Property managers have their work cut out for them. Depending on the buildings they manage, they and their chosen contractors can be responsible for everything from roofing, siding, gutters, and windows, to yards, sidewalks, parking areas and much more. As a property manager, when do you determine that something needs to be replaced – is it when it fails?…in a certain time frame?…as a preventative measure?…or is it aesthetic? In this article, we will explore roofing specifically, and several scenarios that property managers might face.
Beautiful Properties Attract Great Tenants
When it comes to choosing a place to call home, buyers and renters are naturally going to seek out the most attractive options within their budget. Aesthetically, roofing can be one of the biggest factors in first impressions. Roofs that appear to be old or failing – those with missing or warped shingles or stains – can deter people from exploring a property further. Even roofs that are not failing but simply look out-of-date or mismatched can be a negative factor for property seekers.
If the roofing on your property gives a not-so-favorable first impression, it might be time to update. After all, the more sought after your property is, the higher the value to prospective tenants.
Aging, Leaks, and Failing Shingles Are Warning Signs
Most residential shingle roofing has a life span of approximately 20 years, depending on the shingles used and the quality of the installation. As roofers, we know that properties nearing the end of their life span need to be addressed sooner rather than later. We have even seen roofs that are many years ahead of the end of their life span that are failing due to faulty shingles and/or subpar installation.
If your property has roofing that appears old, has missing, broken, or warped shingles, or if tenants are reporting leaks in their ceilings, it is time for a roof inspection. A licensed roofing contractor will be able to assess the exterior of your property using state-of-the-art methods such as satellite imaging and drone photography. This technology is highly effective in inspecting even the highest, most hard-to-reach areas of a roof. Your roofing contractor can also inspect interior areas where signs of leaks are present.
Repairs, Repairs, Repairs
Replacing vast exterior elements of a multi-family dwelling all at once can not only be daunting, it can be expensive. When replacing something like roofing on the entirety of a property is not in the budget, property managers are in “fix-it” mode. Leaks are plugged with caulking and missing shingles are replaced. While these fixes might work in the short-term, it will not be long before these small issues become big problems. Caulking and replacement shingles are merely temporary band-aids that will eventually need to be addressed.
If the roofing on your property has been repaired several times over the course of a year or more, having an estimate done will allow you to budget for its replacement. While it might seem expensive, the cost of constant repairs and the threat of even larger issues due to roof failure could prove to be even more costly.
The Value in Partnership
If you’re a property manager, you are no stranger to headaches. After all, caring for the safety and well-being of hundreds of people can be quite stressful. And while many of your tenants may be easy-going and not ones to complain, you no doubt have many others that are the opposite! One way to help ease that stress can be to partner with trusted professionals. Building a rapport with various licensed contractors means that when problems arise, you have an inside expert you can trust. Solid relationships with roofing and exterior contractors, plumbers, electricians, and grounds maintenance contractors, can make your work life a bit less stressful.
How can S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows help you? With more than 40 years of roofing and exterior replacement contracting services on our side, S&K is a trusted partner of dozens of property managers in Maryland and Northern Virginia. To see our qualifications and licensing, a detailed list of our commercial property expertise, and a list of property manager references, download our Commercial Property Packet by clicking on the icon on the right. When you’re ready, give us a call or e-mail us. We’ll meet with you at your property to discuss how we can be of assistance. Call Charlie McCurry at 443-516-2117, or email charlie@www.skroofing.com.
The laws of physics tell us that heat rises. It stands to reason then that any heat generated through the vents in your floor will make its way to your ceilings. If your home is 2 or more stories, you know that your upper level is warmer than your lower levels. Eventually that heat makes its way to your attic, and if your attic insulation is lacking, the heat escapes through your roof.
At S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows, we recommend approximately 16 inches of Owens Corning AttiCat blown-in insulation, which can save you up to 20% on your heating and cooling costs.* This level of insulation provides an R-Value of R-49. As you can see, compared to roll-out insulation at R-11 – R-19, blown-in insulation offers exceptional heat flow resistance. In addition to fiberglass insulation providing energy efficiency, it is non-combustible and non-corrosive, provided added safety.
2021 will not be the end of these increases. Manufacturers have said that asphalt shingles will increase 6-8%, synthetic roofing 12% and cedar 8-10% by February 2022. But why? Let’s take a look.
Unless you have an upstairs room that looks down on a lower level roof, you probably have never looked into your gutters. Most homes in Maryland, Virginia, and the surrounding areas are built with standard, open rain gutters. The purpose of gutters is to catch falling rain and run-off from your roof and direct it away from your home. Without gutters, rain water would pool around your foundation, or even travel back behind your roof overhang and leak into windows. Gutters are an important level of protection for you home. 
Cracks and wood rot do not always go hand-in-hand. While you need to keep an eye on cracks, if the wood was properly treated, having cracks doesn’t always lead to rot. However, if you notice wood that is splintering, or is soft when you press on it, you might be experiencing rot. It is best to have a professional take a look and determine whether replacement is necessary.
When settlers came to America in the 1600’s, homes were constructed primarily from wood. After all, wood was plentiful, and conserving natural resources was not a priority. Logs were cut and used in conjunction with mud and clay to construct what we now call log cabins. From the 1600’s to the mid 1900’s, homes were mainly constructed from wood, stone, and brick. 
As roofers, we are often asked why shingles blow off even when there hasn’t been a bad storm or high wind day. There are a few different reasons roof shingles blow off. Some are obvious, while others…not so much. Let’s explore…
Ice damming on your home’s roof is caused by fluctuating weather conditions during winter. Snow and ice that accumulates on your roof, then thaws and re-freezes can cause a build-up of ice at your roof’s edge. This build up is often highly concentrated, and when thawing begins, it can over saturate your roof, causing leaks.