Returning from Contractor Training

I just returned from San Jose California where I spent 4 days at CCN’s Fall Training Conference. CCN stands for the Certified Contractors Network.  The purpose of CCN is to help contractors like me run our businesses better.    They have about 100 members and everyone is genuinely interested in running a sound business.

We learn production management so our clients jobs get produced on time and according to plan.  We learn financial management so we make sure we price our jobs right.  If we under or overcharge a job…the  customer loses in the long run and our company cannot grow.   I have been a member of CCN for over 5 years and the organization has really helped my business.

I think it is important for a contractor to try and become better through membership in organizations like CCN.    A homeowner should want to work with a company that continually strives to get better.

Another way we show we are a good roofing contractor is through our Select Shingle Roofer status through CertainTeed. CertainTeed is one of the largest shingle manufacturers in the world.  If you are a Select Shingle Roofer then you can give your customer a better warranty.  I will talk more about the SSR certification on my next post!

If you need work on your home and live in Rockville and surrounding areas, please give me a call at 301.230.7663.

We are located in Rockville, MD and our website address is www.leakproofroof.net.

Ten Signs You Need A Roof Repair

A damaged or leaky roof can seriously ruin your entire  home. Water seeping in through roof leaks can damage your ceiling, walls, and structural supports along with your home’s foundation. Mold mildew, moss, algae and many other organisms, as well as fungus that grow within damp environments, not only can damage your roof but also cause breathing problems leading to an unhealthy environment throughout your home.

Whenever possible, it is best to react swiftly to all warning signs, which are screaming for a  roof repair.

Here are some of the most common roof problems that people suffer from in the Washington, DC area.

* Among all the roof problems, the most common and obvious roof repair sign is water leakage that mostly appears in the attic or in the ceilings of rooms below the attic space.

* Water stains, or sagging ceilings: Usually, rainwater gets accumulated under shingles, making them curled, blistered and cracked. So, next time you see evidence of water stains, or sagging ceilings in your  home make sure to take them very seriously.

* Loose, broken or missing shingles: This is the second most common roof problem that occurs due to loose, broken or missing shingles. Shingles usually get displaced because of heavy winds and rainstorms. If your home has a Cedar Shake Roof, you should check for the similar signs of broken, missing and cracked cedars.

* Wet dark spots: Here is a common roof sign where wet dark spots occur in the wood. However, if in case, the spots appear to be dry and hard, do not panic as it may be an old problem that has been already been repaired.

* Rusty metal or loose shingles: Rusty metal or loose shingles in places where a vertical side of the house meets the roof also represents an active sign of a  roof problem.

* Dark scraps: Dark patches on asphalt shingles clearly indicate the requirement of professional roofer to assess for possible damage.

* Large amounts of granules: Granule chunks flowing into the rain gutters point out that the granular coating on a roof is quickly failing, which may lead to a leaky roof. The granules break down from the asphalt shingles leaving your roof prone to further expensive damages.

* Damaged Flashing: These signs occur when your metal flashing material gets cracked or bent. It normally happens because of improper installation or drying and cracking on an older roof.

* Algae Staining and moss: Algae stain is the discolored blemish occurring on your roof. However, algae alone, does not ruin a roof but it will often allow moss to grow. When moss is removed from the roof, it washes out the asphalt granules with it and shortens the life of a roof.

* Dripping sound: Have you heard the sound of dripping water in your home? If yes then a professional roofing contractor should be called upon to check on your roof and check the attic to discover the source of the problem.

If you come across any such warnings or alert signs, please give us a call at (301)-230-7663 to inspect your roof system.  

Summary: Roof professionals will conduct the correct evaluation and can offer suitable help. Moreover, in cases of reoccurring problems or rotting, you should consider the option of replacing the roof completely. Most roof problems can be resolved by making simple, inexpensive repairs before a roof is severely damaged.

Thank You!

If you have any questions of comments please feel free to
Contact me:

Howard Rittenberg, President 

howard@leakproofroof.net

(301)-230-7663 ext. 102 

 

www.leakproofroof.net

Roof Masters is Washington’s Roofing Authority!!!

Servicing Maryland, Northern Virginia and District of Columbia; Roof Masters has built a reputation for quality, reliability and technical expertise.

What Your Roofer Should Know!

Rarely do you hear a contractor share with a homeowner some things that he, the contractor, must know when giving an estimate and installing a roof.

With this said…We would like to offer…

The 5 Things Your Contractor Must Know BEFORE Giving You an Estimate.

1) The contractor should know that for a proper roofing estimate, it is critical to go into the attic. While this makes sense, you won’t believe the number of contractors who never go up into the attic to see what condition the roof is in from the inside. Maybe it is too much of a hassle for them. So reputable roofing contractors will gladly get into your attic to do a thorough roof inspection. In the attic they will determine the condition of the underside of the roof deck and underlayment, if there’s any water penetration, and if there’s proper ventilation. At Roof Masters we believe that the only way to learn the condition of a roof system, and to properly identify all the problems, is to inspect from underneath as well as on top. You cannot do this without going inside the house and into your attic.

2) The contractor should know how important it is to protect the property of the homeowner and properly clean up after each day and especially after the job is done. The contractor should know that this is extremely important to a homeowner. Do they make sure that the landscaping doesn’t get damaged or destroyed? Is he picking up every nail and piece of debris at the end of each day? Do you get a clean up card at the end of the project that says your project’s not finished until you say it’s finished? A contractor should know that if they take care of your property and clean up so that it is almost impossible for you to know they were there…you will almost surely recommend that contractor if all else goes well.

3) A contractor should know that you are going to ask for references. A reputable contractor should have a book of references and many happy customers in hand when he gives you an estimate. A contractor should know that it is very important for a homeowner to check these references so you should be able to pick and choose any ones you wish. It is not enough to just ask for references. Pick at least 5 and then you need to actually call them. Every time we don’t check references on people we hire, we always regret it! It takes a little time but if you really want to make sure you’re covering all the bases, then make the phone calls and make sure the contractor you are considering is the real deal. Ask the referred homeowner if they would hire the contractor again. That is the #1 thing you need to know. If the homeowner says yes than you have got yourself a potential winner.

4) Your contractor must know the importance of proper communications between them and you. Ask about what “proper communication” means to any contractor you might want to hire. How will you find out about your warranty, what’s covered and how to maintain it? Does the contractor inform you at the end of each day what was accomplished, what’s happening next and when? Delays in your project can happen. How will you learn about such delays and when to expect them to return? Will they tell you as soon as they find something outside the original scope of work or will they just do it and tell you about it when they present a higher final bill?

5) Your contractor must know that you’ll appreciate “Good – Better – Best” solution options, along with the benefits and any drawbacks of each, so that you can easily determine your best deal for price AND value. And once an option is selected, your contractor should know that you would like several options on how to pay. If your credit is good you may want a no interest payment plan. At least you’ll want the option to pay by credit card and want a resonable deposit amount.   If your contractor needs a large deposit up front than that tells you he may be having financial problems. And if the contractor is having financial troubles, that could spell big potential trouble for you at some point. What if he can’t finish your job because he can’t pay his crew or buy the materials called for in your contract? What if he isn’t around to make repairs on items covered by your warranty? What if there is a leak? Who do you call if the contractor goes out of business? Sometimes you can tell a lot by a little information.

CONCLUSION:

The above covers the things we believe a contractor should know when giving you an estimate. Some of these seem obvious but you would be surprised how many contractors will show up to perform a project, or even conduct an estimate, and not take the time to make sure that you are protected and informed. We hope this Blog helps you to make sure that you have a very successful contracting experience, soon or in the future.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to
Contact me:

Howard Rittenberg, President

howard@leakproofroof.net

(301)-230-7663 ext. 102

howard@leakproofroof.net

(301)-230-7663 ext. 102

www.leakproofroof.net

Roof Masters is Washington’s Roofing Authority!!!

Servicing Maryland, Northern Virginia and District of Columbia; Roof Masters has built a reputation for quality, reliability and technical expertise.

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!