Looking for an Amarillo Roofer?

If you are looking for an Amarillo roofer, you’ve come to the right place. Texas Plains Contractors is the go-to source for Amarillo area homeowners, real estate investors, and property managers. In short, people who need professional roof replacement and repair turn to Texas Plains Contractors for their high-quality roofing and exteriors, packed with features, at a fair price. Get a free estimate. Contact us today.

If you own property, either residential or commercial, chances are you will need to repair or replace your roof at some point, but most people don’t know where to start. This roofing guide will get you started. It won’t give you everything you need to know about roofing, but it will cover the basics to help get you ready before starting any roofing project. From materials and roof shape to problems and repairs, we’ll give you the big picture so you’ll be ready and prepared before you take your next step.

What are the Basic Components of an Amarillo Roof?

Don’t yawn. There’s only seven basic roofing components, according to Dumpsters.com. Take a minute to read this short list of roofing terms to familiarize yourself about what your roof is made of.

  1. Shingles. Roof shingles are used to cover a roof. They are usually flat and rectangular pieces laid in overlapping rows from the bottom edge of the roof up (Wikipedia: Roof shingle). Shingles are made of different materials such as asphalt, slate, metal, and composite. There are a lot of different choices. But usually only a few roof shingles will match your home.
  2. Sheathing. Another name for roof sheathing is roof decking. Roofers use decking and sheathing interchangeably. It’s that layer of wood that is fastened to your roof’s joists and trusses. Sheathing is usually made of oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood.
  3. Trim. Roof trim is installed in the roof along a hip or ridge. It seals joints and drip edges and improves the visual appeal of your home.
  4. Rafters. Rafters are designed to support the roof shingles, roof deck and its associated loads (Wikipedia: Rafter).
  5. Underlayment. Roofing underlayment keeps your roof decking dry. It is waterproof or water-resistant material attached to your sheathing before your shingle is attached. It serves as a weather barrier to protect your roof.
  6. Flashing. Roof flashing is a flat, thin layer of metal sheeting, according to Long Home Products, that is used to direct water away from seams and joints.
  7. Drainage. A well designed roof rapidly sheds water. Drainage is measured using the slope, or pitch, of the roof known as the “run.” The greater the rise in inches for each foot of horizontal distance the faster a roof sheds water.
  8. Valleys. Valleys are the most vulnerable to leaks because they are where two pitched sections of a roof meet.
  9. Abutments. An abutment is where the plane of a roof meets an immovable object like a wall or a fireplace or a plumbing vent.
  10. Hips. The outside corners of a roof that represent the juxtaposition of two pitched section are called roof hips.
  11. Eaves. An eave is the bottom edge of the roof decking. They overhang the walls of a building, according to Hunker, the underside of an eave is called the soffit and the decorative face plate is called the fascia. The fascia is where gutters are installed.
  12. Gable. Not all roofs have gables. They are the triangle part of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches (Wikipedia: Gable).
  13. Dormer. A dormer usually has one or two windows. It is the section of a building that sticks out onto a roof. Not all roofs have dormers

How to Know if Your West Texas Roof has Problems?

The weather in Amarillo, Texas is usually dry. Humidity averages are low, occasionally dropping to 15% in the spring (National Weather Service). So with a relatively low humidity climate, you’re not typically going to see moss growth or discoloration from algae or mildew as a telltale sign of a problem area on your roof; however, we are used to seeing shingles curling at the edges or losing their mineral surface as an indicator of roof problems.

There are common areas where roof problems usually start. Where roofs meet walls, chimneys, or roof vents are notorious places for leaks to occur. The valleys and eves of your roof are also prone to wear out before the other parts of your roof do. Unfortunately, not all Amarillo roofers know how to properly install a new roof. Most homeowners can’t tell the difference between a properly installed roof and one that has shoddy workmanship. It takes a trained eye to spot common problems. The bottom line, if you think your roof has problems or if you’ve recently had a significant weather event like high winds, hail or lots of snow, you should not hesitate to have your roof inspected by a licensed roofing contractor.

Roofs rarely leak in the middle. The problem areas tend to be valleys, eaves, and where roofs meet walls, chimneys, or plumbing vents.

What are the Tips to Keep in Mind When Hiring a Professional Roofer in Amarillo?

There are a lot of fly-by-night roofing contractors in the Texas Panhandle. Many of them come to Amarillo from out of state when we get weather. It makes it all the more important that you choose a quality roofing contractor with the following credentials:

  • Licenced Roofing Contractor – Roofing Contractors Association of Texas
  • Locally owned and operated – Amarillo, TX
  • GAF certified roofer
  • Full workmanship warranties
  • Dedicated to OSHA safety guidelines
  • Properly bonded and insured
  • Provides accurate quotes and estimates
  • Thorough and FREE roof inspections
  • Has extensive roofing and shingle options

How to Identify Roof Damage? Roof Inspection, What to Look For?

The key to peace of mind when it comes to identifying roof damage and what to look for is having an Amarillo roofing professional do a roof inspection so you know what’s going on in order to determine if you need a roof repair or replacement.

West Texas straight line winds can damage a roof just as extensively as a hurricane. Wind and sand and hail can take a roof that’s not very old and ruin it pretty quickly. Here’s how to conduct a routine inspection of your roof. Keeping your eye on these things can help you catch a problem before it becomes something major:

Check your attic. Look for water stains and any signs of leaks especially after a storm. A leak may be from damaged shingles, compromised underlayment, or deteriorated flashing. More specifically, you’re looking dark spots, holes, sagging sheathing, moisture spots, wet insulation.

Inspect your ceilings. Look for ceiling paint, water stains, mold or mildew. Exterior damage can cause interior problems fast. Pay attention to vents, lighting fixtures, crown molding, heat sensor alarms. If there’s any sign of water damage, call a professional and get a roof inspection as soon as possible.

Take a walk around your home. Make sure your gutters and downspouts are cleaned out and working properly. Keep an eye out for sagging and leaks. Look for blistering or peeling paint. If you notice sagging areas, broken gutters, missing shingles, there may be more damage to your roof than meets the eye. Your sheathing, the plywood decking that forms the foundation of your roof, may be damaged.

Get a street view. Step back away from your home and head to the street. From this distance it’s easier to spot missing shingles, dark spots, or a sagging roofline. Is the exterior paint blistering or peeling? Can water drain off your roof quickly? Are there any signs of standing or collecting water? If water can’t drain quickly it may leak into your home.

Reach out to a roofing professional. If you’re not comfortable climbing a ladder and getting up on your roof to look for open seams, damaged shingles, blocked roof vents, soft underlayment, worn chimney flashing and skylights, get an Amarillo roofer out to do a roof inspection. We offer free roof inspections. Don’t put your life in danger by getting out on your roof. Give us a call and we’ll do it for you. Reaching out to a professional roofing contractor is always the best option.

Watch the homes around you. There’s a good chance that most of the homes in your neighborhood were built at around the same time. If your neighbors are getting new roofs, it’s probably time to get yourself a new one too. This is especially true if your neighborhood gets hit by a significant storm.