Are Tile Roofs Just Cosmetic?
Q: Is it true that the tiles on my roof are just for cosmetic purposes because the waterproofing is really the layer below the tiles? A: No. In fact, this idea has done more harm to the tile roofing industry than anything else we know. Think about it: tile roofs have been around for thousands of years, but in Greek and Roman times, they certainly didn’t have a roll of waterproofing material underneath! An additional waterproofing layer, called “underlayment” great modern improvement to tile technology, and it provides an additional safety net, but it is not the primary waterproofing...
Read MoreSkylights – Good or Bad?
Q: I’ve heard that I shouldn’t install a skylight because they always leak. Is that true? A: No. A skylight is like any other part of a roof – if installed correctly, it will be watertight for many years. However, many contractors do not understand how to install skylights properly, and this has given skylights a bad reputation in general. If you’re thinking about having a skylight installed, you should keep the following tips in mind: 1) Pick the right type of skylight for your roof. One skylight does not fit all! In our experience, skylights often leak because a contractor chose the...
Read MoreRed Flags
I was recently asked to come to a gentleman’s house in San Diego to talk to him about his roofing problems. When I say problems, I don’t just mean a bad roof, but more importantly a bad contractor. This homeowner was hesitant at first, and as I got more information, it became obvious that he had little or no confidence in me or any other contractor. In his case, the skepticism was entirely justified. He had signed a contract, and the company was scheduled to start work a few weeks later, but before they could start, the financial aspects of the deal spun completely out of control,...
Read MoreDo Your Homework
A few weeks ago, a very distraught friend of mine was standing at my doorstep asking for some advice. Tom seemed to be in a difficult situation involving another contractor who was doing some work at his home. He related to me a series of bad events that had happened to him and his wife in the previous few days. Let me start by mentioning, Tom and his wife are recently retired, good, honest, hard working blue-collar people. In retirement the most valuable thing they have is their house (which is paid off). Tom decided he would do something nice for his wife by remodeling their kitchen and...
Read MoreSpecial Offers
