Roofing Contractors | Things Preformed By A General Contractor

JNT is more than just another Dallas roofing contractor.  We also do extensive renovations, rebuilds, and even large commercial projects.  Here’s a list of things that your favorite roofing contractors in Dallas typically perform on  small and large commercial jobs.

When they need a contractor, many people just assume that he’ll be some kind of a handyman that’ll help them around with whatever task they need him for. From carpentry to gardening, you can find a contractor for anything, right? Nope. A handyman is a person who’s just that, handy when you need them. On the other hand, commercial contractors are typically procured for work if any commercial construction is required whether it is only a slight renovation job or building from scratch. Buildings that are classified under commercial include the following structures: roads, office buildings, shopping centers and schools.

Even then, each contractor specializes in one or two different forms of construction, so it is quite common to find one or two different commercial contractors working together on one building project. Here’s a look at the work typically performed by a commercial contractor:

Building

When there’s a new shopping mall or even a shop opening up, you can be sure to find commercial contractors hard at work building over there. Commercial contractors are usually the ones who help interpret the architects’ dream, changing the blue print from paper in to real life.

Renovation

Sometimes, a few commercial buildings are closed down or shuttered up for quite some time or just have taken too much wear and tear from the elements. Whatever the reason that caused the disrepair, when these buildings are resold, commercial contractors work on renovating and scaling them to the new purposes’ requirements.

Painting

This is more of a finishing touch once all repairs are done but definitely falls under the duties of the commercial contractor. However, once more, just like their building projects, their painting commissions are more heavy duty and can be much more extensive.

Exterior Aspects

Commercial contractors are skilled at dealing with the exterior of most buildings. Commercial buildings need to be visually appealing and no one knows that or does that better than a commercial builder. However, based on the size and magnitude of the build they undertake, it can, at times, take a lot of time before the build is completed.

Roads and Other Commercial Builds

Often times, commercial contractors are the ones whom you see laying down the tarmac on roads, building bridges, laying down train tracks etc. Although these are heavy duty industrial projects, they usually require a dedicated team of commercial contractors working in conjunction with engineers, subcontractors and other technicians.

Commercial contractors also work on a contractual basis which can be on weekly, monthly or yearly term. Easily available for work all year round, they are usually team based and can offer all the services that can help establish your new building. Oftentimes, all one needs to do is go to a contractor with a blueprint, show them the piece of land, get their feedback and start work. Most commercial contractors also work in close conjunction with a sub contractor. These guys act like liaison workers between the commercial contractor and the clients as well as the commercial contractors and the other engineers etc.

Interesting Advancements In Flat Roofing

While maintaining a home or building it is important to keep up with all of the pieces of the structure to make sure that there is no deterioration of the materials. Once the materials that hold the structure together start to go, the risk of potentially damaging the property permanently, or beyond repair, increases as there is no protection provided from the roofing material.

One of the main elements of a structure that is imperative to maintain to ensure the protection of a building is the roof. If the integrity of a roof is compromised, then there are huge risks involved. The risks include the safety of the individuals inside the structure, permanent water or structural damage to other supporting parts of the building, and loss or damage of personal items inside the building. So how does one make sure that he or she is protecting the future of his or her building in regards to roofing?

The first image that pops in to a person’s head when considering roofing is the traditional hot tar and shingles roofing solution. This method has been around forever, and is actually a relatively dangerous procedure for people to implement on the roof of a home. Not only is the contractor balancing up on a roof; however, there is a lot of small integral parts that have to be picked up, moved around, and carefully adhered with hot tar. There are risks with personal injury due to hot tar if it comes in contact with your body, and any of the clothes that are worn during the application process are more than likely going to be trash because, unlike a stain, the hot tar will not come out of contact with clothes. The adhering power is what makes the hot tar desirable; however, the risks involved are what spurred people to consider other options.

Approximately thirty years ago, contractors began experimenting with a new option for flat roofing. They desired to make the process equally or more reliable with fewer risks to the person sealing the roof of the property. This new process is called Single-Ply Roofing. Single-ply roofing is much different than the former methods of sealing the roof of a property.

There is still a need to heat up and weld the material to the rook; however, you are welding a large sheet to the roof with direct heating and pressure on the material to the roof. This is different from hot tar because the hot tar has to be hot already and you handle to tar with an instrument and potentially risk dripping it in places you would rather not. The materials used for single-ply roofing created a “rubber roof” effect that literally seals up the structure the way that you seal a Tupperware bin to secure the items inside.

The greatest qualm that investors had with this product was the price in comparison to the hot tar method. However, with the price of oil and oil related products increasing over the years, so has the price of hot tar. The prices of both methods are comparable and the single-ply roofing method is easier, safer, and lasts longer. The industry predicts that single-ply roofing is the future of secure roofing practices.

Over the years, roofing has tested various methods of sealing a property; however, it looks like the trend is moving toward single-ply roofing.

 

Common Places Roofing Contractors Find Leaks

We see a ton or roofs.  As a roofing contractor in Dallas we spend a great deal of time finding and repairing leaks.

When you have spent a significant amount of money on your property, and the actions necessary to protect your property, it can be very frustrating to know that despite your efforts there are still risks involved when it comes to natural weather occurrences. Even some of the best roofing solutions cannot fight against the power of a really strong storm. The wind and rain combination can reek havoc on any roofing solution. This is why it is important to know where to check for structural compromise, and the resulting leaks that can form in the most common places.

If you know where to look after a particularly rough storm, then you will better be able to maintain and protect your property. Penetrations in the roof’s sealing are a typical place to check for leaks. These are places on the roof that were not properly sealed the first time, and have since separated and created an opening for water to seep through and have a passage way in to the structure. This traditionally happens with singly-ply roofing. Even though the single-ply roofing system is considered to be one of the most reliable because of the watertight materials that it is made of, the product is only as reliable as those who installed it. If you have a leak forming due to a penetration in the sealing, then it is vital that you invest in a contractor who is going to seal this penetration up properly to ensure that there is no future leakage from this point on.

The second most common place to look for a leak is the along the perimeter of the structure. The perimeter is a particularly complicated place to seal because of the transition from roof sealing techniques to the inflexible metal flashing. This is difficult because whatever roofing method you choose, you will either need to find a way to bond the two or drain from the area. Either way, there should be a technician who checks the perimeter of the property regularly to make sure that your house is protected.

The final place to check for a leak is not a conventional “leak” at all. This unique occurrence traditionally happens in January when the temperature reaches below freezing level. When the freezing cold air from the environment comes in contact with the warm air on the inside of the structure, condensation is formed. This condensation can be dangerous and cause a breakdown of the integrity of the structure. Condensation on the inside of a property can cause damage to personal items as well. This could be the result of improper sealing of the walls or ceiling. This needs to be rectified as soon as possible to ensure no further damage is created.

There are a number of places that can have leakage on your property; however the three most common places to check are the areas where the roofing might be penetrated, the perimeter, and any areas that have condensation.

Green Roofing Options – Are Roofing Contractors Going Green?

There are various different types of roofing that have evolved over the years. Two of the most common methods of sealing and protecting a structure include hot tar roofing, and single-ply roofing. However, one of the most innovative, unique, and functional designs for protecting the roof of a property is referred to as the green roofing method. The green roofing method is exactly how it sounds: green. This reduces cooling costs, and helps raise environmental consciousness in regards to building and maintaining structures.

There are two different types of green roofing systems and they are extensive and intensive. Both include planting vegetation on the roof of a building in an effort to attain the goals outlined earlier; however, both are very different from each other in a number of ways. The first type of green roofing is the extensive green roofing method. The extensive green roofing method is a shallow garden that is only one inch to a maximum of five inches deep that covers the span of the building’s roof area. The plants that should be located on an extensive green roofing system are ones that do not require attention. These plants should not even need to be watered. The idea is to help residents to lower their yearly expenses, not increase them. The more attention that the plants require over the course of the year the more money you will likely spend on having people water, prune, and maintain the plants. This will result in a wash of your investment because the money you save on heating and cooling your property, you will spend on maintenance.

The second type of green roofing system is the intensive method. The intensive green roofing method is really named appropriately. This method is very green, and very intense. This roofing method has soil that runs a minimum of twelve inches deep at least. This roof garden can traditionally run about eighty to one hundred and twenty pounds per square foot of the roofing area. The intensive green roofing method is intended to meet all of the heating and cooling cost goals outlined earlier, and also provides an aesthetic presentation at the same time. People are generally expected to be able to walk through these structures and observe the functionality and beauty of the roofing system.

While both the extensive and intensive green roofing methods involve gardening and installing plants along the surface of a roofing area, and both aim to reduce costs and risks of water runoff, they both have very different functions. One is strictly for looking at from afar, and the other is intended to be observed directly. Even with all of their similarities and differences to each other, they are both widely different than the traditional methods of roofing. The green roofing methods are not for every home, but they sure are beautiful on the structures in which they work.

Seven Tips for Finding the Best Dallas Roofing Company

When you are investing a significant amount of your time, effort, and resources in to building a roofing structure, you want to make sure that you find the best people to work with while staying within your budget. It is especially important to find a roofing company that is the right fit for your personal building needs. There are a number of elements to look out for and consider when making this choice. Here are seven of the most telling tips for finding the best roofing company for your project.

The first tip for finding the best roofing company is to find a roofing company that has actually been used and approved by someone that you know and trust. There are a lot of scam artists out there who will claim to be able to give you the latest and greatest roofing solution; however, with something as important as protecting your property and safety you should trust only those who are vouched for by people you know. The next thing to look out for is to find out their professional standing within the industry. There are two great places that will tell you this flat out: the Better Business Bureau, or Angie’s List. Contractors and businesses cannot pay to have good reviews through these sources so you are ensured a real review of the company’s integrity, performance, and business ethics.

Next, ask to see their work if you have not done so already. The roofer should be able to show you a real life portfolio of his or her work. Ask them to show you their work, and if he or she refuses then you know something is wrong.

Along side viewing the actual work, you should check for their business in a print copy of the phone book. This is valuable because in order for the business to be recognized by the phone book, the company is required to have a business account, this ensures that you are working with a real company and not a mock company.

There are a number of ways to validate companies and check references that you should investigate, and once you have moved on to getting a quote there is something else to consider. The price of the service is more than just looking for the cheapest roofer. All roofs are not created equal, if you do not consider the quality of the services along side the price, you could end up spending more than the initial project in following repairs or careless damages.

Before you actually get ready to hire someone, you should have followed a traditional rule of thumb: call five roofing contractors, meet with three, and hire one to do the job. This way you have proposals and experience to compare and contrast to make the most educated and prepared decision for your roofing project needs.

Finally, the most telling sign of the success of a roofing business is the method that the company uses to get rid of the waste from the project. If the company asks where they can put the dumpster for the materials waste from the roofing project then cancel your order and move on the next company. Successful and professional roofing companies have the ability to own and operate their own dumpster truck that is mobile and will not take up the space of your driveway, and they can leave you will a completed project at the end of the day. Instead of leaving you with the roof graveyard in your driveway.

These seven tips for selecting a roofing company are intended to give you some prospective on what industry standards are and what level of professionalism and attention you should expect from a legitimate and successful roofing company.

 

Temporary Emergency Roof Repairs

Emergencies are never fun, no matter which way you slice them. However, any knowledge that you can prepare yourself with ahead of time can help to lower the stress level during an actual emergency situation.

When it comes to roofing, your response time and  level of preparation that you are equipped with will make the difference between saving the day, and risking permanent damage to your property and personal items. Before finding yourself in a panicked situation, make sure you’re educated on a few (temporary) emergency roof repairs that can be used to protect you and your property in a time of need.

Emergency conditions that can cause damage to your roof include heavy rain, storms, hail, lightning, etc.  These conditions will not likely cause damage and then cease.  Therefore, if it is safe to do so, you should be prepared to act quickly once the damage has occurred and then safely return to the inside of your property.  Or better yet, wait out the environmental conditions and then temporarily repair your roof to keep it from being damaged further.  If there are pools of water on your roof then they need to be eliminated.  Pooling water can quickly lead to leaks and even permanent damage on the surface and structure of your property.  If there are any leaks penetrating to the interior of your home, it is important to find where the leak is coming from and patch up the problem immediately.  Many of the major home improvement stores carry roof patch.  This thick tar like material can be applied using a caulking gun and sticks even in wet conditions.

There are a number of ways the tackle the emergency roofing repair dilemma; however, one of the most important concepts to understand is that this is only temporary. A professional must be contacted at your earliest convenience to come and fix the problem the right way.  These measures are strictly to prevent furthering the damage of your property.  Some of the materials that you should be equipped with include duct tape, rubber sheets, patches, sealants, and definitely tarps.  You can patch up some of the holes with duct tape, patches, and sealants.  However, the degree of work you will be able to accomplish in an emergency situation is dependent upon the degree of the storm and also how comfortable you are in doing this. If you are not at all comfortable being on the roof for an extended period of time while a storm is happening, then you can default the fastening a rubber sheet, or tarp to the roof to redirect the water flow and leave the real repairs to the professionals.  In a more desperate situation where you are not prepared and you have leaks coming through, you can use any large materials to cover the area that is creating the leak to redirect water.  Items you should consider include plastic sheeting, pieces of ply wood, and even sheet metal will work in a time of emergency.

These temporary emergency roof repairing tips are for situations when there are serious environmental conditions outside and there is a leak from the roof to the interior and you are temporarily keeping the situation from getting worse.  These repairs are not permanent and should be fixed by a professional within a timely manner.

A Word From Your Dallas Roofing Contractor – What’s Involved In Roof Replacement

In Dallas, roof replacement is a not if, but when situation.  The weather here is rough.  Blistering summers and springs full of rain and hail wreak havoc on roofs in Dallas.  That’s where we come in.  Here’s a very brief synopsis of what goes into a typical Dallas roofing job.

What Goes Into a Roof Replacement

So you need to have your roof replaced. Has it sprung a leak? Got damaged in a storm? The main reason for the damage may be because it’s time to have the entire structure replaced. Regardless of the reasons, you need to have one professionally installed if you want to save your money and increase the value of your home if you plan on selling it later.

The following are some considerations you need to be aware of if you want to secure your family from the elements:

Roofing Material

First of all, not many people are aware that most residential roofing shingles are made of asphalt. That’s because they are extremely durable but this also depends on the reinforcing mat and its quality. These differ by the type of matting used; some contain an organic fiber base (also known as a paper mat) while current ones are comprised of matted asphalt. Fiberglass is also popular because it is very hard to tear apart or break.

These are the main reasons why 85% of all residential homes have asphalt based roofs installed. However different types can also differ from each other in the number of layers they have, their weight, wind resistance and the annual warranty they have along with their coloring. These affect their price range and their resistance to certain elements.

Roof Replacement Terms and Charges

The cost of replacing a roof depends on the kind of damage it sustains along with the kind of roofing material you prefer to have installed. This also includes the fee for the roofing contractor, the pitch or the steepness of the roof, the area that is to be covered and others. All of these can amount to a sizable investment for most homes.  However, this is one area of your home where cheaper is definitely a relative term.  Saving money by selecting the lowest cost bid usually ends up costing substantially more in the long run because multiple repairs will likely be necessary if it’s not installed perfectly.

When discussing your new roof it’s good to know some basic terminology.  Some of the terms that will prove useful are:

• A ‘square’ – This is a unit of measurement which measures 100 sq/ft.

• A ‘vent’ – This is the area that runs along the rim of the roof and is responsible for preserving heat and vapor in order to prevent the roof from deteriorating too fast.

• ‘Composition’ – The material of choice for your new roof.

The Roof Installation Process

A moderately sized roof can take a mere 1 to 2 days to install and will undergo the following process:

• Old shingles will be removed.

• Minor repairs will commence in order to make the roof durable during installation. This includes repairing decking and the sub surface.

• Dam protection will be installed. This will prevent melted ice or snow from accumulating.

• Asphalt paper will be laid down.

• Flashing will be applied on all areas that might spring leaks.

• Roof shingles will be installed.

In addition to these steps, JNT Construction will thoroughly clean up your home and outdoor area.  We magnetically sweep the ground for any leftover nails and leave without a trace of every being there.

Except for you perfect new roof, of course.

 

 

 

 

 

Information About Installing New Roofing From Your Dallas Roofers

JNT Construction is constantly hearing from our Dallas clients that their roofing experience was seamless.  One way we set ourselves apart from our competitors is by keeping our clients up to date and well educated.  Should your roofing need replacing, here are a few things you should know when it’s time to install a new roof. In order to make the process as seamless as possible, you should follow the steps we have outlined below.

1.      Remove the old shingles and plywood

Depending on how old your roof is, you may have worn plywood that needs to be replaced as well. This is an important step in maintaining the structural integrity of your new roof.

2.      Install the ice and water shield

This is an important layer of rubber required to maintain a good seal on your roof.

3.      Install the felt

This is another important layer of your roof. This is typically made of compressed fiberglass sheets mixed with tar paper and acts as a moisture barrier between the new shingles.

4.      Install the new shingles

At this stage you will install the new shingles on your new roof. There are several guides you can find online to help you with this process, but your best bet is to work with a qualified roofing company.

 

Signs That You May Need a New Roof

You should pay attention to the following details that may indicate your need for a new roof.

• Paint that is peeling
• Water damage on your ceiling
• Shingle damage

The most common sign that you are likely to experience is shingle damage. This may be shingles that are warped or buckled as the result of a wide variety of factors, such as:

• Rain damage
• Wind damage
• Sun damage
• Snow damage
• Hail damage
• Poor drainage
• Tree damage

How to Determine the Best Roof for Your Home

You will want to consider a few different factors when you are choosing your roof. Here are some of the things you may want to keep in mind:

• Style
• Color
• Life-span
• Warranty
• Installation needs

Keep in mind that most roofs are made of asphalt shingles, but you may also be interested in tiles or other materials. If you are considering an exotic color like green or red for your roof, you should probably speak to your homeowner’s association first.

Also, your shingles may have a warranty that lasts from 25 years and up. Talk to your service provider to find out how long your shingles are guaranteed for. Finally, you always want to make sure that you have a structural integrity inspection performed when you are getting a new roof.

Make Sure Your Attic is Properly Ventilated

Most roofs only last about 10 years because the attic is not properly ventilated. When your roof is not properly ventilated, the shingle warranty becomes void. Proper ventilation of your attic will allow fresh air to come in and allow hot and musty air to escape. When your attic breathes properly, the temperature is lower and it also allows the roof to cool faster and easier. Mold will be much less likely to grow because the attic will not be as humid.

Installing a new roof does not need to be a complicated or frustrating experience. When you work with a quality service provider to help with the installation process, then you can be much more confident that your roof will last for many years to come.