B2B Blog

Ten Common Causes of Roof Leaks

A roof leak is a major inconvenience that can cause a significant amount of damage to your home. Roof leaks can cause structural damage to your house, including damage to your attic, ceiling and walls.

Roof leaks can even create health and safety problems for your family. Water intrusion can cause mold and mildew to spread throughout your home. Additionally, if water finds its way to electrical wiring, a leak could become a dangerous fire hazard.

For these reasons and more, it is extremely important to repair roof leaks as quickly as possible. This begins by determining what the cause of the leaky roof is. Here are ten common causes of roof leaks.

Broken or missing shingles.

High winds and heavy rains can damage or remove your shingles. You can visually check for missing shingles by seeing if there are any missing or different hued patches.

Flashing damage.

Flashing are thin strips of metal that seal roof transitions under shingles to create a water-resistant barrier. They can slip out of place or the caulking may dry and crack over time.

Age of roof.

Over time, roofing material can weaken. Harsh weather and exposure to sunlight can also lead to the deterioration of your roof, making it easier for water to sneak in. The sooner you repair roof leaks on an aging roof, the better.

Clogged gutters.

Gutters can become clogged with leaves, pine needles, branches and other debris. This slows down or stops the flow of rain water, allowing it to pool and making leaks more possible.

Skylights.

This type of leak is easy to spot and is usually caused by improper installation or measuring of the skylight.

Chimney.

Water can trickle in through the chimney and find even the smallest crack or hole to seep into. Water may also pool at the base of the chimney in certain cases.

Roof vents.

Plastic roof vents may crack over time, and the gaskets around pipe vents can crack or have gaps in them.

Soffit or fascia damage.

Soffits and fascia are at risk of water damage over time. Water can soften the fascia and cause holes. Small animals like birds and squirrels can find these holes and make the problem worse.

Excess moisture.

Improper installation of gutters can lead to draining and pooling issues, causing leaks.

Holes.

Holes in the roof can be caused by falling tree branches or items installed on the roof, such as a satellite dish.

Importance of a Quality Roof

Before getting into the actual roof prices, it’s essential to establish the importance of a properly installed high-quality roof. A roof does more than keep the rain off your head. It protects your biggest investment – your home.

What you should expect from a high quality roof:

Durability

long lifespan; stands up to high winds, heavy rain, snow and hail; less maintenance; few replacements

Protection

Doesn’t leak; protects the inside and outside of the structure; provides proper drainage; keeps family safe during extreme weather

Efficiency

Proper ventilation and insulation; saves energy; lowers heating and cooling bills; helps HVAC equipment last longer; helps prevent ice dams, possible energy efficiency tax credits

Increased Home Value

If you’re planning to resell your home, it will be worth more with a high-quality roof.

What you can expect from a low quality roof:

Unreliable

vulnerable to premature leaks; can’t stand up to pressure from snow; peels off in high winds

Quite Temporary

short lifespan; deteriorates at a faster rate; high maintenance and unnecessary repair costs

High Energy Costs

Improper ventilation and insulation decrease energy efficiency; high energy bills; heating and cooling unit must work harder

Potentially Dangerous

Low quality materials combined with improper ventilation can be a fire hazard and also cause mold issues

Roof Replacement Cost in 2019: New Roof Installation Prices

We all want to get the best possible deal when it comes to spending our hard earned money. However, there are some items that fall in the “never bargain shop” category.

What to Expect in Terms of Costs?

A new asphalt shingles roof for a typical 2,000 sq. ft. single-story ranch house can range in price from $8,500 to $16,500 fully installed.

Across the US, a typical architectural asphalt shingle roof will cost between $3.50 and $5.50 per sq. ft. to install. This price range normally includes the cost of materials, removal of the old roof (up to 1 layer), dumpster and disposal fees, permitting fees, professional installation, and workmanship warranty.

Varying factors that can affect your cost are: the brand and type of shingles; the type of underlayment; the slope of the roof; complexity of the job; the company installing the roof and the region.

Average Total Costs of Common Roof Systems for Homes:

3-Tab Asphalt Shingles: $7,000 to $12,000
30-year Shingles: $9,000 to $15,000
50-year Shingles: $11,000 to $20,000
EPDM Rubber: $8,000 to $14,000
TPO or PVC Membrane: $10,000 to $15,000
Wood Shingles: $14,000 to $25,000
Steel Shingles: $14,000 to $25,000
Aluminum Shingles: $15,000 to $28,000
Standing Seam: $23,000 to $30,000
Natural Slate: $25,000 to $50,000
Concrete Tiles: $20,000 to $40,000
Clay Tiles: $25,000 to $50,000

Pictured is a Traditional Home with a Slate Roof

Having a roof over your head is a basic, essential need. Yet, when the time comes to have a new roof installed, a typical homeowner will either pay too much by going through the local home improvement store like Lowe’s or Home Depot, which by the way does not necessarily guarantee quality, or inadvertently, opt for a low quality roof by hiring a contractor with the lowest bid.

Beyond the Basics

Many homeowners make these often-poor choices, because they don’t really understand the importance of a good roof in the first place, as they lack general roofing knowledge, as well as fear getting ripped off, often justifiably so.

This guide will give you the knowledge necessary to hire a reputable contractor and get the best roof for your money.

How Contractors Determine the Price of a Roof Replacement

After inspecting the roof and speaking with homeowner, a contractor will draw up an estimate for the project. Estimating takes several important factors into consideration including materials, complexity of the job and the amount of time needed to complete the job.

Typical Breakdown:

Roof Size – Roofs with more slant have a larger surface area than roofs with less slant.

Roof Slope – Steeper sloped roofs are more dangerous and more difficult to work on than flat roofs.

Roof Complexity – A roof with more level changes hips and valleys, and add-ons, such as dormers, will be more expensive than a simple roof.

Existing Layers – It’s sometimes possible to install over existing shingles, but this lowers the lifespan and can cancel the warranty. It’s better to do a complete replacement. The more layers that must be removed will increase the price.

Debris and Waste Removal – Asphalt shingles, the most common material used, are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly.

Materials – The type of new material that will be installed, such as asphalt shingles, steel shingles, slate shingles, etc.

Building Materials – This covers all other materials needed to replace a roof including boards and plywood for the roof deck, nails, drop cloths, tarps, staples, calk, etc.

Roof Underlayment and Accessories – Underlayment and accessories are part of a system that makes the roof complete and watertight.

Ventilation – Ventilation is very important for expanding the lifespan of a roof, increasing its energy efficiency and meeting building code requirements in some areas.

Labor Costs – Installation/labor costs will vary depending on the size and complexity of the job, the workers’ experience and how long the project will take.

Overhead Costs – This covers the basic costs of doing business (insurance, advertising, taxes, permits, office space, equipment, trucks, office supplies, office staff, etc.).

Steps to Find a Reputable Roofer

1. Ask friends and family for recommendations.

2. Once you have a list of prospects, call them and ask these questions:

Do they take on projects of your size? This one will almost always be a Yes, but it is a good starting point to get the contractor’s interest and attention
Can they supply a list of previous clients as references?
Are they willing to provide financial references from banks and suppliers?
How many other projects will they be working on while doing your roof?
Will they be using subcontractors? If so, how long have they worked with them?

This information will tell you how reliable they are, how much attention they’ll give to your project and how smoothly the work will go.

3. From your phone conversations, choose three to four contractors to come to your home for estimates. Don’t go on personality alone. Be sure to check their reputation with their past clients and/or BBB, rip off report, Angie’s List if you have it, etc.

4. Follow up on the information you’ve gathered. Call their clients to see if they are satisfied with the work and service they’ve received.

5. When prospective contractors visit your home, they should inspect the roof, along with the attic insulation and ventilation system in place. If you have a rather complex roof, they may ask to see the blueprints if you have them, which can help with the measurements and ordering of materials.

6. To accurately compare bids, ask for a breakdown of the contractors’ estimates. The estimate should include cost of materials, labor, other expenses and profit margin. Remember if companies aren’t making profits, they won’t be around to cover your warranty.

7. Throw out the low-ball bid. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

8. Go with your gut. You must be comfortable with not only their ability to do the work, but also how you feel around them. Trust is a major factor when hiring a contractor. They’ll be at your home for several hours; you need to feel comfortable talking to them; as well as get a sense that they are being fair, and honest.

More on the Importance of Hiring a Reputable Contractor

It can be very tempting to go with the crew offering to save you money on such a large investment. However, when you choose a company based purely on the lowest bid, it will likely cost you more in the long run.

What you can expect from a disreputable roofer:

They are likely to cut corners to save time on installation at your expense.
They are likely to use low quality materials.
They don’t necessarily adhere to the building codes.
They often hire uninsured, illegal immigrant workers.
They go through a job too quickly, thereby not doing quality work.
They’re often not properly insured.
They’re usually not licensed, if licensing is required in your state.

Of course, hiring someone who is skilled in his trade and takes pride in his work will cost more than a fly-by-night organization. But, you get what you pay for.

Top 5 Sales Methodologies

1. Target Account Selling

Over the past 25 years, Target Account Selling has become a standard in the sales world, with more than 1,000,000 sellers trained to convert smaller customers (or smaller groups within larger environments) into bigger and more permanent customers.

2. SPIN Selling

When Neil Rackham wrote the book SPIN Selling in 1989, I doubt he knew it would still be in use decades later. “SPIN” stands for Situation, Problem, Implication, and Need-Payoff.

3. SNAP Selling

SNAP Selling, introduced by Jill Konrath in 2012, makes the assumption that everyone is busy and frazzled. The most important part of this book isn’t the methodology itself – it’s the value chain that it demonstrates.

4. The Challenger Sale

The Challenger Sale breaks sellers up into five buckets: Relationship Builders, Hard Workers, Lone Wolves, Reactive Problem Solvers, and Challengers. The Challengers are the most successful today, given the prevalence of large sales in enterprise environments.

5. The Sandler Selling System

The Sandler Selling System starts with uncovering the needs of the customer. Then the sales team customizes its pitch based on these needs. It’s about having both parties (the buyer and the seller) equally invest in the sales process.

Top 10 Sales Methodology Increase your organization sales

1. Provide your prospect with options

Instead of assuming which profile her prospects fit into, Jessica Magoch, CEO of JPM Partners, utilizes a “choose your own adventure” approach.

2. Working with gatekeepers

Getting past gatekeepers can be an art in itself.

But don’t just assume you deserve to be connected to the decision maker.

3. “A Friend Sent Me”

What’s the best way to turn a cold call into a warm one?

The answer: Tell them that a mutual connection suggested you speak to them.

4. Leaving a voicemail

You’re not always going to get through to your prospect right away.

They might be on the move, in a meeting, or simply focusing on their work.

This script from Bob Bentz, President of ATS Mobile and Hupport is a voicemail to leave when this happens.

5. Use a hyper-personalized opener

There’s a huge amount of insight available on your prospects.

LinkedIn is a salesperson’s best friend for a reason. Use this insight to open the call and build familiarity from the get-go.

6. “I don’t have time”

This is usually a polite way of saying “you’re just not important enough right now.”

7. Ask leading questions

Other than the information on their LinkedIn profile, it’s unlikely you’ll know much about your prospect on the first call.

8. Becoming a familiar name

These days, a multi-channel approach can help you build familiarity and turn a cold call into a warm one.

9. Voicemail follow-up

If you’ve already left a voicemail, then chances are they’re now aware of who you are.

10. The Detail-Oriented Follow-Up

Let’s say a prospect was genuinely busy and asked you to call back.

You’ve already told them why you’re calling, and you may have even emailed to provide context for the next time you call.

How to Write a Follow Up Email

Now that you know how important it is to follow up, and how long (give or take) you should wait before sending each email, let’s go through how to write the follow-up email itself.

1. Add Context

Try to jog your recipient’s memory by opening your email with a reference to a previous email or interaction.

Openers you might want to try include:

I just wanted to follow up on the email I sent last [day of the week email was sent] about [subject of email].
I just wanted to follow up to see what you thought about [subject of email].
I hope this doesn’t sound weird, but I saw that you read my previous email.

2. Add Value

You should never send a follow-up without upping the ante and demonstrating your worth.

Avoid lazy follow-ups – ones where you’re simply ‘touching base’ or ‘catching up’ – that don’t add anything other than one more email in their inbox. Provide value at each interaction. Make it worth their while to open, click, and respond.

3. Explain Why You’re Emailing

Go on to explain the reason for your follow-up email, in a manner that’s both direct and concise. Just tell the recipient what you want. If this hasn’t changed since your last email, remind them.

[product name] could really help you [element of prospect’s role] more effectively. I’d love to have a quick chat to find out if I’m right.
[product name] could really help you and I wondered if you’d be interested in trying it out for a month or so (completely free, of course).
We’ve just launched [product name], and it could make a big difference to [element of prospect’s role]. There’s a link to a resource that will tell you more just below, but it’d be great if we could also discuss your current needs so I can figure out exactly how [product name]might help you.

4. Include a Call-to-Action

Make it easy for the recipient to respond. For example, if you’re trying to arrange a meeting, suggest a specific date and time (and place, if you’re arranging an in-person meeting).

Does 2:15 p.m. on Thursday work for you?
Are you the right person to talk to about this? If I’m in the wrong place, could you point me in the right direction?
Just reply ‘yes’ if you’d be interested in getting some more information and I’ll send a couple of short docs over.

5. Close Your Email

Wrap up in a way that feels natural to you and is sympathetic to your interactions with the recipient so far.

While I have a few suggestions below, this part is really quite personal – as above, wrap up however you feel comfortable.

Let me know what you think! [Your name]
Let me know if you have any questions. [Your name]
Speak soon? [Your name]
I look forward to hearing from you! [Your name]

How to Write a Follow-Up Email

Send it after two weeks. If you haven’t heard back from the employer two weeks after sending your resume and cover letter, consider sending an email. Don’t send it any earlier. You want to give the employer enough time to read and respond to your application.
Send an email, if possible. Employers typically prefer receiving this kind of message by email; it allows them to keep a record of your contact, and they can respond quickly. However, if you need an even quicker response (say, for example, you know they are supposed to make a hiring decision very soon), you can try reaching out to the employer by phone.

Use a clear subject line. In the subject line, include the title of the job you are applying for and your name. This will allow the employer to know exactly what the email is about right away.
Be courteous. You want to be as polite and professional as possible in your email. Begin with a polite salutation and use the employer or hiring manager’s name if you have it. Begin the email by thanking the employer for taking the time to look at and consider your resume.
Keep it brief. Don’t write an extremely long email. Keep it brief so that the employer can quickly skim it and understand your purpose.

Focus on why you are a good fit. Briefly remind the employer why you are a good fit for the job. If you have any new information you want to share (such as a new achievement at work), you might mention that here.
Ask any questions. If you have any questions related to the job or the application process, you can ask them at the end of the email.
Mention a visit. If you live far away, you might want to mention a time when you will be visiting the area and are available to meet.
Review and Edit. This email is another opportunity to make a good first impression on the employer. Make sure your email is professional and thoroughly edited.

3 simple steps to write the perfect cold email

The goal of writing a cold email is to get it read. Each word and sentence you use should persuade the reader to move to the next one, right until the end of the email.

The opening line
Propose the value
End with a call-to-action

Step 1: The opening line

If your cold email doesn’t start with something about the research you’ve compiled about the prospect, their company or the market, nobody is going to respond to you. A little bit of flattery here works, but don’t go overboard by listing all their recent activities.

Knowledge about their website/product:

Being specific sets you apart from the hundreds of emails that prospects receive in their inbox. When you begin the email with information about the prospect’s website or product, it shows that you’ve done your homework before getting in touch with them. Moreover, it also grabs their attention.

Find common interests:

One of your prospect’s tweets shows that she is really excited about a Soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. If you’re equally a Soccer fanatic, you can use that as the opener in your email.

Step 2: Propose the value

Your recipients don’t care if your business has won an award, or what you do is awesome in every single way. What they care about is why they should read your email. So once you have a great opening line, get to the point and talk about,

Why are you reaching out to them?
What can you do to help?
The benefits of starting a business relationship with you
Examples of how other companies are benefiting from your offering

Step 3: End with a call-to-action

This step is pretty straightforward—what do you want them to do after reading your email. It can be either to, schedule a meeting, reply to your email, signup for your solution, etc.