Do you have a roof leak? You could have one and not even know about it. A leaky roof isn’t just an inconvenience – it can lead to major damage inside your home. Water that gets in through the roof can lead to mold and mildew, compromised structural integrity of your home, and damage to your attic and ceilings. Here are some signs you may have a roof leak:

Missing Shingles

Whether from a severe storm, high winds, or age, missing shingles mean your roof could be leaking. The shingles are the barrier to the elements, and if one or more are missing, your home is vulnerable to water leaks and damage.

Roof Granules on Your Sidewalk or Driveway

Asphalt roof shingles have a coating of granules that help make them strong and protective. If there is damage to the shingles or they are beginning to break down, those granules will start to come off and get washed down to the gutter, sidewalk, and driveway. If you see these, it’s time for a roof inspection.

Signs of Water Damage in Your Attic

You probably don’t go in the attic very often, but it’s a good idea to at least peek up there from time to time. Take a look at the ceiling and joists to check for water damage, darkened wood, sagging insulation, or mold. If you notice any of these signs, call a roofing professional right away. 

It can be hard to tell if your roof is leaking. Keep an eye out for the above signs that you have roof damage, but it’s also a good idea to have your roof inspected annually. For any questions or concerns regarding a roof leak or for professional inspections, repair, and replacement, contact the experts at Premiere Roofing.

Buying a new home is exciting and stressful, and the last thing on your mind is proper roof maintenance. But the roof is a critical piece of the process. Here’s what you should know about proper roof maintenance before you sign on the dotted line.

1. Include the Roof in the Inspection

You can overlook some things, like bad paint colors or an outdated bathroom, but don’t overlook a bad roof. During the inspection, it can be easy to rush through things to get to the closing without a hitch, but it might be worth hiring a roof inspector before you sign off on the home inspection report. Home inspectors have the training to look at every area of the home, but they can’t be experts on everything. It’s worth your while to have a trained roofing professional look at the roof before you buy the home.

• The Roof May or May Not be a Deal Breaker

If a potential property has an atrocious kitchen, it might be a deal-breaker. But most homebuyers don’t think of a poorly maintained roof in the same way. Roof replacement can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 or more. A roof that’s in bad shape doesn’t need to be a deal-breaker if you love the rest of the home, but it can be a point of negotiation for a better price on the property.

• Get Roof Replacement Information

Before you buy a new home, especially one that is over 10-years old, be sure to collect information and documentation on prior roof replacement. You need to know when it was last replaced, what company did the work, the materials they used, and any warranty information available. This will give you information on potential roof maintenance you could be facing.

Don’t let the excitement, stress, and long to-do lists of buying a new home distract you from one of the most important elements – the roof. For all the information you need on proper roof maintenance and inspections when buying a new home, contact the team at Premiere Roofing today.

The days are starting to get shorter which means it’s time to start thinking about preparing your home for winter. Follow this handy fall home checklist to make sure you’re ready when the cold weather sets in.

#1 Roof and Chimney

If you don’t want to get up on the roof, get a pair of binoculars and scan it carefully. Check for loose, cracked, buckling, or missing shingles. Examine the flashing around the chimney for rust and deterioration. Have the chimney cleaned and inspected by a licensed chimney sweep. Around the vent pipes on the roof, the rubber collar can crack and wear out. All of these are potential areas for water to seep in and create damage to the attic, or worse, the interior ceilings and walls.

#2 Leaves, Limbs, and Gutters

Prune any overhanging limbs that might potentially fall on the house. These might also allow squirrels and other critters access to your attic. Rake the leaves and clean out the gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters weighed down with leaves and debris can cause tremendous water damage to a house.

#3 Water, Hoses, and Sprinklers

Detach hoses, drain them, and put them away. If the water freezes inside them, they will be useless next spring. Turn off the exterior faucets and drain them as well. Finally, turn off and drain the lawn sprinkler system.

#4 Prepare for Heating Your Home

Have the furnace tuned up, order firewood, and caulk and seal any leaks around doors and windows that are going to let heat escape from the house.

Don’t get caught in the cold! This handy fall home checklist will help prepare your home for the winter weather ahead. For your roofing and home repair needs, call us at Premiere Roofing today for a free estimate. 

Discerning customers like ours demand quality that lasts. That’s why at Premiere Roofing, we use only the highest quality materials like CertainTeed shingles. CertainTeed roofs have impressive lifespans and come with exceptional warrantees. Let’s dive a little deeper into the life cycle of your CertainTeed roof.

CertainTeed Landmark AR

The Landmark AR series architectural shingles from CertainTeed have a lifetime limited transferrable warranty against manufacturing defects. With a 10-year StreakFighter warranty, you’re guaranteed at least 10 years without algae streaking. They have 15 years and 130 mph upgraded wind resistance, and a 10-year basic start warranty.

CertainTeed Landmark PRO

The Landmark PRO series shingles step up even more, with a lifetime/50 years basic warranty and a 15 year guaranteed algae resistance. They also feature the 15 years and 130 mph upgraded wind resistance, and a 10-year basic start warranty.

CertainTeed 25 Year 3-Tab Shingles

CertainTeed’s lower cost option has a 25-year limited transferrable basic warrantee, a 10-year StreakFighter warranty, and a 5-year, 60 mph wind warranty.

Life Cycles

Your CertainTeed roof is built to last the length of its basic warranty under normal conditions. As the roof ages, you may notice streaking or fading but this generally doesn’t affect the roof’s integrity.

If you’re ready to upgrade to a long-lasting roof solution or if your existing CertainTeed roof is reaching the end of its lifespan, contact us today. You can get more information about the CertainTeed roofs we offer, or speak with our experts about any questions you have. Contact us today!

April showers are known best for bringing May flowers, but they can also bring high winds, heavy rains and sometimes even hail! When storms come our way this spring, it’s important to be prepared and to know how to detect potential damage to your roof. Here are our quick tips for detecting and reacting to spring storm damage.

Detecting Damage

Hail and Wind

Once a storm has cleared, go outside and visually inspect your roof for damage from the ground. Hail and wind damage is typically going to be visible. If you see dented or cracked shingles, missing shingles, or exposed bits of roof, contact the experts at Premiere Roofing to schedule a more thorough inspection and to receive a quote for any necessary repairs.

It’s also important to check your gutters and downspouts. If there’s a lot of asphalt build-up, your asphalt shingles may be experiencing too much wear.

Water

Water damage is harder to spot early. Usually you won’t find it until you see stains on the ceiling inside your home. After a big storm, though, you can check your attic for leaks before they reach your interior ceiling. Any dripping or standing water in the attic is a problem that needs to be addressed right away.

Reacting to Damage

As soon as you see any damage, get a professional roofer on site as quickly as possible. In the meantime, photograph the damage for insurance and if necessary, cover exposed areas with a tarp to keep water out.

If you’ve identified spring storm damage on your roof, we’re here to help. Contact us today to get more information about repairs or to get answers to any questions you have.

Is your roof sagging, leaking, or missing shingles? These are telltale signs that you need the best value for your time and money when it comes to your roof. That’s where free roofing estimates come in. Here’s what to expect from the process:

Roofing Estimates From Start to Finish

Your roof estimate starts with picking up the phone or scheduling an appointment online. Then a representative of the roofing company you’re considering will come by your address. They’ll be happy to come at a time that’s convenient for you. This is a good opportunity to ask questions and point out areas of concern. The inspector might need to see the roof from the inside or take reference photos. He may investigate:

• the roof’s square footage
• the slope and pitch
• the condition of other areas of the roof
• the condition of the attic
• the extent of water damage, if any

After gathering needed information, the roofer will come up with a tentative plan for fixing your roof as well as an estimate for you. This quote usually includes both the price and an estimate of how long it may take to finish the job. The price should break down to include the cost of materials, labor, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Service With a Smile

At Premiere Roofing, we pride ourselves on offering excellent service to the people of the Columbia, SC area. Our courteous roofing crew will put their combined decades of experience to work to get your roofing job done right the first time around. Contact us today to learn more or get a free roofing estimate.

Have you been waiting for spring to have your roof inspected? Many homeowners think that a professional roofing company can’t do roof inspections in winter due to the weather conditions. However, if you’re overdue for an inspection, there’s no better time to get it done than before spring arrives. Here’s why.

1. Springs Rains Can Worsen Existing Leaks

If your roof has even a small leak, the torrent of spring rains can make things worse. Small leaks may allow a trickle of water to penetrate your roof and enter your home. But when you have the heavy rains of spring pouring down, that trickle can turn into a serious water issue. A professional roof inspection before spring could catch that leak and seal it before it’s exposed to torrential downpours.

2. Ice Dams May Have Caused Damage to the Roof

Ice dams occur near the roof line. When snow freezes and then thaws, ice dams force water to build up behind them, which puts force on your roof shingles. The shingles may break or lift, allowing that water to enter below the shingles and lead to water damage. If you live in a climate that gets any snow or sleet in winter, it’s essential to have your roof inspected before spring to ensure that it hasn’t incurred any structural integrity damage from winter ice dams.

3. Routine Inspections Extend the Life of Your Roof

A routine inspection before every spring extends the life of your roof. Minor issues can be remedied before they grow into larger problems. In warmer months, the schedule gets filled with homeowners who waited and now need major roof repairs. By scheduling your inspection before spring, you’ll get a jump on the busy season and possibly avoid serious complications. Roof damage isn’t typically visible from the ground. Only a roof inspector would be able to accurately survey your roof to look for all the potential signs of damage. To get a free roof inspection estimate, please contact us today.