Author: Cenco Roofing

Winters in Denver can run hot and cold, with the sun often shining within hours of snow falling. This can impact the longevity of your roofing system from melting snow and winter winds.Melted snow leads to water runoff, and melting ice dams, which can not only prematurely age older roofs but also defeat your gutter drainage system, as it slowly drips and refreezes at night only to drip in the sun the next day. Another burden of Denver winters are heavy gusts of wind that accompany some snow accumulations. Rigid shingles, unsealed due to the cold, can be lifted back allowing water in, or can outright flex and crack due to wind.<.p>The impact of melting snow and winds can leave you dealing with the most common roof problems we see during the Denver winters: Loose, damaged and/or missing shingles: The uplift of strong wind gusts can loosen shingles and eventually tear them off of your roof. Additionally, the continuous cycle of water clogging the shingles and the shingles drying out can leave them damaged and susceptible to being ripped off by winter storm winds. Loose or damaged shingles can be difficult to detect if you are not trained in assessing the condition of shingles, but missing shingles can be seen from the ground. If you can see that shingles are missing from your roof, you should call Cenco Building Services for an immediate inspection. Damaged underlayment: Melting snow after a heavy snowstorm can seep underneath the shingles and cause water damage to the underlayment. Over time, the underlayment can become waterlogged and wick water between the roof and the interior surface of your home, such as plaster or drywall ceiling. This drywall damage worsens over time and and can possibly cause mildew or moldbuild ups. . Signs of leaks include discoloration of the ceiling and walls, bulges in drywall or plaster and peeling paint.Malfunctioning flashing: Flashing are metal coverings over the joints or seams where your roof intersects with other exterior home systems. Flashing prevents water from reaching the underlayment and from penetrating the exterior envelope and affecting your home’s ceilings and walls. If your flashing is unsealed, degraded, missing or damaged, then water will find a way underneath the metal strips. While generally not a catastrophic system failure, it often shows up only after it is too late to prevent. So you should have your flashings checked bi-annually.Ice dams: Frozen waterfalls, large icicles and ice build ups-also known as ice dams-can be seen hanging from many roof edges during Denver winters. These chunks of ice can damage shingles, underlayment, exterior walls and paint and, as a result, can supply the melted ice water with an avenue into the interior of your home. If you have an area that receives poor sunlight during the day, odds are you will have an ice dam there in the Winter. Contact Cenco Building Services Today If you reside in the Denver Metro or along the Front Range, you should have your roof inspected by Cenco Building Services prior to the start of each winter to ensure your roof is capable of withstanding the next snowy season. Schedule your no-obligation roof inspection today by calling our friendly professionals today at (720) 583-1690!

After every hailstorm comes another storm – the storm of storm chasers! In Colorado, homeowners will be plagued with one or more contracting companies knocking on their doors immediately after damaging hailstones fall. Why? Many companies send out their door-to-door roofing salesmen asking to check your roof after a storm. Their goal is to “lock homeowners” into agreeing to a new roof before damage is officially assessed. They do this by employing hardline sales tactics, such as instilling fear of leaks and demanding a signature on a written contract. At Cenco Building Services, we know there is a strong possibility every year of hail in the Spring and Fall in the Denver metro area or somewhere along the Front Range. As a full-service general contracting firm, we only send out licensed adjusters to assess storm damage, our inspections cover your entire property. We also know that for most properties, hail damage is degenerative. While repairs may need to be addressed, they can be completely safely on your schedule-not on the timeframe of some hard selling roofing company! Every year, the storm chasers flood into neighborhoods with the aim of boosting sales through fear and misinformation. The next time you have a hailstorm in your community, follow these 4 strategies: Take your time. Reputable companies will complete temporary repairs if you have a leak, and give you the time to properly assess damage and negotiation with your insurance carrier. Check your roof after a hail storm before the storm chasers arrive. While we never recommend getting onto your roof yourself, it’s always a wise decision to call a local contractor to conduct a free, no-obligation roof inspection, such as is offered by Cenco Building Services. If a salesman knocks on your door, do not feel pressured into allowing them on your roof. Anyone on your roof unsupervised can, in fact, cause damage where none existed or misrepresent damage to you. Cenco uses digital video and photos to document any damage. If you do let a salesman on your roof, don’t be pressured into signing a contract right away. High pressure selling by storm chasers always includes an immediate deadline for you to sign the contract to have your roof repaired by the company. An ethical, credible contracting company, like Cenco Building Services, will allow you as much time as you need to secure their services, answer questions and explain the process during and after your scheduled appointment without the threat of a dire consequences.

Contact Cenco Building Services Today

Do not be intimidated to work with company you don’t trust. Take the time to do your research. Ensure the company you choose is not from out-of-state, will be there to correct any problems and honor their workmanship, and is willing to work with you and your insurance company. If you are concerned that your roof may have sustained damage after a hailstorm or looking to remodel your property, contact our professional, friendly staff today to schedule a no-obligation roof evaluation by calling (720) 583-1690.

Roofs protect your home against the elements. One of the very first things a person looks at when buying a home is the condition of the roof. Why? Roof repair and replacements are costly, and you always want to choose a roof that will last as long as possible. What is the average lifespan of a roof? This depends on the type of material used on the roof and other factors, such as: climate, geographical location (do you live near salt water?) and various other factors. It’s important to note that these factors will lessen the lifespan of your roof greatly. Let’s take a look at the average lifespan according to roof type.

Common Lifespan of Roofs

There are several types of roof materials that need to be considered.

• 3-tab Asphalt Shingles: 15 – 18 years
• Architectural Asphalt Shingles: 24 – 30 years
• Metal or Galvalume: 30 – 45 years
• Concrete Tile: 30 – 50 years
• Modified Bitumen: 10 – 16 years

While metal lasts a long time, it is often not seen on homes due to aesthetics. Concrete tile is the longest-lasting option, but again is used less often than asphalt shingles due to cost.

Roof Longevity Factors

We briefly touched on some of the factors that will cause a roof to last for a shorter duration. However, the actual roof slope, orientation and color are also factors that need to be considered.

• Color: Darker colors absorb more heat. In this case, a person in a warm climate with an abundance of sun will need to replace their roof more often if it is a dark, heat-absorbing color.
• Slope: The angle of the roof also plays a part in the roof’s lifespan. A roof with a high pitch will often last longer. This is due to snow and rain not being able to settle on the roof itself.
• Orientation: Slopes that face south will have more sun beating down on the roof, causing the average lifespan of the roof to lessen.

There are also other factors that affect a roof’s lifespan. Trees in the area can rub or fall on a roof, causing a problem. Leaves that are left on the roof can also cause acidity build-up, which will begin to deteriorate the roof and cause issues. The best roof for your home will depend on a variety of factors – mostly your budget. In the higher price range, your roofer will be able to use stronger, more durable roofing materials that will last for 30+ years.