Gutter Installation and Replacement is a Common Need in the Portland Area.

There comes a time when all gutters will need to be replaced, particularly in an environment like Portland’s.   Gutter installation is one job definitely best left to the professional.   The most common problems encountered with gutters requiring replacement involve either rust or damage for pulling away.   Oh, and on very, very, rare occasion, an over ambitious homeowner with a drill!

There are better ways from keeping your gutters from overflowing that by negating their original purpose entirely (see our GutterFlow system that carries a 20 year No Clog Warranty!)

Rust is the number one enemy of gutters in Portland.   The constant moisture kept at the bottom eventually gets the best of the metal.   Of course there are aluminum options to prevent the rusting.   Whenever possible, we recommend aluminum gutters just for this reason. Then the gutters only have to be defended against damage caused by either falling branches or pulling away from the facia board and twisting.

Gutters just don’t decide that they want to pull away.   They do it because of excess weight accumulating.   Both sitting water and debris add weight beyond what the gutter system was designed to hold.   When All Surface installs gutters, we guarantee that the grade will be correct.   A mild slope is required to run the water towards the downspout for prompt evacuation of the rainwater.  After ensuring the proper grade, we then water test all gutter installations to be certain that all water flows out of the system.

Foundation settling is a common occurrence in the Portland area, with certain areas having softer soils and the occasional earthquake.   Then, even gutters that were originally well graded may lose their proper slope.   For these reasons, periodic review of your gutter system is recommended.

When it comes to roof and gutter debris, there are choices.   You can risk life and limb and waste your valuable time trying to clean them yourself, hire a company like our cleaning division to affordably handle the job for you, or consider our GutterFlow System to keep your gutter interiors from needing cleaning.   We think the last two options are the wisest!

Let’s talk today about how we can help you with your gutter problems, whether you need a new installation, replacement, cleaning or a protection system.

I’ll be the first to sing the praises of duct tape.   I’ve often said that two of my favorite products of all time are duct tape and WD-40.   Why?   Because they are versatile, actually work and often exceed expectations.   Now that I think about it, that kind or reminds me of All Surface, but I digress!

That being said, even these wonderful products have their practical limitations.   No more than you would use WD-40 as motor engine oil for your car, you should not use duct tape as a part of a roofing and skylight installation.   Unfortunately, while it may sound like I am writing this for the benefit of the amateur Do-It-Yourselfer, the job shown in the photo was done by a contractor!

Some shoddy workmanship that we were hired to correct.

We were called out to this house for a leaking skylight.   Upon being hired for the leak repair project, we were amazed with what we found.   The original installation had been done with a slathering of tar and duct tape!   It is a wonder it was ever waterproof at all.   As you can see from the photo below, we came in and corrected the area using proper roofing materials (in this case, a water and ice barrier material was determined to fit the need.)   Note: The photo below shows the repair in process – it was finished off with more roofing being reinstalled over the barrier and flashing.

Properly Repaired Skylight Leak in Process

There is a reason that we encourage our customers and prospective customers to ask the question “Who Should You Trust To Roof Your Home?”

If you are in need of some roofing help, it’s time to contact the “Never Have A Leaky Roof Again Company!”

When faced with a roof leak, any worthwhile solution will take into consideration the need to keep the leak for reoccurring.

Sometimes it isn’t the roof that is the problem but rather the design. We encounter some designs that are asking quite a lot of the roof to stay waterproof. Take a look at the photo below.

A difficult design for a roof to maintain integrity

With some roofs, it is almost inevitable that sometime during its life it will leak just due to the design.

In this case, there are two roofs forming a valley that empties right into the siding. That is really pushing the limits of the roof and siding structure to eventually not be overcome with a leak. Add into the mix some moss or snow that impede and dam the normal flow of the rainwater and a leak is not far behind.

The good news is that with enough patience, expertise and the right materials, any leak can be fixed. Repairing leaks in Portland, we often find ourselves using over-sized flashing and a wonderful material generically called water and ice barrier. In flatter sections of roof or areas highly prone to water backing up underneath the shingle, shake or tile, this barrier provides another layer of protection.

If you find your roof needing a leak repair and want to be sure it won’t happen again anytime soon, check in with Portland’s leak repair experts!

Home Roof Repair – When you can wait and when you need to act fast

Here is a pretty good rule of thumb to use with roof repairs:   If something looks out of place on your roof, it is likely wise to have it dealt with promptly.    Below are a couple of recent roofs that we inspected where the homeowner decided that they could still wait a little longer before correcting the problem because it had not yet started to leak.

Waiting too long to repair your roof

Don't wait too long for needed roof repairs

Maybe some folks are just bigger gamblers than I am.    There are not many signs of needing roof repair that are more obvious than when shakes and shingles are starting to come loose and slide down the roof,.   In cases like these, you are one high wind and a little driving rain away from having an unwelcome visitor in your home – RAINWATER!

Now, no one wants spend money they don’t absolutely have to, but you need to also consider the cost of potential damage for not taking prompt action.  Many repairs can be done in a very spot specific manner.   All that may be needed is a few shakes or shingles replaced in the most sensitive areas to tide you over until you can afford a new roof.

We are ready to stop by and take a look at your roof, no charge. Call us today!   503-598-7404.

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The Best Roofing Portland Oregon

We at All Surface Roofing and Construction believe strongly in our company.   Why?   Because we know how committed we are to satisfied customers.   We know how hard we work to educate potential customers.   A proper understanding of what is involved in a roofing project, along with a realistic set of expectations are some of the  things we work hard on giving homeowners before they are even our customers.

We know how hard we work after being rewarded a project to prepare for it and ensure that communication is frequent and clear and to ensure that everything is in place for a smooth experience for our customer.   There are many extra hours spent behind the scenes to dot our Is and cross Ts so that homeowners aren’t faced with any difficulties.

We know how skilled and experienced our roofers are.   When combined with there care for our customers’ homes and their own pride in another job well done, the result is an excellent roofing job.   Once the job is completed, there are several walk throughs done to ensure all details have been attended to properly.

Where To Find The Best Roofing Portland Oregon

Repeat customers, happy with the first roofing job we did for them and hiring us for a second project, are the final reason that we at All Surface Roofing and Construction know our work product is among the best roofing in Portland Oregon.

Are you ready to learn more about how your roofing job can be done by the best?   Call us today – (503) 598-7404.

Roofing Installation In Portland Oregon Can Be Done Year Round

We get asked this question quite often:   Can my roofing installation be done anytime other than summer?   And the long, complicated, highly technical answer is – Yes.    First off, roofing installation in Portland is a lot easier to do year round than in, say, Colorado or Minnesota.    We truly are blessed with mild weather.  Sure, it can rain a little (OK, quite a lot!)   But rain is much easier to work around that long bouts of heavy snow, ice and high winds.

Some roofing installations in Portland are of course easier than others.

For instance, it will always be faster if the weather is dry.  We are able to work through without the concern for heavier rains.   Additionally, some types of roofing jobs really have very little problem being done even in rain.   Recovers, when the existing old roof is not torn off, can be done when it is not dry.   Since the old roof is still there, the sheathing is never exposed to the elements.   Any moisture on the existing roof quickly runs out due to the pitch of the roof.

A tear off requires a little more coordination.   Again, it can be slowly done even if small amounts  of moisture are present by employing a “peel and cover” technique vs. the wholesale removal of the old roof followed by the wholesale installation of the new one.   If the rain starts to come down too heavily, we finishing covering anything that was exposed, cover the most recent work areas with adequate tarping and wait.  A somewhat slower process, but the job still will get done and at not additional cost to you, the homeowner.

We know that not all projects are able to be scheduled when the weather is perfect.   That’s just not how life always works out.  You need a roofing installation contractor who will work around your busy life and changing budgets.   That’s what All Surface Roofing and Construction was founded upon.

Why would you settle for anything less for your roofing installation? Call us today for your free inspection and estimate – 503-598-7404.

Excuse me, Maam, do you carry any umbrellas large enough to cover my roof?

No one wants to have a leaky roof.   There are many things that can break and still won’t keep you from getting a good night’s sleep.   A leaky roof in Portland, where it can rain fairly steadily come fall, winter and spring, is not one of them.

What to do with your leaky roof in Portland.

I am going to lay out several areas that need to be immediately considered when faced with a leaky roof.

First, much depends on the current weather.   If it is snowy or icy out, wait.   It is too hazardous, possibly life threatening, for even a properly equipped professional to be on a roof in such conditions.   Plus, the problem might not even be a permanent, reoccurring leak.   It might be a fluke ice dam causing a one time back flow of water that is not likely to occur again.   Possibly.   Or it could be the first sign of a ongoing issue.  Either way, you need to wait.  If  it is simply raining however, a leaky roof in Portland can be immediately reviewed.

Next, consider the history of your roof.   Has a leak ever happened before?   If so, has it been at this same location or elsewhere.     This can be a good indication as to whether the entire roof is failing or if it is just a localized problem.

Location.   Is the location near vents, flashing, skylights or very near the house’s exterior walls?   Leaks very closed to exterior walls can be caused by full or clogged gutters.   Flashing, vents and skylight leaks might not necessarily reflect on the overall condition of the roof.

Frame the leak within a longer perspective.   How old is this leaky roof?   Has it been maintained?   If so, how has it been maintained and by whom.   An unmaintained or improperly maintained roof may have accelerated it’s typical rate of deterioration.

After you have review and considered the above information, it is now time to determine  your objective.   Should you pursue a lasting repair on a roof that you or someone else has determined to have adequate serviceable life remaining.  Or, should you enact a quick, temporary  stop-gap repair (often a tarp or shims) until you can gather funds and arrange for a new roof can be installed?  Or, if the weather has let up, should you immediately pursue a new roof and eliminate the risk of further interior damage.

A leaky roof in Portland won’t fix itself.

You will have to make a decision, sometimes a rather large one.   It is best if you are well prepared.  And nothing prepares you better than good  information.   We can help you assess your options.   Please call All Surface Roofing today – 503-590-9274.

Sometimes differences among things in life stand out like a sore thumb.   On other occasions, the difference is more subtle and yet with even others, the difference slowly becomes apparent over time.   I tend to think that finding a roofing contractor in Portland is mostly the last.

Looking at a piece of paper (your estimate) cannot always adequately distinguish a good roofing contractor from a poor one.   Unless of course, one is on the back of a business card and the other is a well organized and detailed estimate  (like the one you will receive from All Surface Roofing.   In such a case, consider yourself to have just received the gift of a simple choice – throw away the estimate on the back of the business card!

But for the rest of them, here are some of the differences that might not be apparent from just looking at the paper.

Differences in Roofing Contractors in Portland

It is critical to look for hints as to whether or not the roofing contractor is and will be attentive to you and your needs and reliable.   Here is another free tip: if the roofing contractor does not arrive for roof inspection or deliver the estimate when promised, at least without calling to making alternate arrangements, chances are your phone calls asking that a few final items to be completed will not be quickly returned and addressed.

Some roofing contractors in Portland use only employees (covered by worker’s compensation insurance) while others send subcontractors to your home.   While such roofing companies might be insured, how can you be certain that their subs are insured.   If one of those subcontractors gets injured on your property, you may be liable.   All Surface Roofing will always have employees, fully covered by workers compensation insurance, on your project.

Some time the difference between roofing contractors in Portland is in what is not in the contract.

A properly written contract will list out what is included for the stated price and how much unforeseen additional work, not expected but still a possibility, will cost.   A poorly written contract will not even cover such contingencies, leaving you at the mercy of a contractor who is already part way though a job if a unexpected issue occurs.

Finally, unless you plan on tearing apart your new roof, you will not be able to easily tell if there were any construction shortcuts.   Practices and short cuts such as using the improper size nails and staples, nailing outside of the manufacturers specified nailing lines, using scraps of materials where they should not be used, skimping on flashing, and using lower grade boards for the sheathing are but a few of the difference in roofing contractors in Portland that can seriously affect the quality of your project.

We recommend that you play it safe and call one of the most reputable roofing and roof maintenance contractors in Portland, All Surface.  Call  503-590-9274 for you Free Estimate.

Not every cedar roof that is due for replacement gets replaced with a composition roof.    Many homeowners chose to have a new cedar roof installed.   Considering that the premium quality cedar shakes used by All Surface ( if regularly maintained by our gentle methods and using our proprietary CedarGuard treatment) can reasonably be expected to last at least 30 to 35 years, re-roofing with cedar is a very viable option.

Here is an example of a typical, tired old cedar roof in Portland.

Cedar Roof Before Replacement

And here is the new cedar roof we installed after carefully tearing this old roof off:

Newly Installed Cedar Roof

You can see why the homeowner wanted to stay with cedar.    The cost was only 10-15% more than if they had converted to a quality composition roof.    However, the value of their home is now a little higher from having a cedar roof.   Plus, cedar is now a well managed, renewable resource, making their roofing decision fairly green.

We would be happy to discuss the available options for you if you are ready for a new roof.   Please give All Surface Roofing and Construction a call today.

A very old and tired cedar shake roof.

A brand new 30 year Architectural Laminate Composition Roof

Here is our most recent example of another beautiful conversion from a cedar shake roof to a compostion roof.   In this case, it is a 30 year warranty, architectural laminate.    While a new or well maintained cedar roof is beautiful, this composition roof is also quite lovely!

Also, this homeowner took advantage of the new roof installation to have a ridgevent installed.   While a couple of roof vents that were attached to interior fans needed to obviously remain, all of the vents used for attic ventilation where replaced with a continuous run of ridgevent.   If you look hard enough, you can see it at the top ridge of the roof.   It is a much more effective way to keep attic space well vented and to help reduce cooling costs and avoid the onset of mildew.

All Surface Roofing and Construction would like to thank these homeowners who entrusted this project to us.   We hope you get many years of service out of it and we will always be here if anything arises.   If you would like that same committment in a roofing company, please give us a call today.