FAQs

Roof system problems are often discovered after leaking or other severe damage. Indoors, look for cracked paint, discolored plasterboard, and peeling wallpaper as signs of damaged roof areas. Outdoors, look for missing or cracked shingles, loose seams, deteriorated flashings, or excessive surface granules gathering in the gutters or downspouts.

You have two options to choose from when deciding to reroof…

One, you can choose a complete replacement of the roof system involving a tear-off of your existing roof system. This is the option that we recommend.

Two, you can re-cover the existing roof system, involving only the installation of a new roof system. If you choose option two, you should check with a professional roofing contractor because building code requirements usually will not allow more than one roof system re-cover before a complete replacement is necessary. This method of re-roofing is not reliable, so we try to stay away from it.

Not necessarily. Leaks can result from flashing that has come loose or a section of the roof system being damaged. A complete roof system failure, however, generally is irreversible.

Many factors go into the price of a new roof. A few of these factors are:

• The number of layers of shingles on your existing roof
• The square footage of your roof
• The pitch or slope of your roof
• The number of valleys, hips, and accessories on the roof
• The roofing product that you choose, whether you like architectural shingles, 3-tab shingles, or you would like an alternative roofing solution
• The current condition of your roof deck. If the roof is extremely pliable when our roofing expert walks on it, chances are some of your plywood has rotten. This is occasionally the case with older construction. Building codes have changed quite a bit in the past 25 years. Building code used to state that 3/8″ plywood was appropriate for South Eastern Virginia. The code has changed to require all new construction to use 7/16″ OSB plywood for new roofs installed.

The answer to this question depends on the current condition of your home and your home insurance carrier. We recommend that you consult with your insurance agent for details.

One roofing option we give our customers who want to take advantage of the homeowner’s insurance savings is installing Timberline® ArmorShield II™ shingles. These Class IV impact-resistant shingles are designed to meet the insurance industry’s recommended criteria.

*See Timberline® Cool Series shingles for extra savings on your energy bills and up to a $500 energy tax credit

• Easy Roofing System Evaluation and Price Estimation Process
  • Roof: Measure, Take Pictures, and Identify Urgent Problems
  • Interior Inspection: Attic, Home Interior
  • Exterior Surroundings: Areas to Protect

• Preparation
  • Education and Awareness
    • Determine your needs
    • Understand your options
    • Provide product literature and samples for you to review
    • Inform you of Warranty options
  • Provide a Written Proposal
    • Define exactly what we’ll do and lay out a detailed cost estimate
• Prior to Installation
  • Obtain Necessary Building Permits
    • Make sure the job meets local building codes
    • This avoids the unnecessary cost of corrective construction
  • Confirm Proper Materials Delivered
    • Makes sure we’re installing what you have requested
    • Allows job to start and proceed on schedule
    • Assures the material is not damaged
  • Check Weather Forecast
    • Prevents interior water damage caused from unexpected storms
• Worry-Free Installation
  • Properly Store Material
    • Protect the roofing materials and other products with cautionary tape
    • Keep the house and yard neat and safe during the entire roofing project
  • Remove Old Roof
    • Allows for inspection and repair of the roof deck
    • Provides smooth roof deck to apply the new roof
  • Daily Job Site Cleanup
    • Prevents potential accidents
    • Maintains clean appearance
  • Install Proper Solid Sheathing (if necessary)
  • Install Perimeter Metal Drip Edges
    • Protects the roof edge from water infiltration
  • Address Flashing Details
    • Flashing details around chimneys, soil stacks, ventilators, and vertical wall joints are likely points of leakage
  • Install Specified Roofing Product
    • Provides quality weather protection, fire protection, and beauty to the exterior of your home
    • Accentuates your home’s curb appeal
  • Install Protective Hip & Ridge Caps
    • Provides the finishing touch to protect your roof investment
    • Enhances your roof lines and definition
• Completing the Job
  • Remove All Debris From the Roof
    • Shows our fine craftsmanship and allows the roof to look attractive
  • Perform Family Safe Clean-Up Procedure
    • Remove all plastic, matting, tarps, and equipment from around your home
    • Pick-Up nails and debris with crew pick up patrol
  • Deliver Warranties & Final Invoices
    • Provides you with peace of mind

We offer an excellent warranty for all new roofs that we install. As the contractor we guarantee our work with a 10-year labor warranty.

Also, as a GAF Certified Roofing Contractor, we are able to offer an outstanding manufacturers warranty because we’ve been approved by GAF due to the high quality of our work. If you decide to go with one of the GAF Timberline Shingles, we will register you a Lifetime ltd. warranty. If you decide to go with a 3-tab shingle, GAF offers either a 25-year or 30-year warranty depending on the line of 3-tab shingles you choose.

No. The interruption to your normal daily activity is minimal. We just ask that you remove any vehicles from the driveway.

We will use protective barriers for your home where necessary and carefully lay out tarps to protect your lawn and bushes.

The length of time to install a new roof depends on the size and difficulty. The average single family home or townhouse roof will take 1 to 2 days.

Often times, we have removed your old roofing system and installed your brand new roofing system before you get home from work!

Gilpin Roofing & Siding, Inc. is licensed by the state of Virginia as a professional roofing contractor. Our VA Class-A Contractors License Number is 2705062584A. We are insured with our General Liability Insurance for $2,000,000 and with our Workman’s Compensation Insurance for $500,000.

If you are painting and having a new roof installed, select the roof and paint colors that will complement each other. It is wise to paint before you have your new roof installed because if you choose to roof before you paint, then there may be overspray onto the surface of your new roof.

• Clear vehicles: please move all cars, boats, campers, etc. out of your garage and driveway from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday-Saturday until the roof is finished.
• Dust, Dirt and Debris: please cover all valuables in your attic, garage, and rooms that have open bean “tongue & groove” cathedral ceilings with no drywall or acoustical ceilings.. During the tear-off phase, these areas may be exposed to dust and falling shingles.
• Vibrations: please remove or secure any lose items hanging on walls or stored in cabinets. These items may be jarred or shaken loose by vibrations from hammering or loading materials.
• Access: please leave the side gate to the backyard unlocked so we can clean up after the tear-off is finished. If you have pets in your backyard, please leave a note with any special instructions or precautions to be taken by the crew.

When calculating your roofing cost over the lifetime of your roof use the following formula.

Annual Roofing Cost = Total Cost divided by Life Expectancy of the Roof System in Years