"To Code" -- What's That?

Sometimes rules and regulations can seem confusing and even overwhelming. Building codes related to roofing are no exception.

Building codes are intended to protect you. Still, they can make you want to yell, "Help!" when you try to understand all the details.You may be tempted to ignore them and figure your roofer will know those things and take care of them for you.

A professional builder will indeed know about the codes. But you should know a little yourself, so you can be sure you're covered.

For example, the roofing code for Johnson County, Kansas, requires that your roofer be licensed in Kansas. You can't call just any Kansas City Roofer if your home is in Johnson County. (You can call Bill West Roofing. We serve all of Johnson County.)

A roofer in Johnson County can't just put together a roof from any old materials he has lying around, either. A complete, approved roofing system must be used.

In the city of Leawood, you must have a permit for all roofing projects, but in Salinas, you won't need a permit for reroofing or repairs to your roof. In other words, there are state, country, and city regulations, and they will be different from one place to another.

This means that the guy who comes to your door in a truck that's driving all over the country doing quick roofs may not be the right choice. You're better off with an established roofer who knows the building code and follows it. Ask a question -- any question -- and you should get a clear answer. If you don't, look elsewhere.

Roof Gardens

When you think of decorative roofs, weather vanes and fancy chimneys might come to mind, but what could be more decorative than a roof garden? Plump ripe vegetables and bright bursting flowers make a garden a beautiful and beneficial rooftop addition. 

The most obvious perk of having veggies growing on your roof is the quick and easy access to fresh produce. Instead of making the drive to the grocery store for a can of green beans, you can grow your own at home. Not only is it more convenient, it is also more satisfying knowing that you produced your produce. Growing your own vegetables is also more economical than buying them from the store.

A roof garden offers other economic benefits as well. Having sun-loving leafy greens on top of your roof can cut down on the cost of cooling your home. Those little photosynthesizers can help absorb the sun's rays that would otherwise heat your home when you want it nice and cool. So while you are saving money by not cranking the air conditioner, you are conserving energy at the same time. Not only is a rooftop garden good for your wallet, it's also good for the planet. This can be especially beneficial in cities.

The number of cars and machinery in larger cities can affect the overall quality of the air. Exhaust and fumes add extra carbon into the air. Plants take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, which helps improve the quality of air you breathe. So while you are in your garden picking delicious vegetables you can breathe in delicious oxygen at the same time.

It's hard to find enough space for a garden downtown, so a rooftop can offer an ideal spot for a community garden. Community gardens are a great way to bring neighbors together. Multiple people contributing to a garden increases the output of the garden and also decreases the labor for the individual. Also, multiple people having a hand in something creates a sense of unity. The benefits that a roof garden offers combined with the benefits of a community garden makes city gardening an appealing possibility.

Your first step when considering a roof garden is to call a professional contractor to determine whether your roof is a good choice for a garden, structurally speaking. While any roof garden should be planned to be light weight, some roofs just won't support the weight of a garden, and you need to know that ahead of time. 

Your Roof and Climate Change

The changing climate has an effect on your roof,and you've probably already noticed it. Did you know that your roof can also have an effect on the changing climate?

We know that global warming is a controversial topic, and we're not trying to start any arguments. We figure everyone, whether they worry about global warming or not, is interested in saving money on energy bills. So keep reading.

Energy secretary Steven Chu spoke up for white roofs not long ago. White roofs, researchers say, could reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by 24 billion tons or more. Go with light-colored paving, too, and it comes to 44 billion tons. That's like taking all the cars off the road for about 18 years. It could make a difference to our climate, and it will definitely make a difference to the temperature in your home.

A white roof reflects lots of light and heat instead of absorbing it. This is true of other "cool colors," too. You may know that cool colors are colors like blue, green and purple, while warm colors are red, yellow, and orange. When it comes to roofs, though, "cool colors" mean pale gray, pale green, and other light-reflecting shades. Choose one of the these for your roof instead of the more common black, and you could be eligible for government rebates.

You'll definitely pay less for your air conditioning this summer.

Call Bill West Roofing to discuss all your roofing, siding, and guttering needs:

GREATER KANSAS CITY AREA

• Blue Springs:
  (816) 229-5215
• Lee's Summit:
  (816) 246-7117
• Independence:
  (816) 252-2882
• Liberty:
  (816) 781-8338
• Raytown:
  (816) 356-2552
• Johnson County, KS
  (913) 752-9200

The History of Roofing

The earliest roofs were not roofs at all, but natural shelters such as caves and bluffs. Roofs are such necessary and obvious requirements for a safe and comfortable life that they can't be said to have been invented, but rather were discovered when people took shelter from rain, cold, and heat.

It wasn't long before it occurred to people to create shelters for themselves in places where natural shelters were lacking. Roofs probably came before houses, actually, with lean-to shelters before there were walls or floors.

The earliest houses had roofs as part of the whole rather than as separate structure. Tents, wigwams, and similar structures would be set up quickly and taken down again as the early people moved on, following the animals they hunted.

With agriculture, things got a little more serious. By 7500 BC, there were bricks in the Middle East.  If you're building a brick house, you want something a little more permanent in the way of a roof than a couple of branches or an animal skin laid over the top of the walls.

Still, many if not most people in the world were still making roofs of mud or weaving them from branches or straw.

It wasn't until the 12th century that King John of England made a ruling requiring clay tiles for all English homes. Until that time, roofs had been thatched, a nice fairy tale look but a terrible fire hazard and just the thing to encourage mice and rats. Clay tiles had been used for roofing in Corinth, in the Mediterranean, as early as the 7th century BC.

By the 1600s, Europeans, and European colonists in the New World, were using tin and wooden shingles as well as thatch and tiles. Asphalt shingles came along at the end of the 1800s.

The 1900s (the 20th century) was an intensive burst of improvement in shingles, driven by research and the appearance of new technologies. Roofers of a century ago would be amazed by the shingles we have today.

At Bill West Roofing, we've been in business since the 20th century. We offer the perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. You'll never miss thatch roofs when you have one of our roofs on your home. We promise.

What's a Tornado?

If you have a funnel cloud, a spinning vortex of air in the sky, and it touches the clouds at one end and the ground at the other end, you've got yourself a tornado.

The surprising thing about tornadoes is that it's mostly about the way hot and cold air react to each other. Wind in general is caused by hot and cold air. You might have seen a spinning movement at the top of your cup of coffee or tea as it reacts to the cooler air above it. This is heat and cold pushing each other around -- the basis for all changes in weather.

Thunderstorms create low enough pressure that there's essentially a vacuum beneath the clouds. Get these two phenomena going on at the same time, and you can get a column of swirling air. Let that spinning cloud touch the ground and you can get circling winds at 300 miles an hour. That's a lot of power.

While tornadoes are strong enough to pick things up -- the clock tower at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri got carried off to a neighboring town a few years back -- the main danger is in having things fall on you. A good strong roof can protect you. Get inside, get low, and make sure you're out of the way of windows.

The force of a tornado is such that it can rip a roof from a house, or even pick up part of a house and drop it somewhere else. A strong roof can't always protect you from every tornado. However, most injuries in tornadoes are from falling debris. Keep that in mind next time you hear a tornado warning. Take shelter in a cellar if you have one, and otherwise choose a central part of the building you're in and keep as protected as possible.

It's all part of living here in Tornado Alley.

Solar Shingles?

Solar shingles sound like a great idea. Ordinary shingles on your roof can provide the power for your lights and heating. What could be better?

Unfortunately, it's not quite like that yet. You may be able to get solar shingles in Colorado as part of an experimental 3-step roofing system. There's some research being done in Australia and in Arkansas. There are rumors of ordinary solar panels being shaped to look like shingles and working to replace part of your roof.

Even where solar shingles are available, they cost about five times as much as ordinary shingles, aren't as sturdy, and may require specialists for installation.

We talked with an engineer working on the issue, and he said that in another ten years, solar shingles should be available. They should look the same as today's shingles so you can avoid the "solar panels on the roof" look. They should, in another ten years after that, be less expensive than ordinary electricity sources today. That's something to look forward to.

In the meantime -- for the next twenty years, that is -- what should you do for a green roof?

• Choose a lighter colored roofing materials to reduce cooling costs and a darker one to reduce heating costs. What about here in Kansas City, where you have both? Pick one. 
• Make sure your roof is installed and insulated correctly. Use fans to ventilate the attic area in summer.
• Plant shade trees. When the leaves fall in winter, sunshine will hit your roof. In the summer, they'll shade your roof and help keep you cool. 

A solid roof of modern materials does a lot to help keep energy bills down. When solar shingles become a practical alternative, you can be sure we'll be your best source.

Storm Preparation

Every spring, tornados and hail storms ravage the Midwest. According to NOAA, the Kansas City hail storm on April 10, 2001 was the costliest hail storm in U.S. history, with damages estimated at two billion dollars.

The aftermath of a storm can be life changing. Since our area is prone to weather hazards, we've had to learn to adapt to the natural climate. You can't avoid extreme weather, but you can be prepared when a storm attacks.

Here are some suggestions for spring time:

• Park your cars in a garage with a roof to protect the windows from breakage and the roof of the vehicle from getting dents.
• Home and business owners alike should choose a strong roofing system for their houses and buildings. The cost and the inconvenience of dealing with damage every time isn't worth the apparent savings of going with the cheapest option. 
• Be particular when choosing the appropriate materials for your roof. Ask about hail resistant shingles and material warranties. At Bill West Roofing, we offer the best possible warranties, and often can give you a choice of different kinds of warranties. Your roofing company should be willing to explain the details to you.
• Make sure that you have enough food and supplies to keep the household for a few days, in case you can't get out.
• If you are outside when a storm hits, get inside and stay inside (bring pets inside too). Once you’re indoors, close all drapes, blinds, or shades to help protect against broken window glass and hailstones.
• If the storm is severe, move to a basement, cellar or another part of the building not directly below the roof.
• Make sure that all family members know where to take shelter in case of severe weather. Sometimes animals hide when a storm is approaching; when severe weather is predicted, round up your pets so you can take them with you. 

Your roof is your protection against hail, wind, lightning and thunderstorms. We are experts at installing roofs strong enough to withstand the most unfavorable weather conditions. If you are living in the greater Kansas City area, call Bill West Roofing to discuss your roofing needs.

Stronger Laws for Roofers?

We've been reading about new laws proposed in Wyoming, laws designed to protect people from roofing scams.

The article told of a Wyoming woman who paid for a new roof, and then got a bill from the makers of the shingles that were used -- the roofer hadn't paid for the materials, so the suppliers put a lien on the woman's house.

We're not lawyers. We're roofers. So we don't know everything there is to know about laws like these. We'd have thought that failing to pay for the shingles and leaving the homeowner in the lurch would already be against the law.

We do know that there are a few things homeowners can and should do on their own to avoid roofing scams:

• Make sure you read and understand your contract. The contract should say clearly whether the price of the materials is included in the price of the roof.
• Make sure you choose established roofers. Bill West Roofing has been pleasing homeowners in Kansas City and the surrounding area for almost four decades. With a company like ours, you have nothing to fear. Choosing a new, untried company can lead to unpleasant surprises.
• Make sure you use local roofers. If you hire a cheap roofer who tells you he can cut costs because he doesn't have the overhead of an office, a company truck, or a local number, you  may be getting a storm chaser. These cowboys come into town after a bad storm, do some quick work, and move on before you find out what kind of trouble you're in. 

Some of the storm chasers are very persuasive, but you can protect yourself by taking a little time to research the company before accepting their bid.

New Services at Bill West Roofing!

Bill West Roofing has been making sheltering roofs for the people of Kansas City, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Johnson County, and the surrounding region for close to four decades. We keep people safe from rain and snow and the heat of the summer sun, and that's satisfying work.

Sometimes, though, you need more than that. You might need siding and guttering and windows. You need to have these things done with the same level of skill and dedication we bring to roofing. 

So now we do all those things, as well as roofing. 

Contact Bill West Roofing when you need roofing done right -- or windows, siding, and guttering!

Understanding Your Roof's Warranty

A lot of roofing materials manufacturers are going to prorated lifetime warranties for their materials. This sounds great, doesn't it? If your roof needs new shingles at any time during your life, you figure, you'll just get your new shingles! They're under warranty!

Truth is, it doesn't work that way.

Let's say that your new roof costs $11,000. Say that $6,000 of that is the cost of the shingles. Your roof is great, and it does a good job of protecting you from the elements, makes your home look good, and generally does everything a roof is supposed to do.

After twelve years, your roof is damaged by some extreme weather.

Since it's been more than 5 years, the manufacturers of the shingles put the value of those shingles at $2,000. They're allowed to cap the value after 5 years in the fine print of most warranty agreements. They can also decide the amount of depreciation and pro rate, often after 11 years. A typical adjustment would be 20%, leaving you with $1600 toward the cost of a new roof.

And that's after just 12 years. With a lifetime, pro-rated warranty, the reduction in benefits continues every year. 

Adjusted for inflation and increasing labor costs, the price of a new roof in 50 years might be $49,886. The prorated warranty would pay less than $2,000 for the shingles. Where will you come up with additional funds?

You're better off with a regular 50 year warranty, not prorated. Your warranty should cover the costs not just of the shingles, but also of the work required to build a roof from those shingles. At Bill West Roofing, we offer a non-prorated 50 year warranty and a 25 year warranty on workmanship, as well as our 5 year guarantee against leaks.

There is a price for this. When we build your roof, this additional protection costs you less than $200. If you're in the Kansas City area, contact us at (816)229-5215. If you're not in and around KC, ask your own local roofing company if they can offer you something better than the prorated warranty.

Is Your Roof Ready for Winter?

Kansas City roofers are still repairing hail damage from the April storm. There were upwards of 85,000 roofs damaged in April's storms and firms in KC, Grain Valley, Blue Springs, and Johnson County are still working on those repairs.

Haven't gotten around to it yet? This is a great time to schedule your repairs.

First, the stormchasers have packed up and left, so you're less likely to end up with a company that's here and gone and won't be coming back to fix any little problems with their work.

Second, the weather's great. That means we can get crews on your roof for longer periods in the day and get the work completed more quickly. A month from now, we'll be seeing snow flurries, and that won't be the right time to get your roof repairs done.

Finally, you probably know by now if there has been damage that is serious enough to be a concern. If you're not sure, don't head into winter with that worry. A solid roof is protection from rain, snow, and storms, and it can affect your energy costs as well.

Bill West Roofing has been serving the greater Kansas City area for two generations. Call us now and head into winter with confidence.

GREATER KANSAS CITY AREA

• Blue Springs:
  (816) 229-5215
• Lee's Summit:
  (816) 246-7117
• Independence:
  (816) 252-2882
• Liberty:
  (816) 781-8338
• Raytown:
  (816) 356-2552
• Johnson County, KS
  (913) 752-9200

How Hot Is It?

On your roof, where roofers are working to get your shingles in place before the next rain? As much as 150 degrees.

In the recent extreme heat, temperatures in the Kansas City area have hit three digits. The materials on roofs are designed to reflect heat, helping to keep the homes they protect cooler.

If you're on the roof, that means that the heat is reflected right onto you. At noon, you'll be just about at the right temperature for barbecue.

The only solution is not to work on the roof at noon. This is why most roofers work early and late, and not in the middle of the day.

Extreme Heat

There's the nice hot day when it's a pleasure to work outside in the warm sun. Then there's serious heat.

Working outdoors in extreme heat can be dangerous. As roofers, we know the dangers and we're cautious. We start early in the morning and break during the worst heat of the day.

If your roofers do this, know that they aren't just taking a siesta. Heat exhaustion can lead to falls and worse.

Wear light colored clothing to reflect the sun's heat, drink plenty of water, and work in the shade when you can. If you notice that one of your workers has stopped sweating or seems disoriented, get that person out of the sun and into a cool place. Have them sip water slowly till they get their temperature back down to normal.

Out of Town Roofers?

Here's a news report from outside of our area. Do you think Kansas City isn't facing the same kind of problem?

Here are our hints for avoiding stormchasers:

• Just like the reporter said, don't get hustled into making a quick decision and paying up front. 
• Make sure your roofers have harnesses, insurance, and full licensing. We follow all OSHA regulations so you never have to worry -- don't work with anyone who can't say the same. 
• Research the company before you commit. Bill West Roofing has been working in the Kansas City area for nearly 35 years. We're not going anywhere. If you need us tomorrow or next year, you can give us a call. 

If you're in Grain Valley, Blue Springs, Johnson County, or anywhere in the Kansas City area, contact Bill West Roofing  and let us fix your roof safely and securely.

Will DIY Roof Repair Save You Money?

We've said before that there are issues of quality and know-how that might discourage you from doing your own roofing work.

Would it save you money if you did it yourself? Not necessarily. Consider these factors:

• Cost of materials. You're going to pay more at your local home center than a pro will, or you'll get lower quality materials, or both.  Probably both. 
• Cost of tools. We already own all the tools needed to do the job. Do you?
• Cost of safety equipment. Our guys all own harnesses, and we have all the safety gear we need. Do you? You don't have the kind of insurance we do, either. 
• Cost of your time. You do pay a pro for the time spent in fixing your roof. Your time is worth something, too. Here's the difference: it will take you longer. Not only do we have the experience to do the job faster, and to do it right the first time, but you'll very likely have to stop and make more trips to that local home center for things you didn't realize you'd need.
• Opportunity cost. Don't forget that the time you spend working on your roof is time you won't spend doing something else. What's the value of the things you would have been doing? If you're taking time away from your family, count that too. 

You won't have a warranty for your work, either.

If roofing is your hobby and you love to do it, that's one thing. If not, you won't be saving as much as you think you will.

Stormchasers, and Why They Don't Belong on Your Roof

"Stormchasers" has a few meanings, but one kind of stormchaser is the itinerant roofer who shows up after the kinds of storms we've been having lately.

You might think it would be fine to save a bit of money by going with these temporary roofers to get your repairs done.

Think twice. Here are just a few of the problems that can arise when you pick stormchasers instead of your locals professionals:

• Quality issues. Obviously, someone who can do the job and skedaddle is less accountable than a company that is settled in the Kansas City area. 
• Safety issues. Stormchasers aren't known for following all OSHA regulations and having insurance. That may not seem like your problem -- till someone gets hurt on your property and sues. 
• Reliability. Bill West Roofing has been the Kansas City region for more than 35 years. We've taken care of your neighbors roofs, your parents' roof, and maybe even your roof. You can be sure that we'll be around in the future if you have questions or concerns.

You're better off with a reputable local company than with someone who's just passing through -- even if it sounds like a bargain. 

Storms, Insurance, and Your Roof

You've got your power back on, you've had a look around to see what the damage is, and you're ready to repair what the storm did to your home.

Now what?

5800 property claims are expected in the greater Kansas City area in the wake of the recent severe storms. Naturally, insurance companies are doing their best to control costs and reduce the amount they pay out to homeowners.

Unfortunately, this means that homeowners who have less information will be the losers. Insurance companies will try to repair or replace only part of a damaged roof, without considering how that affects your warranty. They'll try to offer a payment based only on the square footage of the damage, not considering the effect the shape and construction of the roof have on roofing costs. Faced with these responses, you may be tempted to go with the cheapest price you can possibly find -- or you may feel forced to do so.

Instead, let your roofing professionals work with the insurance company for you. At Bill West Roofing, we meet your insurance adjuster, we work out any price discrepancies, and we invoice your insurance company when the job is complete. As it says on our website,  "We work with all insurance companies but we work for you."

Hail on the Roof

We've been enjoying some spectacular weather lately, but it's not long since we had hail, and we'll likely have some more before the season is over.

Hail is just balls of ice falling like rain or snow from the sky. Gravity brings it onto your home or car, and the wind can drive it against surfaces even more strongly.

Makes you glad you have a roof.

Most hail damage to roofs is just cosmetic: a pock marked vent or a shingle with a little bit of scarring. But hail can do actual damage to your roof in the form of split wood shingles, balding asphalt shingles, or plain old broken shingles of any kind.

Bill West Roofing can help with repairs now and hail-resistant shingles for the future.

While repairing your roof without professional guidance may cut costs in the short term, it’s not always a long-term fix.

If your roof needs some repairs, do some research to administer a proper fix. If you have any questions or are uncomfortable, seek the guidance of a qualified roofing contractor so you don’t make common roofing mistakes.

Homeowners often make errors, unknowingly, when they make routine repairs to their roof. Recognizing the problems and correcting them can keep your roof in top-shape condition, and safe from the spring elements.

Inadequate fastening

Nails and fasteners that keep the roof deck together and the shingle roofing adhered to the deck can be a sign of sub-par installation, and can pierce the shingles. Remove the loose or mislaid nails and replace with new. Use up to six nails per shingle, laid right under the seal-down strip of the shingle. Replace cracked shingles at this time.

Shingle roof selection problems

Choosing a shingle that has a continuous seal-down strip can contribute to leaks. Select a shingle product that has breaks in the adhesive between each strip; this prohibits water from seeping under the shingle. When repairing roofs with valleys, make sure to add flashing at the angle to prevent water damage.

Flashing problems

Metal flashing is used to stop water from seeping in around chimneys, valleys, windows and skylights. The misplacement of flashing can create leaks. Chimney flashing must be set into mortar to serve its purpose; repairing with caulk is a common mistake. Misalignment of step flashing is also common. Flashing pieces should overlap approximately 2 inches and be fastened with just one nail in the upper corner.

What Can You Learn from Our Work Gallery?

When you visit any roofer's work gallery, you're going to see pictures of roofs. Maybe of buildings, too, but mostly roofs.

As you look at one photo of another of roofs, you may wonder what you're looking for. Can you really tell the quality of a roof by looking at a gallery photo? Can you, if you're not a roofer, tell anything from looking at a photo?

Here are some things that you can learn from a gallery, no matter how much knowledge you have about roofing:

• How many jobs has the roofer done? Our gallery shows just a small percentage of the jobs we've done, and it features lots of beautiful roofs in Kansas and Missouri. Since we've been building roofs in the Kansas City area for more than three decades, it's easy for us to choose a nice representative sampling. If you're considering a roofer who shows only two or three jobs in the gallery, ask why.
• Has the roofer done the kind of work you need done? A roofer whose gallery shows only residential work might not be qualified to do your commercial job, and vice versa. If none of the jobs involve complex roof lines and you have an old house with an interesting roof, that roofer might have problems getting your job completed satisfactorily.

If you're not sure what you're looking at, ask. We're proud of our work, and we'll be glad to talk with you about the jobs we've done.