Mag Roofing: Frequently Asked Questions

QHow do I detect hail damage to my roof?

A.  Looking for hail damage can be difficult if you don’t know where to look.  We recommend looking at a few places when identifying damage to your roof from hail.  Inspect your gutters and downspouts for any possible dimples caused by hail.  We also recommend looking for internal damage to your building caused from roof leaks.  This type of damage usually doesn’t happen overnight, but if you do spot a leak, this means it’s probably from damage you’ve experienced over a long period of time.  Also, inspect your roof if you see dimples or damage to equipment such as HVAC equipment, this could mean your roof took a beating from a hail storm.  If you do see these signs, don’t wait and let the problem persist.  Have a trained roofing professional thoroughly inspect your roof for possible repair.

 

Q.  What causes my roof to  “wear out”? 

A.  Eventually every roof will age and become faulty.  The good news is technology is playing a big role in helping the life span of roofs today.  The most common reasons a roof can deteriorate over time are:

  • Building Settling – Over time a building will expand, contract and settle affecting the roof.
  • Exposure - Environmental elements such as sun, rain, freeze, storms all can shorten the life of a roof.
  • Biological Growth -  Standing water can produce algae and other vegetation which can harm the roof.
  • Un-corrected problems -  Small problems can lead to bigger problems over time.
  • Ignoring Maintenance – This is typically the biggest mistake people make when it comes to their roof.  Regular inspections are important in order to get the most from your roof.

 

Q.  What are some of the best roofing products in the industry today?

A.  Using the best products on the market today allows us to provide maximum protection for our customers.  These products are:  Firestone, Topcoat, Carlisle, American Weatherstar Coatings, Hiberlite, Everguard, Sarnafil, JP Stevens & ER Systems.

 

QWhat does it mean to have a green roof?

A.  Having a “green roof” simply means you are taking advantage of the latest technological trends to ensure you are maximizing the energy use within your building.  For example, a white single-ply memebrane is an excellent product to use when wanting a “green roof.”

 

Q.  Are there any real energy savings when replacing our roof?

A.  If you replace your roof with the appropriate product, then yes, you will notice energy savings.  A cooler roof can not only protect the exterior (and interior) of your building, but it can help keep cooling costs down during the summer months.

 

Q.  Should I wait to replace my leaky roof?

A.  Ignoring a problem, even small one’s can potentially lead to bigger issues.  Although the leak may not be harming anything inside the building today, it can become worse and more damaged over time.

 

Q. How do I choose the roofing system that works best for a particular job

A.  The combination of asphalt, modifiers and reinforcements determines the characteristics of a specific modified bitumen membrane. To obtain the best roofing system possible, the designer, building owner and contractor should understand the dynamics of the roof as well as the roofing system when specifying either APP or SBS modified roofs. The architect, specifier, building owner and roofing contractor should examine the following parameters when choosing a roofing system:

  • What is the building’s type and usage?
  • What building code requirements apply to the system?
  • What is the estimated service life of the roof system?
  • What type of maintenance will be required to maximize the service life of the roof system?
  • What kind of roof deck will be used (type, size, slope)?
  • How much is the roof deck expected to move relative to the roof perimeter?
  • Shrinkage of the deck material?
  • Moisture content of the deck?
  • Access for equipment on the roof?

 

Q.  How is Modified Bitumen roofing applied for maximum performance?

A. The application of modified bituminous roofing is a construction process that involves the skillful arrangement of several components as specified for the process. Roof performance is determined by factors that include building design, job specifications, materials quality and suitability, application procedures and maintenance. The level of quality in the workmanship during the application process is critical. The application of modified bitumen roof systems is not an exact science. It’s a craft that involves people, roofing professionals, who deal with a broad range of materials, designs, customs, techniques, weather events, and climates. ARMA recognizes the importance of these critical factors as they affect the quality of modified bitumen roofing. These factors are controlled by applicable inspection and review procedures carried out during the development, manufacturing, production, and application stages.

 

These are just a few of the most frequent questions we receive.  If you have any questions or concerns about your roof don’t hesitate to ask one of our experts at MAG Roofing for advice.