Blue Nail Roofing & Construction Blog

In 2020, the United States experienced roof hail damage from 4,611 large hail storms, according to the NOAA Severe Weather Database. Falling hail gets caught in circular updrafts, contacts water vapor, and freezes again. The stronger the updrafts, the longer a hailstone circulates up and down until gravity no longer allows it to remain aloft, and at that point, the hailstone falls to the ground. Roof hail damage differs according to hailstone size, wind speed, wind direction, roof material and age, and slope. Damage can be functional or cosmetic, but broken edges and granule loss that appear cosmetic can cause serious complications.

Modern green roof designs include a layer of vegetation planted over a waterproofing system typically installed on top of flat roofs or a slightly sloped roof, although the green roof concept can be applied to intensive roofs of any configuration, even on walls. In general, residential green roofs are much lighter and more straightforward with a modest roof load than those on large multistory buildings, including trees, and require minimal maintenance. While records of traditional sod roofs and rooftop gardens go back to 500 B.C.E., modern green roofs started becoming common in Europe, especially Germany, over 40 years ago with the layering system used today. The basic structure of the green roof layers consists of a variety of plants, several inches of growing medium (typically different than a layer of soil), filter membrane, drainage layer that provides aeration for plant roots, waterproof/root repellant layer, roofing membrane support for plantings above, thermal insulation, vapor control layer, and structural roof support. With a wider variety of plants come improvements in biodiversity (sometimes called brown roofs), management of stormwater runoff, and improved air quality by filtering pollutants in cities. As they become more popular in the U.S., green roof symposia, green roof professional training courses, and social groups are springing up in many areas.

A cool roof is designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles. Nearly any kind of building can benefit from a cool roof, but consider the climate and other factors before installing one. Reduce energy bills by decreasing air conditioning needs of indoor spaces that are not air-conditioned, such as garages or covered patios. These are two significant ways to achieve a cool roof. Besides reducing energy costs, decreasing roof temperature can extend roof service life considerably. There are many types of cool roof technology systems available, but the surface exposed to the sun is the one that determines if a roof is cool or not. You can usually make a new or existing roof cool by selecting the appropriate surface.

Preparing your roof for storms and the environmental challenges that come with both standard and extreme storm events is about threat mitigation on your property. Do you have large trees with weak root systems, overhanging limbs, or damage to your roof? The combination of risks is unique to your property, but here are some common things to look for before the spring and summer storm season.

Your home’s roof protects you and your belongings from the outside world. However, when you have a roof leak, the structure and stability of your home declines along with it. It’s crucial that you repair your roof immediately to avoid more serious damage later on that could lead to a roof replacement.  However, there are common roof repair mistakes that are often made during the repair process. How can you know if you’re doing a good job?  Proper installation includes some subtle considerations such as nail placement and correct location as well as identifying any underlying issues that may contribute to premature failure.  An improper installation may look acceptable, until it rains.

Days that reach sub-freezing temperatures can do the most damage to your roof, some of which may not be apparent right away.  Here are several common roofing issues that you should be aware of before the winter months.

At least 5% of American homeowners incur the hefty cost of roof replacement every year.

Understanding the signs of roof storm damage can be very helpful when consulting with a roofing professional and insurance company, especially if you may have an insurance claim.  Hail and wind damage are two of the most common and most expensive types of damage, especially to shingle roofs. Some signs are obvious, but there are others that you will have to do a careful roof inspection to find signs of damage.

Of the many essentials needed to promote a more energy-efficient home, proper attic insulation ranks considerably high. A poorly insulated attic can result in a myriad of problems ranging from barely noticeable to severely impactful, including drafts, excessive heating and AC bills, increased allergens, pests, critters and more. Additionally, homes that have not been insulated for many years (or decades) may be housing materials that are inefficient, toxic or teeming with built-up bacteria that can flow invisibly through your home.

In the US alone, there are over 100,000 roofing companies with a market size of over $48 billion. When you search for the best roof repair company in Texas online, you’re likely to get a plethora of results, so choosing one can be quite a daunting endeavor. How do you know who will be professional enough?

Your roof takes damage that you probably don’t even think about, however there are a number of warning signs your roof needs repair.  Just because you don’t see light or water coming in indicating major damage, doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. You probably aren’t paying attention to all the other things happening right above your head and contributing to roof damage.  Aging is an inevitable process, but unusual weather can cause both immediate damage and reduce the service life of your roof.  Keep reading to learn about some major signs your roof needs repair ASAP.  Even if your roof isn’t currently leaking, it could still have inadequate insulation or ventilation. This may be costing you money in the form of higher utility bills.

Granule loss in asphalt shingles is normal on a shingle roof, and it’s not always an indicator of excessive material wear.  However, if you notice a large increase in shingles losing granules and material loss, particularly in the gutters and downspouts, you may need repair or roof replacement. This is one problem that is specific to an asphalt shingle roof, and one of the advantages of a metal roof.

Are you in need of a roofing repair or replacement? Perhaps you’ve got a roofing emergency that needs to be fixed right away. The critical thing is not to panic or rush. Take your time and find the right Dallas roofer for the job. If you rush to hire the first roofer that you find, you could end up paying the price for it in the long haul.Instead, you want to make sure the roofing company that you hire checks all the boxes. See below for all that you need to look for whenever you want to hire a Dallas roofing company.

Whether you had a new roof installed recently or it has been many years, having a seasonal or bi-annual professional inspection can identify potential issues early on.  You may be overwhelmed at the idea of doing a throughout inspection of your roof as many details can be overlooked with the naked eye. Here at Blue Nail Roofing, our crews have been inspecting roofs for over 15 years and have the trained eye to detect any issues at early stages.  Not only that, but our Dallas teams use industry’s most advanced equipment and leak detection technology for a professional residential roof inspections.

Dealing with a compromised roof can be as frustrating as it is confusing, and most homeowners (understandably) don’t know whether they’re dealing with a minor roofing issue or one that requires more significant repairs or replacement. As many have learned through experience, one of the worst possible things any homeowner can do is simply wait for the problem to resolve itself. We assure you, it won’t. Left ignored, many residential roof problems will get worse over time, resulting in even greater discomfort and repair bills that are inevitably more expensive.

Wood shingles and tile roofs are the most popular roofing types for residential homes.

As one of the area’s most trusted and versatile commercial roofers, Blue Nail offers the best prices and superior service on flat roofs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area.  We install, maintain and repair flat roofs, and stand firmly behind every roof we service.