Roofing FAQ
F.A.Q.'s
Roofing Questions We Hear Most
Short answer: most roof problems on the Grand Strand come down to age, weather and how well the roof was put on. Below are plain answers to the questions homeowners, builders and property owners ask us most. If yours is not here, call (843) 488-4181 and ask.
It depends on age, how much of the roof is damaged, and whether the deck under the shingles is still sound. A repair is usually right when the problem sits in one spot, like a few missing shingles or a leak around a vent. Replacement makes more sense when wear is spread across several slopes, leaks keep coming back, or the deck feels soft. A free inspection is the fastest way to know. Read more on our roof repair and roof replacement pages.
Most asphalt shingle roofs on the coast last about 15 to 25 years. Salt air, strong sun, humidity and storms all shorten that range. The quality of the install matters a great deal, and so does upkeep. A roof in its late teens here is often near the end of its life, even when it still looks fine from the street.
Yes. Every job starts with a free inspection and a free written estimate. There is no pressure to sign anything. You get a straight answer about what your roof needs, if anything.
We start by asking what you have noticed. Then we check the attic when we can reach it, since trouble often shows there first. After that we go up top and look at the shingles, ridge, valleys, flashing and every vent, pipe and chimney. At the end you get a plain explanation and a written estimate. See our roof inspections page for more.
Walk around the house after a strong wind. Look along the edges and the ridge for shingles that are lifted, curled or missing. Check the gutters for granules, which look like coarse dark sand. Look for stains under the eaves. Inside, check ceilings in upstairs rooms, and look in the attic with a flashlight after a long rain for damp wood or flat, dark insulation.
Stay off the roof. From the ground, look for missing shingles, dents and debris. Inside, check for new stains or drips. Take dated photos of everything. Damage is easiest to document in the first few days, while the cause is clear. Then call us for a free storm damage inspection. We can cover openings for the short term to keep water out. Learn more about storm damage roof repair.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The National Hurricane Center posts forecasts, watches and warnings for our coast. Spring is the best time to fix small problems, before the first storm is in the forecast. Work that is planned costs less and is done on your schedule.
Yes. When storm damage turns into a claim, we document what we find with photos and notes, so you have a clear record to share with your insurer. Coverage depends on your own policy, so read it and talk with your insurance company early. Our insurance claims help page explains how the process usually works.
Architectural asphalt shingles are the most common choice here. They come in many styles and can carry high wind ratings when installed to the maker’s specs. Standing seam metal also resists wind well, but near salt water the metal type and coating matter. Low-slope areas use membrane systems. For any choice, rust-resistant nails and flashing and a careful install matter as much as the product.
Warm, damp air rises into the attic and meets the cooler underside of the deck. Without good airflow, that moisture turns to water and stays. Over time the wood softens, nails lose their grip, and insulation stops working. Balanced airflow, with intake at the soffits and exhaust at the ridge, lets the attic dry out. It is one of the most skipped details on the coast.
Granules are the small, sand-like bits on top of asphalt shingles. They shield the shingle from the sun. A few after a new install is normal. A steady stream, year after year, means the shingles are wearing out. Once enough granules are gone, the shingle dries out, turns brittle and starts to crack. On this coast, strong sun speeds that up. If you see bare or shiny patches from the ground, it is time for an inspection.
Flashing is the thin metal that seals the joints on a roof. You find it around chimneys, vents, skylights, valleys and where the roof meets a wall. These are the spots where water tries hardest to get in. Near the ocean, salt air can rust flashing and the nails that hold it. Sealant also dries and cracks in the heat. When flashing lifts or rusts through, water runs behind it and into the house. Many leaks we find start at flashing, not in the open field of shingles.
Decking is the layer of plywood or boards under the shingles. It is the base that everything else is nailed to. Damp attics and old leaks can soften or rot it over time. You cannot see the deck from outside, but you may feel soft spots when walking on the roof, or see sagging lines. During a replacement, the old roof comes off down to the deck, so any bad wood can be found and replaced before the new roof goes on.
Sometimes it is allowed, but it is rarely the best choice here. A second layer adds weight. It also hides the deck, so soft or rotted wood stays in place under the new shingles. And the new layer may not lie flat or seal as well. Tearing off down to the deck costs more up front, but it lets the crew see and fix what is underneath. On a coast with high wind and heavy rain, that matters.
Shingle makers test their products and rate them for certain wind speeds. Higher ratings are a good fit for coastal homes. But a rating only holds when the shingles are installed the way the maker requires. That means the right number of nails, placed in the right strip, plus a proper starter row at the edges. A great shingle nailed in the wrong spot can still blow off in a storm.
Do a quick check from the ground twice a year, and after any big storm. Look for lifted or missing shingles, granules in the gutters and stains inside. A full inspection is a good idea when the roof is getting older, before you buy or sell a home, or any time you see a leak. Small problems found early are much cheaper to fix than a failure in the middle of storm season.
The cause may be inside, not outside. Warm, damp air can rise into the attic and turn to water on the cool underside of the deck. It then drips onto insulation and ceilings, and it looks just like a leak. Poor attic airflow is the usual reason. Other causes include a slow leak around a vent or flashing that only shows up days later. An inspection that starts in the attic can tell the two apart.
Ask for a written estimate that names the work, not just one number. Ask who pulls the permit, how they handle rotten decking if they find it, and how they will protect your yard and clean up. A good roofer will answer these questions plainly and will not rush you to sign. Reading real reviews from your neighbors helps too.
Most home replacements take one to three days. The crew protects your yard, removes the old roof down to the deck, replaces any bad wood, and installs the new system. The job ends with cleanup, including a magnet sweep for nails, and a walk-through so you can see what was done.
No. You can stay home, but it will be loud. Pets are often happier somewhere else for the day. It also helps to take pictures and mirrors off the walls first, since tear-off sends vibration through the house.
Size and pitch, how many old layers come off, the condition of the deck, the material you choose, and how many chimneys, valleys and walls need flashing. Access for a dumpster and permits also play a part. A good written estimate names these items, so you can compare quotes fairly.
Yes. For new construction roofing, we plan around the build schedule and talk directly with the superintendent. We also handle commercial roofing and flat roofing for businesses, multi-unit properties and larger buildings.
We are based in Myrtle Beach and work across the Grand Strand, including Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, plus nearby communities.
Call (843) 488-4181 or request a free estimate online. Tell us what you are seeing, and we will set a time to come out. You can also browse all of our roofing services.
