Roofing Services

In the Northwest, the average life of a roof is roughly 17 to 22 years old. However, there are indicators other than age that a roof is at the end of its useful life. Over time roofing will start to show signs of aging, some of these signs include missing granules on shingles, visible fiberglass matting, cracking, bubbling, curling, or buckling shingles. If there are missing shingles it is typically a sign that the roof is ready to be replaced. Moss build-up, big weather events, plastic accessories, and more can lead to premature failure and reduce life expectancy. If you start to notice any of these signs it may be time to call a reputable roofing contractor to provide you with a free estimate for roof replacement.

Looking for a roofing contractor can be stressful but finding the right contractor for the job will make the process feel seamless and easy. When vetting contractors for any home improvement project you should always be sure they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured rather than just finding the roofing contractor near you. A reputable roofer will maintain memberships with industry associations, such as the Roofing Contractor Association of Washington (RCAW). These associations hold their members to high standards in quality and service and often offer special training opportunities to their contractors. There are third party companies that offer insight into the kind of experience you can expect from a contractor such as Better Business Bureau or even Angie’s List. Beyond looking at certifications and reviews you should find a roofing contractor that is responsive to your initial inquiry and makes the process of scheduling your estimate easy. A knowledgeable contractor will be able to provide an roofing estimate fairly quickly once at your home and should always offer transparent pricing right from the start. We promise you will always receive our best price forward within an hour of meeting with an estimator.

Some companies offer to install new shingles or other roofing materials over the top of what is currently installed on your home. This practice is often referred to as a roof overlay or a layover and this practice is problematic for several reasons. To begin, without tearing off the existing material there is no way to provide a complete inspection of the roof deck itself making it much harder to ensure there are not any underlying issues that need to be addressed. Should your home develop a roof leak it is much more difficult to track with multiple layers and may result in failed repair attempts. It is also difficult to address any issues with ventilation or previous material installation without removing the old roof. Beyond that, flashings and accessories have a limited life expectancy and an overlay typically does not include replacing accessories or flashings. The roofing material itself will also have a shorter lifespan because of several factors including additional environmental stress. Other negative outcomes associated with overlays are negative home value and a less attractive install. In most areas, including the Pacific Northwest, a layover can detract from the value of your home completely negating any “savings” you may have noted with the upfront cost. These are just a few of the reasons why Valentine Roofing always performs a complete tear-off and replacement of every roof we install!

Manufacturer and workmanship warranties can vary dramatically from product to product as well as from contractor to contractor. A standard warranty from a manufacturer is usually a limited lifetime type of warranty that covers the roofing materials for a certain period and possible replacement costs for a shorter period. Typically this warranty covers material failures. Every roofing material comes standard with a warranty similar to this. Some manufacturers offer extended warranties that cover installation, disposal, and more for a greater length of time than the standard warranty. These warranties are often not transferable or offer limited transferability. Extended warranties often cost more upfront. Some companies offer workmanship warranties. If you hire a reputable roofing contractor that stands the test of time their workmanship warranty will be the most important warranty you have. We offer industry-best workmanship warranties for every type of roof we install. These warranties are fully transferable and cover your home for the life of the roof!

Roof maintenance requirements vary and most manufacturers recommend some sort of roofing maintenance to protect the material from premature failure. In the Northwest, some things to consider when deciding on a maintenance plan that is right for your home are proximity to trees, specific microclimate, distance from the Puget Sound or other saltwater body, and type of roofing material. We offer different maintenance plans designed for your home’s specific environment along with the type of material on your home.