Is your roof failing?  Watch for these warning signs inside your home:

Very often; the first sign of roof failure is not on the roof itself, but inside your home. Ceiling stains; flaking paint and plaster, peeling wallpaper, and discoloration near the wall/ceiling joint; though they may appear negligible; serve as advance warning of future roofing problems. Stains may be caused by condensation in the attic or water seeping through the shingle covering; very often at joints and flashings in the roof.

In the attic:

The attic space must be adequately ventilated and insulated; otherwise, condensation of Interior moisture will occur. This will lead to ceiling stains or water leakage. After a heavy rain, check the attic for web, darkened or stained decking and rafters. Moisture condensation may also accentuate any curling and clawing of the shingles on your roof. Also, wet insulation loses its effectiveness, with a consequent increase in heating costs.

On the roof:

If your roof is more than ten years old, it is time to begin routine

visual inspections. Inspections should be done twice a year in the spring and in the fall. Much can be seen from the ground. If you do go up on the roof, be sure it's dry. Wear rubber-soled shoes for best traction and to avoid damaging the shingles. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of climbing the roof but suspect problems exist, call in a professional. Look for any of the following signs of weathering, all of which serve as indicators that your roof needs help:

1) Bare Spots
The protective granular surface of shingles wears off as the asphalt, into which the granules are embedded, begins to harden over time. Bare spots are often accompanied by fine fissures on the shingles' surface and by the accumulation of granules in the gutters.

2) Broken Shingles
Damage can be caused by extreme wind conditions and snow removal. Since shingles are supposed to shed water, broken, torn or missing tabs become obvious entry points for water especially on low slope roofs where run off is slower and at the peaks of the roof where shingles are the most vulnerable to high winds.

3) Buckling
Buckling is a visible distortion or waviness in the horizontal lines of shingles, and usually runs in a straight line up the roof slope. Shingle tabs become exposed to wind and can be torn off. Very often, the problem is warping in the roof deck caused by poor attic ventilation. The use of thinner than recommended plywood and other non-plywood materials adds to the problem.

4) Curling
The upward curling of the shingle tabs makes them highly susceptible to wind damage. This is a problem on older roofs where moisture build-up in the attic affects the underside of the shingle.

5) Clawing
This is the curling under of the shingle tabs bottom edge and is part of the normal aging process of shingles. The bulge created is susceptible to substantial damage by wind action, hail, and ice.

6) Flashings
Many problems occur at the flashings around vents, soil stacks, chimneys and vertical wall joints. Is the flashing cracked? Is the caulking around the flashing dried out? Are the shingles that lie over the flashing in good shape? It is easy to repair most of these problems, but folly to believe repairs can be put off indefinitely.

Why do I need a new roof, if it's not leaking now?

Your roof has a limited life span, and to exceed that will only lead to bigger and more expensive repairs or replacement. For example, shingles that are exposed to the elements beyond their normal life span may have the edges curled. Once this occurs, the existing shingles may have to be removed - which is a more costly roof job. Another way to tell if you need a roof is whether or not your neighbors are getting their roofs replaced. If your homes were built about the same time, they should need replacement about the same time - this is not always true but is a good indicator.

How do I determine if I need a new roof or repairs?

The first step in the re-roofing process is to determine whether or not you need a new roof in the first place. The following "warning signs" will help you identify the potential for roof failure. Consider however; that it is not the best of policies to wait until the last minute before making the move. To be sure, call in a qualified roofer. He will check out the shingles, the flashings and the attic ventilation, and then recommend remedial action that should be taken should this be necessary.

What Criteria Can I use to decide if the contractor is a true professional who will stand behind his work?

While there is no single, clear cut answer, there are a number of indicators that you can look for when going through the evaluation process.

1. Be sure you are dealing with a reliable company that has been in business for a good period of time.

2. Be sure the contractor has an actual place of business, not just an Answering Service.

3. Be sure to check their reputation. Don't blindly accept a salesman's story. Example Better Business Bureau and references.

4. Be sure you receive a written contract with detailed specifications.

5. Be sure you know exactly what you are getting for the quoted price, including first quality materials.

6. Be sure a company has insurance to protect your property and their workers.

7. Be sure a company is financially responsible and will be around in the future if you need service.

8. Be sure experienced labor is used on your job, with professional supervisors to insure completion of your project

9. Be sure you read and understand guarantees, warranties, and terms of payment.

10. Be sure no one has pressured you to accept any proposal.

You Can Be Sure With Forest Park Roofing Company!

Roofing is a complicated and demanding trade. Forest Park Roofing Company's name is only associated with quality materials, trained and skilled work force and reasonable prices for our customers. Professional roofing service is what you will receive at Forest Park Roofing Company