Infinite Roofing & Construction Roofing Blog

Roofing, Siding, Guttering and Solar info and topical blog - Capital Region NY

How to Land More Roofing Jobs Than Your Competitors

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Each year the roofing industry continues to grow and each year over the past five years it has grown on average 3% consecutively. This has led to a burst of new businesses that are taking full advantage of the roofing industry. Landing more jobs and increasing your sales can seem like a difficult task but by implementing a few key strategies you can gain the upper hand. We have a few tips that will give you a sales advantage and get ahead of the competition.

One of the most important things you can do to grow your roofing business is to stay on top of your leads. If you don’t use a roofing CRM stop right here and get one. You need to keep all your leads or “contacts” in one spot and have a clear organized way that you manage them, this will allow you to know when all of your interactions have taken place. Knowing when you spoke last and when you should be following up with them again will give you a better shot at landing the sale. If you have gone on their estimate and submitted the quote already you need to have a system that will remind you when to follow up with them. This can either be an email, phone call or automated text message to make sure that they keep your local roofing company on their mind. 

Using a roofing CRM system will make your job easier, not only save you time and energy but also money by streamlining your business. Our company has created our own CRM software called Infinito, made by contractors for contractors. We have compiled everything that is crucial to the success of our company and put it all in one place to ensure success. Everything from a calendar that is accessible to your whole team, booking appointments section, roof measuring software, follow-up reminder, job information sheet, payments, and so much more. Without this our company would not be so successful and neither will yours until you implement an organized CRM. 

Another tip we have for your company is to streamline estimating. Having accurate estimating that is done by everyone on your team is extremely important. If you take advantage of a roofing CRM software like Infinito, you would have access to our roof measuring portion. Instead of having to purchase another app or pay a third party to get precise measurements of a roof, it is all included inside Infinito. When everyone on your team is using the same tools to produce quotes your system will be on the same page making estimates as accurate as possible. 

Over estimating being done by some and underestimating being done by others will hurt your company and reputation. Word of mouth travels fast and customer dissatisfaction with costs will impact future referrals. After you have gone on an appointment to give a customer an estimate on a roof replacement you should try and get the quote out to them as quickly as possible. Most of the time a homeowner will get several estimates so the more efficient you are at getting the quote to your customer the better your chances are at landing the sale. 

It is crucial to be prepared for questions and any objections that may come up. When homeowners are looking for a local roofing contractor some important qualities they look for is how well you know your information and if they feel like you are honest with them. The majority of our business reviews that our customers leave for us is their satisfaction with our integrity. We tell our customers if something is actually needed and never push unnecessary extra work on them. We are sure to train all of our sales team extensively so that when a homeowner has a question or concern we are able to confidently answer it and put them at ease.

It is also important for you to keep homeowners informed by taking the time to explain what the work will entail, and why a replacement or repair is necessary. This becomes even more important when more repairs are needed than originally anticipated. Your customers will appreciate having all the details and how honest you are about the job. At this point in their job process they have the opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns they have.

Along with honesty and integrity, another important tip that will help you land more roofing jobs is to communicate effectively. Having good communication may not seem like it would be an obvious competitive advantage but it will have a huge impact on how you are able to sell roofing jobs. The more that your team not only out on the field but also in the office have good communication with each other the more effective they will be as a team. This will ensure that everyone is staying connected and will reduce the likelihood of mistakes for scheduling and other common errors. This will help your local roofing company have a unified strategy for selling prospects on your services.



How Insurance Claims Work For Roofing Contractors

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Learning how insurance claims work will help you land more roofing jobs and grow your roofing company. Understanding the ins and outs of insurance will reduce unnecessary delays and get you paid much faster. Homeowners’ insurance can be difficult to navigate but understanding how a roofing claim works isn’t nearly as complicated. In this blog we will give you a better understanding of how you can better work with insurance companies, and get your customers to get the most for their roof replacements.

Once a customer recognizes that they have had damage done to their roof by a storm it is important that they file a claim as soon as possible. I have had customers call us at the office looking for an estimate before even calling their insurance company and I always advise them to file the claim first. The homeowner will schedule a time for an adjuster to assess the damage by inspecting the roof and will advise either a full replacement or repair.

If the homeowner has called your local roofing company to come out for an estimate you can also request to be there at the same time as the adjuster. This can help get the homeowner more from their insurance by answering questions and making sure they don’t miss damage. Once the adjuster has completed the roof inspection they will draw up an assessment of the damage and send it to the insurance company.

The next step would be to review the claim, this is also known as the damage assessment and is reviewed by the insurance company. Your insurance company will determine how much money you will receive and if they think your roof is in need of a repair or full replacement. Having your local roofing contractor present will help steer the adjuster in the appropriate direction needed to get you the most out of your claim. This process can take a few weeks so it is best to get your claim in as soon as possible. As your insurance company is reviewing your claim they may request more information from you in order to provide you with the best estimate. It is important to respond promptly so the claim can move along quickly. If you took pictures yourself or have other types of evidence then be prepared to submit that as well.

Once your claim has been reviewed the next step would be to process and finalize it. At this stage in the process your insurance company will now mail you a check to cover the damages that were assessed for your roof damage. The check is not mailed to the roofing company, so it is important to let your chosen local roofing company know when you receive the funds so they can schedule your job. Most roofing companies require a deposit of at least half down to get you on their build schedule. This is so they have the funds to order your roofing materials in order to start your roof replacement.

In order to make the most out of your claim process there are a few things you can do to ensure the best possible outcome. Having good communication with the insurance company and claims department will give a better understanding of the insurance related terms and concepts. Answering questions that come up are much easier when you as a business owner understand how the whole process works and is progressing. Once you have a good grasp on terms and conditions used by insurance adjusters reading and filling out paperwork correctly will come naturally. This will also help ensure that no major errors are taking place on your end. 

Another key role you play as a preferred roofing contractor is advocating for the homeowner. Most homeowners don’t deal with their insurance company often so it is easy to feel in over their head. Especially when discrepancies between the insurance company and you the preferred roofing contractor arise. If you have recommended a full roof replacement but the insurance adjuster is only quoting damage for repairs, this can be very confusing for the homeowner.  Guidance is an important part of your job when working with your customers and their insurance companies, they will look to you as someone with experience in navigating through their claim.

You would have already provided the insurance company with a copy of the estimate that your roofing company had come up with and you want to be sure that it is as accurate as possible so the homeowner can achieve the best outcome. This will not only help them in getting the best result for their roofing project but also for you as their preferred roofing contractor as growing your businesses reputation by providing excellent customer service. 

Another piece of advice is to keep good records as a preferred roofing contractor and also for the homeowner. The more evidence you have for the roofing claim the better and keeping a good record of all paperwork will reduce delays and keep the process running smoothly. Also it is important that these records are easily accessible by everyone on your team so that a response can be given to the insurance company promptly.

WHAT KIND OF INSURANCE IS NEEDED FOR A ROOFING COMPANY?

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Firstly congratulations on making the decision to move forward with your business and start a roofing company. This is of course no substitution for legal advice and you should consult with insurance experts to know exactly what your company needs as far as insurance goes in your current state. Becoming a professional roofer and striving to be the best roofing company you’ll need to hire subcontractors and other employees, which means you will need contractors insurance. This protects you and your company if anything were to happen such as accidents, employee injuries, or lawsuits.

 If you did not have Albany roofing insurance then these potential problems would be an out of pocket expense. These expenses would put tremendous financial pressure on your business and could even end it. It is also possible for customers to check on a roofing company’s insurance when looking for the best roofing company and not choose you if you do not possess the proper documentation.  

There are three types of Albany roofing insurance that is necessary to conduct business: Worker’s compensation, general liability and  in some cases surety bonds for larger more expensive jobs. Roofing contractors insurance requirements vary in every single state so it is important to check your local area on what is required. Insurance policies can be somewhat complex so here we will break down why you need these policies and how they will protect your business. 

Workers’ Compensation

Also referred to as workers comp, in a type of coverage that protects your employees if an accident were to happen. Albany Roofing can be a dangerous field of work and no matter how careful you are there is always a chance that a work related injury could occur. It is imperative to be sure your workers are wearing their proper safety gear while on a roof, as well as practicing safety on the ground.

If you were to conduct business without workers comp you would be held liable for any medical bills of someone injured and that could be extremely costly. It could also be your responsibility to pay for missed wages and other benefits to who was injured. Protecting yourself as a business owner with workers compensation insurance is the smartest thing you can do to keep your business thriving. If you invest in workers’ compensation it will cover your unforeseen expenses by monthly payments. 

The benefit to holding this insurance is that it protects not only your employees but you as a business owner from the high costs of medical care. An example of how workers’ comp is supposed to function is that when you employ a handful of roofers and one of them accidentally misses a shingle and nails straight through his hand, you direct him to take a visit to the hospital to remove the nail and get some stitches. While at the hospital they X-Ray his hand because the nail went through a ligament and some bone, and also he needed to be stitched up. He now misses a week of work while his primary hand heals and may even need some physical therapy to gain motion back.

Depending on the contract you hold with each employee you might be paying him for his time out of work. If this particular roofer felt like he had a case he could even claim that you were negligent and attempt to sue you. He would need to prove that you contributed to the severity of his injuries in order to have a case. 

This is where you workers’ compensation steps in and provides immediate coverage. If not then a lawsuit would take months and in most circumstances by receiving the benefits your employee forfeits his right to sue you. Your insurance would cover the roofers medical bills and aftercare with ease, allowing your employee to heal up and get back to work fast.

Are you liable if someone gets hurt on your property?

This is a common question asked by customers when looking for the best roofing company for the job. When a contractor doesn’t have adequate liability or workers’ compensation insurance, oftentimes it’s the customer who ends up paying the price. If the hired contractor becomes injured while installing a new roof the customer could be financially responsible for the damages, including medical bills and even lost wages. Depending on your local laws the injured employee may be able to also sue the homeowner for contributing or claiming to the cause of the injured person. Before signing a contract for a new roof replacement most homeowners will ask for copies of the local roofing companies WC and liability insurance forms to protect themselves.

In most states it is required to purchase a liability and workers compensation policy in order to conduct business, much like how it is required to have car insurance in order to drive a vehicle. Some states do not require these insurances such as Texas and they can choose to pay a private company to handle workers compensation benefits. Usually it is only much larger businesses that have millions of dollars coming in continuously being made with a reliable cash flow who choose to pay out of pocket through a private company.

When you first start out with your new roofing company it will make much more sense for you to pay a public insurance company for the necessary coverage.  Injuries are very common in the construction business, big and small and you most likely will not have the revenue to cover medical costs of even the small ones. It is smarter to protect yourself for the future of your roofing company.

General liability insurance is to protect your business in the case that a third party such as a customer were to become injured, if there was any property damage, or if a lawsuit were to take place.  

General liability typically covers:

  • Property damage
  • Bodily injury
  • Legal costs
  • Advertising injury such as slander to a competitor

Some charges that liability policies usually do not cover are:

  • Employee injury
  • Work vehicle and tool damages
  • Errors on jobs
  • Punitive damages

General liability offers coverage and protection that workers compensation does not. If you hire a contractor to do a small repair job on your home and he falls off he falls ladder into the owner of the home and hurts the homeowner then it might not be covered. The property damage would be but the medical bills probably would not be covered by general liability as we stated above. It is important for roofing subcontractors to understand exactly what is covered by each liability and workers compensation insurances. 

What Should I Look For In A Roofing Contractor?

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What To Look For In A Roofing Contractor

Choosing an honest roofer among numerous roofing companies and getting one with enough professional experience and expertise to actually know what they’re doing, is the most vital decision you will make as a property owner. Putting a roof on your home is a major project and should be treated that way. Installing a replacement roof is a task every homeowner and roofer should approach professionally and punctiliously . The roofing industry is filled with scammers and money-driven sales people or middlemen who may not really know what they are talking about. They have the skills to tell you all the right things and exactly what you want to hear, appearing to be the best choice when that is actually far from the truth. We have written a previous blog that can relate to this one about what can go wrong with hiring the wrong roofing contractor. This post is another effort from the Infinite Roofing Team to help you make a wise choice concerning such a major investment for your home.

Choosing a well established local roofing company is a very important step towards avoiding roofing companies who are not legitimate. When hiring a roofer, you want to know that they will be around if something goes wrong down the line either with the work or with the shingle materials being used.

4 Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring Local Roofing Companies

1. Avoid A Roofing Company With An Unprofessional, Outdated website

You may be thinking, well why is it important for a roofing company to have a professional website? Well, pretty much everyone today has a website. A well-established and legitimate roofing business should at the very least have a professionally done, basic website to let the world know who they are and what they do. If a roofing contractor tells you that they do not have an internet site or they are working on it, they probably don’t deserve your trust. They are likely either just starting out or perhaps they’re hiding something. In either case, you don’t want to trust them with something as complex as a replacement roof installation for your home! Some roofers may give you a URL website which in the end would just direct you to a free google site page which is usually poorly done or is as basic as it can be. What that means is they do not really have a proper website, they just put up something for free to show someone just in case a homeowner asks!

What a professional website tells you about your local roofing contractors is that they are more well-established and committed to providing a quality service. They have an online presence that they care about and provide a main point of contact and a place for you to get customer support and leave feedback or reviews. They stand by their work and they don’t mind customer feedback being public. They will have an established phone number and email address listed on their website, along with their business hours.

More well-established companies will also have their trucks and uniforms printed with their website and their contact number on them. They have invested a significant amount of money, time and effort into their branding and online presence. They have people on their payroll in an office somewhere keeping their website going and answering customer’s calls/emails. A company that has made such an investment and is so well established is not going to be able to easily ignore you and disappear if something goes wrong. You know they are in the roofing industry for the long-term and they are not just playing at being roofers.

2. Avoid A Roofing Company With Negative Reviews

Many local roofing companies may actually have a presence online with a proper website and even social media pages like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or even Yelp, Google and Bing. A roofing contractor cannot remove or fake the experiences of their previous customers. It is important to take note of these reviews and comments, especially when a customer has mentioned a negative experience. A customer would go out their way to write a negative review against a roofing company they were not happy with. Checking for reviews is a good way to learn more about the roofing contractor you are considering. Check out their online reviews at google, Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the other places mentioned above to see what their customers have said about them.

3. Avoid a Roofing Company With No General Liability Insurance

Worker’s Compensation insurance covers the employees working on your property; general liability insurance covers your actual property. Some roofers claiming to be legitimate local roofing contractors might not have either. Even if they have worker’s compensation insurance, it doesn’t help you as a homeowner if the roofer accidentally damages your house while on your roof and they don’t carry liability insurance, it could then be you that is responsible for the cost of the repairs. When it involves insurance, don’t simply take the roofer’s word for it. Be certain about the roofer’s credibility; ask them to provide proof of their insurance before they begin any work. Do not simply take their word for it!

4. Avoid A Contractor That Won’t Provide A Written Estimate

A roofing contractor’s estimate can tell you a lot about what kind of roofing company they are. Local roofing companies that try to avoid providing you with a written estimate should immediately be considered a scam. You may ask, why is that? Well the roofer you are dealing with is either a complete amateur or they are not really a true hands-on roof installer. They are quite likely an untrained, commission based salesperson that does not possess the knowledge and experience necessary to prepare a real written roof estimate of their own. Some of these commission sales representatives have been trained purely to get the sale and nothing more. If they don’t know the product they are selling, how can they best advise you on your costly investment?

Also, if you do not have exactly what work you are paying the contractor for in writing, what is to say that they will actually fully complete the work you agreed upon? And what about the quality of the roofing materials? If you agree to getting ice & water barrier installed or getting higher quality shingles but then the contractor only installs the basics, what do you do? Without a written contract detailing exactly what will be installed and the cost, you will be left high and dry without any recourse.

A Master Elite Roofing Contractor Is What You’re Looking For!

First things first, what does it mean to be a Master Elite contractor? You may have seen it with the accompanied logo above and always wondered what it really means to be a Master Elite roofing contractor. Anyone can be a roofer, there are no requirements at all to be one in many states. Therefore, there are so many roofers who are not qualified in any way. Building codes dictate that the roof should be installed a certain way, but in reality when and if the building inspector inspects the roof there is just no way to verify the right code has been met. The roof is already on and you can’t tear it off to check. The first sign might be when water starts pouring into your home months or just a few years later. Considering this fact, it isn’t a mystery why roofing complaints make up 70 percent of the Better Business Bureaus overall complaints. That’s pretty wild when you consider that your roof is easily the single most important element to the protection of your house, and yet only represents 4 percent of the value of your home. So you have to wonder then, why do most people seem so bound and determined to settle on a rock bottom bid!

Another roofing trade secret is that a couple of roofing shingle manufacturers have come up with a certification program that permits contractors to supply better warranties and successively offer more protection than your everyday roofer/handyman or some guy with a hammer. These programs are fantastic but there are still some holes in your overall protection. Standard roofing certification programs from major roofing manufacturers only require you to use 3 of their system components (felt, ice and water shield) to ensure an upgraded warranty. That is a step up from a basic roofing warranty, but it still doesn’t cover any components produced by other manufacturers and may leave you with a nasty bill if you ever get to the point that you need to claim on your roofing warranty coverage.

Hire a Master Elite contractor from GAF— a Master Elite roofing contractor is the only roofer that can provide the GAF 25 Year Golden Pledge Warranty, the most encompassing and substantial roofing warranty in the roofing industry. The GAF Golden Pledge Warranty is the only warranty that needs the whole roof system to be from GAF (one single manufacturer). GAF is the largest roofing manufacturer in North America. The real beauty of the Golden Pledge is that once your new roof is installed, a representative from GAF comes out and puts their stamp of approval on the job when we are done. And if for any reason we were to fail their extensive 40 point inspection process, we’ve got to come back and repair it right away, at no cost to you! There is really not very much extra cost to install your roof in this manner. We are only talking a few hundred bucks on a mid-size roof. You will probably spend more on buying a warranty on a new tv set, and the tv does a crummy job of keeping your living room free of rain and snow.

What makes a Master Elite contractor so special, and how are they different from a typical roofer or a licensed contractor?

Master Elite contractors make up only 2 percent of the total roofers nationwide. The reason it is so rare is that it is very hard to achieve. GAF verifies all the following requirements before granting any roofing company their prized Master Elite status.

  • Minimum 7 years in business and 1 year in their certification program
  • 99 percent customer satisfaction based on independent surveys from GAF
  • 1 million general liability coverage and proper and valid workers compensation
  • Satisfactory rating with BBB
  • GOOD or better credit rating
  • Clean banking record ( no overdrafts, negative info)
  • Clean distributor reference
  • No liens, or judgments unresolved on record
  • Good workmanship record

You can see why it is almost impossible for 98 percent of companies to achieve even these base requirements, but still the final test is a face-to-face meeting with the GAF territory managers to doubly verify all information and personally check out our previous jobs and talk to some of our previous customers. It is a true partnership with GAF, and that is fantastic for you, us, and them. This is what a good business relationship is like. A roofing contractor who is not even certified couldn’t build that kind of relationship.

Quality Roofing Work Matters

Another very important aspect of installing a quality roof is properly ventilating the attic space. This is yet another major opportunity being missed by a lot of homeowners simply because they are listening to a greedy salesperson or middleman. Proper attic ventilation is imperative to any shingle roofing system’s longevity. Unfortunately, many homeowners are not being told the truth about their attic ventilation simply so the roofing contractor can make more of a profit. Giving up any of your insurance money towards an upgrade of any kind means less money in the roofing companies pocket. This can and will have a negative impact on your product warranty. Most shingle manufacturing companies won’t provide a guarantee when the roof has been installed without proper attic ventilation or if the roof was installed improperly. Make sure you examine your contracts and material information very carefully. Most good quality local roofing companies post their warranty information and details right on their website. A good local roofing contractor will not mind a customer who asks questions because they will have nothing to hide. Check your material list against the warranty requirements and confirm nothing is missing.

For local roofing contractors you can count on, call Infinite Roofing on 518-444-ROOF or email info@infiniteroofingny.com. Book your free roofing estimate, today!

Infinite Roofing GAF Master Elite Infinite Roofing

The Dangers of Asbestos

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What is Asbestos? Why is it Dangerous?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance. In the environment, it poses virtually no threat to humans. However, the problem with asbestos initially arose out of the full-scale mining, extraction, and use of the substance in the roofing industry which led to an increase of the amount of asbestos in the air. Asbestos fibers are microscopic, so when they are exposed they can become airborne and inhaled. Once inhaled, they can lodge in the outer tissue of the lungs and abdomen, which over time leads to inflammation, scarring and the eventual formation of fatal diseases such as lung cancer.  This is why many homeowners have begun to get asbestos roof removals done for their safety. Many homeowners today are seeking to get an asbestos roof removal once discovered.

How Can I Tell If It’s Asbestos?

The reliable way to know if your home contains asbestos is to hire an environmental consulting firm or asbestos building inspector for asbestos testing. They’ll take fingernail-sized samples and test them in a laboratory. You can’t see or smell asbestos, but exposure to loose fibers can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer. The naturally occurring, flame-retardant mineral fibers are too small to identify without a microscope, so don’t believe anyone who claims you have asbestos but hasn’t done testing.

Is An Asbestos Roof Dangerous?

One of the widest uses of asbestos in the building industry was in roofing. Due to its heat and fire-resistant properties, asbestos was added to many roofing products including roofing tiles. Cement tiles were not comprised solely of cement. Cement roofing tiles were largely made from cement, with the now-banned product added into the cement mixture. Depending on the manufacturer, the cement tiles would typically be made with between 10 to 15 percent asbestos. 

In addition to its heat and fire-resistant properties, asbestos has excellent strength and durability features. New homes built prior to the 1970s with asbestos roofs, were lauded for the longevity of their roof systems, as the roofs had a life expectancy of 30 to 50 years. Although asbestos serves as a formidable roofing material, it exposed people to a list of compromising health issues, which led to its eventual ban. 

Do I Have to Remove My Asbestos Roof or Siding?

Many homes, especially the ones that were built at the turn of the twentieth century, have siding or roof shingles that contain asbestos. Asbestos has plenty of quality features, including its durability and fire-resistance. However, it also poses many significant health hazards. The inherent question that comes with this is whether it is necessary to remove your asbestos-containing roofing shingles or fiber cement siding to protect your family’s health?

We know that there are many homeowners who want a roofing company that does asbestos roof removal. A homeowner should be aware of the harmful effects that occur with asbestos when someone breathes in a tiny, sharp fiber, which irritates and inflames the lungs. If the asbestos is not airborne, it is not a danger. The asbestos in shingles, siding, and other home products is encapsulated, which is surrounded by a coating of something else that keeps it from becoming airborne. If your roof or siding shingles are in good condition, they are unlikely to pose a health hazard to you or your family.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends not disturbing asbestos if at all possible. 

Unfortunately, while asbestos home products are durable and long-lasting, everything must be replaced eventually.  In 1989 asbestos was banned, leading to the asbestos roofs and sidings to fall into disrepair. Many asbestos roofs and sidings are damaged, cracked, or broken. Asbestos siding in particular, however, has a tendency to chip, crack, and break with normal wear-and-tear of family life. This can release the fibers into the air, which poses a threat to your family’s and neighbors’ health.

How Can You Tell If Old Siding Has Asbestos?

Many manufacturers made their products to look like asbestos-free products, so it is not really possible to determine if your siding contains asbestos just by looks. You can easily send a sample to a lab if you suspect that it may contain asbestos. Or you can hire a specialist to take a look at the siding so that they can determine if you have an asbestos siding.

Can I Install New Siding Over Old Asbestos?

Some people try to attempt to solve the problem of deteriorating asbestos siding by installing vinyl siding over on top of it. This practice is not recommended for a number of reasons. First, the siding installation process itself, nailing into existing boards or tiles, is enough to disturb the existing material and create a dangerous condition. Second, installing vinyl siding over any existing materials, particularly those in poor condition, can lead to additional problems in your home and can hide the development of those problems until they become extremely large and costly to repair.  Therefore, hiring a specialist or roofing contractor who has the right education for asbestos would help in asbestos roof removal. 

Can You Pressure Wash Asbestos Siding?

Painting asbestos siding is not difficult at all, as one of its benefits is that paint easily adheres to it and it is very durable and can last for decades without chipping or cracking. However, when cleaning the siding before painting, the important thing to note is that you should avoid power washing asbestos siding as it can chip or damage the siding and release the dangerous asbestos fibers into the air. If you do pressure wash, use a gentle touch if possible and stop immediately if you find that you’re knocking pieces of siding off. This means that you’ll have to take some extra time cleaning and prepping the siding before painting and rely on a garden hose and sponges instead. If you manage to chip damage your siding and worry it may be made with asbestos, make an appointment to have the material tested to confirm.

Do You Have to Disclose Asbestos When Selling a House?

For starters, it is not illegal to sell a house with asbestos. Obviously, buyers would much rather buy a home with no asbestos concerns. However, outside of a thorough inspection, there is no way to tell if a home contains this potentially toxic material. If you know your house has asbestos, you might disclose the information to buyers. Again, it’s not illegal to sell a home with asbestos, but you can be liable for not disclosing the information to the buyer if you knew it was present beforehand.

Cement Asbestos Roofing 

When asbestos came into the picture many manufacturers experimented with it. In the 1880s manufacturers used asbestos fibers in mixtures that resulted in building products like insulation for steam pipes and boilers. It was eventually being mixed in Portland cement and the paste was used as a roof repair compound. In 1907, process equipment was invented that produced rigid sheets from the cement-asbestos mixture. These sheets could be pigmented and cut into manageable shapes and were able to have textured patterns pressed into the surface. The result was very durable siding and roofing shingles that imitate traditional, natural products, both less expensive and lighter than slate. They don’t rot or warp like wood and are extremely fire resistant. It’s not at all surprising that the popularity of these asbestos sheets skyrocketed throughout two-thirds of the twentieth century. 

The manufacturers of individual asphalt shingles, which were less expensive and more flexible than cement asbestos, were major competitors for market share in the roofing material industry by the 1920s. In the late 1930s, asphalt strip shingles, coated with granules in a wide variety of colors, were the most popular roof covering. 

Asbestos-containing products, like the cement mixture, posed very little health risk if the material is kept in good condition and not disturbed. Severely worn or damaged asbestos roofs and walls, or improper repairs, alterations, or removals can allow the release of the fibers and risk the health of the occupants and neighbors.  The EPA provides detailed information about managing asbestos-containing products on its web site. 

The Problems

Cement asbestos roof shingles typically have a much shorter life than the siding panels. If a replacement is needed, removal can be a significant expense. If the shingles are severely weathered, to a point that the material can be crushed by hand, professional abatement is needed. Precautions should still be taken even if they’re intact. The fasteners securing them should be kept wet and lowered to the ground instead of being tossed down. Individual states and municipalities may also have additional requirements for the removal and specific requirements for disposal.  

Like tile and slate roofs, occasionally there may be some cracked, broken, or missing tiles or slates, or flashing repairs that may be needed. Maintaining an asbestos tile roof can be difficult. Finding contractors willing to work with the material associated with the A word can be a challenge. It can also be a challenge to find contractors that are mindful of the brittle nature of these tiles. Some roofing contractors, experienced with slate and tile roof repairs are willing to repair and restore asbestos tile roofs. The tools, equipment, and techniques they use for their regular repairs are well-suited for working with the brittle shingles. There are also a few good sources of salvaged replacement shingles that with luck can be a close match to the existing roof. 

Hopefully, the remaining cement asbestos roof tiles are in good to repairable condition and will be properly maintained for the maximum potential life. Those that are beyond safe repair will need to be properly and professionally removed, and will likely be replaced with a roof that looks like most other roofs, and will likely only last one-third as long.
If you or someone you know is concerned about the effects that asbestos can have on their health, please visit the EPA website for more information on handling asbestos the proper way.

Polyurethane Foam vs Duro Last

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Spray Polyurethane Foam and Duro Last go head to head in the market, the reason being that they both have the same benefits for your commercial roof. However, some may say that Polyurethane Foam is better than Duro Last and some may say the opposite. Well, we are going to compare them both and see exactly product is more beneficial for your roof.

What is Spray Polyurethane Foam?

When talking about Polyurethane Foam, the question you might ask is, what is the sole purpose of Polyurethane and how can my commercial roof benefit from it? What are the benefits of installing the spray polyurethane foam roofing system and how would it outweigh the advantages of other roofing systems? Many manufactures use SPF simply because of the ease of installation, the impressive performance, affordability, and durability. Property owners love the idea of it because of the protection it provides for their roof. Some of the benefits that SPF provides are energy efficiency, durability, a seamless surface and it’s environmentally friendly. Sprayed Polyurethane Foam has been used as a commercial roofing and insulation material for over 20 years.

Energy Efficient Insulation

Spray Polyurethane Foam provides the highest level of insulation against air and moisture, it also provides that perfect thermal barrier. Therefore, spray polyurethane foam carries out as an air sealant, where it closes the spaces that would allow the air to escape and add dollars to monthly energy bills. Based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program they estimated that when adding insulation and sealing air leaks, you can save about 20 percent on your monthly bill. Among other roofing and wall insulation, it has the highest R-value per inch. When a system has a higher R-value that simply just means that there is greater insulating power.

Durability

When applying a Spray Polyurethane Foam roofing system it is able to improve a building’s strength and effective lifespan. When SPF is sprayed on to the surface it conforms and adheres to the material, which creates a strong bond to protect the roof. That layer of spray foam is seamless, which can eliminate the ability of water to seep through weak spots. Therefore, if there was to be a flood on your commercial roof where spray polyurethane foam was sprayed, it would be highly resistant to water damage. When spraying the foam in the cavities of the walls it increases the durability of the wall system because of the foam’s ability to conform and adhere to the surface and create a strong bond where it’s sprayed. One of the best qualities that spray foam has, is that it is able to expand and contract with the changing temperature. Roofing contractors would be able to install the SPF in any climate or harsh environment and it will not be at the mercy of the conditions. Thus, guaranteeing a strong and legitimate bond.

Seamless Surface

The way that roofing companies apply SPF is by a liquid through a high-pressure spray gun. When the liquid lands on a surface it ends up expanding, covering the entire roof over a large area. Doing this provides a seamless membrane that fills in the cracks, holes, corners, and crevices along the base of the roof. Because spray foam roofs have no seams, there is a less chance for water to leak through. Spray foam is a solid, seamless barrier that is able to protect your roof from moisture and air.

Environmentally Friendly

Spray Polyurethane Foam is an environmentally friendly alternative to fiber insulation, such as fiberglass or cellulose.  Spray foam insulation reduces the impact on the environment by using renewable resources and recycled plastic waste in their foams. Therefore, with the proper maintenance, your roofing contractor would be able to recycle the membrane of your roof whenever the time comes to replace your roof, and recycled materials would be used to create a spray foam. Also, keep in mind that Spray Polyurethane Foam insulation can improve the air quality by creating an impermeable air barrier against pollen, pollutants, and dust. With this, it makes it perfect for people who suffer from allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivity.

The Downside to SPF

We know that there are some great benefits to Spray Polyurethane Foam. However, here’s the downside, some people have poor thoughts on the spray foam because some commercial roofs were installed incorrectly using the foam insulation. This is one of the biggest reasons that there are negative reactions to the spray foam. To get the most benefits out of the Spray Polyurethane Foam roofing system, then your roofing contractor must install it correctly. Hiring a professional, certified roofing contractor would be able to provide your commercial roof with a special product that supply the savings in energy cost that SPF provides and they will reapply the SPF every ten years to ensure its quality. However, many believe that over time, these benefits will slowly disappear in comparison to the Duro Last roofing system. When compared to Duro Last, Duro  Last uses a white or grey membrane that reflects the UV rays from the sun without having something additional applied to it.

What is Duro Last?

What makes Duro Last equivalent to SPF? What benefits from Duro Last could potentially outweigh SPF? For starters, Duro Last roofing systems contain the highest quality materials and undergo demanding quality control checks during the manufacturing process. A Duro Last roofing system is a reinforced thermoplastic (PVC) single-ply membrane that would be a perfect fit for your commercial roof or industrial building that has a flat or low slope roof. It is said that the Duro Last roofing system can last longer than the spray polyurethane foam. There are elastomeric coatings for roofs that can be applied and reapplied that can help make the spray foam last longer.  When the PVC membrane is used and the ISO insulation is installed underneath the membrane, then Duro Last can last longer than the SPF. The only way that the spray foam can last longer than 20 years is if it is maintained and reapplied correctly. It would have to be recoated every ten years or so and would require a strict maintenance program in order to maintain all of its benefits. Duro Last offers a 15 and 20-year warranty on their products which many building owners prefer.

Prefabrication

With Duro Last, each roof is measured and manufactured to the exact size of the roof, accommodating for every rooftop penetration. When the Duro Last roof is prefabricated in the factory, it eliminates just about up to 80 percent of seaming that would’ve been done on-site during rooftop installation. Which in return improves the long-term performance of the roofing system. It is actually the only roof manufacturing company to offer prefabrication of the entire roofing system. Doing this provides an excellent fit and delivers leak-proof protection. A custom- fabricated Duro Last commercial roofing system is long-lasting and is one of the leaders in roof leak prevention.

Durability

Comparing Duro Last to SPF, the durability is quite similar in the sense that the Duro Last roofing system is resistant to any water damage. Duro Last has a custom flashing that is able to resist any ponding water, or collecting of water, which is very common in a commercial roof. Once the roof is installed, it is virtually maintenance-free, unlike other roofing materials that may require regular maintenance or other repairs. Not only is it resistant to ponding water, but it is also resistant to fire, chemicals, grease, high winds, and punctures. Just like the spray foam, Duro Last can easily accommodate for a wide range of temperatures.

Energy Efficient

The Duro Last roofing system has a white membrane that has the highest reflectivity retention of any single-ply membrane. Which means that you are able to save more money on cooling costs, very similar to Polyurethane Foam. Out of the white, single-ply products rated by the Energy Star program, Duro Last is the only roofing system that has a reflectivity retention of greater than 85 percent after three years of weathering. The sustained reflectivity rate is saving a lot of energy and money for building owners. The Duro Last roofing system is mechanically-attached, and insulation can be placed under the membrane during the installation of the roof, which would reduce the amount of heat loss in the winter.

SPF vs Duro Last: Which is Better?

Spray Polyurethane Foam is more costly than Duro Last because of the installation process. It is as easy as needing a piece of special equipment in order to install the spray foam, even to reapply it, but the special equipment is expensive to use. However, Duro Last is easy and quick to install as well without the required expense of high tech equipment to be used. Many know spray polyurethane foam is sprayed to secure the roof. Duro Last is installed with screws and plates which gives it that air and watertight fit. Duro Last can also be applied over EPDM rubber roofs, TPO single-ply, and metal roofs. It’s also affordable, plus it carries a longer lifespan and more benefits than polyurethane foam does. However, we are going to go against Duro Last a little. The reason being, that polyurethane foam can be applied to surfaces with irregular shapes and penetrations. Another benefit of SPF is that it can be applied over an existing roof, which eliminates the need for the cost of tearing off of an old roof. Sprayed Polyurethane Foam roofing systems are also much lighter than Duro Last. When placing the insulation on the outside, the foam insulation reduces building movement and thermal shock.  Spray Polyurethane Foam is one of the best insulators that a building owner can buy. Closed-cell SPF is the only insulating material that does not soak up water. Since SPF is applied to the roof surface, it is recommended for your commercial roof that your qualified roofing contractor assures the material’s integrity.

So is SPF better than Duro Last? Or is it the other way around? The decision comes down to the requirements of your project, your budget, and personal preference. Both roofing systems are high quality products that will ensure the quality and protection of your roof. It is important to sit down with your commercial roofing contractor and discuss the pros and cons of each of these methods to come to the best solution for your commercial roof.

What Could Go Wrong With Hiring the Wrong Contractor?

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The most expensive component of your home is your roof. If you’re thinking about getting a full roof replacement or even a repair job, the local roofing contractor that you consider hiring is not something that should be taken lightly. When you hire a good roofing contractor they will use top-quality roofing materials, the right roofing tools and equipment, and will provide professional installation techniques to ensure that the final result will add value to your home. However, some homeowner’s do, unfortunately, make the mistake of hiring the wrong contractor. The majority of homeowners have a horror story about a horrible contractor and their experience with them. Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of unqualified, unlicensed, or even scam artist roofers advertising their services. Hiring the wrong contractor can cause significant damage to your home and will cost a great deal of money to get it redone. 

What’s the real risk of bad contractors?

Hiring a good contractor is very important when you’re looking for the best quality for your home. A roof is what truly makes a place a home and a shelter from the elements. One of the most important indicators of a good roofing contractor is that they have the right credentials, for instance, valid insurance. A bad contractor won’t be able to provide you with valid insurance which most likely puts you, the homeowner, in a predicament. Let’s say that there was accidental damage to your home or someone got injured during the job, the matter can become ugly without having any insurance. 

Another issue that should be considered is the warranties provided on both the labor and the materials used. If you are only covered for one and not the other, if something is amiss you will end up paying out of pocket for work and materials you already paid for. One of the biggest issues with hiring the wrong roofing contractor is that it can result in a financial disaster. Even though you may pay more for a quality roofing contractor and quality home repair work, it’s worth every penny in the end. A great deal isn’t always a great deal in the long run.

Using a roofing contractor without a license 

Knowing that getting a roof done can be extremely expensive, a full roof replacement can cost upwards of $10,000 and a lot more on a larger building or commercial roof. Therefore, some property owners decide to go to a local roofing contractor who would charge for less. Which in many cases result in having a local roofing contractor who is unlicensed. Unlicensed roofing contractors are often likely to be less expensive than those who are properly licensed and insured. 

Unfortunately, taking this kind of financial shortcut with choosing a cheaper contractor could cost you a lot more than you realized. Therefore, when choosing a roofing contractor the first thing that you should do is make sure that they are licensed. Contractors who don’t have the proper training, knowledge, and expertise to be working on roofs may try to take roofing jobs without a license because they don’t have the necessary skills to become licensed. Going with a contractor like this means that you would be trusting your roof with someone that is going to do an inferior job. Poor workmanship often leads to more expensive repairs down the road where you need to have the original work redone. Depending upon where you live, hiring an unlicensed roofing contractor could also land you in hot water legally as well. If your unlicensed contractor fails to complete the job, you may be prevented from using them. And in some states, hiring an unlicensed roofing contractor can carry fines up to $5,000 as well, which could lead your cost-cutting techniques to backfire in a big way. 

Lack of Certification

Many manufacturers that provide roofing products and shingles, such as GAF, offer certification to roofers. When a local roofing contractor has certification it means that the roofer has learned the necessary things to properly install their products. This often makes them a candidate for offering extended manufacturer’s warranties. A roofer who isn’t taking the time to get a proper state license would unlikely follow-through on a manufacturer certification as well. Therefore, it’s more than likely that you’re hiring an amateur who is untrained in installing the specific roofing materials that they are putting on your roof. And if something were to go wrong, you won’t be covered by the extended warranties that can help give you peace of mind and offset the cost of future repairs. 

You may be liable for unpaid bills

Unlicensed local roofing contractors typically may fail to pay their subcontractors or their suppliers after the work is done. Unfortunately, that may leave you in the position of needing to pay them, even if you’ve already paid for the work in full. This can result in a lien being put on your property until you settle the bills. Remember, you often can’t take an unlicensed roofing contractor to court, so you have no recourse to pursue him if he doesn’t pay his bills. 

Mechanic’s Lien

A lien is a notice attached to your property informing everyone that you owe the creditor money. It may seem essentially unfair that you can possibly end up paying for the general contractor’s irresponsible behavior. The justification for allowing the mechanic’s lien in the first place is that between the person with an improved property which would be you the homeowner and the person who supplied your new roof, the supplier’s need to get paid is greater. The law also concludes that you can, in turn, sue the general contractor. While this is true, this doesn’t really help you in the short-run. Suppose a supplier places a mechanic’s lien against your house because the general contractor failed to pay him when the general contractor lost all his money. You can certainly go file a lawsuit against the general contractor, and over time maybe garnish his wages or force him to sell his property, but that takes time and wringing money out of someone who doesn’t pay his subcontractors and suppliers can be difficult. Meanwhile, you owe twenty thousand dollars and have a matter of days or months to pay the supplier or else your house will be sold to satisfy the mechanic’s lien against you. 

How do you protect yourself against a mechanic’s lien?

Here are three ways to help protect you and your investment:

  • Make sure you have a list of all the subcontractors, laborers and material suppliers that your primary contractor will be using, and ask for proof that everyone has been paid before releasing your final payment, otherwise you could be held liable.
  • Before making any partial or final payment to your contractor, ask for a Release of Lien or Partial Release of Lien and Affidavit. This just simply means that it reduces the amount claimed to be owed.  These will either indicate that the contractor has paid all laborers or list out who is still owed money and how much. If you pay the subcontractor or laborers directly, make sure to get a release of lien.
  • Even if your state doesn’t require a written agreement, ask for one. Also, keep in mind that contract requirements vary by state. It should be clear and concise and include the who, what, where, when and cost of your project. It’s not a bad idea to have an attorney review the contract before you present one or sign one. 

Can a homeowner file a lien against a contractor?

Not all mechanic’s liens that contractors file against a homeowner to secure payment are right. Sometimes, there can be a genuine dispute between the contractor, subcontractor, and/or owner about what exactly is owed and due. However, there are some instances where there is a subcontractor, contractor or even a supplier who exaggerates the amount of the lien that they filed. There can be a case where the lien amount is intentionally exaggerated, or filed with no legal basis. When dealing with a frivolously filed mechanics lien, there are some states that have legislation that specifically prohibits willfully exaggerated liens. New Jersey for instance, has a statute that creates liability for those who file such liens. They can face damages and penalties, and their lien can be stricken. 

No permissions or permits

If a local roofing contractor is willing to work without pulling a building permit or completing the proper inspections, he’s not doing so to save your time or money. It’s typically because he is not qualified to pull the roofing permit, or he knows that he is doing sub-par work that won’t pass inspection. Whether performing re-roofing or new construction, when a contractor does not pull permits you are at risk for penalties, code compliance issues, possible tear out, the cost of rework and potentially the loss of a home sale. Depending on the type of roofing job, and whether the homeowner chooses the do it yourself option or hires a contractor, certain scopes of work will require construction permits. Failure to obtain necessary construction permits by either you or your contractor may become a safety issue or an unexpected expense far in excess of the cost of the original building permit. 

When you hire the wrong contractor the majority of the time they don’t pull permits for the scope of work required and so the homeowner becomes the responsible party, often with no penalty to the hired contractor. The local governing authority establishes how penalties are assessed. For instance, penalties can range from charging a homeowner double the original fee for tearing out the complete work for an inspection. While passing off unpermitted renovations to a potential unsuspecting home buyer is nothing new, the seller’s maneuver will often be exposed by a qualified home inspector. If discovered, you may be required to provide evidence of valid permits for the work on a file with the local governing authority. 

While a reputable contractor will complete the necessary steps to obtain a building permit and local city, county, or state permission for the jobs completed, an unlicensed contractor won’t. This can mean major problems down the road should you decide to sell your home. Even if you don’t sell, you could be held liable should something bad happen on your property due to faulty and illegal construction practices.

Safety Tips for Christmas Decorations on Your Roof

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The very best of holidays to you and yours! Infinite Roofing, as your local roofing contractors, want you and your family to be safe and sound this year and we offer this disclaimer: No one should try to attempt hanging Christmas lights when snow or ice is visible on the ground or on the roof, or during wet weather conditions.

Homeowners should follow all local roofing and safety codes, and ensure their own safety whenever they go up on a rooftop this year. We strongly advise that no homeowner should stand or walk on a roof without taking the proper precautions. If you really have to walk and stand on the roof this Christmas, take care to avoid damaging to your roof and shingles. We recommend that you always have someone assist you during the entire installation process, even just to keep a watchful eye.

The holiday is fast approaching and people are getting into the Christmas spirit, which means many Capital Region homeowners are thinking about all those amazing lights and eye-catching decorations. Fantastic, large-scale displays featuring holiday lights and decorations are more popular now than ever before. Neighborhoods are lighting up with outdoor lights, from yard displays to festooned trees, to lights all over the house exterior. However, please remember that if installed incorrectly, these electric lights and decorations can also be dangerous and it is important to address any safety issues so that your decorations are able to hold up during the extreme local winter conditions we may receive.

When dealing with your holiday decorations, it is very important that you set everything up in a way that does not damage your roof and put you or anyone else in harm’s way. Rooftop holiday decorations and lights can add a special touch to your roof. However, installing these decorations, especially electric lights, and moving apparatus can be very dangerous.

Roof Safety

Before you start any roof lighting projects, any experienced local roofing contractor will remind you to always put safety first. No matter what your roof safety plan is, it’s important to have someone on hand while you work. They can manage your tools and hand you supplies and decorations so that you’re completely focused on the task at hand. They can help you use the ladder safely by holding the ladder to steady it.  Unless you are decorating the chimney or the ridge at the top of your roof, you really should not need to walk on your roof, which can be very dangerous and needs some knowledge as well as additional safety equipment. Great displays are ones people see from the street level, so it’s not really necessary to go above the eave line to have a beautifully decorated roof.

If you do have to step on any portion of the roof surface, or even just in general for working from a ladder, wear sturdy gym shoes that have a good grip and are easy on the roof surface. You really don’t want to have to call in your local roofing contractors prematurely in the New Year, but even worse would be if you or a loved one ended up requiring medical attention for not taking appropriate precautions.

Check your Holiday Lights and Equipment 

Another top Infinite Roofing tip for the best roofing safety practice with your Christmas lights is to make sure that all your lighting strands are in good working order and that you have enough of them to cover the area you plan to illuminate. Of course, you must check and make sure they are all rated for outdoor use. Draw up a thorough plan to best install any holiday lights you have on hand. Lay the strands of lights out in your home a few days before you plan to install them. Look for any frayed wires that could be a fire hazard. Now’s a good time to replace broken or missing strands of bulbs. Promptly get rid of any strands that aren’t up to par, it’s not worth the risk!

Protect your Roof & Shingles

Before installing your lights on the roof, be sure to stock up on plastic clips or hooks on hand for attaching the lights to the eaves or gutters.  Plastic clips have a far less damaging effect on your roof compared to nails or metal hooks. Having outdoor extension cords where you need them to be is important and makes it easier for you to get everything lit up when it’s time. You can attach the light strands to shingles, eaves or gutters. One really important thing is to not hang anything heavy along with the lights because this can cause damage to the components of your roof. If you find extremely loose gutters or fixtures, get them repaired before hanging lights on them, as they may further loosen or fall down during harsh winter weather, taking all your decorations with them.  Using nails that would put a hole in your roof is a huge no! The structure of your roof is vital and any little hole can eventually lead to a much larger hole and allow moisture to seep into the roof. Plastic lighting clips are very simple and inexpensive. Most hardware stores carry these clips around their lighting and tree displays. You can also use plastic zip ties which will not harm your roof fixtures. If you plan to put heavy displays on the roof be sure they are secured with something that doesn’t pierce the roof so they don’t fall down and damage the roof in a high wind. 

Types of Christmas Light Roof Clips & Roof Fasteners 

When you’re hanging Christmas lights on a roof, you shouldn’t use any fasteners that would be able to puncture the shingle or any other part of the roof, such as nails, staples or screws. Even small holes in the shingles can create leaks. Small holes in gutters may allow water to leak where it shouldn’t and holes in the fascia board may cause it to rot. This could later cause you to require a roof repair or even a replacement.  No one wants to spend their Christmas money on a whole new roof when using fasteners that will not create holes could have been used instead. If you’re unfamiliar with roofs, now is a good time for you to learn about all the parts of your roof and the roof edge before you put up your Christmas lights.

So, if you shouldn’t puncture holes in the shingles, how do you secure Christmas lights to your roof? The solution is to use specialized plastic clips that can hug the gutters and they won’t leave a lasting mark. By using these clips you can have a huge display, with as many fasteners as you need, without worrying about leaving a bunch of holes in your roof. 

On areas of the roof that do not have gutters, attach the clips to the drip edge or the shingles, but be careful to avoid lifting the shingles in a way that breaks the sealant bond to the shingle below it. Avoid puncturing holes in your shingles or siding. Alternatively, you can use adhesive strips to attach the clips to the vertical face of your home. Just be sure you don’t puncture the surface!

How Can I Hang Christmas Lights Without Making Holes Step by Step

  • Locate an electrical outlet. Plan to run heavy-duty extension cords on a working 120-volt electrical outlet protected by a ground-fault circuit breaker. Ideally, you should use a switch-controlled outlet, or plug the lights into an automatic timer. Both the outlet’s circuit and the timer must be rated to handle the combined amperes of all light strings that will be connected. Do not use an indoor timer outdoors.
  • Measure the lengths. Using a long measuring tape, measure the length of your house along the ground. Also, measure its height and the height of any bushes or trees you intend to light. Then measure the lengths of the light strings you will need to outline doors or windows. Figure out the number of 50-foot light strings it will take for all of these measurements.
  • Test the lights. Before you plug them in, visually inspect the light string, looking for broken or missing bulbs and worn or defective wiring. If you discover faulty wires, replace the string entirely as this could present a fire hazard. If any bulbs are broken or missing, you should definitely replace them.

To extract a broken bulb, wear gloves and use long-nose pliers. Once a light string is complete, plug it in and check for burnt-out bulbs. Unplug the string before replacing faulty bulbs and then retest it to be sure all the lights work. If the string doesn’t work at all, check it for a blown fuse, per the manufacturer’s directions. If the fuse has blown, replace it; if it blows again, replace the entire string.

  • Set up a ladder. If your home’s eaves are low, you may be able to use a stepladder; otherwise, plan to use an extension ladder. Place it firmly on flat ground and, extending it well above the eaves, lean it against the eaves at an angle that will be comfortable and safe to climb; neither too steep nor too flat. If you must lean the ladder against the gutter, place a short piece of 2 by 4 inside the gutter to reinforce it. 
  • Hang the lights along the eaves. Your objective is to hang lights as easily and safely as possible without marring your home’s trim or walls. For attaching lights along gutters or the roof, use plastic clips made for the job. These clips grip shingles or gutters and have a lower hook that holds a light strand or extension cord. 
  • Attach the lights to the trim. For attaching lights to window trim and similar vertical surfaces, use rope clips, adhesive or nail-on plastic string light clips; readily available online or at home improvement centers. Space them about 12 inches apart or as recommended. Do not use staples or nails to hang light strings they can pierce or wear away the protective insulation, creating a serious electrical hazard. 

How do you hang Christmas lights without a ladder?

The way that you would hang Christmas lights without a ladder is by taking a clip and putting your wire inside, then popping the clip in the pincher end of the pole. Raise it up to the edge of your roof or you can pop the clip in first and then pick up the wire. Then you would slide the clip under the shingles. Pull the release trigger and very gently remove them from the clip. Now, there is a little bit of a difference when it comes to hanging lights on your gutters. Looking at the instructions that come with the pole to see the best way to hang your lights is also a really good idea.

As local roofing contractors, we know that hundreds of roofing accidents occur from hanging Christmas lights and decorations each and every year. We hear all the horror stories! To avoid looking like the guy from Christmas with the Kranks where Tim Allen is stuck hanging from his rooftop, always have someone with you ready to assist. Never hang lights if there is visible snow or ice on the ground or roof, or during wet weather conditions— we do not want any slip and falls! Good home improvement stores carry accessories for personal ladder safety as well as accessories to prevent the ladder from damaging your home. When taking down the lights, you shouldn’t just pull on the string. While it saves you time, it may pull down your gutters and otherwise damage your asphalt shingled roof. Instead, take down your lights the same way you put them up; carefully, safely and one clip at a time. Be conscious about how you wrap and pack away your light strings. If they twist, they may become damaged or get kinks and look odd next year. Especially if you use clips that hook to the line instead of to the bulb.

Stay safe! Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year from your local roofing contractors at Infinite Roofing!

How Do I Remove Snow From My Roof?

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Experts remind you to rake snow off your roof to prevent leaks
Check out our exclusive interview with Giuliana Bruno at NEWS10 ABC,
which aired December 6th, 2019

Knowing that winter is officially here and it’s that time of year where snowstorms will be coming your way, Infinite Roofing can help you with some information on what to do during what can be a very stressful time. Any homeowners who have spent a winter full of snowstorms know how fast snow accumulates and builds up. Anyone who lives in a place where snowstorms happen frequently knows how worrying it can be when snow and ice accumulate on their rooftops. Here at Infinite Roofing, we have years of experience performing winter roof care and maintenance including snow and ice removal. The information provided below will be beneficial for both commercial property homeowners as well as regular homeowners. 

Rooftop snow buildup is something to be concerned about because the extra weight on the roof can cause it to collapse or leak. It can also contribute to ice dam formation which can also cause considerable damage. Many people may not realize just how much snow can weigh. It looks very pretty but it is very heavy. Therefore, providing this information may encourage you to monitor the amount of snow that piles up on your rooftop. 

Why do I need to perform rooftop snow removal?

Aside from the weight of the snow adding to any existing structural issues, one of the main reasons that anyone would want to keep their roof snow-free during the winter is to avoid ice dams forming on their roof.  Snow forms ice dams because hot air always rises up from inside your house and this causes the snow to melt on an upper, warmer part of the roof, the water then starts to run down toward the eaves. As this water runs downwards it cools and freezes, forming ice. When that ice accumulates it will start to back up under the roof shingles, melt again, and then start soaking the roof sheathing and leaking into the attic or other parts of your property. This, in turn, would cause some serious damage to your roof, gutters, paint, insulation, interior drywall, and other surfaces. 

If you’re able to prevent these ice dams, you’re much safer from serious leaks and damage to your property. The best way to do this is by minimizing the amount of snow on your rooftop. In other words, rooftop snow removal is a very important consideration, particularly in the harsh winters of Albany, Clifton Park and the Greater Capital Region.

When the snow begins to melt and form into ice it becomes even heavier which ends up putting pressure on the support structure of your home. One square-foot of snow at only one inch deep which would come to weigh over 1.25 pounds. In this region, it is not unusual to see that snow approach 12 inches deep or more up on your roof! In this case, you would then most definitely want to perform some rooftop snow removal measures. Maybe that doesn’t seem like a lot, but then multiply that weight by the actual size of your roof! That 12 inches of snow just became about thousands of pounds of stress and pressure building up on your rooftop. So, finding and implementing these rooftop snow removal tips will protect you and your property this winter.

When is rooftop snow removal necessary?

Many commercial roofing contractors have different opinions about how much ice and snow is too much to have on your roof. However, when you actually think about it, it all depends partly on the age of the roofing system, the style of the roof you have, the materials used, how well the roof has been maintained and additional environmental factors. If the snow buildup is excessive or you have any concerns about the integrity of your roof, snow removal should be one of your top priorities.

Develop a rooftop snow removal plan

When it comes to making a plan for rooftop snow removal, you will ultimately have to decide on the best course of action. Many visual signs may be present that indicate a safe rooftop snow load has been exceeded. One should assume that the roof is unsafe and subject to failure if any indicators are present. In this case, calling in a local, professional roofing Contractor such as Infinite Roofing would be your best bet.

When the rooftop has been evaluated, if there is a need to remove snow:

  • When you know that it is safe to access the roof following a storm, the first thing you should do is clear the rooftop drain inlets and outlets. Clear drains help clear up any water from melting snow.
  • Roof areas that have accumulated drifting snow may require action to remove the snow in these exposed areas. When deeper snow drifts begin to melt away it takes more time, thus increasing the likelihood of more snow or rainfall which would add to the rooftop load.

The majority of the time, roof snow raking helps clear snow and prevent the formation of ice dams. It does not prevent all ice dams entirely, but many make the mistake of not raking the snow off their roof and allowing a greater amount of ice dams to form. You’re far less likely to get an ice dam if you rake than if you don’t. When you rake, you’re going to want to reach as high up as you can. Believe it or not, shoveling or raking your own roof can actually be very dangerous! Consider hiring a professional roofing contractor, as they would be insured to be out on cold and icy roofs rather than taking the risk doing it yourself.

Rooftop snow removal on commercial roofing systems

Commercial roofs are a significant investment and this investment should be protected. Compared to any other roofs, commercial roofs can be quite fragile. Therefore when a commercial roof has too much weight on it, especially snow, it can be easily damaged due to a lot of foot traffic. 

When commercial roof owners or managers decide to remove snow on their own they can often end up damaging their own property. In general, people tend to think of rooftop snow removal as similar to removing snow from the sidewalk and driveway. Therefore, they end up shoveling all the snow right off and they don’t realize that when using a shovel the blade ends up damaging the roof, causing leaks into the property.

When it comes to commercial roofing, when removing snow from the rooftop you have to leave a thin layer of snow. When removing all the snow from the roof you could end up damaging the roof membrane. Therefore, it really is best to contact a local roofing expert such as Infinite Roofing as this could save you a lot of money in the long run. If you were to hire a regular old handyman or a company that wouldn’t really know how to deal with a commercial roof, be careful that they do not make this mistake. 

The benefit of hiring a local roofing contractor for your snow removal

Hiring an experienced, commercial roofing contractor to clear snow from your rooftop, they will take many more precautions than any other person you would hire. 

  • An expert would do cleaning inspection.
  • All workers would be trained on how to clean the roof properly and safely.
  • They would use specialized tools that are designed to clear snow efficiently without causing damage.
  • An expert would oversee the job, guaranteeing the safety of the workers and avoiding any problems.
  • They would also be fully insured, in the event any problems do arise.

Hiring a professional commercial roofing contractor that has extensive experience in commercial roofing throughout the region is very beneficial for you and your peace of mind. They would be fully trained and capable of working with commercial roofing in such snowy and icy conditions. In other words, you’re avoiding any chances of you getting hurt or any other person you might hire that does not have the necessary skills and qualifications to do the job. If a roofer from a proper commercial roofing company were to actually get hurt, they will have insurance, avoiding any liability on your part.

Importance of commercial rooftop snow removal 

As a local commercial roof owner, knowing that winter is just around the corner along with a lot of snowfall on your property, there are many things to consider. One of them being that when the snow starts to accumulate on top of your building, it poses a great risk for the roof to be damaged. Therefore, it is so important for commercial property owners to be aware of the dangers that the rooftop snow can cause. We understand that all roofs are different and that some roofs have a tolerance to handle a greater volume of snow, while many others do not. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

In order to prevent any structural damage, you will want to be aware of the amount of snow accumulating on your roof and the load capacity of your roof. If you have a flat roof, snow will most likely accumulate much more. Therefore, you’re going to want to make sure that your roof is not prone to excessive snow accumulation. With these types of roofs, you’re going to want to avoid any snow level more than 18 inches on your roof. You’re going to want to monitor how much snow is on the rooftop so that you can avoid any possible collapse or damage to your commercial property and also ensure that any issues do not prevent the normal day-to-day running of your business/life.

When there is a snowstorm happening or its just snowing, snow starts to build up and on your roof. Sleet, rain, and ice can make matters worse. All this ends up causing pressure to build up on the roof and increases the odds of water running down on the roof when the heat begins to melt the snow. Therefore causing a clog on your gutter when the water refreezes. 

When you take all this into consideration, hiring a commercial roofing contractor to clear snow from your rooftop can save you a great deal of hassle. You may do the job yourself, but to avoid any injuries and any complications that can cause damage to your roof or property, your best bet is to hire a professional.

Commercial Roof Maintenance

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Many people might ask themselves why they should maintain or how they should maintain their commercial roof. Well, preventing any problems that would require an emergency roof repair or replacement would be the best way to take care of your commercial roof. Taking care of your roof before the winter comes means that it will be in the best condition for the rest of the year. When your roof gets the proper maintenance, it helps it fair better during storms and extreme weather, which means there would be less of a chance of getting any leaks or other elemental damage. When something serious goes wrong with a commercial roof, such as severe weather damage, unforeseen circumstances, or lack of routine maintenance and routine inspections, this can cause an entire section of a building to be shut down. This is terrible for any commercial operation! Especially one that has business going on constantly. Therefore, any business, especially one that has a large amount of square footage dedicated to a roofing system, should have their roof maintained properly. Maintaining every part of your commercial roof is a key duty of the facility manager. Regular roof maintenance is essential to ensure the total integrity of the building, however, knowing how to approach it is a big responsibility. 

Roof Warning Signs

A properly designed roof provides structural support, fire resistance and more. A minor issue like a tear in the outer layer or warped asphalt, sealant could pose a risk.  Therefore, when hiring an experienced professional roofer they should do a routine inspection. During a routine inspection, they could look for some of the following warning signs. 

Having bubbles or blisters on your commercial roof is a definite warning sign that should be taken care of as soon as it’s spotted. An improper roof application is typically a leading cause of roof blisters and bubbling. Bubbles appear on your roof when there is moisture that is trapped under the roofing materials, where the water evaporates, and the result is usually the formation of bubbles or blisters. 

Your roof shouldn’t be uneven, simply for the fact that a roof is built to bear its own weight. If you happen to notice any part of your roof sagging, then contacting a commercial roofing contractor is your best bet so that they can look at your roof and determine what actions should be taken. A sagging roof could be caused by many different issues, among them, being accumulated moisture, additional weight on the roof due to the installation of new roofing materials on top of old ones for a long time and other factors.

Excess standing water also known as ponding is very dangerous for your roof. Standing water is defined as water on a roof that hasn’t been drained or evaporated within the 48 hour period after rainfall, flooding or any other causes. If it hasn’t evaporated within that period, you can be expecting it to remain for an extended period of time. The accumulation of standing water on a roof over time can lead to dangerous defects which would include leaks that may eventually allow hazardous mold to grow on your roof surface. When the standing water has been on your roof for a while it can begin to cause sagging, thus creating a larger dip/pool to hold yet more standing water. Once you get standing water, it often creates a vicious cycle that ends with roof repairs or even full replacements to counter the damage caused.

Regular Routine Inspections

Many commercial roofing companies recommend that facility managers, or their local roofing contractors perform a routine inspection of a roof twice per year, usually once in the spring and again in the fall. This will allow you time to address any concerns before bad weather could cause an issue or make any issues worse. It could be tempting to do the roof work yourself and you might even be lured into thinking that any roofing contractor is qualified for the job. However, hiring the wrong commercial roofing company will lead to more expense and wasted time correcting any issues they have caused. When hiring just any roofing contractor, they could be using inadequate materials or they could get injured while servicing your property. This can cause invalid warranties and cause your insurance costs to skyrocket.

An experienced commercial roofing contractor would be able to find any signs of a leak or any other type of damage. They would be able to pinpoint any loose materials that need to be replaced, overhanging branches that would need to be trimmed, along with any dirt and debris that would need to be cleared off. Hiring a professional commercial roofer, they would be able to visually survey the total roof system and check all the flashings, fittings and other roof-related accessories. Any blockage to drains or downspouts should be checked in order to prevent adequate water drainage. A routine commercial roof inspection would look for gaps or tears in penetration and flashings, proper seals on all rooftop vents and equipment, and any other signs of damage.

A proper commercial roof inspection would cover counter flashing as well. The purpose of counter flashing is to prevent moisture from entering behind the vertical flange of the headwall or sidewall flashing. Usually, the material covering the exterior wall serves as the counter flashing and often a separate slip metal flashing would be installed under the counter. Counter flashing is important mainly when it comes to brick walls. When properly installed, counter flashing sections are inserted into the mortar joints. Afterwards the joints would be sealed with an appropriate sealant. Counter flashing is also inserted into a groove cut into the brick, and then it is sealed.

During your routine inspection, your local commercial roofing contractor would conduct an interior and exterior exam. When conducting the interior inspection of the roof, you would be looking for discolored or water-stained ceiling and walls, raised or deteriorated areas on the wall, discoloration or water staining around window frames. There could also be rust or other deterioration of the roof decking, joists or other structural components, as well as mold on any interior surfaces.

With the exterior of the building, on the other hand, there could be excessive standing water on the roof’s surface that would most likely be caused by structural failing, broken purlins, broken joists, loose/buckled flashing or damage to the roof membrane. There could also be materials stored on the rooftop that should be stored elsewhere. You would also have to look for nails or screws in the roof deck backing out of the roof membrane, debris on the roof or in the drains and gutters, missing domes on drains and defective, damaged or missing masonry joints.

Maintenance Program

The most trusted providers of commercial roofing or re-roofing services often offer a commercial roof maintenance program that has a comprehensive plan.  Proper maintenance can extend the roof’s life and reduce potential damage to the building’s interior, protecting one of a company’s biggest assets, their building. When setting up a commercial roof maintenance program, the recommendation is that once every two years you have a plumber check all the roof drain lines. For a comprehensive commercial roof maintenance program, you should create standardized documentation for each building that is being inspected to help maintain proper records. With that documentation, there should be a file for each roof, including the roof’s installation dates, records of repairs and updates, a map of any current leaks and every time roof maintenance is performed. 

Proactive Vs. Reactive Roofing Maintenance

In order to know if proactive or reactive roofing maintenance is something that you want to go with, you should know what exactly they are. Proactive is to take control of the situation by actively preventing something from happening rather than responding to it after it has happened (reactive). On your roof, being able to spot minor problems before it becomes a bigger issue with a larger price tag, taking an active role in the maintenance of your roof by performing routine inspections and keeping up with minor repairs.

Reactive maintenance always happens after the fact. This simply means that the maintenance work and repairs aren’t addressed until there is very obvious evidence that a problem is present, such as missing shingles or water leaking into the home. Unfortunately, with reactive maintenance, warning signs of potential problems are often missed. The result is that damage and repairs often end up being more extensive and costly than they otherwise would have been. Many owners take an “out of sight out of mind approach” with their roofs. However, taking a proactive maintenance approach over the reactive maintenance approach not only extends the life of your roof but provides significant cost benefits.

Facility managers who choose to react to problems as they occur would generally pay an average of 25 cents per square foot annually for maintenance. On the other hand, facility managers who get their roofs inspected and repaired routinely before problems happen will spend less than 25 cents annually. Proactively maintained roofs last an average of 20+ years compared to an average lifespan of 13 years for reactive maintenance. The longer you can extend your roof’s life before replacement, the greater your total savings will be and the chances of a roofing disaster occurring on your property will decrease.