AskARoofer

Before and after the storm: Your monsoon roof checklist

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:00:00 PDT

AAR Expert Henry Staggs says when the storms roll in, preparation pays off.

Monsoon season in Arizona officially kicks off on June 15, and around here, that date means more than just watching the sky for that first wall of dust. Every year, our team marks the start of the season with a company picnic. This year we headed out to the Salt River, went for a swim and ate more junk food than we'd like to admit. It's a small tradition, but it's a good reminder that before the storms roll in, it's time to get serious about the roof over your head.

Before the season: Get ahead of it

The single best thing any Arizona building owner can do before monsoon season arrives is walk the roof and clear it of debris. A clean roof drains the way it was designed to, and that starts with making sure every drain and gutter is open and flowing freely. Standing water is one of the fastest ways to turn a minor issue into a major one.

While you're up there, take a look around for anything that isn't secured. Loose vents, unanchored equipment, or anything that could catch a monsoon gust and go airborne needs to be tied down. And if you're carrying any pre-existing damage, even something small, seal it up now. A tiny gap that's manageable in dry weather can become an active leak the moment a storm hits.

After the season: Don't skip the follow-up

Once monsoon season wraps up in September, the work isn't quite done. Assuming you made it through without any leaks, get back up on the roof and repeat the same inspection. This time, the goal is cleanup: clear out all the debris the storms left behind so your roof heads into the next dry stretch the way it should, clean and clear.

If you spring a leak

If a leak does show up, call a roofer right away. Every day water sits on or in a roof system is a day it's doing more damage, and the fix only gets more involved the longer it waits.

If you're filing a claim

If the leak is bad enough that you're considering an insurance claim, know who's who in that process. Your roofing contractor is there to do the work, diagnose the damage and put the roof back together correctly. If you want someone in your corner negotiating the claim itself, that's a public adjuster's job. A public adjuster works on behalf of the homeowner to negotiate the best possible outcome with the insurance company, while the contractor stays focused on doing the work right.

Done right and monsoon tight, that's the goal every season. A little attention before and after the storms is what keeps your roof, and your investment protected.

The roof overhead: Shifting from crisis management to asset protection

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:30:00 PDT

AskARoofer Expert Henry Staggs says that roof maintenance helps property owners get ahead of wear and tear.

For most property owners, the roof is the ultimate embodiment of "out of sight, out of mind" until water begins dripping through the ceiling. Yet, your roof is easily one of the single largest investments in your building’s envelope. Successfully managing its lifespan isn't about waiting for a disaster to happen and reacting; it’s about shifting your strategy from defensive crisis management to proactive asset protection.

The golden window: The power of the biennial cadence

The math behind roof longevity is simple: regular evaluation saves thousands. A professional roof inspection should take place once a year and absolutely no less than once every two years. Additionally, scheduling a brief assessment immediately following major seasonal weather events is vital.

While winter storms bring obvious weight and moisture, the summer months introduce a quiet, brutal enemy: extreme heat and intense UV radiation. Mid-summer sun can push roof surface temperatures past 150°F. This extreme heat causes materials to expand rapidly, while the subsequent evening cool-down causes them to contract. This daily thermal shock slowly degrades seals, pops nails and splits aging caulking.

Catching a heat-cracked pipe boot or a loose piece of flashing during a routine late-summer inspection is a minor, inexpensive fix. Waiting until that compromise turns into an active autumn leak can result in catastrophic, hidden costs, from structural rot and ruined attic insulation to mold mitigation.

Behind the clipboard: What the pros are looking for

When an experienced contractor steps onto a roof, they aren't just looking for missing shingles; they are evaluating an interconnected system. A comprehensive professional inspection zeroes in on four critical vulnerabilities:

Flashing and boots: The metal flashing around chimneys, valleys and dormers, alongside the rubber boots surrounding plumbing vents, account for the vast majority of roof leaks. Inspectors check for rusted metal, cracked rubber and failing caulking.

Shingle integrity: On asphalt roofs, inspectors look for clawing (edges curling under), cupping (edges curling up) and heavy granule loss. Granules protect the underlying asphalt from destructive UV radiation; once they wash away, the shingle degrades rapidly.

Ventilation health: A roof needs to breathe. Inspectors evaluate ridge vents and soffits to ensure air flows freely. Poor attic ventilation traps oppressive summer heat and moisture, effectively baking the shingles from the underside and slashing their lifespan in half.

Soffit and fascia: Contractors inspect the wooden or composite boards running along the roofline for signs of water damage, soft spots or animal intrusion.

Maintenance vs. repair: Playing offense

The difference between preventative maintenance and reactive repair is the difference between changing your car's oil and replacing a seized engine. One is a predictable, manageable line item; the other is a costly emergency.

Playing offense means keeping the roof surface clear of leaves, moss and debris, while trimming tree limbs back at least six feet from the roofline to prevent wind-scratches and animal access. It means cleaning gutters twice a year, especially after the spring seed-drop and the autumn leaf-fall, so water flows away from the fascia rather than backing up under the eaves.

Ultimately, the most critical maintenance tool isn't a ladder, it's a paper trail. By documenting and understanding the lifecycle of your roof, keeping a dedicated folder of initial installation paperwork, annual inspection reports and minor repair receipts, you create an invaluable asset. If you ever sell the property or need to file an insurance claim after a major storm, a documented history of proactive care is definitive proof that your roof was built to last.

The Coffee Shops™ Announce 2026 AskARoofer™ Experts

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 PDT

AAR Experts celebrates its continued commitment to helping home and building owners make confident roofing decisions.

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning digital platforms where industries come together for technology, insight and everyday business, announces 2026 AskARoofer Experts.

Each month, AskARoofer™ Experts share their insights on timely topics such as warranties, wildfire protection, ventilation and roof performance, commercial roof inspections, preparing for spring weather and more. Information is shared through interviews, videos and articles on AskARoofer.com. Representing all facets of the roofing, exteriors, metal and coatings industries, these Experts are also recognized in a dedicated section of the site.

“At AskARoofer, we are committed to connecting owners with the trusted expertise they need when questions arise about their roofs,” shared Heidi J. Ellsworth, President and CEO of The Coffee Shops. “By bringing together not only our AskARoofer Experts but also more than 140 roofing companies across the country, we’re creating a powerful network that communicates directly with home and building owners — answering their questions, providing local expertise and helping them make smarter decisions that protect what matters most in their roofs and exteriors while building lasting confidence in the roofing process and the industry itself.”

We are proud to announce the following 2026 Experts:

John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group
Jerry Iselin – Metal Roof Specialties, Inc.
Mindy Dahlquist – TRA Snow and Sun
Wendy Marvin – Matrix Roofing and Home Solutions
Henry Staggs – The Arizona Roofer
Brittany Wimbish – Fields Roof Service
Rachel Garcia – Malarkey Roofing Products
Bridget Wilson – Cardinal Roofing
Emily and Paul Marshall – Mr. And Mrs. Post Frame
Will Lorenz – General Coatings

Find more information on the 2026 AskARoofer Experts!

About The Coffee Shops

Award-winning websites and online communities make up The Coffee Shops. Starting with RoofersCoffeeShop, which launched in 2002, the growth of the sites has been explosive for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and their customers. Currently featuring four Coffee Shops, RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop®, CoatingsCoffeeShop®, OutdoorCoffeeShop™ and their sister site AskARoofer™, all the sites are committed to advocating for the construction trades by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all contractors, while promoting positive growth, education and success of construction industries overall. The Coffee Shops also feature strong microsites with RoofersCoffeeShop.ca, RoofersCoffeeShop.uk and En Español. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and overall construction information and education. The Coffee Shops are “Where the Industries Meet!” For more information, visit www.thecoffeeshops.online.

Reduce the burden on your AC unit with proper ventilation

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:00:00 PDT

AAR Expert Henry Staggs says a well-ventilated attic lowers monthly energy costs and extends the life of your HVAC system.

This month, we turned to our AskARoofer Experts to explore one of the most important — and often overlooked — components of a high-performing roofing system: ventilation. Proper attic ventilation plays a critical role in regulating temperature, improving energy efficiency and protecting the long-term health of both the roof and the home.

To better understand its impact, we asked our Experts to weigh in on the following question: How do ventilation design choices impact attic temperatures, HVAC performance and long-term shingle durability?

Henry Staggs, founder of The Arizona Roofer, shared his thoughts:

In the Arizona heat, roof surface temperatures can easily exceed 160°F, causing attic spaces to climb well above 140°F. Without proper airflow, that trapped heat eventually "soaks" through your insulation and into your living space.

A well-ventilated attic creates a thermal buffer, significantly reducing the burden on your AC unit. By allowing your home to "breathe," you aren't just protecting your shingles — you're lowering your monthly energy costs and extending the life of your HVAC system.

Build trust before talking price

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 06:00:00 PST

AAR Expert Henry Staggs shares his best advice for hiring the right contractor for your roofing project.

For many people, a roof is out of sight, out of mind. So, when it comes time to have work done on the roof, whether that's maintenance on a building or new shingles on a home, it can be a bit intimidating. That's why we created the AskARoofer Expert program!

This program connects home and building owners with professionals that are experts in the world of roofing through monthly articles. These articles, written directly by the experts, answer common questions you may have about embarking on a roofing project, from navigating warranties to picking the best materials. Most recently, in January 2026, our experts' articles focused on offering advice for home and building owners who are getting roof quotes.

Here's what one of the experts, Henry Staggs, had to say:

"Hiring the right contractor isn’t about finding the lowest price — it’s about making a smart decision.

Start by verifying licenses and insurance. Make sure the contractor actually does the kind of work you need, and take a look at how they treat people online. Professionalism leaves clues.

Meet them face-to-face. The right contractor will explain things clearly, answer questions honestly and never rush you into a decision. Before you hire, check their record with the local court. A long history of disputes is something every homeowner should pause and think about.

Once you’ve found the right fit — then discuss price. Negotiation works best when trust is already in place."

2025: A year of satisfying curiosities

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:00:00 PST

By Jenny Yu.

Look back on AskARoofer's top stories, podcasts and videos!

It’s almost the end of the year, so it’s time to reflect on the incredible learning our readers have done through engaging with podcasts, videos, articles and social media content. A recurring theme of the top content from this year, regardless of medium, was the curiosity of our readers that inspired engaging conversations.

Top podcast

Composite versus asphalt roofing

Our top podcast of the year features Megan Stone from DaVinci Roofscapes and Anthony Walsh from DuraShield Roofing & Contracting as they discuss what today’s homeowners should consider when weighing material options for a reroof project. Megan and Anthony break down the pros and cons of both composite and asphalt roofing on durability concerns, frequency of required maintenance, overall performance and value for the price.

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 06:00:00 PDT

AskARoofer Expert Henry Staggs shares what every homeowner and business owner should know about warranties.

When you invest in a roof, whether it’s for your home or a commercial property, you’re making a big commitment. A good roof protects everything underneath it, and you want to know that protection will last. That’s where warranties come in — but not all warranties are created equal. Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of property owners get tripped up by fine print or unclear coverage. Let’s break it down so you can make the right decision for your property.

Material warranties versus workmanship warranties

There are two main types of roofing warranties, and it’s important to know the difference:

1 - Material (manufacturer) warranties

These come directly from the manufacturer of your shingles, tile, foam or coatings. They cover defects in the product itself. If the roofing material fails because it was made wrong, the manufacturer takes responsibility.

Now, not all material warranties are equal. Some just promise the material won’t fall apart, while premium ones — like an NDL (No Dollar Limit) warranty on commercial roofing — go much further. With an NDL warranty, the manufacturer inspects the installation, and if there’s ever a covered problem, they’ll fix it at no cost to you. No limits, no caps. Best of all, that warranty stays in place even if your contractor disappears down the road. That’s a big deal.

2 - Workmanship (contractor) warranties

This warranty comes from the contractor. It covers the labor and how the roof was put together — things like flashing, sealing or proper fastening. If a roof leaks because of poor workmanship, this is the coverage that matters.

The truth is, workmanship warranties vary wildly. Some companies only offer a year or two. Personally, I think that’s not good enough. A roof is meant to last, and your workmanship warranty should reflect that. That’s why at The Arizona Roofer, we back our work with extended workmanship coverage — because we believe in doing things right the first time.

How we protect our clients even if we're gone

Here’s something most people never think about: what happens if your contractor goes out of business? That’s a scary thought when you’ve just dropped thousands on a new roof. We’ve built in protections so our clients are never left hanging.

For commercial roofing - We offer manufacturer-backed NDL warranties. These aren’t just a piece of paper — the manufacturer actually inspects our work. That layer of accountability means your roof has protection that doesn’t depend on us still being around.
For residential roofing - We’re proud members of directorii. This adds a level of security that most Arizona homeowners have never even heard of:
- Your deposit is insured up to $20,000. If anything were to happen to us before work starts, you’re not out that money.
- Plus, directorii backs our workmanship warranty up to $250,000. That covers code violations, workmanship defects and more — even if The Arizona Roofer wasn’t around anymore.

That’s real protection, and it’s one of the biggest reasons clients choose us.

How to navigate roofing warranties like a pro

When you’re looking at roofing bids, don’t just compare prices. Compare protection. Ask these questions:

Who actually backs the warranty — the contractor or the manufacturer?
Does the warranty stay valid if the contractor goes out of business?
Is the coverage capped or truly unlimited?

Those questions can save you tens of thousands of dollars down the road.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, a roof is only as good as the materials, the workmanship and the protection behind it. That’s why we go the extra mile — so our clients know they’re covered, no matter what.

If your roof is more than six years old, it’s time for a professional inspection. If it’s over ten, you’re already overdue. Let’s take a look before small issues become big, expensive problems.

Call or text me today at (480) 435-5190 or visit www.thearizonaroofer.com to schedule your free inspection.

Q&A – Replacing old decking

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:00:00 PDT

When it came time to replace a piece of decking, this homeowner wanted to make sure they got it right the first time.

John, a homeowner from Georgia, came to the AskARoofer Experts with a question about replacing a deck:

"Should old 11-inch wide plank decking be replaced with 4x8 OSB decking? If so, can you install new OSB on top of the existing plank decking?"

A variety of our experts chimed in with thoughts, including Jose Castellanos with Bumble Roofing, who said:

We always suggest using OSB or plywood with roof replacements to abide by manufacturer standards! With plank decking (we call it shiplap), there is a possibility that the nail driven into the shingle does not hit a board and is therefore not truly installed to the sheathing. It is possible to install OSB on top of the existing plank decking!

Roofing expert John Kenney from Cotney Consulting Group also responded with:

Although the 11-inch plank decking may still have some structural integrity, it doesn’t always meet today’s manufacturers' standards for shingle application. Installing a layer of 4x8 OSB or plywood over the existing deck is a smart upgrade that solves those concerns and helps ensure the roof system performs as it should in the long term.

You can install OSB over the existing plank decking, assuming the planks are in good condition, meaning they’re flat, secure and rot-free. Doing so gives you a clean, consistent nailing surface and reduces the chances of shingles telegraphing board movement underneath. This is a common and accepted approach when reroofing older homes. Just make sure to use the proper fasteners that secure the OSB to the planks and penetrate into the rafters below. That’s key for maintaining structural integrity.

Now, if any of the existing plank decking is soft, warped or shows signs of decay, it needs to be replaced before proceeding. Laying OSB over bad wood doesn’t solve the problem; it just covers it up. That said, if the planks are solid, this method brings the roof up to modern standards cost-effectively. I’d also recommend checking with your local building department, but this method is acceptable in most areas as long as structural load requirements are met.

Donavan Morgan from The Roof Gallery, another one of our roofing experts, shared his thoughts:

Yes, you can overlay old 11” plank decking with OSB instead of tearing it all out. Ideally it should have space less than 1/4 of an inch.

Replace planks only if they’re rotten, split or badly cupped.
Overlaying OSB (7/16”–5/8”) gives a smooth, flat base and saves labor.
Fasten into rafters, not just planks, so it’s structurally tied in.
Watch weight, ventilation and fix any rotten boards first.

Rule of thumb If planks are mostly solid and less than 1/4 inch gap → overlay with OSB. If they’re shot → tear out and replace with full OSB decking.

And last but not least, our roofing expert Henry Staggs with The Arizona Roofer sent in this response!

Continue the conversation in our Forum!