Caring for Your Homes Roof Throughout the Winter

The leaves are changing, the temps are dropping, and some of us are even turning on our furnaces… Winter’s here!  There are a variety of attitudes that people here in Michigan have when it comes to winter, are you a homeowner that is chilled just thinking about winter or are you tuning up your snowmobile as I type?

The maintenance of your homes roof throughout the long winter season does not have to be stressful.  With some simple tips you can stop worrying about your roof this winter and start to focus on the season of wonder & delight, and snowflakes & Santa.

Simple Winter Roof Maintenance

Get Rid of Snow Build-Up

Your homes roof has been designed with the elements in mind.  It is constructed specifically to handle the harsh winter weather elements including snow, ice, and rain, along with the freeze, thaw cycle that us Michiganders have come to anticipate.  However, even the most well-designed roof can experience potential issues from snow and ice buildup.

The best way to prevent your roof from having issues that come from snow build up is to eliminate the buildup of snow on your roof to begin with.  There are a number of items available on the market today that help homeowners achieve this including roof rakes.  A snow rake is a simplistic tool that helps to eliminate snow from accumulating on your roof while you are safely on the ground.
Snow rakes are used by slowly and carefully pulling the rake down towards the ground.   Proceed carefully to stand out of the way of any falling snow or debris.  Be careful not to push or pull the snow across the roof as this action can cause the shingles to tear away causing damage.  This simple act can save thousands of dollars in damage to your homes roof.  During heavy snow you will want to use the snow rake multiple times a day to prevent build-up.

Eliminate Ice Build-Up

Homeowners should be as concerned with ice as they are snow.  If ice is allowed to accumulate it can be dangerous especially when ice accumulates in the gutters.  Icicles make look pretty however they are a threat to your roof and can cause water to backup under the shingles.  Roofing contractors recommend that homeowners work to prevent icicles from forming with proper roofing ventilation and insulation.  If prevention is not possible they can easily be knocked down with an extended pole or broom.  Use caution when knowing down icicles as not only is it dangerous you can potentially cause damage or known down gutters if not careful.  Gutters are important in the winter because they help prevent ice dams in the winter.

Ice Dams

Ice dams are dangerous in the winter, they don’t only have the potential to damage your roof and gutters but also the interior of your home.  If you see an ice dam forming it is important to fix the issue immediately.  An ice dam is a large clump of ice on the edge of your roof.  If they are left untreated an ice dam can freeze up the gutters and block the snow from falling off your homes roof.
Preventing ice dams is the best way to protect your homes roof.  Stay on top of the snow, ice, and icicle build-ups.  If you do find ice dams forming use chemical deicer to ensure that water can flow freely through the gutters as the ice melts.  Homeowners can also gently chip away at the ice dams and slowly remove them.

Home Pro Roofing of Michigan offers professional roofing services including new roof installation and roof repair services using shingling and metal roofing materials.  The roofing contractors of Home Pro Roofing service Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas.  More information can be found online at https://homeproroofingmi.com.

How Your Homes Roof Impacts Its Value

Not only does the look of your homes shingle roof affect its overall curb appeal it affects the overall value of your home as well.  This is just one of the many reasons that professional roofing contractors tell homeowners to forget cheap materials and haphazard DIY installation.  When it comes to your homes roof never settled for mediocre.  Your roof has a high return on investment even years after installation if installed properly and with quality materials.

The concept of do-it-yourself home repairs is a popular way that most homeowners try to save money.  When it comes to your roof, DIY is not an option.  Roofing contractors are professionals with the skills and tools to ensure that your roof is installed properly and that the warranty on the roofing materials are guaranteed.

No matter what materials are used to shingle your roof, if the process is done incorrectly even the smallest of mistakes could lead to catastrophe for homeowners.  If shingling is not installed properly it can easily become detached from the base of the roof during high winds and extreme weather.  Once a shingle is damaged rain, snow, and ice are allowed to penetrate your roofs based and enter your home.

Every homeowner wants a bargain during renovations and having a roof installed is no different.  Everyone loves a good deal.  Roofing your home is costly and the allure of cheap roofing services may tempt you.  Consumers fall for fly-by-night roof repair all the time especially after severe weather when homeowners are not only looking for inexpensive but also quick.

When it comes to work done on your home it is important to always work with a team of professional, reputable, well established professionals.  You get what you pay for is surely true in all elements of construction.  It is easier than ever to find out information about the companies you are hiring with access to online tools such as Google review, Houzz, or Angie’s list.  If a contractor can’t give you local references and the people within your trusted circle have never heard of them or their services than it may be time to continue looking for a professional to trust your roof to.

Not only is a viable roofing company one that offers new roof installation but also maintenance and repairs.  No matter how reputable and consciences your roofing contractor is, extreme weather can cause shingles or flashing to be replaced.  With regular maintenance and yearly inspections, you can avoid major (expensive) issues down the road.  Affordable fixes can be done by professional roofers while performing regular roof maintenance and inspections.

Homeowners will be rewarded with a beautiful, long-lasting shingle roof with just a little bit of added effort and due diligence when hiring a roofing contractor.

Home Pro Roofing of Michigan offers professional roofing services including new roof installation and roof repair services using shingling and metal roofing materials.  The roofing contractors of Home Pro Roofing service Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas.  More information can be found online at https://homeproroofingmi.com.

What Occurs When You Ignore a Leak in Your Roof

Asphalt shingling is the most common material used to roof homes throughout Michigan.  Shingles are not only inexpensive, but they are also low-maintenance and roofing contractors have been installing them for over a century.   When properly cared for a shingle roof can last between 20 to 40 years, depending on the specific product that is installed.  No roof will last forever no matter what material it is made from, however there are things you can do to help especially if the roof is compromised and a leak occurs.

Ignoring leaks in your homes roof can lead to bigger problems for homeowners.  A leak in your shingles will not ever repair itself, no matter how much you beg it to.  Water entering your home from your roof will wreak havoc when it is left to soak into the insulation and ceiling.  The longer the repair is ignored the costlier the damage will be to repair.

Dealing With Mold

One issue that occurs with leaks is that the chance of mold growing increases substantially.  A small leak may just leave a few water stains at first but slowly start to turn into mold growth thus a bigger, more expensive problem to deal with.  Water leaks turn any space into a perfect location for mold growth.

Not only is mold unsightly to look at it can also make you sick especially if you are plagued by asthma and allergies.  Even without being troubled with these afflictions exposure to mold can cause irritation to your skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs leading to more health problems for you, your family, and pets.

Mold may also cause the life expectancy of your roof to decrease.  Seeing that replacing your homes roof is costly, homeowners want to put this process off as long as they possibly can.  Thus, making your roof last as long as possible, is often a priority for most homeowners.  One way to do this is by taking the time to have small leaks fixed as they occur.  Small leaks that get ignored, small or large, will weaken the structure of the roof.  This will mean that the homes roof will need to be replaced much sooner than it would have if you didn’t ignore the leak in the first place.

It is important to have your homes roof properly inspected twice a year and properly repaired. This will help to assure that is a leak is or has occurred it can be taken care of immediately before it becomes a larger issue.

Home Pro Roofing of Michigan offers professional roofing services including new roof installation and roof repair services using shingling and metal roofing materials.  The roofing contractors of Home Pro Roofing service Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas.  More information can be found online at https://homeproroofingmi.com.

Reliable, Reputable Roofing

A roof is one of the most important and essential construction properties of a house. In fact, the cost of roofing a house is almost the same as, if not more then, the cost of erecting the structural building from scratch. Also, the roof of a building determines about 60% of the overall beauty of a house. Therefore, you need the service of professional roofers for perfection.
Whether it is a roof installation, repair, or any other related work, you need the service of a reliable and reputable company that can carry out this task effectively. Here are some ways to insure you are hiring a professional roofing contractor when your roof needs servicing.

Research Options Available in Your Area:

The first step to take when hiring a commercial roofing company is to perform background research on the various options available. The essence of this research is to find out about the companies in the area with impeccable track record of success. Also, you also use your research to find out a company that is certified and has experienced workers that can successfully undertake your project. Generally, the best idea is to choose a trustworthy and reliable company with high-quality service for a long-lasting and effective roof installation, repair, and maintenance.

Ask About Specialization:

Some local roofing contractors have an area of specialization. For instance, a company can specialize in roof installation only while another can specialize in roof repair or some specialize in metal roof installation over asphalt shingling.  It is a wise idea to go for roof installation professionals if you just want to install a new roof. The same is true if want to repair/replace your existing roof although some general roofing contractors offer roofing services it is always best to stick with a contractor specializing in roofing.

Ask About Options in Roofing Materials:

Your potential roofing company must be ready and willing to suggest the different roofing options available, such as slate, metal, shingle, flat roofing, asphalt, and so on. The quality of the material to be used must not be compromised on if you want a sturdy and long-lasting roof.
Referrals, Referrals, Referrals: For any material you choose, your potential roofing contractor must provide you with several patterns, styles, and design options available. This is another important tip that will help you choose the best professional roofers. Ask for referrals of jobs in which the material you are considering was used.  Seeing for yourself the quality and craftsmanship they offer.

Budgeting:

Lastly, your potential roofing company needs to be willing to work with your budget by offering affordable cost of roofing services, free estimation, and special financing. More so, the company must offer an emergency and support services especially after a few weeks of installation, repair or maintenance should in case an emergency occurs, or you have roof-related issues.

Hiring professional roofers is essential in ensuring that your roof is properly installed and well maintained for longevity and effectiveness. There are many local roofing contractors out there and choosing a reputable roofer can seem difficult. The above tips will assist you in choosing the right roofing company for your next roofing installation, repair, and maintenance project.

Home Pro Roofing of Michigan offers professional roofing services including new roof installation and roof repair services using shingling and metal roofing materials.  The roofing contractors of Home Pro Roofing service Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas.  More information can be found online at https://homeproroofingmi.com.

Making Your Home’s Roof More Energy Efficient

You may not give much thought of how your roof may be causing your energy bills to skyrocket, but if you cringe when you open your bill every month, you may want to open your mind as to why it is so high.  Think about how hot it can get up in your attic and how that heat can easily creep through to the other areas of your home.  Since we know that you do not want to sit in an extremely hot house all summer long, we know that you are cranking your air conditioning to compensate for all the extra heat that is seeping inside.

If you have finally had enough, you may want to consider hiring a roofing contractor to see how you can make your roof more energy efficient.
One of the best and easiest options that you have is increasing the insulation inside your attic.  Experienced roof contractors will be able to tell you which type of insulation is best for your home, as well as how much should be in place.  While you do not want too little insulation in your attic, you don’t want to put too much up there either.  The correct amount though, will get you in the right direction for energy efficiency and lower energy bills.

Dark colored shingles will absorb the heat from the sun quite easily, which is why many roofing contractors will recommend adding a cooling coating material to your roof.  Although, the cooling coating material can also be helpful if applied over lighter colored shingles as well.  This coating will not only decrease your energy bills, it will increase the UV and waterproofing protection and extend the life of your roof.

Of course, if your roof is quite old, you may not want to pay the price for a coating cooling material to be applied.  It may be better to replace your roof first and then have the material applied, as you will save more money in the long term.  When you are replacing your roof, we recommend choosing a material that has been designed to provide higher levels of energy efficiency.  We also recommend choosing a lighter color for your roof, as it will not attract and absorb all the heat and rays from the sun.  Instead, those lighter colors will reflect the sun’s rays, which will keep your home much cooler on those hot days.

An experienced roofing contractor can help you find ways to make your roof more energy efficient, which is why you should call them instead of trying to find a solution on your own.  You’ll find that you will see the difference much sooner if you accept their help, which means that you will be more comfortable in your home, while saving money, sooner than you ever thought.

Learn more about Home Pro Roofing and their vast line of custom roofing options installed by professional roofing contractors including: asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, roof repair, and new roof installation at www.homeproroofingmi.com.  Our roofing contractors offer services throughout Michigan including: Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas.

4 Ways in Which A New Roof Can Save Homeowners Money on Energy Expenses

Installing a new roof can have a positive effect not only improving your home’s aesthetics but also can help lower your overall energy costs.   Scores of homeowners have experienced a reduction in their energy expenses with the installation of a new roof.  In this installment on residential roofing we will examine four different ways in which having a new roof installed can help lower your energy expenses as a homeowner.

Ventilation:

Proper roof ventilation is crucial in addressing your homes energy costs.  Without proper roofing ventilation the energy costs associated with your home can significantly increase your homes energy bills.  In climates where the temperature is warm, the hot air will get trapped inside the home.  This will force your homes air conditioning system to work harder than normal.  When a roof is properly ventilated, air will flow properly in and out of the area, thus reducing the energy output on cooling system.

Coloring:

The color you and your roofing contractor have chosen will also have an effect on the energy usage of your home.  The color of the roofing material will depend on the climate of where your home is located.  In homes where a colder temperature is the norm will benefit from darker shingling as to absorb the heat of the sun.  Warmer climates require lighter colored roofing to help reflect the sun’s rays off of the home.

Updated Shingling:

Older shingling has a lower shingle rating, usually around 65 mph than newer, more modern styles of shingling.  Updated roofing materials can increase your shingle rating to withstand winds up to 130 mph.  The higher the rating of the shingle basically means that more wind will be kept from entering your home through the roof.  Thus, reducing your heating and cooling expenses.

Energy Star Labeling and Solar Reflectance:

A shingles solar reflectance states how well the sunlight will be reflected off the roof and back up into the environment.  Homes with higher solar roof reflectance can actually reduce the roof’s surface temperature upwards of 30%.  When choosing roofing materials your roofing contractor will show you a number of options, choosing a shingle that has earned the Energy Star Label means that the material is at the top tier of reflecting sunlight.  Thus, lowering the surface temperature upwards of 100 degrees, which naturally decreases energy costs overall.

Learn more about Home Pro Roofing and their vast line of custom roofing options installed by professional roofing contractors including: asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, roof repair, and new roof installation at www.homeproroofingmi.com.  Our roofing contractors offer services throughout Michigan including: Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas.

Gutter Maintenance Tips for Rainy Climates

Well-maintained functional gutters can protect your home’s foundation from water damage. This, in turn, can translate into better structural integrity thereby maintaining the value of your investment. Sagging and clogged gutters can overflow, causing damage to the soffit and fascia of your home. By taking care of your roof's drainage system, you not only extend the life of your roof, you can also boost the value of your home and help prevent water damage to your home. Regular maintenance of your homes gutters and roof is crucial especially in regions that receive a significant amount of precipitation.

Unmaintained, dirty, full gutters can decrease the value of your home.  This occurs because of a phenomena known as “tiger stripes”, unsightly marks and stains along the outside walls of a home’s gutter system. Mold can begin to fester along these stripes blackening the whole surface and destroying the original aesthetic look of your precious home.

The steps below apply whether you are utilizing the services of a professional contractor or you are a DIY, do-it-yourself.

Clean Gutters

Clean gutters ensure the rainwater flows freely. They also see to it that leaves and other debris brought about by the rain do not clog the drainage system causing damage to the home. Part of cleaning the gutter involves repairing sagging or loose gutters and replacing the gutter spikes with gutter screws. Gutter screws hold much better than standard gutter spikes, thus providing support and security.

Seal Leaks Promptly

Due to wear and tear, gutters will often have leaks. Inspect these thoroughly and use a water hose to check for leaks in the joints and seams. Most gutter repair experts will recommend using silicone caulk to seal leaking gutters.

Repairing Downspouts

The downspout is the pipe that typically drains rainwater from the roof to the ground level (and away from the building’s foundation). A well-functioning downspout is a must in order to protect your home from water damage. Because this system sometimes becomes clogged, it is important to inspect it regularly for leaves and debris to ensure rainwater continues to flow unimpeded.
In conjunction with a functional downspout is a system of splash blocks that utilize an irrigation pipe. These work together to ensure water flows freely and is diverted from the roof and away from the home's foundation.

Learn more about Home Pro Roofing and their vast line of custom roofing options installed by professional roofing contractors including: asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, roof repair, and new roof installation at www.homeproroofingmi.com.  Our roofing contractors offer services throughout Michigan including: Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas.