Roofing, Siding & Gutter Questions and Answers from Mueller Roofing

When it comes to your home or commercial business, there can be a lot of question and/or concerns when it comes to working on your roof, siding or gutters. We pride ourselves on quality work that last and customer satisfaction. Part of that is educating our clients on what is truly needed with it comes to roofing repair or replacement and any other exterior work and giving them their options so they feel comfortable making the right choice. Hopefully this FAQ page will help many with general questions they may have. And we'll keep adding info to this page as time goes on to continue helping answer questions.

How long does a roof last and when should I replace it?

A number of factors have to go into consideration. Most roofing materials have a 15-30 year lifespan, but the quality of the material, location you live in, how well the roof was installed and how exposed your roof is to weather elements can impact the lifespan of your roof.

The best thing to do is to check and monitor your roof for:
  • Cracked or curling shingles
  • Missing shingles or bald spots on your roof
  • Rusted or missing flashing or rot around your fascia
  • Any evidence of leaking in your home
  • Any other visible damage or rough spots

  • If your roof is 15 years or older, we recommend you call us for an inspection. We can look over your roof and give you an estimate on it's remaining lifespan and let you know if we notice any areas that need attention.

    Do I have to replace my gutters when I replace my roof or re-roof my home ?

    You don't necessarily need to replace your current gutters when re-roofing your home or installing a complete new roof system. However, many factors come into play if your existing gutters will be used again.

    The current gutters have to be uninstalled before a new roof can be installed. This can put your gutter system at risk of being damaged during uninstallation and reinstallation. Often times it's easier and cheaper, due to time, to just install new gutters.

    Often times older gutters are damaged but the home owner is unaware. They have been on the property for many years and been damaged by storms and years of use. They also may be ineffective for the roof. In order to properly protect your home and new roof, a new gutter system is needed.

    If you are wondering about needing new gutters or concerned about the additional cost to your roof repair or replacement, don't hesitate to consult your roofing contractor. Mueller Roofing Inc. will gladly address your concern and show you if you do or do not need new gutters and advise you in what is best for you and your home.

    How much does a new roof cost?

    There is no definitive answer as to how much a new roof will cost. Every home and roof is unique. There are a variety of items to be considered before a roofing estimate can be given. Some roofing estimate considerations include:

  • The size of your roof
  • What materials will be used or type of roof you'd like installed.
  • The location of house or building being roofed. This is important when determining which materials would be best for your area's weather and exposure to the elements.
  • Are you roofing a new house or is this a re-roof?
  • The type of home and pitch of roof also must be considered.

  • It is wise to meet with multiple roofing contractors to discuss your roof and get bids. Once you have the roofing bids, you can accurately compare them to each other and decide which contractor you feel must comfortable with working on your home.

    What should I do prior to roof installation?

    Mueller Roofing can provide a checklist to our customers prior to installing a new roof or repairing an existing roof. Some things that are often overlooked are satellite dishes, antennas, and solar panels. It is recommended you contact the original company who installed these products to remove them properly prior to the roof installation. However, if you plan to dispose them afterwards, we can remove them for you.

    Some other important things to consider are tarps to cover your HVAC unit, patio furniture, pools or other outdoor belongings.

    What type of shingles are best for my roof ?

    The first thing to consider when evaluating your roofing project is to determine whether you will need a complete roof replacement or a re-roof (or re-cover) of your roof. The next question to consider is what material you will use.

    Shingles are a very common choice for roofs in the midwest. They are often an inexpensive roofing solution that offers many color options to fit your aesthetic appeal, match the architecture of your home and are usually budget friendly.

    However, with so many shingle options, from different colors, warranties, materials, etc. don't hesitate to consult with you professional roofer. They can help advise you in which shingle roofing material is best for your specific needs and goals.

    How soon can you start my Roofing Project?

    The timeframe for starting a roofing job depends on a number of factors. Some factors include the extent of the work needing done, if it is a roofing emergency or not, the materials being used, other roofing projects that were scheduled prior to yours and many other common sense aspects or circumstances.

    At Mueller Roofing Inc., we pride ourselves on professional, quality work for our clients and completing roofing jobs correctly while staying on schedule for our roofing clients. Once we start working with a client, we schedule the roofing work needed to be done and abide by a timeline the best we can.