Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some of the most asked questions we receive. If you still don't have the answer you're looking for, give us a call!
Got a Question?
Check below to see if we have an answer.
Roofing Questions
Too often, roofing issues are discovered after a leak or damage has occurred, often leading to a serious situation. It is at this point that making a fix can cost more and become a bigger problem if not addressed right away. If the issue persists for a while, it may be necessary to completely replace your roof.
Each year your should inspect your roof for any damages or symptoms of roof issues. Here are some of the signs that you should be watching for:
- Loose seams and damaged flashings
- Cracked, decaying or missing shingles
- Any loss of asphalt granulation (check the gutters for accumulation)
- Uneven or cracked and discolored interior drywall or peeling wallpaper
- Any evidence of leaking in your attic or through your ceiling
If you aren't sure whether or not your roof is damaged or needs any help, don't hesitate to reach out to us for a free inspection by a certified professional.
You should remove all the loose items from shelving and walls, the constant vibration from hammering may be strong enough to shake some items down. Also, make sure you have your driveway clear as we'll need the area surrounding your home for material and movement. There's also a chance that things could fall from the roof and damage anything nearby. We'll also need a solid location for a dumpster so we can clean up after ourselves and make sure your house looks just as good as when we arrived.
Like any material or building component, roofs degrade at varying rates depending on a number of factors. The most important of those factors being the quality of the construction and level of abuse your roof typically takes in a year from weather or other damaging conditions. So, how long does a roof last? Well, we've seen roofs that were poorly installed lasting as little as 5-10 years, and on the other hand, we've seen roofs that have lasted upward of 60 years with proper maintenance and installation. Most building owners, roofing contractors and designers, feel that 20 years is generally an acceptable service life. The number one factor being the climate conditions of the region you're in. Hotter and more humid areas tend to ware roofs down quicker than places with a dry and cool climate.
It depends on how the inspection process goes and what we determine is the best solution for your needs. In general, the only thing that drastically effects the timeline is weather conditions and whether or not we have to completely replace the roof, or just repair it. But, on average, for a typical residential home, the process takes no longer than a day or two. For a commercial job with thousands of square feet of roof, the job can take a week or longer.
A roofing underlayment is typically a membrane that goes under the roof covering to help protect against weather, primarily water intrusion. The most typical underlayment comes in rolls and is attached via rink shank nails or simplex nails, this type of membrane is usually called 30# (Which referrers to the thickness of the paper used). The other type of underlayment used is adhered directly to the deck of the roof and is considered by most insurance companies to be a secondary water barrier, it's called "peel and stick". The underlayment is the one piece of your roofing system that is solely designed to water proof your roof. This is true for all typical housing roofs. However, metal and flat roof designs incorporate other processes that drain water and prevent it from seeping into your home.
Nearly all roofing work requires a level of expertise that the general home owner is not prepared for. Beyond this, manufacturers do not provide warranties to people who do not use professional contractors. These trained professionals are well aware of the conditions roofs provide, and can handle anything the weather throws their way. The dangers to a homeowner when trying to do their own roof installation can cause a lot of harm and end up being vastly more expensive than hiring someone to do the job.
When your roof starts to take on some unwanted friends, there's a couple of options available to you. One of the safest and easiest solutions is to apply a product called "Roof a Cide". This is an environmentally safe product that you spray on your roof every two years or longer depending on the moisture conditions. You can apply this product yourself, but will not get the warranty that is provided with it, so it's best to have a qualified professional come out and apply it. Once applied, you can expect your roof to remain clean for years to come.
Installing a new roof over the top of an existing one is generally acceptable under a few conditions. 1.) A building cannot have more than two roofs at a time 2.) No wet insulation can be left in place 3.) The roof structure must be able to handle the additional roof load (can be hundreds of lbs) 4.) The new roof must be attached to the roof deck to meet wind loads, which means we cannot attach the new roof to the existing one, which requires a different process and longer nails.
Typical construction guidelines state that you cannot have more than two (2) roofs installed at a time. Also, if you do go to apply a third roof, the two previous roofs must be removed first, which requires more time, labor and money. It's generally a better bet to replace your roof, rather than covering it with another.
Remodeling Questions
No matter what, construction is inherently noisy; there will be noise at varying levels throughout the home renovation process. We will give you advance warning during the exceptionally noisy phases, which, generally occurs during concrete, tile, and wood cutting -- sanding is also pretty noisy.
The dust and dirt is the worst during the demolition phase. After we've stripped everything down to the frame, things will be fairly clean. Drywall installation and sanding will create a lot of fine particulate matter for a few days. We do our very best to put up plastic sheeting to seal off the house from the construction process, however, no matter what, some dust and debris will make it into your home. It's a good idea to throw your own plastic sheeting over things that are nearby, or simply move those items for the duration of construction.
You will always have easy access to the project manager and can expect ongoing communication throughout the process. We also make sure to use email, text and phone calls to keep you in the know. We retain our documentation on our computers and you'll be able to access the files anytime you'd like. Once completed, we'll personally walk with you through the new construction to make sure that your project turned out exactly the way you wanted.
When it comes to house construction or remodeling, the general rule of thumb is that you WILL have to acquire a permit for construction. This is true for bathroom designs, kitchen design and nearly all other remodeling services.
Obviously, each home remodel project is unique, so the question isn't a cut and dry one. The duration of your remodel depends on several factors, including the size of the project, scope of work and materials used. Here at Owyhee, we prepare a timeline and schedule for each project based on our full understanding of the scope. We'll also make sure to work with the homeowner to ensure it can be completed in the timeframe they're hoping to achieve.
If you're doing an entire house remodel, then the answer is yes, you'll need to find living arrangements during the construction period. But, our process is designed to keep turnaround time to a minimum, and we can assure that you'll be back in your house in the period of time you were hoping for. If you're doing just one or two rooms, it's very possible to live in the house while we work, though the noise may be an issue for those who have an at home office.