All Roofing Solutions

Category: Roofing Repairs

Flat Roofing Repairs v. Replacement: Making The Right Call
If you have a low-slope roof or flat roof, you need to make special considerations when you’re faced with a “repair or replace” dilemma.

Flat roofs have their pros and cons. They are often easy and much cheaper to install comparable to tile or cedar roofing. At the same time, they tend to be difficult to maintain and pricey to repair. Making the right call – whether to repair or replace – can be hard, so it’s a good idea to call an experienced roofing contractor for help.

Flat Roofing Repairs v. Replacement: Making The Right Call

A number of factors contribute to the inevitable degradation of a flat roof, including sun and shade exposure, the type of flat roof material, and the overall structural integrity of the house, itself. Flat roofs also demand intricate flashing at the points where they join the outer walls of the house, and if this flashing was not properly installed, it can break down quickly and cause leaks.

First, consider the average lifespans of materials commonly used in flat roofs:
- Modified Bitumen/Tarpaper/Asphalt BUR: 10 to 12 years
- PVC/TPO: 20 to 30 years
- EPDM synthetic rubber: 25 to 30 years
Thus, if you’re having problems with your tarpaper roof, it could just be that the material has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. It typically isn’t worthwhile to repair a roof that is up for replacement or will be within the next three to five years.

It’s always a good idea to get an expert opinion when it comes to a “repair or replace” roofing dilemma. Having an experienced roofing contractor make a thorough inspection of your roof to diagnose its problems and make a recommendation makes the most sense, considering that most homeowners lack the detailed knowledge and technical expertise required to make an accurate diagnosis.

If you do choose to replace your flat roof, there are several things you can do to protect it. Applying a reflective coating will extend its life, as this will inhibit the effects of sun exposure. If you have tar paper or asphalt roof, you should apply roofing tar every few years to ensure your roof stays watertight.

Need a Reputable Flat Roofing Contractor?

If you’re looking for a contractor with flat roofing installation expertise, consider All Roofing Solutions, a family-owned & operated Delaware roofing contractor with over 15 years of experience. We proudly serve homeowners throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania, and look forward to discussing your low-slope roofing repair project!

Call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania for a free estimate!
September 3, 2015
Residential Roofing: 5 Tips for a Leak-Free Winter
There’s nothing like prevention, when it comes to roofing. Any roof leaks or other problems you experience with your roof during the winter can be doubly difficult to deal with, since snowfall and cold temperatures make repairing roof issues even more complex than usual. Therefore, it’s important to address potential problems in the fall, before the winter weather wrecks havoc.

Residential Roofing: 5 Tips for a Leak-Free Winter

The old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure definitely applies when it comes to wintertime roof leaks.

With that in mind, here are five tips to follow to ensure you enjoy a leak-free winter:
1. Keep your roof clean. Debris is one of the leading causes of roof damage and leaks. Ensure that it is free of dead leaves, wayward branches, garbage and other waste.
2. Trim overhanging tree branches. If you have trees with branches that hang over your roof, have the branches trimmed. This will greatly reduce the amount of organic debris that ends up on your roof in the first place, making the need for roofing repairs less likely.
3. Clean your gutters. Clogged gutters lead to ice dams, which can cause major problems in your attic and the upper floor of your home. Be sure your gutters are free of leaves and other debris before the temperature starts to drop below freezing on a regular basis.
4. Upgrade your attic insulation. A well-insulated attic can prevent a lot of roof leaks, since many winter leaks are caused by snow which melts because too much heat escapes through the roof you’re your home. Insulation inhibits heat transfer, making this scenario less likely to occur.
5. Use a roof rake. These handy products are ideal for removing excess snow accumulation from your roof, which is another excellent way to prevent roof leaks & ice dams. Just take care not to snag the rake on your gutters as you draw it back down.
Should you need any further advice on winter roof maintenance, or help with roofing repairs for your home, contact the roofing professionals at All Roofing Solutions. We provide affordable, professional roofing repair and maintenance services to both residential and commercial clients throughout Delaware and southeast Pennsylvania.

Call our DE office at 302-725-ROOF (7663) or our PA location at 610-551-ROOF (7663) for your free estimate today!
October 16, 2014
Fall Roofing Maintenance: 3 Steps to Inspecting Your Asphalt Shingles
If your home is covered with an asphalt shingle roof, autumn is a great time to inspect your shingles. Better to find and address small roof leaks now, before they become big, expensive problems over the winter requiring significant repairs down the road.

For many homeowners, the roof is a case of “out of sight, out of mind.” However, your roof’s ability to protect your home, as well as its durability and lifespan, depends on regular inspection, maintenance and repair.

Fall Roofing Maintenance: 3 Steps to Inspecting Your Asphalt Shingles

Step 1 – Evaluate the exterior roofing shingles

To a great extend you can inspect the asphalt shingle roof surface from the ground. While this won’t give you a complete picture of the shingle’s health, it’s a good way to spot problem areas before getting up on the roof.

Look for:
- Missing, displaced, or cracked shingles
- Curling edges on the shingles
- Nails penetrating the shingle surface
- Areas with significant sagging or buckling, leaving an uneven surface
- Shingle surfaces experiencing excessive loss of granules
- Discoloration of the roof surface
- Debris accumulating on surface
Depending on your roof’s elevation and pitch, it may not be possible to perform a good evaluation from the ground, even with binoculars. Additionally, not all roofing problems are obvious, and the absence of drafts or leaks doesn’t necessarily mean your roof is structurally sound. Whether you’re having specific roofing issues or just want to know your roof is in good shape, it’s worth the modest investment to find a reliable contractor to perform a thorough inspection.

Step 2 – Inspect the roof decking, house ceiling and attic

From inside your home, look for any evidence of roof leaks or moisture on your ceilings or walls. Check your attic for proper ventilation and signs of moisture as well. Soggy insulation, condensation on the ceiling, rust around the vents, and moldy odors in the attic are often the result of poor ventilation, which can shorten the life of your shingles.

Step 3 – Asphalt shingles roof repairs and replacement

If you notice potential issues, further evaluation is best left to a professional roofing contractor.

Here at All Roofing Solutions, we offer affordable, expert roof repair, replacement and installation services to customers throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. We’re a family-owned business with 15 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing. We are passionate about providing great service and excellent workmanship!

To schedule your free consultation, call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania. Don’t forget to ask about our discount of 15% off any roofing repair job!
August 28, 2014
Common Winter Roofing Problems: Ice Dam Damage

In Delaware, like in many other places, ice dams can be a fairly common residential roofing problem. Ice dams can be an irritating and expensive source of leaking roofs and damaged homes, requiring the help of experts in roof leak repair.

Ice Dams 101

There are three “ingredients” necessary for an ice dam to form: snow, heat to melt the snow, and cold temperatures to refreeze the melted snow into solid ice.

Ice dams are created as snow on the upper part of a roof melts. The melted snow water runs down the roof slope under the blanket of snow, then refreezes into bands of ice at the roof’s edge to create a dam. Once the dam forms, additional melting snow continues to build up and form pools behind the dam, eventually leaking into the home through the roof or roof trim.

The reason ice dams form along the roof’s lower edge, usually above the overhang, is fairly simple. Heat lost from the home warms the upper roof surface, toward the ridgeline. However, the lower part of the roof surface, along the uninsulated eaves and gutters, is below freezing.

Although ice dams can form when as little as one or two inches of snow accumulates on a roof, deeper snow and cold temperatures increase the likelihood and size of ice dams. Every inch of snow accumulating on the roof adds insulation to the roof deck, trapping more indoor heat beneath the roof deck and warming the roof sheathing.

Ice Dam Damage & Prevention

Damage from ice dams includes shingle damage as well as mildew, both on the exterior and interior of your home—and water leakage within the walls of your house. Ice dam damage can be significant but there are some preventative steps you can take to try to avoid them. We’ll discuss ice dam damage prevention next week.

Meanwhile, if you suspect your roof is improperly ventilated or has already succumbed to ice dam damage, call All Roofing Solutions at 302-725-ROOF (7663). We offer thorough roof inspections which allow us to uncover even most hidden roofing problems and offer repair options. We also offer emergency roof repairs in case the damage requires immediate attention.

January 16, 2014
3 Tile Roofing Maintenance & Repair Tips

There are 3 basic steps you can take to extend the life of your tile roofing: regular inspections, timely repairs and ongoing maintenance. Additionally, because tile roofing can be difficult to handle, it is best to hire a professional roofing contractor experienced in tile roofing to assist you.

3 Tile Roofing Maintenance & Repair Tips

#1. Roofing inspection

Tile roofing should be inspected carefully without walking around on the tiles in order to avoid hurting yourself, breaking the tile or voiding your tile roof warranty. This is often difficult to accomplish, especially on steep-pitched roofs.

Hiring a reliable roofing contractor is the way to go with this type of a roof. Remember, the inspectors at All Roofing Solutions are skilled and trained to conduct a comprehensive maintenance check to determine the extension of any potential roof damage so don’t hesitate, call us for an inspection today!

#2. Roofing repairs

If you spot damaged tiles, you should contact a local roofing repair contractor to make immediate repairs. Putting off a crack here or there can lead to moisture permeation and more extensive damage, so it is critical to make repairs before even nastier weather sets in.

There are certain things you as a homeowner can do to temporarily stop the damage in its tracks before a professional roofing company can offer a more permanent solution. Remember to handle any emergency roof repairs with care and keep safety in mind when up on your roof.

#3. Roof maintenance

It is critical to hire a reputable contractor to clean your tile roof regularly. Thorough cleaning includes removing loose debris and cleaning around skylights, chimneys and valleys. Pressure cleaning is appropriate in some cases, but make sure that no harsh chemicals are used.

Also, consider repainting a dingy tile roof. Your roof can be painted with acrylic paint, or coated with some waterproofing agents to restore its look and performance.

Need Help? Hire a Contractor!

If your Delaware or Pennsylvania home has been damaged in the recent storm or you simply need assistance with your aging tile roof, call All Roofing Solutions. Our dedicated staff of roofing professionals will be happy to help you understand your roof’s potential problems and suggest appropriate preventative repairs.

We offer affordable, expert roof repair, replacement and installation services to customers throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. We’re a family-owned business with 15 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing. We are passionate about providing great service and excellent workmanship!

Call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania to schedule your inspection or for free roofing repair estimate.

November 29, 2012