Here are a few easy steps you can take to prepare for the winter and prevent a potential leak or expensive repair later

             1. Trim back any trees that hang over or cover the roof

2. Use a blower or broom to clean all debris off the roof (never pressure wash your roof!)

3. Clean out the gutters and inspect for rust or holes (be careful not to bend the gutters)

4. Clean debris from all downspouts using water pressure from a garden hose

5. After you are finished, perform a visual inspection of the roof by either walking on the roof or with binoculars from the ground or a ladder. Look for cracks in    composition shingles, or holes in shakes or wood shingles where black felt paper is exposed. Also look for any missing shakes or composition shingles.

6. If you find any of the items in #5, it’s time for a professional roof evaluation and repair. If caught early, you can  often prevent small problems from turning into major repairs.

If you have a tile or flat roof system, we recommend you hire a professional for the above maintenance. We would  be happy to help, just give us a call at 408-971-9000 or visit our website at www.eastmanroofing.com.

Our people and systems take care of our customers from the moment a request for service comes in. The estimate is scheduled, the customer is contacted the morning of the scheduled appointment, if needed. The estimate is completed and typically the typed report is sent out within 24-48 hours of the appointment date.

When work is authorized, a work order is generally processed the same day. The Production Department calls within 24-48 hours and sets up a projected start date (weather, additional work on jobs in progress, material delays, etc., can cause the start date to change). Calls to adjust the start date are made when needed. If a pre-site of the work is needed, the Project Manager calls and meets with the customer to make sure everything runs smoothly.

The morning the work is to be done, the Project Manager calls the customer with an approximate time of arrival. Upon arrival, the Project Manager introduces himself and discusses anything of concern with the customer, such as debris removal, if indicated, and then posts a lawn sign. When the work is completed, the Project Manager will review the work with the customer if they are at home, and collect payment. If the customer is not home, the Project Manager will leave a door hanger with his business card attached so the customer may contact him with any questions.

Usually within a few days, customer care will call to make sure the customer’s experience was satisfactory. Generally within a week or two, someone from the Production Department will stop by to review the work to make sure it was completed and meets our standards. If it is determined that something more needs to be done, he may do it himself while he’s there, or the Production Department will schedule a time for a roofing technician to return. We are driven to provide excellent customer service.

If the customer is not home when the job is reviewed, the Reviewer will leave a door hanger with his business card attached so he can be contacted with any questions. He will remove the lawn sign while he’s there.

Every 2 weeks all estimators and Project Managers meet with the Production Manager for a Total Quality Meeting. All jobs are reviewed and discussed. Procedures, technical data, policies – everything is on the table for discussion. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction, clear communication, and education. A safety meeting is always part of any TQM.

Our people make the difference!

Emergency Roof Leak Instructions

Your roof is leaking — now what? First, visit our website at www.eastmanroofing.com for our “Emergency Leak Instructions” on how to handle the leak while you’re waiting for a repair technician. Our instructions will also help you to minimize any potential interior damage. Second, call for a temporary storm repair or schedule an estimate for a leak repair. Third, grab a cup of coffee, take a deep breath and read below while you’re waiting for the estimator.

When you have an active leak, we provide you with a proposal to repair the leak (i.e., items 1, 2, 3, etc.) and we repair those same exact items as listed on the proposal. Does this repair guarantee your roof will no longer leak? Not necessarily. There may be other problems contributing to the leak which were neither visible, nor included in the proposal. We can only estimate and repair what we can see.

If items in the proposal were corrected and the roof is still leaking in the same spot, it is very possible that something else is wrong with the roof and needs to be repaired at the owner’s expense.

Repairs can often be a process of elimination requiring us to play the part of a detective. This process involves first bidding for and repairing the most likely and most common items (anything visibly wrong with the roof). We then verify any repairs have been completed properly. At Eastman Roofing & Waterproofing, all jobs are reviewed by the production department after completion and total quality meetings are held every two weeks with the estimating and production departments. These steps provide constant improvement and clarity.

If at that point a leak still persists, bidding for and repairing the less likely (possibly hidden) items would come next. Our hope (and yours) is that the leak can be solved by those items which are visible and obvious problems on the roof. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

As an example, sometimes a plumber goes to replace a faulty fixture but in the process, discovers the pipes are so corroded he has to do additional work. Car repairs are another example of hidden problems. How often does an electrical problem in a car require, for instance, more time and expense before the root issue is finally dealt with?

Sometimes repairing a roof requires more work than the initial estimate covers. As mentioned above, unknowns or hidden defects are not included in the initial estimate. There is no such thing as a roof god, nor can any roofer claim to find the source of a tricky leak problem 100% of the time on the first attempt.

Finally, there is the remote possibility that the estimator could have missed something at the time of his visit to the property. If he did, however, it would not have been part of the original proposal and thus, you would not have been charged for it. Had it been caught initially, the additional cost to repair it would have likewise, increased the original bid.

Repair, Maintain, or Replace?

Contrary to what one might expect, there are no building codes for roof repairs; there are only some repair manuals available from NRCA and certain manufacturers/independent sources, acceptable trade practices, and rule of thumb procedures. Repairing a leak can be as simple as seeing the hole or defect in the roof and fixing it. Sometimes it will require a number of process of elimination roof repairs to stop the leaking and/or performing a water test to help identify the cause of a leak or leaks.

After examining the evidence for a roof leak from inside the structure (this examination may require measuring as it is imperative to pinpoint the correct area), then the area on the roof above the interior water damage is evaluated. When evaluating a leak to determine the best course of action, a wealth of experience and knowledge is paramount. Repairing the wrong item or area or using improper or inferior materials just creates confusion and expense, not to mention frustration.

When a roof repair is finished, you should be able to state that the work completed functions absolutely correctly. If the leak shows up again in the next rain, evaluate the original repair, determine if it is working, and look for what else could be allowing water intrusion. Water can travel quite a distance and you can have multiple leaks showing up in the same place, all at the point of least resistance.

In brief, our roofing proposals for a leak are based on the following criteria:

1.    A visual inspection of the roof.
2.    Hidden defects i.e., we cannot bid what we cannot see. If the roof repair does not resolve the leak and additional work is required, there can be additional costs to the homeowner. Had we known the additional work was needed from the beginning, it would have been in the first scope of work (proposal) and the price would have reflected that additional work necessary.
3.    We rely on information supplied by the property owner.
4.    Our primary intention is to put the roof in working order. Our secondary goal is to blend the repairs with the existing roof.
5.    A leak is defined as the roof system is open and can allow water intrusion. The leak may or may not manifest itself inside the structure.
6.    Most roof leaks are eliminated with the first repair and some may require additional work.

More information is available from NRCA at their website, www.nrca.net.

The first paragraph of all our repair proposals and roof Inspections is posted for your review as follows:

NOTE:  This roof has been examined by a qualified inspector employed by Eastman Roofing and Waterproofing, Inc.  The professional opinion of the inspector contained in this report is solely an opinion and does not constitute a warranty or guaranty of the statements contained herein and may be subject to dispute.  This is a visual inspection of the roof and roof surface only and does not include inspection of the building structure such as attic spaces. Eastman Roofing and Waterproofing, Inc. is not responsible for comment on any hidden defects in the roof that may be present but not visible during our visual inspection of the roof surface.  We rely on information from owners/tenants and other reports when available, i.e. pest control reports, property inspections, etc.  It is the sole responsibility of the property owner and their agents to make Eastman Roofing and Waterproofing, Inc. aware of any information and reports (when available) which would aid Eastman Roofing and Waterproofing, Inc. in the evaluation of existing roof conditions.  If any repairs for leaks are recommended, it is our intent to first, put the roof system back in working order and second, to somewhat blend repairs in with the rest of the roof.  There are no uniform standards for repairs, only what is considered an acceptable trade practice or rule of thumb.  A leak (Section I) is defined as the roof system is open, can allow water intrusion, and must be repaired to insure leak-free service.  Optional and additional (Section II) items are preventative maintenance items.  It is not necessarily our intent to put the roof in code-complying condition or to meet manufacturer’s specifications unless a new roof is recommended.  Eastman Roofing and Waterproofing, Inc. is a roofing contractor and is not licensed to inspect or certify your building as being free of pests, pest infestations, fungus, mold or dry rot.  Hence, we cannot under law, warrant dry rot repair.  This report does not include any estimate for repair on damage that a termite and/or masonry contractor may have caused after this inspection.  This inspection report is valid for 90 days from the above date.

Case Study: Townhome in Los Gatos, CA

After numerous repairs by other companies over a nine-year period, a townhome in Los Gatos still had a leak in the same place. The homeowner’s association replaced the ceiling in the hallway and painted that ceiling every spring – a grand total of nine times.

After evaluating the leak area, we gave the owners six possible reasons why they had a leak: the cap sheet roof seams, drain or overflow intersection, drain or overflow pipe, tile roof above, tile roof alongside, or the stucco wall. We also furnished them with a proposal item by item in order of probability and priced each one individually. The owners wanted us to fix all six items, but we suggested they have only one fixed at a time so that we could determine the source of the leak.

After implementing our plan (which we told them could take up to two years and six different repairs), the leak stopped and it turned out to be the stucco wall, not one of the roofs! How do you see inside a stucco wall to determine if the waterproof paper is damaged? You can’t. The source of this leak was determined by a process of elimination. We started with the most probable item and finished with the least likely.  And, in this case, the source of the leak was the least likely item.

Fortunately, most leaks are not this complicated. The bottom line, however, is whatever you repair must work after the repair is completed, even if the goal of resolving the leak is obtained through a process of elimination.

Debris may be removed from the roof in a variety of ways depending on the type of debris, how much debris and whether or not some of the roofing materials (such as tiles) need to be removed in order to remove the debris. One of the most common ways debris is removed is to blow it from the roof using a leaf blower. Although an attempt is made to control the debris as much as possible, it is not uncommon for the debris to sift into the attic or garage spaces through skylights or vents as well as litter the grounds.

A little bit of debris in the wrong location(s) can do a lot of damage. It is important to prevent water from backing up into structure, causing leaks, rot and/or damaging the roof or interior of the home. Eastman Roofing & Waterproofing can provide this semi-annual/annual service. See attached note given to customers before we remove debris for more details:

Debris Note:

If debris is found on your roof and we recommend removing it, the following things need to be kept in mind the day of the roof repairs/debris removal:

The objective of debris removal is to prevent it from impeding the flow of water off the roof.

Debris removal does NOT include:
a) Removal of moss on shake butts or composition shingles.
b) Removal of dirt that occasionally can splash on the house during removal
c) Removal of mud or hardened debris in gutters, or gutter cleaning. If any  loose debris blows into gutters during removal of debris on the roof, that loose  debris will be blown out of gutters.
d) Any gathering of debris removed from roof or putting it into containers.

1. Debris may be removed from the roof in a variety of ways, depending on the type of debris, how much debris, and whether or not some of the roofing material (such as tiles) need to be removed in order to remove the debris. One of the most common ways debris is removed is to blow it from the roof, using a leaf blower. Although an attempt is made to control the debris as much as possible, it is not uncommon for the debris to sift into the attic or garage spaces, through skylights or vents, as well as litter the grounds.

2. Thus, it is up to the owner or responsible party to take any necessary precautions prior to this debris removal, such as covering any items of value in the house or garage, if needed, or possibly even notifying neighbors of the upcoming debris removal in the event debris is blown onto adjoining properties.

3. It is the responsibility of the owner to clean yard of resultant debris. Eastman Roofing & Waterproofing can remove the debris from the property at an additional charge to the owner. If you would like Eastman Roofing & Waterproofing to clean the yard after debris is removed from your roof: a) Call us for a quote for this additional work, or b) See original proposal for this item, if applicable.

4. There is no warranty against debris accumulation on your roof. It is the owner’s responsibility to keep the roof free of debris, or to hire a qualified roofer to remove it professionally on a regular basis, to prevent water from backing up into structure, causing leaks, rot and/or damaging the roof or interior of the home. A little bit of debris in the wrong location(s) can do a lot of damage. Eastman Roofing & Waterproofing can provide this semi-annual/annual service. Call for a quote or see enclosed proposal if applicable.

From the 1970s to 1991, Monier Tile, made of concrete, was installed with no underlayment, on top of 1 x 6 space sheeting. After 1991, solid sheeting with a minimum of 30 lb felt was required. If there is no underlayment and a tile breaks, the roof is open and can allow water intrusion.

If there is a broken tile over a solid deck and underlayment, the underlayment can keep water from getting to the roof deck and below. If the underlayment is damaged or oriented improperly, however, then there will be water intrusion.

If there is a broken tile on a roof that has underlayment and there is a leak, then there is a problem with the underlayment. If the broken tile is replaced/repaired, the leak might stop because water may no longer get to the underlayment. However, if tiles are not nestled together adequately because of the tile design or an irregular roof deck, and there is enough wind and rain, rain water will get under the tile and the roof will leak, unless the underlayment is repaired/replaced.

You cannot control the wind or the rain, and you cannot see the underlayment without removing the tiles.

There are a variety of materials used for low slope applications. Data compiled by Western States Roofing Contractor’s Association, in the July/August 2011 Western Roofing magazine indicates the following percentages of material types installed for new roofs:

TPO – 18.2%
Built-up Roofing (tar & gravel or cap sheet) – 17.9%
Modified Bitumen (SBS) – 12.5%
Modified Bitumen (APP) – 9.9%
EPDM (rubber) – 9.4%
Liquid Applied (urethane, acrylic, asphalt emulsion) – 8.6%
PVC – 3.5%
Polyurethane foam – 2.3%
Other types (steep slope) – 17.7%

Installation and method of repair varies with material type. Diagnosis, repair techniques and material ‘basics’ are as follows:

1. Surface should be dry and clean for all types.
2. TPO: Re-weld; weld a patch; apply EternaBond type material; Chemlink sealant or comparable.
3. Built-up roof: Apply asphalt adhesive and/or asphaltic mastic, and/or modified mastic or urethane extended asphalt with reinforcing fabric.
4. Modified bitumen SBS: Same as built-up roofs.
5. Modified bitumen APP: Same as built-up roofs and/or weld seam(s).
6. EPDM: Apply EternaBond type material or re-glue seams, or glue patch of EPDM, or apply Chemlink sealant or comparable.
7. Liquid Applied: Urethane – reapply urethane; Acrylic – reapply acrylic or apply urethane extended asphalt and reapply acrylic; Asphalt emulsion – Apply asphaltic mastic or urethane extended asphalt.
8. Polyurethane foam: Apply urethane extended asphalt and/or acrylic.

The diagnosis of a leak in order of probability is the first step in the process of elimination.

There can be any number of factors contributing to leaks on tile roofs, aside from a lack of underlayment.

1.    If debris builds up in the gutters or valleys, water can easily back up under the tiles. Even with underlayment, eventually a leak will occur as the underlayment becomes saturated and possibly even rotten.
2.    Fine cracks can occur in the mortar, or pieces of mortar can crack and come off, allowing water intrusion at ridge and hips.
3.    Leaks can ‘travel’. While one leak may have been stopped, another leak can occur in nearly the same area as before, but it may actually be traveling from another location on the roof. Water will always take the path of least resistance. Your roof very well may have had two or more actual leaks originating from different areas on the roof, but all manifesting in the home in one spot, leading you to believe you only had one leak. Once the most obvious leak area is repaired, it’s not uncommon for the other ‘traveling’ leak areas to now show up under the right conditions.
4.    As mentioned above, it’s quite common for tile roofs to leak during very windy rainy weather as the rain can blow up under the tiles. No one can stop the wind from blowing sideways or in gusts.
5.    Due to age, weather and other factors, tiles can sometimes slip out of place, allowing water intrusion.
6.    Because many of people are unaware of how to walk on tile roofs to prevent breakage, it often occurs if anyone has been up on your roof, other than a qualified roofer, to install or repair antennas, satellite dishes, solar equipment, skylights or even clean gutters, and this can lead to leaks.
7.    Flashings or counterflashings not installed correctly.
8.    Improper installment of underlayment, use of inferior underlayment, improper batten system, improper ventilation, or the tiles themselves. If the underlayment was not installed correctly, or the tiles were ‘stretched’ (tiles installed without proper headlap), the underlayment can deteriorate much more rapidly than it should.
9.    Almost everything can get under a tile roof, from rain and snow to leaves, dirt, small birds, animals and their nests, and of course insects like wasps and bees. Any of these things can eventually compromise the ‘watertightness’ of a tile roof.

Other factors to consider if you have a tile roof and/or it leaks:

1.    Tile roofs can be very slippery in wet or rainy weather, thus making them extremely dangerous to access until they are dry. Naturally, though, this is when you most want someone to come solve your problem!
2.    Finding a leak can be a process of elimination, especially if the leak is traveling (see #3 above).
3.    Tile roofs need maintenance just like any other type of roof, in order to prevent future problems. It is imperative to keep debris off the roof and gutters cleaned out.
4.    Some tiles start fading when exposed to the sun. If replacement tile is needed, it can take years for it to blend in. It is very difficult to match colors when the tiles come from different runs. Thus, a replaced area will rarely ever look quite the same as the rest of the roof. Colors and shades come and go all the time and manufacturers change colors fairly frequently, except for a few standards they may have.
5.    Worst case scenario: There are times when the underlayment on the entire roof will need to be replaced due to any of the factors already mentioned, OR underlayment needs to be installed for the first time to prevent continuation of problems you may already be experiencing. If this is the case, every effort is made to remove and save the tiles themselves for reinstallation once new underlayment and battens have been installed. It’s nearly impossible not to break a few, though, which means there’s a chance the colors will be slightly off in some areas. Sometimes it is possible to take original tiles and exchange them for tiles that need replacing in high visibility areas, like the front of the home, so that those areas of the roof appear more uniform and the ‘mismatched’ colors are as easily noticed.

Felt paper is available in several grades.  Felt is commonly known as number 15 or number 30.  This name no longer reflects the product’s weight.  In fact, #15 standard underlayment, as specified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), can weigh from 8 1/2 pounds to about 12 pounds per 100 square feet.  Of course, underlayment can weigh whatever the manufacturer chooses if it does not claim to meet ASTM standard.  Underlayments are water resistant to some degree, depending on the percentage of asphalt that has been absorbed into the felt.  The best underlayments adhere to ASTM standards: ASTM D2869 for #15 underlayment and ASTM D226 for #30 underlayment.  The installation of standard underlayment is required by most shingle manufacturers and recommended by all.  Shingle underlayment is required by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for a Class A fire rating.

CertainTeed Roofer’s Select is an asphalt-impregnated fiberglass reinforced organic felt underlayment designed for use on roof decks as a water resistant layer beneath roofing shingles.  It is more dimensionally stable than standard underlayment when wet.  Its resistance to “hydro-expansion” significantly reduces the wrinkles that can result when felt picks up moisture, thereby reducing the occurrences of visually objectionable wrinkles that can telegraph through to the shingles applied over it.  CertainTeed Roofer’s Select is classified by UL to be suitable underlayment for use in any Class A, B, or C fire rated shingle system.

SBS modified sheets exceed physical requirements outlined in ASTM D226 and approved ICBO report #4083.  This is a fiberglass reinforced (inorganic) which will not rot like felt.  SBS rubberized asphalt provides a more pliable and elastic membrane which is not available in common felts.  This allows for sharp bends, up to 90 degrees without cracking or fracturing.  It also contains a higher percentage of asphalt for increased waterproofing protection.  It minimizes buckles and wrinkles by lying flatter and smoother.  Side laps do not curl up over time.

Synthetic: CertainTeed’s Diamond Deck is a synthetic scrim reinforced, water resistant underlayment has exceptional dimensional stability. It does not wrinkle when wet and ‘telegraph’ those wrinkles. Its special top surface provides excellent slip resistance, even when wet. It meets ASTM D226 and D4869 standards.

Ice & Water Seal: CertainTeed’s WinterGuard H.T. is a composite material of asphalt and elastic polymers reinforced with a fiberglass membrane.  It is formed into a rolled sheet.  The rubberized asphalt provides the waterproofing.  The polymers make the asphalt elastic and sticky all the way through the membrane.  This means Ice and Water Seal has the ability to both stretch and cling and not rip when stressed. It seals, like a gasket, around nails driven through it. It is available with different surfaces and variations in its ability to withstand high temperatures.

More information is available at CertainTeed’s website at www.certainteed.com. Also, GAF has similar products at www.gaf.com.

Similarly, businesses like ours have a myriad of expenses in order to keep our doors open.

These include, but are not limited to:
•    Administration costs to process incoming calls, schedule estimates, type and send estimates, process sold jobs, communicate with customers, vendors, and others, processing completed jobs, billing jobs, etc.
•    Estimator’s time to estimate the work needed, write the bid, review the bid     and talk with customers if needed, and return to completed jobs for Job Reviews for        quality control
•    Estimator’s truck costs – gas, maintenance, insurance
•    Estimator’s cell phone costs – for calls to the customer, to stay in touch with  the shop
•    Production Department – schedule work, supervise crews, order and/or  maintain materials for the jobs, and shop, review completed jobs for quality     control
•    Crew – time spent reviewing the job with the estimator, obtaining materials  for the job, planning route, driving to and from the jobs
•    Crew trucks – gas, maintenance and insurance
•    Crew cell phones – calls to customers, staying in touch with shop
•    Crew time spent at job (usually all the customer ever sees)
•    Accounts receivable – Processes payments, pays bills, tracks A/R
•    Production Department truck – gas, maintenance, insurance
•    Production Department cell phone
•    A warranty, if offered
•    Additional Costs: Time taken for jobs estimated but not sold, marketing,  health insurance, dumpster fees, trash removal, liability insurance (roofing is one of the highest priced), Workman’s Comp (also one of the highest priced), quality control and safety meetings, tool maintenance and/or replacement when necessary, property insurance, phone service, internet service, website maintenance, CPA and bookkeeping fees, office equipment  maintenance, office supplies, postage, computer services, etc., etc.

One final reminder: All bids are priced ‘per man hour’ and also include travel and shop time. This means that if 2 or more men show up to do a job and they are only there an hour or two, the customer is actually paying for the number of men times the number of hours, i.e., 2 men x 2 hours is really 4 hours bid, not including that travel and shop time that you don’t see; so it’s not just the 2 hours they spent on the roof.

We do our best to be precise when estimating a repair, but the time allotted for repairs may not be exact. Some jobs take longer than the time estimated, some take less, but most are quite close to what was bid, and that’s our goal.

The roofing trade is one of the most costly trades to be in. The overhead to run a legitimate roofing company, with all the necessary insurances and safety features, is not cheap. Our prices are very competitive when compared with like types of companies. We strive for excellence and do our best to achieve that standard within the confines of competitive pricing.