Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Questions About PABCO Roofing Products
General
Where can I find a contractor in my area?
How do I decide what roofing product is best for my house?
You can also visit our Compare Products page where you can compare our products and their features.
Our Territory Managers are also here to help guide you through choosing the best asphalt shingle for your home. Contact us online or give us a call (253-272-0374) and we’ll connect you with your local Territory Representative.
Where can I buy PABCO® Roofing Products?
Visit our Where to Buy page to search for distributors within your area.
How can I stay connected with PABCO® Roofing Products updates and news?
How do I care for my PABCO Roofing Products asphalt shingles?
PABCO® Roofing Products recommends following the maintenance practices listed here for our asphalt shingles.
There may be additional practices for other components of the full roofing system. PABCO® is only addressing
the maintenance practices for our shingles.
Technical
How do I remove black stains from my roof?
The black stain that grows and spreads on a roof is typically algae. PABCO® recommends cleaning algae from your roof by killing it with an application of a 50:50 mix of liquid chlorine bleach and water.
This is sprayed onto the surface of the algae with a low-pressure sprayer, like a garden weed sprayer. Allow the solution to dwell on the surface (15 to 20 minutes) and then rinse thoroughly with low-pressure water.
Do not use abrasive cleaning methods such as pressure washing or the use of a brush or broom.
See the PABCO® Technical Bulletin on Recommended Maintenance Practices for additional details and related information.
How do I remove moss from my roof?
PABCO® recommends cleaning moss from your roof by killing the moss with an application of a 50:50 mix of liquid chlorine bleach and water.
This is sprayed onto the surface of the moss with a low-pressure sprayer, like a garden weed sprayer. Allow the solution to dwell on the surface (15 to 20 minutes) and then rinse thoroughly with low-pressure water. Extended dwell times may be necessary to kill the moss, however avoid letting the solution dry completely as this may prevent complete rinsing. After the moss is dead, it will weather off.
Do not use abrasive cleaning methods such as pressure washing or the use of a brush or broom.
See the PABCO® Technical Bulletin on Recommended Maintenance Practices for additional details and related information.
Do you have a safety data sheet?
Yes! Our Safety Data Sheet is located under the Technical Bulletins section of our document library.
Can I apply shingles over board decks instead of plywood?
In most areas, the building code allows application over boards. You need to confirm if this is allowed in your area.
When applying shingles over boards, PABCO® directs the use of well-seasoned wood boards 1″ minimum nominal thickness, 6″ maximum width.
See our Installation Instructions tab on the Technical Documents page for additional details and related information.
Do I need attic ventilation?
A minimum of 1 ft2 of total net free ventilating area is required for each 150 ft2 of ceiling area, or 1 ft2 for each 300 ft2 of ceiling area if (A) a vapor barrier is installed on the warm side of the ceiling or (B) approximately 1/2 the ventilation is provided near the ridge.
Shingle roof systems which do not have free air circulation under the roof deck (or if they have less venting area than directed above) have reduced coverage under the terms of the PABCO® Limited Shingle Warranty.
See the PABCO® Limited Shingle Warranty for additional details.
Application
What does roof slope mean and why is it important?
Roof slope is generally expressed in the form of vertical rise:horizontal run. As an example, a roof could rise 5 inches for each 12 inches of horizontal distance. This would be a roof with a slope of 5:12.
Roof slope is important because the slope dictates how the roof is applied. The standard application practices detailed in the PABCO® Installation Instructions are intended for roofs with a slope between 4:12 and 20:12. Special application practices (also found in the PABCO® Directions For Application) are used if the slope is lower or steeper.
Do not use PABCO® shingles if the slope is less than 2:12. See the PABCO® Installation Instructions for additional details and related information.
Where can I find application instructions for the product I've chosen?
Visit our Technical Documents page to view all out documents, or go to the Directions for Application section to get our product specific directions for application.
Can I use PABCO® shingles on a low-slope roof?
PABCO® shingles can be applied on slopes as low as 2:12.
For slopes between 2:12 and 4:12, specific low-slope application practices are needed. For slopes between 2:12 and 4:12, the building code calls for covering the deck with an approved underlayment applied with an overlap 1” greater than half the width of the sheet.
As an example, the most common sheet width is 36”. For a 36” sheet the overlap is 19” (half of 36”, plus 1”). In most areas, the building code allows one layer of self-adhering polymer modified bitumen sheet which complies with ASTM D1970. PABCO® recommends this self-adhering sheet wherever this is allowed by code. You should confirm that this is allowed in your area.
The double layer of underlayment complies with code but the self-adhering sheet provides a greater margin for safety. See the PABCO® Installation Instructions for additional details and related information.
Warranty
How do I file a warranty claim?
Please visit our Warranty Claim page for more information.
Where can I find warranty information?
View our Limited Shingle Warranty for more information.
Want to register your warranty? Visit our page to submit your information today.