FAQs

Summary

Commercial buildings are typically large in size. It makes them easier to construct to give the most size for the dollar and last longer. They also can hold all the equipment that is need for a larger building.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With larger buildings, comes with more equipment needed for them. Saving space by putting in on the roof is the best way to go about that. Having a flat roof on commercial buildings is common due to that reason. Flat roof materials last a long time if installed correctly, that’s why choosing the right contractor for the work is equally important as the material and cost itself.

Summary

A flat roof may need to be replaced if it has reached the end of its service life, has extensive damage, or repeated repairs are no longer effective. A previous recover does not automatically mean the roof needs a full replacement. In many cases, the existing recover can be removed and replaced with a new roofing system, as long as the underlying roof assembly is dry and in good condition.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Some reasons to replace a roof: if it is in need of major repair work and costs begin to reach higher than the typical budget, insulation is showing buckling, has soft spots, or is wet, or if you are looking for a long term solution with new technologies that have come out. Having lower maintenance costs, saving on energy, and having protection for a long time are all benefits of having your commercial roof replaced. It is always good to find a trusted roofing professional to give an inspection of the condition of your roof for the best options for your roof!

Summary

Built-up-roof. It is a tar and gravel style roof. Installers will lay 90 lb. felts (3 or 4 plys) and tar those together and then a layer of tar with pea gravel on top.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Built-Up Roofing (BUR), often referred to as a tar and gravel roof, consists of multiple layers of roofing felt and asphalt. Depending on the system, the roofing felts may be mechanically fastened to the roof deck. A layer of gravel is then applied to help protect the membrane from UV exposure, reduce weathering, and provide ballast for the roofing system. While BUR has been used on commercial flat roofs for many years, it has become less common due to the increased popularity of newer roofing systems.

Summary

Insulation, BUR, EPDM, TPO, or PVC.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Each commercial roofing system offers different benefits. The best choice depends on factors such as your building's use, drainage, insulation needs, budget, and long-term performance goals. An experienced commercial roofing contractor can evaluate these factors and recommend the roofing system that provides the best value and protection for your building. As a Duro-Last Platinum Contractor, All Elements has met the manufacturer's highest standards for installation, training, and customer satisfaction.

Summary

Best course of action for preventative roof care is the have a professional out to inspect your roof at least once or twice a year.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Our Roof Care Advantage Program (RCAP) allows members to have access to our services as often as they need. Our team of professionals check the roof twice a year and give detailed reports on findings and provide many other services. Keeping an eye on your roof is the key to preventing leaks, let us help you!

Summary

Of course. Roof repair is always an option. If the roof condition is in question have a professional out to fully inspect the roof.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Roof leaks can be repaired. Although if you have had several roof leak repairs done, it may be time to consider getting a new roof done. If this is the case, give us a call to come inspect your house or building and we will give you straight forward answers with a full report so you know what is going on with your property.

Summary

Yes. While damaged shingles are a common cause of roof leaks, they are far from the only one. Leaks can also result from issues with ventilation, flashing, vents, installation details, or other components of the roofing system, even when the shingles appear to be in good condition.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A roof is made up of many components that work together to keep water out. If any one of those components fails or is installed incorrectly, a leak can develop even if the shingles themselves still look perfectly fine.

Some common causes include:

• Ice dams and attic moisture: Improper ventilation or insulation can allow ice dams to form along the roof's edge. Condensation or ice can also build up inside the attic. When temperatures warm, that ice melts and can work its way through the insulation, causing water damage inside the home.
• Improperly installed sidewall flashing: Flashing is designed to direct water away from areas where the roof meets a wall. If it isn't installed correctly, water can find its way behind it and into the home.
• Roof vents: Vents can leak if they were not installed properly or if wind-driven rain or snow is able to enter through the vent openings.
• Incorrect shingle installation: If the shingle seams are not staggered properly during installation, water can follow the seams and create a leak.
• Insufficient shingle overhang: If the shingles do not extend far enough over the drip edge or gutter apron, water may not drain correctly and can work its way underneath the roofing system.
• Improper window or siding flashing: If windows are not flashed correctly or the siding was installed improperly, water can get behind the siding and leak behind the roof flashing, making it appear that the roof itself is leaking.
• Exposed fasteners: Fasteners that are left exposed or are not sealed properly can become entry points for water over time.

Because roof leaks aren't always caused by obvious shingle damage, it's important to look at the entire roofing system when identifying the source of a leak. A thorough inspection can determine where the water is entering and what repairs are needed.

Summary

If you see a drip coming out of the ceiling or roof deck. If there's ceiling tiles, remove them to verify that water is dripping from the ceiling. Also, make sure to note if there's ducting or other penetrations that could be a non-roof related leak issues.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You will be able to tell if your roof is leaking if it is dripping from the ceiling. If there is no plumbing above your ceiling, that is how you know you will need to call a professional to come repair the leak. If your commercial building is leaking and there are ceiling tiles, you can easily identify where the leak is dripping, but that may not mean that is the problem or point of origination.  It’s best to call our award-winning service team.  They will dive deep into the issue to identify the problem not put a Band-Aid over it.

Summary

We recommend hiring a professional for roof repairs to make sure the proper materials are used for each individual roof repair situation.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

While it may seem cheaper to do the roof repair yourself, it may cost you twice as much down the road. Having the hole patched by a professional ensures that it is done correctly with the proper materials, without damaging the other parts of the roof or risk your warranty coverage. Don’t risk it. every roof issue is unique, trust that our award-winning service team can tackle any roofing problem you run into. Professionals can easily identify what needs to be done to solve the problem.

Summary

If a leak cannot be contained or its leaking on or near sensitive equipment (computers, machinery, production lines, etc.)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You will know if you need an emergency roof repair if water is actively leaking from the ceiling or down the walls. If it cannot be contained or if the leak is flowing heavily, you will need to reach out to a professional to perform the repair. If you are in need of an emergency repair, do your best to remove all valuable items out of the way of the leak until the problem can be solved!

Summary

The size of hail is only one factor in determining whether it will damage your roof. Wind speed, hail density, the volume of hail, and even the temperature at the time of the storm all play a role. In many cases, hail around 1.5 inches in diameter or larger is more likely to cause roof damage, but smaller hail can also cause damage under certain conditions.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

While larger hail generally has a greater potential to damage a roof, there isn't a single size that guarantees damage. Factors such as strong winds, the hardness of the hail, the age and condition of your roofing materials, and how long the storm lasts can all influence the severity of the impact. Because damage isn't always visible from the ground, it's a good idea to have your roof inspected after a significant hailstorm if you have any concerns.

Summary

On asphalt shingles, hail damage often appears as areas where the protective granules have been knocked away or as bruising that can expose or fracture the fiberglass mat beneath the surface. On Duro-Last roofing systems, hail damage may not be immediately visible, as spiral fractures can take time to develop before leading to leaks.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hail damage isn't always easy to identify from the ground, and in some cases, it may not become noticeable until weeks or even months after a storm. On asphalt shingles, look for dark spots where granules are missing, soft bruised areas, or exposed fiberglass matting. On Duro-Last commercial roofing systems, hail can create spiral fractures that may not appear right away but can eventually allow water to penetrate the membrane. Because some forms of hail damage are subtle, a professional roof inspection is often the best way to determine whether your roof has been affected.

Summary

Yes, skylights are meant to last the life span of a roof, around 30 years.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If skylights are not replaced every time you get your roof replaced, it will increase the cost of the skylight labor and materials. While you could get a couple more years of life out of them, they could start leaking on your new roof causing more problems. It is better to simply replace them while you are getting your roof replaced to avoid any issues down the road.

Summary

We recommend having chimney tuckpointing completed before your roof is completed.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Once the masonry work is finished, we can install new flashing that properly seals against the chimney. Completing the tuckpointing first also helps prevent mortar, dust, or debris from falling onto and potentially damaging your new shingles or flashing.

Summary

Gutter straps should never be fastened to the roof deck.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Doing so can cause shingles to lift, increasing the risks of leaks, especially during the winter. Gutters should be fastened to the facia instead. If they are attached through the roof deck, they will need to be removed and reinstalled with every roof replacement. Be sure to talk to a trusted contractor when installing gutters so there won't be any issues in the future.

Summary

We generally stop shingling in November due to the MN climate.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We stop installing shingles at the end of fall and pick up again in the spring. To maintain the manufacturer's warranty, shingles should typically be installed when temperatures are above 20°F. Since shingles also need sunlight and warmer temperatures to seal properly, 40°F or higher is ideal, which is why spring and fall are typically the best times for installation.

Summary

Yes, but primarily for aesthetics and performance. Different shingle styles can change the appearance of your home, and some, such as laminated (architectural) shingles, are built with multiple layers that can provide greater durability and improved impact resistance than traditional 3-tab shingles.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

While many homeowners choose a shingle based on its appearance, the style of the shingle can also influence its overall performance. Architectural (laminated) shingles are made with multiple layers of material, making them thicker and generally more durable than traditional 3-tab shingles. Depending on the product you choose, they may also offer higher impact and wind resistance. Choosing the right shingle comes down to balancing your home's style, your budget, and the level of protection you want from your roof.

Summary

Most stone coated steel products have a class 4 impact resistance rating.  24 and 26 gauge steel panels will typically have a class 3 impact resistant rating depending on the brand.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Metal roofing is an excellent option for homeowners looking for enhanced impact resistance and long-term durability. Every home is different, so it's worth talking with a trusted local roofing professional about the best solution for your needs. Impact-resistant roofing products are available in both Class 3 and Class 4 ratings, with a variety of styles, colors, and price points to fit your home and budget. For homeowners looking to make a statement, combining metal roofing with Brava roofing tiles can create a distinctive, eye-catching look while providing exceptional durability and impact resistance.

Summary

The main factor is the shingle granules which protect the asphalt matting from the UV.  Granules naturally shed with normal wear and tear.  Once there is significant granule loss, it’s time to consider replacement.  There are other factors like thermal cracking, wind/hail damage.  The frequent freeze/thaw cycles in Minnesota can cause shingles to fail sooner than in other regions.  Typically 20-25 years max is the life expectancy for standard asphalt shingles.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Knowing the age of your roof can help determine whether it may be time for a replacement, especially if your home has experienced multiple severe storms over the years. Regularly checking the condition of your roof and exterior is a great way to catch potential issues early and help keep your home in top shape. If you're unsure about the condition of your roof, give us a call. We'll perform a thorough inspection and provide you with a detailed report, so you have the information you need to make the best decision for your home.

Summary

Our expert opinion is synthetic shingles like Brava are the best due to their impact resistance. The highest impact rating is class 4 which means they will withstand 2” hail.

___________________________________________

Class 4 rated shingles are the best of the best. These synthetic shingles are not only impact resistant, but customizable in styles and colors to fit many different needs. With protection you can depend on for your roof, Brava roofing tiles are the shingles we recommend for your home.