FAQ

We’d say choose Roof Associates because we’ve made a career fixing the other company’s mistakes. We typically provide a longer warranty, only use premium materials, and install our roof systems with our supervised/certified crews of journeymen roofers. We do not sub-contract labor. We will arrive in uniforms, with branded trucks, and we will provide a meticulous jobsite cleanup each day. We are licensed, bonded, and carry millions of dollars in liability insurance. Our family have been roofing Tucson since the 1970’s! We specialize in custom roof systems -designed to last much longer and provide optimum energy savings! Contact us here!

We see tile roofs fail prematurely each day, most likely because of an improper installation -and we’ll add that an improper install can mean no manufacturer’s warranty and potentially no coverage through your home insurance provider. Often, big home builders piecework your roof needs to the lowest bidder, and they almost always use minimum material quality, and re-roofs are typically conducted in a similar fashion, and you only have 2 years to file a complaint with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) after the work was completed. In Tucson, there is no formal/legal process to have your re-roof inspected either, so often it’s just re-installed to the same ill-standard again, only to fail prematurely. Our standard is different: we’ll set rubberized underlayments under your tile, with either an elevated and “flow-thru” batten or our Tornado Tile Foam, all the correct flashing, proper venting, and Details, Details, Details! Tile roofing is an old craft, and if provided the right way, it can last a lifetime -literally. Tile is our forte…it’s the bulk of our workload, and we’ve got it down pat! Contact us to set up your free inspection!

Tile roof inspection schedules are subjective amongst roofers, but most would agree that these roofs should be checked at least every year. These periods could change dependent upon conditions of course, and blockage to drainage areas should be constantly maintained. It should be known that your tile underlayment must be preserved to a maximum, as this is a very important and unseen component of your roof, and one which is providing critical protection. Cracked or slipped tiles and damaged mortar will allow your underlayment to expire considerably sooner than expected -wherever the sun is making direct contact with the underlayment, as most underlayments possess a 6-month UV rating, at best. In short, a tile roof is largely dependent upon the underlayment below. Proper maintenance and periodic inspection could make the difference towards getting many more years out of your existing tile roof, while avoiding costly interior damage. If you think your tile roof needs inspection, please contact us here.

Flat roofs that require elastomeric roof coatings should be re-coated every handful of years. This re-coating process is again dependent upon conditions, including: the age of the roof, slope, and the quality of materials and installation provided. Despite the apparent ease of application, this job is NOT for the do-it-yourselfer, as a proper “general seal and recoat” should only be provided by a licensed professional. When these services are provided, a proper cleansing service is ran, meticulous 3-course and membrane work is provided, we provide specific methods in order to not trap moisture, and apply the top coats of a premium quality elastomeric roof coating (which is Energy Star rated, independently UL lab tested and is of commercial quality), and as specifically specified by the manufacturer, and only in a quantity that produces optimal protection. These jobs are usually very affordable! Please contact us to arrange a free estimate.

Silicone coatings are disputed amongst roofers to be certain. One issue commonly mentioned is the inability to provide repair once a silicone system is installed, such as adding a roof protrusion without risk, changing out HVAC blocks, adding a skylight, etc. Another issue often mentioned is that they appear to collect dirt much more than a conventional elastomeric, reflecting much less of our summer sun. Proponents of these products claim that these systems do not break down and wear like a conventional elastomeric. We would agree to all the above. It should be noted that there are many grades of silicone available on the market, including solvent and water based, high-solid options and several manufacturers that require specific patching membranes and priming agents. As a certified silicone applier, we have the right answer for you depending on your exact situation, but here is our honest take, merely an opinion of a lifelong roofer: when silicone works right, it’s great…when it doesn’t, which is way too often it seems, it’s just about the worst! For this reason, we have decided to discontinue our offering of all silicone products -due to so many problems, and this is after absolute correct installation, proper training, on site mfg. support, and a commitment to use the required cleansers, do all the specified preparations, etc. Buyer beware! Contact us for a free alternative today!

Signs of trouble atop your shingle roof include warping, curling, and a loss of granule, but a roof is only dependable if it was installed right. In today’s shingle market, we are constantly competing against companies whose special tactics are to give you a low price, which is only possible by providing less of a service. Please consider our take: firstly, we do not provide “layovers”, but fairly speaking, it is still code compliant to install up to 2 layers of shingle. We just believe that proper protection is accomplished after a tear-off, where we can inspect and correct wood/structural issues, and we can install new premium underlayments (not done with a layover) -adding wind resistance and promoting the longevity of the new shingle, and we’re able to flash everything with much superior results. -and all these benefits usually just add a day to the project. Buyer beware: if you see your roofer applying exposed mastic to your protrusions and tie-in points (pipes, vents, walls, etc.), after your layover roof, you’ll know that your roof is being installed against industry standards, possibly voiding your materials warranty, as well as any protection that might be afforded by your insurance company. This is an all too common occurrence, so much so that we’d bet you can go outside and see some of neighbor’s roofs that have been re-roofed, and note the exposed mastic we are referring to! This is only one of many issues associated with a proper roof system. Please contact us to ensure yourself a proper roof today!

We have so many options to lower your energy usage, creating a smart roof system! Here is a short list: polyiso insulation boards, multiple attic intake and outtake vent options, solar-powered vents and skylights, radiant barriers, under tile venting systems, heat and UV resistant skylights and sun tunnels, Energy Star rated roof coatings and shingles, and our incredibly energy efficient stone coated metal roofs -to name just a few! The benefits of utilizing these components within your roof system can be remarkable and the savings can often go a long way towards paying back the cost of the roof replacement in need. We are a certified installer through multiple ventilation vendors and are aware of proper ventilation techniques and the suitable installation methods associated with such a job. We are happy to discuss all options available with a free estimate. Contact us now.

Every roof should be inspected by an informed roofing professional before the commitment of a solar panel system. An easy determinant all parties should consider is the age of the roof, as this doesn’t require an expert. We should expect most/common roofs to last about 20 years. Buyer Beware: we have seen many solar systems that were not flashed correctly, and/or roofs being left with damage caused by the solar outfits. It is our professional opinion (and the Tile Roofing Institute’s) that all tile roof protrusions require a secondary jack (which is usually not installed with these systems) and a top jack to channel water atop the roof in place. Shingle standoffs should be flashed “under and over” i.e., in a “shingle fashion”-and not dependent upon roof cement or any other liquid flashing. When a tile protrusion isn’t given a secondary jack, it leaves the roof very vulnerable. We can work in coordination with your solar company to ensure a professional and properly executed flashing service, and we have written proof via a technical bulletin by a governing authority that there is only one standard that meets this minimal code; this idea is not subjective or up for debate. We have provided this service hundreds of times for our smart and informed customer. If you are in this predicament, it is imperative that we hear from you soon; we’re here to help!

NO! We apparently still live in the Wild West Folks! Arizona does NOT require roofing contractors to carry liability insurance! As of 2022, our state only requires that a licensed CR-42 holder possesses an annual bond set for a few thousand dollars! Hardly sufficient enough to cover all of one’s customers in a year, right? This means that once those funds are used up, the homeowner is without recourse on this bond! We carry millions of dollars in General Liability Insurance for our property owners! Now, that’s peace of mind! You have no doubt seen or heard the slogan, “Licensed, Bonded, Insured “-but what sort of insurance are most of these guys actually referring to? Probably not general liability because it isn’t required by law, it’s expensive to have, and it’s difficult to qualify for! Why so expensive? Because a lot can go wrong, and the insurance companies know this better than anyone! Ask your roofing contractor to show you proof of his/her general liability to be certain you are without this major risk! Roofing is one of the most dangerous professions in the world, and most property owners assume they’re protected…

What? Yes, your new roof could have a cancelled warranty! Sounds ridiculous, right? Unless your roof is installed to exact manufacturer’s specifications, the material companies could and likely will void your warranty, and this is the norm! What’s more: should the need arise, your insurance company could state that your materials were not installed correctly and deny you storm coverage! There are many specs. to meet, including nail patterns, proper venting, underlayment needs, and compliant flashing techniques. Demand your roofer state on their contract that your material will be installed to mfg. standards! We’ve seen savvy insurance adjusters deny claims based on these exact occurrences a lot, and we’ve seen even more material manufacturers deny coverage too. Doesn’t it make sense to have your new roof installed without these risks? YES! We promise to install your new roof with all specifications met! The material manufacturers have spent millions of dollars in engineering, research and development…it only makes sense to install their products the right way!

Without a doubt, we hear this statement quite often, and we agree that it’s entirely unfortunate to be informed of the true status of your roof, especially when any recourse has expired. Even the governing ROC only grants a homeowner 2 years to file a complaint. Chances are your roof was not properly installed because most roofing companies do not know, or care to do it right. Most new home roofs are provided via piece work -where the home builders pay very little for installation and the material costs are focused on cheap. What’s more is the fact that your inspector was probably overworked and probably wasn’t an expert in National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) protocol, nor aware of the material specifications. And did you know that a local building inspector can sign off on work without meeting NRCA standards and materials specs? We see it all the time! Brand new roofs with what could be voided material warranties, improper venting, and you guessed it: LEAKS! We are NOT tract home roofers, but rather, pride ourselves on being a custom roof provider! We’re happy to walk you through all the details in this regard. Call 520-GET-ROOF today!

You should know that an honest roofing report can ruin a real estate deal real fast! Our owner Dan -back in the day, had a nickname with a very popular real estate office in town: “the deal breaker.” But this name was only earned by revealing the truth to prospective buyers! So, here’s our offering -an attempt to provide an honest roofer’s perspective: firstly, let’s be real…roofers don’t typically provide a “free inspection,” but rather, most roofers are provided with the “free” chance of making a sale. So, we suggest getting multiple assessments, from both companies who specialize in repair and those who only provide full replacement. Ask many questions, as you might be able to size up the inspector’s capabilities and likely his/her honesty too, ha-ha! Obviously, a much easier determinate is to know how old the existing roof is. If it's at that 20-year mark, it should probably be regarded as “nearing its expected useful life.” One might also want to know that a roof coating is not a “new roof” and that a standard tract home tile roof does not last 40 years or a “lifetime” as one might be led to believe. The tile itself might last a very long time, but the underlayment will not, and these services are incredibly laborious and surprisingly expensive. We promise to give you a frank and fair jobsite assessment. We are all too often the bearer of bad news, but we promise to be honest. Contact us to arrange your assessment today.

Roofing is so costly because of the heavy capital required to be legitimate. So expensive that we believe the majority of our trade operates “under the table” or at least underinsured and with too much exposure to risk. Our job is also incredibly difficult and very dangerous. In fact, US News once defined “…roofing as the 4th most dangerous job in America.” Our workman’s compensation rates are incredibly high (near 20% on top of wage), and good roofers are rare these days -so those that know it demand a premium for their service. We require expensive heavy equipment, and our material costs have just skyrocketed -especially during the pandemic but know this: our owner Dan has mastered the art of job costing our services. Our prices are therefore constructed with an exact preparation, based on materials, labor, overhead and a modest profit that keeps us in business. In short, if you are getting a lower quote from somewhere else, you are likely only obtaining that quote because that company is cutting a corner -somewhere…whether it be hiring workers off paper to avoid employer taxes or proper insurance (and a company’s worker on your property might be able to sue you directly then -if they get hurt, working the 4th most dangerous job in America), or they are using inferior material, etc. Either way, this is not a company one should want to provide their roof protection -as a roof is probably the most important component on one’s biggest investment: their home! The old adage resides here, “you get what you pay for!” We’ll promise yet another adage for you too “bang for your buck!” -via value, intelligent business practices, and peace of mind!