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Blog Residential Roofing

Protected By Professional Roofing Experts

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The roof is perhaps the most important part of your home. Not only does it literally shelter those within from the elements, it represents the stability and safety of the house itself. Protecting it means protecting you and your loved ones. Roofing materials and techniques are varied, each with their own benefits, each suiting different homeowner’s needs. It can be a confusing world for someone to navigate on their own. Luckily, expert help can be found in the form of a roofing contractor in Virginia. These roofing experts can provide all the roofing services you need, from maintenance to total replacement.

Why Should You Go With Roofing Experts

There are many maintenance jobs that should be left to the professional roofing experts. The first job is installing a new roof. This should always be done by professionals, as there are many dangers in roofing.

They can handle the process from planning to clean up with their experience. Of course, it is important to make sure before hiring a roofer that they are certified, trusted, and fully prepared for the job. It is also good to find out if they are knowledgeable with the help you need and the materials. Many businesses are able to work on all types of roofs, from metal to wood. Maintenance jobs may seem small, but will save a lot of time and money. This may just prevent you from getting into an emergency situation.

There are ways that you can prepare your roof for weather, and maintain it to invest in its life. One of the best ways to do this is to use treatments that protect from moss and mold. The growth of these can cause severe damage. Should such a thing happen and require immediate attention, your roofing experts may be able to provide fast assistance without an appointment. Specific needs like dry rot repair and skylight repair are often provided, along with services for other roof elements like gutter cleaning and chimney repair. If it has to do with the health of your roof, a contractor should be able to handle it.

With so much relying on the wellbeing of your roof, do not take it for granted. Have professional roofing experts handle all your needs. With experience in every area from roof tear down to chimney rebuilding, they are an indispensable resource for the homeowner. After all, a roof can only be as good as its support system.

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Blog Residential Roofing

Choosing The Right Insulation

Choosing the right insulation can be the most important step in making your home and roof energy-efficient and more comfortable, so you will need to take that very seriously. It will keep your home cooler in summer, warmer in winter and may also save your home from condensation if done right. You should aim to learn more about it however before you make a choice.

The Differences In Insulation R-Values

Different insulations have different R-values. What is R-value you say? Well put simply, the R-value that is used to rate its ability to withstand heat transfer. This keeps temperatures stable with its properties. Let’s begin with some of the most commonly used insulation types:

Different Types

Fiberglass Insulation

One of the most used types, a traditional choice that happens to be what most people picture in their heads when it comes to insulation. Fiberglass comes in a variety of sizes and thickness, ranging from an R-rating of R-13 to R-38, depending on said factors and how its used in construction efforts.

Molded Expanded Polystyrene

It is very close in structure to foam boards, making it an extremely easy type of insulation you can work with. This insulation can be cut, trimmed and more to fit whatever needs you may have as well as most surfaces. This kind of insulation comes in sizes of 1-2 inches of thickness, varying in their R-rating between R-4 to R-8. Their light weight and ease of use is what makes them one of the preferred choices around the world.

Extruded  Polystyrene

It is a type of insulation which looks pretty much the same way as the previous example, used in much the same manner. There is a major difference between them however, as the R-rating of both materials is slightly different due to their construction. It ranges in thickness from 1-2 inches again, with R-ratings of R-5 to R-10.

Polyurethane and Polyisocyanurate

These are two types of insulation which look much like foam board. The difference between them and polystyrene is that they are much less rigid, as a result making them a more flexible choice that works better on a number of surfaces. Its thickness is usually around an inch, having an R-rating between R-7 and R-8.

Cellulose

A more eco-friendly solution, its made of newspapers, discarded paper products and so forth. This can be either sprayed on in layers or applied in other ways. It has an R-rating between 3.4 and 3.8 and its usually applied in 1-inch thickness increments.

Reflective Insulation

This type of insulation aims to reflect the heat back toward its source, being made up of layers of reflective materials such as cardboard and aluminum foil or bubble wrap made of aluminum foil. Its possible to reflect up to 97% of the heat radiated by objects. This gives it an R-rating between R-1.1 and R-18, depending on the materials and construction.

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Standing Seam Metal Roofs Blog

A Metal Roof Contractor: Alternatives to Traditional Roofs

Not only can repairs to a roof prove costly, roof damage can also drastically impact the quality of life in the home. It can also contribute to further damage due to outside elements. When repairs or renovations are necessary, a metal roof contractor can offer solutions to the many common problems plaguing homes.

A metal roof is more expensive than an ordinary roof made of shingles, but comparing initial costs is not always the wisest choice. In the long run, a metal roofing contractor can provide you with a much longer lasting roof that may never need replacement at all. This will save money on roof repairs while adding value to your home.

The following are just a few benefits of utilizing a metal roof contractor to install your next metal roof. The reasons can range from cost-effectiveness to being environmentally-friendly. In many cases, a metal roof may be the best option when a home is in need of significant repair.

Metal Roofs Are More Durable

Durability is key to maintaining the roof of your home, and a metal roof contractor can install a roof that will withstand the test of time. Due to its inherent qualities, a metal roof can better tolerate things like inclement weather, as well as issues such as insect infestation and mold growth. A metal roof offers a more durable alternative to other common materials, which have a tendency to experience significant problems at a much faster pace.

Metal roofs offer superior protection against all the elements, including fire, wind, water and snow. Fire will not burn a metal roof at all, and studies of hurricane damage have shown that metal is more resistant to wind than more traditional roofing materials. Metal roof contractors ensure water cannot penetrate it, so there will be much less water damage to the internal structures of your home. Snow and hail both slide off a metal roof with ease rather than piling up. Various weather conditions will not cause the same deterioration to the metal that they do to other materials. You will not see peeling, curling and cracking of your metal roof. The metal will stay as good as new for decades.

People often think that they will be extremely noisy during rainstorms. This is not actually true in most cases, since the metal is usually placed atop a layer of wood and other materials. A metal roof does not make a house a more likely target for lightning. It is not necessary to ground any of the exterior roofing material. In fact, the metal can actually help protect a house against damage caused by lighting strikes.

Reduces Heating and Cooling Bills

A metal roof has greater insulation capabilities than roofs made from other materials. This can drastically impact the amount it costs to heat or cool your home. By installing a metal roof, homeowners can reduce the amount of their monthly bills dramatically. This can have a great positive effect on all aspects of the home.

An Environmentally-Friendly Option

Common roof-building materials can have a devastating impact on the environment. This is from the use of natural resources to disposal of waste materials. A metal roof contractor mitigates one’s environmental footprint, thanks to its insulating capabilities, as well as use of re-purposed materials.

A metal roof contractor can offer many solutions to the problems associated with your standard building construction. If you are in need of a repairs or even installation, a metal roof can be a great option to lower costs, as well as being an environmentally-friendly choice. Call us today!

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Blog

How to Install Gutter Guards

If you plan on installing gutter guards around the roof of your home, you should keep in mind there are two options ahead of you. The more expensive option would be to hire someone else to install them for you. The second one would be to get things done yourself. Gutter guards will keep debris, leaves and more from entering your gutters and endangering their integrity. You will get a little dirty in the process, but you will save money, complete the job in a day and overall enjoy a better time.

Installing Gutter Guards

• You should begin by cleaning out your gutters completely and as thoroughly as you can. The easiest way you can do this is by using your hands. Just put some good gloves on, then climb up a sturdy ladder and do your best to remove all leaves, debris, dirt and branches you find up there. If you haven’t had any rain in a while, then you may be able to make things go faster. Use a leaf blower to blow things away from the gutters. You should collect all debris and then throw them away as is appropriate.

• Check for possible leaks in the gutters once you’ve removed all gunk, dirt and debris. Run some water through and observe how it goes, allowing water to flow through the gutter system. As time goes by they may have experienced corrosion or cracks, depending on the materials used. Take note of the areas and make sure you repair them or replace them as soon as possible.

• Measure your gutters while you’re at it. Once you’re done with the replacement or repairs, you can start measuring. Measure the length of each of the gutters and ensure you have the correct measurements written down. You will need them so you can purchase the right amount of materials when you install your gutter guards.

• Choose a gutter guard after measuring. Get to your local hardware store and look at the options available for you. Choose the one that you like best, purchase it and make sure you have enough material to cover the gutters. You could buy just a bit more material in case you make mistakes in the process just to be on the safe side.

• Start installing the gutter guards by checking out the directions from the manufacturer. This will be the easiest way you can do that without any issues. Make sure you follow the instructions closely, testing out the works to make sure you have no damage done to the gutters themselves as you do. If you do see any damage, you should make sure you fix that as soon as possible.

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Residential Roofing Blog

How to Hire Reputable Roofing Companies

With so many people offering roofing services, you might feel a little overwhelmed and uncertain of if you are working with the right company. Your roof is one of the most important features of your house because it protects you, your family and your belongings from harsh weather elements. Therefore, you want to make sure that your roofing contractor in Virginia is reliable. Here are four ways to ensure you hire reputable roofing companies.

Finding Reputable Roofing Companies

When you are shopping around for contractors, one of the first things you should ensure is that they are licensed. That means they are certified to do the work up to code. Additionally, they should carry insurance that protects you from being held liable in the event that an accident occurs. You can ask reputable roofing companies for proof of their license and insurance.

Online Research

One of the best ways to find quality professional roofers is online. You can find thousands of roofers near you online.

On top of that, you can then check out their website and reviews about the company. Does the website look sophisticated and clean? Does it tell you they are licensed and provide you with the license number? Do they have any testimonials on the site?

Do third party reviews have a similar attitude to the reviews on the website? What is the all-around sentiment of the company?

All of these questions can be answered with simple online searches. This is by far the best place to start your search.

Referrals

You can also rely on referrals to find a good roofing contractor. Ask your friends or family if they have used someone they would recommend. If you do not know anyone who has a trusted contractor, you can ask reputable roofing companies you are considering to provide you with references so you can speak to other people who have utilized their services.

Good Communication

A sign of a good contractor is someone who will have good communication with you throughout the entire process. He or she should return your phone calls in a timely manner and address any concerns you might have. Contractors should always provide you a written estimate for the work they are going to do. This will enable you to compare numbers with other companies you are considering to ensure you hire someone who fits your budget as well as your roofing needs.

Hiring reputable roofing companies does not have to be a stressful process. Through doing a little bit of homework, you can ensure you are working with someone who is trustworthy. Make sure they are licensed and insured before they start any work on your home. Ask for references and get as much as you can in writing, especially an estimate for the work.

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Commercial Blog

Commercial Metal Roofing Protects Your Belongings

Metal is a superior material in many ways and has been the preferred metal for building projects for generations. Now you can experience the numerous advantages of metal by opting to add commercial metal roofing to any building that needs protection. There is strength and security that comes from having a metal roof. You can rest easy knowing that your belongings are protected by a solid new metal roof. All you need to do is call a metal roofing company near you.

Commercial Metal Roofing Benefits

Each new roof is created exactly to the client’s specifications. Commercial metal roofing elements are cut and shaped to conform to the structure that the roof will shelter. Small, lightweight roofing panels can be used on compact structures such as garden sheds and storage units. Larger panels are used for homes, commercial buildings, and industrial structures. You can install metal roofs on existing structure. Whether replacing a roof or it can be installing a whole new building, metal provides benefits. Awnings and covered patios can be added to a building and then given metal roofing elements, too. This is an excellent way to greet visitors and keep people safe from the elements. Solid commercial metal roofing will also protect any signage hung from these coverings.

A metal roofing company can show you many excellent examples of how attractive a metal roof can be on any structure. Many of these metal roofing elements are available in a range of designer colors so you can coordinate the look of all your outbuildings. Industrial settings sometimes choose to color coordinate the roofs of different structures in order to designate their use; important buildings can be given bright roofs in order to distinguish them from other nearby structures.

If your metal roof ever needs repaired, all you have to do is call the same commercial roofing company that installed it. Their team of experienced roofing technicians will be able to perform all the maintenance tasks you require.

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Home Improvement Blog

Winter Roofing Preparation Tips

There are things during the winter that need to be addressed if you want to keep the water out of your home.  This is especially true during the winter. Because of this, winter roofing preparation is incredibly important. If you have any issues during that season you will have a lot more difficulties dealing with them during the winter. Regardless of how hard a winter may be, you will need to deal with a few winter preparations ahead of time. It’s especially important to focus on winter roofing preparation. Keep in mind that there is much work that needs to be done and it will not be available for you unless you have no snow on your home, allowing you clear access to its roof.

Roofing Preparation Tips:

The following tips will cover what you need to do for winter roofing preparation:

Roof Cleaning

• Make sure you keep your roof as clean as possible before winter rolls around or when you have a break in the snow. One of the main reasons for leaks and damage to a roof are the debris scattered on it. Get rid of any dead leaves, garbage and branches that may be out there.

• Speaking of branches you should make sure you trim the overhanging ones that loom over your roof. If you have those you must absolutely make sure you take care of them as soon as possible. This will cut down on the debris on your roof, lowering the costs for maintenance and also making sure there will be no piles of snow threatening your roof.

• Clean the gutters as soon as you can, as clogged gutters can be a great danger to your roof. Ice dams can form as well as other issues, so make sure you clear the gutters from leaves and debris before snow sets in or during one of the breaks when it doesn’t snow. If there are too much debris inside the gutters, make sure you spray them carefully with water to clear them.

Ensure Proper Insulation

• Upgrade the insulation of your attic with a better one to prevent roof leaks and to increase the heat efficiency of your home. One of the easiest ways leaks happen is because the heat of your home escapes through the roof and it melts the snow around it. Good insulation will minimize the transfer of heat, thus allowing you to keep things safe and warm.

• Clean the roof with a roof rake, as this is an excellent tool for removing snow from it safely. This will also help prevent the previously mentioned ice dams and leaks. Make sure you do that carefully as to not damage the gutters as you pull the snow down.

Inspect Roofing Material

• Find and fix any loose shingles and reapply roofing cement to hold them back in place. Make sure you replace any missing ones as soon as possible as the roof has constant exposure to water and this may easily lead to rotting and leaks down the line.

• Check out the metal parts of your roof for corrosion, holes and warping and make sure you fix whatever you can to keep things safe and intact. Apply roofing cement if you have to and work out all the issues.

For more tips, visit: http://www.moving-van.org.uk/W4-man-and-van/chiswick-man-in-a-van-W4.html

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Residential Roofing Blog

Roof Protection: Protecting the Roof Over Your Head

The roof over your head is important for many reasons, therefore it’s incredibly important to ensure proper roof protection. It protects you and your loved ones from the elements. It also represents the stability of the household and the shelter it offers. Your roof represents a vital part of the home, the feeling of comfort when you step inside at the end of a day. Which is why having that comfort disrupted by a leak or other damage can be such a concern. Especially during turbulent fall and winter weather, your roof can be at risk for damage from rain, snow, hail, and even falling trees. For others, the wear occurs over time. An old roof can suddenly find itself with multiple leaks to stop up. This is where a roofing repair company comes in. By finding the right one, you can be sure you have proper roof protection that will keep you and your family safe.

Proper Roof Protection

There are a variety of solutions for roofing in Fredericksburg, depending on the customer’s needs, whether they be budgetary, schedule related, or otherwise. Many involve plastic cement which is generally good for repair. However, stronger and longer lasting solutions such as flashing cement may also be available. The right company will often first examine the roof and evaluate its needs. They will determine the proper roof protection needed, and how extensive the repair must be. Some may even offer such an evaluation simply to check up on your roof and anticipate future problems. Though a leak may not seem like a big problem at first, if left unchecked it can result in dangerous mold growing within the structure of your house. It can also lead to rot and decay in the wood, which creates greater problems in the future. Getting your roof diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible is your best insurance against big roof problems.

The Importance of Proper Inspection

The right roofing repair company in Fredericksburg is ready with trained professionals to get your roof back in working order. Not only can this prevent widespread damage to the rest of the roof, but it will keep you secure in the knowledge that your home will continue to protect its inhabitants. No matter what you need, whether it is a full repair or a diagnostic examination, assistance is there for you.

If you are concerned about your roof, or are in need of an inspection, don’t hesitate to reach out!

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Rubber Roofing Blog

Rubber Roofing Installation Tips

Rubber roofing installation is used on flat roofs for the most part. They offer unparalleled protection against leaks and help keep roofs dry, allowing a lot of versatility. These roofs are often made of EDMP or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer rubber. This offers an excellent membrane that acts well, making it easy to maintain and also quite cheap compared to other types of roofing. If you happen to have a roof with a low slope or even a flat one, rubber roofing will be one of the best ways you can handle the situation. One of the first things you will notice is that this type of roofing is very easy to install. Follow these tips to begin your rubber roofing installation process:

Rubber Roofing Installation

The first thing you should do is check out the weather. Make sure you don’t start the project unless there are at least three clear days ahead of you. The adhesives used in the rubber roofing installation will need at least 48 hours to cure properly. The roof will not be waterproof until then. Because you this, you may ruin your installation completely if you have water seeping in while it dries.

Filling the gaps

If you have gaps in the roof that happen to be large enough, you should make sure you fill them. You can fill them with some wooden strips to cover the openings. If you have gaps larger than about a quarter of an inch this may cause your rubber membrane to fail adhering.

Allowing some overlap

You should also make sure you allow enough overlap when you’re placing pieces of the rubber roofing down. At least six inches of the pieces should overlap each other, so they can allow a completely waterproof surface.

Cleaning your roof

You should always make sure your roof is clean before you start with rubber roofing installation. Take away all debris and this will help a tighter, more effective installation. You must make sure everything is clean or otherwise you may not have a level roof which allows water to drop off and away from it.

Checking your roof

You should double-check your roof for leaves, branches and other things to ensure everything is clean and maintained once you install the rubber roofing. Regardless of the fact that it acts like an excellent deterrent to water, this type of roof still needs to be maintained properly just like any other. Thankfully, this type of roof doesn’t add any chemical pollutants to its run-off water, so you can enjoy an eco-friendly home combined with these materials as well. One other thing that may amaze you is that installing that type of roof may allow you to keep a rooftop garden on top or even grow grass on the roof of your home if you feel inclined to do so, and its construction allows it.

 

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Emergency Roof Repair Services Blog

Emergency Shingle Roof Repair Tips

As time goes by there are many ways our roofs can become damaged or worn in some way, and this includes shingle roof repair. From minor leaks and breaks to larger issues, you can fix some of those without professional help. However, for quite a few of them you will need such to make sure your home is safe. The tips up ahead will give you some information on what you can do to assess the situation and fix most of the issues on shingle roofs. Always remember to only work on the roof as long as its dry and safe to walk on. Your roof protects you and your family from the elements. If you think you’re in need of a repair, follow these tips for shingle roof repair.

Shingle Roof Repair: Check for Damage

The first step in shingle roof repair is to check for damage. You should begin by checking for damage to the roofing shingles right above the spot where you have the leak occurring. You will likely have a higher chance of finding the spot when you have to work on a flat roof. However, leaks can sometimes happen some distance away from the place where the real damage is. It’s important to keep your eyes open and analyze the clues. If you have a slanted roof you should expect gravity to take its toll. Look for the damage above the point where you saw the leak first. The points of origin may be hidden compared to other types or roof. If your home has an attic, you should check it out with a flashlight for possible water stains, mold or black marks. If you can, run a hose with some water on the roof to find the leak origins. This will be a two person job, so get some help if you can.

Look for the curled, damaged or missing shingles close to the leak as well as roofing tacks that are exposed. This is a simple, yet crucial part of the process.

Straighten Out Curled Shingles

Straighten out the shingles that have been curled back by the damage. If you’re doing this in cold weather, you should focus on softening them up first with something such as a blowtorch (be very careful). You can also use another heat source that helps in keeping things soft. When you’re using an open flame you should keep in mind that the shingles are flammable due to the asphalt used in their making.

Reattach Missing Shingles

Put back and reattach the shingles after straightening them. You can straighten them with a good amount of roof cement or a similar compound used around its edges.

Replace all damaged shingles by checking out which ones you can lift off the roof with minimal effort. Keep an eye out for those shingles that are crumbling as well. Remove them by lifting their edges and removing the nails. Scrape the area so you can remove the leftover cement and prepare it for reapplication again. Use a sharp and good utility knife to scrape things off and to round the corners of the shingles you need to put in. Slide the shingle into place and put the galvanized roofing nails into the upper corner, then cover their heads with roofing cement.

Now you can protect your home from roof damage and you will know what to do when you need shingle roof repair.

 

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