Taking On A Winter Roofing Project

Many homeowners rush to take care of a roof repair or replacement before the snow flies. While not a bad idea, don’t fret if you haven’t gotten your roof taken care of. Most roofing projects can be done regardless of the time of year.

You’re probably wondering why it’s sensible to undertake a roofing project in the middle of one of Rochester’s famous winters. For starters, leaving a compromised roof alone until spring can actually be more of a detriment than to have it repaired/replaced mid-winter. Just like the freezing and thawing action of water in the cracks in pavement creates the all-too-familiar potholes in Upstate New York, the same action acts on your roof. Not addressing roofing problems can lead to more problems throughout the winter.

While feasible, there are some considerations depending on your roofing material.

Sloped Roofs

Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used residential roofing material, and can be installed regardless of the season. Because they are affected by temperature, however, they become more brittle in the colder weather. Installers must be cautious when installing them to ensure that they don’t bend and crack the shingle. The sealing strips are also heat-dependent, and installing them on cold days may cause them to not seal properly.

Metal roofs, however, can be installed easily in the winter months without any additional special considerations. The metal is designed to expand and contract with the changing temperatures, and will adjust without issue to the wide temperature swings we’ve come to know and love here in Rochester. Make sure you use a premium breathable underlayment, and upgrade ventilation whenever possible.

Flat Roofs

Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) roofing is easily installed during the winter months. These products are mechanically installed and are welded together with a hot air gun.

Rubber and adhesive-based roofing materials, however, are the exception. These two types of materials are very temperature-dependent, and may not be effective when applied. Rubber roofs are usually only installed in temperatures greater than 40°F, as the rubber can freeze and fail to adhere to the roof. Adhesives are also susceptible to freezing, and may not bond, either.

Regardless of your roof style or material, you can prevent common issues and the premature failure of your roof by thoroughly discussing your needs with a trusted roofing contractor.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Top 6 Things To Consider When Choosing a Roofing Company

Having a new roof put on your home is a major investment. It will not only increase the value of your house but it will also help protect it from the elements while improving the aesthetic curb appeal!

How should you go about finding a roofing company? There are many to choose from in the Rochester area. Some are new to the scene and others, like Trinity, have been doing it for years.

Before you sign any sort of contract with a roofing contractor, be sure to consider each of these factors carefully:

#1 - References

Generally, the longer a company is in business, the more references they should have. Don't be afraid to ask for references from some of their customers.

#2 - Warranty

With so many different options and products on the market for roofing materials, find out which materials the contractor uses. What is the warranty offered either by the contractor or the manufacturer of the actual roofing shingles? Is it a limited warranty and if so, what are the restrictions? You can often find out more details about the warranties on the manufacturer's website.

#3 - Licenses & Credentials

If a potential contractor says they have a license, ask to see proof. A business license is necessary for tax purposes and has nothing to do with their qualifications as a roofer. State and local licenses will indicate whether the roofer you’re considering is qualified for commercial or residential projects and whether there are any limits on what work they can perform.

#4 - Reviews

In the modern era of the Internet, many customers will write reviews online. Check out the many sites that allow for candid third-party reviews from customers including Google, Angie's List and Yelp. What are the customers saying? Are the reviews and feedback primarily positive?

#5 - Better Business Bureau Ranking

Any legitimate roofing company will have a listing with the Better Business Bureau. Investigate their overall "score" as well as any major complaints or lawsuits against the company.

#6 - Insurance

Ask to view the potential contractor’s certificates of insurance. They should carry comprehensive liability insurance as well as worker’s compensation insurance and will happily forward verification to you. The legal name of the contractor may offer a clue about the level of insurance they carry.

Uninsured contractors are likely to be less expensive to hire because they are not incurring the high cost of insurance. But beware, if a worker is injured on your property, the property owner may be held liable for all associated costs unless his employer is insured through worker’s compensation. Although an uninsured or underinsured contractor may be less expensive to hire, ask yourself whether that is a risk you want to take.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Frequent Roofing Problem - Old Shingles

Along with the walls and siding on your house, the roof protecting your home is the skin between the cozy indoors and the rough, caustic elements created by Mother Nature. Many homeowners don't think about their roof until a problem arises. It could be a leak or missing shingles that raise a red flag causing the homeowner to call a professional.

Here in Rochester, we are forced to deal with a bipolar weather pattern. It can literally snow one day, be sunny the next and rain the following day. This crazy weather reeks havoc on the skin of your house—your roof.

We'd like to take a few minutes to explain some of the common roofing problems homeowner's around Rochester tend to see.

The biggest issue is a leak in your roof. If you have a leak, contact a professional to come evaluate the situation. It may be time to find a roofing company who can do a tear-off / roof replacement for you.

Deteriorated Shingles

Based on our location, the warranty period for your roof should remain in tact. Many warranties are up to 30 years these days. If your home wasn't new when you moved it, it would help to know when the roof was most recently replaced. If your shingles start to go bad, you will start to see a build up of rock chip material in the gutters. Be sure to clean out your gutters each year to locate any of this matter. If you catch it early enough, you can avoid a costly repair down the line. Nonetheless, you should strongly consider replacing your roof once you begin to see the rock chip particles in your gutters.

We will be covering other common roof problems in future posts so stay tuned!

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Deciding When It's Time For A New Roof

When is it time to get a new roof?

When purchasing a new home or re-roofing the one on your current house, the materials used are 'rated' for a specified period of time. Depending on the material that is used (generally asphalt shingles), it will last anywhere from 20-25 years.

Just like everything else, trends have changed and there are many more choices for selecting a nice looking roof. There are a ton of colors, styles and materials available to pick from.

When you're driving around the Rochester area, pay attention to other homes and see what they've done. Look at the color and style of the roof as compared to the color of the home. Sometimes having some contrast between the siding color and the roof color makes a big difference.

It's time to start thinking about a new roof when the lifespan is reaching its peak and/or if you're spending a lot of money on costly repairs. Just like a car, when the time comes that you're spending too much time on repairs, it is time to find a roofing contractor and invest the money in a new roof.

If you’ve done frequent roof repair, or have discovered that a different roof may save money on your power bill, you should consider getting a new roof.

Where is the best place to find a roof?

A roofing contractor will be your best source in finding the roof you want. They will have the experience, product knowledge and contacts needed to get prices and make an informed decision. Do you really want to spend another ten years doing roof repair? Or do you want to have a spectacular-looking roof?

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Meet John Hoagland, Trinity's Owner

Hello, everyone! My name is Chris Murtaugh and I work on a lot of the website and marketing efforts for Trinity Home Renovations. As you know, we’ve started a new blog series and in this week’s post, I want to introduce you to Trinity’s owner John Hoagland.

John is one of the nicest guys around and a great business man to boot. He’s taken his company from a small contractor business to a flourishing organization that is helping homeowners all over Rochester.

I spent time interviewing him recently and was able to glean some information that you may want to know. Oh, did I mention that he’s a Yankees fan? More on that later...

How did you get into the home renovation business in the first place?



My journey into the full-time working world started right after high school with a small local roofing company. I worked as a laborer for the first 2 years. I transitioned to a full-time mechanic once I learned the trade well enough. After 5 years with this company, I switched trades and took a job with an HVAC company for the next 5 years working in the sheet metal shop and later, a team doing heating and cooling installations.

After 11 years in the construction trade, I left to take an entry-level sales position with a telemarketing company. Finding something I was very good at, I excelled over the next 8-10 years spring boarding from a minimum wage job to VP of Sales. I was responsible for a multi-million dollar sales quota.

Working within a corporate structure was stressful and at times, thankless. I started to think about ways I could provide for my family while having the flexibility and autonomy of owning my own business. I had never considered myself an entrepreneur; however I wanted to pursue the American dream of owning my own business. I wanted to be able to be solely responsible for my success or failure.

In 2007, I partnered with a friend who was gracious enough to offer half of his existing business if I would come in and run the sales and marketing. After a year I still had aspirations to be in business on my own. I spoke with my wife and we started Trinity Home Renovations, Inc. in the spring of 2008 and our small business has continuously grown year after year. We are now known in Rochester and the surrounding area as a business that is truly faithful to providing our valued customers with high quality home improvements at reasonable prices. We are driven by customer satisfaction and long to leave a legacy of happy customers.

What's the best part of owning your own company and working on roofing and home renovation projects?

Owning my own business has been the most rewarding accomplishment I've ever achieved. We are a business that puts family first, so we have the freedom to take the time off when needed. So, never having to miss another birthday, holiday, etc. with our children. For us, the absolute most rewarding part of owning my own business is the sense of accomplishment.

We love our customers, and being able to help them create their dream living space is very rewarding to us. As a home improvement contractor in Rochester, it grants me the flexibility and autonomy of owning my own business, while allowing me to work with my hands and take pride in the work we do.

What are some of your hobbies?My wife and I have two small children; so much of our time is devoted to them. During my free time I enjoy softball, fishing, hunting, bowling and of course, like any good New Yorker—the New York Yankees!

As a Christian-focused business, how do you apply the principles in your day-to-day business affairs?

At Trinity Home Renovations, Inc. we focus on three key principles that demonstrate our Christian values. These three biblical principles define a Christian business worthy of the Trinity name.

(1) The first principal is integrity. It is about doing what is right rather than what is fastest or easiest. Our company strives to make all its business decisions based on the standards and principles of God—righteousness, truth and honesty.

(2) Next is a commitment of excellence to our customers. For our company to be recognized as a praiseworthy one, our goal is to glorify God through our commitment to excellence in the service and products we provide our customers on a daily basis.

(3) And finally, as a Christian business we have a commitment to our people. This includes providing fair compensation, performance recognition, and providing growth opportunities, both professionally and personally. We believe that recognition of the needs of our employees and by creating opportunities for them to fulfill those needs will bring out the very best in them.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com