Roofing FAQ

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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A NEW ROOF PUT ON MY HOUSE?

It depends on the size and pitch of your roof, but generally, for a small to average size house it only takes one day from start to finish.

MY CHIMNEY IS CAUSING A LEAK EVEN AFTER I'VE HAD IT FIXED. WHAT'S WRONG?

Chimneys are a common source of rook leaks. Usually the problem is a lack of a “cricket.” A cricket is a small additional roof added between your chimney and the main roof deck. Its purpose is to divert the water to either side of the chimney, rather than let it run directly into the chimney. Slow moving water or standing water are sure ways to cause a leak. Even many chimneys that have crickets can leak if the cricket was not built wide enough to divert the water completely away from the area.

CAN ALL IOWA CONSTRUCTION ADD A CRICKET TO MY CHIMNEY? IF NOT, WHO DO I CALL?

Yes, All Iowa Construction can install a cricket if your chimney does not have one.

MY ROOF ISN'T VERY OLD, BUT MY SHINGLES LOOK AGED AND ARE CURLING. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

Shingles can fail prematurely for many reasons. The main reason is poor or no ventilation in your roof system. If the roof deck gets too hot, it can greatly diminish the life of your shingles. A qualified roofing contractor, like All Iowa Construction, can tell you how many vents and what type of vents are needed to keep your roof cool. All Iowa Construction can also install additional vents if that is what is needed.

MY SHINGLES HAVE BLOWN OFF IN STRONG WINDS. WHAT CAN I DO?

This is a common occurrence, especially with the strong storms we often experience in the Midwest. The cause can be due to improper nailing, poor adhesion or simply low quality shingles. A well-made shingle is your best defense against strong winds. That’s why All Iowa Construction strongly recommends using Malarkey shingles. The special construction and innovation in this brand of shingles greatly reduce blow-off caused by adhesion and installation error.

MY SKYLIGHT WON'T STOP LEAKING. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

Skylights offer many benefits to your home. Unfortunately, they are also a common cause of roof leaks, usually due to design issues and poor roof installation. If you live in an older home, you may not probably have the proper flashing or underlayment around your skylight. If that is the case, the only solution is to the remove the old shingles, install the proper flashing and underlayment, and install new, high quality shingles. In some cases, a leak can be due to the actual skylight itself if the gasket is breaking down. With this situation, the first step is to have a qualified roofing contractor, such as All Iowa Construction, inspect the situation from your roof.

I KNOW I HAVE A ROOF LEAK, BUT I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE IT'S COMING FROM. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Roof leaks can be tricky. Once water penetrates your roofing system, it can travel down trusses or mechanical systems that may be on the outside or inside of your house. In some instances, water may even travel down vents or conduits from your attic and not be noticed until it reaches your basement. Contacting a qualified roofing professional such as All Iowa Construction is a great first step. The best way to find a problem leak is to start from the roof and work your way down. Inspect the attic for wet insulation, water trails or signs of old water damage.

DO YOU OFFER FINANCING OPTIONS?

Yes, All Iowa Construction offers no hassle no money down financing and several other convenient financing options for our customers. We want to make the process as easy as possible for you, so you are able to maintain and protect your home. We have partnered with Cedar River Finance to offer financing. Fill out the application online here. If you have any questions, please contact Cedar River Finance.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROTECT OUR EXISTING ROOF OR EXTEND ITS LIFE?

The best thing you can do to protect your roof is work to keep it clear of debris from trees, such as limbs, leaves, etc.

CAN YOU HELP US WITH A ROOFING EMERGENCY?

Yes, All Iowa Construction is available throughout the year to assist customers in need. We respond and react as quickly as possible, and can be on site within 24 hours, often even sooner.

WILL AN INSPECTION TELL HOW MUCH LONGER OUR ROOF MAY LAST?

Yes, after a physical inspection, our experienced professionals are usually able to estimate the remaining life of a roof within a 2 to 3-year range.

HOW LONG WILL A NEW ROOF TYPICALLY LAST?

The lifespan of a new roof will depend on the quality of the shingles installed. Manufacturers list typical expected lifespans, including 30, 40, and 50 years, for each line of shingles. However, a roof’s actual lifespan will also be impacted by additional factors outside of human control, including climate, weather, direct sun exposure, etc., Generally speaking, the expected lifespan of a quality, properly installed roof is between 25-40 years.

DO YOU OFFER A WARRANTY ON ROOFING PRODUCTS OR INSTALLATION?

Yes, All Iowa Construction offers a 5-year workmanship warranty on residential roof installation. Our team will also work with the manufacturer of your new shingles to
follow its product warranty plan for the duration of your new roof’s life.

SHOULD WE TRY TO REMOVE THE SNOW AND ICE FROM OUR ROOF?

Although it may sound like a good idea…we recommend do not try to remove snow and ice from your roof. The removal process often results in damage to the shingles and gutters, and injury to those working on the icy, slick roof. It is best to let snow and ice melt away naturally unless they are causing serious interior damage to the home. In this case, call All Iowa Construction for consultation.

WILL YOU REMOVE ANIMALS LIVING ON OUR ROOF OR IN OUR ATTIC BEFORE REPAIRING OUR ROOF?

We advise that you work with a qualified pest control professional to ensure the animals are removed in a manner that is safe for the animals and your family. However, we will work with the professional in the re-roofing process to ensure that once the pests are properly removed the roof is finished quickly to prevent further infiltration.

WILL YOU REMOVE AND DISPOSE OF TREE BRANCHES, TREE LIMBS AND DEBRIS ON THE ROOF BEFORE REPAIRING IT?

We recommend you work with a tree removal expert to properly remove and dispose of these types of natural materials. Out team will coordinate with the expert to make roofing repairs quickly in efforts to prevent additional similar damage.

WHEN YOU REMOVE OUR OLD ROOF CAN WE DONTATE ANY OF THE SHINGLES OR OTHER MATERIALS TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S RESTORE OR SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR REPURPOSE/REUSE?

Unfortunately, the materials taken off your roof won’t be usable. However, we take pride in being a responsible steward, and we recycle waste shingles whenever possible to keep them out of the landfill. Your old shingles may become a tire or other useful piece of equipment!