Learning Center
What a good roofer checks, written down by one
Our own articles on nailing, ice guard, venting, contracts and the tactics that make a cheap bid expensive. Most are written by Brandon Woodcock from what our crews find on Yakima Valley roofs. Read them before you hire anyone, us included.
Start here · 6 min read
Nailing Specs: Why Nailing Is King on a Composition Roof
The largest single reason a composition roof fails prematurely is not the shingle. It is the nail.
From the ground and the ladder
Inspect your own roof
2 min read
How to Spot the Signs You Need Roof Repairs or a New RoofCatch these seven warning signs early and a small repair stays small.
7 min read
DIY Asphalt Shingle Inspection: Is Your Roof Failing?A walk-through of what to look at on a composition roof, so you know whether you need a repair or should start planning a replacement.
3 min read
DIY Shake Roof Inspection: How Much Life Is Left?How to tell whether your shake roof is failing or has years of life remaining.
3 min read
Is Your Leaky Roof Telling You It's Time for a Replacement?A single leak often points to bigger problems like age, poor installation or widespread damage.
4 min read
What to Do If Your Roof Is Leaking During a StormAct quickly and safely, and you can limit the damage until a roofer can get up there.
2 min read
Will Insurance Cover My Roof Repairs?Coverage depends on what caused the damage and what your policy says, so document everything and report it fast.
Layer by layer
How a roof should be built
3 min read
Why Composition Shingles Fail Prematurely: The Hidden Problem of Improper InstallationMost early shingle failures trace back to how the roof was installed, not to defective materials.
5 min read
Ice Guard: What It Does and How to Make It WorkIce guard stops ice dam leaks, but only when it is stuck to the wood and installed the right way.
5 min read
Attic Ventilation: How Your Roof Breathes and Why It MattersA roof that can't breathe cooks itself from below, and the first person you call is the roofer.
4 min read
Underlayment Is Not a Roofing SystemUnderlayment is a critical layer, but it is one part of the roof, not the roof itself.
2 min read
Choosing the Best Roofing Material for Your Home in YakimaFour common roofing materials, what each does well, and who each one is best for.
3 min read
TPO or PVC: Which Membrane Fits Your Building in Yakima?Both membranes work on commercial roofs, but they suit different budgets, buildings and risks.
Before you sign
Hiring a contractor
6 min read
Low Ball Tactics: How a Cheap Roofing Bid Gets ExpensiveThe cheapest bid on the table is rarely the cheapest roof you will end up paying for.
4 min read
Contract Analysis: Reading the Secrets in a Roofing EstimateKnow what you are getting by asking questions, and never accept ambiguous text.
2 min read
Permits and Inspections: What the City Inspector Actually ChecksA passed permit inspection tells you the paperwork was satisfied, not that the roof was built well.
2 min read
The Quest for a Professional: How to Vet a Roofing ContractorWe're off to find the wizard, and the first step is knowing what a professional looks like.
5 min read
Roof Maintenance: An Ounce of PreventionAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as long as the cure isn't worse than the sickness.