AboutBrian Atkins Expertise I can answer any question related to all type of roof repairs (especially tile roof repair and flat roof repair work). I can also answer most new roof or roofing related questions with the exception of questions in regards to single ply roofing (PVC) and standing seam or metal panel roofing. I have little or no experience with those applications.
Experience I was first introduced to roofing by my father who was started his own roofing career in Orange County CA. By the time I was 10 years old I knew what most general roofing materials were and had some idea of their purpose. At the age of thirteen I started working during the summer for my Fathers roofing company (Atkins Certified Custom Home Roofing) working in LA and Orange County CA as a part of a tear-off crew for $2.90 an hour. At 14 I started an apprenticeship while under the supervision of my uncle who was a journeymen roofer for my father's roofing company. I stayed at that level for three summers learning all that I could working with my uncle. After graduating from La Quinta High School in 1988 I immediately began working full time as a journeyman roofer doing roof repair and complete new roofs. My area of specialty and interests has always been on the roof repair side of the business. My Dad did an excellent job at teaching me roof repair techniques that were taught to him from old time roofers that took him under their belt when he was an apprentice many, many years ago. In 1992 my Dad signed for my first license and formed a partnership with me and I started my first roofing company in Irvine CA. This is where started to make my own niche in roofing by specializing in roof repair, dry rot repair, termite damage repair, and full roof restorations. In 1997 I took the CSLB testing and qualified for a license on my own and moved my roofing business location to Lake Forest, CA 92630. While working for myself and for my father’s company I would guess I have personally done more than a thousand repairs and roofed several hundred homes completely here in Orange County. Currently I own and operate a roofing company serving the following areas of Orange County Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Aliso Viejo, Buena Park, Brea, Cypress, Capistrano Beach, Costa Mesa, Corona Del Mar, Dana Point, El Toro, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Foothill Ranch, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Lake Forest, Lemon Heights, Mission Viejo, Orange, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Seal Beach, Silverado Canyon, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Tustin, Trabuco Canyon, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda and communities Coto De Caza, Dove Canyon, Lake Forest I, Lake Forest II, Canyon Crest, Shady Canyon, Three Arch Bay, Emerald Bay, Newport coast, Nellie Gail Sunset Ridge, Bennett Ranch, Meadow Wood, Sterling Hills, Sterling Lakes, Pacific Hills, Sunset Ridge, Bennett Ranch, Sterling Hills, Sterling Lakes, Wagon Wheel, Larado, Stonecliff, The Summit, The Classics BR> Organizations I do have a valid (roofing contractor)CSLB license # 737515 since 1997. I have been given an Industry Expert Certification given to me from the CSLB in 1999. My roofing company has also been enrolled in the Certainteed Select Shingle Roofer Program for 4 years now. I also hold some other manufacture certification as well. Other than that I really just belong to my customers and my customers only. They are what my sole focus is on.
Publications I have not been featured in any publications to my knowledge. The only writing credit I could use is my website at www.southcountyroofing.com. I wrote all of it. I heard from a few customers that they have read every word on every page of the website. So, it must be decent. But, I have to give credit where credit is due. My mother was my editor.
Education/Credentials There’s nothing big to mention here. I am a high school graduate.
Awards and Honors As for roofing, the greatest honor I have had yet to date came the day my father started coming to me for answers about roofing. As for life, it is being a father to my son.BR> Past/Present Clients There aren't any names that I could use that you would know or recognize. But, I have worked for many special people. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those customers for the letting me handle their roofing needs.
Expert: Brian Atkins Date: 6/30/2008 Subject: Roofing Question: GAF vs Certainteed Landmark
Question Original roof 1991, Velux VS 606 and VS 606 skylights 1991. New roof needed. Replace skylights? 1 is leaking a little, both wood finishes are flaking off. Flashing around skylights looks "soft". No current ice and water shield. 30 year GAF Timberline Architectural shingles vs. 30 year C. T. Landmark shingles. I also have a Ridge vent with a new Ridge vent to be installed. I also have 2 different opinions on this - should additional vents be included? They are currently.
Answer Hi Diane,
I would replace both units. Seems how you got 15 years of service out of each unit, I would consider them done now.
I would go with the Landmark shingles, without question. They are higher quality than the GAF and don't go with the ridge vent.
Here's why:
Ridge Vent -
Pros
1. You can't see it. It is basically hidden from the eye under the ridge tiles.
2. A long path of ventilation. If you cut the vent hole from one end the other (minus the over hand 2" feet on each end assuming you have an overhang) would give you 4 inches by 19 feet of exhaust = 6.27 square feet of ridge venting. That's about 2.27 square feet more than four 1x1 foot holes will give you for the wind turbines.
Cons
Easy to install incorrectly. Example: If the applicator uses too much pressure in his nail gun the vents (baffles) can get crushed. This will reduce air flow and decrease venting.
Cutting the hole in the ridge takes a skilled worker. First the saw must be adjusted to the correct blade depth. If the installer makes a mistake the blade will nick the main support beam. That could be a safety hazard. Also, the hole itself needs to be cut very straight and be a specific width. I have heard many stories where it is uneven or not wide enough. Both of those will cause problems.
It does need to be run completely across the ridge. I see many incomplete runs. This is usually caused because the roofer wants to save cost of buying another roll. The ridge vent is not cheap.
The soffit (intake hole size) must be equal to the exhaust (ridge hole size) for the ridge vent system to work as designed. That means your roofer needs to know the exact size and location of all of your intake vents or holes and take them into consideration. An uneven ridge vent system may not work at all.
Vents are often an extra. They are supposed to be included. It is against code for a contractor to install a roof without the proper ventilation. So, even if you say no to paying for them the building code says they have to install them because it is a code.
The main reason why contractors don't install them is because the building inspector doesn't make them.
The other main reason is the architect didn't ask for them.
Brian Atkins
South County Roofing
www.southcountyroofing.com
brian@southcountyroofing.com
