“Everybody talks about customer service—how it will build a company and guarantee a steady profit. This letter is to point out how your staff member Darren delivers. He went out of his way to help us and the material was delivered when he said it would be.”
—Will C.

AnswerMan

Ask Steve the AnswerMan! Check out roofing tips, listen to our radio ads, and ask Steve your own questions.

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The AnswerMan answers...

Is it OK to put a new roof over the top of my existing roof?

Let's explore both options. Most roofing manufacturers allow you to cover up your old roof. And depending on where you live, some building codes will allow you to install up to a third layer. However, it's a good idea to have your old roof removed so you can check for any damage to the roof decking. It's always better to start with a clean, smooth surface. That way, there's no possibility of the old roof creating bumps and imperfections in your new roof.

Listen to the New Roof radio spot

What are the black streaks I see on older asphalt composition roofs?

Those streaks are caused by algae growing on your roof. The algae itself is uglier than it is harmful, but it can promote future moss growth. You're probably wondering what you can do to prevent it.

Woodfeathers carries a number of products that kill the algae growth along with several types of asphalt composition roofs that come with copper coated granules. These granules will help prevent the algae growth before it starts and have 10- to 20-year warranties, providing a wonderful long term answer to your algae problem.

Listen to the Black Streaks radio spot

Are there any good roofing alternatives that look like cedar shakes?

Well, I prefer chocolate shakes myself! But there are several roofing products on the market today with the appearance of wood shakes. Metal, concrete, asphalt and composite materials can all be used to achieve that shake look. Consult with a Woodfeathers contractor on your type of house, roof and budget, and we can help design a solution that is right for you.

Listen to the Shakes radio spot

What are “architectural” shingles?

Architectural shingles, also called dimensional shingles, have a textured composition. They come in a variety of shapes and warranties, and bring design to your roof. You see, your roof is more than just a covering, and architectural shingles can help protect your home while topping it off beautifully!

Listen to the Architectural Shingles radio spot

How do wind warranties affect my asphalt roof?

All asphalt shingles come with a wind warranty between 60 and 110 miles per hour. That's some strong wind! But most wind warranties are good for about five years, depending on the shingles' weight.

Should I use laundry detergent to control algae or moss on my asphalt roof?

Not unless you want to make some quick, low budget sky lights. The degreasers in today's laundry detergents will actually eat through your roofing and cause numerous leaks in a matter of days. Laundry detergents used to be very efficient in controlling moss and algae, but they no longer contain the phosphates because of today's concerns about hurting the environment.

Listen to the Detergent radio spot

Our home is under a substantial amount of fir trees. We get quite a bit of moss. Is there a more moss resistant roofing material than regular composition roofing materials? Please keep in mind the branch impacts with each storm. Thank you.

Dear Pat, Thank you for your question about the impact moss has on roofing materials. Most roofing materials are not moss resistant. There are a group of composition products that have copper coated granules that will stop algae for a period of time. Many feel that algae is a precurser to moss and that this is your best defense. Tree debris will always be a problem for any type of roof and will facilitate moss growth. The only real way of dealing with moss is to clean your roof once or twice per year. Falling branches are a problem for any type of roof. Composition would be the simplest to repair and walk on. Thanks again for your question and if you wish to get help with contractors who clean roofs let us know. Steve the AnswerMan

do zinc strips help prevent algae, moss?? if so do you seel them and what is cost size. any other recomendations. this is a new roof. looking for prevention. thanks

Dear Phil, Thank you for your question. We do carry zinc strips. They are 2 1/2" wide by 50' long. They cost $24.75 a roll and installation is recommended about 3' below the ridgeline with at least 2" of the product exposed. Zinc is effective at retarding algae and moss growth. The water that runs across the zinc forms zinc oxide which is the actual chemical that prevents this roof nuisance from growing. The zinc strips are 99.5% pure zinc so it is a slow leaching process that takes place as it coats the roof.

Will high pressure cleaning moss off the roof harm my shingles? It is half the price of hand removal/wire brush. What about moss preventatiives? Effective or not? thanks

Pressure washing can damage shingle roofs. It is best to get a company that uses high water volume with low water pressure. Be sure to use a company that has been in business for some time and make sure the water is sprayed down hill and never up underneath your shingles. Some companies use treatments that kill the moss and algae before they clean the roof making it easier to remove growth material.

*NOTE: The information provided by the Answerman and Woodfeathers is for general informational purposes only, and should not be taken as architectural or engineering advice. The examples above are fictitious and should not be used as a basis for planning a real roof. Woodfeathers does not endorse the substituting or replacing cedar shakes with a chocolate shakes. Consult a licensed roofing contractor or roofing specialist for help with your specific roofing needs.