Given all the attention the MoPac Boulevard toll lanes are getting, perhaps some of you think its the only transportation game in town right now.

Not true. Not at all.

Construction is actually moving along on schedule (at least for now) on a number of huge and meaningful projects. With that in mind, heres a midsummer look at the status of those projects. And, what the heck, MoPac, too.

RELATED: With wit and taunts, @EvilMopacATX taps Austin commuters pain

183 South. Thats what the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority calls this $743 million addition of six toll lanes and at least four frontage lanes, although it really involves what most of us would think of as the eastern leg of U.S. 183. Anyway, construction is about 20 percent complete, the mobility authority says, with overpass construction, creek bridges, miscellaneous earth-moving and new Colorado River bridge columns evident throughout the eight miles of the project from Springdale Road to Texas 71 near the airport.

The mobility authority, which seemingly learned from its unfortunate MoPac express lane experience and chose not to take the lowest bid on this project, says that the first phase (from Springdale to south of Technicenter Drive) is on track to finish by fall 2019. The south section, from Technicenter to Texas 71, should be open by fall 2020. Both dates are far away, and thus subject to change, of course.

Texas 45 Southwest. After decades of environmental resistance and court fights, including a last-minute flurry of pleas to U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel and an appellate court last fall, clearing for the $76 million construction project began in November near FM 1626. Work has moved quickly since then on what will be a 3.6-mile, four-lane tollway connecting FM 1626 near Bliss Spillar Road to South MoPacs south end.

RELATED: Federal judge clears the path for Texas 45 Southwest construction

Go to either of those spots and the work is obvious. But based on reports and photos from the mobility authority, the most progress has occurred in the middle of the construction at Bear Creek. Both vertical columns and horizontal bridge supports are already in place there. The mobility authority says the project is 24 percent done, and should be complete by late 2019.

The lawsuit to prevent the construction or, now, operation of the completed toll road remains pending after a March 22 trial. Yeakel has not yet issued a ruling.

Expanding MetroRail. The capacity of the 32-mile commuter line from downtown Austin to Leander has been limited since its March 2010 opening by a paucity of rail cars, insufficient passing sidings on what is primarily a single-track rail line and a temporary, cramped downtown station. Although many of the north and south runs of the trains have few passengers, the morning and afternoon rush hour runs limited to 30-minute frequency by equipment and track design are usually standing-room-only.

THE BACK STORY: MetroRail poised for a makeover

Capital Metro, using state and federal grants and some of its own tax dollars, is working on essentially doubling the rush-hour capacity to have trains leave every 15 minutes. The agency had four more cars built by its Swiss manufacturer and those cars have been undergoing testing for several months. Capital Metro expects to have them carrying passengers by early next year.

The addition of siding track near the Crestview, Howard Lane and Lakeline stations should begin this fall, the agency says, and take a year to complete.

As for the station expansion downtown, thats murkier. Capital Metro and the city of Austin, after an attenuated negotiation, signed an agreement in June for that project, which will cause the city to make some street changes near the station at East Fourth and Trinity streets. And the station design is not yet at the 60 percent level, the agency says. So, no forecast yet about when the station will be done, and thus when the fully expanded service would be in place.

More and more ABIA. With passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport breaking records year after year, airport officials have been in expansion mode more or less full-time for years. Just in the past year or so, the East Infill project to add security gates and other improvements, a renovated South Terminal for smaller airlines, a second hotel on the airport grounds, an added parking garage/rental car facility and a new privately operated surface lot near Texas 71 (with a dog kennel, no less) have opened.

RELATED: What to expect from the Austin airport expansion

But the $350 million expansion of the main terminals east end and the apron area for airplanes is the centerpiece of all this activity. That addition of nine gates bringing the 18-year-old airport to 33 and the expanded apron should be done by summer 2019, airport officials say.

Meanwhile, yet another parking garage is under construction just north of the original garages west end and should be done by winter 2018. And a retail center, with a convenience store, gasoline pumps and other stores, should open by December.

The added gates would bring the airports capacity to about 15 million passengers arriving or departing a day, and just in time. Passenger traffic through the first five months of the year was up 8.5 percent over the record 12.4 million for 2016. At that pace, the airport would be seeing 15 million boardings and deboardings by 2019.

South I-35. A project to replace the Slaughter Creek overpass on Interstate 35 should be done in a few weeks, TxDOT says. Major expansion projects, including bridge replacements, lane additions and ramp changes, are also underway at two other spots: the William Cannon Drive and Stassney Lane stretch, and near Oltorf Street. The $79 million Cannon/Stassney project is 34 percent complete and the $42.6 million Oltorf job is 14 percent done, TxDOT says.

Neither will be done before the end of 2019 or early 2020, the department says.

And, oh yes, MoPac. You may have noticed final paving occurring in sections between Far West Lane and RM 2222, and that the underpasses south of Enfield Road increasingly look more or less done. The agency still says the rest of northbound toll lane (the northern section came on line last October) should be open for business by mid-September, with the southbound lane following a couple of weeks later. So, real hope.

Someday, these four years of MoPac construction will be a funny story you tell your grand kids. Probably.

See the rest here:
Austin construction update: Planes, trains and automobiles - MyStatesman.com

North Dakota's multimillionaire Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has tapped a personal friend and professional fundraiser from Chicago to help get donations for the state's new governor's mansion, even though a committee says it needs no help.

North Dakota's multimillionaire Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has tapped a personal friend and professional fundraiser from Chicago to help get donations for the state's new governor's mansion, even though a committee says it needs no help.

But while Burgum might be instrumental in helping the project reach its financial goal, some worry his involvement also creates the potential for donors who might think they'll get something in return.

Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki said the governor asked Pam Kinsey of PKL Consulting to volunteer to help raise the money, fearing private donations necessary to finish the project may not be met.

"The governor essentially is trying to save taxpayers from footing the bill for the balance," Nowatzki said.

Kinsey worked on Burgum's successful campaign and the governor's inauguration, where $215,000 was raised mostly from oil-related and energy companies, and where two oil company officials got to sit next to the new governor at a dinner for $25,000 each.

Kinsey called Burgum a close personal friend.

"I support anything he wants to do for the state," she said. "There is nothing in it personally for me."

Kinsey said she wants to work with the committee, not apart from it. She said she had not made any calls seeking donations yet.

"I'm just trying to be value-added to what they are doing," she said.

The Legislature two years ago approved construction of a new $5 million governor's home, stipulating that $1 million be private donations. Construction on the 13,500-square-foot home began last September, with completion scheduled by this Thanksgiving. The Legislature did not set a deadline on when the balance must be achieved, Capitol Facilities Manager John Boyle said. Jim Poolman, a former GOP legislator and state insurance commissioner and Bismarck businessman, and Rep. Pamela Anderson, a retired banker from Fargo, have headed a group to raise private money. Poolman said the group has raised more than $650,000, and he's confident the balance would be raised by the time the new mansion is complete without Kinsey's help.

"I'm proud of our committee's work and I'm proud of the non-political way we are going about our business," Poolman said. The group raised $10,000 in the past week from one corporate donor, Poolman said. Donations include $10,000 each from former governors John Hoeven and Jack Dalrymple, and from Burgum. He is the ninth chief executive to reside in the current 57-year-old dwelling that officials say has security issues, is not accessible for people with disabilities and likely contains lead paint, mold and asbestos.

GOP Sen. Rich Wardner, the Senate majority leader, called it bad optics for the governor to ask someone from outside North Dakota to help raise money for what is often referred to as "the people's house."

"With an outfit outside of the state, you just wonder if there are strings attached?" Wardner said.

Lawmakers defeated measures to build a new mansion in two successive legislative sessions before finally agreeing. The requirement that part of the money come from private sources was seen as a way to gauge public interest.

Rep. Tracy Boe, a Democrat from Mylo, was among the most outspoken critics of using private donations to build the home. He said it takes dollars from other charities and "gives the illusion the governor's mansion is for sale."

Anderson, the Democratic lawmaker who serves on the fundraising committee, said she doesn't mind Kinsey's help.

"If she's willing to do some help, I don't think that's a bad thing," Anderson said. "I'm proud of what we've accomplished so far." Burgum, who was elected in November, earlier tried to pay himself for additions such as a heated garage floor. Lawmakers criticized the move, saying the new governor doesn't get to change anything just because he's willing to pay for it.

House Majority Leader Al Carlson said he doesn't feel strongly about Kinsey's involvement. He said she would likely provide some fundraising horsepower because big donors associate her with the governor.

"It's really hard for people to say no when governor asks for something," Carlson said. "That's the way politics works. If he hits the goal, I'm OK with that."

Continue reading here:
North Dakota Gov. Burgum asks friend to help fundraise for new governor's mansion - Crookston Daily Times

The Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) has camps and exhibits for children of all ages, including adults. One of the newest additions, a STEM lab, encourages kids to get hands-on with some exciting experiments. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

Summer fun for the kids just got a little more out of this world.

The Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) has new camps and exhibits for children of all ages to enjoy -- including adults.

One of the newest additions, a STEM lab, encourages kids to get hands-on with some exciting experiments.

"My favorite exhibit is the Southern Appalachian Forest exhibit. That's what I'm really excited for," Cory Van Auken said.

AMOS has settled into its new location that first opened in 2016. Admission is $6 for adults and $5.25 for kids.

The museum will also host a festival celebrating the solar eclipse on August 21.

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New Asheville Museum of Science camps, exhibits offer something for everyone - WLOS

Josh Kmak's new(ish) Creepseed project lands on San Diego's best rock/pop releases of 2017...so far.

Since we're halfway through the year, what better time than now to take a look back at the great rock/pop releases San Diego's music community has pumped out in 2017 thus far? While there seems to be a scarcity of actual full-length albums coming out 'round these parts these days, here are some good additions to your playlists.

Creepseed, "The Loneliest Man You'll Ever See" EP (released May 16): The solo project of former Shady Francos frontman Josh Kmak offers up more of the glam-fueled garage-rock he delivered on last year's "The Undertone" album -- oh, and enlisting the Schizophonics as his rhythm section for live shows is just what the creepy doctor ordered. See 'em in action at the Belly Up on Aug. 9. [Listen/download it for free]

Hideout, "So Many Hoops/So Little Time" (released via Small Plates Records on Feb. 3): Not gonna lie, Hideout's 2014 "Rookie" was my favorite San Diego album of that year. With their second record, the group's mastermind, Gabe Rodriguez, has yet again crafted a dense, mesmerizing record of folk, psychedelia, art-pop and good ol' fashioned rock & roll that has remained in constant rotation on my turntable. [Watch the video for "I Got Your Message" andlisten/buy the LP]

Low Points, "Feels" EP (released via Bleeding Gold Records on March 3): Helmed by frontman/songwriter Kevin Vega, Low Points' debut EP might be San Diego's go-to summer tunes of 2017 -- based on the springy, sloppy, garage-surf/rock gem "Life Goes On" [watch the video] alone. Luckily for us, the other three tracks on "Feels" are equally unstoppable, mightily infectious, and next-level fun. [Listen/buy it]

The Schizophonics, "Ooga Booga" EP (released via Pig Baby Records on March 28): OK, so we all know these kids got some serious onstage theatrics -- but their studio recordings are criminally underloved (albeit too few and far between if we're keeping it real). But that's where "Ooga Booga" comes in: Now you can enjoy the band's somersault/splits energy without getting pelted in the head by a wayward instrument. Word on the street is they're releasing a new 45 at the Casbah on July 14. Be there. [Listen/buy the EP]

Sights and Sages, "doubleplus" (released June 30): To be honest, I'm still digging into this one. These seven tracks are a rather dense collection of experimental indie-rock in the vein of Alt-J, Radiohead and, dare I say, Pinback. It's no surprise they were tapped to open Switchfoot's latest Bro-Am festival, and with one listen to the smoldering leadoff single "Aghori" [watch the video], you'll understand why. See 'em at the Casbah on July 29. [Listen to the record]

Elise Trouw, "Unraveling" (released May 7): Trouw, who just turned 18 the day this album (her first) dropped, already sounds like a seasoned industry veteran. On "Unraveling" [watch the video for the title track], she wrote, played and recorded the entire thing herself -- and the resulting 10 songs already display a mastery of precision rhythms and complex melodies that'd be impressive by musicians even 10 years her senior. San Diego's next big thing? Hey, she's got the numbers to back it up. [Buy the LP]

The Thens, "Lessons in Being Late" (released via Postmark Records on April 14): When Max Greenhalgh's not busy workin' the Inspired and the Sleep machine, he moonlights in this indie-pop/rock bass/drum duo with his buddy Ryan Mack. Turns out the dude can't write a bad tune, no matter who he's playing with. See them at SOMA on July 8. [Listen/buy the LP]

Trouble in the Wind, "Pineapple Moon" EP (released July 4): Squeezed in right before I finished writing this up, these North County lads dropped this surprise five-song EP of Americana/pop/rock ear candy on Fourth of July -- right in time for it to hit my BBQ playlist. Let's just say it made more than a fine addition. See them at 91x's BeerX festival on Aug. 12 at Waterfront Park. [Listen/download the EP for free]

Dustin Lothspeichbooks The Merrow,plays in Diamond Lakes,and runs the music equipment-worshipping blog Gear and Loathing in San Diego. Follow his updates on Twitter or contact him directly.

Published at 2:03 PM PDT on Jul 7, 2017

Original post:
8 of SD's Best Pop/Rock Albums of 2017 (So Far) - NBC 7 San Diego (blog)

JRD Windshield Repair owner Jeremy Driscoll decided to step up by offering free car window replacement and installation to anyone who breaks a vehicles window to save a dog or other animal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the temperature inside a vehicle can increase by 20 degrees in 10 minutes. As the Texas summer gets hotter, people and animals are more at risk of heat exhaustion.

The state Good Samaritan law protects anyone who smashes a car window to save a child, but Texas does not protect those smashing windows to save animals.

Driscoll first decided to offer the service in 2015 after Tennessee passed House Bill 537 that amended the state immunity law for damaging vehicles to includethose incurring damages while rescuing animals. A post on the company Facebook page described the out-of-state law and made the free offer to replace windows broken to save dogs.

The offer was posted again in June, asking followers to call JRD Windshield Repair with the make, model and year of the vehicle being damaged, and the companys staff would get the new window ready.

JRD is located at2105 S. Congress Ave., Bldg. 2, Austin, and is open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Break the car window, save the dog in distress and this Austin-based windshield repair company will pay for it - Community Impact Newspaper

A $3 million bid package was awarded Wednesday for interior work in the ongoing $38 million renovation of La Salle-Peru Township High School.

The L-P board approved the contract for Phase 2 interior renovations. The bid package includes carpentry, $1,151,000, Vissering Construction Co., Streator; heating, ventilation and air conditioning, $799,800, A&R Mechanical Contractors Inc., Urbana; electrical, $774,643, JB Contracting Corp., La Salle; demolition, $130,225, Johler Demolition Inc., Lincolnshire; flooring, $129,934, TSI Commercial Floor Covering, Champaign; and painting, $68,929, Oosterbaan & Sons Co., Posen.

The board also approved change orders, $4,000, $48,000 and $3,500 for asbestos abatement; $35,000 for roof replacement; and a $3,500 credit for lockers.

Board member Alan Cherpeske asked if many local companies are bidding.

Were not getting a great showing from local companies. Were getting a lot of thank-yous but no thank yous, said Josh Warriner, senior project manager for Pepper Construction, Barrington, the projects construction manager.

Summertime bidding is competing against companies hectic work schedule, Warriner said. Much of the labor, however, is local, he said.

Work has begun on asbestos abatement and tuck-pointing. This summer includes window and roof replacement and interior renovation. Mobile classrooms are in the East Gym parking lot to handle classes displaced by interior renovation. The project also includes upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and mechanical systems. The $38 million project is expected to be completed in fall 2018.

Voters approved the renovation in a November referendum, 6,620 to 6,426, or 51 percent to 49 percent.

Jeff Dankert can be reached at (815) 220-6977 or lasallereporter@newstrib.com. Follow him on Twitter @NT_LaSalle.

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Bid for interior work approved at LP - LaSalle News Tribune

Steps Part 1 Getting the Right Materials

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Spread a layer of thin-set on the sub-floor with the notched trowel. Spread the mortar quickly, but also evenly. Use firm sweeping motions with the trowel.

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Wait until the next day to begin laying tile. In the meantime, you can prepare the reference lines to make sure the tile will be laid evenly.

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Cut tiles with a tile cutter or wet saw, if necessary, to fit along the wall. As you work toward the walls, you may not be able to use a perfect number of tiles. You may also need to make cuts for tiles that sit around toilets and other rounded objects in the floor.

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Allow the thin-set to dry for at least a day. Follow the instructions recommended by the manufacturer before grouting.

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Do I have to remove the vanity and toilet first?

wikiHow Contributor

It is best to remove both before laying the floor. The weight of either can make the floor unlevel, and it is easier for them to just be out of the way.

Do I need to take up the old floor of stick down tiles beforehand?

wikiHow Contributor

Yes. You need to remove the old tiles before putting in the new ones.

How long should I wait to tile after laying the concrete floor for tiling in the bathroom?

wikiHow Contributor

On average you should wait about a week, but it depends on the humidity level, thickness of the floor, etc.

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How to Tile a Bathroom Floor (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Beneath the grass of St. Bede Academy grounds lies a series of tubes no one ever mapped.

Work to reroute water and sewer lines during this summers phase of St. Bedes ongoing renovation and expansion project unearthed old pipes that were unaccounted for in any records.

Back in the day, when the monks wanted to do something, they grabbed a shovel and did it, said superintendent Ted Struck. Were coming across all kinds of buried stuff thats not on anyones paper. A one-week effort is probably going to take three.

Workers remove debris from a window on the third floor of St. Bede Academy. Construction is progressing on a new science wing on the north side of the building. The 16,000-square-foot addition is expected to be finished in 2018.

Mark Ward, an operator for Vissering Construction Co., said most of the pipes are old field tile.

It pretty much runs every which direction, Ward said. Most of them are running south down the hill. Where theyre starting from I have no idea. They could be coming all the way from Route 6. When you have low ground like this, you get tile coming in from everywhere.

Struck said some of the old pipes uncovered by Legacy Project work led to buildings that no longer exist, some still contained water and others were made from an unidentified, non-metallic substance.

The multi-million-dollar Legacy Project is a multi-phase renovation and construction effort. Preparation work is under way on a new science center and student commons that is expected to be finished in spring 2018.

Meanwhile, Greg Wiesbrock, project manager for Vissering, said its tough to tell the age of whats been buried.

God only knows when they were put there literally, Wiesbrock said.

The old pipes with no purpose are being capped, Struck said, and new teal pipes sit in front of the school and in the parking lot waiting to be buried.

The unexpected, undocumented obstacles will affect parking and pickup for various St. Bede camps in the coming weeks, including the STEM, math and football camps.

Alternative parking sites have not yet been chosen, Struck said, but signs will be present to direct parents and students.

The unexpected, old pipes wont have a big impact on other areas of the Legacy Project even this years other non-pipe-related work.

Delay caused by the pipes wont cause the rest of the project to drag because they are located outside of the main construction zone.

Doing the storm drainage and water pipes doesnt affect the people working inside the fence, Struck said.

Completion for this stage of the project, which includes construction of a STEM center and commons area, is still on target for completion in April 2018, Struck said.

The pipes also wont affect the completion of the other phases of the project, which will occur over the next few years and include the construction of a field house and further renovations to floors of the main school building.

By next week, all of the work to be done inside of the school building during this phase of the Legacy Project will be completed, and visible work on the stair tower will begin.

That work, Struck said, includes a safety egress and new restroom spaces on every floor.

Then, it will be time for foundation pouring and site work for the 16,000-square-foot science addition.

Those who attend Mass at St. Bede may have noticed its circle drive is smaller than usual.

The fence that designates the construction zone passes through the center of the drive, which visitors use during Mass, and in order to keep the drive usable, a change was made to the size of the circle.

We bisected the circle and made the circle smaller, Struck said.

There is a sign directing cars toward parking for Mass, and the new, smaller circumference will remain until spring, when work is expected to be finished.

The circle drive will be the way it is until completion, Struck said.

Ben Hohenstatt can be reached at (815) 220-6932 or perureporter@newstrib.com. Follow him on Twitter @NT_Peru.

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Undocumented plumbing does not mean delays as work moves forward at St. Bede - LaSalle News Tribune

WASHINGTON Major track work disruptions hit the Blue, Orange and Silver lines this weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, there will be no trains between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle due to ceiling tile and other work.

Both the Farragut West and McPherson Square stations will be closed, and there will be no trains on the lower level at Metro Center.

Riders might also consider walking to open stations, because the total closure area is about 1.5 miles long.

The Silver Line is only scheduled to run between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston-MU this weekend, so riders will need to transfer to and from Orange Line trains at Ballston-MU or East Falls Church.

Separate track work reduces Red Line service to every 20 minutes this weekend, but Red Line trains will serve Metro Center.

As a reminder, Metro now closes at 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, but is only open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. (Monday through Thursday, the system now closes at 11:30 p.m.)

Due to the track work, however, the last Orange Line and Blue Line trains will leave Virginia stations about 30 minutes earlier than the new schedule would typically call for.

The last Orange Line train from Vienna will depart at 11:49 p.m. Saturday and at 9:52 p.m. on Sunday. The last Orange Line train from New Carrollton will leave about 15 minutes earlier than usually scheduled, at 12:20 a.m. Saturday night and 10:20 p.m. on Sunday.

The last Blue Line train from Franconia-Springfield will leave at 11:55 p.m. Saturday and 9:55 p.m. Sunday. The last Blue Line train from Largo Town Center will leave more than an hour earlier than usual Saturday night, at 11:26 p.m., and 18 minutes earlier than usual on Sunday night, at 10:10 p.m.

Metros major shutdown is scheduled to be on the Red Line next weekend.

It is the first of four consecutive weekend shutdowns between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Friendship Heightsto test a new tunnel sealant.

Metro plans to continue significant track work on weekendsfor the foreseeable future.

The next 24/7 work zone that impacts rush-hour service is scheduled to shut down the southern end of the Green Line early next month.

Like WTOP on Facebook and follow @WTOP on Twitter to engage in conversation about this article and others.

2017 WTOP. All Rights Reserved.

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Weekend track work will affect Blue, Orange and Silver lines downtown - WTOP

Be cautious in hiring a contractor, but don't put the job off once it's necessary.

Roof replacement carries a significant cost, and it can't be put off once it becomes necessary. But the urgency of needing a new roof doesn't mean you should blindly hire the first contractor you interview.

HOW ROOFERS CHARGE

While you can replace your own roof, it's rarely a good idea. Without the right tools and experience, you'll likely make a mistake, which could reduce the lifespan of your roof and endanger the integrity of your home.

A standard 2,200- to 3,400-square-foot roof replacement with asphalt shingles will cost DIY homeowners between $2,000 and $6,000; professionals will charge $5,000 to $12,000 or more for architectural asphalt shingles. Roofers charge for their work by "squares." One 10-by-10-foot patch of roof makes a square. The average residential roof needs between 22 and 34 squares to be replaced.

Roofers charge labor for removing your old roof. A one-story roof with a single shingle layer costs between $100 and $150 per square to remove; a double layer, $115 to $165; and triple layer, $125 to $175. If you have a particularly high roof or one that's extremely steep, you will pay more.

ROOF INSTALLATION COSTS

Asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material, cost between $120 and $400 per square. You'll also pay for flashing, trim, vent covers and gutters. You can keep costs down by shingling over an existing roof, rather than replacing it. Roofers say that often lowers the lifespan of a new roof because they can't repair any damaged roof deck or apply newer synthetic membranes that offer superior protection against water and ice damage.

The cost of a metal roof ranges between $500 a square for lower-end materials to $1,800 for high-end copper. Homeowners usually select corrosion-resistant metal priced between $700 and $1,000 per square.

A natural slate tile roof can cost between $800 and $1,600 per square. But pros say the final tab for a slate roof can exceed $4,000 per square if the slate is high end and the installation pattern is intricate.

While the cost of a clay tile roof often ranges between $600 and $800 a square for an average sized home, the price can exceed $4,000 a square for premium grade, custom-made tiles.

HIRING A PROFESSIONAL ROOFER

Not all roofers deliver reliable performance. Finding a solid contractor means considering several factors.

First, a true roofing pro should be familiar with local building codes. They should know whether the jurisdiction or shingle manufacturer allows more than one layer of shingles and any rules governing underlay or shingle type.

Contractors should look for any existing damage to your home's structure, either from fire or water. If this isn't dealt with before a new roof is installed, it can necessitate frequent repairs, cause premature failure or void the shingle manufacturer's warranty.

Reliable roofers offer substantive guarantees for their work _ between five and 10 years on workmanship, which includes free repair of any defects due to improper installation. These typically cover leakage or total failure, but won't cover normal wear and tear, general maintenance, damage from weather such as hail or storms or bacterial and insect infestations. Some will offer 40-year or more warranties, but these usually apply to specific high-end roof products and require specific installation procedures.

Read more from the original source:
How much does a new roof cost? - GoErie.com