Roofing/Expert Profile


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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 in the area

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. After graduating from La Quinta High School in 1988 I immediately began working full time as a journeyman roofer doing roof repair work 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 the basics of roof repair. He showed me some of the techniques that were taught to him from old time roofers that took him under their belt when he was an apprentice. 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 South COunty 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

What do you like about this subject?

I like helping people figure out how to solve their roof leaks and help them or give them adive on how to properly do roof repair work and roof maintenance.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I would like to master the skill of roof repair, dry rot repair, and roof restoration.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

That a lot of dry rot repair work is the result of a roofing leak. If you don't properly address the roof repair issues the dry rot is going to return.

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    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    T = Timeliness    P = Politeness
UserDateKCTPComments
Ander11/04/0910101010Thanks very much, Brian! That's great information .....
Elaine10/31/0910101010Thank you for the information. Your response .....
David Zimmerman10/15/0910101010Brian was very prompt and knowledgeable. His .....
Lai10/12/0910101010 
Fred10/08/0910101010 

Recent Answers from Brian Atkins

2009-11-01 flat roof maintenance:

I would do this just after the rainy season every year. During the raining season the water may move the rocks around and this could cause bare spots. You should add more gravel if after you put the

2009-10-28 Flat tile roof repair:

Hi Elane, The tiles need to be removed and you should install one layer of any Self Adhered base sheet directly to the deck (your contractor may use a buffer sheet) then one layer of Titanium PSU 50

2009-10-23 Asphalt applied base sheet:

Hi Danny, The only reason that it is wrong is because code states that the base sheet be fastened every 12" inches in every direction. Anything other than code is what they would call below minimum

2009-10-19 should I put weather proof underlayment:

I believe it should be installed in all valleys, tin runs, and edges. I even do it here in CA to prevent wind driven issues. You should do it. As for if it is an actual code or not I could not tell

2009-10-14 Flashing for curb mounted skylight on flat tar and gravel roof:

If you would like to secure the flashing to the roof in addition to the other sealing I would do the following: After you scrape back the roof I would get the flashing as reasonably clean as I could

 

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