Friday, November 30, 2012

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

How Residential Roof Maintenance Can Save You Money


Roofs do not last forever, that is the bottom line. Whether you have purchased a brand new home, or you have owned your home for twenty years, roof maintenance is an important responsibility. For the most part, major roof failures including leaks, missing shingles, or interior water damage result when we ignore minor problems. Unfortunately, many homeowners are shocked when they learn the price of a roof replacement, especially considering the fact that minor repairs are usually easy and inexpensive.

As is the case with any costly problem, it is always best to prevent problems than to wait for them to arise; similarly, prevention is almost always the less expensive route. Preventative residential roof maintenance should be scheduled at regular intervals so that a professional contractor can inspect the condition of your roof and identify potential problems in advance. Regularly maintaining your residential roof not only helps to keep your roof in good condition, but internal elements of your home as well. Roof leaks can cause thousands of dollars of structural and aesthetic damage, but this does not need to be the case. Residential roof maintenance will solve external problems before they cause internal problems. Moreover, as roof damage allows water to infiltrate your home, standing water can get trapped in the ceiling or attic potentially leading to the formation of mould and mildew which are known to cause health problems.

Indeed, in many cases of regularly scheduled maintenance, residential roof repairs are quite minor and inexpensive. If these problems are ignored or overlooked, more major concerns will arise. These major concerns will likely lead to more damage on roofing surfaces which will become increasingly expensive to repair. Maintenance should ideally be scheduled after winter months when inclement weather such as heavy snowfall is likely to have had the greatest impact on your roof. A fall inspection is also advisable to ensure your roof is in optimal condition for withstanding winter weather. As you can see, regular maintenance prevents costly repairs in two ways: first, residential roof maintenance allows you to identify small leaks or damage to material before they become big problems; and, regular maintenance ensures that your roof is structurally sound and providing the best protection when you need it most.

Ultimately, an effective residential roofing maintenance program should be scheduled for twice a year. Your contractor should inspect your roof and roofing fixtures such as vents, chimneys, and gutters while also checking that roofing materials are in good condition. During maintenance debris will be removed from your roof and minor repairs will be made. Not only does maintenance prevent future repairs, but it also extends the life of your roof which is a cost saving measure on its own.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7377981

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Risks of Repairing a Roof Yourself Without a Roofer


Homeowners will to try to repair their own roof sometimes because they want to save money. This can be very dangerous not to mention it can make things worse in some cases. A homeowner usually anticipates regular maintenance every year such as HVAC repair, painting or plumbing problems. With each call to a contractor to fix things around the house costs can add up. Many homeowners also pay on preventive yearly maintenance contracts or home buyer warranty plans that only cover a selective range of problems. Above all things constructed on your home your roof is the most important. Some homeowners will try to save a few bucks by going to the local hardware store and pick up a bucket of tar or some shingles. No matter how much confidence you have in your home improvement skills trying to create a Band-Aid can lead to more potential problems down the road.

A roof leak can be very harmful and cause an unsafe environment to live in. Even a small roof leak can cause a massive amount of black mold and wood rot. A roof leak can be ongoing for many years without any notice. Dampness can also attract termites and other annoying nuisances. Climbing up on a roof can be very dangerous for anyone without much experience. Roofs can be steep and they also have surface mold that is very slick to walk on. Attempting to do a roof repair without sufficient training or safety precautions is not only life threatening, it can cause a severe injury to occur. When repairing your roof it is always best to contact a specialist. A professional experience roofing contractor can examine your situation and help resolve any roofing problems that you might have.

Most roofers have certifications and many years of experience dealing with roof repairs. In fact many roofers have spent a great deal of their lives analyzing and conducting roof repairs on a day-to-day basis. A professional roofer will use his own fundamental troubleshooting steps to find out the cause and effect of your roof problem. Sometimes when a homeowner tries to repair a roof on his own it can cause additional problems or make the repair more complicated for the roofing contractor. This is and can cause price of the repair to be higher than expected. If you have an emergency and the rain is coming in asked the roofing contractor to see if he can do a temporary repair to watertight your home until the repair can be scheduled to be done properly.

The roof over your head is the most important part of your home. It protects your belongings, the structure of your home and the health and safety of your family. A roof repair is not something to be taken lightly. Find a roofing contractor that you can trust to provide you with the best advice that will use many years of experience to correct your problem. Not all repairs of the same, each roof has a different design and installation flaws from previous contractors. Don't let your wallet guide you in the direction of making a hastily decision that you will regret in the near future.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7383202

Monday, November 12, 2012

Roofing Contractors: Criteria For Selecting A Good One


Selecting roofing contractors requires research and foresight, as with any other professional relationship. These are good general guidelines for anyone on the lookout for good roofing contractors and honest business professionals in general:

1. Confirm that they have a permanent address and other forms of contact information: There are a number of people who work in construction that operate out of their vehicles, which creates a huge risk of unreliability and untrustworthiness. A permanent address means there is an easily accessible, physical location where you can contact them in case of problems. Permanent addresses also signify good enough finances to pay rent and other expenses, which a good roofing contractor should have at their disposal. Ideally, you should also have his or her name, number, business and personnel names, as well.

2. Talk to them in advance, before having them come to give estimates: Talking to roofing contractors before they have seen your site makes it easier for you to get an unbiased answer as to their usual rates and services.

3. Confirm that they are licensed professionals: Anyone can hang out a shingle and claim to have professional experience. A license is a credential, and it indicates basic competence and commitment, since the process of getting licensed is involved. Looking up licenses also helps verify information. You should get his or her license number.

4. Confirm that they have insurance coverage and inquire as to the amount: Insurance will potentially protect both of you in case of accidents. Any roof contractor without insurance should raise a red flag. Professionals would be unwilling to take a risk like that.

5. Check on their references and portfolio, if applicable: The best roof contractors have substantial experience, ability, and responsibility. They should have a history of previous satisfied clients, and should be enthusiastic about sharing their work history with you. Good contractors would see your business with them as another opportunity to build their reputations and further their careers.

6. Evaluate their past performance and customer service: The only real way to get a sense of a professional's skill is to see it in action, or look for prior evidence. The way they interact with customers currently, including you, is a good way to signal their level of skill and experience, as are the direct records of them.

7. Look them up in the Better Business Bureau, including complaints: Good brick and mortar businesses and others should be listed in the Better Business Bureau. Most companies will also be given detailed evaluations. Find out what even their critics say about them, since even good businesses will face criticism.

8. Ask about their warranty, its coverage, and its duration: Warranties give consumers recourse in the worst situations, and reassurance in the best situations.

9. Get a written contract: Contracts should include all terms of service, as well as details on your rights and responsibilities. You must agree to all the terms of the contract before signing anything.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7357394

Friday, November 9, 2012

What Are Seamless Gutters?


Gutters are a necessity of home construction. They collect rainwater off of the roofing and disperse it away from your home. Even if it is properly installed and arranged, it will still require maintenance. They will need tightening, section replacement, and painting to keep up their appearance and performance as the years go by. Yet, at some point, replacement will be an issue and why not now with seamless gutters. They are the most popular installation across the country because of their efficiency and minimized maintenance requirements. There are so many great features that take gutters to a more effective and dependable level than ever before.

Seamless gutters are just that. It is constructed to wrap around the edge of your roofing system as if it is an extension of it. It is so sleek and attractive that it blends in with the color of your roofing materials, your home trimming, or the paint color of the siding. The leaders and drainpipes are also flush with your house; it creates a discreet look that is clean and stylish. However, the aim of seamless gutters is not to impress with looks, it is to impress with performance of its contribution to foundation damage, landscaping erosion, walkway shifts and driveway repair protection by keeping excessive moisture away.

The name of the seamless gutters system comes from the fact that the length of the gutters has no seams in order to cut down on the possibility of leak and stays strong. This means the system is continuous and wraps around your home to only have joining seams at the corners for an attractive finish. The long-term use and stability is evident not only in your choice of copper, steel, aluminum, or vinyl material choices, but there is also a photograph online with a man hanging from the system and it is not bending or moving. What's also exciting is that your system can come with leaf guards to help keep down debris entry during the storm months and leaf falling months too. You receive all of these options for installation but how long does it take? Well, depending upon the size of your home, your installation can be complete in the matter of a single day. You can have your old faulty system taken down and a more convenient, long-term option installed in its place before the heavy rain comes in this spring.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6948877

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Cold Weather Roof Maintenance


Once winter gets here, cold weather roof maintenance is essential, to save on potentially costly problems and repairs. The following tips will help you to make sure your roof is secure and safe:

Inspecting Your Roof

Inspecting your roof just before the cold weather arrives is a good idea, and as the shingles are the most important defense against damage, firstly check these for cracks or breakages. Check your chimneys, flashing and other vents and fixtures and also scrape off any accumulated debris or algae; this can damage roof shingles.

Maintaining Your Gutters

Water is directed down your gutters by the shingles, making the gutters one of the most important parts of your house. You can prevent water damage to your property and even potential flooding, by keeping gutters clear and unblocked. Water can also freeze in your gutters during colder weather, which can stop water from flowing off the roof. Water on the roof can then freeze, causing expensive damage to the roof and the structure of your house.

Trim And Pare

Trees can shed limbs as well as leaves during the fall, and the biggest cause of damage to roofs is the damage caused by tree limbs falling on to them. High winds during the colder months can make it far more likely that you experience roof damage due to falling tree branches. One way to prevent this potentially costly damage is to make sure that you are routinely inspecting the trees and bushes around your home, especially any that hang over the roof of your house. If you see any limbs or branches that are hanging directly over your roof, you should remove them; however, unless you have the experience and the right equipment to do this, it is strongly recommended that you use the services of a professional company. They will be able to cut off only those dead or dying branches that are a threat to your roof and your home.

You may be used to cleaning the inside of your home during the spring, and it is a good habit to get into to make a point of cleaning your home's exterior during the fall, especially the roof. You can keep your home safe and dry and maintain the value of your home by practicing basic cold weather roof maintenance, including removing dead tree limbs, cleaning out rain spouts and gutters and generally checking your roof for any visible damage.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7359510

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Signals of Potential Roof Damage


A great number of reasons could be behind the cause of roof damage such as falling objects, weather (wind, rain, snow, etc) and animals. A significantly damaged roof has the potential to cause structural problems to a property and encourage mildew in mold growth. If you are aware of the main signs of roof damage it will help you determine what the right course of action might be to have those repairs rectified. If wishing to inspect the roof it often helps to use a pair of binoculars and look from ground level. Avoid walking on the roof as this can be very dangerous. Also, certain signs of roof damage, such as leaks, are often quite evident from within the property.

A leaking roof is often repaired quickly and easily provided that the damage isn't too significant. If you are able to detect the area of the leak, then it often helps to isolate the problem and have it repaired appropriately.

Here are some are some of the most common causes for roof to leak, which should help you determine if he roof needs the assistance of a professional roof repair contractor.

1) Missing or Loose Tiles

Missing or loose tiles are often quite noticeable and one of the easiest signals to confirm a roof has a problem. The potential for a leak is quite high and this problem should be rectified as soon as possible. Also, if the tiles or shingles appear to have folded, cracked or blistered, then this is another concern, as tiles in this condition aren't likely to be able to protect the roof from severe weather conditions.

2) Exposed or Loose Nails

Exposed or loose nails are a further sign of a damaged roof, which might result in water damage. Loose nails are a problem as the rainwater has the potential to flow beneath the nail head and into the property.

3) Sagging Roof

A sagging roof can indicate signs of quite significant damage to the roof. A roof might sag at either the reaches or slope. You might also become aware of a roof sagging between the rafters in the loft.

4) Guttering

If the guttering system often overflows than that might indicate that the roof isn't actually functioning as it should. Also, it is important to look out for water that seems to collect at the base of the house or foundation, which can also indicate the start of a roof related problem.

5) Internal Water Damage

If you start to see signs of internal water damage then this is again an early sign that the roof is damaged in some way. Although, depending on the extent of damage, this problem might relate to insufficient ventilation inside a house. Common signs of water damage inside a property relate to stains on the ceilings or walls, a ceiling that starts to sag, and stain wood.

6) Cost of Heating Bills

If a problem with the roof starts to gets quite bad then you might notice the cost of the heating bills going up. For instance, if a leaky roof is able to let cold air into the property, it would be a lot more difficult to heat the home, and as a result the cost of the monthly gas and electricity bills will increase.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7354540

If you suspect you may have roofing damage, call ABOVE ALL ROOFING CO.! We are a family owned and operated contractor located in Vacaville, California; serving the surrounding counties and the Bay Area. We are here for all your roofing needs.  We have extensive knowledge, with 37 years of experience in many types of roofing systems. Our goal is to provide you with quality workmanship, timely service and fair pricing. Our estimates are always free. We are licensed, bonded and insured and a member of the Better Business Bureau.
707-446-8819