Did You Know

Spring is almost here and with that, the onslot of homes getting ready to hit the housing market. Whether you’re looking to sell your current home or searching to buy, chances are you’re noticing the value of a great roof.

Here are 3 things to keep in mind when buying or selling a home:

1. Roof issues are one of the top problems found during home inspections.
2. A bad roof could get your mortgage application denied.
3. Roof warranties can be transferred, but there are limitations; read the fine print to obtain transfer.

According to an HGTV article, the most common problem found during home inspections is roof-related. “Most important is the number-one defect detected during the inspection process: moisture and drainage. This is the leading cause of dry rot, major structural damage and toxic mold. It is important that grading of the property slopes away from the home. The roof must be inspected and be watertight”. In other words, a roof problem is a big deal. And a bad roof to a potential new buyer, a deal-breaker.

In this article by mymortgageinsider.com, a bad roof is one of the top 5 reasons a mortgage application is turned down. It’s important for buyers and sellers to take this information into account when applying for a mortgage loan. A new roof is something that is often a negotiated item between the parties and sometimes is a cost that is split. Knowing a reputable, local roofer (like Capstone Roofing, if you’re in Oklahoma) is so valuable in this process so that you get a real number estimate that is accurate to with which to negotiate.

Another thing to keep in mind when you’re buying or selling a home is a roof warranty transfer. Buyers should make sure to get the warranty of a new roof transferred when making their home purchase. Many times there is a fee involved in this process. Also important to note, most manufcaturers only allow transfers one time to one buyer. The security of a new roof is a great thing but, even better, a roof with a transferable warranty!

Don’t go into the buying or selling process blind. You can alleviate stress by educating yourself before an issue arises, especially one involving a roof. Contact a professional roofing contractor to get an estimate or inspection to know exactly what costs are involved; it could just save you a lot of time and money.

CertainTeed has been a trusted roofing shingle manufacturer for many, many years. “Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, today, CertainTeed® is North America’s leading brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, fence, decking, railing, trim, insulation, gypsum and ceilings”. Clearly, this company has done a lot of things right!

As with most roofing shingle manufacturers, CertainTeed has a certifcation program in place to distinguish qualified roofing contractors from their competitors. Their Master Shingle Applicator program allows contractors looking to further their roofing knowledge a way to gain specific product insight. This kind of educational program benefits customers by giving them a way to easily recognize a company who has gone through the qualification process, setting them apart from average roofers.

Capstone Roofing is pleased to have our Master Shingle Applicator certification. In fact, we are the only CertainTeed roofing pro within 35 miles of Stillwater. Customers can easily locate the nearest professional CertainTeed installer with their Find a Pro search tab located on their Web site. Simply put your zip code in and define your search area to find the professional closest to you; it’s a great tool.

As always, an educated consumer is something we always encourage. Make sure you make a quality choice when making a big investment like a roof installation. And, whether it’s a new roof, roof repair or re-roof, remember the roofing pro nearest to you.

A commercial endorsement in the roofing industry is a big deal and fairly difficult to obtain. The state of Oklahoma has procedures, tests and requirements in place for those in the roofing profession to secure this license. Not only do such professionals have to apply and pay for this certificate, as they do to meet Okalahoma’s residential roofing requirements, but these roofers must also take a lengthy and difficult test, emphasizing commercial roofing procedures, laws and specifications. In addition, a commercial license requires a company to secure, at minimum, $1M general liability insurance. The difficulty of this test eliminates many applicants and therefore separates these professionals from the rest.

This kind of distinguishment is an asset to the roofer and potential clients and Capstone Roofing is pleased to have this commercial endorsement. As one of only a few roofing contractors locally to hold this license, we are confident we can use our expertise to handle your commercial roofing project.

As a potential commercial customer, it is important to make an educated selection because your project is generally bigger in size and therefore more costly. Making a sound choice for a qualified, endorsed roofing contractor is essential and legally necessary. There are fines in place for contractors performing any commercial roofing without this endorsement. This kind of legal action could bring your project to a hault. Whether it’s metal, shingled or a roof coating, and whether it’s new construction or a re-roof, a commercial contractor must have their endorsement. 

So, the next time you need to hire a roofing contractor for a commercial (or residential) project, we strongly encourage you to do a little homework. Make sure they are commercially endorsed and in good-standing with the state of Oklahoma. Head over to the construction industries board site and see for yourself exactly who you are hiring.

As you may know, Owens Corning is a well-known and reputable shingle manufacturer. Since 1938, they have been huge in the roofing industry. This company helped transform the old-style, organic shingles of yesteryears by patenting ones made with fiberglass back in 1965. Their brand has expanded and become quite popular, continuing to deliver quality, innovative roofing products to their customers and installers.

Capstone Roofing is now the only preferred contractor in the city of Stillwater to meet the professional roofing requirements as part of the Owens Corning Roofing Preferred Contractors program. As specified by the company, these preferred contractors “are part of an exclusive network of roofing professionals who meet high standards and strict requirements for professionalism and reliability”.

As is true in many industries, not all suppliers and installers are the same; the good ones are good for a reason. It takes time and commitment to quality to stand out from the competition. Capstone is dedicated to consistently delivering products that meet or exceed industry standards. It is partnerships with reputable companies such as Owens Corning that allow us to install great roofs and give us a platform through their professional programs. It’s an honor to be recognized in this way and we hope it gives our clients even more peace of mind when choosing Capstone as their roofing contractor.

Thank you, Owens Corning!

https://roofwithcapstone.com/storm-damage-repair/Oklahoma winds can be brutal, can’t they? Meteorologists regularly forecast high winds around the state and, unfortunately, it’s not always a seasonal happening. With these changing weather patterns always around us, as Okies, we’d like to remind you about the damage high winds can cause your roof. Just this month, Oklahoma has experienced gusts up to 50 mph and we aren’t in “tornado season”!

Even storms that produce little or no hail can damage your roof. Over time, intense winds can create problems with lasting effects. Strong winds carry debris that can compromise the life of your shingles. In this informative article, according to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), most wind damage to a roof starts on the edge. The loosening of shingles at the edges eventually moves to other areas of your roof creating a number of issues. And, because winds don’t sweep across surfaces uniformly, the damage also varies.

So, how do you detect this kind of damage? Maybe you’ve seen shingles blown off or perhaps you’ve noticed the edges of your roof line coming up. These are clear signs your roof has been compromised. What can be even more concerning, however, is the damage you aren’t able to see from the ground. For this kind of inspection, a local, reputable roofer should be called. Someone who can assess the integrity of your shingles is a valuable asset to a property owner.

It’s important to remind you that wind damage to your roof can lead to poor insulation and, poor insulation costs you money. What appears to be a minor issue with a few shingles missing, if left for long, can snowball into a much larger issue. Don’t procrastinate if you suspect you have wind damage to your roof. Let a professional at Capstone Roofing provide you a free inspection and, if needed, repair your roof properly.

Did you know there are certifications for roofing installers?

Roof manufacturers have various programs in place which allow roofing contractors and their installers to achieve certifications through their manufacturing company. These certifications vary, as do each of the requirements for them.

This allows roofing companies to distinguish themselves and gives property owners another way to spot a legitimate roofer from a not-so-professional one. It’s a win/win for both the roofer and the client. The roofer gains further training to better their company and installation practices by providing education, allowing them to install a roof that meets or exceeds industry standards. The customer benefits in a big way getting a roof that is installed properly as well as having a more professional experience, start to finish. Peace of mind for everyone involved!

Capstone Roofing is pleased to be a certified residential roofing contractor through MalarkeyRoofing. As defined by Malarkey, “The mission of the Certified Residential Contractor Program is to provide a “shared value” concept bringing together industry roofing application details coupled with factory trained applicators using high quality Malarkey Roofing Products®.” Capstone has the privilege of being a ‘trusted partner‘ with an exceptional manufacturer. Even better, Malarkey has a residential shingle that is manufactured right here in Oklahoma. Customers can choose a local, professional roofer like Capstone and a made-in-Oklahoma product, too…a great combination!

So, next time you’re in the market for a new roof, take a look at what kind of certifications a roofing company may or may not have. Doing so could allow you to make an objective, quality selection.

So, it’s raining in Oklahoma and you’ve got a roof leak. A leaking roof can be pesky to deal with and perhaps something you’ve been putting off because, well, it stopped leaking when the rain stopped, right? Out of sight, out of mind. You could actually be very, very wrong!

The long-term damage of a leaking roof can be far greater than you expect if it’s not handled properly and promptly by a roofing professional.

This article discusses 7 UNEXPECTED DANGERS of a LEAKY ROOF:

1. Attic and ceiling damage
2. Interior mold and mildew issues
3. Health concerns from mold
4. Fire hazard from water damage
5. Slip and fall hazard
6. Higher utility bills and wasted energy
7. Compromised structural integrity

So, maybe you’re realizing, now, that little leak could be causing a lot of damage to your property. Maybe you’ve tried to track down the source or site of the leak on your own and you’re stumped. Your next best step is to call a roofing professional. This is yet another reason choosing a local company is your best choice. Since time is of the essence when it comes to long-term water damage to your home or business, rely on someone local to service you promptly.

At Capstone we like to say: your emergency is our priority. We are leak detection specialists and roof leaks are always at the top of our schedule. We understand a small leak can turn into a much bigger problem, very quickly. Choose a company who will make your emergency their priority.

We’re excited to say that we recently joined the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce!

It’s a great way to connect with people who share the same goals of bettering our community and growing area businesses and commerce. At Capstone Roofing, we’re learning whether you’re a new, start-up business or an established business that’s trying to grow, putting down local roots and connecting in your community is key. Sucessful businesses don’t become successes by accident. Gaining trust and forming relationships is EVERYTHING!

Speaking of the local Chamber, you really ought to check out the resources they offer. From leadership training to job finding, it really delivers a great service for Stillwater residents. Here’s a review on their site that sums it up best: “This community-centric organization is Stillwater‘s best ally. From economic development to member support, Stillwater Chamber delivers a solid service. The staff is knowledgeable, committed, and enjoyable. This membership is the best use of my money, hands down.”

Why wouldn’t we want to be a part of an organization like that? If you’re a local resident and/or business owner, we encourage you to connect with them!

So, you have hail damage. Well…you’re pretty sure you have hail damage but you don’t have a ladder to get up on the roof to check!

What do you do first? This is a question we’re asked very often.

Our recomendation is to have a reputable roofer come and inspect it for you. If you’re in our area, that’s something Capstone does at no cost to the owner. We suggest this for a couple reasons:

1). You should be able to get a roofing company out to inspect your roof more quickly vs. waiting for your insurance company to send an adjustor.

2). IF you have damage and need to have an adjustor sent out, they will most likely take you a bit more seriously knowing a roofer has already confirmed you have damge.

As a property owner it’s so important to have local people looking out for you! Know the quality businesses in town and who to trust. That way, when you have a suspected problem, you know exactly who to contact. An out-of-town, storm-chasing company won’t be there for free inspections as a service to you…but a local, reputable company will be.