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: 7/1/2008 Subject: Flat Roof Ventilation help
Question I have a flat roof. I recently had the gravel and rock taken off and had it replaced with shingle rolls.I cant seem to find any vents on the roof and since the change my home is very hot inside. I only have window units. What advice can you give me to cool my home?
Answer Hi Jesse,
I understand your question and problem. What happened is the rock on the roof used to be shielding the asphalt on your roof from the sun’s rays. Also the rock does transfer heat it doesn't do it nearly as well as the flat roll roofing does. So, the roof / house will now be hotter.
Flat roof are very difficult to ventilate if it can even be done at all. One of the things you could do is install some insulation between the roof and the decking. That will go a long way to reducing the heat transfer. Seems how the roof is already on that is no longer an option unless you want to do the roof again. I would guess no on that.
About the only thing you can do is put the rock back on the roof. You would have to pay someone to do it or do it yourself.
No matter who does it I would go with what they call dress rock if appropriate. It is much larger then standard gravel and will not transfer as much heat as just gravel itself.
There are a few things to consider when doing this type of work. The weight of the added rock, the wind, do you have to worry about it blowing off, can you get a color that you like, and cost. Also, this is something most roofer would not normally think of or have even done (I have only done the same thing once in 20 years) so finding someone who understand your needs and wants to solve the problem and not just make some money on a job may be difficult as well.
I hope this help on your quest to cool your house.
Brian Atkins
South County Roofing
www.southcountyroofing.com
brian@southcountyroofing.com
