Request an Estimate

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Yes, we are fully insured with General Liability, Workman’s Compensation, Automobile Liability, and Excess Liability specifically for roofing. Many companies that offer roofing services carry less expensive insurance policies for other trades even though they are doing roof work. (i.e., gutters or masonry) A homeowner or business owner can be at extreme risk if an accident occurs, and the contractor is performing work that is not covered by the appropriate insurance. Customers should request an insurance certificate directly from the insured’s insurance company to ensure there is appropriate coverage in force. Several years ago, Roofwerks took over a large project because the previous company was not properly insured. The parking brake on a work vehicle was not engaged and the vehicle rolled downhill into a garage. The homeowner was on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars to repair the damage.

This is a tricky question because of all the different products available. Asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material will likely last 25 years in our NC climate. It is important that you hire a qualified company such as Roofwerks who can expertly install a high-quality roof system. All the different components of the roof such as underlayment, flashings, and ventilation are critical to getting the most life out of your roof. Since Roofwerks is accredited by all the major manufacturers we are able to offer enhanced warranties that your run of the mill company can’t offer.

Re-roofing can be an unsettling process if you have never gone through the process previously. At Roofwerks we prepare you well ahead of the start of the job with a check list of items that will make the job much more comfortable for you and safe. This list addresses household items to protect and how Roofwerks will work during the job to protect you and your household during the roofing process. The main thing to expect is loud noise and thoughts of a war zone. But choosing a contractor like Roofwerks that is there to protect your property and your safety will make you at ease and glad you trusted us with the undertaking.

The price of a new roof system varies widely, depending on such things as the materials selected, type of home or building, and the labor involved. Call us today and we can schedule a free no obligation inspection and estimate of your property.

This depends on whether your roof has been damaged by an act of nature. Hail, high winds, or a fallen tree can all cause damage to your roof that will likely be covered by insurance. If you have experienced an event that causes damage you should contact your insurance company to start the claims process. Beware of the many companies that claim to get you a free roof. These storm chasers are often unethical and likely in violation of North Carolina insurance guidelines.  Many come from out of state, hire subcontract labor, and leave the area as soon as the storm work dries up. It is almost impossible to find them when a problem develops. Roofwerks is local and established and can help you navigate any insurance claim.

Unfortunately, the most obvious way to determine if a roof system has problems is after leaking or other serious damage occurs. If you are concerned about the performance of your roofing system call us we can do a detailed inspection of your roof. Our inspection can uncover cracked, warped or missing shingles; loose seams and deteriorated flashings; excessive surface granules accumulating in the gutters and other visible signs of roof system problems. (Tip: Indoor signs to look for are cracked paint, discolored sheetrock or peeling tape on sheetrock as signs of water intrusion.)

Yes, North Carolina building code allows for two layers of shingles. We do not recommend this practice because there is no way to find if there are existing leaks that are occurring in the roof system without removing the old shingles and felt paper. The other advantage is having one layer of roofing avoids complications in selling a home when it comes to inspections and concerns about the cost of two layers of roofing needing to be removed.

Not necessarily. Leaks can result form something simple such as flashings that come loose or a section of the roof system being damaged. We are fortunate in North Carolina to have all 4 seasons of weather sometimes all in one week. The rapid change in weather can put stress on seams and flashing and open leaks on roofs that can be solved by our repair department and not require a total replacement.

One typical issue — your plumbing vent flashing boot has failed. Building codes require plumbing pipes that remove gases from our sewage systems. These pipes generally exit through the roof. They are kept watertight by installing a plumbing vent flashing boot at the point where this pipe exits the roof. UV rays can degrade the neoprene seal, leading to a crack that allows water to enter the house. Water will then run down the pipe and appear on the bathroom ceiling. This is one reason it is important to have your roof inspected regularly.

Metal roofing has a higher up-front cost than other options such as asphalt shingles. However, once you evaluate the life cycle cost of the roof, metal can be less expensive than asphalt shingles. Metal will last substantially longer than asphalt shingles that will likely have to be replaced multiple times in order to match the longevity of metal roofing. It is important to choose a contractor such as Roofwerks that has proven experience in specialty roofing. All metal roofs are not created equal. There are different metals, gauges or thicknesses, attachment methods, and styles of metal roofing. Certain metals perform better than others depending upon the application. Visit our roofing showroom to evaluate the many options available in metal roofing.

Algae. A plant like organism that can attach itself to the roof, algae is more prevalent in areas with high humidity.

Drip edge is a perimeter flashing metal that protects the fascia and prevents wind-blown rain from getting under your shingles. As water runs off the roof, a process known as “capillary action” causes water to adhere to the shingle and wick underneath to the plywood sheathing and fascia board. (You see this when you pour water out of a glass — the water tends to hug the side of the glass rather than pour away from it.) Drip edge is an inexpensive way to protect your home from expensive repairs down the road.

A woven valley is the traditional method of installing shingles in the roof valley by interlacing the shingles as you go up the roof. This method is fine when installing traditional strip shingles, but it can create problems with architectural shingles. These shingles are thicker, and the weave causes them to “bridge” the valley, allowing water to get underneath the shingles. The cut valley prevents this situation and provides a more aesthetic appearance.

The most commonly known shingles are the three-tab or strip shingles with a flat appearance on the roof. An architectural or dimensional shingle has an additional layer of shingle material laminated on top to provide a more interesting appearance on the roof. Architectural shingles typically have a more substantial warranty than standard strip shingles. Roofwerks has an expansive showroom where you can view many different types of shingles that are available.

There are several possible reasons that you are experiencing shingle loss. One is that the roof system is nearing the end of its life cycle. As the roof ages, the asphalt dries out making the shingle brittle and more susceptible to coming off. The second is improper fastening or misalignment such as “high-nailing.” In this situation, the fasteners were installed in the wrong part of the shingle which has a lower tear resistance.

No. Algae does not affect the life of your shingles.

Ventilation

To determine the amount of ventilation needed, the size of the attic must be measured. The size is determined by multiplying the length and width of the attic floor. Once this measurement has been determined, the rule is 1 sq. ft. of Net Free Area for every 150 sq. ft of attic floor space. A Roofwerks representative can assist with these calculations and outline the best way to achieve the necessary ventilation ratio for your attic.

There are several options available to achieve the proper ventilation for your attic.  No matter the system components, there needs to be a balance between the intake and the exhaust.  Examples of intake would be soffit vents and edge vents.  Ridge vents and power attic fans are examples of exhaust.  There are other products that can be used, depending on what is required for the vented attic space.  The attic size, existing ventilation, and other factors will determine the components needed to achieve the required ratio of ventilation.

Most homes have some level of existing attic ventilation, usually in the form of vented gable louvres, wind turbines, ridge vents, power attic fans, or static box vents.  Depending on the age of your home, it could be any type of these ventilation methods.  Older homes typically will not meet the current requirement for attic ventilation.  Newer homes typically have more adequate attic ventilation.  No matter the situation, Roofwerks can assess your current system and provide options to get your attic to the required level of ventilation.

Venting your attic provides year-round benefits. It helps remove warm air in the spring/summer and moist air in the fall/winter. Proper ventilation helps prolong the life of your roof and is also a warranty requirement from shingle manufacturers. Ventilation can also aid in lowering your utility bill by decreasing the load on your HVAC system.

Gutters

Yes. Roofwerks offers several options for keeping leaves and debris from clogging your new or existing gutters. Existing gutter must be in good condition to allow the fit and performance of the covers to function properly

For gutters to drain properly, they must be pitched toward the downspout. If you have a long section of gutter with downspouts at each end, the gutter will be pitched towards both downspouts, with the highest point being in the middle.

There are several styles and sizes of gutter to choose from in a wide variety of colors. For most applications, seamless aluminum, K-style will be the choice. They are available in 5” and 6” widths. The attached downspouts can be 2”x3” or 3”x4” diameter. The combination of gutter width and downspout width is dictated by the size of the roof, the pitch, and other factors. There are also box style gutters, half round gutters, and copper gutters. Roofwerks can also fabricate custom gutter.

You may need to replace your existing gutters for a variety of reasons. Leaks in your gutters could be a sign that your gutters are past their useful life. If your gutters are holding water or have been creased, they may need replacing. Gutters that are heavily stained beyond cleaning can hinder the curb appeal of your home and should be replaced.

Gutter systems are necessary to catch and carry rainwater from the roof of your home away from the foundation, doorways, decks or patios.

Skylights

When skylights first came out, they were prone to leaks which gave them a bad name. Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, skylights are manufactured with a three-layer water protection that prevents any leaks. Our Velux brand skylights carry an installation warranty to all products installed with a Velux skylight flashing systems.

Absolutely! skylights can be installed to replace existing skylights, whether or not your original skylight is still available today. In many cases, your skylight can be replaced in just a few hours! Contact us today to get an estimate.

Skylights are safe! We offer laminated glass for any skylight out-of-reach; installed above 8 feet. This lamination acts as a safety measure to prevent glass from falling into the home if the pane were to break.

All products with solar-powered components qualify for the federal tax credit under “Solar Electric Property” expenditures when purchased and installed from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2021. These products include:

  • Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights
  • Manual “Fresh Air” Skylights with factory-installed solar-powered blinds
  • Fixed Skylights with factory-installed solar-powered blinds
  • Residential Rigid Sun Tunnels with Solar Night Lights
  • Solar Powered Blinds