Home Pro Roofing

Monday, October 31, 2016

Trends in Roofing 2016

When you are replacing your homes roof or repair an existing roof you may be interested in the latest industry trends. You might not expect to see much change from year to year in an industry such as roofing however with advances in technology and a push to be more consciences of the environment a lot is changing.

One of the biggest changes that we are seeing is in the most tried and true roofing material of them all, the shingle. Asphalt shingles are the number one choice for roofing contractors and homeowners because of their durability, availability and cost. Asphalt shingling is an industry leading material in durability and environmentally friendly technology. One way that technology is changing asphalt shingling is with the use of cooling granules to help make homes more energy efficient.

Another trend or change in roofing is color options available. Lighter roofing materials are being used as they lessen the extreme costs of cooling a home during the winter months. Expect to see a growth in gray and blues for rooftops this year.

As a society we are becoming more and more environmentally friendly. We are moving past just the simple everyday such as separating plastic and paper and turning eco-friendly as a complete lifestyle. More and more green building materials are available on the market including roofing. Solar panels that convert the sun’s power into electricity are more prevalent as they cost effective and reduce the negative effects roofing has on the environment.

When you are picking out a roofing material for your home it is important to consider more than just industry trends. You need to take into account the homes style, the neighborhood and numerous additional items. Answer the following questions when working with your roofing contractor to determine the best roofing materials for your new or replacement roof.

What type of weight can your existing roof framing hold? Are you prepared to add special framing if the material you want to use outweighs the existing frame source?
Is the material you are considering available in multiple colors and style that will ultimately compliment your home?
Do the materials meet local area fire specifications?
Are there special requirements in maintenance or installation to consider?
Is the material good for the climate that the home is located in? Will it offer peak performance for the weather? If you have changing seasons will it adjust to each?
Also compare the material cost, life span, warranty, and labor expense; is one roofing material clearly better than all the rest?

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.

Updates In Roofing

Over the past few decades the home improvement industry has changed at a rapid pace. As far as individual sectors that have evolved the most is the roofing industry. Homeowners have come to expect a lot out of their homes roof and the market has answered. The latest trends in roofing range from increasing energy efficiency to the overall life span of the roof.

Environmentally Safe Roofing Solutions

The world that we live in has become more concerned than ever before about the stability of the environment. As our society starts to be less more aware of the instability and damage facing Earth it becomes evident that we need to step up to protect it. The family home is a great place to start and there are several ways to do this within your own home starting with your homes roof.

One way that we can achieve eco-friendly goals in roofing is by using recycled, natural or eco-friendly materials for new roofs or replacement roofs. Some people choose to go even more hard-core with green roofing. Roofs can literally be created using grass or gardens growing on their roof. Another popular option in environmentally friendly is solar paneling which helps the environment and your finances.

Energy Efficiency

Roofing protects your home and family from the elements. The roof also plays an integral role in helping with insulation and boosting eco-friendly aspects. A solid roof and proper insulation helps keep a home warm in the winter and cold in the summer without wasting energy. Good ventilation in your roof is also important as it helps to regulate the temperature.

Life Span

With the steady exposure to the elements it means that your homes roof will need to be repaired, replaced, and update more often than other element on your home. This is one of the main reasons that the material that your roofing contractor chooses is meant to last. Metal roofing is known for its longevity, aesthetic value and ability to hold up under substantial climate changes.

Regardless of the material that you decide to use on your new roof the most important factor in roofing is that it is installed by a professional roofing contractor. Once an expert roofer has installed your new roof it is important that you as a homeowner take the time twice yearly, once in the spring and once in the fall, for repairs, maintenance and upkeep.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Narrowing Down The Causes Of A Leaky Roof

Your roof is one of the most important elements of your home. It is crucial that it remains on the top of the list of items that need to be regularly maintained. Your roof helps to protect your home from the elements. It keeps the warm heat in during the cold winter months and the brisk air in during the hot months of summer. Damage to the homes roof should immediately be repaired to avoid having to later replace the entire roof or worse yet damage to the structural integrity of the home itself.

When a home experiences a leak in the roof the root of the issue isn’t always easily narrowed in on. There are a few common problems to look for if you notice a leak in your homes roof.

Missing Shingles

No matter what material your roof is made from it is susceptible to damage during inclement weather. Shingling that blows off your homes roof leaves underlayment exposed. If left exposed to the elements the underlayment material will quickly deteriorate and cause water leakage.

Issues with Pipe Flashing

There are several vent pipes that sit directly underneath your roof material. Most often these vents are sealed well but occasionally corrosion occurs or the sealant is damaged and allows for a leak to occur.

Skylight and Chimney Flashing

The flashing around your chimney can leak if it becomes pulled away from the roof or if perhaps the sealant becomes worn. Skylight leaks require a bit more troubleshooting as sometimes the leaks that occur are because of condensation. Other times however, a leak may occur because of a crack in the skylight or worn out seal.

Valleys

The little gutters that run down the interior angles of your roof line are known as valleys. When the little gutter flashings are damaged by weather, fungus or are improperly maintained they can lift away from the roofing and allow water to seep through the channel and into the home. It is crucial to make sure that these valleys are properly cared for and kept intact to avoid leaks.

Ice Dams

During the winter months it is common to have snow melt and refreeze on the roof. When this happens and ice dam occurs that does not allow the water to runoff into the gutter. The water is then left backing up under the shingles and the process of freezing and refreezing is allowed to continue causing damage to the underlayment of the roofing.

If at any time you notice the above damage occurring within your homes roof it is time to call in a professional roof contractor to repair the damaged area. The cost of repairing a roof is significantly lower than the cost of replacing a roof hence it is far more cost effective to preserve the roofs integrity for as long as possible.

Common Issues To Look For When Your Roof Is Leaking

When you are looking to find where a leak is coming from on your homes roof you may be overwhelmed at first. Although know two roofs are alike there are still some commonalities when it comes to leakage issues. There are a few common places that roofing contractor’s checkout first when homeowners mention that their roofs are leaking. Below we will discuss what to look for if you should experience a leak in your roof.

Flashing

Flashing is an essential element in roofing. It is the metal piece that is used to attach vents and other ducting on the surface of the roof. The metal flashing will most likely need to be replaced before the homes roof because as it ages it can crack and corrode. Roof flashing is the number one point of failure on a roof and therefore should be the first place you inspect you suspect your roof is leaking. Normal repair costs for flashing repairs on your homes roof usually range between ten and twenty dollars.

Vertical Slits

Another common place to look when you are experiencing a leak in your homes roof is the vertical slit between the shingles. Water freely flows between the vertical slits in the shingles and thus causes corrosion. This in turn can lead to a leak in the roof.

Missing Granules

All shingling is covered with an exterior stony coating. This extra layer of coating on the shingle adds protection against ultra-violet rays. When the stony coating starts to wear off the asphalt shingle it becomes exposed to the elements. If you begin to notice bare spots in the shingling it is important to replace them before it becomes a problem. If the bare spots in the shingling are left untreated water can start to cause water to pool and a leak to occur.

Skylights

Skylights are a great way to let in the natural daylight however they are also a major contributor to leaks. Water is allowed to run down the slop of the roof hitting the flat upper edge of the skylight getting trapped in there. Another thing that can occur is cracking in the skylight. Sealant to correct the issue costs about five dollars. If the flashing is the cause of the leak it can cost anywhere between twenty five to eight dollars to replace.

If there is a leak it is important to address the cause of the problem before fixing the effects of the leak. Chimneys are also another source of where leaks occur as well as the valleys in the roof. If you are unable to locate the leak on your own call in a professional roofer to assist you evaluate the problem before the roof repair turns into roof replacement.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Rid Your Roof Of Stains

Let’s face it shingle roofing, especially that installed on homes in the northern, humid states will develop some sort of unsightly dark staining or streaking from an accumulation of dirt, defective shingling, mold growth, mildew or the most common culprit algae. Algae are easily spread because it is spread via airborne spores. Little harm is actually done to roofing from algae however the stains are unsightly and decrease the value of your home.

There is a method that can be used to avoid algae stains or various inexpensive techniques to clean them from roofing once they have occurred. Metal flashing can be utilized to prevent algae growth from occurring. This occurs because the copper and zinc coating on the galvanized sheet metal is toxic to algae. When it rains small amounts of metal get washed down the roof preventing the algae from growing.

Another way to prevent algae from growing on shingles is by installing shingling that is resistant to the growth of algae. Many roofing material manufacturers have started offering shingles that have copper granules mixed into their product. This development in roofing technology is something that homeowners should request when meeting with their new roof contractor.

Most important though, what do homeowners with algae growth already present on the roof do to clean their roofs? As suggested with any home improvement project requiring a ladder or being up on the roof the first suggestion is to hire a professional roofer. Professionals have the knowledge, time and tools available to remove the algae from your roof in a safe manner.

When using chemical cleaners to remove the built up algae from shingling the following items come in handy:

Roof Cleaner

Pump Sprayer

Garden Hose

Hose Nozzle

Safety Glasses

Rubber Gloves

Ladder

If you do decide to clean the algae off of your roof on your own it is important to take safety precautions to ensure your safety. Shingles that are wet even more dangerous so make sure to wear slip resistance footwear and a safety harness. Be sure to also protect your eyes and skin when working with chemicals. Another thing to consider is the vegetation beneath to avoid damage to landscaping. Try to pick a cloudy day to work on to prevent the cleaner from evaporating before it has time to set into the shingle.

The basic recipe for the cleaning solutions is a quart of bleach, a gallon of water and a quarter cup of TSP. Pour the ingredients together and transfer the solution into a sprayer. After applying the cleaning solution to the shingles rinse them using a garden hose.

If you wish to prevent the algae from growing but aren’t ready for a roof replacement with the newer algae resistant shingling try installing a small strip of copper or zinc coated sheet metal along the side of the roof ridge. This will offer those same benefits without having to replace your home roofing.

Don’t Install That New Roof Yourself Instead Hire A Roofing Contractor

Let’s face it there are certain jobs that homeowners should feel confident about tackling on their own and others that should be left to the professionals. New roof installation is one of those home improvements that even the most experienced DIY homeowner shouldn’t tackle on their own. No matter how many YouTube videos you watch or books you read there are more benefits to hiring a professional then trying to do it yourself.

Consider the benefits you receive when you hire a professional roofing contractor:

Experience
Safety
Time

Let’s look into each one of these separately to fully understand why hiring a roofing contractor is better than installing or repairing a roof on your own.

Experience: Most homeowners don’t specialize in roof installation or roof repair. Most of us don’t have the expertise it takes to properly install a new roof. Roofing contractors are like all other professionals, they spend hour upon hour on roofs perfecting their techniques. In fact many professional roofers have spent a majority of their time before starting their own business working under roofing contractors with years of experience. Contractors, no matter what their specialty, are required to become licensed to work in their area of expertise.

Roofing contractors are also knowledgeable on the materials it will take to cover a variety of different roofs. Whereas many do it yourselfers tend to overestimate or underestimate just how much they will need in materials. It won’t matter how much preplanning or research that is done installing a new roof on your home for the first time is an experiment. Do you want that for your home?

Safety: When working on a ladder or roof there is always a certain aspect of risk involved. A number of accidents occur each year that are related to well meaning DIY homeowners that have fallen off their roofs resulting in injury or death. Consider the last time you took on a new skill. It is almost guaranteed that the all of your concentration went into completing the task at hand verse your surroundings. In certain situations this may be just fine but in roofing it could be incredibly dangerous.

Professional roofing contractors have the tools to get the job done while having the tools to keep them safe doing it. Changes occur within every specialty in construction, the same is true of roofing. Let the professionals who are skilled in their job, using their tools and techniques take on the job of replacing or repairing your homes shingle roof. It will keep you safe on the ground where you belong.

Time: Most homeowners don’t have the time it takes to spend replacing their homes roof. A full crew of skilled contractors can take up to a week to strip off old roofing shingles, replace worn out roofing and install the new roofing. A lot of things factor into this: the weather, the number of crew members and the type of roofing material being applied. The time you estimate that it will take you to complete your roof will be added to if the weather doesn’t cooperate, more materials are needed or any other number of factors.

Before you commit all of your free time to installing a new roof to your home really consider all of the benefits found with hiring a professional roofing contractor to do it for you.

Monday, July 25, 2016

The Five Advantages Of Asphalt Shingles

The benefits of asphalt roofing are plentiful. In this installment on shingle roofing we will look into the top five advantages of installing asphalt shingles over other roofing materials.

Adaptability: Asphalt shingles are the best material for adapting to complex roofing structures. If your homes roof has a steep slope or angles it is important to recognize how adaptable shingle roofing can be. Oddly shaped roofs are often hard to conform to. Roofing contractors use shingles to form to the most unique roofs. Asphalt shingles allow solid coverage and can be formed to maximize coverage. They can be manipulated into locations other materials would not be able to.

Assorted Design Options: Homeowners often thing of flat, rectangular shingles when they think of asphalt. Roofing contractors say this misconception is one of the biggest hurdles they have to contend with when talking to homeowners about the options available to them in 2016. Shingles today come in a variety of patterns to compliment the architecture of any home. There are shingles that replicate the look of wood shakes, hand cut slate, European clay and many other old world patterns. The benefit of using a shingle replica is not only the decrease in cost but also the increase in longevity and reduced maintenance.

Highly Rated: Shingle roofing materials can withstand a variety of weather conditions. Asphalt comes in a variety of class ratings the highest being class 4. What this means is that it is resistant to a number of environmental aspects that other materials are not. Asphalt shingles are popular in areas where the climate is ever changing. When your home takes the beating that all four seasons hands out you need to know your choice can withstand whatever is thrown at it. From ninety five degree, heat scorched sun filled days to thirty five below temperatures with freezing rain and ice shingles are created to endure.

Cost Effectiveness: Asphalt is not only an affordable material to purchase it is also the most inexpensive material for roofing contractors to install. Proper installation is crucial to ensure that you roof is going to stand up to the test of time. Labor to install an asphalt roof is less expensive for a number of reasons. It is a popular choice amongst homeowners and therefore the technique is one that professionals have mastered. The average asphalt roof takes between one to three days to replace including the time it takes to strip old shingles and repair any areas that appear to be damaged.