Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers.
Why choose BG Roofing ?
We have over 30 years experience and are a two family business. We do all the work ourselves and do not use sub contractors. We take pride in our work treating each job as if it were our own house and most of work comes from recommendations.
How do I know when it’s time to replace my roof?
Architectural shingles average 15 to 25 years in Springfield MO because of our extreme weather conditions. It also depends on the roof being installed by a professional who will put the shingles on correctly. If your roof is 3 tab shingles they can need replaced in as little as 10 years.
How long does a roof last in Springfield MO ?
Our area in Springfield Missouri is very hard on roofs with our extremes in climate. 3 tab shingles last 15 to 20 years, but we have seen roofs go bad in as few as 10. Architectural shingles last 25+ years. If you are unsure then we are happy take a look and advise you.
What are the signs that I have a roof leak?
There’s obvious signs like a drip leaving a puddle on your floor or over your bed, we’ve done a few repairs and found that was where the leak was. Also look for stains on the ceilings, don’t forget to check closets. You can also get up in the attic during a hard rain to check for leaks or darkening of your roof sheathing (wood). Sometimes a roof could have been leaking awhile with no visible signs inside the home. Insulation can soak up quite a bit before it shows inside.If you do inspect the attic also look for stains or depressions in the insulation. If you notice any of these signs, call a professional roofer to address the problem and repair the roof.
How long does a roof take to complete?
That depends on several factors. Of course bad weather can prolong the time frame.
An average sized home is 25 to 30 squares. If it’s a one layer tear off you can expect 3 to 5 working days depending on the pitch of the roof. 2 layer tear offs take longer as there are more shingles to tear off and more trash to dispose of.
The size of the crew is also a factor, we have a crew of 4 very experienced roofers. We may not get the job done as fast as large crews but the quality of the installation will far surpass a large crew with inexperienced installers.
We don’t tear off if there’s a good chance of rain. We also try to tear off an area and install the shingles the same day. The best way to dry a roof is with new shingles. If we do only get synthetic felt installed and there’s a chance of rain we’ll also tarp the area over the felt paper. We do everything we can to make sure your house stays dry during the installation process.
Should I put a new roof on before I sell my house?
A new roof is a good investment when selling your house especially in Springfield MO where we have such extremes of weather. Roofs account for 40% of a home’s curb appeal. It’s also very obvious from the ground and could cause potential buyers to walk away.
How old is your house and do the shingles on the roof still look good from the ground ? Buyers also like buying a house where they won’t have to replace it in 5 to 10 years, or sooner if the roofs are in bad shape. Mildew, especially on the North side of the house discolors the shingles and is very common on older roofs in the Midwest.
What can I do to extend the life of my roof in Springfield MO?
Proper ventilation is one of the key factors in making sure the roof lasts as long as it should. If your roof doesn’t have proper air flow from low to high, soffit vents low, stationary vents, wind turbines, or power vents near the peak there won’t be proper air flow. Stationary vents provide enough ventilation if there’s one installed for every 300 square foot of attic space.
However, there’s really no such thing as too much ventilation if you choose to put wind turbines or power vents in. If there isn’t, moisture can build up and cause structural damage and may even eventually leak inside of your house. It’s also a good idea to have a professional roofer inspect the roof as often as once a year.
He can make sure there’s no potential problems due to not enough ventilation and inspect the entire roof for any other potential problems.Doing this will insure you get the full life expectancy from your roof. We offer a maintenance program to give you peace of mind.
What’s the best type of shingle to put on my house?
Architectural shingles are far superior to the old 3 tabs that are still available. They seal down better and there’s no cut out for water to find a way in.
What flat roof material do you recommend?
We use EPDM rubber which comes in 10 foot sections and is glued to a fiber board. Less seams and is a durable material. Excellent for flat roofs, or roofs with a very low pitch
What about trash from a tear off?
We will have a dumpster set on your project and clean up all nails, shingle pieces, felt paper etc. and have it taken away to the dump.
Do I need to buy the material myself?
No, we’ll supply the material and no payment will be expected until the job is complete and you are satisfied.
Does your company install metal rods, commercial or residential?
Currently we specialize in asphalt shingles, wood shake, rubber roofs, and wood shingles. However, we can do repairs on commercial flat roofs. We recently did a repair on a large metal flat roof with leaks in several places and stopped all of them. We use top quality roof sealant that’s not cheap, but have had a very good track record of fixing the leaks on every one we’ve done.
Do I need to pay money up front for the roof?
No, a signed contract is all we need. We cover the cost of material and the dumpster until the job is done. If it’s a really large project we may ask for half when the jobs are half done. If we’re especially busy we may ask for 15% up front to hold a place on our schedule for you, but it isn’t usually required. Be wary if a contractor asks for all the money up front then never starts the job or blows out of town like the storms some shady contractors chase. It’s always a good idea to hire an established local roofing company who will answer the phone and stand by their work.
