Details Matter For Roof Lifespans
When It Comes To Replacing Roofs In Utah, What
You Can’t See CAN Hurt You – If Done Poorly
Getting The Small Details Right BEFORE They
Are Hidden Under Your New Shingles Is Key
Let’s face it – like most Utah home or business owners, you probably consider replacing your roof to be a major investment in your property. You also likely want to avoid spending another dime on your roof once it’s installed.
At MyRoof, we couldn’t agree more. And while we always recommend regular inspections and maintenance for any roof, we design our roof systems to outlast your need for your property regardless of how long you remain.
We learned long ago that the most important parts of any roof system are the ones you can’t see or barely notice, and that’s where our designs truly shine.
Building Codes Are Never More Than
The Absolute Minimum Expectations
If you’ve ever heard a roofing contractor brag that they always build to code, it’s time to worry. Building to code means meeting the minimum requirements for safety and use. Longevity beyond a few years isn’t part of the equation.
And while we agree roofing systems need to be safe, we also expect our replacement roofs to be the last roof you’ll ever need. So, we take a few extra steps beyond what the building code requires regarding key details.
Dead Valleys
Dead valleys typically denote two or more valleys coming together and directing water to a side wall and/or having some type of funneling effect. These areas are particularly vulnerable to leaking, yet building code doesn’t even require an extra layer of protection.
But we’ve noted on our repair calls that these areas need long-term protection.
So, we lay TPO in every dead valley on our roofs. TPO is the tough membrane covering flat commercial roofs and is far more durable than even the best ice and water shield.
We switched to TPO for our dead valleys long ago and have never since had a dead valley issue on one of our roofs.
Flashing
Local and state building codes allow roofers to reuse old flashing. While this can be a nice, cost-saving technique, it’s far from advisable. Microfractures due to aging can go unnoticed or develop a few years after being reused. Also, the act of removing the flashing during tear-down can make it difficult to match the original shape when it’s time to put it back.
At MyRoof, we only ‘re-use’ flashing in specific circumstances, which we’ll go into in a moment. Otherwise, we custom-fit new flashing for every replacement roof we install.
This way, we always know that the material is fresh, shaped properly, and set with a long-lasting sealant that we trust to last for decades.
Sometimes, the old flashing is partly covered with stucco or siding, and removing it would cause too much damage. In these cases, most roofers would simply lay down a fat line of tar or sealant over the edges of the flashing and call it a day. After all, that’s all the building codes call for.
As you might have guessed, this isn’t good enough for a MyRoof installation. We take strips of ice and water shield and place them, top and bottom, along every seam in the old flashing. Sometimes we even do a double row just to be certain.
Penetrations
Penetrations are anything that comes through or goes into your roof. Think vents, pipes, and satellite dish brackets. Pipes need boots, and brackets need sealing around the bolts. Vents are usually self-contained units.
If you took the time to explore the many boots approved for use under the building codes, you’d note some serious differences in quality. Most roofers prefer inexpensive boots that are good for perhaps a decade.
MyRoof uses high-quality boots that allow movement without tearing or cracking. These boots are resistant to all weather and will likely last as long as your new roof. We also paint all the pipes and pipe boots to match the roof color. This helps seal in any oxidation so it won’t bleed onto the roof and helps the pipes blend into the roof.
For brackets, we use top-level ice and water shield to ensure no leaks will ever occur where the bolts run through the roof.
For venting, we use top-quality vents with large footprints and integral ridges that guide water away from the edges.
We’re Positively Buggy About Chimneys
Chimneys are a major point of vulnerability for any roof. In most cases, your chimney meets or comes through your roof as a flat wall of brick or stone. The side that meets the slope of your roof acts as a catchall where debris can pile up and allow water to pool against your vulnerable mortar.
Oddly, most builders and roofers consider this the price of having a chimney and do little to keep it from happening.
At MyRoof, we have a different take on the situation – it’s unacceptable.
And that’s where the crickets come in.
No, not the six-legged kind.
These crickets are small structures that divert all debris and water around your chimney. They aren’t hard to build, and they blend nicely with the rest of your roof when all is completed.
The best part is that they eliminate a whole host of potential issues. Since debris can’t build on a chimney cricket, water can’t pool. And since there’s no water, there’s no water damage to the surface of your chimney.
This simple step that most roofing contractors don’t even consider can save you from paying a mason thousands of dollars to repair your chimney down the road.
It All Comes Down To Goals
For most roofing contractors in Utah, there is only one goal – to finish.
Anything that can speed the process along (and limit costs) is something they will use. Whether it’s reusing flashing or accepting that chimneys allow debris to collect, all is well so long as it’s within code.
At MyRoof, we have different goals. We want to look at a roof 20, 30, or even 50 years down the road and proudly say, “We did that!”
So, using building code to define our minimum efforts just isn’t good enough for us. We know the expectations behind building codes, and they simply don’t jive with ours. There’s nothing excellent about meeting the lowest standards, and we live by a standard of excellence few care to meet.
If your Utah home or business needs a new roof and you want it installed by a company that shares your expectations, contact us at MyRoof for a free estimate.
Stop Wondering And Get Answers
If you are worried about the roof on your Wasatch Front home – we’re here for you.
Contact us at MyRoof Utah to get answers today!
