Home Pro Roofing

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Winter Proofing Tips For Your Roof

Winter is here. Temperatures are plummeting and soon we will begin to see ice and snow everywhere we go. The Farmer’s Almanac informs us that this winter is going to be chillier than normal. The bitter cold temperatures can wreak havoc on our roofs not to mention heavy snowfalls or snowfalls that melt and refreeze. To ensure that your roof is in tip top shape for winter now is the time to inspect and winterize. A little preparation can go a long way in saving your home from serious damage due to the winter weather.

As always if you feel uncomfortable up on your homes roof don’t chance it. Roof repair is something all roofing contractors are used to doing. Call a professional. Not only do they know exactly what to look for as far as damage that is beginning on your roof, they also have the skill and tools to complete the task at hand without issue.

Winter Proofing Your Roof

Your roof needs to be inspected throughout the year. This is never more important than before the winter season. Not only should you inspect the roof but check out the shingles and the gutters as well.
Gutters should be free of debris to allow water to flow through them with ease. If there is an issue it is so much simpler to address without piles of snow in the gutters. If the gutter is clogged with leaves ice dams can occur and ruin shingling.
Your roof should be cleared of all fallen debris. Twigs, leaves and large branches are all detrimental to your roof. Also, stagnant water can be captured and stored more easily under roof debris. This is just one reason that it is better to have a clean roof going into the winter season.
Check the interior of your home as well. Check the attic for small brown spots that indicate a leak. The same would be noticeable on drywall ceilings. If you spot anything that indicates a leak you must find out where the cause of the issue lies and fix it. If left untreated severe damage can occur.
Look at the sealant around the roofs perimeter as well as around flashing, chimneys and skylights. Add an extra bead of caulk and sealant around the edges if you suspect any loose or cracking areas. It never hurts to take the old sealant off and replace it with new if you can tell it is aging.
Once winter is in full swing it is a good idea to purchase a solid roof rake. This one tool can save you a ton of money. When you see that snow is piling up on the roof you can easily remove the snow around the edges. This will help to prevent ice dams and prevent heavy snow loads from piling up on your roof.

Roofing contractors are your best source of information when it comes to roof repair and preventative maintenance. In order to keep your roof in top shape it is important that you take care of it. Preventing issue before they arise is the key to a well maintained home.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs. You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

Simple Roof Maintenance Tips

No matter where you live the seasonal climate changes can take a toll on your home. During the spring you are inundated with storms and wet weather while summer offers us lots of humidity and steamy temperatures. Fall is beautiful with perfect temperatures and then comes winter. Here in the north winter is full of bizarre weather trends. You can have one day with a foot of snow, the next brings in an ice storm and the week could end with sunny temperatures. You can see how these drastic changes in the weather can make it difficult to maintain the integrity of your homes roofing.

It is crucial that you prepare your home ahead of time. Simple maintenance can help to ensure your home is well prepared for the winter. It can help ensure that your home and roof are not damaged during the winter season.

Winter weather is often a combination between rain, ice and snow. In order to prevent your homes roof from leaking it is important to make sure that the roof is in tip top shape. If your roofs condition is good it is far less likely to develop a leak. As the end of fall approaches take time to inspect your roofs condition. Grab a ladder and head out onto the roof. Clear away extra debris and fallen leaves. Check for cracked and missing shingles. Inspect your shingles to see if they are rotting or missing large chunks of asphalt and grit. These old, withered shingles should be replaced. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself hire a roofing contractor. They are equipped with the right tools to inspect and repair any damage seen on your homes roof.

Fall and spring are the two seasons in which it is really important to inspect your homes gutters. Gutters only work as intended if they are clear of debris. If the gutters empty out close to your home you will need to dig trenches using plastic drains and pea gravel and elongate the area in which the drain. It is important that the gutters so not empty close to your home as that often leads to leaks within your homes basement through cracks in the foundation. Gutters must be cleaned out often. Water must freely flow through them to prevent damage.

Other maintenance tips to keep your home running efficiently throughout the winter season is to check for cracks in the weather stripping around the doors and windows of your home. Repairing even the smallest cracks will improve the homes efficiency. This helps keep your homes heating and cooling systems functioning properly as well.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs. You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Winter Roofing Part 2

In our last installment we learned that roofing contractors were prepared to handle roofing in all types of different elements, including the cold harsh winter. We took a look into why it was so important to the main structure of your home to have roof repairs done when they are needed and present a problem. If left to wait until warm weather moves into the area a small roofing repair could turn into a roofing contractor’s nightmare.

A roofing issue that is commonly seen and easily avoided is ice dams. These occur when snow melts and water is left to run down the path of the roof. The water melts the under section of snow and finds crevices that are often undiscovered by a natural rain. The snow that is closest to the roof melts before the top layer of snow because of the heat loss coming from the home attic which causes a water layer called an ice dam that can present issues. This is the most common time to find a leak in your roof. Roofing contractors advise that you prevent ice dams from occurring with a bit of prevention. If you find you are unable to provide these services for yourself call on a licensed roofer and they will offer assistance in clearing potential ice dam issues.

A professional roofing contractor can replace an entire roof no matter what weather conditions exist. Even in the above example with ice freezing under shingles it is possible to replace your homes roof. They break the projects down into categories; flat roofs are the easiest in the winter, shingle roofs are the next best option in winter roofing and lastly the hard winter roof replacement which are neither flat nor dependent upon tar for adhering.

Flat roofs are easy because of the process that is used to install them. Residential flat roofs adhere using two different methods: one that uses a torch to adhere the roof to the base surface and those that mechanically attach. Either system can be installed no matter what the outside temperature is.

Shingle roofing, which is seen on most homes in the North, are those that see the most damage in the winter time. When hiring a contractor to replace your homes roof in the winter there are a few precautions to take. Winter roofing can be done and is safe but should only be done by roofers who understand the special requirements that need to be taken. The roofer must understand the settings needed during the winter when using their nail guns. A winter roofing contractor must never over drive the roofing fasteners. The pressure on the nail gun must be set to prevent the nail from going too far into the material. It is also important that the crew understands how to prevent low nail. Dust can change everything when it comes to your roof so be sure the contractor takes into consideration the outside surroundings before winter roofing begins.

Roofing that is considered difficult use metal roofing, slate, composites and cedar shakes. They can’t rely on being seamless after installation and don’t have the benefit of being held in place with a tar strip. They are installed with the use of clips, screws and nails. Roofing with these materials is possible in the winter but does require special care. Instead of a nail gun the roofer must painstakingly hand nail in the cold. In high winds, metal roofing is difficult to install as the large panels are easily pulled by the wind.

It is important to remember that roofing in the winter is possible no matter what material roofing you have on your home currently or that you wish to install. The part that needs to be considered is that you have hired a roofer that is skilled in the special winter weather techniques some roofing materials require when installed in the colder months.
Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs. You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com toda

Winter Roofing Part 1

Not all home improvement projects can be planned out. Many homeowners, especially in the North, find their homes in need of roof repair or replacement just as the weather has turned cold. It is a common thought that roofing renovations can hold off until it warms up however this is not always the case. Homeowners are not only concerned with the quality of the roofing to be accomplished in the winter but also the inconvenience they perceive roofing in the winter is on roofing contractors. Really the only concern that homeowners need to focus on is making sure that quality roofing can happen in the winter. If roofers didn’t throughout the winter it would be safe to say that many roofing contractors would be out of business by the spring. Winter roofing repairs and shingle roof replacements are possible even during the colder winter months. In this article we will provide answers to winter roofing concerns.

When it comes to roofing jobs there are two categories that projects fall under; roofing repairs and roof replacements. When it comes to roof repairs any repair needing to be done can be accomplished no matter what the weather is outside. If you are considered about the seal between shingles not coming together because of the lack of warmth don’t worry as roofing contractors will use a heavy duty caulking to provide the same protection and tight seal. If the repair is not done and homeowners proceed to let the shingles remain off the roof the damage to the structure that will be done turns a minor repair into a major one.

With winter comes not only cold temperatures but also snow. Once snow piles onto the roof repairs often become very difficult. Repairs should be done before heavy snowfalls to avoid leaving an opening for large amounts of snow to fall and then melt. When the snow melts the possibility is there for the water to seep into the home which leads to structural issues as well as dry wall problems. When snow melts it often can find a way into your home that might not have been prevalent with the rain alone. Water that freezes seems to have a way into spots that we never even considered. If this occurs the damage that happens is often extensive if not taken care of right away. This is why roofing contractors don’t only work when the sun is shining. Necessity calls at all times of the year.

We will continue our discussion on winter roofing and roof replacement during the cold in our next installment. It is important that homeowners realize that home improvements don’t wait for the weather to warm up; contractors understand this and are prepared to work even in the elements.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Maintaining the Integrity Of Your Homes Roof

Many homeowners don’t understand how important their homes roof is to the structure of their home. Not many of us take time to climb a ladder to inspect the roof. That is our nature. We have an out of sight, out of mind mentality. If the problem is not obvious and we don’t see it from where we stand on the ground we don’t further inspect. However, this is the wrong approach to have when it comes to your homes roof maintenance. If homeowners took the time to evaluate their roofs or to hire a roofing contractor to come out and inspect the roof they would save thousands of dollars. Roof maintenance verses a new roof equals a ton of cost savings and money in their pockets. Here are some tips to prepare your homes roof for the long, cold winter that is right around the corner.

As with anything it is always recommended that you call in the professionals before you attempt any home repairs or maintenance on you own. This is important when it comes to your roofs maintenance. A roofing contractor is a professional and will know what to look for in regards to damage to your roof. What looks like something major to us might be something very minor and easily fixed with help from a roofing contractor. Also there is the safety factor to consider as well.

To begin maintaining your roof it is important to start at the outer most part and work upwards. Roof maintenance starts with gutter maintenance. Gutters should be cleaned twice a year at the end of fall and the end of spring. This allows the water to remain free to flow through the gutters and into the downspouts without clogging. If gutters are left filled with debris the water run-off has nowhere to go and can freeze causing damage to the gutter as well as to the shingles, overtime causing damage to the structure of your home as well.

As mentioned earlier most damage that occurs on your roof will go unseen from ground level. You may never notice that you are having issues with your shingles or roof structure without climbing on a ladder to check it out up close. Some common issues with shingle roofs are curling, buckling or blistering. If any of these are seen it is time to begin considering a new roof. These are all signs that your shingle roofing’s life expectancy is coming to an end.

There are other repairs to consider when you are examining your roof and shingles. Take for instance the materials around your chimney. If they are coming loose or show extensive wear it is time to replace them. All the materials around your chimney, pipes and other vents into the home through the roof must be kept in place and free of wear. Additional roofing tar or caulk can be applied, when needed. This will help with water leaks and prevent water from freezing underneath the area and causing extensive damage to the roofs structure.

Check the shingles to ensure that they are not losing an excessive amount of granules. The granules on the shingles protect the roof’s structure from ultraviolet rays as well as adding weight to the shingles. If you notice an abundance of granule loss consider looking into replacing your roof soon.

A new roof can be installed on your home during any season. Obviously the winter element of snow slows roofers down a bit but it can be done. The best time to look into having your roof replaces is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is favorable. There is less delay in scheduling during these nonpeak times as well.

Fall Roofing Maintenance

Roofing inspections done twice a year can save homeowners a ton of money in the long run. Preventative roofing maintenance can prevent homeowners from having to make costly repairs down the road. Not only are exterior roof inspections important to maintain your roof it is important to safeguard against all leaks throughout the winter season.

When your roof leaks damage to the interior and exterior of your home can be quite extensive. Water that puddles up underneath your homes shingles can cause the underlayment to fail or warp. Also, water and moisture that leaks into the home can cause issues with mold and alga growth in the attic and behind drywall. When a leak occurs and damage is done to the interior of the home it is possible that everything down to the floor could need to be replaced.

In order to prevent this from occurring it is crucial that you maintain your roof. Keep the following tips in mind when preparing your home for the winter.

Inspect your homes interior and exterior roof area. It is important to do this twice a year during the fall and spring seasons. Inspecting the roof on a rainy day can be helpful especially when you are doing it yourself. This will enable you to see leaks as they are occurring. If it is possible hire a roofing contractor to conduct the roof inspection. They will know exactly what they are looking for. If you choose to take this task on yourself here are some tell-tale signs that you are experiencing a leak in your roof.

Check the joints, seams and vents for mold or mildew. It is also important to look at the wooden beams within the attic to see if any warped wood is present. The last thing to look for in the attic is any presence of stained insulation. If moisture has been prevalent in your attic it may not appear to the naked eye, you will need to know what you are looking for. An obvious sign is water dripping in from the insulation, wood or vent areas after a rain has occurred.

If you find a potential leak, it is time to call in the roofing professionals. They will advise on a plan of action to prevent any further leaks and to clean up the damage that has occurred from the original leak. It is so important to find and stop leaks from occurring. Leaks left untouched can cause bigger issues throughout the winter.

Ice dams are another issue that can occur during the winter season that are easy to prevent. In order to keep ice dams from occurring it is important that your roof has adequate ventilation. This allows the attic temperature to remain the same temperature as the exterior temperature. Maintaining a constant temperature keeps the gables, soffits & roof ridges the same temperature as both the attic and outside temperature.

Proper care of your roof with help to increase its longevity. With the cost of a new roof being well over a few thousand dollars it is crucial to expand the life expectancy of your roof with proper seasonal care.

Monday, September 8, 2014

The Benefits Of Shingle Roofing

Shingles are one of the most common materials used in roofing today. Meeting with a roofing contractor will help to determine is shingling is the best option for your home. The most important piece of the puzzle is that the roofing material you choose is the right style for your roof and roofing desires. There are a number of options available to fit a variety of budgets and needs. Shingles tend to be an option that is often more often chosen over other types of roofing materials.

One of the biggest advantages of asphalt shingling is that it tends to be one of the most inexpensive roofing materials to purchase and install. Roofing contractors can often install a shingle roof at about half the costs involved with the installation of metal roofing. Manufacturing asphalt shingles is relatively inexpensive when compare it to the cost of other available roofing material options. Your roof is a large part of your homes curb appeal. It is important to remember this especially when you’re considering selling your home soon after installing a new roof. You are more apt to get the money that you put into a new shingle roof out of your homes resale values over that of a metal roof.

Another reason shingle roof tends to be purchased more often than any other material for roofing is the ease of installation. Roofing contractors charge less to install shingle roofs because the process is simpler. Shingles are extremely flexible and can be easily manipulated to fit most any homes structure. Some homeowners with a lot of experience in construction even find that they can install a shingle roof without too many issues. This is not recommended because even one shingle installed improperly could cause hundreds of dollars in damage to the roof’s structure.

When it comes to maintaining a shingle roof it is fairly simple and most homeowners can achieve a long lasting roof with minor yearly maintenance. Shingles are lightweight and simple to replace. For most shingle roofing repairs you will not have to involve a professional roofer. Algae on shingles are also easy to maintain and prevent. With the use of copper strips at the peak of your roof you can prevent the growth of algae and moss on your shingle roof.

Shingles add to the curb appeal of your home. Shingles come in several different styles as well as a variety of colors to fit your homes unique look. Many professional roofers have software that allows them to take a picture of your home and change the look using different colors and styles of shingles before making any purchases. This allows you the freedom see the change before committing to it which is so nice especially for homeowners looking to do something new with their homes exterior.

To reach your homes full potential when it comes to a new roof the best option is to start by contacting a local roofing contractor. Most offer a free initial consultation where they can discuss different options in roofing materials as well as associated costs and the time frame for installation.