Frequently Asked Questions
With over 20 years experience, we’re constantly answering questions about roofing issues and fireplaces. Our goal at Stott Roofing & Fireplaces is to educate homeowners and building owners throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. These are some of the most common questions we are asked.
Maintenance performed by home and building owners should be confined to inspecting roof systems during the fall and spring to check for cracked or curling shingles and cleaning gutters filled with dead leaves and other debris. If you must inspect your roof system yourself, use a firmly braced or tied-off ladder equipped with rubber safety feet. Wear rubber-soled shoes and stay on the ladder (and off the roof system), if possible.
Most new roof systems are designed to provide useful service for about 25 to 30 years. Some roof system types, such as slate, clay tile and certain metal (e.g., copper) systems, can last longer.
Actual roof system life span is determined by a number of factors, including local climatic and environmental conditions, proper building and roof system design, material quality and suitability, proper application and adequate roof maintenance.
Roofing product manufacturers offer a variety of warranties on their products. Take a close look at those warranties to see what responsibilities and financial obligations manufacturers will assume if their products fail to reach their expected lives.
Not necessarily. Leaks can result from flashings that have come loose or a section of the roof system being damaged. A complete roof system failure, however, generally is irreversible and a result of improper installation or choice of materials or the roof system installation is inappropriate for the home or building.
The price of a new roof system varies depending on such things as square footage, the materials selected, permit/inspection fees associated with the location of the home or building, whether the old roof needs to be stripped off, and degree of difficulty. For each roofing material, there are different grades and corresponding prices. There also are a variety of styles and shapes. We’ll help you look at the full product range and make a choice based on your budget and needs.
Visible signs that your room system may need to be replaced are when you can see the roofing material lifting up off the roof and pieces of the roof missing. On the inside of the house or building, you may notice discoloration of the ceiling. In addition, you may notice pieces of the roof littered around your property from time to time.
Fireplaces, stoves and fireplace inserts need to be vented to the outdoors (except for electric fireplace models). There are several ways to route venting, and the direction can depend on the type of hearth product it is, and the fuel it burns.
Direct vent gas fireplaces can be installed almost anywhere in a home where natural gas or liquid propane is available. Direct vent gas fireplaces can be vented directly through the wall to the outdoors through a dual-chambered single pipe. While it draws air for the fire from the outdoors, it also expels the fire’s combustion byproducts outside your home.
The most common roofing material used locally would be architectural shingles, but there are many different choices to choose from including metal, simulated slate, and cedar shakes.