By Roxanne Mcroberts Weekend Projects

BY ROXANNE McROBERTS

Weekend Projects Editor

A house's roof is its umbrella, its cozy fleece hat, its security blanket.

As a homeowner, it's a challenge to come up with design plans for interior layouts, and select paint colors and complementary area throw rugs. And it can be difficult to wrap our brains around the elements we surround ourselves with on a day-to-day basis like accent pillows, dishtowels, bedding ensembles and kitchen accessories.

But all of those interior elements are pointless if there is a flaw in the part that protects it all.

Most homeowners have to deal with a roof replacement once, maybe twice, in their lifetimes, unless they tend to bounce from poorly roofed house to poorly roofed house just for the excitement of re- roofing one after another.

Winter creates specific roofing issues, not all of which require a new roof to solve. Repairs are sometimes needed when elements start to fail under extreme temperature changes.

Tim Krimmel, service manager at George J. Grove & Son, 1219 Manheim Pike, said that it's not uncommon to get a call for a diagnostic evaluation.

"If it's nothing major, (such as) a nail pop caused by contraction and expansion or flashing issues around vent pipes or in the valleys, we can fix it right away. It's the years and years of experience that allow us to identify some of these problems," Krimmel said.

According to Krimmel, when Grove is called out to homes to analyze problems this time of year, the issues often are caused by ice damming along roof edges and in the valleys. "The ice builds up so much that the snow on the roof over the often uninsulated attic melts and has nowhere to go. The water can't escape."

Water then gets up under the shingles and leaks through the nail penetrations. "Sometimes, it's shocking how much water can get into a house that way," he said.

This in itself is a ringing testament to keeping your gutters cleaned out.

Krimmel suggested taking two precautions to minimize interior water damage caused by ice damming.

The first, he said, is to use an ice and water shield product in place of traditional tarpaper along the edges when you undertake a re-roofing project.

A heavier-weight rolled material, ice and water shield adheres to the plywood decking before the shingles are laid.

"You basically nail right through the shingles, and the ice and water shield melts around the nail heads and creates a seal," Krimmel said.

Wilmer Beiler, of Beiler Bros., 836 Peters Road, New Holland, said it's customary to use the ice and water shield for 3 feet around the perimeter of the roof and then a 30-pound felt paper over the remainder of the roof.

Krimmel's second suggestion is to run a heat tape in the gutter around the house. A wire that gets hot to the touch, heat tape keeps ice from forming in the gutters and along roof edges.

Deciding whether a roof needs to be replaced isn't usually rocket science.

"Sometimes it's just common sense," Beiler said. "If there are shingles laying in the yard, or they're cracking off and blowing off, they're done. Sometimes they're just beyond repair."

For some reason, a friend of mine started out a conversation with me by saying, "So, how much will it cost me for a metal roof?" I had no idea, and the question made me think not only about the cost of a roofing job but also the specifications each building material needs to be successful.

Roofing materials such as asphalt, cedar shake, metal and slate are customarily used in residential applications and, because they're in for the long haul, should be considered and selected carefully. Manufacturers guarantee their products with warranties that last between 25 years and a lifetime.

In short, different materials are designed to withstand the elements and perform at their best when matched with roofs that complement their unique requirements, such as base materials and slope specifications.

It's usually not news to a homeowner when the recommendation for a new roof is delivered. "Most of the time, a building material is considered for replacement based on the cost of the roof," Krimmel said.

However, homeowners should consider all their options and look into all the materials available for us in their region. You want the roof to fit into its surroundings.

For example, Beiler said, "If you've got an old farmhouse, a slate roof or wood would look nice. It's really a matter of opinion."

Drive through any neighborhood in America. I will go out on a limb and say asphalt shingles of all qualities, colors and profiles monopolize the rooftops. According to Krimmel, entry-level asphalt shingles can sell for $30 for a 30-year shingle to $150 "per square" for a lifetime upper-end shingle (A square in roofer's lingo is a 10- foot by 10-foot area, or 100 square feet).

Comparing apples to apples, the average asphalt shingle and tar paper price will run around $100 a square, or $2,500 for an average roof of 2,500 square feet. Installation cost varies greatly based on the roof's slope and the number of penetrations and other obstacles that need to be considered, according to Beiler.

Any asphalt shingle requires a solid wood decking as a base and a minimum 4-inch slope over a 12-inch span of roof, known to roofers as a 4-by-12 slope requirement.

Slate and cedar shake roofs require a little less pitch to the roof with a minimum of a 3-by-12 slope, according to Krimmel. While slate can be installed over a plywood decking or lath strips, wood shingles need the space between lath in order for the roof to breathe and maintain the shake's longevity. In general, slate and cedar run about the same price, which is about twice or three times that of an entry-level asphalt, Krimmel said.

Beiler warns homeowners against placing shingles over shingles. As roofing professionals, Beiler Bros. will not do it, noting shingle manufacturers will not honor warranties if their product is installed improperly. Placing new shingles over old makes it impossible for the roof to breathe.

For a 24-gauge, standing seam metal roof, the base can either be a plywood decking or lathe, and it requires a minimum 1-by-12 slope. Metal roofing customarily comes with a 50-year warranty and the cost is about three times that of entry-level asphalt shingles.

With flat or almost flat roofs, rubber roofing is used, requiring either a plywood or metal deck.

The bad news, according to Krimmel, is that asphalt shingles will cost 10 to 15 percent more as of Feb. 1. His suggestion is to get an estimate now and lock in the job with your roofing contractor so they can purchase shingles before the price increase. Then have the work completed at your convenience and the roofers' availability.

Whether you're considering asphalt or slate, wood or metal, now is the time if you have leaks running down your wall or a couple shingles in your yard to pay attention to your home's umbrella. It's intended to protect what's probably one of your biggest invest

Originally published by Roxanne Mcroberts Weekend Projects Editor.

(c) 2009 Intelligencer Journal. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.