For many people their home is their biggest investment. People work hard to purchase their homes and want to ensure that their investment performs well. One of the first steps to ensure your home is both protected and helps maintain its market value is having a good quality roof. The roof on your home both provides protection to your home, in additional to being a major factor in how people judge the home’s appearance.

Most roofs are made from asphalt shingles (this is true in Atlanta as well). Many asphalt shingle roofs are designed to last about 30 years when installed properly. If you think your roof is near the end of its expected life, here’s 7 tips to finding a roofing company that is reliable

1. Ask your friends, neighbors and family: Do you know of anyone that had their roof replaced recently? This is a great area to start.
2. Do a Google search: With so many sites focused on roofing companies, it can be tough to navigate. Perform a few searches and you’ll start to notice the more established companies continue to show up in Google and often have many 3rd party reviews to see as well.
3. Did they offer a free estimate: Reputable roofing companies should offer a free roof estimate. The estimate should be treated as a proposal and you should be able to expect that the roofer will honor the prices and scope of work that they provided in writing.
4. Did they require a deposit (red flag): A roofer should NEVER require a deposit before work starts. Too many people have been victims of fraud by companies that they didn’t research and hired because they were working on many homes in the area after a large storm. Roof scams are too common and asking for a deposit is an easy way to spot one potentially. Your roofer should only ask for payment once the job is completed.
5. Confirm the company is bonded and insured: Ensuring the company is bonded and insured is important for your protection. Also, you’ll notice some of the better roofing companies have various certifications as well. In Georgia the roofing industry is not regulated so you have to do a little extra homework at times.
6. Confirm the roofer is on the Better Business Bureau: Another way to determine if the roofer is reputable is to see if they can be found via the BBB. When you research this, look for the companies record with fellow customers in your community.
7. Ask for recent referrals in your area: This is the most important tip. If you can, look for both recent referrals in your area and try to see how that person’s roof turned out. If it is a recent referral there is a good chance the men that roofed that pers0n’s home will be the same people to roof yours.

There are many great roofers in the area, but sadly there are also of scams that happen in roofing, especially after heavy storm damage, including roof hail damage runs through the area. Follow these tips and do some research and you’ll find a great roofer.

Is this a question you commonly ask yourself or find yourself asking others?

Whether your roof is young or old, when you see black stuff on it, chances are you are looking at algae, namely, Gloeocapsa Magma, a fungus that feeds on the crushed limestone used in the asphalt shingles of your roof. Gloeocapsa Magma is carried onto your roof by the wind, and the rain spreads the algae down the roof causing the all too familiar black streaks. Rain adds to the algae’s growth.

Ugly, yes, but even worse, dangerous and costly. Gleocapsa Magma often referred to as “black stuff on your roof” can prevent your roof from reflecting the sun’s heat. This can have a devastating effect on your cooling cost. As your roof fails to radiate heat, your attic catches the heat storing it at the top of your home. Your AC bill skyrockets as you try to account for the heat in your house.

Cleaning Cannot Fix a Broken Roof: How to Determine if You Need a New Roof

Cleaning your roof may be a solution and is certainly a method you should explore, however, if the algae continues to return and the heat continues to rise, it may be time to consult a roofing expert.

Indications that it may be time to replace your roof include:

• Shingle granules in your rain gutters
• Thin shingles
• Shingles falling off the roof
• Deteriorating or crumbling shingles
• Wavy or warping shingles
• Shingles curling up in the corners
• A roof older than 10 years

Are you embarrassed by the way your roof looks? Do you suffer from extreme heat in your home and costly AC bills? Have you attempted to clean the black stuff off your roof but it simply returns? If so, you may have a larger issue at hand then you may think. For ease of mind, if you have questions regarding your Atlanta roof, consult a knowledgeable Atlanta roofing contractor with more than 25 years of roofing experience. Our skilled contractors at KTM Roofing will gladly provide you a  free roof consultation or simply provide you advice over the phone at 678-565-ROOF.

What is that black stuff on my roof?

A new roof is a large investment, and as with any significant investment, you want to know you are making the right, educated decision before you dole out cash. Additionally in the case of selecting an Atlanta roofer, you want to ensure your roof and money will be secure should an incident occur. Yes, we would like you to choose KTM Roofing to provide you a new roof installation or quality, local roof repair with a labor and roofing material warranty. However, we know you have other Atlanta roofing company options. Our goal at KTM Roofing is to make sure you are educated and informed on choosing a quality Atlanta roofer.

1. Eliminate the Scam Roofing Companies:

Search the internet for Atlanta roofing companies and a large amount will appear. Eliminating the scam roofing companies should be your first priority. Refer to the company’s Web site. An easy way to determine the legitimacy of a company is to take a peek at their site – discover first, that they are on the internet. Ensure the company has roots to your community – roofs in the area you live, previously worked on roofs in your community, etc.

Determine the credibility of the roofing company online (further discussed in step 2). Search Google for references from the Better Business Bureau.

ROOFING TESTIMONIALS

2. Research the Georgia Roofing Company’s Background:

If I were investigating a roofer to hire, I would first refer to two essential items from a roofer.

• The roofing company’s roofing credentials: Roofing manufacturers offer certifications to roofing contractors who are specially trained and skilled to install their products properly. The credentials are provided to contractors based on history of workmanship and knowledge. These credentials can be considered a further indication of the roofing company’s dependability, professionalism and knowledge of the roofing industry.

• The roofing company’s customer testimonials. Testimonials provide credibility. A good testimonial can inform you what people who’ve actually purchased and used a service think about it.

• The roofing company’s length in business. The longer a company is in business is generally a positive sign. However, don’t solely turn to a company that has a long history. Ask for photos of completed work and the contact information of customers the company has previously worked with.

3. Ensure You are Provided a Labor and Roofing Material Warranty:

There are two types of roofing warranties – one issued by the manufacturer and one issued by the roofing company. Not all roofers warranty their labor, so it is crucial you choose a roofer that will warranty their labor. If your roof fails and only the roofing material is covered you’ll need to come up with thousands of dollars yourself to pay for the labor to fix the roof. KTM warranties its labor, so its customers don’t have to worry.

What to ask your roofer:

• “Do you provide coverage against workmanship errors?”

• “Am I choosing a manufacturing company that provides a manufacturer’s warranty?”

ROOFING CREDENTIALS

Contact KTM Roofing

Following your search for a dependable, experienced Atlanta roofer, if KTM Roofing is a fit for you, please contact KTM Roofing.

- By Phone: 678-565-7663

- Online: Submit a request for a free roof estimate

Spring & Summer Roof Care Tips

Spring is here, and summer is not far behind. Now (in early spring) is the ideal time for metro Atlanta homeowners to give their roof an “once-over.”

The winter weather—snow, ice and wind—can wreak havoc on a roof. It is crucial homeowners are aware of the tasks that can help extend the life and reliability of their roof. Roof problems may exist that you could potentially avoid.

See below for a few roof maintenance tips on how to care for your Atlanta roof in the spring and summer.

Asphalt, Slate Tile and Wood Roofs

• –Clean gutters and downspouts to enable water to flow freely
• –Sweep flower blossoms and pine needles out of roof drains
• –Inspect your roof for shingle lifting (preferably during a storm)
• –Remove moss from the roof

Inspect your Torch Down Roof

• –Inspect your roof for deep cracking–the severe heat of Atlanta summers enhances a roofs chance of cracking
• –Apply an aluminum-based coating to protect the roof from UV degradation

At KTM Roofing, we advise our customers to keep a watchful eye on their Atlanta roof and perform proper roof care maintenance. Understanding the condition of your roof, will help you prepare for the future and reduce your roof’s life-cycle cost.

While roof care maintenance is of top importance to the status and lifetime of your roof, if you are facing a roof issue, it is crucial you reach out to a trusted consultant. At KTM Roofing, a professional roof estimate begins with accurate measurements and a careful inspection. We check for damage and note any special conditions that factor into the cost of the roof repair or a new roof.

For a roof consultation and free roof estimate, contact an Atlanta roofing contractor with extensive industry knowledge to conduct a thorough roof analysis.

CONTACT KTM ROOFING at (678) 565-7663 or submit a request for a free roof estimate at http://www.ktmroofing.com/estimate.html.

Building a new home in metro Atlanta and exploring roofing options? Consider a slate roof, as many of Atlanta’s finest homes have. Considered by most to be the Cadillac of roofing materials, slate roofs have an astounding number of advantages that other roofing materials don’t.

• Click to download KTM’s Slate Roof Fact Sheet (pdf)

Completely natural, slate roofs are fireproof, waterproof and can be expected to last longer than any other type of roof. With proper care, slate roofs can be expected to last 60 or more years. They offer a distinctive, elegant look that many owners of fine homes appreciate.

In choosing a slate roof, however, there are a few unique factors to consider. As a natural stone, slate is heavy. It’s possible that the roof may need some reinforcement in order to safely crayy the weight of a slate roof. It’s also important to be aware of what kind of late you roof will be constructed from. Knowledgeable roofing contractors will suggest hard slate, which is more durable and longer lasting than softer versions, which could begin to flake and wear down after only 55 years or so.

When installing a slate roof, t’s imperative that you work with a trusted roofing company who has experience with slate, as it behaves differently from asphalt and other roofing materials.

KTM is an Atlanta slate roofing company. Contact KTM to ask a slate roofing question, or for an estimate.

Need a proposal, or quote for a roof repair or roof installation? Contact KTM Roofing of Atlanta:

- By Phone: Call 678-565-7663

- Online: Submit a request for a free roof estimate

Often people call in trying to get a roof estimate over the phone. While as consumers ourselves we can appreciate a homeowner trying to get the most for the money, this isn’t the right way. The fact is, we can’t, and no one else should claim to give you a proper estimate without fully inspecting the size of your roof and any condition problems that could lead to a roof leak.

Image this Scenario
Would you expect a plumber to guess what’s wrong with your plumbing without looking at any pipes? How about an appliance repairman to fix the dishwasher from the living room? How confident would you feel in a mechanic who diagnoses the problem with your car from across the parking lot?

Roofing Contractor Red Flag
As ridiculous as all these examples sound, homeowners accept their equivalent all the time! When a roofing company sends a roofing contractor out to provide an estimate, some disreputable roofers will look up at the roof, talk to the homeowner and provide a price quote. Without stepping foot on the roof, it’s very unlikely that they’re able to provide an accurate quote.

Each home is different. There are different things on your roof that provide function to your home that must be accounted for. In addition there are many different types of shingles that you can put on your roof. If you haven’t put a roof on a home in the last few years, you’ll be surprised (hopefully pleasantly) at just how many material options there are today and the different performances they are able to provide. Just like tiling your kitchen is measured in tile and square footage, so too the cost dependent on roofing a home is dependent on square footage and an industry measurement known as a “roofing square.”

Whenever you’re having a roof replacement (or even a roof repair) done make sure that the roofers take the time to really examine your roof before providing their quote. You’ll end up with a more detailed estimate for the work involved, and will have the confidence that this roofing company will provide the best quality of roof possible for the money.

Need a proposal, or quote for a roof repair or roof installation? Contact KTM Roofing of Atlanta:

- By Phone: Call 678-565-7663

- Online: Submit a request for a free roof estimate

Question: What is a roofing square?

Answer: By definition a roofing square is a 100 square section of roof (a 10′ x 10′ area). Roofers use a roofing square as a measurement of how much roofing material will be needed in the installation of a new roof.

In other words, just like tiling a kitchen floor is measured in square footage and subsequently number of tiles needed to fill particular dimensions, roofing squares are used to measure the size of a roofing project, which when compared to the size of the roofing shingle, will determine how much material needs to be used.

Need a proposal, or quote for a roof repair or roof installation? Contact KTM Roofing of Atlanta:

- By Phone: Call 678-565-7663

- Online: Submit a request for a free roof estimate

With all the roofing companies in Atlanta, how can you possibly make a decision as to which one is right for you?

For a costly project like reroofing your home, the pressure to choose the right roofing contractor can be intense. Everyone has heard stories of fly-by-night companies who disappear once they’ve received their first payment, or, even worse, who disappear leaving your home covered by only a tarp! In order to avoid disreputable roofers, here are the three main things to consider.

• Location: Using a local roofer with a list of happy, local clients is a good sign that the roofing company is legitimate. The Georgia Secretary of State can also verify the company is locally registered.
• Reputability: Highly trained roofing contractors who work with quality materials will be happy to share references. Look for both references from within the last 30 days and the past 3 years.
• Warranty: Every roofing company should be able to offer a guarantee on their product. This is typically offered by the manufacturer. Not all roofing companies warranty their own labor. KTM does.

Click for more information on how to choose an Atlanta roofer.

Need a proposal, or quote for a roof repair or roof installation? Contact KTM Roofing of Atlanta:

- By Phone: Call 678-565-7663

- Online: Submit a request for a free roof estimate

Tim McLoughlin, President of KTM Roofing was recently quoted on BobVilla.com

View the Article: How to Prevent and Fix Roof Lea ks

The roof should undergo its own routine examination. The safest way to conduct an examination of the roof is to use a pair of binoculars and circle the home on the ground, sweeping over every inch of rooftop. “Look for curling or shrinking shingles,” says McLoughlin, referring to asphalt shingles. McLoughlin recommends examining all sides of the roof in both a morning and afternoon sun. Homeowners should look for shingles that are slipping out of place or out of alignment, which can occur in asphalt, tile, slate and wood shake shingle scenarios. Sagging branches that come into contact with the roof can abrade the shingles or knock them out of place, which decreases the life of the roof and can cause leaks.

Need a proposal, or quote for a roof repair or roof installation? Contact KTM Roofing of Atlanta:

- By Phone: Call 678-565-7663

- Online: Submit a request for a free roof estimate

In recent months KTM has been agressive about informing consumers about roof storm chasing. We take this stance because too many people become victims of companies posing as roofers trying to committ a fraud. While each consumer is responsible for performing his/her own research about the company they are about to hire, here are some tips about roofing warranties.

Roofing Warranty Tips:

There are two types of roofing warranties, one issued by the manufacturer and one issued by the roofing company perfoming the labor. While most roof manufactures stand behind their product, not all roofers will warranty their labor. The chances of an out of town roofing company providing a labor warranty is slim. For example, if you hire a Minnesota roofing company to roof your Atlanta home, what are the chances that company will stand behind their labor and send a crew down to Atlanta to perform the warranty work?

Tip 1: Check the Roofing Companies background – Do a search with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) and Kudzu.com to see how reputable the company is. Ask for references, including local references and references of jobs completed in the last 30 days.

Tip 2: Determine the type of warranty offered – When they say the roof come with a warranty, is it the manufacture’s warranty? Does it include labor? If your roof fails and only the roofing material is covered you’ll need to come up with thousands of dollars yourself to pay for the labor to fix the roof. KTM warranties its labor, so its customers don’t have to worry.

Tip 3: Submit the paperwork to the manufacture -  Not all companies will help you with this vital step. KTM will and since KTM stands behind its work, you can be assured both the labor and the roofing material itself will be covered.

Not all roofers that chase storms are bad guys. However its not realistic that if your new roof installed by someone 1,000 miles away fails two years from now that the same company will be willing to make that 1,000 trip to perform warranty work.

Need a proposal, or quote for a roof repair or roof installation? Contact KTM Roofing of Atlanta:

- By Phone: Call 678-565-7663

- Online: Submit a request for a free roof estimate