Stephen Lee, general manager of Sure Roofing Systems in San Francisco, says flashing is often the first victim of roof degradation. “Sometimes, flashing fails after 15 years, so a 30-year roof turns into a 15-year roof. When you hire a roofing contractor, make sure they apply double protection to high-risk areas. That way, the entire roof lasts equally as long.”
When it comes to roof maintenance, Mr. Lee says the best thing a homeowner can do is ensure overhanging trees don’t shed debris that blocks drainage. “Checking for debris buildup is easy and has a high pay-off.”
The roofing industry is somewhat notorious for disreputable contractors, but property owners don’t need to fall prey to them. Checking a roofer’s credentials is relatively easy. Licenses and any records of formal complaints can be checked with a quick visit to the California Department of Consumer Affairs website (www2.dca.ca.gov/pls/wllpub/wllquery$.startup).
Mr. Lee recommends checking with past customers to see how satisfied they are with a roofing contractor’s work. “Get to know what kind of work the roofer does. Customers need to check with references and past clients, and good firms are more than happy to provide them.”
