Roofing

There is no right answer. First, your budget and timing must be taken into consideration. Roof types can vary greatly in both price and longevity.

Another consideration that affects price is the current condition of the existing roof as well as what’s under that roof, as it is not uncommon in Santa Fe to tear off a roof only to find a pre-existing roof underneath. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find a 100 year old adobe with half a dozen roofs on it, a foot thick! Current code in Santa Fe allows for a maximum of two roofs on a dwelling. (Refer to 2009 New Mexico Administrative Code, 14.7.3.17, CHAPTER 9 ROOF ASSEMBLIES: E. Section R907.3).

Higher-end roofs also come with advantages in terms of energy efficiency. For instance, Gaco silicone roof coatings carry a five star energy rating. Foam roofs provide insulation given their thickness, and improve the roof’s insulation factor.

At SFS&R, it is our mission to provide each client with the best solution to fully meet their individual needs.

Any good roof in Santa Fe starts with one key factor – slope! Slope is the natural drainage path of water. Slope provides the gravity to keep water running off your roof.

Canales are, of course, the outlets through which water drains from the roof to the ground. Are your canales in good shape, or are they deteriorated? A rotted canale will divert water into the walls. Is the canale opening higher than the level of the roof? If so, this will prevent water from running off the roof properly.

A good roof should not experience signs of prolonged ponding. Ponding is water that sits on a low spot of a roof for long periods of time without either draining or evaporating. Ponding will cause the immediate area of roof underneath the water to deteriorate faster than the surrounding area. The rule of thumb is that ponding water should not sit in excess of 48 hours.

The key to any good roof is excellent drainage.

Pumice was used as a cost-effective fill material to provide slope and moderate insulation to roofs. The problem with pumice is that it is an exceptionally porous mineral; once it gets wet, pumice holds moisture indefinitely. This property of pumice can lead to leaks, mold, and eventually, structural damage. Pumice will only dry when exposed to light. For this reason, the use of pumice as a roofing material was outlawed in the 2009 New Mexico Administrative Code, 14.7.3.17 Chapter 9 Roof Assemblies: E. Section R907.3 (4). Any roof system containing pumice must be completely removed down to the decking before a new roof can be installed.

Thermoplastic polyolefin, “TPO”, is a single membrane solution that comes in various thicknesses. Given its white and tan colors, TPO generally comes with an Energy Star rating, and is particularly popular for its cooling effects in warm climates. For general purposes, TPO is ordered is ordered in six foot and ten foot width rolls. It is often specified for larger commercial roofs given the application size in which it is ordered. Given its high quality and energy saving characteristics, TPO is now becoming a popular choice for residential projects. TPO is a fantastic choice for Santa Fe homeowners seeking out another “green” option for roofing!

Old tar and gravel, or “built-up” roofs in Santa Fe are fantastic and can last 30 years, or more. New tar and gravel is not as great. The reason for this is that the petroleum distillates currently used in tar are of a lesser quality than what was used in the past. For this reason, we recommend other solutions. Tar and Gravel is also not as environmentally friendly as other solutions.

Yes, we do! We use 2-Ply Mule-Hide Modified Bitumen. Mule-Hide rates this product for a 30 year life expectancy. “Mod Bit” roofs are quite a popular solution for Santa Fe; they’re rugged and reliable, and have the ability to expand and contract with changes in temperature as the structure of your home does the same. Other roofers in Santa Fe might shy away from this type of roof primarily because they don’t want to carry the required liability insurance. A Mod Bit roof can also referred to as a “torch-down” roof.

We know you have! Here’s a way to think about foam roofs : Foam 1.0, installed on homes ten-to-fifteen years ago; and Foam 2.0, on roof systems installed within more recent years.

Foam 1.0

Foam 1.0 is basically “open cell” vertical wall insulation material. As an insulator, it lacks the properties and strength required for use on a roof; open cell foam retains moisture indefinitely. Furthermore, top coatings to the foam were water-resistant rather than waterproof. The combination of open cell foam technology and non-waterproof sealants lead to some truly terrible conditions for homeowners and their roofs. The foam would simply retain moisture and leak enormous amounts of water into the home. In some cases, the results were disastrous.

Foam 2.0

Today’s roofing foam is designed specifically for roofing specifications. Modern roof foam is made of closed cell material. It’s denser, and does not hold water. Further, the sealant coat should always be 100% waterproof; we use Gaco 100% SIlicone for this application. A foam roof installed properly with dense closed-cell roof foam material and a 100% waterproof top coating is an excellent solution! This type of roof benefits from a five star energy rating and provides enhanced insulation and drainage characteristics.

Modern foam roofing solutions can truly be an option worth consideration for the knowledgeable homeowner.

The question to re-roof need not always be a question of finances. A ten-year old roof in moderate condition with remaining life of 50% or less can benefit from a comprehensive one-time maintenance. SFS&R maintenance projects will extract every ounce of life from the existing roof, ensuring that the homeowner receives maximum value from their roof system.

At the bare minimum, a roof should be checked at least once a year. Early Spring is a fantastic time for these inspections, as most of the damage a roof system will typically sustain occurs in the winter months, when expansion & contraction, snow & ice, and harsh UV exposure can wreak havoc on even the best of roofing systems. Call us today to have one of our roofing professionals assess your roof’s condition to ensure it serves you throughout the year!

Typical signs of wear:

• Exposed tar with no gravel cover
• Mesh visible through tar on parapets
• Cracks visible in parapets
• Seams in roofing material that have separated on roof deck or vertical flashing (where the roof meets the parapet)
• Wrinkles in vertical flashing & on the flat fields of the roof
• Bubbles in the roof deck or vertical flashing – out-gassing due to poor roof ventilation
• Separations between sealant and base materials
• Accumulated debris at low points or other evidence of ponding water accumulation