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Roof Rigor

Steve Raphael
Special to the Jewish News

s winter draws ominously
near, Brian Elias has one mes-
sage for Detroiters: "Be care-
ful; don't fiddle around with
your roof."
Elias doesn't play the violin but
he knows lots about roofs. He owns
Hansons Windows Inc. in Troy, an
installer of roofs, windows, siding, insu-
lation and gutter guards.
The roof is perhaps the single most
expensive investment a homeowner will
make and water — be it solid, liquid or
vapor — could significantly damage not
only the roof but the home's interior.
Roof maintenance should be done
seasonally and homeowners should be
eternally vigilant about the condition of
their roofs and act quickly when prob-
lems arise, says Matthew Bamberg of
the Weather Channel.
New roofs cost between $6,000 to
$12,000, double from their price just a
few years ago, says Karney Derderian,
president of Crown Contracting Inc.
in Novi. The typical roof for a West
Bloomfield home would be on the high
side of that figure, Elias says.
The prices may be steep but roofs
also are lasting longer, at least 20 years
today, about five years longer than in
recent years, Derderian adds.
That's due to thicker and stronger
asphalt shingles and new materials.
Sprayed polyurethane foam is an insu-
lated, spray-on roof that keeps the hot
air out during summer and cold air out
during winter. Acrylic elastomeric coat-
ings look like paint and reflect sunlight,
while fiberglass shingles protect against
all kinds of weather.
Other materials that are a bit more
expensive but also very durable and
considerably more attractive than
asphalt shingles are tile, cement, fiber
shake and metal. Plastic shingles made
to look like traditional shake could run
the price of a new roof up to $50,000.
Many people are choosing an
enhanced form of composite shingle
these days. Composite shingles are
fireproof, have good wind resistance
and relatively low maintenance when
compared to wood.

P hoto by Ang le Ba an

Keeping an eye on your roof and proper maintenance will make
this expensive part of your home last longer.

Karen Cash was helped by Brian Elias with her roof.

Perhaps the hottest roofing material
is energy efficient white shingle. People
investing in white shingle can get a
tax break of up to $1,500 thanks to
President Braack Obama's stimulus plan.
Elias says, "We're selling more white
roofs than we've ever sold in our lives."
Consumers also can get a tax break
of up to $1,500 if they purchase blown-
in insulation for their homes.
The worst problem a homeowner
faces is when the roof is leaking under
the shingles, rotting the wood underlay-
ment. This is called hidden moisture
damage. The problem, Elias says, is

that people don't see the leaking until
it is almost too late. Moisture leads to
mold that can cause wood to rot, and
attracts insects and microrganisms.
Ice can creep underneath the first
row of shingles and the resulting water,
or freeze back, leads to leaking into the
home's interior.
Internally obstructed vents can result
in heat and moisture build-up in the
attic. It can melt snow and ice on the
roof and cause damage to the roof and
support beams. Properly installed attic
insulation can fend off this problem.
Poor attic ventilation can result in

damaged plywood and frost on the
underside of a roof, Elias says. A prop-
erly ventilated attic releases heat in the
summer and prevents condensation in
the winter, helping to ensure the roof's
longevity.
The most likely spot for a leak is
where the roof meets the chimney,
exhaust piping or structural interfaces.
Heat strips can be placed is these
areas or where the roof lines meet
to prevent ice build-up and stave off
damage to the roof as the ice freezes
and thaws. Patching is an immediate
solution, but once all the shingles start
going it's time for a new roof.
Karen Cash faced a different reason
for her leaky roof. When she bought
her West Bloomfield home about four
years ago the roof was already leaking.
"The particular model of our home had
a design flaw in the pitch of the house,"
she says.
Cash hired Elias who "did the proper
intervention work" without having to
replace the roof, she adds. "He puts
in quality products and stands by his
work. His employees are prompt and
tidy."
A leaky roof is virtually inevitable and
experts say the best way to avoid roof
damage is to be vigilant and pro-active.
A roof with curling or deteriorating shin-
gles is the best sign of problems.
Roofers offer a number of preventive
measures homeowners should take.
• Keep nearby trees trimmed.
• Remove all debris from the roof.
• Keep the gutters clear — spray
water through them if necessary.
• Keep vents clear of obstructions or
install more vents.
• Inspect ceiling and dry wall from
the baseboards up.
• Check metal areas for warps and
holes.
Because a new roof is expensive and
a plethora of new materials are now
available, roofing experts urge hom-
eowners to get a bid in writing from a
licensed contractor.
Contractors should offer both a war-
ranty for installation, as well as a manu-
facturer's warranty for materials.
They should also provide proof that
they have agreements from manufac-
turers to apply special maierials.

iN

October 15 • 2009

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