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.