The insurance adjuster assigned to a hail damage claim will look for functional damage to the metal panels or metal shingles. This is understandably just because the language the insurance policy clearly states that they will only owe for functional damage. Here’s the catch, it’s unlikely that most metal roofs that go through a hailstorm in Colorado Springs will be damaged. The reason is functional damage to a metal roof must be such that it diminishes the roof systems ability to shed water or it significantly decreases the life expectancy of the roof system. Neither one of these will occur from an average hailstorm. In order for the roof to an experience potential leaks the hail stone would have to punch through the surface of the metal. The other potential is that the hail stone would cut, tear, puncture or rupture the metal roof system. On metal roofs the seams could be functionally damaged from a hail stone that is around the size of a baseball. So, there you have it! Take this information into consideration before purchasing a new metal roof on your home. The brown metal roof to the left is an example of cosmetic damage. This roof wouldn’t qualify for roof replacement because of the cosmetic clause.

Aesthetic variety 

Metal roofing materials come in a variety of shapes, colors, and styles, which makes them an attractive option for home owners seeking a unique look for their roof. Metal roofing panels are available in steel, copper, aluminum, zinc or terne metal, and all of those materials can actually be press-formed or pre-painted to appear similar to slate, tile, wood shake, or conventional shingles. This variety of appearance is extremely attractive to many home owners, as they are able to achieve the look that they want, and at the same time reap all of the practical benefits that go along with metal roofing. There are several roofing companies in Colorado Springs that are willing and able to install a designer product that is named Decra. Integrity Roofing and Painting will occasional install this product. Debra is another one of the metal products that looks exceptional stylish, however the insurance companies typically have a cosmetic clause on their policies.

Over the past few years we’ve installed several metal roofs and they turned out gorgeous. I personally appreciate the appearance and variety of metal roof products on the market today. If the insurance companies took a different approach in writing insurance coverage on metal roofs we would install many more of these roof systems. As it is the insurance companies will not reverse their decisions, therefore we will personally recommend to our clients to consider allowing us to install a class 4 hail impact resistant shingle on their home. One of the things that we’ve been doing for our clients that our set on metal roofs is to mix some metal products with asphalt which makes for a striking roof.

At Integrity Roofing and Painting we offer a variety of roof options. We are one of the roofing companies in Colorado Springs that occasionally installs metal roofs. Contact Integrity Roofing and Painting, we make roof replacements easy!