What are the basics I should know
about my roof?
When it comes to
roofing there is plenty of information, to the point that one can get
overwhelmed. However, when you need work done on your home or
business, there is certain information that is helpful to provide to a
potential contractor. We usually request the following:
-
Contact Information of Owner (or
person in charge of the project)
-
Age of roof
-
Type of roof
-
Symptoms or locations of problem
areas or leaks
-
Contact person who may be there for
the inspection, project, and follow-up
-
Any relevant information you can
offer about the project (including insurance, unavailable times, air
conditioners, etc)
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What types of warranties should I
look for and how long do they usually last?
Every company is, as
expected, different in what they will offer for coverage. Our rule
of thumb is that the company should be in business at least as long as
the warranty they desire to offer. We offer a wide range of
protection, from 1 year up to 10 year no leak warranties. Each
type of warranty can vary depending on the material used for your roof
and what extra coverage you desire for the project, and there are also
extended manufacturer's warranties available. Please view our
Warranties page for more detailed information.
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Can I have a new roof installed over
my old one?
In many cases, yes.
The type , age, and available support of the roof of the building all
come into play, however. Very often we have installed new polyurethane
foam roofs overtop of older B.U.R. Everything is then fully sealed
in with a protective coating polymer. However, we usually
recommend the old roof be torn off to better protect your roof.
There are often weaknesses you would not see, such as rotting wood,
unless the old roof were removed.
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What kind of materials are available
for my roof?
While there are many
types of roofing materials from various manufacturers, each company is a
little different. We offer a selection of various brands, colors,
and styles for your roof to fit your personal preferences or needs.
While MAC Roofing specializes in polyurethane foam, we realize this is
not always the most appropriate for your roofing needs. Our
Project Managers will discuss with you to find what would be best for
your project.
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What is the difference between "built
up", "torch down", and "spray foam"?
Built-up Roofing,
commonly referred to as B.U.R., is the application of various levels of
roofing material to "build up" a specified thickness of layers to
protect your property. Different types of asphalt and tar make up
the middle and finally it is coated with a finishing surfacing, such as
gravel.
Torch down is a type
of roofing that involves rolling out a type of tar roofing material over
the roof and then is melted, using a torch, to seal against the roof.
This and B.U.R. have been popular "cost effective" options for larger
projects, such as apartment complexes. However, especially with
torch down, they are not usually the safest options in the dry desert
climate and offer minimal energy efficiency.
Spray foam is
referring to Spray-Applied Polyurethane Foam. This revolutionary
roofing material is not only safer and easier for both the roofer and
the project, but it is part of a large movement towards "Building Green"
around the world. The foam itself instantly beings to expand once
applied, and within seconds has fully formed and even hardened enough to
be stood on. This is the main waterproofing portion of the roof.
The foam is then covered with a protective coating that not only keeps
the foam protected from the UV rays, but also reflects a majority of
excessive heat, proving itself over the last decade to be one of the
best energy efficient options out there.
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How often should a roof need to be
replaced?
The main reasoning
behind replacing a roof is wear and tear over time. As such, there are
cases where a roof does not need replacing for over 10 years.
However, depending on regular maintenance, weather, and any traffic on
the roof, a replacement might be necessary in as little as a few years.
In many cases, however, your roof may simply need repairs for problem
spots to extend the life of the overall roof. We welcome you to
meet with one of our trained Project Managers to inspect the roof with
you!
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I have a flat roof that should not
need to be replaced, but needs 'touch ups' or restoration. Is this
possible without replacing the roof?
In most cases, yes!
If you have a flat roof with problem spots, we have the ability to
repair and/or, depending on your situation, even offer a restorative
coating to protect the entirety of the roof. Specifically, one
main option we offer is from TRUCO, a specialized rubber coating that
not only waterproofs, but protects your initial roof from further decay.
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What do you do with the debris from
my old roof?
Garbage and debris
from the jobsite is gathered daily and usually disposed of at the
landfill in the area. We take pride in keeping a clean project for
your comfort and convenience. If you have any questions about our
processes, we welcome you to contact us anytime.
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I have air conditioners on
my roof! How are these and other items on the roof handled?
Should you have any
equipment, such as air conditioners, on your roof we take that into
consideration when customizing the project for your needs. In
order to guarantee proper roof application, it is most often necessary
to move the A/C units. On some rare occasions, removing your A/C
may require use of a crane. Usually, however, we will disconnect
and move the A/C for you without any further inconvenience.
Occasionally, we have requested the owner make arrangements with an air
conditioning company to take care of the disconnections and moving, but
again this is rarely necessary.
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I am ready to sign or have already
signed my contract!
When will work begin on my roof?
While we would love to
have you sign today and start the project tomorrow, this is not always
possible due to weather, amount of business, and your own circumstances.
For example, if you and your neighbor share a roof and both sign
contracts with us, we oftentimes will try to arrange a mutually
convenient time for both of you to guarantee a higher quality job. Also,
weather is a major influence on our type of business, especially with
certain types of roofing materials. Wind, rain, and storms are key
factors in our schedules. As some coatings have a water base when
applied, we would not wish to coat your roof only to have the rain wash
it off while still wet. Similarly, we do not want to tear off your
roof and leave it naked to the elements should there be a storm in the
forecast! Please remember we take all these things into
consideration in order to complete your project in a timely and
convenient manner.
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My roof is shared with my neighbor's.
How will this affect the project?
In most cases this is
not a problem whatsoever, nor will it affect the project itself.
However, should you and your neighbor both desire to have your roof done
with us, we will usually try to arrange a mutually convenient date so
that the roof may be done in its entirety at one time to guarantee a
higher quality of workmanship.
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I have a wood shake roof. What
is the best option for my type of roof?
In Las Vegas and
across Nevada, shake roofs have been deemed unsafe and are no longer
legal to install. Due especially to the excessively dry seasons of the desert, this
type of roofing material is a fire hazard. Repairs are possible up
to 30% of the original roof, though we do not recommend this. We are happy to remove
the old roof and replace it with whatever option is best for your home
or business. We welcome you to contact us to meet with one of our
trained Project Managers to discuss safer and more cost-effective
options that would be best for you.
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I have a metal roof. Is it
possible to make it more energy efficient?
Most definitely!
Of course, each roof is different and we will happily inspect and
consider any specific details of your roof to offer the best options.
Generally, however, most metal roofs are prime candidates for
polyurethane foam and/or even TRUCO coating systems. These will
usually lower your energy bills by as much as 35%!
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What should I expect when you come to
work on my roof?
We make a point to
inform you in advance of when we will be working on your roof. Most
often, we will also call the day before or of to remind you that we will
be there along with a time frame. Should you have special
circumstances regarding a schedule, please let us know in advance.
While on the job, our
workers will diligently attend to the project at hand in order to finish
in the most efficient time frame possible. Each day they will also clean
up the job site for your convenience. Once the project is done, we
usually schedule a follow-up appointment with you for a final
inspection.
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Is there a way to get regular
check-ups for my roof?
Certainly!
We always welcome you to call us to inspect your roof if you have any
questions or concerns, but we also offer special Maintenance Programs
that will include a check up of the roof(s) in question, give you an
overview with included information tailored to your preference, and
present documentation that you can keep for your reference. The
intention of these packages is to keep you informed of the roof of your
home or business so that you can make the most educated decisions to
protect your investment.
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Emergencies: There is a hole
in my roof and I need it fixed ASAP! How can you help me?
Emergencies are never
a fun experience for a worried home or business owner, and we want to be
there to help you and your investment as best possible. In Las Vegas and
the surrounding area, surprise storms and gusting winds make for fallen
branches and torn off roofing, leaving your roof vulnerable to even
worse issues. Depending on the severity of the problem, such as
with a tree branch breaking through the ceiling, we can send out crews
to provide an emergency patch so that we can follow-up with a proper
repair.
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How long has your company been in
business?
Our family-owned
company has been in business for over 12 years. We have over 100
years of experience in the roofing field among our management alone, and
extensive exposure in the Las Vegas area. Our experience further extends to all types of roofing, to
offer you further security in your decision of working with us.
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Many companies claim to be the best,
but how do I know you are the best choice?
While just about
anyone can spout they have the most experience and are the best choice
with cheapest prices, you usually get what you pay for, just as with
other things in life. While we may not be your final choice for
your specific project, we encourage you to find confidence in knowing
who your contractor is.
Be aware of:
- Licenses
- Bonds
- Insurance (inc. Workman's
Compensation)
- Years in business
- Years of real experience
- Training & Knowledge of the
field
- Safety Standing
- Previous Satisfied
Customers
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Why MAC? Where did the name for
your company come from?
MAC Roofing, as you
may have already learned, is a family-owned company.
The name as such is derived from the first name initials of the family
members!
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