All roofs age, and generally – at least with asphalt shingles – you need a new roof when yours is between 20 and 30 years old. (A good rule of thumb to follow is to watch when your neighbors start getting new roofs; there’s a good chance that their homes are about the same age as yours is, so when they start hiring roofing companies, it may be time for you to do the same.)

You can also tell that you need a roof if you see visible signs of damage, such as:

• Water damage or leaks. If your roof is leaking, you may just need to have the leak repaired – but in more severe cases, the entire roof needs to be replaced. Water leaks never get better with time; they only become worse, and a small leak can cause major damage. Even a minor leak can spiral out of control quickly, leaving you scrambling to replace your roof.
• Sagging ceilings. If your roof is sagging and it feels soft to the touch (kind of like soggy cardboard), there’s a chance that your roof is leaking. You need to address both the leak and the ceiling – and whatever else is happening with your roofing materials, such as wood rot or mold growth – and that may mean replacing your entire roof.
• Wildlife damage. Unfortunately, squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and insects can burrow into your roofing materials and cause significant damage. Sometimes small repairs are enough, but in other cases, you may need to replace your roof.
• Decaying shingles. If your shingles are in bad shape, you may need to replace them – and you may also need to replace the materials beneath them. You should have a professional roof inspector check out your entire roof from end to end to determine how severe the damage is.
• Bald spots on shingles. Shingles are made with tiny granules on top of them, and those granules help your roof shed water. They also protect each shingle and all your roofing materials from water incursion. If those granules are missing, it’s important that you replace the damaged shingles as soon as possible; in some cases, it’s too late and the whole roof needs to be replaced.
• Missing or broken shingles. Missing or broken shingles can’t protect your roof the way they’re designed to, so they need to be replaced immediately. If no water has made its way into your roof, you may be able to get away with just replacing those shingles – but if it has, you may have a bigger repair job (or replacement) on the horizon.

See more info on our roofing page. Call us today for a FREE courtesy inspection! 205-955-7663

Installing a new roof is a big job, and several factors affect how much it costs. Because every job is different, it’s impossible to give a ballpark figure – but we can tell you:

• The materials you choose have a big impact on how much your roof replacement will cost.
• The size of your roof matters when it comes to cost because you’ll need varying amounts of materials and labor.
• Tear-off of your old roof isn’t always necessary, but in some cases, it is.
• The best way to figure out how much a new roof will cost you is to call an expert from Southern Roofing and Renovations. Our team will spend time on your roof examining it for damage – and if you can prolong your roof’s lifespan with a few repairs, we’ll let you know. Repairing always costs less than replacing, and we want to make sure you’re making the most cost-effective choices. If your roof does need to be replaced, we’ll talk to you about the materials you want to use, develop a plan, and give you a customized quote so you know just how much roof replacement is going to cost you. 

Contact us today for a FREE courtesy inspection.

It’s always cheaper to care for your roof and make repairs when necessary than it is to replace the whole thing. Sometimes minor damage just needs to be fixed with a few shingles and a handful of nails; in other cases, the damage is so severe that the whole roof is compromised. In cases like those, you need a complete roof replacement. The only way to know how badly your roof is damaged is to have an expert from Southern Roofing and Renovations come to evaluate the situation. We can send an inspector to your home to check every inch of your roof and provide you with a custom quote on the spot. Contact us today!

You can visually inspect your own roof for damage. From the ground or a ladder near the roof’s edge, look for:

• Cracked, curled or broken shingles
• Missing shingles
• Bald spots on your shingles
• Shingle granules in your gutters (or near your downspouts)
• You can also look in the attic for signs of water damage, such as mildew or mold growth, wet wood, or active leaks.

The only way to get a thorough inspection is to call an experienced, licensed, and insured professional like Southern Roofing and Renovations of Alabama in Birmingham. We are always happy to help a fellow neighbor!

Visually inspect your gutters for damage by walking around your house. Look for areas that are cracked, broken or rusty, as well as places that may appear to be pulled away from your house. You should also look at the fascia – those are the boards facing outward beneath your roof line. If the paint on your fascia is peeling or bubbling, it’s a sign that a backup in your gutter has caused water to rest against your home, and that can spell trouble.

The only way to get a thorough inspection is to call an experienced, licensed, and insured professional like Southern Roofing and Renovations of Alabama in Birmingham. We are always happy to help a fellow neighbor! 

Shingle granules are tiny balls that are affixed to the top of a shingle. They’re the same color as your roof, and they’re just a bit larger than coarse sand.

They may be shiny or dull. If you see these granules in your gutters, near your downspouts, or around the edge of your roofline, there’s a good chance that they came from your roof – and you should definitely call a professional to see how extensive the damage is.

-The most common roofing material is asphalt shingles, which happens to also be the most durable and affordable. But not all asphalt shingles are created equally. 

Asphalt shingle technology has increased tenfold over the years and shingles from 2005 pale in comparison to asphalt shingles in 2021. That being said the most common type of asphalt shingles are your common “Three Tab Shingles.” 

Three-tab shingles are hardy, affordable, and very common. However, they don’t look or perform as well as super-durable architectural shingles. 

Architectural shingles give the look of cedar shingles, however, hold up as asphalt shingles do. 

They also are more durable because they are thicker. Shingles come in a variety of colors. 

Every roof has its challenges and different aspects to increase the complexity of a roof system install but on average 1-3 days. 

Good, skilled roofers like our team at Southern Roofing & Renovations can replace a single-family home’s roof pretty quickly This includes removing the old roof shingles and underlayment, followed by replacing both with new underlayment and shingles, followed by a thorough clean-up! 

Perhaps the best question we get, and the one you should ask the most before ever selecting a roofing company to install your new roof, is the right hiring questions! 

Making informed purchasing decisions is vital, especially when it’s an item like your roof, which we recognize is not a small investment. Anything costing a few thousand dollars is a large investment for most households. 

That is why we put together this quick “Hiring a Roofing Contractor Checklist:” 

Hiring a Roofing Contractor Checklist: 

• Is your company insured?
• Is your company licensed?
• Are you certified by the shingle manufacturer? (We are a Platinum Preferred Contractor with Owens Corning for example) 
• Is your roofing company a BBB Accredited Business?
• Do you have references and reviews? 
• What does your roofing warranty look like?

Southern Roofing and Renovations is a business that strives to be the best in the roofing and renovation world.  From working with residential to commercial clients, all projects get the “Southern” treatment. Through technology and a thirst for knowledge, our company has risen the bar on the standard for contractors.  State of-the-art showrooms, consistent training, and investing in our future, we are able to pass along all of our strengths and knowledge to the clients and their needs. We are credible, reliable, and trustworthy. Our clients' satisfaction is our #1 priority. Call us today, we'd love to hear from you!

One that doesn’t leak! The best kind of roof is one that the homeowner trusts and sees value in. A roof where functionality and the cosmetic look go hand in hand. There is a vast range of different materials, colors, and costs, so we have created a state-of-the-art showroom where we explain and show all the options available for your home to create a roofing system that you love, that’s within your budget, and is the best roof for you.  

Contact us today for a courtesy inspection!

The biggest mistake a homeowner can make is not getting your roof inspected regularly.  Especially after storms. Our company and many others will complete courtesy “free”  basic roof inspection and can advise if any maintenance, repairs, or replacement is necessary.  

Perhaps you do your springtime maintenance and notice a few missing shingles or one morning you wake up and the bathroom ceiling has a leak stain. 

In the case of a roofing leak, you have options. Sometimes people ask if they need a new roof because of a leak, and the answer is always it depends. 

Factors such as the age of your current roof, the current warranty (if there is one), and the scope of your roof leak will ultimately determine the next steps. In either case, the first step is to always get the issue inspected by a roofing company… an honest roofing company. 

Depending on the damage on your roof causing the leak – a few missing shingles or a serious problem – will then determine your appropriate actions:

• Sometimes a simple roof repair is an answer
• Calling insurance to see if your roof qualifies for a replacement 
• A new roof

We offer emergency mitigation. services, so when you have a serious leak, don't hesitate to call us. We take calls 24/7.