A lot of home owners experience dangerous ice and snow build up on roofs. The most commonly asked questions are: what is the solution? What system will work best with my roof? How long will it last?

Two of the most common deicing systems are heatizon z-mesh and heat tape. Heatizon z-mesh is a flat heating element that is placed underneath the roof material in strips for a more even heating surface. Heat tape is a cable that is applied on top of current roofing material in a serpentine pattern. While effective at melting snow and ice, it does create uneven melting patterns.

Do you have snow and/or ice build up?  Heatizon z-mesh has a convenient automatic activation device that allows it to sense when the temperature is cold, as well as detecting moisture in the air. Its low voltage usage, along with the automatic activation, makes this system cost effective and efficient.

Heatizon z-mesh can be applied to most roofing systems including membrane, asphalt shingles, tile and wooden shakes. It’s safe to nail and staple making the installation process easier and more proficient.

Another thing to consider is the aesthetics of the copper mesh. How will the product affect the over-all look of your home? Heatizon z-mesh is applied under the roof material leaving no unsightly cables. Your roof will look just as beautiful as it would without an installed heating system. Heat tape is applied on top of existing roof materials creating unsightly serpentine patterns.

Other benefits of installing the heatizon z-mesh deicing system is having the peace of mind that it has been installed underthe roof material preventing problems such as it shifting from the weight of the snow or being ripped off completely. This will save time and money from costly repairs or replacements.

While heatizon z-mesh does cost more than the more common method of heat tape, it is a smart choice for home owners looking for lasting deicing solutions. Not only will heatizon z-mesh keep your roof line looking its best, it will also last the life of your roof.

When installing any type of roof heating system it is important to have an electrician connect the power supply to the ice melt system. If not properly connected it can result in over-heating and possible fires.

Brady Roofing has a reputable relationship with Heatizon and will ensure the proper installation of the entire roofing system. The goal of the company is to strive for honesty while achieving complete customer satisfaction. Contact us today for a free estimate and for more information.

When you are doing a roof tear off, it is important to determine if some (or all) of your roof deck needs to be replaced.  Most residential roofs are made of wood roof decks.  There are exceptions to these like metal “B” Deck or concrete, but these are very infrequent.  

This article will assume your roof to be made of wood decking.  (The roof deck is what your waterproofing material attaches or adheres to.)  To fully understand the process in determining the wood replacement needs, lets look at what can happen in the following situations.

There are three types of wood roof decks: 

1. Tongue and Grove
2. Plywood or OSB sheething
3. Plank sheething 

Tongue and Grove
This is usually 2x6 with a “tongue” formed on one edge of the board that fits snugly into the “grove” in the board adjacent to it.  It is a challenge to replace this type as it is not readily available at most lumber yards.  You will likely need more than basic Home Improvement skills to do this type of wood replacement.  It may be best to hire a contractor to help with this task.

This type of roof deck is very stout and durable.  The only time it needs to be repaired is generally when it has had extensive exposure to moisture.

Plywood or OSB Sheething
If your house was built since the late to mid 70’s, you probably have Plywood or Oriented Strand Board (OSB) also falsely called Wafer Board.  Builders started using plywood when it was invented because of its longevity and strength against splitting.  OSB became popular in the late 80’s to early 90’s and is now used almost exclusively by builders.  It is strong and durable, but costs less than plywood.

Plywood or OSB needs to be replaced when it is:

• Broken from either a defect in the plywood (sometimes it can break where one of the ply’s have a knot) or just too much pin point pressure. 
• Water damaged and rotted or delaminated.
• Too thin.  If the plywood  thickness is less than ½” or the OSB less than 7/16”, it is going to be weak with the roof rafters spaced the standard 2’ on center.

Plank Sheething
Plank sheething (usually 1x6 or 1x8) was used as a roof deck before plywood.  In the first half of the 20th Century, roofs in Utah were built with wood shingles over planks spaced about 1 ½” apart.   Wood Shingle are expensive so when these roofs need to be torn off and replaced, it is cheaper to resheath the entire roof and go over it with asphalt shingles than to go over with new wood shingles. 

It is very important to examine this type of deck carefully.  Splits can form in the planks, and they WILL get longer from the heat  in the attic.  Knots in the planks can cause it to break after the roof is done so if it looks iffy, it is best to replace it.  Sometimes it is just best to resheet it to give you the best deck for your new roof.  If  the planks are more than ¼” apart, it may be best to resheet the roof.

Keep in mind that besides supporting the foot traffic,  and snow load that is inherent with almost any roof, the purpose of the roof deck is to hold the fasteners that secure the roof.  If the wood is compromised, it may not be able to give the nails or screws enough holding power to allow the roof to last it’s full potential life span.

It is possible to put on a lifetime roof, and only get a decade or so out of it.  You should consult with a contractor if you have any questions whether the roof deck is adequate or not.  Brady Roofing has been in the Roofing industry for 15 years and is known in the Salt Lake City as a leader in innovation and quality.  If you are located in Utah, Contact Brady Roofing for a Roof Evaluation or look us up at bradyroofing.net.

How to Tell if Your Eave is Leaking From the Roof or Gutters

Do you have water dripping from your eaves and you need to find out how to stop it before it causes damage to the lumber and compromises the eaves structural integrity?  Should you call a gutter contractor?  Will he come look at it just to refer it to a roofer that will turn you back to the gutter guy to solve the leak?  In this blog, I will give you a nearly fail-safe way to determine the cause.

First you need to know the components that usually make up an eave.  Eaves are made up of: Fascia (the vertical component that the gutters would fasten to, and Soffit (the bottom of the eave).  There are two main types of Soffit and Fascia eaves.  1)  Aluminum Soffit and Fascia (this is maintenance free, paint clad aluminum that covers the lumber that is used to build the eaves)  and 2)  Open Soffit Eaves (exposed rafters visible from standing under the eaves and looking straight up).  If you are reading this blog, it is probably safe to say you can identify the rain gutters as they fasten into the fascia and collect water run off.
Next, you need to study the eaves when they are leaking.  If you don’t want to wait for rain, you can put a sprinkler on the garden hose and place it on the roof to simulate rainfall.  Once you see it dripping through the eaves, study the nature of the drip with the following information in mind:

1. If the water drip is coming from between the gutter and aluminum fascia, it is almost always because the back of the gutter was not installed up under the drip metal flashing (located under the first course of shingles).  Below is an example of drip metal that does not flash into the gutter properly.   You can see the white drip metal just above the gutters, does not flash down into the gutters.  This allows water to get behind the gutters and run down, dripping between the gutter and fascia.
2. If the water is dripping between the fascia and soffit, or from the soffit alone,  it is most likely coming from the roof.  
3. If the dripping is coming from the gutters end caps, miters, or downspouts, it is a gutter issue.

Exceptions to these rules do exist, however, they are rare.  This will give you an opportunity to call a contractor to fix the problem.  This brings up the next challenge: calling the right contractor.  I can’t tell you how often eave problems are misdiagnosed, even by professional contractors.  I recently visited a home where the home owner was thoroughly and completely frustrated.  In an effort to correct an eave leak, she had put a complete new roof on.  When it didn’t stop the leak, the roofing contractor who was paid to put on the new roof, told her to contact a gutter contractor.  

When the gutter contractor charged her a significant sum to repair the gutters, you can guess she felt trapped and at a dead end when it continued to leak.  The two contractors blamed each other and so she called us.  My estimator looked at it and new immediately it was not a gutter issue because it was leaking through the soffit and there was a roofing detail that was done wrong.  He told her to contact the roofing contractor who installed the roof and give him the list of instructions we provided to fix the roof.

Many times a contractor is more excited about winning a bid than really taking the time to diagnose the problem.  Knowing the steps outlined above, you will be able to be educated and feel confident in the solution.

While education can save you money in repair costs, I still recommend contacting a reputable contractor who can view the details and confirm the diagnosis.  Brady Roofing is experienced and can provide both roofing and gutter repairs and installations.  You can contact us for a free estimate at 801-487-5151 and read more about services we provide at bradyroofing.net.

When home or building owners are in the market for a new roof, one of the first questions they ask is “Do I need to tear off my old roof, or can I just roof over it?”  It can be a difficult question to answer because while it is possible to roof over a single existing layer of shingles, it is always a better idea to tear the old shingles off and install a completely new roof.  

Up until the year 2000, it was legal to install up to 3 layers of shingles on a single roof.  However, Utah’s building codes changed, and now the building codes allow only two roofing layers on a single roof.  

It is easily assumed that the more layers you have on a roof, the more protection you have, but that is not exactly true.  It is always better to tear off the entire roof: the underlayment, the shingles, and the flashings.  

Even if your current shingles are ideal for installing a second layer, the new shingles will not line up to your current shingles.  It creates an apron, essentially preventing the new shingles from sealing well.  This can result in shingles blowing off easily in lower winds.  Also, if you look at the roof from the ground, it will be visible that the shingles do not line up.  

You may choose that you would still like to roof over your existing shingles to save money.  It costs about half the price to roof over existing shingles.  However, there are several requirements your roof should meet to make this decision viable.  

First, has your roof been leaking?  Chances are that the underlayment (a waterproof material installed just under your shingles) is leaking.  The underlayment is very important because it can keep water out even when your shingles don’t.  If your roof is leaking, you should definitely tear off your existing roof and install a new one with the underlayment done correctly.

Another factor is the condition of your current shingles.  Are they laying flat on your roof?  If the shingles are curling or bumpy, it would be difficult for the new shingles to lay down properly and thereby the sealer strip (a strip of tar that seals the shingles down) will not hold the shingles together in windy conditions.  When this happens, the shingles will be prone to blowing off in patches with moderate winds, year after year.  This could result in the roof’s life being greatly diminished.

In the event you have two layers, it is important to avoid the temptation to take off the top layer and go over the bottom layer.  Aside from the fact that this is against Utah's Uniform Building Code, you will not have a smooth surface to go over with the top layer.  If you can imagine all the nails from the top layer that are left behind, you can envision the problems that occur when nails are pounded down, or pulled.  Either way, the asphalt shingles in the bottom layer get pretty chewed up!

When a new roof is put on any structure, it is best to replace the flashings as well.  Flashings help the shingles seal to the pipes, walls and other roof penetrations in areas that leak most often.  During a re-roof it is common for the roofing contractor to seal to the old flashings.  Sometimes, these old flashings are not as sound as new ones would be, and they tear off, causing problems for the building owner.  

Simply put, the best option when reroofing, is to remove the first layer and start over.  The pro's are:

1. The roof deck (usually plywood or 1x slats) can be inspected for damaged wood that needs to be replaced for strength as well as giving the new roof system's nails plenty of holding power.
2. You can make sure the underlayment is done correctly, giving the roof a longer life.  
   
3. The shingles will seal down correctly, allowing the sealer strip to hold the shingles together during winds up to 110 miles per hour.
   

Even if your roof meets all of these requirements, a tear off and re-roof will always have better and longer lasting results.  What seems like a lot of extra money spent on a re-roof will actually end up saving you even more money in the long run.  Brady Roofing is a professional roofing company that will ensure your roof is installed correctly, resulting in less work for you as the building or home owner.  Contact us today for a free estimate, or visit our website at www.bradyroofing.net for more information.  

There is no such thing as being over protective when it comes to your home and your finances. There are plenty of roofing contractors out there that are willing to bend the rules to simplify things for themselves, resulting in problems for you and your roof.  Even honest contractors make mistakes every once in a while.  That’s why it’s important to know these 4 simple ways to protect yourself when choosing a roofing contractor.  

Workers Compensation
Problem:  You hire a roofing contractor to fix a leak on your roof.  One of their employees decides not to use proper safety procedures and falls, breaking his leg.  The employee holds you responsible to pay his medical expenses, because he was hurt on your property.  

Solution:  Roofers Compensation is a type of insurance covering roofing injuries.  If a roofing contractor has workers compensation, any injured employees are entitled to recover expenses for hospital bills and being out of work.  Be sure that your roofing contractor has workers compensation so that you are saved the trouble and expenses of paying those bills yourself.


Liability Insurance
Problem:  Your roofing contractor leaves your roof uncovered after removing your shingles.  That night there is an unexpected storm.  Water seeps into your home and damages your sheet rock, carpet and some nice furniture.  Your roofing contractor has liability insurance, but there are exclusions preventing coverage of the interior of your building.  You end up paying to fix the damages yourself.

Solution:  If damage occurs to your home or building that is the fault of a roofing contractor, you want to be sure they have good liability insurance.  This will cover anything from broken windows to damaged interiors as mentioned in the situation above.  Some contractors have liability insurance, but their insurance company offers so many exclusions that it is almost like there is no coverage at all.  Look for coverage that doesn’t exclude water damage resulting from leaving a roof open.

Business License
Problem:  You hire a new roofing company to work on your roof.  A few months later you notice a leak.  You try to contact the company, but can’t find their information.  You try to look them up by their business license and you find that there was never a business license issued for that company.  You are forced to pay for the repairs yourself.

Solution:  Check ahead of time that your roofing contractor has a business license.  If they don’t have a license, it could be a sign that they don’t know what they are doing.  The company could easily disappear or go out of business.

In the state of Utah, your roofing company should have a shingle license and a general roofing license to install a pitched roof.  A flat roof installation only requires a general roofing license.  

A general contractor is legally able to install a roof without a roofing license if they have a general contractor license.  However, there have been a lot of cases of general contractors branching out and installing roofs themselves when they lack the proper training.  This causes problems for building owners as well as home owners.  It is ideal for a general contractor to have a roofing license in addition to their general contractors license.  

In Utah, the number for a general roofing licence is S280. The general contractors license is B100.

If your roofing contractor is in the middle of working on your roof and you find that they have given fraudulent business license information, (in Utah) you have the option to terminate their service right away.  You are not required to pay anything to the contractor because they were operating illegally.  You can then find a qualified contractor to fix your roof and finish the job.  

Lien Waiver
Problem:  Your roof has been completed and you pay the contractor.  However, a few weeks later, the contractor’s supplier contacts you requesting a payment for the materials installed on your roof.  You discover that your contractor did not pay his supplier and that you are now responsible for that payment.  This has happened and can happen to you.

Solution:  Be sure to request a lien waiver when the job is completed and before you pay.  A lien waiver simply states that if the contractor fails to make his payments to a supplier or employees, you are not responsible to cover them.  It is ultimately in place to protect the home or building owner from paying twice.  If you receive the lien waiver before you pay, it is conditional upon your payment.  However, once your payment has cleared, the lien waver becomes unconditional without any additional paperwork.  

Protect Yourself
Though it may be uncomfortable, it is important to protect yourself from issues like these.  Ask to see proof of your roofing contractor’s workers compensation, liability insurance and business license.  Also, be sure they are willing to sign a lien waiver once your roof is completed.  

If you choose a trusted, experienced contractor, most of these issues will not be a problem in the first place.  Find reviews and testimonials for your contractor to see what some of their other customer’s experiences have been.  Brady Roofing has a great reputation and has current roofers compensation, liability insurance and a business license.  We always sign a lien waver when completing a roof.  Contact us for more information or to request a free estimate today.  

Most people that are interested in converting their flat roof to a pitched roof are simply tired of dealing with flat roof issues.  Tar and gravel, and other asphalt based roofing, were the most popular roofing material for flat roofs until recently.  Even today, there are roofing companies that recommend installing an asphalt roof (aka Built Up Roof). These types of roofs dry and crack and lead to headaches even before the material warranty period ends.  Additionally, flat roof systems are less forgiving if errors occur during the installation process.  Any poorly installed flat roofing system requires constant upkeep and repair.  As a consequence, many people look into converting their low sloped roof to a pitched roof, commonly called a Roof Conversion.

For those of you who are in this frustrating position, let’s take a look at all of your options, as well as the pros and cons of a roof conversion.  Roofing manufacturers have introduced reliable flat roof membranes, such as TPO and EPDM, which have grown in both credibility and popularity over the last decade.  While it may seem that shingles on a roof conversion will solve all of your problems, the fact is that these membranes can be just as water tight as a pitched roof.  

It is important to find a roofing contractor that can identify the right kind of membrane and be able to install it properly.  This is important, as the dependability of a roof is determined by the quality of material and the skill level with which it was installed.  If you can find a qualified contractor to install a dependable membrane on your roof, it can cost 3 to 4 times less than a roof conversion.  White roofing membranes can also be extremely energy efficient, resulting in energy savings over time.  

If you are considering converting your roof in order to raise the value of your home, keep in mind that the value of your home will only increase about half of the cost of the roof conversion.  As a result, if you are considering selling your home within the next 7-10 years, converting your flat roof may not be worth the required time and money.  

However, there are some viable reasons to convert a flat roof to a pitched roof.  Probably the best reason I have come across is a situation I ran into a few days ago.  The owner was concerned that his flat roof support system was not structurally sound.  He could hear the rafters in his roof creaking under the weight of recent snowfall.  That creaking is usually the result of fasteners that hold the roof together coming apart a little bit at a time.  Nails and screws will creak as the structures wood members.  If the fasteners back out, or if wood dries and shrinks, it could cause a dangerous and destructive situation.  

A pitched roof conversion, done properly, will distribute weight to the bearing walls of the  structure.  In the previous case, a roof conversion would transform a structurally unsound roof into a long term dependable roof.  

Some other pros to converting your flat roof to pitched include:

• You simply like the look of a pitched roof.  If money isn’t a concern, the perceived aesthetic value of a pitched roof system can be enough of a reason in and of itself.  
• A roof conversion results in easier and more efficient insulation.  It is more economical to insulate a pitched roof at R40 than it is to try and insulate a flat roof with even an R19.  (Insulating a flat roof cavity usually requires removing sheet rock or roof sheeting.)  You can also insulate above the roof deck and below the roof’s waterproofing system with rigid insulation, but once again this is fairly expensive.
• Vapor drive, which causes moisture to form on the underside of a flat roof system, won’t occur with a pitched roof as easily because you can create an efficient pattern of air flow.  (If the humidity in the home is equal to the humidity outside, vapor drive will not be an issue with your flat roof.)
• You may be able to create more storage space or even an added room in the cavity between the existing flat and newly pitched roof.  
• Pitched roofs have about a 40% longer life than flat roofs.  They last 25-50 years, while a flat roof membrane will last about 15-20 years.  
• Flat roofs are about 10-20% more expensive to install than a pitched roof (after the conversion).  This is because the membrane is more expensive to manufacture, as well as the need for more specialized labor.  

In the end, it is really just up to you and your individual situation to decide whether a flat roof or a pitched roof conversion is right for you and your home.  You can contact Brady Roofing for a free estimate and consultation.  We install both flat and pitched roofs, and are experienced in roof conversions.  You can also call us for more information at 801-487-5151.  

When deciding whether to inspect your roof, do a repair, or walk on your roof for any other reason, there are several steps you can take to ensure your safety.  These safety procedures are often overlooked, causing accidents that can effect a person and their family for years to come.  However, if you invest just a small amount of time educating yourself of the potential dangers of your roof, you may avoid these incidents all together.

One of the most important things you should know is to avoid getting on a steep roof unless you have proper safety equipment.  For example, a safety harness will prevent any falls from doing serious damage.   If you do not have access to safety equipment, or if you are inexperienced on a roof, you may want to call a roofing company to inspect or repair your roof.

Even regular and low sloped roofs require precaution.  Before climbing on your roof, ask yourself the following questions:

• Could the roof be slippery from dew, ice, rain, snow, etc?  If so, wait until your roof is dry.
• Is there debris on the roof?  Sawdust, wood, shingle particles and even leaves should be swept up frequently.
• What type of shoes are you wearing?  Rubber-soled boots will generally provide good traction, as opposed to leather-soled boots.  Be sure your shoes are not badly worn.  
• Is the roof stable?  If you suspect a leak or any other problem that could effect your roofs stability, be very careful when you walk - testing each area before putting your full weight on it.    

If you encounter any issues that could pose a hazard, call a roofing company immediately.  They should be better trained to know the hazards and prevent any further damage to your roof or themselves.

There is a vast array of safety gear available to roofing employees.  These devices would include harnesses, slings, ropes and cleats, among many other items.  Each roofer should easily find the safety equipment that best suits their needs.  However, as many as 80 percent of installers do not use these safety devices.  

You may be wondering how the use of safety equipment would affect you and your property?  Statistics show that the use of roofing safety gear increases productivity, meaning the job will be completed faster and with more efficiency.  Also, roofing companies that show care in keeping their employees safe will be more likely to ensure that your property is kept safe and intact.

When faced with the task of picking a roofing company to work on your property, ask about the safety precautions they may or may not have in place.  Brady Roofing adheres to all of the current OSHA (occupational safety and health administration) requirements.  They also take great care in keeping your property and anyone on it safe during construction.  

For more information on safe roofing and procedures, review our quality control checklists.


Contact us with any questions.

Request a free estimate today!