Roofing Maintenance Tips: When Is It Time for a Replacement?

The roof of a building is expected to withstand considerable abuse during its lifetime, from elements such as rain, hail, snow, fallen branches, and scalding temperatures. While a roofing structure is built to withstand these elements, at some point the roof can become damaged or could break down completely. Performing regular roofing maintenance will help a building owner get the most out of an existing roof, but at some point it will be time for a new roof. Do not make the mistake of keeping a shoddy roof for longer than it needs to be kept. Instead, install a new roof that will:

Eliminate the need for repairs

When hiring a roofing company to inspect the structure and provide roofing maintenance, the building owner is extending its lifespan. One of the most common repairs that building owners have to pay for is the removal of leaks. When a roof has a leak, it allows water and mold to accumulate within the structure. Retail and business owners also recognize that a leaky roof could leave the business susceptible to costly lawsuits due to the threat of slip-and-fall accidents. Roofing companies are also hired to replace shingles or repair areas of the roof that have decayed over time. Over time the cost of repairs will keep adding up until it becomes more cost effective to have a new roof installed instead. A replacement roof installed by a competent contractor will not require repairs for several years.

Be covered under a warranty

A roofing structure typically is protected by a warranty for a set number of years after its construction. An older roof has likely outlived its warranty, meaning that the building owner will be responsible for the full cost of roofing maintenance that becomes necessary down the line. Fortunately modern roofers will stand behind the quality of a new roof, offering a warranty at no additional cost. Some modern warranties cover the cost of semi-annual inspections so that the building owner discovers and is able to correct problems before they have a chance to grow into major issues. Since these warranties offer more protection against the cost of roofing maintenance, it will be cheaper to own and maintain a newly installed roof instead of keeping an older roof standing until it breaks down.

Boost the property value

When a house or other building is put up for sale, the owner usually invests thousands of dollars so that it is in a condition that is more appealing to potential customers. While the owner might replace the carpet, have the walls repainted, or renovate the kitchen, most neglect to install a new roof. However, a new roof offers a better return on investment (ROI) than the renovations mentioned above. This means that the property owner gets a higher percentage of what they spend on the roof back following the sale.

Replacing the roof on a building will allow the owner to reduce the amount of needed repairs, cover future roofing maintenance under a warranty, and boost the value of his or her property.

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Choosing the Right Shingles for Your Home

An easy way to choose the right shingles for your home. 

Roofing Ventilation Myths

When most people think about roofing ventilation we have many different attic ventilation myths come to mind. We are going to discuss 5 of the biggest myths when it comes to roofing ventilation. There can be one of the most mis understood aspects of your roofing system. The American Institute or Architects claims that over 90% of the homes with in the United States has over the average moisture content in their homes.

Roofing Attic Ventilation Myths:
1. More Attic Ventilation is Good
The same as buying the right pair of pants, correct size shoes, making sure you have the right amount of attic ventilation for the size of home is equally as important in making sure things operate correctly. If your home has insufficient ventilation it can lead to a wide variety of problems, during the winter it can lead excess moisture build up in the attic and during summer months can lead to decreased efficiency of your HVAC system. On the opposite side of the spectrum too much attic ventilation can be equally as bad. In the most basic sense an additional roof vents creates an additional hole in your roof (roof penetration) which can act as another access point for water to enter into your home. You never want to increase the number of roof penetrations in your for no reason, this can lead to leaks from blowing rain or as an access point for sparks or smoke during a fire.

So, what amount of roof ventilation is the right amount? Without exception you should speak with a professional roofing contractor and have them conduct an inspection to determine the ventilation requirements of your home. As a general rule you can follow the 3-1 Ventilation Rule, so for every 300 sq/ft of ceiling space you want to have 1 sq/ft of attic ventilation. Ideally this would be 1 sq/ft of un obstructed intake ventilation (soffits) and 1st/ft of exhaust (roof vent). If your is sectioned off into various partitions determining the correct amount of ventilation can be more difficult.

2. Vents and Attic Ventilation is for Warmer Climates
The majority of people believe that the only importance of roof attic ventilation is to increase the energy efficiency during the summer months. Although proper attic ventilation can help with this it is equally as important to take into consideration shingle color, sun exposure, and insulation. In fact, the colder the climate the more likely that your home will benefit from having the proper attic ventilation. When dealing with warmer climates you don't need to deal with condensation- think about how often dew forms on your grass. In these climates, hot attic spaces are eliminated by installing a thermal barrier along the roof line, instead of the attic floor.

3. Roof Vents Remove Warm Air During Winter Months.
Many people get this misconception that because hot air rises, the attic ventilation draws all the heat upward in your home and pulls it out of your home causing un-necessary drag on your homes furnace equipment. If you are noticing increased strain on your homes HVAV system during the winter months you have much larger problems than attic ventilation and you should really be focusing on the insulation. In the majority of homes your furnace should not be heating your attic space, unless your home is designed with insulation directly on the roof deck and is designed without ventilation. The worst situation is when due to poor insulation warm humid moist air is allowed to enter the attic space from the interior of the home, when this warm moist air hits the roof it will likely form condensation which will deteriorate your roof decking, ruin the insulation you have and causing interior damage in the process. As an easy test for you wait until the sun goes down and enter into your attic with a digital thermometer and flashlight and take a reading, this reading should be almost the same as the exterior temperature.

4. Attic Ventilation Research
In some ways, roof ventilation is as much as an art as it is a science, and installing your own roof vents based on something you read online is like trying to diagnose a skin rash using WebMD. Finding a trusted and experienced roofer who has worked in your region for his or her entire career is a better judge for your particular roof than any research study or online "expert."

5. I have Roof Vents so I must have Ventilation
It is hard to find a group of people that will agree on what the best attic ventilation system is but everyone will agree on the importance of attic ventilation. For example systems such as a ridge vent which when installed correctly using the right product is arguably the best roofing system, while if you install a ridge vent without baffles that prevent outside air from crossing over the vent, a ridge vent may create almost no attic ventilation at all, as this outside air crosses over the vent and keeps air trapped inside your attic. Gable vents may circulate air through only a small percentage of your attic. Static, roof-line, vents are effective for ventilation, but generally aren't recommended due to issues with leaks. Soffit vents may leave air trapped at the top of your attic. Most effective ventilation uses a ridge-and-soffit continuous ventilation system, but even these designs can vary from roof to roof.

If you don't know how your roof vents work, or if you're unsure about your ventilation in general, you should talk to a roof inspector about your current system and any inherent weaknesses that may be at work. The risk/reward for having no attic ventilation or poor attic ventilation, along with the negligible cost of installing a good-working attic ventilation system makes them one of the unforgivable sins of home maintenance negligence.


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Owens Corning TruDefinition® Duration STORM™ Shingles Collection

Owens Corning TruDefinition® Duration STORM™ Shingles Collection

The Importance of Professional Gutter Installation

Gutter installation is not usually something you want to do yourself. After all, most people don't want to try and bend material one way or the other to create an even flowing, effective system around the home. Though you could do it on your own, it may be a better option to have a professional handle the work for you. Doing so could make it far easier for you to get the job done and not have to worry about it for years to come. The question is, though, what is the benefit of having a pro do the work?

Customized Solutions

One of the biggest reasons to turn to a professional for gutter installation is simply because the system installed is right for your home. Often, they will build the gutters right on your property. They are customized to fit your specific needs. As a result, they often function better than any type of piece-by-piece project that you may purchase from a home improvement store. This is especially important for homes with numerous peaks and various twists and turns.

It Is Safer

No matter what time of the year or how many ladders you have, it is far riskier for you to handle the installation than for a team with ample tools and harnesses to keep them in place. That means that you do not have to worry about falling off the ladder or for your best friend or family member to fall if he or she is helping you with the installation. Hands down, having a pro do it will keep you from falling.

Minimizing Foundation Concerns

If the gutters are not put in properly, they can contribute to the problems you have with your foundation. As water runs through the system, if it is not flowing away from the home properly, it could push against the home's foundation. Water is incredibly dangerous because it washes away the soil surrounding your home. This makes it possible for moisture to enter your home or, even worse, for the foundation to weaken. You need to ensure that this system is pushing water away from your home and that the grading is done properly to avoid these risks.

You Get Guaranteed Service

If you invest in the right company and they install the system for you, but a problem happens a few weeks later, you want the ability to pick up the phone and get help. That's something you can do when you have a pro do it.

Getting a professional to handle gutter installation makes sense. The process is quick and easy. It can even be very affordable. It is a necessary step in maintaining your home.


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Essentials™ Accessory System Overview

Shingles are just one part of a much bigger picture. A healthy long lasting roof is actually made up of many parts that work together and if one of them is missing it can end up costing you in the long run. Owens Corning Roofing put together a system of products with everything your roof needs, the Essentials™ Accessory System.

What to Know About Shingles

When most people purchase a house, they tend to forget that the shingles and other roofing materials are a very important part of it. After all, what would a house be without shingles? If you are here, you probably have the answer to that already and you know that at some point, you will need to replace or repair your roof. The question, however, is what type of shingles you will need, and even more importantly, what disaster could lead to the need for a total replacement. Let's talk about different shingle types and their lifespan to start.

Asphalt Shingles:

These are the most common shingles in the residential sector. They are indented, and they give more of a thatched appearance. In addition to that, they are very cheap. The average life expectancy of these shingles is 15 to 30 years, depending on weather conditions.

Wood Shingles:

These shingles are fairly expensive, but they will actually give you a more natural appearance. In addition to that, they will last much longer than asphalt. A lifespan of 30 to 50 years is usually expected with wood shingles, which will be reinforced if they are properly treated for fire.

Metal Shingles:

There are many different colors and styles when it comes to metal roofing, and they are very low maintenance. They are however very expensive and difficult to install. Metal shingles have the potential to last up to 50 years.

Tile Shingles:

Houses in dryer climates will benefit from tile shingles, and they work for different style homes. For example, French, Italian, and Spanish home styles look much better with tile singles. In addition to that, they are fireproof, ensuring a much longer lifespan. Keep in mind however that they are heavy, and you will need to ensure that the frame of your house can actually support it.

Slate Shingles:

These roofing solutions are aesthetically pleasing, but you should note that they are fairly expensive. They usually require a team of experienced professionals to complete the installation, and they can be very heavy. Like tile shingles, you will want to make sure that your roof can actually handle it.

As you can see, there are many different types of shingle available and roof maintenance is one of the most important things you can do for your home. It may not always be necessary to get a new roof, but there are circumstances under which you will need to perform that replacement. For example, if your roof becomes damaged in a hailstorm, or even collapses due to snow, you will need to know the extent of the damage, the cost to repair, and any warranty options that you might have. Repairing a roof and basic roof maintenance is not always the easiest thing in the world, but soon enough, you will have a great roofing solution, and you will be able to replace or repair your roof no matter what the circumstances. Search online today and find a good roof maintenance company to keep a roof over your head.

A professional roofing company will be able to discern between needing a new roof or some type of roofing maintenance.


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