Choosing a roofing contractor is never an easy task. If it’s your first time researching roofing contractors, it can certainly seem like an intimidating process. Like any large investment, it takes a lot of time and research to choose a high quality contractor, like the flat roof specialists, Boyd Construction Co Inc, that fits within your budget, yet still delivers expert services.

Where to Start
When beginning the research phase to choose the right roofing contractor, asking for referrals from friends and family members is a great place to start. This will help you identify reputable and trustworthy companies at an early stage, saving you the hassle of going through a huge list of contractors to determine the best candidates. When you have a decent list of around four or five contracting contacts, it is then  time to take a deeper look into investigating what each roofing contractor has to offer.

The best roofing contractor will have:

• A permanent place of business – Make sure your contractor has a local street address, phone number, and tax identification number. You do not want to make the mistake of hiring a contractor that moves from one state to the next based on where storms hit. If an issue arises later on, you will most likely have to go through another contracting service and repeat the entire research process. Boyd Construction Co Inc have been providing excellent quality work to the greater Washington DC area since 1932.
•  Insured & Workers’ Compensation – It is essential that you hire a roofing contractor that is both insured and has workers’ compensation. You do not want to be liable for any on-the-job injuries or damages done to your home. These two elements are important in determining if you will proceed in doing business with any contracting candidates.
• Legitimacy – Contractors who are members of the National Roofing Association or the Better Business Bureau are legitimate reference points. You can also use these sites to find customer reviews and see how the contractors handled the complaints.
• Communication – Communication is sometimes overlooked in the purchasing process, but is extremely vital in making sure your home is restored to the way you want it to look. If it’s too hard to get in contact with your contractor, or your contractor isn’t responding in a timely manner, this could be cause for concern.
• Written Contract – While a smile and a handshake may seem promising at the time, you want to make sure everything is written down. This includes the approximate duration of the work, the materials being used, clarification of costs and when those costs are due, determining who is responsible for the waste from the job, and the length of the warranty. It is important to remember that although the lowest price might be the most enticing, you never want to sacrifice quality for price. Although it might be beneficial for your budget in the short term, you could face serious long-term issues due to low quality materials.

The Proper Flat Roof Drainage System Can Help Preserve Your Roof’s Integrity
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Flat roofs have a long history in the Washington DC area.. However, flat roofs depend greatly on proper drainage of rain and snow melt to preserve their integrity.  Without it, pooling water can occur and cause leaks, deterioration in the roof membrane and ice formation during winter. Washington DC, flat roof specialist, Boyd Construction Co Inc, explains, below, the three types of drainage used most often on flat roofs.

Interior Drains
This drainage system is composed of drains placed at intervals near the center of the roof and an internal network of gutters and pipes that move the water to the exterior of the building. The drains are often topped by a strainer that prevents leaves and debris from getting into the pipes. These are often a good solution for large roofs on which water tends to collect in the center. They are aesthetically pleasing because all of the components are located inside the roof and invisible to someone looking at it from the outside. However, these tend to be more costly to install than exterior drainage systems and represent a significant investment.

Scuppers
Scuppers are outlets placed on the edges of the roof that project water that drains off the roof away from the building. They keep the walls of the building dry and prevent the foundation from being destabilized by too much exposure to water. Scuppers are more cost effective than inner drains, but they work best when all of the water is directed to them using a tapered insulation system or a sloped structure. They are a good solution for areas that frequently get heavy rains, but are not ideal for dealing with snow melt.

Gutters
Gutters are open pipes that are attached to the edges of the roof. They collect water as it drains off the roof and carry it away from the building. They are generally the most cost effective drainage solution since they can be attached to a finished roof without any modification to the roof itself. They are also good at dealing with variable levels of rain and snow. As with drains and scuppers, gutters do regularly need to be cleared of debris and cleaned in order to continue functioning properly.

Deciding what type of drainage is best for your facility should be determined by your engineer or building design team. In addition, you should always make sure that the roofing contractor you hire is experienced in installing all three of these drainage systems.  While a proper drainage system design is essential for the overall reliability of the roof, a quality installation ensuring the design is implemented properly is key.

If you are ready to install your roof and drainage system, please call Boyd Construction Co Inc at 202-223-ROOF today to schedule an appointment or consultation.

If you are like most home or business owners, you would think roof damage mainly comes from heavy rain, wind and hail storms. Rightly, these do indeed offer some pretty damaging challenges. However, in particular situations, the heat and humidity of a typical Washington DC summer offers its own set of issues with regard to the maintenance of your residential roof.

Boyd Construction Co Inc offers these 4 tips for summertime maintenance on your roof:

1. Do a gutter check.
Check your gutters for debris, but also to be sure they are attached properly and are draining the way they are intended. Leaves build up in gutters, causing water to pool and back up under the eaves of your home. The prolonged weight of the debris can also cause your gutter to separate from the roof and impede the water flow. Clean your gutters once a month and check them after each storm to ensure proper water flow.

2. Check for buildup on your roof.
Do a visual inspection each summer for moss on your roof. Moss and algae grow rampantly in the summertime and can quickly cover a residential roof. Moss causes moisture damage and rotting of the wood underneath. On a dry day, you may be able to brush the moss off with a broom, but over time the moss will become more attached and may require a pressure washing to remove. Be sure to consult with a professional roofer, like the experts at Boyd Construction Co Inc, for this.

3. Check ventilation.
Check your attic for proper ventilation. Hot air rises through the attic and can become trapped without proper ventilation. This leads to moisture problems that, without fail, shorten the life of your roof.

4. Inspect your shingles.
Do a visual inspection once a month – walk around your home and look for sagging, or missing shingles. Of course any internal signs of water seepage such as stains on your ceiling or bubbling paint indicate a serious problem that needs immediate attention.

Regular inspections help keep small problems small. If caught in time, a repair may be in order instead of a complete roof tear-off and install. Call Boyd Construction Co Inc at 202-223-ROOF, and let the experienced professionals inspect your roof today.