An Important Part of Maximum Roof Life:

Shingle maintenance should be performed by an experienced contractor to ensure that your roof lasts as long as it should. There are a number of factors to consider such as damage by tree branches, wind, and hail.

Call us For an Inspection:

We will look over your entire roof and devise a plan to maintain it in an economical way that makes sense for your needs. Paying special attention to the areas we know to fail prematurely gives us an advantage when designing a maintenance plan for your roof.

Popped Nails:

Occasionally, due to many factors, nails will back out of the decking below and puncture the shingles above. As water flows down the roof in a rainstorm, this leaves an opening that allows water to infiltrate the roof and run into your building. Regular roof maintenance can address these issue prior to a leak occurring and will prevent further damage to the decking, insulation and sheetrock below.

Re-Sealing Penetrations:

The most common location for leaks on a shingle roof system is the penetrations. These are the vents and jacks that penetrate the shingle roof, but can also be things like ridge vents and skylights. During our inspection we will be looking at these items very closely to ensure that the sealants have not broken down past the point of functioning and will recommend any necessary sealant repairs.

A Final Layer of Protection:

Roofing underlayments are a layer of protection that lies under your shingle roofs that provide a final layer of protection against wind-driven rain that may infiltrate under the shingles. In a strong wind, water can actually be blown under your shingles, and a good underlayment system prevents this water from getting into your home or office.

Many Underlayment Options:

Depending on where you live, your city may have code that requires a certain type of underlament and specifications on how that material is to be installed. We strictyly adhere to these rules and will always install at least the minimum requirements, but we do offer increased levels of protection. Be sure to inquire about upgrading your underlayment to increase the protection you have.

If you live in a colder climate, also see our information on ice and water shield. This is a must-have accessory in many climates and will further guard your home from damage.

Roof decking can be damaged in a number of ways. Roof leaks are the most common causes and these areas may need to be cut out and replaced. If you suspect that your roof decking is damaged, remember that this can be a dangerous situation that should only be left to professionals. Our staff is highly trained to walk roofs that have suspected damage so that you don't have to risk serious injury from a fall.

Roof Leak Damaged Decking:

When your roof is leaking, the paths of least resistance are the nail and fastener locations that hold shingles and other roofing materials in place. This allows water to flow directly into and past the wood decking and degrade it from the inside. If you catch the situation quickly enough, the damage can be mitigated and an area of rotten decking can be removed and replaced. Weakened roof decking will also allow the fasteners to loosen and back out of the shingles, causing more damage as they pass through. This will increase the size of the leak and increase the damage to come.

Decking Replacement:

If your current roof is wood shakes, tiles or certain other types and you are considering installing a traditional shingle roof, your home may need a wood deck installed so that the shingle roof can be installed over it. Messer Roofing & Remodeling has replaced hundreds of roof decks and we will cut and install the new deck to perfectly fit your roof structure. We will also devise a plan to add proper ventilation for your attic so that your new roof functions as beautifully as it looks.

Rotten Decking is Dangerous:

If your shingle roof has been leaking for some time or has had a leak in the same area more than once, it is likely that there is degradation of the decking materials underneath. This is a dangerous situation because the rotten decking is rarely apparent from atop the shingle roof. Walking or kneeling on a weak area can easily result in you crashing through your roof and into your attic or beyond. We recommend that you leave this to the professionals and call us today.

How do Ice Dams Form?

Ice dams begin to form when heat builds up in your attic and melts snow on your roof, but not at the eaves. The melted snow runs down to the eaves and begins to freeze again, resulting in damage to shingles and even gutter collapse. As more snow melts, the ice builds up and backs up under the shingles resulting in leaks and damage to the roof.

Call the Experts:

When dealing with ice dams, the immediate problem should be addressed by calling us. We will take a look at your individual issue and devise a plan to remove it before it does more damage. During that process we will also advise you on how to prevent future ice dams, and assess any damage that the ice dam may have already caused.

Do Not Climb On Your Roof:

An ice dam scenario is a very dangerous situation and you should never be tempted to climb on your roof. Trying to remove the ice dam with a shovel or hammer can result in more damage to your roof or gutters, and working from a ladder can result in large chunks of ice falling on you or the ladder.

Call us today so that we can devise a proper remedy for your ice dam issues.