Dear
Reader with Roofing Issues,
If
you're dealing with roof leaks, or want to avoid them…you've come to
the right place.
In
the next few minutes, I am going to introduce you to a new roofing guide
that is actually GUARANTEED to help you avoid leaks and save thousands
of dollars on your roofing expenses. Then I’m going to do my best to
make you a risk-free offer you can't refuse!
But
first allow me to introduce myself and
tell you a short story you may find interesting…
My
name is John Bishop. I have been a professional roofer for the past 23
years and have a small roofing company in Florida
. I've done hundreds of roofing projects over the years, but there is a
particular one I want to tell you about...
I'll
call them "Dave and Mary" to protect their privacy. They lived
in Port Royal, which is an upscale neighborhood in Naples
, Florida
. Something was terribly wrong with the roof on their dream home... and
things were about to get a lot worse!
They
thought they had done everything right...
·
They hired the best
architect in town to design their home.
·
They chose expensive
roofing materials, imported from
Canada
.
·
They used only
state-licensed contractors for the construction.
Yet
there they were with a
three-year-old roof leaking like a sieve... wrecking their
ceilings and walls.
And
the roofing contractor who had put the roof on couldn't fix it, despite
numerous attempts. Like Albert Einstein said, some problems just can't
be fixed with the same mentality that created them!
Dave
and Mary contacted the small but reputable company I worked for at the
time. My boss determined it would cost less to replace the roof than to
fix all of the problems. Tired and frustrated with all the leaks, Dave
and Mary reluctantly agreed.
That's
when they called me in. I'm the kind of roofer people get to fix
problems like that.
The
first thing I noticed was the overly-steep and needlessly-complicated
roof design. A good case could be made for horse-whipping the
architect...
STRIKE ONE.
I
noticed the wood shakes next. They’re a poor choice for the blistering
sun and torrential rains here in South Florida
. They were already badly split and curled...
STRIKE TWO.
Poor
flashing details and exposed nails were the main installation problems.
The first roofer either didn’t know enough (or didn't care enough) to
do the job right...
STRIKE THREE.
-
Poor design.
- Poor choice of roofing systems.
- Poor installation.
It was a "Perfect Storm" of roofing problems. That roof didn't
stand a chance of working. It’s no wonder it leaked all over. The boss
was right... It had to go.
So
we tore it off, and installed a much better roof that didn't leak a
drop. And it didn't cost anywhere near what the first one did. Dave and
Mary were able to get on with their lives. But what a needless
waste of their hard-earned money.
That
was 17 years ago, when I only had five years of roofing experience. I
didn’t even have my own company back then, but roof problems like Dave
and Mary's were already well known to me.
I
get no pleasure from situations like that. I hate to see people make
these costly mistakes. I'm glad I
can help solve the problems, but I would much rather see them avoided in
the first place... and I can help you do just that.
Now,
regarding
YOUR roof: What do you want first,
the good news or the bad news?
Lets
do the worst first and get the bad news out of the way.
If you have roofing problems, you are probably well aware of the
hassle and expense that go with them.
Unfortunately, it could be far worse that you realize. Here are
ten ways you may be at risk:
1. High Initial Cost.
When you buy or build a home, the cost of the roof and
roofing is normally just part of the deal… and not given much thought.
But did you know that a wide variety of roof designs and roofing systems
can accommodate the same floor plan? You could be paying much more for
your roof than necessary.
2.
Roof Leaks.
Dealing
with leaks is irritating and a waste of time and money.
3. Interior Damages.
Those leaks can quickly damage your valuable furnishings and
possessions. Carpets, furniture and drywall usually get hit first.
Computers and other electronics can easily be destroyed. Irreplaceable
family heirlooms and artwork can be wrecked.
4. Structural Damages.
Leaks that go unnoticed or ignored can result in deteriorated
roof sheathing and framing. Small problems turn into big ones.
5. Toxic Mold.
Under the right conditions, mold can start growing within 24
hours of a roof leak. Certain types of mold are toxic... and can be very
expensive to eliminate. In severe cases the interior may need to be
gutted down to the bare framing!
6. Unsightly Roof Repairs.
Attempts to repair the leaks can leave your roof with nasty
blemishes. Those scars hurt the curb appeal of your home and announce to
the world you have had roof problems.
7. Loss of Property Value.
When
it comes time to sell your home, appraisers
see all those nasty roof repairs and downgrade the value of your home
based on condition. Home
inspectors notice more roofing problems in the attic, scaring off buyers
(or causing them to lower their offers).
Then
you find out your insurance company reported your roof leak to a
national database that was set up to minimize their mold liability. They
decide not to renew your homeowners policy and the only other company
you can find to insure your home demands much higher premiums. But you
really don't have much choice because banks insist on insurance to
protect their investment. This all results in a less desirable property
for buyers… and lower property value for you.
8. Premature Roof failure. Nobody
wants to keep putting up with roof leaks, so many people bite the bullet
and opt for a reroof, long before the roofing itself is actually worn
out.
9. Expensive Reroofing.
When that reroofing decision finally comes, many people pay
far more than they should. That poor roof design they chose when
building their home results in much higher reroofing costs. And they
choose roofing systems that cost much more than ones that perform
better.
10. Roofing Hazards.
As if all the expense and trouble is not enough, some roofing
conditions are just down right dangerous to roofers and homeowners
alike. Every year, thousands of people are injured (some fatally) and
property damage is in the millions.
The
Good News!
The
good news is: YOU HAVE ME to help you avoid all of these problems! The
really good news is: you will
save a lot of money when you do!
ROOFING
SECRETS: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!
isn’t just something you will glance at once and never
look at again. From your first home to your last, this money-saving
advice will guide you through every roofing problem and decision you
face.
Here's
what's in it for you:
Chapter
One: Roof Design
Your
Best Chance to Save the Most Money!
If
you are buying or building a home, you
NEED this information. It doesn’t matter whether it's a starter
house or the dream home you’ve been saving for your entire life.
Roof
design affects virtually everything that is roof-related… for as long
as that building stands.
Mistakes
made at the design stage can haunt you for the entire time you own the
home. After that, they will haunt the next owner, and the one after
that, like an unwelcome ghost who won’t go away.
Poorly
designed roofs can cost you a small fortune, but well designed roofs can
save you one. This chapter will help you tell one from the other.
And
even if you’re not building or buying a house right now, this
information will help you with the one you have. It will identify
problem areas you should keep an eye on. That will help you catch small
problems before they turn into big expensive ones. This chapter
includes:
·
Six
Fundamental Roof Design Principles
(See page 15).
·
The Most
Important Factor in Roof Design (See page 15).
·
Three
Roof Shapes That Make Sense
(See page 17).
·
17
Problematic Design Details (See page 18).
·
Seven
Slick
Ways to Save Money and Prevent Leaks.
(See page 22).
·
Three
Roofing Situations to Avoid (See page 24).
Chapter
Two: Roofing Systems
What
You Need to Know Before You Spend a Dime!
When
it comes time for a new roof on your home, you face an important
decision: What kind of roofing to choose?
It’s not as permanent as the roof design, but it is an
expensive decision that you may have to live with for a very long time.
And
it can be a tough choice. There is a bewildering assortment of roofing
systems. That includes five "steep-slope" systems. It includes
four "low-sloped” systems. And there are dozens of roofing
manufacturers, each offering dozens of products.
I
am going to make your decision a whole lot easier. You see for the last
23 years, I have been fortunate to work with ALL of the major roofing
systems. While installing and/or repairing them, I learned the strengths
and weaknesses of each system. I know what works and what doesn’t…
and I’m going to do my best to steer you in that direction.
But
if you choose another route, for one reason or another, I won't take it
personally. I will still give you some sound advice that will help you
avoid costly problems. That will be especially helpful to home and condo
owners who are locked-in to a particular type of roofing. This chapter
includes:
· 15
Essential Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Roof System (See page
27).
·
Slate Roofing's “Dirty Little Secret” (See page 28).
·
The
“Fatal Flaw” in Wood Shingles and Shakes
(See page 29).
·
The Great
Tile Hoax (See page 30).
·
The
Big Metal Myth
(See page 33).
·
Your Best
Choice for a “Steep-Slope” Roof
(See page 35).
·
Spray
Polyurethane Foam: A Temporary Solution to a Permanent Problem?
(See page 38).
·
The
Inherent Weakness in Single-Ply Roofing
(See page 39).
·
Built-up
Roofing: Is it Worth the Risk?
(See page 40).
·
Your Best
Choice for a "Low-Slope” Roof (See page 41).
·
A
Simple Way to Prevent to "Guinea Pig Syndrome"
(See page 43).
Chapter
Three: Roofing Contractors
How
to Avoid
Getting Ripped Off by a
Crooked or Incompetent Roofer!
Although
most roofers are honest, hard-working professionals, there are some
“bad apples” out there. You need to take the “due diligence”
needed to protect yourself… and your money.
There
are two types of roofers to look out for…
The
first type is called many names including: “fly-by-night”,
“trunk-slammer”, “jack-leg”, and even “roofer-from-hell”.
Whatever you call them, they are basically just crooks... and they will
rob you blind.
But
those guys are fairly easy to avoid. The roofers that can fool you are
legal roofing contractors who just aren't very good at what they do. And
they can be harder on your wallet than the thieves!
But
out there somewhere is “The
Best Roofer in Town." He can be tough to find because he
doesn’t advertise much. (Referrals from his happy clients keep him
busy.) He can be trusted to look out for your best interests from the
beginning of your project to the end. And after that, he will still be
around if you need him again some day. He’s the ONLY roofer you want,
and this chapter will help you find him. It includes:
·
A
Small Mistake That Could Cost You
Thousands of Dollars
(See page 45).
·
How to
Avoid the "Roofer from Hell" (See page 46).
·
Incompetent
Roofers: They Can Be Just as Hard on Your Wallet as the Crooks!
(See page 46).
·
The
Only Roofer You Should Trust With Your Project
(See page 48).
·
How
to Ensure All Your Bids Are “Apples-to-Apples”
(See page 48).
·
Where
to Find the Best Roofer in Town
(See page 50).
·
How
to Supervise the
Work Without Alienating the
Crew
(See page 52).
·
Seven
Important Details to Wrap up the Job
and
Get Everything You Paid For (See page 52).
Chapter
Four: Roof Repairs
How
to Fix (almost) Any Roof Leak For Under $20!
Ever
since man first crawled into caves to get out of the weather, we have
been trying to stay warm and dry in our homes. When your roof leaks, it
triggers strong emotions that go back thousands of years.
If
you are dealing with a leak, you may be dreading the cost of a major
repair or re-roof. Perhaps
you have even thought of fixing it yourself, but you're not sure exactly
how to go about it.
The
good news in Chapter Four is that most roof leaks can be repaired easily
and inexpensively. Finding the leaks can be a little tricky, but I’ll
help you with that, too.
This
chapter can also help if you have a big roof problem, like when a
hurricane or tornado just tore off half your roof. I will explain how to
get watertight quickly to prevent more interior damage. This chapter
includes:
·
Five
Effective Damage Control Tips
(See page 54).
·
How to
Get Your Home Watertight When
You Have Major Roof Damage (See page 55).
·
Leak
Chasing 101
(See page 56).
·
Seven
Essential Leak Repair Principles (See page 58).
·
Five
Proven Repair
Methods
(See
page 59).
·
What You
Need to Know About Valley Repairs
(See page 60).
·
How
to Fix a Leaky Soil Stack
(See page 60).
·
How to
Fix a Leaky Gooseneck Vent (See page 61).
·
Slate
Roofing Repair Tips
(See page 62).
·
Wood
Shingle and Shake Repair Tips (See page 63).
·
Tile
Roofing Repair Tips
(See page 63).
·
Metal
Roofing Repair Tips (See page 64).
·
Asphalt
Shingle Repair Tips
(See page 65).
·
Spray
Polyurethane Foam Repair Tips (See page 66).
·
Single-ply
Roofing Repair Tips
(See page 66).
·
Built-up
Roofing Repair Tips (See page 66).
·
Modified
Bitumen Repair Tips
(See page 67).
·
Tips for
Repairing Interior Damage (See page 67).
Chapter
Five: Reroofing
Trade
Secrets to Make the Job Easier and
Help You Avoid Costly Mistakes!
When
it comes time to reroof, you have an opportunity to start fresh with a
whole new roof system… and save a lot of money in the process. This
chapter can help whether you do the work yourself or hire a roofing
contractor.
There
are three good reasons for doing the work yourself…
1. You
really can save thousands of dollars! You save the labor cost of the
roofers. You save the cost of workers compensation and liability
insurance. You save the contractors overhead and profit.
Prices
vary in different markets but where I live, roofing contractors charge
about $6,875 for a typical 2500 square foot shingle reroof. The
materials for that job would run about $2,500, leaving the
do-it-yourselfer a potential savings of $4,375. Imagine what else you
could do with that chunk of change!
2. You
just might do a better job! There’s a few things you may not
know about roofers. First off, most of them don’t have much in the way
of formal training. They learn "on-the-job"… where they pick
up bad habits along with the good.
Another
thing about roofing is that a lot of it is done by “piecework”...
where the emphasis is often on quantity rather than quality.
Plus,
with so much roofing labor migrating from other countries, there is
often a language barrier between management and the roofers on the job.
You
could easily get roofers who don't know the right way to do it, don't
care if they do and can't communicate with the person that does! By
doing the roof yourself, you don’t have to worry about those things.
But
don’t get me wrong... there are some good roofers out there. You
should get one if you can afford it and Chapter Three can help you find
a good one. Otherwise, you just might do a better job yourself.
What you lack in experience, you can more than make up for in dedication
to the task at hand.
3.
You get bragging rights! Relatively few homeowners
tackle a project as challenging as a new roof… And even fewer pull it
off without screwing it up. But when you do, you deserve to be very
proud of your accomplishment. There is something very special (and very
primal) about installing a new roof to protect your home and family from
the elements.
It's
easy to understand why you are thinking about roofing your own home. But
don’t kid yourself… It might be the toughest work you ever do
and you'll earn every penny you save.
You’re
Going to Need All The Help You Can Get!
You
may have noticed there is lots of roofing information online. In fact, a
Google search for the word “roof” turns up 140 million websites!
Much
of it is just standard roofing instructions. It’s not my purpose here
to rehash those. That’s been done many times before and frankly I
can’t add much value to that discussion.
If
you need that type of basic information, it’s available for free on
the manufacturers websites. Heck, it’s even printed on the shingle
wrappers. It will tell you
WHAT to do. But…
-- It won't tell you how to do it better.
-- It won't tell you how to do it easier.
-- It won't tell you how to do it faster.
-- It won't tell you how to do it safer.
-- It won't tell you how to avoid costly mistakes.
That’s
Where Chapter Five Comes
In!
You
see, for the past 22 years, I have collected every single roofing tip,
technique and trade secret I could find. I've read every roofing book I
could put my hands on. I’ve studied and passed the state licensing
course for roofing contractors and kept up with all the continuing
education requirements.
For
many years, I kept a running list of questions I had about every aspect
of roofing and was relentless about getting the answers. I've been
fortunate to work with some old timers who have probably forgotten more
about roofing than I will ever know. I picked their brains until I was
nuisance… and sooner or later I learned their secrets.
When
I heard of somebody who did something better than me, I found out how
they did it. I tested hundreds of ideas, keeping the good ones and
throwing out the bad.
And
over all those years, my roofing experience spread across both
residential and commercial jobs… in hot climates and cold… big
companies and small… installing and/or repairing every major roofing
system out there.
I’ve
seen just about every kind of roofing problem imaginable… and how to
avoid them. Basically, I have a Masters Degree from “The Roofing
School of Hard Knocks”. What I’m trying to say is:
I
Know What Works and What Doesn’t...
And I Want to Share it With You!
It
took me many years to learn these things the hard way... but I’m going
to make it easy for you. This chapter includes all the best roofing
tricks-of-the-trade I know. You can learn them quickly and easily from
the comfort of your home.
The
tips and techniques cover virtually every part of your roofing project
from planning the job through the final clean up.
If you are hiring a roofer, do YOURSELF a big favor… Print
our this chapter and give it to him! If you picked the right guy, he
will thank you politely while thinking, “What the Hell is this?”
He probably won’t have time to read it right then, but later,
maybe over a burger and fries, he will flip through it out of curiosity.
Hopefully,
he will already know most everything in there. But then he will read the
tips about running great metal or perhaps the easy way to keep your
shingles straight. Right there on the spot, he just might learn
something that will help him do
a better job for you.
If
nothing else, he will know that YOU KNOW the little trade secrets that
can make such a big difference when reroofing. That includes all these
tips you get in Chapter Five:
You
Get Planning Tips Including…
· Can
You Really Do it Yourself? When it Makes Sense and
When It Could be a Big Mistake! (See page 70).
· The
Roofing Hat Trick: Three Crucial Things Your Work
Has to Achieve to Avoid Trouble! (See page
70).
· Why
Reroof Now? (See page 71).
· Seven Fundamental
Factors to Help You Decide Between Reroofing and a Roofover (See
page
71).
· When
You Need a Permit… And
When You Don’t
(See page 72).
· The
Roofing Inspector:
Friend or Foe?
(See page
72).
· How
to Make a Simple Roof Drawing (See page 73).
You
Get Purchasing Tips Including…
· Where
to Get Your Roofing Materials! (See
page 74).
· A
Common Mistake to Avoid When
Ordering Your Shingles (See page 75).
· Underlayments:
Is Paper or Plastic the Best Way
to Go? (See page 75).
· Drip
Edge and Valley Metal: Don't Put 15-Year Flashings… On a 30-Year
Roof! (See page 75).
· Pipe
Flashings: The Only Type That Will Outlive Your Shingles (See page 76).
You
Get Roof-over Tips Including…
· A
Costly Mistake to Avoid When Doing a Roof-over
(See page 76).
· A
Roof-over Fundamental You Need to Know
(See page 76).
· How
to Do a Roof-over When the Old Shingles are
Badly Curled (See page
76).
· Two Ways
to Avoid Unsightly “Humps” At Your
Hips and Ridges (See page 76).
· A Clever Roofover Trick That Can
Save You A Lot of Time...
If You Have Aluminum Drip
Edge
(See page 76).
· An
Excellent Roof-over Solution for Steel Drip Edge
(See page 77).
You
Get Tear-off Tips Including…
· Where
to Start Your Tear-off…
And Why it Makes a Difference (See page 77).
· A
Simple Step to Save Your Ceilings! (See page 77).
· An Effective Tear-off Technique
That Saves Labor and Helps to Avoid
Falls
(See page
77).
· When
You Can Safely Use a Wheel Barrel on the Roof…
And the Best Kind to Get (See page 77).
· The JJ Rule: I Wrote it AFTER My
Son Fell Off a Roof…
Don’t Let It Happen To You! (See page
77).
· The
Best Tear-off Idea I Ever Had! (See page 78).
· How to Pull Staples 50% Faster!
(See page 78).
You
Get Carpentry Tips Including...
· Rotted Wood: The
Best (and Easiest) Time to Fix It!
(See page 79).
· The
“Three Rafter Rule” to Use When Repairing
Roof Sheathing (See page 79).
· Don’t
Let Old Leaks Come Back to Haunt You and
Scare Away Prospective Homebuyers! (See page 79).
· Re-nailing
the Roof Deck: Required or Optional?
(See page
79).
· A Simple Way
to Repair Unsightly Dips in the Roof Deck
(See page 79).
· The
Easiest Way
to Get Plywood Up On the Roof…
Even If You’re Working Alone! (See page
79).
· Metal
Mending Plates: When to Use Them and
When You Shouldn’t (See page 80).
· A
Quick and Easy Way
to Make Plywood Repairs
(See page
80).
· How
to Cut Plywood… Without a Saw! (See
page 80).
You
Get Underlayment Tips Including…
· How
to Avoid Getting Caught in the Rain With
A Big Roof Section Torn Off! (See page
80).
· How
to Hand Nail Like a Pro (See page 81).
· A
$5000 Dry-in Mistake… And How You Can Avoid
Doing the Same Thing (See page 81).
· An
Easy Way to Dry-in Plumbing Vent Pipes
(See page 81).
You
Get Low-slope
Roofing Tips
Including…
· How to Turn a Dead Flat Roof That
Ponds Water Into
One With Excellent Drainage (See page
81).
· Some
Important Considerations When Laying Out Your Low-slope Roofing
System (See page 83).
· The
Main
Reason Flat Roofs Leak at The Transition to
the Shingle Roof… And How to Avoid it! (See page
83).
You
Get Flashing Tips Including…
· The
Simple Technique Behind Thousands of Leak-Free
Flashing Installations (See page 84).
· The Best Type of Wall Flashing to
Use
(See page 84).
· When
to Reuse the Old Flashings…
And When to Install New Ones (See page 84).
· How to Shingle Around Pipes and
Vents Without
Making a Big Mess! (See page 84).
· An
Essential Rule to Remember When Installing
Shingle Flashings (See page 84).
· Ten
Techniques to Give Your Drip Edge a
Professional
Look (See page
84).
You
Get Layout Tips Including…
· Chalking
Lines: When You Need Them…
And When You Don’t! (See page
85).
· The
Two Types of Chalk You Will Need (See page 85).
· Chalking Your Horizontal Lines:
Where to Start…
and
How Far Apart? (See page
85).
· A
Professional Touch That Separates the
Crafts-men From the Boys! (See page 85).
· An Ancient Technique for Marking
Perpendicular Lines (See page 86).
You
Get Shingle Tips Including…
· A
Simple Trick to Keep Three-Tab Shingles in Alignment
(See page 86).
· Where
to Start Shingling and Why it Matters!
(See page
87).
· Three Ways
to Avoid Valley Leaks (See page 87).
· A
Smart Lesson From Some Dumb Animals!
(See page 87).
· One
Thing You Need to Do Before Calling it a Day!
(See page 87).
· The Most Important Thing to
Remember When Shingling
(See page 88).
· How
to Virtually Eliminate Shiners! (See page 88).
· How You Can Minimize
Shingle Waste
(See page 88).
· A
“Mistake” You Can Make Which Just Might Help Your
Roof Survive a Tornado or Hurricane (See page 88).
· How
to Eliminate a
Lot
of Wasted Time and Energy When
You Shingle! (See page 89).
· How
to Grab the Shingles for Fast and Easy Placement
(See page 89).
· How
to Shave a Second or Two Off Every
Shingle You Install! (See page 89).
· How
to Cut Your “Tab-Flipping” Time in Half! (See page 89).
· A
Couple of Neat Utility Blade Tricks to
Save You Time and Money (See page 90).
· A
Simple Trick to Cut Down the Time it Takes to
Shingle Around Pipes and Vents (See page 90).