Skylight | Infinite Roofing & Construction Roofing Blog

Is your roof leaking? Could the ridge vent be the problem?

June 21, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Do you have a roof leak and can’t figure out what the problem may be? Don’t assume that a faulty roof or the shingles may be the problem and that you may need a full roof replacement. Faulty ridge vents can contribute to the problem and can lead to moisture issues. Fixing a leak quickly is important because if not fixed it can cause more problems down the line.

What are ridge vents?

You may wonder what exactly is a ridge vent and where does it fall in the equation of a roof leaking?

Ridge vents are critical to the attics health, they are a part of the attics ventilation system and helps circulate the air. They also usher moisture (in winter and summer) and hot air (during the summer) that would otherwise lead to damage. It is a metal capping that allows hot air to escape from the attic, the ventilation allows the attic to stay dry, free from any moisture and also prevents it from damaging your insulation. When getting a roof installation a ridge vent will be the last thing that will be placed on the structure and for that reason, a ridge vent leak can occur. Many time the fasteners that are used for the ridge vent aren’t secured properly

Inspect the Attic

Go up to the attic during daylight. Keep the lights off and look up at the roof to see if there is any light coming through. Diffused light is normal, but a beam of light may be the cause of a leak. Then, use a flashlight to examine the ridge vent. Look for moisture or water stains. Water stains may be from an old leak.

Another good time to inspect the attic is when it is raining. Be sure to notice where the water is coming from, because it may be channeled from another area on the roof before dripping down into the attic.

Air Circulation Problems

If you don’t see any leaks, you may have a one-time problem with rain or snow being blown in by heavy winds. Another problem can be a lack of ventilation in the attic. If the air is not circulated, you may get a problem with condensation, which mimics a roof leak.

Most Albany roofing contractor recommends that a roof should be inspected at least ones a year to prevent a ridge vent problem from creating bigger trouble and more damage than it would if it was to be. A strong gust of wind can pop up the ridge vent cap and if not taken care of immediately as rain, snow and even ice dams can cause your roof to leak. The process if inspecting the roof can be done by the homeowner or a professional

Repairing leaking ridge vents

Avoiding problems with ridge vents leak is easy when you schedule an annual roof inspection. During the evaluation, the Albany roofing contractor will not only assess the condition of the ridge vents, but he will also identify issues with shingle wear, damaged flashing and more.

If you feel that crawling around on your roof is a risky and perhaps dangerous job; you are exactly right. There are professionals that will inspect your roof and look for a ridge vent leak for only a minimal cost. These professionals will inspect various other common problems that may occur, as well.

Let the professionals do their job and call Infinite Roofing for an inspection to make sure that there is no ridge vent problem with your roof!

Do you really need 3 estimates for a roofing job?

May 29, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

You’ll need to get as much information and knowledge about the process when looking to replace your roof. You need to weigh your options for roofing materials, their cost, and learn as much as you can about the local roofing companies that will be doing the work. In particular, your goal should be to find the best work for the best value.

Conventional wisdom, and also your insurance companies state and push that you should get three estimates from your local roofing companies and choose the median. Why? Supposedly, a drastically lower estimate may indicate cost-cutting measures that could result in shoddy workmanship, while the highest estimate could wind up costing you a pretty penny for average durability.

Meanwhile, if you’re replacing your roof due to an insurance claim, your insurance company may be stressing that you obtain at least three estimates. However, the three-estimate rule is not a hard-and-fast requirement for insurance claims, nor is it a necessity for your own decision-making process

So how many estimates do you really need?

The thought process behind requesting multiple estimates is solid. replacing a roof is a major undertaking that costs you a good deal of money and stands to make a lasting effect on your home’s weatherproofing, durability, and resale value for years to come. Of course, you want as much information as possible so you can feel comfortable proceeding. You also want to make sure the local roofing contractor you choose provides high-quality materials and high-quality installation and the best way to make that determination is to compare them to other local roofing companies that offer the same service.

However, do you really need three estimates? Not really. In this case, the “right” number of estimates depends completely on you. Get as many, or as few estimates as you need in order to feel comfortable with the roofing company you choose and their pricing.

Insurance companies are in no way required to get three estimates. All roofing contractors receive payment following a third-party system designed to set industry standard prices. Your insurance company will pay your area’s best roofers in Albany the exact same amount as it pays the worst roofers in Albany. Gather as many estimates as you feel comfortable with and choose the best company, just as you would if you were footing the bill on your own.

How do you go about choosing the best company? Ask these questions aside from the affordability factor to determine the best roofer in albany for your job.

Have they performed work in the area? Ask for references and addresses. There’s no better way to get a feel for a company’s customer service and workmanship than by speaking with former customers.

How experienced is the crew? It’s a good sign if your roofing company has been in business for decades and has great reviews. However, make sure to ask about the experience level of the particular crew that will be performing your work; a long-lasting company can easily hire a crop of newbies that may not have any more experience than you do.

How can I reach out during the process? Asking this question, in particular, gauges the company’s customer service. Their willingness to answer questions, guide you through the process, and remain available speaks to how smoothly the process will go on install day.

Ask about any certifications that the roofing company may have, having certifications backs up the work that is done by the company and it would guarantee that they have the best training necessary to be working on your roof.

There is no number of “right” estimates that you would need to get, go with what you think is suitable for you. Infinite Roofing can provide you with a free estimate for your insurance company with a detailed inspection of your roof. Our certifications, reviews and our highly trained crew will guarantee a happy and easy going roof installation.

Installing a Skylight

April 8, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

What’s better than a vertical window? A window on the roof that lets in significantly more light, making even a small room feel much larger and airier. A skylight can make a huge difference to a room.

Be sure to take in the sun’s path into consideration when planning to install a skylight. Skylights facing north or east may not get any direct sunlight, while skylights on the south- or west-facing portion of the roof will collect direct sunlight.

The skylights that take in and receive direct sunlight are bound to become a heat trap on hot days. So, be sure to plan ways to control heat gain if installing a skylight in the south or west is your choice. Some manufacturers sell Venetian blinds or remote controlled shades for their skylights. Either of these could be an effective way to minimize the problem. Another solution is to choose a ventilating skylight that can be opened to allow hot air to escape.

One extremely important aspect to consider when installing a skylight is that if you are installing a skylight in a room that has an attic above, you’ll need to build a light shaft. Building a shaft is the hardest part of installing a skylight. A professional roofing contractor would best be able to handle the different aspects of building a shaft with the right precision.

The shape of a light shaft controls the spread of the natural light beam. A perpendicular shaft with vertical sides focuses the light straight below and a shaft that’s flared on all four sides spreads light over the widest area. A shaft flared on only one or two sides sends more light in the direction of the flared sides.

Building permits are required for a skylight to be installed, so before installing a skylight be sure to research the local codes and factors that may affect the skylight.

To capture a view from a roof window in an attic requires a lot of planning, from sizing to where it is being placed on the roof.

The roof’s slope will also affect proper placement. For the same amount of view, a low-sloping roof will require a taller window than a steeper roof. Manufacturers of roof windows have charts that list recommendations based on the slope of the roof.

Installation Supplies

Here’s what you need to install a skylight:

You will need drywall and finishing supplies for the ceiling, 2-by-4s for the frame, roofing paper, 16d galvanized nails, roofing nails and of course the skylight itself.

Your toolkit should include a hammer, tin snips, utility knife, flat pry bar, and a circular saw.

Step-by-Step Skylight Installation

This is not an easy project and requires a lot of tedious steps which need to be followed and done correctly or the roof will leak around the skylight. Installing a skylight involves cutting the roof and installing new structural framing members as well as installing drywall and finishing the ceiling beneath the skylight. The metal flashing and roofing paper must be installed correctly or that would likely be the main cause of your roof leaking. If you think that you have good carpentry skills, and can follow the manufacturer’s directions correctly to install, it can be done as a DIY project; otherwise, hiring a professional roofing contractor.

The instructions presented here will give you an idea of the work involved. Some skylights use different installation methods and different types of flashing.

1. Cut & frame the opening.

Cut the hole in your roof following the manufacturer’s specifications. First, drill a hole from the inside where you want the center of the skylight to be as a locator and then work on the roof to cut the opening with a circular saw. Reference back to the building codes and be sure that you frame the opening so it is structurally sound. Be sure to properly support the ends of roof rafters before cutting and removing them!

You’ll also need to cut a hole in the ceiling of the room below and frame a light shaft if the skylight is being mounted above an attic. Yes, this does sound like a complicated step and one that would require a great deal of precision to be done in the way that you need it to be done. If you’re not familiar with basic carpentry practices or you are installing a large skylight that will require the removal of more than one roof rafter, consult a professional roofing company to do the install the right way without any problems.

2. Cut back the roofing & attach the skylight.

Cut the roof shingles about 3 inches back from the opening on all four sides using a utility knife and a straightedge. Set the skylight in place, and attach it to the roof with nails or screws.

3. Slip in the underlayment.

Slip the roofing paper under the shingles and have it cut about 8 inches wide. Install the bottom piece, then the sides, and then the top. Developing an overlap between the pieces that are down-roof with the pieces that are up-roof is the idea, so water will shed properly. Use a flat pry bar to lift up the nails so you can try and get inside the shingles to sneak in the paper, this should be done very carefully so any shingles don’t get damaged in the process.

4. Install bottom & step flashing.

Install the bottom flashing, a single piece that wraps partway around the skylight and sits on top of the roof shingles. Drive roofing or flashing nails horizontally into the skylight, not vertically into the roof.

Take the individual pieces of step flashing and slip them under the shingles Start from the bottom and work up from each side. There should be a 4-inch overlap between the step flashing pieces. Make sure to attach the flashing piece to the skylight and not the roof.

5. Install the solid flashing pieces.

To ensure that the water can’t enter between the step flashing and the skylight, the pieces are designed to fit perfectly onto the skylight. Start from attaching the bottom piece first and then move onto the side pieces, and finally the top piece by slipping it under the roofing and attaching it to the skylight.

Solar Powered Skylight

The Solar Powered skylight features a solar panel that captures any available daylight and uses it to recharge a highly efficient, fully concealed battery powered operator and control system. The battery powered operator is the power source that opens and closes the skylight. A rain sensor is built in to close the unit in the event that inclement weather arises, with the addition of solar powered skylights to your house you will not only bring the extra light into your house but also save money in the long run with your electricity bills.

Skylight Solar Blinds

Installing skylight light solar powered blinds help cut down the expenditures as well, these skylight solar blinds prove to be a green alternative and cut down the hassles associated with replacement and disposal of normal batteries. A few of the other features of these solar powered blinds and shades are:

They are usually plug-and-play systems, which means there is hardly any construction cost that you have to otherwise bear in case of hard-wiring.

There is also no need to track walls to find electric mains, which translates into ease of fitting.

You are able to cut down on operational expenditure that is associated with the replacement of batteries.

Installing a skylight is a fancy addition to any roof and the room that it will be coordinated with. Making sure that the installation is done right the first time around is very important to save yourself any troubles in the future. Roofing companies provide the warranties with their installation and they have skilled roofing contractors that have worked with skylights before and know the installation in and out. Roofing companies will also inspect your entire roof in the midst of installing a skylight. That can help if there are any underlying problems that weren’t evident previously.